Colonel Acoca said smoothly, "No. He and his men escaped before we got there. But we'll find them, and justice will be done."
My justice, Colonel Acoca thought savagely.
CHAPTER FIVE
The nuns traveled slowly. Their garb was ill equipped for the rugged terrain. Their sandals were too thin to protect their feet against the stony ground, and their habits caught on everything. Sister Teresa found she could not even say her rosary. She needed both hands to keep the branches from snapping in her face.
In the light of day, freedom seemed even more terrifying than before. God had cast the sisters out of Eden into a strange, frightening world, and His guidance which they had leaned on for so long was gone. They found themselves in an uncharted country with no map and no compass. The walls that had protected them from harm for so long had vanished and they felt naked and exposed. Danger was everywhere, and they no longer had a place of refuge. They were aliens. The unaccustomed sights and sounds of the country were dazzling. There were insects and bird songs and hot, blue skies assaulting their senses. And there was something else that was disturbing.
When they had first fled the convent, Teresa, Graciela, and Megan had carefully avoided looking at one another, instinctively keeping to the rules. But now, each found herself avidly studying the faces of the others. Also, after all the years of silence, they found it difficult to speak, and when they did speak, their words were halting, as though they were learning a strange new skill. Their voices sounded strange in their ears. Only Lucia seemed uninhibited and sure of herself, and the others automatically turned to her for leadership.
"We might as well introduce ourselves," Lucia said. "I'm Sister Lucia."
There was an awkward pause, and Graciela said shyly, "I'm Sister Graciela."
The dark-haired, arrestingly beautiful one.
"I'm Sister Megan."
The young blonde with the striking blue eyes.
"I'm Sister Teresa."
The eldest of the group. Fifty? Sixty?
As they lay in the woods resting outside the village, Lucia thought: They're like newborn birds fallen out of their nests. They won't last five minutes on their own. Well, too bad for them. I'll be on my way to Switzerland with the cross.
Lucia walked to the edge of the clearing they were in and peered through the trees toward the little village below. A few people were walking along the street, but there was no sign of the men who had raided the convent. Now, Lucia thought. Here's my chance.
She turned to the others. "I'm going down to the village to try to get us some food. You wait here." She nodded toward Sister Teresa. "You come with me."
Sister Teresa was confused. For thirty years she had obeyed only the orders of the Reverend Mother Betina, and now suddenly this sister had taken charge. But what is happening is God's will, Sister Teresa thought. He has appointed her to help us, so she speaks with His voice. "I must get this cross to the convent at Mendavia as soon as possible."
"Right. When we get down there, we'll ask for directions."
The two of them started down the hill toward the town, Lucia keeping a careful lookout for trouble. There was none.
This is going to be easy, Lucia thought.
They reached the outskirts of the little town. A sign said VILLACASTiN. Ahead of them was the main street. To the left was a small, deserted street.
Good, Lucia thought. There would be no one to witness what was about to happen.
Lucia turned into the side street. "Let's go this way. There's less chance of being seen."
Sister Teresa nodded and obediently followed. The question now was how to get the cross away from her.
I could grab it and run, Lucia thought, but she'd probably scream and attract a lot of attention. No, I'll have to make sure she stays quiet.
A small limb of a tree had fallen to the ground in front of her, and Lucia paused, then stooped to pick it up. It was heavy. Perfect. She waited for Sister Teresa to catch up to her.
"Sister Teresa..."
The nun turned to look at her, and as Lucia started to raise the club, a male voice from out of nowhere said, "God be with you, Sisters."
Lucia spun around, ready to run. A man was standing there, dressed in the long brown robe and cowl of a friar. He was tall and thin, with an aquiline face and the saintliest expression Lucia had ever seen. His eyes seemed to glow with a warm inner light, and his voice was soft and gentle.
"I'm Friar Miguel Carrillo."
Lucia's mind was racing. Her first plan had been interrupted. But now, suddenly, she had a better one.
"Thank God you found us," Lucia said. This man was going to be her escape. He would know the easiest way for her to get out of Spain. "We come from the Cistercian convent near avila," she explained. "Last night some men raided it. All the nuns were taken. Four of us managed to escape."
When the friar replied, his voice was filled with anger. "I come from the monastery at San Generro, where I have been for the past twenty years. We were attacked the night before last." He sighed. "I know that God has some plan for all His children, but I must confess that at this moment I don't understand what it might be."
"These men are searching for us," Lucia said. "It is important that we get out of Spain as fast as possible. Do you know how that can be done?"
Friar Carrillo smiled gently. "I think I can help you, Sister. God has brought us together. Take me to the others."
Within a few minutes Lucia had brought the friar to the group.
"This is Friar Carrillo," she said. "He's been in a monastery for the last twenty years. He's come to help us."