Maya Silver:
Greed
Isabelle writes...
The Mayans retreated to a height that overlooked their corral
and waited, crouched down in the weeds. We could see them up there,
with their eared caps and copper skin, and I realized they were
just working men, going about their business through the days until
suddenly a band of aliens somehow appeared to take away their lives
without reason or remorse. I wished I might have exerted more
control over my now-worthless band of mercenaries, but no such
thing could be. They might leave trinkets and carvings to me, but
when it came to treasure their own captains were paramount. It was
all I could do to keep up with them on the trail.
It was the same as before. A huddled defense, a quick attack,
a chaotic retreat. Only one of them fell, and I was again allowed
to see his breastplate before it was hidden away in a pocket.
Natomi showed me what number this man carried, whatever the reason
for linking him with a number might have been. She seemed to enjoy
her new role as translator of these symbols and I encouraged her
with thanks that needed no language to convey. Once more I hid a
copy in case I might lose the notes I carried.
As the Mayans scattered they showed that although they might
be feeble in defense they were much better at retreat. The men
could only clank after them and shout worthless oaths in a language
their targets could not comprehend.
Uncomprehending, perhaps, but not stupid. Our quarry had been
watched us even as they melted into their hills. They had their own
ways and were trying to fit us into them. They may not be able to
attack us, but they could try to divide us. They might not strike
us, but they could turn us against ourselves. To do so they would
have to goad us into something awful...
Betrayal