"So that spells K-E-Y... key!" Izzy proclaimed a tad too loud.
"Yes, KEY,” Charles echoed jubilantly. “That's just bloody brilliant. Now, if it is, in fact, a physical key or perhaps rather a kind of solution to a problem, we don't know yet. But I reckon we are getting closer by the day Izzy. I told you it happens in three's. We are so close. Have you managed to come up with anything from the river clue?"
"I think so. I mean I can only think it is the river where we found the first pieces of pottery. Remember? The one that is close to Mafia Island. Legend has it that Rhapta was in that vicinity, so it makes logical sense to try there first, right? It's not a very long river so we should be able to work it easily. My best guess is we should start at the mouth and work it upwards. Chances are the river would have brought any artifacts down towards the mouth in any event. We would have to leave early in the morning though. It is quite a drive there."
Charles shifted his weight uncomfortably as if he was getting ready to dance the shuffle.
"Okay. What's up? I know that look on your face Charles Benjamin Hunt."
He cleared his throat, removed his hat again and scratched his head as if he was trying to gather the words for an announcement at a funeral.
"What is it, Charles? Spit it out,” Izzy urged.
"Izzy, I spoke to the Uni earlier. You know, brought them up to speed on what we have found. They... well... they need me back home."
“What do you mean? You're leaving us?"
"My love, I have no choice. If I don't go, they will pull all our funding. We are so close now and we cannot afford them pulling the plug now. We have to push forward now more than ever."
Izzy crossed her arms like a spoilt child. She wasn’t pleased in the slightest and that would be putting it mildly.
"Oh come on Izzy. Don't pull the sulking card, my love. You know I would much rather hunt this down with the two of you. My hands are tied. Don't be mad, please?" Attempting to hug his wife but she shrugged him off.
"We are on the cusp of, without a doubt the continent's biggest find ever. Our first proper breakthrough at finally finding Rhapta after decades of digging and now you choose to leave? Really?"
Disappointment couldn’t describe how Izzy felt. As if someone just spoiled a surprise.
”When are you leaving then?" She eventually asked.
”First light."
"Great! So at the peak of us finding Rhapta you, the head of this team, are leaving. I can't believe you, Charles! Please tell me it's a joke? How on earth am I supposed to do this on my own?"
"But you are not on your own Izzy. Alexandra is very capable of doing this with you. In fact, I bet my life's savings that she’d be far more worth to you going forward than me. She has learned from the best, haven't you my darling girl?" Winking at her.
"Don't bring Alexandra into this Charles. It might not even be safe for us out here on our own. Once word gets out that we are onto something every rival gang and wannabe treasure hunter will be on our heels."
"I have already thought of that and taken care of that for you Izzy. The Chief is assembling a crew to accompany you, and Jelani is in charge. His name doesn't mean “Mighty” for nothing. You will be in good hands I'm certain. We will all leave together on my way to the airport tomorrow morning, okay?"
His pacifying hardly brought his wife solace. Quite the contrary if truth were told.
"But Charles, what if we do find Rhapta, finally after all these years of looking for it together. You won't be with us to share in it. That's what I am furious about."
Charles pulled his wife into his arms.
"You'll be okay Izzy. I'll be with you in spirit, and Alexandra... well, let's just say I am certain she will be filling my spot just fine. As soon as you find it you let me know, okay? I'll be on the first plane in."
"Mum, it will be okay. I will be there with you every step of the way and, thanks to technology, we will Skype and take some pictures and send it to Dad, okay? It will feel like he is right here with us."
"Speaking of pictures. Eric is still missing. He had better crawl out from wherever he is before we leave. I need to take those pictures and data with me."
Izzy looked around. She too found it strange that he’d disappear like that in the middle of all the action.
With their belongings packed and the recently discovered relics firmly tucked into her bag, Izzy and Alex set off later in the afternoon to their Swahili tribe by the river. Halfway down the dirt road, convinced someone was following them, Izzy looked back, but the dust clouds behind them were too thick for her to have a clear view. She had a bad feeling about this. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it though but something just didn't feel right. Charles looked perplexed also. Perhaps he was sensing it too or most likely, his mind was long since at the benefit back home and his thoughts were all about how to save their expedition. They followed the strict instructions sent to them by the Chief and veered off the road at a certain point. Once they got to their marker, they were to do the rest on foot, heading west where the tribe would meet up with them and take them into their village. It was a reasonably normal security procedure. There were many rival tribes in Tanzania, and they needed a handful of precautionary measures to protect their settlements from one another.
When they finally arrived at the marked spot, they walked an hour or so into the bush. Soon after, they heard their tribal call from a nearby Acacia tree and Charles answered back with the same whistling sound by holding his hands clenched over his mouth. Izzy never really got the technique right to mimic their call. Somehow both Alexandra and Charles had managed to learn the secret call. Charles always said it was because her hands were so dainty and small.
Izzy still couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching them. She turned once more to see, but there was still no one there. Just vast open grassland and a couple of giraffe about a hundred meters away. Most of their crew stayed behind at camp continuing the excavation which now left their small party entirely exposed. Doubts if the one rifle Charles had slung over his shoulder was sufficient filled her mind. Maybe that was why she was restless, the thought.
Another hour on foot led by the tribe's tracker had them reach the river. After months in the barren Savannah, being right next to a river was sheer bliss. A remedy for her soul, she always said. There was something about flowing water that washed all her troubles away.
Jelani came running over to Alexandra, or rather, as the tribe affectionately called her, Lakicia, which translated to 'she who is a favorite among people'. They honored her with a Swahili name shortly after Charles and Izzy took Jelani in. Being the Chief's son, he saw her as his tribal sister, and they held a large ceremony in her honor. He was about ten years her senior and they got on remarkably well. Growing up an only child, she thought of him as her older brother. Jelani naturally took it upon himself to look after her while Charles and Izzy were often away on dangerous expeditions all over the world; forced to leave Alex behind. Izzy’s heart warmed at the thought of how it literally took a village to raise her.
The tribe welcomed them with song and cheer when they approached the village. It was the old familiar welcome they got each time they left on an exploration when they gifted them with food and supplies. And each time they came back, they lay a carpet of fresh flowers and leaves out before them and held a welcome celebration until late at night. It was good to see them all again, Izzy thought. Most of them had become dear friends. With Charles and her off on explorations for months on end they never really managed to root anywhere, much less make any friends; acquaintances aplenty.
Back in London it was more fame than friendship. Everyone wanted to know the famous Hunt Chasers. They practically bowed before them at the Uni. The students usually lined up outside Charles's office with some or other frivolous excuse just to see him. He loved it though. History and archaeology were in his veins. He could entertain the students with his relic hunting stories for hours on end and reveled in it.
But for Izzy, this filled her spirit and as they walked toward the fire pit in the center of the village several young ones came running toward them. Some of the girls made beautiful flower hairbands, and forced Alex and Izzy to sit patiently while they decorated their hair accompanied by giddy giggles. This tribe was family.
A little one tugged at Izzy’s pants and she bent down to say hello.
"And who might you be little one?" Izzy asked.
The girl was too young to talk. About two and a bit if one might hazard a guess.
"Hello, Ma'Izzy,”Jelani’s voice came up behind her.
"Jelani my boy. How are you?" Hugging him like he was her very own. He had always called her Ma, short for mama. He was still so young when his mum died that it came quite naturally to him, and Izzy didn’t mind.
"Very well Ma'Izzy. Meet our Imani. She's my little girl. The gods have blessed me. You are a big mama now."
Izzy’s heart skipped several beats as she scooped the little girl up into her arms. That meant she was a grandmother. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she’d ever be as fortunate to be a grandmother. Albeit not a real one like she’d be to Alexandra's kids. If she was ever going to get married and have one was a question for another day. Alex never held down any boyfriends much. She always had a reason for it not working out but Izzy realized very early on she was just scared of getting hurt.
“Jelani, she is utterly gorgeous. With a name meaning ’Faith' you named her well.”
"She reminded me of you Ma'Izzy; when you couldn't make a baby. Before Lakicia. The Sangoma told you to have the faith, remember?"
He was right. Faith.
"Well, Imani let's see if I can remember the song I used to sing to Alexandra when she was your age. You want to sing a song with me?"
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Seeing the little girl made Izzy happier than she thought ever possible. She never thought she would have her own baby let alone a granbaby.
Alexandra watched from a distance; as if the toddler might bite her. Izzy giggled and held the toddler out to her.
"No thanks, Mum. Babies don't like me."
"Don't be silly Alexandra. Try. She won't bite. Well, maybe just a little,” she teased.
"Yeah, thanks, Mum. I'll pass. My hands aren't clean anyway. Sorry, Jelani, no offense."
"When are you taking a husband, Lakicia? Imani will need a play friend, and you are not getting any younger."
"Oh no, I'm leaving that to you, my friend. I am not planning on ever getting married. Men are just trouble. You go ahead without me and string in as many as you wish. I’ll sit this one out.“
Charles came up from behind.
"What do you mean we're trouble? I would watch my mouth if I were you sweetheart. Look around you. Half the villagers are men," Charles resounded into another belly bout of laughter.
Later around the fire, Charles and Izzy sat gazing at the stars in silence. Something they had always liked to do. Being out under the stars always bonded them together somehow. Like the heavens held an invisible blanket over them. A quilt only the two of them shared. It was their way uniting as one.
"What a beautiful night huh Izzy? I mean, you and I have been all over the world to some pretty amazing places. But where in the world are the stars brighter than right here in Africa?"
"You're right Charles. Somehow the air is much cleaner out here too. I could live here you know.”
"Well, tell you what my love. Find Rhapta for us tomorrow, and we very well could spend the rest of our days together here under the stars. Perhaps we can finally build that house we have always dreamed of. I know the Chief would gladly help. Right there on the hill overlooking the river. I'll build it on stilts. Safely off the ground, especially for you my love."
"You are such a sweet soul, Charles. I knew the day I met you that you were my soulmate. The one I am meant to be with all of my days."
There was nothing Charles wouldn't do for Alexandra and Izzy. One thing was clear. Izzy knew, with all her heart, that he would much rather stay behind and be with them than fly back to London arguing over money with the snooty benefactors.
Instantly she regretted her outburst that morning.
"Make sure you hurry back okay, Charles? It might take us days before we find Rhapta."
"It's not up to me Izzy darling, but I'll try. I promise.”
"Well, if you hurry it along you would have enough time to go home, finish whatever those stiffs want from you and come straight back to make our discovery with us; right here where you belong."
"I would love nothing more Izzy. I think you are going to be successful tomorrow. You are going to somehow find the right spot by the river and figure out where or what the KEY is. You, Izzy Hunt, are going to find Rhapta, my love. I can feel it in my bones."
Chapter Nine
Alex
The shrill shrieking sound of a Hadeda flying circles above their thorn tree woke them. Alex despised those birds. It was quite possibly the single most annoying, shrieking sound she had ever heard. It was enough to set anyone off to a bad start on any day. She looked down at where several Hadeda's and a couple of vultures wrestled over Jelani's remains that were left by the lions' attack the night before. It was nauseating to watch knowing that it was an ill-deserving human they were fighting over. Alex was still in denial over his death. Jelani always protected her and now, she failed hopelessly in protecting him. The only genuine friend she’s ever had, and she failed him miserably. She had no idea how she was supposed to tell his father what had happened.
The thorny branches from the tree left her legs achy and sore to the point where she couldn’t feel her coccyx anymore. The sun was just about up and cast a bright orange backdrop against the horizon. Stiff body and all, she got into a standing position to stretch and take it all in. In light of her sorrow and anguish the landscape was surpassingly beautiful and considering the circumstances, she somehow managed to get a couple of hours sleep.
But her head still hurt. And then, while her thoughts trailed and the sun rose higher, her eyes settled beyond the dry grasslands.
"Quinn! Wake up! I see it! The river, I see it!"
She climbed higher in the tree just to be certain her eyes weren’t deceiving her. After all, she was severely dehydrated and still woozy from her meds but this was no mirage or hallucination.
"Quinn! Get up!"
How Sam managed to sleep so soundly on a branch filled with thorns was beyond her, so she called again, poking his shoulder with her foot.
"QUINN!"
"What's the commotion about Alex? I usually like my cup of coffee first."
"So funny Quinn, look, there's the river! I can't believe it. We were just about in it. We couldn't be closer. Bloody hell, Quinn! We should have walked faster yesterday then... perhaps Jelani might have still been alive."
Alex cried for the first time since the incident. She never cried, ever. Crying was a weakness and she didn’t like bearing her soul. But right there, in the moment of exhaustion and hopelessness, years of buried emotions and heartache soaked the earth below as her tears kept flowing. The stress of having left her home, face her disease and go after her father who was still missing topped by the death of her dearest friend was entirely too much for her to keep inside.
Quinn got up behind her, and, for the first time, Alex noted the scratches all over his face. They had to climb the tree so quickly to escape the lions that the hazardous thorns were the last thing on their minds.
"I'm so sorry Alex. I know he meant a lot to you but please rest in knowing that Jelani's injuries were quite severe. Even if we had gotten him to a hospital or the sangoma for that matter, immediately after the accident, he might not have made it either way. He had excessive internal bleeding
."
"But at least his father and the tribe could have said their goodbyes and they would have had a body to bury. That, right over there by the river, is his village. I cannot believe how close we are, Quinn. Now, I have to go there with not only the sad news that he is never coming back, but also somehow explain where his body is. How do I tell his father that lions devoured his son? And that as much as in their back yard. It is simply too sickening for words."
"Alex I'll help you, okay? Delivering bad tidings to a family is something I've done many times before. It's not my first time. Trust me, I've had my fair share. It will be okay, I promise."
His comment enticed her to react but instead she suppressed the urge to throw a rock at him. How could anything make it okay? It will never be okay.
"Do you think the lions are gone or are they still hanging about?" He asked, already moving on from the topic.
She had no more fight left in her. Alex wiped her eyes and searched the bushes for the lions or signs of any other predators lurking about.
“I can't see any. It’s possible the animals left for the watering hole already after they had their fill last night."
Even saying it repulsed her.
"Do you think it is safe for us to climb down then?" Quinn asked, desperate to distract her from her thoughts.
"Well, it isn't as if we have a choice in the matter, do we? We would have to take the risk and hope for the best."
"Come on then. Let's get down. It doesn't seem that far so let's get on with it. I don't think I can last another night in a tree."
But Alex couldn’t let go of the fact that she had to give the bad news to the village when they got there. Sam’s words were little consolation. This was not one of his patients whom he’d never see again. African tribes took death very seriously and empty words weren’t going to be enough.
The Alex Hunt Series Page 9