Fiction: A Mercenary Life - Part 3
Feb. 18th, 2011 03:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kethniName: A Mercenary Life - Part 3
Pairing: Matt/Mohinder
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Adult Language
Word Count: 2460
Authors Note: Back to Part 2
Legs clamped around the shuddering and jolting horse Mohinder screams obscenities as the scenery roars past. Branches whip at him and creepers snatch at the horse and his pack. The mare bolts through flocks of shrieking birds fleeing their nests and small creatures bolting in mindless terror from her stampede.
She’s moving too quickly for Mohinder to grab at a tree and too panicked for him to pull her up. All he can do is cling on tightly but the ground ahead is suddenly foreshortened.
‘Stop! Stop you fucking thing!’ he wails, yanking desperately at the reins.
The horse is charging ahead completely oblivious to the edge rapidly approaching. Mohinder twists in the saddle, looking for somewhere to throw himself down, but when he shifts his legs he finds them caught in the tackle. If he jumps he’ll end up being dragged along to be trampled to death under the horse’s hooves.
Mohinder kicks his feet as he tries to free himself, desperately trying to find some way… some way of getting out of that edge now mere feet away.
There’s a blur of colour and another horse cuts across his path. A hand reaches out and yanks the reins from Mohinder’s grasp as the mare stumbles and nearly sends both horses and riders over the edge.
It happens in a moment full of thundering hoof-beats, crashing bodies, and a fog of equine sweat.
As the horses slow to a gradual halt, Mohinder bends over his horse’s neck and tries to catch his breath. He’s shuddering uncontrollably and his suddenly nerveless body is threatening to slip from the horse.
‘You’re entangled, keep still while I get you free,’ Matt orders.
Mohinder nods silently and concentrates on getting his breath back. He’s dimly aware of Matt climbing off his horse and quickly untangling the snarled tackle.
‘Here, come on,’ Matt says, sliding his hands under Mohinder’s armpits.
‘That wasn’t my fault. She panicked…’
Mohinder’s feet give way but Matt catches him.
‘It’s okay, take a breath, it’s okay to…’
Mohinder’s mouth latches onto Matt’s in a desperate kiss. Matt’s hands slide down Mohinder’s back until…
‘It’s okay, it’s just Suresh mauling some guide,’ announces a cheerful voice.
Mohinder leaps back several feet and almost spits at the newcomer.
‘Monroe! What’re you doing here?’
‘Working, darling, what’re you, and who’s your charming friend?’
Matt grins and steps forward to offer the newcomer his hand.
‘Matt Parkman, I’m the guide for Doctor Suresh’s party.’
‘I’m Adam Monroe and I’m thrilled to meet you,’ he says, squeezing Matt’s hand. ‘My colleague Flint is lurking in the bushes. Don’t mind him he’s just a big lurker.’
‘Doctor or professor?’
‘Professor,’ Adam admits. ‘But that nonsense is just for academic dick measuring contests. Please call me Adam.’
Mohinder shoves Matt’s hand away. ‘He’s the enemy!’
‘Are we at war?’
‘Oh don’t mind him,’ Adam says cheerily. ‘He’s just bitter and twisted. I’m sure you’ve noticed.’
Matt smiles and shrugs. ‘Well…’
‘You bastard!’ Mohinder snarls, and shoves him in the chest. ‘You absolute bastard!’ He grabs his horse and starts leading her away.
‘What did I do?’ Matt demands.
‘You know!’ Mohinder spits back.
‘He’s a fragile little soul,’ Adam says, shaking his head.
Matt climbs onto his horse. ‘It was nice meeting you, Adam.’
‘We’re camped over there, do feel free to drop in tonight for something to eat. Or dinner even,’ Adam says with a wink.
Mohinder grits his teeth as the shadow of rider and horse falls over him.
‘You sure you should be walking after the scare you just had?’
‘Scare!’ Mohinder erupts. ‘I was nearly killed!’
Matt rolls his eyes and climbs off his horse. He walks alongside Mohinder leading the tired horse easily.
‘What’s bitten your ass?’
‘Nothing!’
Matt lets out a breath and shakes his head. ‘So he’s with a rival expedition is he?’
‘Huh!’
‘You going to be like this all the way back to the others?’
‘If I want!’
Matt blows out his cheeks. ‘You’re a barrel of laughs aren’t you?’
No answer.
Eden walks placidly as Luke scurries to and fro, chewing at his thumb.
‘Do you find that helpful?’ she asks.
‘What if he gets killed? We can’t have an expedition with Doctor Suresh!’
Eden smiles slightly. ‘You’re quite the little pragmatic aren’t you?’
‘I gotta think about my career,’ he mutters guiltily.
‘We’re the ones here to protect the expedition,’ she says. ‘A dead expedition leader would be rather more of an issue for us than yourself.’
‘Don’t you have a phone or something to call him?’
Eden shrugs nonchalantly. ‘I do but cell phone reception here is extremely spotty and Matt wouldn’t appreciate my calling to check up on him. He’s very capable. If he’s not back before nightfall I’ll call then.’
‘Appreciate the confidence,’ Matt announces, wandering into the clearing.
‘I’m just lazy,’ she says.
‘Well that’s just dandy,’ Mohinder snipes. ‘A lazy bodyguard.’
‘Hey, don’t take your foul mood out on her,’ Matt snaps. He turns his attention to Eden. ‘There’s another expedition close by, an Adam Monroe is heading it up.’
‘Hmm mmm,’ she says nodding.
Mohinder tethers his horse to a tree and starts to walk away.
‘Whoa, aren’t you going to take off the tack and groom her?’ Eden demands.
‘We’re going to be leaving again soon!’ Mohinder waves a hand at Luke. ‘You’re here to assist. You bloody do it.’ He stomps into one of the huts and throws himself down on the ground.
‘I don’t know how to look after a horse,’ Luke says weakly.
‘I’ll show you,’ Matt says. ‘Eden…’
‘I’m on it,’ she says, and slips away between the huts.
Matt pushes the hair back off his head. ‘If I tried ordering her to look after my horse I’d wake up in hospital.’
Luke sniggers and slopes over to Matt. ‘She’s not the helper type of girl, huh?’
‘Sure she helps,’ Matt says, soothing the mare. ‘But sure as hell not with menial stuff, besides looking after your horse builds up a bond. Okay, you stand here and make friends with her while I do Brutus.’
‘Brutus?’
‘That’s his name, don’t take it in vain,’ Matt says with a wink. ‘She’s called Dahlia.’
Luke awkwardly pats the mare. ‘Hi, Dahlia.’
When Mohinder skulks back into the clearing, feeling a little ashamed of himself, he finds Matt and Luke standing close together as they rinse down the horses with buckets of water.
They’re standing very close. They’re standing very close and laughing together.
‘What’re you two gossiping about?’ he demands, stomping over.
‘Mr Parkman was showing me how to look after the horses,’ Luke says meekly, batting his eyes at Mohinder.
Matt puts down the bucket he’s holding and a little water slops over the lip. He pushes the sleeves of his shirt back up to his elbows and rests his hands on his hips. Mohinder licks his lips as he stares at the way the shirt is clinging to Matt’s chest and the prickle of sweat on his forehead. No sweat marks on his shirt though, but Mohinder can see a slight darkness over his torso. He’s wearing a t-shirt underneath so as to hide sweat stains. Mohinder would love to peel off that shirt and t-shirt and lick the moist skin…
‘I can show you if you like,’ Matt says.
‘What? No!’
‘You don’t want to know how to look after your horse?’ Matt asks with a knowing little smile.
‘Horse? What? Oh… no…I…’ Mohinder draws himself up. ‘I don’t require your assistance.’
‘So you know how to do it?’
‘I don’t have to explain myself to you! Where’s your assistant?’
Matt purses his lips. ‘Eden’s doing a little recon on your buddy, Monroe. Checking what’s what and who’s who. You know the kind of thing.’
Mohinder sets his jaw. ‘She’s a spy? Is she spying on me?’
‘No, she can only spy on one person at a time,’ Matt says mildly. ‘She’s only human.’
Mohinder opens and closes his mouth. ‘You’re making fun of me.’
‘Only a tiny, little bit,’ Matt assures him. ‘It means I like you.’
Mohinder glances uncomfortably at Luke and then back at Matt. ‘Well. Hmm.’
‘Ah, there’s Eden now,’ Matt says cheerfully. ‘I think Curly here might be about ready to get going.’
Eden nods and sits back on her horse. ‘I’m ready when you are.’
Matt and Eden wait as Mohinder and Luke haul themselves up onto their horses and make themselves comfortable.
‘Anything good?’ Matt asks quietly.
‘Elle reports a lot of gossip online,’ Eden murmurs. ‘Basically Monroe is a glorified treasure hunter, he has little interest in academic study like your Doctor Suresh, but he’s quite adept at courting publicity.’
‘Celebrity archaeologist?’
‘That’s the one.’ She nods over at Mohinder. ‘He and Doctor Suresh are long-time rivals and Monroe is happy to resort to bribery and outright theft to accomplish his goals.’
‘And he seemed so charming,’ Matt says, shaking his head.
‘That’s one reason he’s successful,’ she observes. ‘One of the archaeologists has all the goodness and the other has all the appearance of it.’
Matt raises an eyebrow. ‘That’s from Emma?’
‘Pride and Prejudice, actually. Although that does make you Elizabeth Bennet.’
‘I don’t think I have the figure for one of those frilly dresses.’
Eden reaches over and touches his hair. ‘You don’t have the hair for a bonnet either.’
‘Darn.’
‘Would you like some time alone?’ Mohinder asks acidly.
‘Everyone’s a critic,’ Matt says lightly. He rides out in front of the group while Eden draws up the rear.
‘Uh, Miss?’ Luke asks, looking back over his shoulder.
‘You should watch where you’re going Mr Campbell.’
‘You do this kind of thing a lot? Travel around adventuring, I mean, not riding horses.’
Eden raises her eyebrows. ‘Mr Campbell there is such a thing as putting too much trust in your horse.’
‘I’ve never been away from home before,’ he admits.
Eden sighs and shakes her head. ‘You’ll be fine Mr Campbell, provided you turn around and look where you’re going before you smash your head on that low hanging branch.’
‘We’re getting awfully close to the other camp don’t you think?’ Mohinder calls.
‘Figured we say hello properly.’ Matt glances back over his shoulder. ‘Not afraid of the little blond are you?’
‘Monroe is a liar and a manipulator.’
‘Someone’s cranky.’
‘You’d be cranky too if someone repeatedly stole your work,’ Mohinder snaps. ‘I suppose you don’t worry about things like professional pride.’
‘If I didn’t I’d come back there and ask what’s got you so pissy. But I’m a professional so I got to stay in front.’
Mohinder snorts and looks away. ‘You were joking about visiting the other camp.’
Matt glances back over his shoulder. ‘It’s your decision, what with you being expedition leader and all, but it’s going to be getting dark in three or four hours. We’ll have to make camp before then. We can either join them for the night and have them know we’re watching them or we can camp somewhere else and wait to see if they pay us a visit.’
Mohinder purses his lips and spurs his horse forward until he’s level with Matt.
‘You believe me, then?’ he asks.
Matt gives him a wary look. ‘You should fall back.’
‘When you answer the question.’
‘You say he’s a thief and a liar. Eden says the same. What’s not to believe?’
Mohinder purses his lips. ‘You believe me because Eden says the same thing.’
Matt frowns slightly. ‘I didn’t say that. Now fall back, please.’
‘Do you think it’s best that we join the other camp?’
‘Yeah, I do. Now fall back or I’ll ride on.’
Mohinder halts his horse until Luke catches up with him.
‘Hey,’ Luke says. ‘So, um, what is it that we’re here looking for anyways?’
Mohinder looks at him sideways. ‘The Temple of Xochipili. Are you familiar with the period?’
Luke shifts in his saddle. ‘Around about the fifteenth century?’
‘Vague,’ Mohinder chides, ‘but essentially correct. Many of the temples dedicated to Xochipili were destroyed completely but there was a very fine one near here which was left.’ Mohinder rolls his eyes. ‘So they could bring their children and say, “look how disgusting and amoral it was”, or similar things.’
‘Well… wasn’t it?’ Luke asks. ‘It was all temple hookers and stuff, right?’
‘You’re supposed to be an archaeology student! If you’re going to insist on transposing your personal moral codes onto ancient civilisations then you’re going to be a dreadful archaeologist! Xochipili’s worshippers were engaging in their religious rites which included both human sacrifice and both heterosexual and homosexual sacred prostitution.’
‘Doesn’t sound very religious to me.’
‘I dare say they wouldn’t think that sitting on a hard wooden bench, in a draughty church, listening to a man in a dress talk for two hours was very religious either.’
There’s a snort of amusement from behind them that Mohinder ignores while Luke reddens.
‘Religion is very much an individual issue,’ Mohinder continues. ‘Our job is to discover, learn, and understand not to pass some kind of moral judgement.’
‘Can I request more about the sacred prostitution and less comparative religion?’ Matt calls back. ‘Specifically gay prostitution, it’s one of my favourite tropes.’
‘We’re talking about a religious ceremony!’
‘Yeah, and I’m just asking for some more specific details.’
‘This level of childish sexual prurience is exactly why I’m not a teacher!’
‘Kids ask for stories about gay temple prostitution?’ Matt asks. ‘Times have sure changed for the better since I was a kid.’
Luke giggles and then blushes as Mohinder scowls at him.
‘Religious rites aren’t jokes.’
‘No, but if there’s gay temple prostitution they might be quite sexy,’ Matt calls back.
Mohinder thins his lips and glances across at Luke before harrumphing. ‘Is this a proper conversation to be having in front of Luke?’
‘How old are you, squirt?’ Matt calls back.
‘Nineteen, Sir!’
Matt grins to himself. ‘Sounds old enough to me.’
‘I have a duty to his… his moral health!’ Mohinder stutters.
‘You do?’ Luke asks.
‘I know that tone of voice. That’s a tone of voice that says it’s too late to be worrying about his moral health,’ Matt laughs. ‘I think your student is a ladies man. Or maybe a man’s man. Let’s allow for equal opportunities.’
Luke giggles in embarrassment and reddens. ‘Um…’
‘It’s okay, Mr Campbell,’ Eden says mildly. ‘You don’t have to answer that; Matt’s merely attempting to irritate Doctor Suresh. It’s his way.’
Before Mohinder can retort to this Matt holds up a hand and slows his horse.
‘Evil archaeologists ahead,’ Matt announces. ‘Well Curly, what’s the call? Do we go on or go visit the blond bombshell?’
End of Part 3
On to Part 4
Pairing: Matt/Mohinder
Rating: PG13
Warnings: Adult Language
Word Count: 2460
Authors Note: Back to Part 2
Legs clamped around the shuddering and jolting horse Mohinder screams obscenities as the scenery roars past. Branches whip at him and creepers snatch at the horse and his pack. The mare bolts through flocks of shrieking birds fleeing their nests and small creatures bolting in mindless terror from her stampede.
She’s moving too quickly for Mohinder to grab at a tree and too panicked for him to pull her up. All he can do is cling on tightly but the ground ahead is suddenly foreshortened.
‘Stop! Stop you fucking thing!’ he wails, yanking desperately at the reins.
The horse is charging ahead completely oblivious to the edge rapidly approaching. Mohinder twists in the saddle, looking for somewhere to throw himself down, but when he shifts his legs he finds them caught in the tackle. If he jumps he’ll end up being dragged along to be trampled to death under the horse’s hooves.
Mohinder kicks his feet as he tries to free himself, desperately trying to find some way… some way of getting out of that edge now mere feet away.
There’s a blur of colour and another horse cuts across his path. A hand reaches out and yanks the reins from Mohinder’s grasp as the mare stumbles and nearly sends both horses and riders over the edge.
It happens in a moment full of thundering hoof-beats, crashing bodies, and a fog of equine sweat.
As the horses slow to a gradual halt, Mohinder bends over his horse’s neck and tries to catch his breath. He’s shuddering uncontrollably and his suddenly nerveless body is threatening to slip from the horse.
‘You’re entangled, keep still while I get you free,’ Matt orders.
Mohinder nods silently and concentrates on getting his breath back. He’s dimly aware of Matt climbing off his horse and quickly untangling the snarled tackle.
‘Here, come on,’ Matt says, sliding his hands under Mohinder’s armpits.
‘That wasn’t my fault. She panicked…’
Mohinder’s feet give way but Matt catches him.
‘It’s okay, take a breath, it’s okay to…’
Mohinder’s mouth latches onto Matt’s in a desperate kiss. Matt’s hands slide down Mohinder’s back until…
‘It’s okay, it’s just Suresh mauling some guide,’ announces a cheerful voice.
Mohinder leaps back several feet and almost spits at the newcomer.
‘Monroe! What’re you doing here?’
‘Working, darling, what’re you, and who’s your charming friend?’
Matt grins and steps forward to offer the newcomer his hand.
‘Matt Parkman, I’m the guide for Doctor Suresh’s party.’
‘I’m Adam Monroe and I’m thrilled to meet you,’ he says, squeezing Matt’s hand. ‘My colleague Flint is lurking in the bushes. Don’t mind him he’s just a big lurker.’
‘Doctor or professor?’
‘Professor,’ Adam admits. ‘But that nonsense is just for academic dick measuring contests. Please call me Adam.’
Mohinder shoves Matt’s hand away. ‘He’s the enemy!’
‘Are we at war?’
‘Oh don’t mind him,’ Adam says cheerily. ‘He’s just bitter and twisted. I’m sure you’ve noticed.’
Matt smiles and shrugs. ‘Well…’
‘You bastard!’ Mohinder snarls, and shoves him in the chest. ‘You absolute bastard!’ He grabs his horse and starts leading her away.
‘What did I do?’ Matt demands.
‘You know!’ Mohinder spits back.
‘He’s a fragile little soul,’ Adam says, shaking his head.
Matt climbs onto his horse. ‘It was nice meeting you, Adam.’
‘We’re camped over there, do feel free to drop in tonight for something to eat. Or dinner even,’ Adam says with a wink.
Mohinder grits his teeth as the shadow of rider and horse falls over him.
‘You sure you should be walking after the scare you just had?’
‘Scare!’ Mohinder erupts. ‘I was nearly killed!’
Matt rolls his eyes and climbs off his horse. He walks alongside Mohinder leading the tired horse easily.
‘What’s bitten your ass?’
‘Nothing!’
Matt lets out a breath and shakes his head. ‘So he’s with a rival expedition is he?’
‘Huh!’
‘You going to be like this all the way back to the others?’
‘If I want!’
Matt blows out his cheeks. ‘You’re a barrel of laughs aren’t you?’
No answer.
Eden walks placidly as Luke scurries to and fro, chewing at his thumb.
‘Do you find that helpful?’ she asks.
‘What if he gets killed? We can’t have an expedition with Doctor Suresh!’
Eden smiles slightly. ‘You’re quite the little pragmatic aren’t you?’
‘I gotta think about my career,’ he mutters guiltily.
‘We’re the ones here to protect the expedition,’ she says. ‘A dead expedition leader would be rather more of an issue for us than yourself.’
‘Don’t you have a phone or something to call him?’
Eden shrugs nonchalantly. ‘I do but cell phone reception here is extremely spotty and Matt wouldn’t appreciate my calling to check up on him. He’s very capable. If he’s not back before nightfall I’ll call then.’
‘Appreciate the confidence,’ Matt announces, wandering into the clearing.
‘I’m just lazy,’ she says.
‘Well that’s just dandy,’ Mohinder snipes. ‘A lazy bodyguard.’
‘Hey, don’t take your foul mood out on her,’ Matt snaps. He turns his attention to Eden. ‘There’s another expedition close by, an Adam Monroe is heading it up.’
‘Hmm mmm,’ she says nodding.
Mohinder tethers his horse to a tree and starts to walk away.
‘Whoa, aren’t you going to take off the tack and groom her?’ Eden demands.
‘We’re going to be leaving again soon!’ Mohinder waves a hand at Luke. ‘You’re here to assist. You bloody do it.’ He stomps into one of the huts and throws himself down on the ground.
‘I don’t know how to look after a horse,’ Luke says weakly.
‘I’ll show you,’ Matt says. ‘Eden…’
‘I’m on it,’ she says, and slips away between the huts.
Matt pushes the hair back off his head. ‘If I tried ordering her to look after my horse I’d wake up in hospital.’
Luke sniggers and slopes over to Matt. ‘She’s not the helper type of girl, huh?’
‘Sure she helps,’ Matt says, soothing the mare. ‘But sure as hell not with menial stuff, besides looking after your horse builds up a bond. Okay, you stand here and make friends with her while I do Brutus.’
‘Brutus?’
‘That’s his name, don’t take it in vain,’ Matt says with a wink. ‘She’s called Dahlia.’
Luke awkwardly pats the mare. ‘Hi, Dahlia.’
When Mohinder skulks back into the clearing, feeling a little ashamed of himself, he finds Matt and Luke standing close together as they rinse down the horses with buckets of water.
They’re standing very close. They’re standing very close and laughing together.
‘What’re you two gossiping about?’ he demands, stomping over.
‘Mr Parkman was showing me how to look after the horses,’ Luke says meekly, batting his eyes at Mohinder.
Matt puts down the bucket he’s holding and a little water slops over the lip. He pushes the sleeves of his shirt back up to his elbows and rests his hands on his hips. Mohinder licks his lips as he stares at the way the shirt is clinging to Matt’s chest and the prickle of sweat on his forehead. No sweat marks on his shirt though, but Mohinder can see a slight darkness over his torso. He’s wearing a t-shirt underneath so as to hide sweat stains. Mohinder would love to peel off that shirt and t-shirt and lick the moist skin…
‘I can show you if you like,’ Matt says.
‘What? No!’
‘You don’t want to know how to look after your horse?’ Matt asks with a knowing little smile.
‘Horse? What? Oh… no…I…’ Mohinder draws himself up. ‘I don’t require your assistance.’
‘So you know how to do it?’
‘I don’t have to explain myself to you! Where’s your assistant?’
Matt purses his lips. ‘Eden’s doing a little recon on your buddy, Monroe. Checking what’s what and who’s who. You know the kind of thing.’
Mohinder sets his jaw. ‘She’s a spy? Is she spying on me?’
‘No, she can only spy on one person at a time,’ Matt says mildly. ‘She’s only human.’
Mohinder opens and closes his mouth. ‘You’re making fun of me.’
‘Only a tiny, little bit,’ Matt assures him. ‘It means I like you.’
Mohinder glances uncomfortably at Luke and then back at Matt. ‘Well. Hmm.’
‘Ah, there’s Eden now,’ Matt says cheerfully. ‘I think Curly here might be about ready to get going.’
Eden nods and sits back on her horse. ‘I’m ready when you are.’
Matt and Eden wait as Mohinder and Luke haul themselves up onto their horses and make themselves comfortable.
‘Anything good?’ Matt asks quietly.
‘Elle reports a lot of gossip online,’ Eden murmurs. ‘Basically Monroe is a glorified treasure hunter, he has little interest in academic study like your Doctor Suresh, but he’s quite adept at courting publicity.’
‘Celebrity archaeologist?’
‘That’s the one.’ She nods over at Mohinder. ‘He and Doctor Suresh are long-time rivals and Monroe is happy to resort to bribery and outright theft to accomplish his goals.’
‘And he seemed so charming,’ Matt says, shaking his head.
‘That’s one reason he’s successful,’ she observes. ‘One of the archaeologists has all the goodness and the other has all the appearance of it.’
Matt raises an eyebrow. ‘That’s from Emma?’
‘Pride and Prejudice, actually. Although that does make you Elizabeth Bennet.’
‘I don’t think I have the figure for one of those frilly dresses.’
Eden reaches over and touches his hair. ‘You don’t have the hair for a bonnet either.’
‘Darn.’
‘Would you like some time alone?’ Mohinder asks acidly.
‘Everyone’s a critic,’ Matt says lightly. He rides out in front of the group while Eden draws up the rear.
‘Uh, Miss?’ Luke asks, looking back over his shoulder.
‘You should watch where you’re going Mr Campbell.’
‘You do this kind of thing a lot? Travel around adventuring, I mean, not riding horses.’
Eden raises her eyebrows. ‘Mr Campbell there is such a thing as putting too much trust in your horse.’
‘I’ve never been away from home before,’ he admits.
Eden sighs and shakes her head. ‘You’ll be fine Mr Campbell, provided you turn around and look where you’re going before you smash your head on that low hanging branch.’
‘We’re getting awfully close to the other camp don’t you think?’ Mohinder calls.
‘Figured we say hello properly.’ Matt glances back over his shoulder. ‘Not afraid of the little blond are you?’
‘Monroe is a liar and a manipulator.’
‘Someone’s cranky.’
‘You’d be cranky too if someone repeatedly stole your work,’ Mohinder snaps. ‘I suppose you don’t worry about things like professional pride.’
‘If I didn’t I’d come back there and ask what’s got you so pissy. But I’m a professional so I got to stay in front.’
Mohinder snorts and looks away. ‘You were joking about visiting the other camp.’
Matt glances back over his shoulder. ‘It’s your decision, what with you being expedition leader and all, but it’s going to be getting dark in three or four hours. We’ll have to make camp before then. We can either join them for the night and have them know we’re watching them or we can camp somewhere else and wait to see if they pay us a visit.’
Mohinder purses his lips and spurs his horse forward until he’s level with Matt.
‘You believe me, then?’ he asks.
Matt gives him a wary look. ‘You should fall back.’
‘When you answer the question.’
‘You say he’s a thief and a liar. Eden says the same. What’s not to believe?’
Mohinder purses his lips. ‘You believe me because Eden says the same thing.’
Matt frowns slightly. ‘I didn’t say that. Now fall back, please.’
‘Do you think it’s best that we join the other camp?’
‘Yeah, I do. Now fall back or I’ll ride on.’
Mohinder halts his horse until Luke catches up with him.
‘Hey,’ Luke says. ‘So, um, what is it that we’re here looking for anyways?’
Mohinder looks at him sideways. ‘The Temple of Xochipili. Are you familiar with the period?’
Luke shifts in his saddle. ‘Around about the fifteenth century?’
‘Vague,’ Mohinder chides, ‘but essentially correct. Many of the temples dedicated to Xochipili were destroyed completely but there was a very fine one near here which was left.’ Mohinder rolls his eyes. ‘So they could bring their children and say, “look how disgusting and amoral it was”, or similar things.’
‘Well… wasn’t it?’ Luke asks. ‘It was all temple hookers and stuff, right?’
‘You’re supposed to be an archaeology student! If you’re going to insist on transposing your personal moral codes onto ancient civilisations then you’re going to be a dreadful archaeologist! Xochipili’s worshippers were engaging in their religious rites which included both human sacrifice and both heterosexual and homosexual sacred prostitution.’
‘Doesn’t sound very religious to me.’
‘I dare say they wouldn’t think that sitting on a hard wooden bench, in a draughty church, listening to a man in a dress talk for two hours was very religious either.’
There’s a snort of amusement from behind them that Mohinder ignores while Luke reddens.
‘Religion is very much an individual issue,’ Mohinder continues. ‘Our job is to discover, learn, and understand not to pass some kind of moral judgement.’
‘Can I request more about the sacred prostitution and less comparative religion?’ Matt calls back. ‘Specifically gay prostitution, it’s one of my favourite tropes.’
‘We’re talking about a religious ceremony!’
‘Yeah, and I’m just asking for some more specific details.’
‘This level of childish sexual prurience is exactly why I’m not a teacher!’
‘Kids ask for stories about gay temple prostitution?’ Matt asks. ‘Times have sure changed for the better since I was a kid.’
Luke giggles and then blushes as Mohinder scowls at him.
‘Religious rites aren’t jokes.’
‘No, but if there’s gay temple prostitution they might be quite sexy,’ Matt calls back.
Mohinder thins his lips and glances across at Luke before harrumphing. ‘Is this a proper conversation to be having in front of Luke?’
‘How old are you, squirt?’ Matt calls back.
‘Nineteen, Sir!’
Matt grins to himself. ‘Sounds old enough to me.’
‘I have a duty to his… his moral health!’ Mohinder stutters.
‘You do?’ Luke asks.
‘I know that tone of voice. That’s a tone of voice that says it’s too late to be worrying about his moral health,’ Matt laughs. ‘I think your student is a ladies man. Or maybe a man’s man. Let’s allow for equal opportunities.’
Luke giggles in embarrassment and reddens. ‘Um…’
‘It’s okay, Mr Campbell,’ Eden says mildly. ‘You don’t have to answer that; Matt’s merely attempting to irritate Doctor Suresh. It’s his way.’
Before Mohinder can retort to this Matt holds up a hand and slows his horse.
‘Evil archaeologists ahead,’ Matt announces. ‘Well Curly, what’s the call? Do we go on or go visit the blond bombshell?’
End of Part 3
On to Part 4
