Gilroy nodded, his eyes suddenly gleaming with mischief. “I thought you’d agree with me. I just had to appeal to that brilliant mind that always gets in your way even when you don’t want it to.” He pulled a notebook out of his jacket pocket and tore out a page scrawled with notes. “That’s why I made a list of things you’ll need to have the helicopter pilot bring to me after he drops you off with Margaret and Alisa. Everything from skin bronzer to dark contact lenses to make me look like one of those admirably tough Berber types who have been slaving at Jubaldar. Believe me, you couldn’t have pulled it off.”

“And evidently I’m not going to get the opportunity to make the attempt,” Korgan said through set teeth. “You know, someday I’m going to murder you.”

“Someday, but not today. I called the helicopter the minute I saw the ceremonious way you were being escorted out of the meeting house, and Harris said he’ll be here to pick you up in ten minutes. Be sure to tell him I want those supplies here before morning…”

*  *  *

3:32 A.M.

Korgan jumped out of the helicopter and waved the pilot to take off. “Get going,” he said curtly. “You have your damn list, Harris. Get everything on it fast and make sure it’s absolutely correct. He wants it right away.”

Korgan was definitely in a foul humor, Alisa thought as she got out of her sleeping bag. It didn’t bode well for whatever he’d accomplished at Samlir. She and Margaret had let the fire go out during the night, and she reached for her flashlight to see his expression. It was as impatient as she’d thought it would be. “Hello, Korgan. Since we didn’t hear from you, I guess we can expect bad news?”

“Why would you think that?” Korgan growled. “I’ve been busy. It went as well as could be expected. According to Gilroy, it went even better than expected.”

“Gilroy,” Margaret repeated as she came toward them. “But he has a unique way of looking at things. I think you’d better elaborate. First, Jubaldar. Are we going to be able to use those villagers to find it?”

“Of course. What do you think I’ve been doing all these hours? And I don’t have to follow any of the villagers to get there. I have a map and can show you the exact location.” He muttered a curse. “If I had more light. You let the damn fire go out.”

Very nasty mood, Alisa thought again. But his words had given her hope, and she wasn’t about to let him ruin it for her. “Then light it again. You couldn’t expect us to keep it burning like a lamp to light your way home. For all we knew, you’d forgotten about us.”