Missions of the Retrieval Team - Kiltmen Down

[davedove]

Scene 4


Courtyard of the Great Hall of X Marks the Scot, somewhere in South Carolina


After a long ride ending with a steep climb up what sounded like a gravel road, the limousine came to a stop. A moment later, the door was again opened by Dee and he beckoned for us to get out of the car.

“Is this it?” asked Ms. Starling, as we gazed across the courtyard at the huge manor house, illuminated with the late evening sun.

“Yes, this is the place,” I answered. However, something looked different about the place. “I’m not sure, but it looks like the surface has been covered with gold since I was here.”

“It’s a trick of the light,” responded Ms. Starling. “If you’ll examine the stonework more closely, you’ll notice the tiny crystals embedded in the surface. They catch the light of the setting sun and cast a golden shade over the whole structure. I wonder if they arrange for all their guests to arrive at this time of day in order to showcase the effect. It really does make the place look even more impressive. It’s quite ingenious.”

Dee spoke up, “I’ll tell Panache you like it Ms. Starling. It was his idea. He always did go in for finery.”

As we started walking towards the Hall, a large flock of chickens scurried out of our path. “Dee, what’s with the chickens?” I asked the herald.

“Oh, those, I’m afraid that’s a project of our butler, Spasm. It seems he’s trying to get enough eggs for the Moderators’ breakfasts. You should have been here earlier. He actually tried to plant the chickens in order to grow an ‘egg crop.’ The smell was horrible.”

Ah, yes, I remembered Spasm. The poor old fellow had been suffering from senility on my last visit. It seemed it was getting worse.

“One other thing, Dee, where should I put the sword?” I held the claymore out to him.

“Not again, I really must talk to the staff about this. Ever since Colin came up with the idea of the swords for the Moderator trials, the staff thinks every message has to be sent that way. I specifically asked them to text message you about the mission. Here, give me the sword. I’ll take care of it. Now, follow me. Mike is waiting for you in his office.”

As we made our way to the door, Ms. Swan whispered to me. “I still can’t get any signal on the GPS and we’re out in the open. There has to be an open satellite signal at the top of this mountain.”

“Keep trying,” I whispered back. “I suspect it won’t work, but you never know.”