Carson asked, “What questions did Nathaniel ask you when your heads were together that have to do with the world markets?” Charles told him about a situation that was coming up in Europe. He explained his answer to the problem.
Carson said, “Your answer was a back to the basics answer. Didn’t he agree with that?”
Charles said, “Nathaniel said normally he would agree, but they have several other issues that affect their ability to regulate their markets. He told me the hidden issues and gave a less conservative answer. He said in this circumstance it would be okay to recommend an aggressive strategy.” Carson considered both of the solutions.
It wasn’t long before their food arrived. They ate quickly and were on their way again. Airabelle and Airasten searched for Max or anyone who looked suspicious from the air. They didn’t see any danger so the group made their way back to the Passageway stall. Once they crossed over and were back in the office they sat down and relaxed while they waited for Anjoleah and her crew to come and examine the vault. No one was as glad as Charles to have the meeting with Nathaniel over with. He was excited that at last he would be given a little more information in regard to the office he would someday hold.
Bev walked in the office and joined them. She wanted to know how the meeting with Nathaniel transpired. She sat down and listened to Charles’ narrative.
After Charles told Bev his account of the meeting, he asked Carson, “Do you know something about the mysterious voices that we were hearing in the vault?”
“Well, I have my ideas about what is happening and a little history about the vault. That is about all I have to go on.” Charles figured he’d hear more about it later. There was no reason to make Carson tell his thoughts on it twice. Soon the others would arrive and he’d hear what Carson had to say.
Carson was getting ready. He removed his keys from the desk, went over and turned the bookshelves around. He ran his fingers along the spines of the books. He came to one that was slightly different from the rest. He pulled it off the shelf. Then he turned and went to the Caperson journals. He looked through them as well. Finally after looking through a few of the journals he pulled the one he wanted. Carson walked over to his desk with the books. He skimmed through both sets, marking the information he was after. He closed them and stacked the books on top of each other. He placed a hand on the books. “I’ve been reading and thinking as I have been researching. The pieces finally fit, Charles.” He motioned to Charles. “I want you to read this and then comment on what you’ve read.”
Charles stood up and walked over to the desk, as Carson stated, “Catherine Caperson was very direct in her wishes that should a rightful heir be identified, this individual should be the sole heir to her Sojourner Estate.”
Charles pushed away from the desk. “Where do we find the information?”
He momentarily rubbed his eyes with one hand and then drummed his fingers on the desk with the other.
Carson picked up the Caperson journal and turned a few pages. He set his crystal on it and slid it over to Charles. The crystal revealed a set of random numbers. Then Carson picked up the crystal and went to the bookshelves and pulled another journal. He flipped through the pages until he found what he was searching for. He turned the journal to that page and brought it over to Charles. It also revealed a set of random numbers. Charles closed his eyes tight and shook his head. When he opened them he asked, “What does all this mean?”
“Well, it could be almost anything: a correspondence, directions to a place, a code, a puzzle… on and on. I don’t really know yet. I was just reading the journals and noticed the strange blank spots. So just by chance I reached for my crystal and set it on the area in question to see what would happen. This is what I found.”
Charles said, “I’m not sure I would have thought to do that.”
Bev said, “Me either.”
Carson frowned and scratched his head. Airasten looked at the numbers and repeated them over and over again. The spaces were throughout the page. They all sat and concentrated on the page with numbers in front of them. Carson placed the journals in order by date and copied down all of the numbers. He closed the journals, placed them back on the shelves and turned the shelves around. He sat down and studied the numbers on the sheet of paper. He thought he might have solved the mystery a couple of times only to be disappointed. He turned and looked at the clock. It wouldn’t be long until Dimitrios and Anthony arrived. Carson and Charles put all of the items they had to help with their research in a stack on the edge of Carson’s desk. Airabelle and Airasten perched on their birdcage.
Dimitrios was the first one through the Passageway. “Sorry to keep you waiting. They are on their way. They should arrive within the next couple of minutes. Anjoleah met with her expert and they were at the library researching when I met them. I had to help them out with a few details. I have to admit I don’t know much about this vault, and personally I have never heard of a vault that could transmit voices. If I hadn’t heard it with my own ears I wouldn’t have believed it. I think we are all very curious about it.”
Carson and Bev went to get more chairs for everyone to sit. Anthony and several other individuals entered the office through the Passageway. Dimitrios made the introductions around the room. Once everyone was introduced they stood and Dimitrios explained what had happened. “Carson, Charles and I were in the office when we overheard a conversation taking place from inside his large vault. As we listened I made several notes to myself on clues in the conversation, as well as what I had heard and the distinct dialect in which they spoke. The message was very clear. I believe based on the conversation they were having, their ultimate intention is to overthrow the office of the Prime Minister in order to take control of his power around the world. It sounded to me as if they are looking for an opportunity to strike.”
Anjoleah said, “Mr. Jones, my expert Henri has encountered a lot of unusual Sojourner tools, however this one is unique because to our knowledge it hasn’t been replicated. In order for us to begin our investigation would you be willing to give us as much information regarding this vault as you can?”
Carson didn’t hesitate. “I’m willing to help in any way I can, short of the vault being confiscated, or my Sojourner rights being violated.”
“Agreed.”
Carson said, “The history, that I am aware of in regard to this vault, is that it was constructed by a mysterious Sojourner organization that was formed through an alliance of the elite groups. Their purpose was specifically to construct this vault. They only created this one prototype and then they ceased to exist. It isn’t clear to what purpose they actually constructed the vault for or its full range of capabilities.
“It’s possible the vault has changed hands over time. The vault was eventually placed in a small town bank. The building that held the vault was to be torn down after the original bank was sold and changed locations. The building was no longer needed because the land was more valuable than the building. The owner of the building auctioned off the assets. After the auction this vault was still remaining, no one bid on it. That may be due to the fact that the former bank president and owner, Samuel, would have a little too much to drink and talked way too much. He alleged that the vault was haunted, and reputable bank employees backed up all of his stories. He claimed that it was mysterious and held mystical powers. For years people in the community would try to induce him and the employees to elaborate but no one would talk for fear of being labeled crazy. He said that he’d tell the secrets of the vault to whomever purchased it, but he didn’t have any individuals willing to pay his price. The vault was eventually moved and stored in a warehouse.
“My great, great grandfather, Benjamin purchased the vault from the owner of the storage warehouse. His collection had grown over the years and he needed the room to store his coins and treasures. A bank vault seemed like the next logical choice. The story goes that while he was participating in a card game with friends, in passing he hear
d a conversation about this vault that had been for sale for several years. Ben decided it might be worth investigating the story. Once he finally found the correct storage location, he talked the owner of the warehouse into showing it. At first sight he fell in love with the vault even though it showed the signs of being in storage for years, and not being used. This beauty was in rough shape. Ben wanted to try to negotiate a price, but before he even made an offer, the owner of the warehouse kept trying to talk him out of buying it. He told my great, great grandfather the stories that Samuel had been telling around town. He confirmed that strange things had happened since the vault was in his building. The owner confessed that the bank had stopped payment on its storage. The vault was so large and it took up so much room, the owner of the warehouse was willing to almost give it away to get it off his property. He was very afraid of it. He really wanted Ben to buy it but was afraid of the karma that would come back on him if he didn’t tell the whole truth about what he knew. My great, great grandfather assured the warehouse owner he wasn’t going to hold him responsible for any strange occurrences. He was able to purchase the vault on the spot.
“Benjamin then took the receipt papers and set out to locate Samuel. He found him and showed Samuel the paperwork as proof that he had purchased the vault. The two men then went to an undisclosed location and discussed the secrets of the vault in private.
“As you can see the door of the vault has two locks on it: this large shiny golden wheel with these gems embedded on the inside rays of the wheel and the large key lock.” Carson pulled the key from his pocket.
Henri’s eyes grew wide and he reached for the key. He became giddy with excitement and held the key close to his chest. Carson and Anjoleah looked at each other.
Henri said, “I can’t believe it. Do you, do you know about this key’s history?”
Carson shook his head that he didn’t.
Henri sighed. “Oh, where do I begin? If I can verify the markings on this vault it will be a miracle.” He went over and began looking at it closely while talking to himself in French. Dimitrios stood beside him and they exchanged words as Henri pointed out specific things of interest in the etchings.
Henri turned around. “It’s true. I am positive. This vault was created by a collaborative group of the elite Sojourners, as you said, for the sole purpose of designing and fabricating a one of a kind masterpiece. The legend goes that there was a heated argument over which Sojourner group would actually take possession of it once it was finally constructed. One of the men from the group pulled out a pistol and shot the other Sojourners. It was rumored that the vault was cursed and that the voices were from the other side. That wasn’t true. That was just to keep the other Sojourner groups from taking an interest in the vault and trying to learn of its location so they could steal it. After the crime it turned out all of the other elite groups claimed ownership of the vault since their members had worked on it. At meetings where they would discuss the ownership of the vault, arguments would break out. They all pointed a finger at each other for centuries. Legend says that the sole Sojourner survivor, after the murders, immediately contacted his Sojourner President and convinced him to hide the vault. It took all of the members in their group until the wee hours of the morning to move it to a secret location. There was no proof of its existence for centuries. It appeared that it had just vanished.
“Eventually after being on the run for decades, the remaining survivor was captured and taken into custody. He was found guilty and sentenced to a memory erase. Since the Sojourners’ Council was trying him on murder charges, they didn’t understand the impact of what they were doing. They didn’t get information about the vault and it’s powers before they erased his memory. After centuries have passed, the legend of this vault still lives on in the legends of all the Sojourners’ groups which had the members that were murdered.” Henri extended his arms toward the vault momentarily. “Voila. This is the mysterious vault!”
Then he put on his Sojourner glasses and held up the key to the light,
“Magnificent!”
Carson said, “The reason you have knowledge of this legend Henri, is that you belong to one of the Sojourner groups?”
Henri stopped smiling and turned around. “Yes, but of course. How else would I know of this?”
“So now that you are aware of the existence of this vault, are you going to share this information with your group?”
“No. I hadn’t considered it. I was just happy to learn the legend was true; that’s enough. I don’t know what purpose it would serve to dredge up the grudges of the past. It might incite a dispute and bring out the worst in the Sojourners’ groups all over again.” He turned his attention back to the key. Anjoleah put on her glasses and moved closer to see what he was looking at so closely. She couldn’t see what he was inspecting so she turned her attention to everyone else. They were observing a light in the shape of a keyhole with the silhouette of a skeleton key inside of it that had appeared on the wall. The image was reflected from the key to the vault’s outer wall while Henri was holding it up to the light. Henri didn’t care. He was still studying the key as he held it up to the light.
Charles came alongside of Henri and asked him what he was so intently observing. Henri kept the key in the light and urged Charles to look.
Charles raised an eyebrow. “What am I looking for?”
“Just look and you will see what I see…”
Charles put on his glasses. “Whoa! Henri. How did you know to do this?”
Henri looked at him earnestly. “I am the President of one of the Sojourners’ groups.”
That remark caught Charles’ attention. “Oh, now I understand…”
Henri grinned. “I see that raises a lot of questions in your mind. One of the many questions you are wondering is which Sojourner group, right?” Charles nodded slowly.
“The one that hid the vault,” Henri whispered.
“That makes sense. So you know the answers to all of the questions about the vault?”
Henri shook his head. “No. I’m just making discoveries as I go.” Henri pulled the key down from the light and directed Charles’ attention to the etchings along the exterior of the vault. He explained them as he traced each one with his finger. Everyone was silently watching as Henri began to explain the mysterious markings. “They all have to do with the Sojourner groups that played a part in manufacturing this Sojourner tool. This is ancient writing above the door.” Dimitrios read it aloud as Henri said it. Henri turned and looked at him over his shoulder. Then he looked back at the vault, “Not many people would be able to decipher those markings… Typically it would be the most learned in a specialized Sojourner group.”
Anthony spoke up and pointed out the jewels on the wheel of the door, “I suppose those represent the Sojourner groups as well.”
Henri said, “Maybe, see here?” He pointed to the ray that had two jewels in it. “If that is the case this ray could mean that they had two members from this group.”
Charles asked, “So if your group kept the vault a secret for so long, and hid it from the other Sojourner groups, how did it get out into the public and eventually end up here?”
Henri said, “Good question. I think my best answer is simply, carelessness. It was never moved to the Hub for fear it would be discovered and sought after. Over time its location and value was just forgotten. I’m sure it was sold with the property it was housed at as belonging to an estate. Back then we didn’t have a central permanent location designated for Sojourners’ groups like we do now.”
Henri looked at Carson. “Have you ever spun the wheel?”
Carson nodded his head. “Though I mainly use the key.”
Henri went to the wheel and forcefully spun it. The sound it made was unusual. It almost sounded as if different people were surrounding you whispering secrets in your ear that you couldn’t understand. “Hmmm,” Henri said. “Let’s take a recording of this and see what we can do with it. I’m cu
rious if the sound is actually saying something important and informative.” Anjoleah recorded it as he spun the wheel.
He took the key out of his pocket, put it into the keyhole of the vault and turned. The door opened with effort. Carson moved past him as the light came on in the vault. They all just stood where they were for the longest time, nothing happened. Henri stepped in and began looking around. He inspected the closed drawers and their locks. Henri and Carson were the only people in the vault. Both he and Henri looked over the interior of the vault. Henri observed each of the faces of the drawers that would have been used as safety deposit boxes. Henri commented, “This vault is huge.”
Anjoleah, Dimitrios and Anthony were discussing what Dimitrios had overheard earlier and some of the clues that he had picked up on. Anjoleah held her knowledge pen and screen. She was in the middle of discussing her strategy and how she would implement those plans when the voices commenced. Everyone rushed to the vault. Carson stepped out of the vault and Dimitrios grabbed Anjoleah’s pen and screen as he entered in Carson’s place. Dimitrios began to take rapid notes.
Henri looked over his shoulder and said, “That is incorrect. That word actually makes reference to a location.”
Dimitrios continued to take notes ignoring him. When the conversation ceased he put his official recording device into the screen’s frame and transferred the information. Then he erased it from Anjoleah’s screen. He turned to Henri and said, “Your assumption is incorrect. This is why, the statement that was made prior changed the following sentences’ meaning.” Henri smirked. So Dimitrios played it back for him and translated word for word.
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 69