which a man like Mek Nimmur asked his opinion and listened to his
advice.
In the end Nicholas asked him, 'So now you have carried the war beyond
the borders of Ethiopia itself? You are operating in Sudan, as well?'
'The war in the Sudan has been raging for twenty years,' Mek confirmed.
'The Christians in the south fighting against the persecution of the
Moslem nor the-'
'I am well aware of that, Mek. But that is not Ethiopia.
It's not your war.'
'They are Christians, and they suffer injustice. I am a soldier and a
Christian. Of course it is my war.' Tessay had ty to every word that Mek
spoke, and been listening avid now she nodded her head in agreement, her
eyes dark and solemn with hero worship.
'Alto Mek is a crusader for Christ and the rights of the common
man,'Tessa told Nicholas in awed tones.
'And he dearly loves a good fight,' Nicholas laughed, punching his
shoulder affectionately. It was a familiar gesture which could easily
have given offence, but Mek accepted it readily and laughed back at him.
'What are you doing here yourself, Nicholas, if you are no longer a
soldier? There was a time when you also loved a good fight.'
'I am completely reformed. No more fighting. I have come to the Abbay
gorge to hunt dik-dik.'
'Dik-dik?l Mek Nimmur stared at him with disbelief, and then he roared
with laughter. 'I don't believe it. Not you. Not dik-dik. You are up to
something.'
'It is the truth.'
'You are lying, Nicholas. You never could lie to me. I know you too
well. You are up to something. You will tell me about it when you need
my help.'
'And you will still give me your help?'
'Of course. You saved my life twice.'
'Once,'said Nicholas.
'Even once is enough,' said Mek Nimmur.
while they talked, the sun slanted down the sky.
'You are my guests for tonight,' Mek Nimmur told them formally. 'In the
morning I will escort you back to your camp at the monastery of St..
Frumentius.
That is also my destination. My men and I are going to the monastery to
celebrate the festival of Timkat- The abbot, Jali Hora, is a friend and
an ally.'
'And the monastery is probably your deep cover base.
You use it and the monks for resupply and intelligence.
Am I right?'
'You know me too well, Nicholas.'Mek Nimmur shook his head ruefully.
'You taught me much of what I know, so why should you not be able to
guess my strategy? The monastery makes a perfect base of operations.
It's close enough to the border-' he broke off, smiling. 'But there is
no need to explain it to you, of all people.'
Mek had his men build a night shelter for Nicholas and Royan, and cut a
mattress of grass to cushion their sleep. They lay close together under
