Page 67 of The Voice of Wild Places
“Watt,” Cornelius said.Andrea’s brows pinched in confusion, and Cornelius added, “His name’s Watt.”
Andrea laughed awkwardly, glancing sideways at the tense Watt who had discreetly shrugged off his arm.“Much changes over the years, names and nicknames included.But I don’t need to tell you that, do I?”Andrea said this last bit in a low, conspiratorial tone that mocked a whisper, clearly heard by everyone gathered.He might as well have slapped Cornelius.It was a clear statement as any.Andrea was going to do the same thing here as he did in Ur.
It was Charles Rowland who diverted the conversation into safer waters.The Irishmen set his fork down and said, “Let’s hear something new, Andrea, we’ve heard all your stories before.Cornelius, Thomas here tells me you’ve worked with Mason.Tell me, is it true he’s a hound for plants?”
Cornelius exhaled slowly and nodded, plastering a genial smile on.“Yes, we worked together in Ur, and in Colombia as well.I regret to inform you the rumors are true, he’s got the greenest thumb I’ve ever seen.”
Charles smiled, and lines crinkled his eyes.“And do you?”
“Oh, not at all, but he still tries to convince me otherwise.Although there is a fern that has survived my incompetence so far.”
“Is that so?And who is tending to her for you?”
And just like that, Cornelius was the heart of conversation.Everyone listened as he talked about Esther, from her origins in archaeology as a mere intern to her current position as Curator.
“She sounds fantastic,” Ana remarked, and a dreamy expression softened her dark and rugged features.She was the tallest woman in the group, although she constantly hunched her shoulders in an effort to be anything else.Her black hair was shaved close to her head, a surprise to Cornelius but not to anyone else, it seemed.The cut contrasted with her feminine style, she seemed to prefer dresses to Terezinna and Nair's trousers.Those two had fairly long hair, but dressed the same as Francesca did.In trousers and men's shirts.Cornelius was hit with a sense of Parisan déjà vu.
The big round lenses of Ana's glasses were smudged, and Cornelius wanted to wipe them clean.Instead, he fidgeted with the stone Watt had given him.He wasn't sure when it had made it out of his pocket and into his fingers, but he was glad for the distraction.
“She is,” Watt said, then cleared his throat.“We met briefly a few months ago, when Cornelius and I became acquainted.I was very impressed.”
If buttering up Cornelius was Watt’s idea of making things right, he had another coming.Because nothing was wrong.He was the one being awkward and dodgy.Not Cornelius.Everything wasfine.
Queer Sort
June13th,1930
Watt could not think straight.
He sat beside Cornelius and Severino in Joaquim’s tent, and it took everything in his power to focus on the site leader’s report.The mention of a tumuli in the southern quadrant piqued Cornelius’ interest, and when he spoke Watt had to redouble his efforts.Focus on the words, not his voice.Maggie had been confused by his distress all morning, but remained by his side despite all the new people.
“You’ve found a burial mound?”Cornelius asked.“Is this the first?”
“We believe so, but there is still much work to be done before we can be sure,” Joaquim said, conducting their report in English.His accent was thick, but he spoke in a slow and thoughtful way.
“There are no ruins there.”Severino leaned forward in his seat.“What makes you think it is for burial use?”
Joaquim offered Severino an apologetic smile.“We found the cemetery, in this case an urn field, nearby.We found it a few days after you left.”
Severino was undeterred.He'd shaved and washed up last night as well, and the morning light had him practically glowing.“This is wonderful news!I am sorry to have missed it, but this is good, Joaquim."
Joaquim relaxed.He wasn't as polished as Severino this morning, but Watt could appreciate that he was fine to look at, dusty clothes and all.“It is good, and more work.We are grateful for your help, both of you, even if it is only for a short time.Severino tells me you are dedicated to your mission, so I will not pry you from it.But know that you are always welcome here.”
Cornelius nodded.“Thank you, we appreciate that.”He glanced sideways at Watt, his smile tight.“Just point us in the right direction and we’ll get to work.”
“Yes, thank you,” Watt said, a hollow addendum.He'd found it impossible to forget that this was only temporary, save for last night.Sheer exhaustion and relief had softened his mind.It had felt good to sit with other people and talk, to eat and be unhurried.To lay down in a relatively soft place in the middle of nowhere and wake under the same canvas roof as the man he'd come to call a friend, and prepare for a day of work in the dirt.Watt glanced at Cornelius, trying to make the word fit around him.But it wasn't enough.Regardless, it was a cycle Watt could've repeated for a long time.For the first time, he briefly entertained the idea of taking Joaquim and Severino up on their offer, and staying for longer than intended.
Joaquim chuckled.“I like your enthusiasm.Breakfast first, then we work.”
Later that evening, they made their way back to their shared tent with Maggie in tow.Cornelius frowned at the beaten down path ahead of them, his mask had dropped the moment they'd gotten away from the others.He relied heavily on his cane, and Watt hoped that he would take it easy tomorrow.It had been a long day full of information and dirt, and had the opportunity to go on for longer.The others were meeting up around the fire pit, and had invited them.He wasn't sure if he could do it.It didn't sound like Severino and Joaquim would be there, and he didn't mind the crew thus far.But Andrea had been … quietly obnoxious today.Lurking, smirking.Watt didn't know what had happened between him and Cornelius, but it was more of a problem than he'd realized it would be.
Watt could only handle a moment of silence between him and Cornelius.He said, “What do you think?”
Cornelius cut a look at him, his expression unreadable in the shadows of dusk.After a moment he asked, “… about?”
Watt floundered.“The camp.Joaquim.All of it.”
Cornelius turned his attention back to their path.He was quiet for a few moments, then, “It’s only another stop in the journey.”
