Page 52 - Archangel

separation from Layla’s son, MacIain helped Collins onto his own horse.
Rejoined by the Pastor on the other mount, the three took a different route
back to the Operation Moses clinic as a precaution from local Interahamwe
informers among the refugee population.
Thanking the pastor and bidding him farewell as they approached the
diverging path toward the Operation Moses clinic, the Reverend whispered,
“I cannot earn my salvation, but tonight I have shown my appreciation
for you two risking your lives and rescuing my wife out of Rwanda in your
boat before it consumed her in its killing fields. I can never repay that, but
I stand ready to do all I can for you in the Lord’s service, unto death.”
Staggering into the bunk room and collapsing onto their cots 10
minutes later, MacIain poured each a dram of Macallans without asking.
Before he passed out from exhaustion and heartbreak, Collins downed the
single malt as blue eyes bored into MacIain like the lances of the righteous.
He said simply, “That child represents our souls and our love for Layla. We
will find the right home for that child or we both die trying. Swear it.”
Rising from his cot to help settle his diminutive Northern Irish brother
under the covers, MacIain responded in paraphrasing a pledge from
Culloden which conveyed Layla’s courage and sacrifice as well as MacIain’s
and Collins’ responsibility to save Moses: ‘Our blood is still our fathers
and mothers. And ours the valour of their hearts.’ We will not fail, Sean.“
Satisfied with their renewed commitment, Collins was unconscious
seconds later.

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