‘She’s very hard to track down,’ Nicole said.
Matt looked at her but remained silent. What the hell was she even doing there?
‘Professor Richards was one of my dad’s friends,’ he said. ‘He trusted her, as do I. You all saw what happened. She was taken against her will.’
‘It would be unwise to underestimate Richards,’ Nicole said. ‘Prior to her PhD, she also served in the navy. Being party to these events would not affect her as much as you think. She’s a Catholic, but her research has taken her on a wider path. Unlike some historians, she has no qualms about what the outcome of the lost treasure is.’
She paused before continuing. ‘And her name isn’t Richards. It’s Anson.’
The comment startled him.
‘It’s not only the Knights of Arcadia branch of your family who have an interest in these things.’
Matt looked at Nicole, his gaze stern. Somehow everything she said bothered him, as if it came out of the mouth of an enemy. He had questions he wanted to ask.
‘Is that true?’ he asked the abbot.
Robert’s return from the well interrupted an answer. ‘They’ve taken it all.’
The abbot nodded and bowed his head, attempting to hold his composure. Robert’s shoulder was still bleeding.
‘You need to get that seen to,’ Nicole said.
‘I’ll be fine.’
Matt eyed his brother, as if seeing him again for the first time. ‘How the hell are you still alive?’
‘I never died, Matthew. That deception was a necessary precaution. I was in danger; just as you are now.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘What do you mean, necessary, as I am now? Who the hell are they?’
‘I won’t bore anyone with the fundamentals,’ he said, his attention briefly on the grandmaster. ‘I take it from your meetings with Mr. Jura that you are already familiar with the organisation known as the Order of the Ancient Star.’
Matt bit his lip. ‘He might have mentioned it.’
‘Indeed. But what I’m sure he didn’t mention is that the Order of the Ancient Star has very little to do with Templar survivors.’
Matt was flabbergasted. ‘He said that’s exactly what they are. That they went to Switzerland whereas the Knights of Arcadia went to Scotland, carrying with them the lost Templar treasure – treasure that until now was left here. He said that you were thought of as deserters, that you ran while others took the torture.’
‘All of which is lies.’
‘Lies. How can you say that? I’ve seen the proof. I saw Professor Bowden’s body, scarred with the words across what remained of his chest. Words, according to Mr. Jura, planted by members of the Knights of Arcadia because they were deserting you…’
‘Would you listen to yourself? You think you know it all, in fact, you know very little. Our father was murdered, as was Professor Bowden, as were many others. But in your absence of mind, you have been incapable of seeing that none of them were murdered by us, and that the Knights of Arcadia were never deserters…’
‘Not literally maybe, but coming from people who were tortured: those who escaped might be seen as the lucky ones.’
‘Lucky? Nothing about this was lucky,’ he cried. ‘Matthew, the Knights of Arcadia was formed back in 1126; they continued from the ashes of the depleted Knights Templar as you indeed believe. Judging from your time in Portugal, it seems likely that you noticed that members of the order of Portugal were also flying the same flag.
‘What you haven’t been able to see is that the Order of the Ancient Star have nothing to do with the Templars, nothing to do with Christianity, and, as you clearly haven’t noticed, are the greatest perpetrators of everything that has happened so far.’
‘But…’ He struggled to get the words out. ‘That makes no sense, Jura told me…’
‘No, Matthew, Jura told you what he thought. Jura told you what he believed. Jura himself knows nothing.’
‘Knows nothing. He’s their grandmaster.’
‘No, dear boy, he isn’t. Sadly, he’s been hoodwinked into thinking he is. See, there is another side to the Order of the Ancient Star, one that should they have it their own way would wreak havoc throughout the world.’
‘Havoc! What are you talking about?’
‘The Order of the Ancient Star aren’t Christians. They’re Goddamned Jahbulons.’
The helicopter came down somewhere in Newfoundland. Charles Jura and the three seneschals of the Order of the Ancient Star watched with anticipation as the uniformed mercenaries made their way along the lengthy corridor of the isolated building. In their possession they carried a large tomb, accompanied by a rucksack and two large chests.
Escorted by two mercenaries, led by Degen, Sandra walked quickly, her pace set by those around her. Although she was not being manhandled, she was surrounded, preventing any chance of changing direction.
Jura stepped forward to greet them. He shook Degen’s hand and held out his arms to embrace Sandra.
‘You did it.’
She returned a bemused expression. ‘Was this really necessary?’
He held his smile. ‘What do we have here?’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t seen them.’
Jura walked in the direction of the tomb, raised slightly off the ground. He looked at the mercenaries. ‘Place it down, please.’
The men paused, their focus on Mansell. Seconds later they complied, placing the tomb and then the chests down on the floor.
The Swiss banker approached the first chest slowly, pressing his hands against the material. It looked like something from a pirate’s ship.
He turned to face Degen. ‘Open it.’
Degen remained unflinching. After several seconds, he looked at Mansell. The man nodded.
The first of the mercenaries stepped forward and opened the chest with a crowbar. The lock snapped as he ruined it, causing a break in the wood.
Slowly, Jura opened it. The inside was filled with what appeared to be ancient gold.
He smiled beyond what seemed humanly possible, allowing his hands to grip the ancient coins with his fingers. He loved the way the gold seemed to sparkle, accompanied by the jangling sound it made as he allowed the cold, ancient pieces to fall through his fingers back into the chest.
‘And the tomb, please.’
Degen turned and barked at one of his men. The man stood to one side, opposite Jura, placing his hands to the lid. It opened with a large snapping sound.
The banker leaned in close. Sandra did the same. Inside, the large skeleton looked back, its appearance almost mocking.
Sandra examined the content closely. ‘I think you’ll find it’s what you’re hoping for.’
The banker smiled, returning his attention to the chest. Even in his mind, he failed to take it all in.
‘Anything else?’
‘There are relics in the rucksack,’ Degen said.
Jura smiled widely. ‘Excellent.’
He turned to face the seneschals, each of whom was standing without emotion. Up to this point, none of them had displayed any interest in the content.
He opened the rucksack and took out a few of the flagstones. He peered at them with widely open eyes. ‘What do they mean?’
Mansell replied. ‘That is not for you to know.’
The banker turned slowly. Mansell viewed him with a dry expression. He looked at Degen.
‘Kill him.’
Holding his smile, Jura looked at Mansell then Degen. The mercenary removed his firearm and held it aimed at the banker. Sandra’s face became suddenly alarmed.
A single bullet whistled through the air. Jura’s face, fading from a smile, went limp. Blood poured from the middle of his chest. He spluttered, falling forward, struggling to keep his balance.
Sandra put her hands to her mouth. For several seconds she felt unable to watch, yet also unable to look away. She saw the banker fall to the floor before squirming in the direction of the tomb. He continued before sto
pping, then remained still. His head fell to one side, his eyes still.
She turned to face Mansell. ‘No.’ Tears had formed in her eyes.
‘Take her to the plane.’
57
For several seconds, nothing was said. Matt remained still, his eyes fixed on Robert. It didn’t seem right, seeing the man who had once been his elder brother standing before him, preaching. What was said made no sense.
Yet the words were real.
‘Jahbulons?’ Matt said finally. ‘I’ve never heard of them.’
The monk nodded. ‘It is not a word known to most. However, it is a word many junior members of the Order of the Ancient Star will understand.’
The abbot shook his head. ‘Perhaps false understanding would be more appropriate.’
Robert nodded. ‘Yes, Father. It would be unfair of me to brand the unknowing with the wrongdoing.’
Matt remained incredulous. ‘Would you care to explain?’
‘According to legend, when Moses led the Israelites from captivity, he received the Ten Commandments from God on the summit of Mount Sinai. On his command, there was built a device, the Ark of the Covenant, a vessel sacred to Moses and the Israelites. In time, the First Temple in which it was to be held was built under the guidance of one King Solomon. In his devotion to the one true God, Solomon was offered the reward of his choice. Solomon chose what he thought was best: Wisdom of the mysteries of the universe. But what is less known is that incorporated into this great mystery were others, not just Jews.
‘Moses himself, of course, was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, an Egyptian raised into the mysteries of Osiris. The Temple of Solomon was built, and among those who assisted was King Hiram of Tyre, a man whose knowledge was pivotal in the construction of this typically Jewish temple. Hiram, however, was a Phoenician.’
‘A what?’
‘Phoenicia was a great kingdom, stretching far across the east. Eventually the civilisation, a great civilisation, was segmented, leading to the formation of many different states, including Tyre, a city in modern Lebanon. According to legend, King Hiram sent his chief architect, Hiram Abiff, to assist in the construction of the First Temple. Presumably, he you have heard of.’
Matt nodded.
‘There lies the birth of the Order of the Ancient Star. A secret religion based on the faith of the Jewish God Jehovah, the Phoenician God Ba’al, and the Egyptian Osiris.’
Matt shook his head. ‘So what? That’s it? They’re just a stupid cult. Who cares?’
‘They are more than just a cult, and someone certainly cares.’
The monk paused. He winced slightly as he moved his shoulder. The wound still needed treating.
‘The history of man is told in many books, but rarely do their authors see what really lies beneath. The Order of the Ancient Star was formed by an alliance between three great kingdoms. The Phoenicians dominated much of the east; the Israelites were wanderers, who believed themselves to be God’s chosen people. When King Solomon had his temple built, he married a daughter of Pharaoh, and the alliance once entered by Moses, then disbanded by his exodus, began again. Only this was not their Bible. Through this alliance, many countries fell, thousands simply fled in terror.’
He paused, allowing a rare smile.
‘Does it not strike you as being odd that all this could happen and simply disappear?’ he asked. ‘That this great alliance could be all powerful and yet also operate out of reach?’
Matt shook his head. ‘I would say it’s not possible.’
The monk laughed. ‘You should try reading one of your father’s books one of these days. Questions about the Order of the Ancient Star have existed since their beginnings. Christians in particular disown them, accuse them of Devil worship, heresy; any member who is Christian is immediately excommunicated. But their threats have been political at best, and more often than not, quiet. If a man can better himself, avoid incrimination through this labyrinth of deceit, then who is anyone to complain – who here would not do the same?’ he shook his head.
‘So who are they?’ Matt said, his voice getting louder. ‘Why are these people such a threat? You talk of them as if they are the rulers of the world.’
‘And that is precisely what they would have you believe. That is exactly what they would have become. The religions of the past are different to the religions of the present. Instead of quiet prayer and worship, their world was one of ritualistic sacrifice, divine intervention and something that in modern words might be described as magic.’
Matt looked on, totally confused. ‘You think they control the work of God?’
‘No, Matthew, not the work of God. In the centuries that preceded us, much of the knowledge of our ancestors was too basic to understand its real meaning. In their fear, the Jahbulons of the past saw it as their duty to protect the world, save it from what it couldn’t understand.’
He exhaled deeply.
‘The Templars who learned of this were corrupted, swept away by a false promise. Unfortunately since the fall of Phoenicia, much of the real knowledge has become lost – so much so that even the descendents of the original Keepers know little compared to what was once known.’
‘You talk as though it exists. That you have seen things with your own eyes.’
Robert’s eyes were open as wide as what seemed humanly possible. ‘Only the most worthy were entitled to see the true mysteries of the universe. It is an Anson tradition that has followed through time and across the sea.’
He moved slightly closer. ‘It is indeed a great honour, Matthew, to be assigned the task of protecting God’s greatness.
‘It is another to be able to deal with its consequences.’
Within the sparsely lit chamber, the three men gazed at the tomb. In the poor light, the stone looked more in keeping with a merchant sailor’s hoard: a statement not inaccurate yet failing to convey the true importance to the men who had coveted it for so long.
The academic from Egypt came forward, squinting as he attempted to locate an opening. Sparse candlelight crossed his face as it flickered from the nearby altar, distorting his facial features and creating a curious red glow in the eyes of those others present. He put his hands to the skull and examined it closely. The exterior was dirty from centuries of concealment, and the heavy scented air that emanated throughout the closed surroundings had a noticeable effect on his lungs.
The grandmaster, Wilfred Mansell, removed a cigarette from his mouth and blew smoke across the cramped surroundings. Next to him, Ben Fulda stood quietly as they waited for the academic.
El Tutken inhaled and allowed himself a smile. ‘It’s good.’
Mansell smiled. ‘Good. Take it to the temple.’
58
Matt watched without interest as the seaplane made its way across the reddening sky. It was not the same seaplane; instead, the yellow-tinted wings that housed four propellers were heading in the direction of one of the far islands, preparing to land.
Matt turned his head, looking away from the sky. For the last half an hour he had been sitting in the same location, a small rock some sixty feet from the house. There, he had been alone in his thoughts, and his thoughts had been distracting. Despite the sunlight blazing strongly as it continued to rise over the horizon, the beauty of the setting was overshadowed by the darkness of the situation. Where was Sandra? What was the Order of the Ancient Star? What dangers could the uncovering of this secret cause?
A sound from behind startled him. He turned to see a silhouette moving, briefly unrecognisable.
As the figure approached, he realised it was Nicole.
She smiled warmly. ‘Hey.’
She watched as Matt smiled at her, but it was obvious that the smile was forced. Had circumstances been different, she would have taken the gesture as a rebuke. But she knew the opposite was true.
The boy was in over his head.
She took a seat beside him, adjusting her position on the ancient stone. ‘At uni, I
never knew you had a brother.’
He forced another smile. ‘He died when I was seventeen,’ he said, making brief eye contact. ‘At least, that was what I was told.’
She watched as he lowered his head, his eyes focused firmly on the ground. There was a sense of despondency about him, unsurprising yet also undeniably genuine. It was as if she was staring at a child plagued by grief.
‘At least he’s still alive.’
He turned to face her and smiled, this time unforced. ‘Yeah.’
She watched him for several seconds before changing the subject. ‘I tried calling you, lots of times.’
‘I changed my phone.’
She nodded. She assumed that was a lie.
‘Also, I was travelling a lot. You know?’
She offered a faint smile. ‘I’m glad. I figured you just didn’t want to speak to me.’
The comment went unanswered. He looked at her momentarily and then away. She could tell from his eyes that the situation was overwhelming and that he was close to tears. But for now he kept his emotions in check.
‘Ever since I started following up the story of your father’s death, life has been hell for me. I feel like I’ve been in a permanent nightmare. People have been killed, or at least gone missing: not just your father.’
She turned to face him. ‘I think they killed my friend.’
‘Who?’
‘Amanda, she’s my flatmate and workmate,’ she said, stuttering slightly. She wiped tears from her eyes. ‘Every journalist I’ve come across who has connected the Order of the Ancient Star with the murders has gone missing or turned up dead. I met a journalist in Prague, and he was killed within a day – probably because of me.’
Matt watched her closely, as if taking note for the first time. It was obvious that she was struggling emotionally.
‘After tracking down the journalist, I found that there was only one person who could help: an author from Wales. When I turned up on his doorstep, he thought I was there to kill him.’
The Larmenius Inheritance Page 38