“Because we got it back about fifty years ago,” Rasputin interjected. “We also found the diary at the same time.”
“So what is so special about this diary?”
“When Vlad was studying here, he found two ancient scrolls and made notes in his diary. The notes now include his personal experiences with the diamond.” The monk tried to observe Wesley’s face for a reaction.
“What diamond?” Wesley felt his pulse begin to race.
“The two scrolls and the diary are records about a ‘Black Diamond’—a large black diamond which has powers not of this earth. Vlad smuggled it back to Transylvania and used the power to fight the Ottoman Empire. He was rather successful, even though his troops were greatly outnumbered by as much as five to one.” The monk pointed out that Vlad had kept the Turks at bay for decades and prevented them from invading Eastern Europe. “Otherwise, we all would be speaking some form of Arabic today.”
“I know the history,” an insulted Wesley replied. He did not need a recap of written history. “Tepes was a fearless, ruthless, successful leader. So, he possessed the diamond around 1550. Is that correct?”
“Some say it possessed him,” smirked Rasputin. “In any case, we recovered the diamond and his diary about half a century ago. They were found in a building on the castle property. The items were hidden behind an icon on the wall.”
“So where is the diamond today?” asked Wesley.
“It is once again gone,” replied the monk. “About a year ago, Rasputin opened the box where the diamond was kept in its pouch and found only a rock. Someone has stolen the diamond again, and we need you to help get it back.” The monk announced this as an edict.
“How am I to get it back if you’ve failed for a year to find it?” questioned the professor. “I’m an academic, not a detective.”
“We understand that, but you are perfectly equipped for the job of recovering the diamond,” replied a smug Rasputin as he examined his long fingernails.
“Why is that?” inquired Wesley.
“Because we know where the diamond is and how you can retrieve it.”
“Why would I want to help you?” A sudden chill slithered down Wesley’s back
“If you help us recover the diamond, we’ll let you study in this library for as long as you wish. There are many secrets here, so much to learn—all available to you and you alone.” Rasputin again opened his long arms in offering up the secrets of the library. Rasputin knew the offer was too large for Wesley to ignore; he was, after all, a professor of history.
Wesley thought about this for several minutes. He sensed danger around him. These monks were secretive, conniving, shadowy people. Rasputin was beyond that and bordered on eccentric or even insanity. Wesley saw it in his eyes. But in the end, Wesley wanted more than anything to be a hero and to have knowledge which others could not access. He dreamed of people back home who would seek out his help and of a reputation for discovering earth-shaking antiquities. He didn’t come all this way to say no to adventure.
“You make a compelling case, but I’ll need to read the scrolls and the diary before I decide,” he finally replied.
“But of course,” answered the bald monk as he smiled. Wesley felt the smile was more sinister then sincere. “I will bring you each scroll to read. You will use the main table over there,” he pointed. “But you may not take anything from the library.”
Wesley immediately went to work translating the scrolls. He first read Alexander the Great’s scroll and learned that the diamond had the power to give great strength and protection, if held in the left hand. The diamond would actually change a person and magnify their deepest desires. It also would destroy any metal within a man’s height which he calculated as approximately six feet of the diamond holder. But the diamond also would create great rage in the holder, usually resulting in physical confrontation. Finally, he discovered that only goat’s blood would render it neutral. As Wesley pondered his findings, he realized he had read about several of the traits before. He wondered where.
His memory was good, and he now set about the task of remembering. He knew the Greeks had provided a name to hard, clear rocks—“diamonds.” It was their name for “invincible.” He knew there were black diamonds. They were very rare, but the Queen of England had some crown jewels made from black diamonds. He had also heard of the Black Orlov. This huge diamond had many rumors attached to it. Unlucky things often happened to people who had owned it. Suddenly, it hit him—the occult. A jolt of excitement flashed through his body.
He turned to Brother Ivan, who hovered around the desk, watching Wesley very closely. “Do you have any books on ancient occults?” Wesley asked. “Especially, do you have any information about Celtic religious ceremonies?”
“Why would you need to know about any occults? There are many occults. As a real, true religion, we don’t condone belief in the occult,” Ivan said as he scratched his head.
“But you must have studied occult rituals. I think there is a tie to a specific occult which uses diamonds in their rituals.”
The monk nodded and disappeared into the cave. He returned in few minutes with a large, dusty book. He didn’t seem to enjoy holding the book. His arms were in his sleeves, and he held the book as far away from his body as possible. He all but threw it on the desk, creating a loud thump and a dust storm.
“This is the most complete edition about occults we have found.” He once again gave a disclaimer. “You understand that we do not condone them. We use this book as a reference when needed.”
Without looking up, Wesley said, “Thank you.”
It took Wesley about two hours to find the references he remembered. Several occults used diamonds as part of their ceremonies. He found that diamonds, specifically colored diamonds, were believed to have powers. One reference said that if a diamond is “held in the left hand of a fighter, the diamond gave victory, no matter the number of enemies.” Another said that the only way to stop the power of the diamond was to “cover it with goat’s blood.” Wesley was now convinced the Black Diamond was real and had surfaced many times throughout history. All he had to do was to find it and become a hero.
He attacked the second scroll with renewed vigor. He worked without food or sleep. Brother Ivan was constantly by his side and asked many questions. Rasputin sat in his chair and drank vodka. Wesley discovered that Emperor Constantine had indeed handled the Black Diamond. The diamond had been brought to Rome as part of the plunder of the Great Library in Alexandria. The Romans burned the library, but had taken many of the artifacts back to Rome—to their own library. It had resided untouched for centuries, only to be discovered by a young would-be emperor. Constantine was highly educated and had read the scroll from Alexander the Great. He had held the diamond in his right hand and had become consumed with the desire to provide religious freedom for all. As he ascended to the throne, he acquired many enemies who did not follow his beliefs. Many tried to kill him, but he always emerged victorious. He was even thrown into a pit with a lion, but he had defeated the lion, without a scratch. He had eventually moved to Byzantium, now Constantinople and had brought many artifacts with him, including the Black Diamond.
By now Wesley was sure the monks were hiding something and had plans that included the Black Diamond as a weapon. He didn’t believe they wanted the diamond back to keep it buried in the archives. He decided he should start his own diary about the diamond, but he knew it would have to be done in secrecy. The monks were watching him very carefully. He would have to rely on his prodigious memory for now.
The Tepes diary was as he expected. Vladimir Tepes wrote that he had discovered the scrolls and had indeed smuggled the diamond out of the library. Tepes had held the diamond for only a few seconds while in the comfort of his castle. He suddenly developed an insatiable appetite for blood and for the destruction of his enemies, particularly the Ottoman Empire. He began using war tactics aimed at scaring his enemies—especially torture and impaling people
on staffs. As a result, his lesser armies were able to keep the Turks at bay for several decades. Tepes described himself as extremely strong, obsessed with blood, and able to return from battles with only minor wounds. His last entry was in 1474, the year he disappeared. Wesley knew there were several rumors about the final disposition of Tepes, but none was confirmed. He now doubted Tepes died by a spear or any weapon. He probably had an accident. Wesley closed the diary and stared into space, lost in thought.
He now faced a dilemma. Should he help the monks retrieve the diamond, or should he walk away? If he walked away, they would find someone else to do their bidding. He would not learn anything more of the diamond, and he would continue to be a little-known professor of history. If he helped them, he could achieve great things. But at what price? He didn’t trust the monks. They had another agenda. Would he even survive? Would he survive if he turned them down?
In the end, the undying curiosity of an academic won out. He had to learn more, and that meant taking on the search for the Black diamond.
Chapter Eight
Wesley decided to not tell the monks of his final decision until he was better rested and was fed. He told the monk, Ivan, that he needed some rest and some food.
“We will take care of both. You need to follow me,” the devious monk replied. Wesley saw the shift in his eyes. Wesley instantly knew the monk had a plot all his own when he passed several other monks and did not address them.
They went to the back of the library, and Ivan stood before a tapestry located in the far corner. When he pushed the tapestry aside, Wesley could see a stone wall-like door. Ivan produced a large key and turned the lock. He struggled with the heavy door but managed to open it enough for both men to enter.
It felt like a tomb to Wesley. The hallway led deeper into the ground. There were several thick, heavy wooden doors on both sides of the tunnel. At the very end, Wesley could see light peeking around a corner and could hear the sounds of people working. He was more curious than afraid, but both emotions entered his mind.
They walked into a round, central hub area like that of a wheel. Additional corridors branched out in several directions like spokes. Seven monks were cooking food in the central area. No one looked up from his work as Ivan and Wesley made their way to a long, heavy table near the center of the round room. They sat down, and food immediately appeared before them, along with red wine.
“We work seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Food is always being freshly prepared, and any of us can come, sit, and eat any time we wish. There are no questions to deal with in here,” the monk informed Wesley.
“In America, I have eaten in a new concept in dining called a cafeteria. This is very similar, except of course, you have to pay money,” Wesley laughed at his own joke.
“We provide for anyone who is hungry,” the monk seriously replied.
“Where do all these corridors lead to?” Wesley asked as he ripped off a piece of bread from a fresh loaf.
“The halls lead to our various work areas and sleeping quarters, of course,” the monk evaded the real question.
“How many monks live here?”
“We currently have over two hundred monks hidden in these caverns. We used to have more, but many have left for better assignments.”
“Why?”
“We live in fear now. There are many enemies to deal with here. We are men of peace, but we are seen as infidels in the center of our own religious domain. Some monks are killed every year by our enemies. We have to live underground just to survive,” Ivan dropped his head in shame and sadness. “I want to leave myself,” he confessed.
“Why do you stay?” Wesley asked.
“Once we get the Black Diamond back, I’m going to move on as well, but not before. I’ll not let them push me out because of my religious beliefs.” Ivan pounded his fist on the table and made several monks turn their heads. Wesley realized that Ivan’s life was centered on the diamond.
Wesley had the feeling that many of the monks believed they were in some sort of war, with the enemy getting closer every day. There was also something mysterious about Ivan and the other monks, something they hid. He wondered if had to do with the Black Diamond or if it had a deeper root. He decided to think about that later. He needed sleep first. Ivan showed him to a Spartan room down one of the corridors. He told Wesley he would pick him up in the morning. He then locked Wesley in the room.
Chapter Nine
The next morning, Ivan opened the door to the room, and Wesley ran to the small bathroom. When he exited the bathroom, he was irate.
“Why did you lock me in the room?”
“It was for your own good,” Ivan replied with concern in his voice.
“Why, did you think I would grab some of the artifacts and make a run for it? Or maybe drink Rasputin’s liquor?”
His answer was revealing. “It has been done before.”
They went back to the cafeteria area and consumed a hearty breakfast. There was no discussion. They then returned to the table in the library, and Wesley got back to his studying. Ivan took up his usual place behind Wesley and watched his every move.
***
Eventually, Wesley pushed back his chair and deliberately bumped the hovering monk, Ivan. Without excusing himself, he strode off to the place where Rasputin currently reclined. Ivan scurried around and made sure that all the papers Wesley had been studying were still on the table. He then hurried after him. Rasputin was barely conscious, a bottle of vodka on his lap. There was no glass in sight. He had been drinking for days, it seemed.
“What more can you tell me about the diamond?” inquired Wesley as he took a seat near the drunken monk.
Rasputin looked at him with the look of a predator. His bloodshot eyes were aflame. Is it insanity? thought Wesley.
“You haven’t said you will help us,” he replied nonchalantly. He then took another swig of the vodka. Ivan stood to the side of Rasputin and continuously rubbed his hands together as if waiting for a treat. It reminded Wesley of a dog he once had.
Wesley now was aware that Rasputin had a political mind and was not just any monk. “Okay, I’ll help you find the diamond.”
“And bring it back to the library,” the monk persisted.
“Yes, of course.”
“You will not try to gain the powers of the artifact, correct?”
“It seems much too dangerous for anyone to touch. It must be kept in a safe place,” Wesley diplomatically replied.
“Good, now we drink. Ivan, more vodka.” Rasputin then reared his head back and let out a laugh that could wake the dead.
***
After several shots of vodka and much hovering by Ivan, Rasputin finally got down to business. “I see you like our library. You want to learn more—I know this.”
“But you won’t let me continue to search further until I retrieve the diamond, correct?” Wesley was getting the hang of negotiating with the big Russian.
“You are a smart boy,” replied the now focused but rumpled monk. His near-white hair was a big bush with branches going everywhere. They bounced like springs on his big head as he nodded in a positive reply.
“So let’s get on with it,” was the tense reply.
Brother Ivan stepped forward. “Say your questions,” he said.
Wesley searched for the right questions. There seemed to be many. “First, how did the diamond become missing this time?”
“It was one of us,” Ivan shamefully answered. “A brother monk took it. He was like a family member to us, but he had a problem with the curse of opium and needed money, lots of money. He took the diamond and sold it to an English professor who was studying here at the university. The professor took the stone and has since sold it as well.”
“How do you know this?”
Rasputin answered this time. “We caught him stealing other items from the library. He told us everything, after we applied a little persuasion.”
Wesley was sure Rasputin mean
t torture. This was not good, monks torturing people especially other monks. “I’ll have to talk to him, of course.”
“I’m afraid that would be impossible,” replied the smug monk.
“Why is that?” Wesley inquired.
“You see, eh…he has disappeared,” Brother Ivan bluntly replied. Wesley quickly realized the monk was no longer alive.
“But where do I go from here?” asked the startled and now disturbed professor. He was ranging out of his depth, and he knew it.
“Oh, we have all the information that you need,” Rasputin volunteered as he poured another drink down his throat. “The monk provided enough knowledge and information before he…uh, left.”
“What knowledge and information?” Wesley asked. The monks were not good at filling in the blanks.
“He sold the diamond to a professor named Wayne. We know where he is. He is still here in Constantinople, at the university. However, he intends to leave very soon. This is why we need your help.”
“If you know where he is, why don’t you confront him and get the diamond back?” Wesley was bracing for the other shoe to drop.
“Well, unfortunately, he contacted a very powerful man. The man sent an emissary with much money here and collected the diamond. It’s no longer in the city.”
“Where did it go?” Wesley was getting annoyed with the less than candid replies.
“South Africa.”
This made Wesley think. Wesley knew some things about South Africa. Right now, the most important thing he knew about the place was that it was completely controlled by the English. If you weren’t English-speaking and white, you were a burden to society and treated as such. Wesley realized they needed him to go there because if they went, they would receive the same treatment as the natives and the Dutch. Wesley could pass as an Englishman.
“So you want me to shadow Professor Wayne in the hope he would lead me to the diamond.”
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