They probably looked ragged and sleep-deprived, which of course, they were.
The presence of the shotgun pointed at them made all of three of them freeze where they stood. It would be stupid to move, if it meant being met by a barrage of pellets ready to blow a hole or two in your body. Purdue couldn't even grab the spearhead to defend himself. If he did, he knew it would be game over. It was never smart to bring a blade to a gunfight. Spear of Destiny or not, that old spearhead wouldn't fair well against a shotgun blast.
The intruder's accomplices were much younger than he was. A young man and a young woman, barely out of their teenage years, who shared the older man's deep brown eyes.
The young woman looked familiar somehow, but Purdue couldn't place exactly how he knew her. He'd definitely seen that face before.
Purdue took a breath and then addressed the invaders like they were door-to-door salesmen instead of armed intruders. He tried to act like he didn't even notice the large shotgun pointed at his chest. “Can I help you? I do hope it's important to wake us up at this ungodly hour.”
“Why have you come here?” The older man's voice was grizzled and hoarse, like he'd spent a lot of years smoking far too many cigarettes.
Purdue kept his composure. “Vacation. With my wife and her brother.”
“I don't like liars,” the man growled. “You're treasure hunters, aren't you?”
Purdue tried to hide his surprise and for a few moments, looked like he was contemplating how he should proceed in the conversation. He could keep lying and risk taking a shotgun shell to the chest or he could hope that the man liked honesty enough to not pull the trigger.
So many people throughout his life told him that honest was the best policy. He usually disagreed. In this case, though, he thought maybe it was time to really heed their advice and give it a shot.
Purdue managed an embarrassed grin. “Guilty.”
The intruders didn't seem any more at ease with him telling the truth. If anything, they seemed even a little readier to blow his head off. The man sniffed loudly, his graying beard swaying from the movement. He gnashed his teeth together and looked hard into Purdue's own eyes.
“It doesn't belong to you. Leave now or we'll have to make you.” The man indicated the shotgun in his hands. “And you don't want us to do that.”
Purdue perked up a little, despite the circumstances. The shotgun toting assailant had slipped up a little. His threat was unknowingly laced with the confirmation that Purdue wanted. “So, it is here then? The spear?”
The man growled and took a step closer to Purdue, giving him an even better look down the long barrel of the firearm. “Leave. Final warning.”
“Or you'll gun us down in our bedroom?” Purdue asked, trying to call his bluff.
The man wasn't bothered by it, and his shotgun remained steadfast where it was. “Yes. If we have to, we will.”
There was a gasp behind the bearded leader. The young man had been tugged backward toward the motel room door, where he was now being held by Maddox. The mercenary held a sharp little knife at the boy's throat.
“Ben!” the young woman yelled. She made a move backward toward him, but Maddox shot her a leer that kept her in place, putting the blade's edge closer to his hostage's neck.
The leader snarled and glanced back to Maddox, but his shotgun remained fixed on Purdue. Maddox tightened his hold on the young man—Ben—and whistled for the bearded man's attention.
“Drop the gun, old man,” Maddox said.
“No,” the leader said, still looking at Purdue. “You hurt him and I'll shoot. I'll kill all three of them.”
“Go ahead,” Maddox chuckled. Nina, Sam, and Purdue all looked past the shotgun to Maddox, each looking at him like he was crazy. They didn't really trust the mercenary, but they had trusted him enough that they didn't think he would openly support getting them all killed. “I have no loyalty to them. Those cheap bastards haven't paid me a thing. Now, I'm going to ask again. Drop it or your boy here won't have a throat anymore.”
“I'd really do as he says,” Purdue said helpfully. “Maddox is a trained killer.”
“Dad.” Ben gasped, the blade pressing against him. “Please.”
The bearded man bit his lip to the point where it seemed like he was going to draw blood, then slowly placed his firearm on the floor.
“Good man,” Maddox said. “Against that far wall. You and the girl. Now.”
The man did as instructed, walking with the young woman across the room. They took their places against the wall, both growing pale and very visibly afraid for the young man at knife-point.
Nina wasn't at all comfortable with this. It was beginning to feel like they were the bad guys. Their attackers had been disarmed. There was no point to still threaten the boy.
Maddox was taking it too far—of course he was—he'd probably killed dozens of people for a paycheck. Someone like him shouldn't be running the conversation.
“Enough,” she said. “Let him go over to his father. He's just a boy.”
“So was I once,” Maddox said venomously. “And with Mr. Shotgun as his role model, we might as well get rid of him now before he grows up and continues the tradition of breaking into hotel rooms.”
“Please,” the bearded man said from against the wall. “I'll cooperate. Whatever you ask. Just don't hurt my son.”
“We won't,” Nina said firmly but didn't fully trust her own words. She wasn't the one holding the knife to him. It was out of her control, and entirely up to the paid murderer who obviously had no issue with any of it.
Maddox pursed his lips thoughtfully and then pushed the young man over to his father. “Behave yourself, boy.”
Galen limped into the room, peeking around the door frame nervously. Once he saw that the situation was under control, he brightened and entered with a rather arrogant demeanor. He looked over the intruders with some satisfaction.
“So, these are the ones who caused all that noise, eh?”
“Where have you been?” Purdue asked. “Hiding under the bed next door?”
“Waiting until the opportunity presented itself,” Galen said, a little flustered. “You're welcome for sending Maddox over here. I see he saved your ungrateful asses.”
“I chose to come over here,” Maddox said. “You were cowering under the blankets.”
Galen shot Maddox a murderous glare but the mercenary didn't seem at all bothered by it. If Galen wanted to fight him to defend his honor, it would end with him in a bloody heap on the floor. Everyone knew it, including Galen, so he just grumbled some swears and quieted down.
When Galen walked past the intruders, his eyes lit up when he saw the young woman. “I know you! You were at the museum. Remember, Davy? She was the one who I asked about the Spear of Destiny.”
It all came back to Purdue and he recognized her just as much as Galen did. She was indeed the young woman at the museum who offered to help them with anything. And she was the one Galen asked about the spear. Had she been the one who tipped off this older shotgun-wielding gentleman?
Once the trio of intruders were lined up against the wall, Purdue picked up the shotgun and stood before them. In a matter of mere minutes, the power had entirely shifted. They were going to be the ones giving the answers now.
“Who are you people?”
The bearded man looked like he wanted to keep quiet, to keep resisting. He glanced at the two young people on either side of them, to his former shotgun, and then to the knife that Maddox was playing with. He let out a surrendering sigh.
“My name is Arthur Rosewell. These are my children: Ben and Isobel.”
“Rosewell?” Nina asked. “As in Sir Roysten Rosewell?”
“My ancestor, yes.” Arthur glanced down at the floor, like he was worried about how they would react to the news.
“You obviously know what we're looking for,” Purdue said. “Do you blow away everyone who comes looking for the Spear of Destiny?”
Arthur loo
ked back up and shook his head. “My family has been tasked with protecting it for centuries. Generation after generation.”
Nina took more notice of the two young adults at Arthur's side. His children. Apparently the next wave in a legacy of guardians. Considering how quickly they were outmaneuvered and had the tables turned on them, maybe they weren't the most effective protectors.
“Roysten Rosewell risked life and limb to hide one of the most important weapons in history from defilers. It is our duty as his descendants to make sure his efforts were not made in vain. We have always been—and will always be—the last line of defense.”
Purdue smiled again. Arthur Rosewell had a habit of slipping up. “So, we are close. If you're the last line, and all that.”
Arthur gritted his teeth, realizing his mistake. He straightened his posture and puffed himself up, trying to make up for giving so much away. “Maybe, but you'll never get it anyway. We've made all the preparations to keep treasure hunters like you out.”
“But no one has ever come this close, have they?” Nina surmised. “How could they? If they didn't recognize the symbol in that tomb or see the identity of the knight who took it in Rhodes. You've never actually had to actively defend the spear before, have you?”
That made sense, to her. They were determined, but their methods had proven to be more than a little sloppy. They could prepare for hypothetical treasure hunters all they wanted but had no real experience actually protecting the spear from outsiders. They were just winging it.
“You've come the farthest,” Arthur admitted. “But I promise you this is as far as you'll get. The Spear of Destiny will not fall in the hands of anyone who seeks it ... since the only ones who seek it do it out of wanting to hold the power of God. It will forever be locked away, out of mortal reach. That was my ancestor's vow and we will uphold it.”
“So, you planted your daughter at the museum ... having her keep watch on the weapons there and she would let you know if anyone was asking around about it.” Purdue surmised.
Isobel nodded. “I work there. It's a steady paycheck. And yes, a good place to make sure nobody is too curious about the spear. People wouldn't be asking about it unless they were trying to find it.”
“We're not the only ones trying to find it,” Purdue said.
“Of course not,” Arthur said. “Many people have searched for the Spear of Destiny and some have claimed to even have found it. They haven't. The only difference between you and the rest is that you just happened to be a little bit more observant than the rest.”
“We're trying to protect it, ourselves,” Nina said honestly.
“Oh really?” Arthur balked. “Then leave it be. The spear has been safe for hundreds of years. It is secure exactly where it is.”
“We met the other group looking for it,” Purdue said, raising his voice out of annoyance. “They aren't going to stop until they get it. They're dangerous. Like really dangerous. If it had been them in this motel room instead of us, you would all be bleeding out on the floor or being tortured for the spear's location. We're the good guys here!”
Arthur frowned. Purdue's words may not have swayed him, but it at least lowered his guard, if only a little. Just when he seemed to maybe want to speak some more, Galen shuffled forward threateningly.
“Your family has been hogging the spear for hundreds of years, you selfish bastards. Time to give someone else a turn, eh?”
“Galen,” Purdue said, shaking his head.
The Irishman ignored Purdue. He was on a tirade and nobody was going to be able to get him to stop talking now.
“I've spent a fortune on this search. I'm not going to put it on hold because some stubborn old man says no. Nobody says no to me, understand?” He pointed his crutch at Arthur. “I come from a long line myself and we have a family tradition of our own. Getting what we want.”
“Galen,” Purdue said more forcefully this time. “That's enough!”
Again, Purdue's pleas were completely ignored and drowned out by Galen's own tantrum. He snarled at the family and turned back to Maddox.
“Every time this old man says no, I want you to take a finger.” Maddox shrugged like it was a reasonable request. “And if you run out of fingers ... move on to the kiddos.”
“Galen!” Purdue was yelling now. “This isn't how we do things!”
“We're this close, Davy! Can't have someone getting in the way now! This old fart, his bastard children, or even you!”
Nina tore the shotgun out of Purdue's hands and pumped it threateningly, aiming it at Galen. “You heard Purdue. Stop this. Now.”
“You're full of shit,” Galen laughed. “You don't got the stomach for that.”
“No? You don't think so?”
Nina turned the shotgun and pulled the trigger. A spray of pellets blasted the wall. Everyone flinched. Arthur moved in front of his children protectively. Maddox whistled, apparently impressed, and tossed his knife aside knowing how useless it would be in a gun fight.
Galen threw his own hands in the air. “Jesus, girl! I was only joking!”
Nina turned to the Rosewells and lowered the shotgun. “No one is going to hurt you and your family. Forget about all of this mess. This isn't what we want. Please just hear us out.”
“We did just keep your fingers attached to your hands,” Sam added.
Arthur slowly nodded. “Alright. We'll listen ... but I can't promise that we'll be convinced.”
They all sat down on the beds of the motel room. One of the attendants of the motel had rushed to the room when they heard gunfire, but Purdue managed to pay them off to keep them from calling the authorities. That would just complicate matters, and in the worst case, lead the Eclipsed right to them.
Arthur and his children sat one of the beds while Purdue, Nina, and Sam sat across from them. Maddox stood back by the window, constantly looking out of it for any sign of trouble outside. Galen sat on one of the drawers, his crutches at his side, looking like he'd give anything for the conversation to be over.
“You said there's another group closing in on the spear,” Arthur said worriedly. “Are they coming?”
“I'm not sure,” Purdue said. “They were behind us, but they didn't know where we were going. We got away with what was hopefully the only thing pointing in this direction.”
“What was it?” Arthur's daughter, Isobel, asked with genuine curiosity.
“A written account from another knight,” Nina said. “One who had survived the siege. His suspicions that Roysten had escaped with the spear. They were both entrusted to protect it but when he went down to guard the weapon, the spear was gone and so was Roysten. He believed that your ancestor slipped out during the siege with the item he was supposed to safeguard. Seems he was right.”
Arthur nodded. “I'm sure he didn't take kindly to Roysten's actions but my ancestor did what was best. Letting the spear fall into the hands of the Ottomans wouldn't have been good for anyone. And technically he remained loyal to his duties of guarding it. He just brought it to a safer location.”
“Hopefully there's nothing else on Rhodes that the Eclipsed could use to find us.”
“The Eclipsed?”
“That's what they're called,” Purdue said. “Well, they're part of this bigger organization called the Order of the Black Sun ... but they're like the worst of the worst. Far worse than Galen over there.”
“Barely,” Galen grumbled.
“I don't care how dangerous they are,” Arthur said. “They won't be able to get to the spear.”
“You sound very sure,” Sam said.
“Of course I am. We wouldn't be very good guardians if we weren't sure no one would be able to get it.”
“And you're certain it's the real thing?” Nina asked.
“Yes. In my family, there comes a day when you are brought into our duty.” He looked to his children. “A moment when you take up the family's legacy. When that day comes, the relative is brought to the spear and holds it. I've fe
lt it in my hands. Believe me, you know it's the real thing. It's authentic.”
They all listened intently. Nina wasn't entirely convinced by the story. Familial rituals and the word of someone saying they could tell the spear was real just by holding it wasn't exactly the most convincing evidence. But this family, the descendants of the knight who took the spear from Rhodes, were the best options they had at the moment.
“I still see no reason why I should have to prove it to you, though. That would be disgraceful. The first Rosewell to allow another to find the spear. Not only that, but to show it to you willingly, no less. My ancestors would frown on that. The legacy left for myself and for my children would be gone, and we would be responsible for its destruction.”
“Then we'll just sweep the whole area!” Galen spat, obviously bored by the whole discussion. “There's no need for this negotiation rubbish. We could turn this entire country upside down looking for it.”
“You're welcome to do that,” Arthur said, but he was holding back a smile. “It won't do you any good, I'm afraid. You'll never find it without us. Which ... to put it simply, means you'll never find it all. Since we'll never show you.”
Nina tried to calm the tension in the room again but Arthur cut her off, wanting to make sure that his position was clear and that no amount of discussion was going to change his mind.
“If you're as respectful of history as you say, Dr. Gould, then respect that some things from the past are better left buried. Not everything needs to be discovered.”
“And if what if Eclipsed does come?” Purdue blurted out desperately. “They're not nearly as friendly as us. They'll—”
“We'll tell them the exact same thing I have just told you. And maybe they'll kill us for it, sure. But if they do, then that secret remains buried either way. My family's legacy will be preserved and no one will ever unearth the real Spear of Destiny.”
The motel room window cracked and Maddox suddenly collapsed onto his back. Sam rushed over to the mercenary and found him with his eyes closed, and a bullet hole in his forehead. He peeked up at the window that Maddox had been standing beside and saw another hole of similar size had punctured the glass.
Order of the Black Sun Box Set 9 Page 13