Curse of the Condor (12 page)

"Because I think I'm falling in love with you, Conrado."

A strange look overcame him. His eyes roamed from side to side.

"What is it?" she asked, afraid she’d said the wrong thing.

"Notice how quiet the rain forest is all of a sudden?"

She hadn't noticed till he mentioned it. But before she had a chance to think about it, he threw her off of him to the side and jumped to his feet. His hand slashed out and he grabbed for something. Jetta sat up and screamed when she saw what it was.

Conrado stood with feet apart, holding on to the end of a spear. At the other end was a wild-looking tribesman in a grass skirt. There were painted designs on his face, and a mean look in his eye. He looked over to Jetta and let out a growl. She screamed once again, and hid her face under her hands, hoping it wasn't one of the headhunters Conrado had told her about.

Chapter 14

Jetta watched in horror as Conrado fought with the native in the grass skirt. They went around in a circle, eyeing each other. Then the native poked his spear at Conrado's feet, and Conrado jumped
into the air.

She wanted to do something, wanted to say something, but somehow all she could do was sit there and watch. There was an exchange of looks between them, but no words. Jetta wondered what language the native even spoke. He let out a hiss, and then a whooping noise, then he all out attacked Conrado who didn't seem to be worried in the least.

Conrado barely moved, but yet managed to grab the native's spear and twist it so the man fell to the ground. He took it above his head and brought the point straight down toward the native's throat.

"No!" screamed Jetta, just as Conrado stopped, resting the tip of the spear on the man's throat instead.

Then there was silence, the native watching Conrado, and Conrado watching him. Conrado smiled, took the spear, threw it aside and offered the man his hand in a gesture of helping him to his feet.

He said something in a foreign language which didn't even sound like Spanish to her. The tribesman said something back to Conrado, and they both began to laugh. He got to his feet and the two of them shared a clasp of hands quickly.

"What's going on?" asked Jetta. "Why didn't you kill him and why isn't he cutting off our heads?"

The tribesman laughed, obviously understanding her words.

"I'm not Jivaro," he told her. Then pounding his hand against his chest, he smiled proudly. "I'm of the Yagua tribe."

Jetta looked at Conrado for reassurance, and he smiled and held out his hand to her. She got to her feet and put her hand in his.

"Jetta," he told her. "This is Eloy. He's my friend. He's from the Yagua tribe."

"Oh," she breathed a sigh of relief and forced a laugh, still shaken. "I mistook you for a headhunter," she said.

Eloy laughed heartily, and she wondered what she'd said that was so funny. He then picked up his spear and turned toward Conrado.

"So you do still remember your Jivaro training after all this time.”

"I can still beat you in a fight any day of the week," said Conrado with a smile.

"So what brings you back this way?" Eloy asked. "No one has seen you since - "

"I'm just passing through," Conrado interrupted. He then spoke to the man in a softer voice in a language she couldn’t understand. Eloy looked at him in surprise, then pointed to Jetta. Conrado said something else, and the native just frowned and shook his head.

Jetta wasn't sure what they'd said, but she thought she heard her brother's name mentioned.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, quickly slipping her shorts on as she spoke. "And why don't you talk in English so I can join in the conversation?"

"He says we should come spend the night at their village," said Conrado.

"Please, Ms. Fitzgerald," said Eloy. "We'd like to have you as our guest."

"How did you know my name?" she asked suspiciously.

Eloy looked at Conrado, but didn't answer.

"I told him," said Conrado. "I told him you are Ryder's sister."

"Then you know Ryder too?" Jetta asked happily. "Is he going to be spending the night at your village as well? Is he here doing missionary work?"

There was an awkward silence, and Jetta felt something just wasn't right. Then Conrado said something else to him and the native disappeared into the forest.

"Let's get our things together, Jetta. I told Eloy to go ahead and start preparing for the celebration they'll have tonight in your honor."

"My honor?" she asked. "Why?"

"Because you're a guest," he said, putting their supplies into the blanket and rolling it up.

"Will Ryder be here tonight also? Is this where he's been staying?"

He stopped rolling the blanket and looked up to her with solemn eyes.

"No, Jetta. Ryder won't be here. We won't get to him until tomorrow."

"Well, don't look so sad about it," she said, trying to cheer up the mood. "You look more disappointed than I feel that Ryder won't be able to join us. But I waited this long, so I guess one more day won't make a difference. But when I see him, I'm going to have so many stories to tell him that he won't get a word in edgewise."

Conrado finished wrapping up the supplies and Jetta realized he'd forgotten to pack his blowgun.

"Don’t forget this." She picked it up and handed it to him. "You never know when you may need it.”

"Yeah," he answered and took it from her slowly, leading her to the Yagua camp.

* * *

Conrado didn't know why he hadn't told Jetta about her brother. Maybe it was because every time he'd had enough guts to address the issue, someone or something interrupted him. Or maybe it was because he was afraid. Because somewhere down deep, he knew as soon as he told Jetta he'd killed her brother, she'd hate him forever. Then she'd leave him and he'd never see her again.

He'd miss her bright smile and laughing blue eyes. He'd miss the way she called him Tarzan, and made faces every time she tried something new to eat.

She'd come such a long way since he'd met her. She'd overcome her fear of the jungle, water, dark cold nights and hot buggy days. She now felt comfortable walking around without a bra, or swinging up into the trees and having paint put on her breast. Yes, Ms. proper schoolteacher, Jetta Fitzgerald, would never be the same once she went back to the States. And now, his only regret would be that when this was all over, she'd have a new fear. A fear of him.

"Oh, this is so intriguing," said Jetta as they entered the village. She clutched her big purse in one hand, his hand in her other.

Chatter ran up behind them and scurried up Conrado's leg, danced over to his shoulder, and then decided to go sit on Jetta's shoulder instead.

She laughed. "That tickles," she said as Chatter swished his tail across her cheek.

"He looks good there," Conrado said with a smile.

"I tend to agree," she answered. "Though it still feels a bit awkward.”

Conrado picked up a Brazil nut off the ground and tossed it in the air. "Go fetch," he told the monkey, throwing the nut far from them. Chatter scurried down her arm and disappeared as he searched for it.

"Impressive," she said. "You trained you monkey to do tricks."

"No," he said. "I was just trying to get rid of him so I could have you all to myself."

She stopped walking and turned and hugged him.

"There's no competition, Conrado. You'll always have me. As long as you want me."

"I hope that's true." He kissed her gently and stopped as the natives of the village ran over to greet them.

Jetta was fascinated by the Yagua tribe. She saw thatched huts, campfires, and huts on stilts similar to the one Conrado built. But through the open doors of the huts she could see walls made from nothing more than blankets, and animal skins hanging to dry from the ceiling. Everyone bustled about tending to what looked like the preparations of a meal. Topless woman walked around shamelessly, one or two of them calling out and waving to Conrado.

Conrado called back in their own language. They'd converse a word or two, and then they'd always smile.

"They like you, don't they?" she asked, feeling embarrassed by their nakedness.

"I guess. Natives are a little more forgiving than the civilians."

"Forgiving? How so?"

"It means, they have hearts of gold. And that they believe in the trials of life and death."

"You're making no sense today, Conrado. Does all this strange moodiness and talk have anything to do with what you wanted to tell me before?"

"It does," he admitted.

"Well, then what is it? Whatever's bothering you, it can't be all that bad. Just spit it out and then we'll get on with our lives."

"I wish it were that easy.”

"I understand," she said. "You're just not ready to tell me yet. You’ve been through so much with your tragic childhood and being raised by the Jivaro. It's all right. I can wait. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'm here."

Before Conrado could answer, Chatter came running over with a pack of naked children on his trail. They were laughing and chasing him. The little monkey almost seemed to enjoy it.

He ran up and perched on Conrado's shoulder again, and the children jumped up around him, trying to get something from the monkey.

"What did you steal now?" Conrado asked, reaching up and pulling the object from the monkey's hands. It was a broken pencil. Conrado held it out for the children to see, and they moaned in disappointment.

He spoke in their language, and Jetta asked him what he was saying.

"I told them the monkey played a little game and now their treasure is broken." They're disappointed.

"Over a pencil?" she asked.

"They traded for it last time the tourists came through. It was special. They don't have pencils you realize."

"What do you mean they traded for it?"

"That's how the tribes people buy things without money," he explained. "They trade. They'll trade jewelry made out of seeds and porcupine quills that they've worked hours to create for something as simple as a pencil."

"Well, gee," she said, feeling sorry for the children. "I think I may have a pencil in here somewhere. A schoolteacher always has a good supply."

She knelt down and dug into her straw purse. The children understood, and gathered around her curiously.

"Well, I'm glad you finally found a purpose for hauling all that junk with you all this way," he said.

"I wouldn't say it's junk," she retorted. "And to the children it'll be treasure."

She pulled out a pencil and held it up proudly for them to see. They shouted and cheered, and the smiles on their faces alone was enough to bring a tear to her eye. They reminded her of her school children back home. Only these kids were so much more appreciative. These kids needed attention, and she wanted nothing more than to give it to them.

One of the little boys grabbed her arm and pulled her along with them.

"What are they doing?" She looked to Conrado for help.

"They want to show you what they have to trade for your pencil.”

"Oh, no, that's all right." She held it out for them and they all grabbed for it.

"Wait, wait!" she said. "I only have one."

"Then you'd better go with them and see what they have to trade. The best trade gets the pencil."

"But I couldn't possibly do that," she told him. "If one child gets a pencil and the rest get nothing, that wouldn't be fair."

"Then I hope to hell you have enough things in that bag of yours to make the rounds." He was heading in the other direction, calling out to some of the tribesmen.

"Conrado, wait! Don't leave me," she said as the children hauled her off towards the huts.

"You'll be fine," he called over his shoulder.

"But I can't even speak their language."

"You just keep pulling things out of that magic bag of yours, and you won't have to say a word."

With that, Conrado walked off with the tribesmen and Jetta was escorted by the children to one of the huts.

Chapter 15

Conrado hadn't seen Jetta for a while and was beginning to think he ought to seek her out when a sight caught his attention behind the main hut. He was walking with Eloy and stopped in his tracks.

"Is that Jetta over there?" He squinted in the sun to see her. She walked amongst the tribal woman, wearing a long grass skirt. She was loaded down with homemade jewelry - necklaces, bracelets, and even a band around her head that covered her hair. Her shoes were gone, and besides her purse, the only thing that made her look like a foreigner was her yellow tank top.

"It seems as if she's really getting along with the rest of the tribe," said Eloy.

"It does." Conrado was impressed as she carried a basket of manioc bread on one hip, almost seeming as if she belonged here. "Too good. I just hope she doesn't get any crazy ideas about staying."

"Let her stay awhile," said Eloy. "She's having fun. What's she got to look forward too anyway? I can't believe you didn't tell her about her brother."

"I tried," he said, feeling a knot in his gut. “But I couldn’t do it.”

"Afraid she might not believe you when you tell her you don't remember killing him?"

"No," said Conrado, shaking his head. "Afraid she might."

"Just tell her it was an accident. Or that you don’t remember doing it.”

“I’m going to take her to the gravesite tomorrow. It’s not going to be easy for either of us.”

“Well, I don’t believe you did it, Conrado. If you ask me, you were set up.”

“It is odd no one notified her of her brother’s death. And something else strange, are the men in the forest who are posing as missionaries and carrying guns.”

“Do you want me to send some men out to scout the area for them?”

“No need. After I bring Jetta to the gravesite, I plan on finding them myself. Can I leave her with you for safekeeping?”

“Of course you can.” Eloy gave him a nod of approval. “Anything for you, my friend.”

Conrado thanked the Yagua with a clasp of hands, but as he did, he noticed something across camp. The Yagua chief was proudly showing Jetta his ten foot long blowgun. She seemed fascinated by it, especially when he showed her how to use it. The chief held on to one end, while the other end rested on the ground.

"Not again," said Conrado and headed off in their direction.

"Oh, I don't know if I'd have enough air to blow this," she was saying to the chief
,
even though Conrado knew that the man didn't have any idea of what she was saying. Eloy was the only member of the tribe who spoke English.

"He can't understand you, Jetta."

She held onto the end of the blowgun, her mouth ready to blow when he approached.

"Oh, Conrado! Just in time to see me attempt this."

"I'd rather you didn't." He took the end of the blowgun
away from her. "Besides, it's not very ladylike."

"Since when do you care about me acting like a lady? Haven't you been trying to loosen me up ever since I got here?"

Conrado talked to the chief and apologized for interrupting, but told him Jetta was needed somewhere else. The chief told him if he wasn't such a friend of his, he wouldn't let him pull away such an attractive lady from his attention. Conrado grabbed Jetta's hand and stepped away from the chief.

"What is your obsession with blowguns?" he asked her.

"Why are you trying to keep them away from me?"

"I like your skirt." He changed the subject rapidly, not wanting to have to answer that question.

"Thank you," she said, and let go of his hand and twirled in a circle, letting the dried grass swirl around her. "I hear they're having a dance tonight and I've been asked to participate."

"Who'd you hear that from? Eloy is the only one who can speak English fluently, and he was with me the whole time."

"Well, actually, the tribeswomen told me in their own way. With hand motions, movements, and a whole lot of charades."

"I'm glad you're fitting in so well," he said, smiling at her new attire. “You should have traded your purse too."

"I couldn’t. I need something to carry all my souvenirs home in."

"Where are your shorts?”

“Under the skirt. You didn’t think I’d be going home dressed like this?”

“You should have traded that tank top and walked around topless like the rest of the natives.”

She hit him in the arm, and her face flushed. Then she eagerly showed him her new jewelry.

“I’ve traded the nail files,
my hairbrush, the gum, the toilet paper, and even my library card, not to mention my waterproof watch. That’s how I got the skirt. The women traded this headband for my romance novel.”

“What? Jetta, they can’t read it.”

“Maybe not, but they liked the cover,” she said with a grin. “But I was still short one item for the children. I wanted to make sure they all had something so they wouldn't fight.”

"So what did you do? Trade your passport? You do that and you’ll never get home."

“No, I still have that.”

“Then I can’t imagine what was left to trade.”

Her face blushed when a group of children ran by, and he could see why. They laughed and jumped around naked, a pink pair of panties waving off the end of a stick.

"You didn't," he said, letting his eyes roam down to her waist.

"Would I do something that absurd?" she asked, flashing him a smile. "Now please excuse me, as I've offered to help the women prepare dinner. It looks like one of the men caught a tapir, and it's going to be a big deal."

"Yeah," he said mindlessly, not being able to get his mind off the fact Jetta was naked under her shorts. "Tapir's a big treat," he agreed, wondering how long he could stay around her without wanting to prove those were her panties flapping in the breeze.

* * *

Prospero wiped his sweaty brow, not at all sure where they were. Arlo and Fermin slumped to the ground, guzzling down the last of their fresh water.

“We’re going in circles,” said Arlo. “We’ll never find our way out of the jungle without a guide.”

“We’re out of water, and almost out of food,” complained Fermin, stuffing a fig into his mouth.

Prospero’s good hand shot out and grabbed him around the neck. The man’s face turned a shade of blue before he let go.

“I don’t want to hear any more complaining. We got lost, but we’ll find them again.”

“Is this treasure really worth it?” asked Arlo. “Especially since we have no one to go in and haul it out for us?”

“We won’t have to worry about dying from a curse,” said Fermin. “If we don’t find them by tomorrow, we’ll most likely be dead anyway.”

Prospero sank to the ground, slipping the ruby chard from his pocket. “This is what we have to look forward to.”

The men surrounded him, reaching out for it with eager hands, but he pulled it away. “Stick with me and you’ll be rich beyond your wildest dreams.”

“But we have no more water!” said Arlo.

“It’s the rain forest. It’ll rain soon. And when it does, we’ll have something to drink.”

Just then a huge condor swept down from the sky, landing on a dead branch of a tree.

“It’s the condor,” whispered Prospero. “The one that follows Conrado. All we have to do is follow the bird and it’ll eventually lead us right to him.”