The Knight´s Legacy

Lakes Region- Chile

TENTH REGION- LOS LAGOS

CHILE

After the moment of terror the expeditionary realized that the shooting had emerged from  the hilltops that were on their backs, while the moans of pain had started from a place located in front of them.

“Someone is shooting them from behind us.”  shouted José. “ Lautaro, drop to the ground immediately!”

Then listened to furious blasts among the enemies located to almost everywhere around them on one hand and providential and enigmatic props placed behind them and on a  higher ground, seemingly in advantageous position and also counting with a great firepower.

Several minutes after the fire from their enemies suddenly stopped and they heard someone shouting obviously giving orders, which were however unintelligible by the distance. All this fuss was followed by silence, as unexpected as the first shots had been. After a few moments, Lautaro raised with caution its head above the edge of the embankment and murmured:

“I think that they have gone, no doubt overcome by those who have helped us, probably both in number and in location. I'm going to look outside.” With infinite precautions he ventured out of the trench in which they were situated, first crawling, then incorporating cautiously, to finally walk up to where the body of the fallen aggressor was.

“He is dead “ confirmed, while he pulled the weapons of the body and threw them away.

As they left the gap where they had sought refuge  and looked round about, the other travelers saw that s from the rocks behind them descended five men equipped with long range weapons. José strained his eyes and greeted with some reserve those who were approaching.

“Those two are Daniel Williams and Nemesio Nahualkir, from Trevelin. I never swathe others.”

“Who are they? “Matías asked his relative.

“Daniel is Juan Williams ‘son, now very old, who  was one of the leaders of the Welsh community in the post-war era. At the time this Juan Williams was looking for your grandfather, perhaps not with good intentions but the old Toribio protected him. Nemesio in turn is the son of a certain Antonio Nahualkir, who was Williams´ right hand  in those days. He is the man that I stumbled repeatedly in Esquel with before our departure.”

The men approached jumping the last rocks, guns still pointing to the positions where the assailants had been.

“We thank you for your very timely appearance. The truth is that we had lasted little longer, since we had run out of bullets, and frankly we were going to surrender.” Lautaro approached them with a somewhat feigned effusivity.

“You  have no idea of what you  have been spared.” Answered with a hoarse voice the so-called Williams “ These people would have mercilessly killed you after obtaining the information that wanted to get.”

“ And what are your intentions regarding us?” Asked unhindered Matías. “Or do we have to believe that you were armed to the teeth in this part of Chile by chance?”

Debbie pulled from his arm, judging that it was not grateful or convenient to speak with a hostile tone to those  who had just saved their lives and in addition had them practically in their hands.

Daniel Williams, obviously the head of the group smiled and thought a moment before answering.

“You know very well what we are looking for.” answered.

“Not so, you will have to tell us that you want.” Matías attitude was really defiant what increased  Debbie´s anguish.

“We want the same as these men were seeking.” Responded calmly Williams, while his hand pointed to the corpse that lay on the ground.”The note books written by your grandfather in Antarctica.” Matías instantly realized the implications of that phrase: Williams knew his identity and the purpose of their expedition!

“We don't have what you are looking for, nor do we know what you are talking about.” But his voice did not  sound convincing even to himself.

Williams resignedly grimaced and instructed his men to register the traveler’s belongings, what they thoroughly did for more than one quarter of an hour. This included examining personally Debbie and the other members of the group, disassemble the little baggage that had survived the storms and vicissitudes of the journey, and stir the place in which they had taken refuge during the shooting. They supported the registration by the mere force of arms and the number.

“Nothing, they have nothing.” Said one of the men to Daniel. Meanwhile, the latter had ordered one of his henchmen to collect all the bullets casings fired by them and erase all traces of their stay in the place.

“Do you know the danger you are running keeping this material? And still worse, do you realize the consequences for the world at large if they fall into the hands of the men who are chasing you?” “Said Williams addressing Lautaro in particular.

“Very serious without a doubt.”Replied the Chilean this with sincerity. “But I am not sure that it would be better if they fall in yours.”

“Listen! We do not want to be ungrateful to you. You certainly saved our lives.” Matías said in a more conciliatory tone than he had used until then. “ …but we have no idea of who you are, to what interests do you support and what are your ultimate purposes. Why don´t you explain clearly those points to  us before going on?”

Williams’s response was silence.

Then they heard a whinny at a distance, brought by the West wind blowing along the canyons. One of Williams´ men who was watching the path from at an elevation shouted:

“Chilean military are arriving.”

Williams promptly took his decision.

“We're leaving!” Obviously he did not want to create an international incident by their presence and activities in another country. “ …and you will accompany us until I make my consultations and decide what to do. Unfortunately I cannot leave you free.”

At that time, Nemesio Nahualkir approached Williams and whispered something in his ear.

“Are you member of the Llanquinao clan?” Asked Williams to  José.

“My name is José Llanquinao.” knowing  old stories that could only favor the travelers. “… and a Llanquinao was also Lautaro´s mother and Matías´ grandmother.” Added, pointing to those mentioned.

Williams was meditating a few moments and finally muttered to himself.

“What the hell! Blood is thicker than water.”

He then continued addressing all the five expeditionary.

“I will not retain you against your will. However, I recommend you to come with us. It is certainly what suits you best”. After a short pause he went on. “ We have information that both the Argentine Gendarmes and the Chilean Carabineers in the area are infiltrated by these people.”

Matías reasons quickly, and told Debbie. “ Let me remind you what Chiche emphasized: do not leave any trace by which we can be tracked in the future. I am afraid that if we talked to the Carabineers our identities will be disclosed to the killers and we will have to flee for the rest of our lives. This includes Juan, José and Lautaro.”

“They already know my identity too well.” Replied resignedly Juan.”They have been on my track since the attempted abduction.”

It was a decision of vital importance and they had to make their minds in seconds. Lautaro finally took his stake.