Thinking of the past always brought a smile to Sean’s lips. While some things had dramatically changed over the years, others had stubbornly stayed the same. On the one hand, although they weren’t technically smugglers they still found themselves in some very unique situations as they assisted Larissa on her many archeological digs around the world. On the other hand, even after all of these years, the Clan still took care of their own. Hiring the lad had turned out to be a good decision. Over the last eight months, the hard working youth had earned his place amongst Triumph’s crew and was well on his way to becoming a Ukkodian.
“Sir, what should I say if he asks why, Sir?”
Pushing away from the boat's railing, Sean cracked his bony knuckles as he looked down at the cadet with a fierce grin. “Tell him it looks like Johannesburg all over again.”
The young man’s eyes slightly widened as he took a long look at the approaching boat full of men. Even now the crew still talked about the Malapa dig, and that was over ten years ago.
“Sir, yes, Sir!”
Before the cadet could turn around, Sean stopped the young man with one large hand. “Once you’ve talked to the Chief, find Doctor Evans. Let her know we have company coming.”
“Yes, Sir!”
This time, when Sean let go of the excited cadet, he took off like a bolt of lightning. With his shoes ringing on the metal stairs, Mr. MacSweeney took the steps two at a time heading down into the bowels of the ship. Keeping an eye on the police boat docking next to them, Sean picked up the weather deck’s voice powered phone. Punching in a two digit code, he held the receiver to his ear waiting. On the second ring, a strong baritone answered.
“Bridge here.”
Hearing his First Officer’s voice, Sean spoke quickly into the phone. “Mr. Dudek, we have trouble heading our way.”
“Where at Captain?”
“Directly starboard, approaching the docks.”
Sean heard a rustling of cloth as Adam adjusted his position. A second later the tall man’s crisp English was suddenly laden with a heavy Polish accent.
“How do you want to handle this Kaptain?”
Thinking quickly, Sean laid out the plan forming in his head. “I want you and Mr. Crosslander to pull the AK-47’s from the armory for the non-Ukkodians, but I want them kept out of sight. We’ll only pull them out if we need to get their attention. I’d rather keep the Islanders on their toes for the wrong reasons for as long as possible.”
“Yes, Kaptain.”
“Mr. MacSweeney should have found the Chief by now. I expect he’ll be heading up with his lads anytime now.”
“Give us five minutes to get into position, Kaptain.”
Eyeing the approaching boat once more, Sean spoke sharply into the handset. “You’d better get moving then Mr. Dudek.”
“Aye aye, Sir!”
Swing by his cabin, Sean grabbed his charging two-way radio and a pair of brass knuckles before making his way to the Triumph’s gangplank. If Sean was going to play the game, he might as well play it to the hilt. He made it to the railing just as the locals pulled up to the far side of the dock.
The clear night’s sky gave off enough light for Sean to get a solid count of the dark skinned men jumping off the small craft. There were eight including the driver, which was probably the entire police force for Fira and Ormos combined.
As he watched the Islanders rushing for his boat, Sean heard the approaching footsteps of men behind him. A second later, the gruff voice of his Chief Engineer, Kane McDougal, called out behind him.
“Captain, it looks like we’ll be introducing these lads to the South Limerick jig.”
Sean didn’t have to turn around to picture the Chief’s gapped toothed grin or to know that he had brought most of the crew with him. The small man was a scrapper. At one time or another, he’d been kicked out of every known port between Limerick and Shanghai. Actually, that was how he’d originally met the old seadog.
Without saying a word, Sean folded his thick biceps across his broad chest as he watched the men charge up the gangplank. As the lead officer reached the deck, the man came to a sudden stop as he saw Sean’s stern face for the first time, while his men bunched up precariously on the small gangplank behind him. Grinning menacingly, Sean stepped up close to the Lieutenant, forcing the smaller man to crane his neck to look up at him. Projecting his voice, Sean addressed the Islanders gruffly.
“I don’t remember giving anyone permission to board my ship.”
Sean had to hold back a smile as he heard his men chuckle behind him. Hate burned in the man’s dark eyes as he fought to catch his breath while clutching at the gangplank’s thin chain railing. Carefully, the Lieutenant stood to his full height. Tilting his head back, he placed a hand on his gun holster’s flap, while looked down his nose at Sean.
“Under the order of the Mayor of Santorini, your ship is to be confiscated and your crew arrested for trespassing on Nea Kameni without a permit. You will move this boat to Port Ormos under our direction where your boat will be impounded until further notice.”
The gangplank shook suddenly, making the Lieutenant clutch once more at the thin chain railing as he struggled not to fall into the lagoon as Sean slid his hands into his cargo pants pockets. Slipping his meaty hands into the solid brass knuckles, Sean smiled menacingly.
“I don’t think so lad.”
As the Lieutenant’s eyes widened fearfully, a woman’s commanding voice called out behind them.
“What’s going on here?”
For a long second, the tension could have been cut with a knife as the Lieutenant tried to stare Sean down, but he quickly looked away as soon as Doctor Evans walked up.
“The Mayor is under the impression that we are trespassing without a permit and has sent the Lieutenant here to arrest us.” Exasperated, Doctor Evans turned her focus on the angry dark-skinned man on the gangplank.
“Is that what this is all about? You’re interrupting my dig for this nonsense?” Sean almost laughed out loud at the stunned look on the islander’s face as Doctor Evans slapped a sheaf of papers into the small man’s chest as she laid into him. “Ioannis told me he would explain everything to Major Aixi.” Seeing the man’s startled look, she gave the Lieutenant a big smile as she asked innocently. “You do know who Ioannis Machairidis is?”
The small man choked for a second as he tried to get the next words out. “You mean Regional Governor Machairidis on Syros?”
Sean had to choke back a bark of laughter as Doctor Evans played him for a patsy. He knew as well as she did that the Mayor had no idea they were coming. The ink had barely dried on the papers by the time they’d arrived in port yesterday afternoon.
“Oh yes, that’s him.” Doctor Evans paused thoughtfully, breathing in deeply as her large breasts strained the fabric of her spaghetti-string halter top.
“You know, Ioannis personally signed the permits himself. He said something about wanting to make sure there was no confusion about his orders.”
The Lieutenant seemed to shrink in on himself as his face turned a greenish hue. Regional Governors in these remote locations had much more direct power over the people they governed than typical western countries. Enjoying the show, Sean slipped his brass knuckles back into his pockets as Doctor Evans smiled broadly at the Islander.
“I’m glad to see this simple misunderstanding was straightened out so easily. Please feel free to keep those copies if you’d like.” Smiling sweetly, she continued laying it on thick. “Ioannis said that if there were any questions that Major Aixi could contact him directly.”
Sean clearly saw the seething rage in the officer’s hooded eyes as Doctor Evans patted the Lieutenant’s shoulder in a friendly manner. There were few things worse for a small time bully with a little bit of power then being suddenly shot down by a beautiful woman.
“Now if you would excuse me, I really must be getting back to my dig. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask Captain MacRory
here.”
For a second, the small Greek man froze at Doctor Evans’ casual dismissal, but as she turned to go. His hand shot out, roughly grabbing her by the upper arm. “Excuse me, M … M … Doctor..”
Seeing Doctor Evans’ gray-blue eyes instantly turn into hardened steel, the Lieutenant released her arm like it was on fire. Before he could pull away, Doctor Evans caught his hand in her steel grip as she tilted her voice into perfect Oxford English. “Professor Larissa Evans.” With an icy smile, her stormy eyes bore into him. “Was there something further you wanted to say, Lieutenant?”
Sean’s brows furled as the small Greek man recovered smoothly, blowing low over Doctor Evans’ hand. He was up to something. “Please allow me to properly introduce myself, I am Lieutenant Aenixal and these are my men from the city of Fira and Ormos. I hope you will allow me to apologize for our mistake on this matter, Professor Evans. I’m sure Regional Governor Machairidis will explain everything to Mayor Aixi in the morning, but at the moment, this leaves my men and me in a delicate position.”
Releasing his hand, Doctor Evans placed her hands on her hips. “How so Lieutenant?”
Looking embarrassed, the small man gave her a chagrined look. “Being just a lowly Lieutenant, the Mayor is not likely to want to hear my simple explanations.” Looking at her slyly, he continued. “My men and I would be eternally grateful if you would be willing to explain your … status … given by Regional Governor Machairidis himself to the Mayor.”
“You mean Mayor Aixi is so crass that he would shoot the messenger?”
“Not in so many words, Ma’am, but in essence, yes.” Stepping to the side, the Lieutenant gestured at the men standing behind him nervously as his bushy black mustache twitched from his grin. “It would only take a moment. We could quickly escort you to the Mayor’s office in Fira and have you back to the ship in no time.”
Casually glancing over her shoulder, Doctor Evans hemmed and hawed as she caught Sean’s eye. Quickly, he held up one large hand with four fingers before she turned back to the Lieutenant. “I understand your predicament, and I would be more than happy to help you and your men out with the Mayor.”
“Thank you, Ma’am, if you would just follow me.”
“One moment Lieutenant, Captain do you have four men free from duty who could escort me?”
Seeing the Lieutenant mouth drop open, Sean smiled broadly. “Well, most everyone is needed for your dig Ma’am, but I’m free.” Looking back over his shoulder casually, he gave the Chief a nod. “With the ship docked, I believe Mr. McDougal is also available at the moment.”
Grinning, the Chief Engineer winked back at Sean. “I have two lads available for escort duty.”
Sean saw the Lieutenant trying to cut in as the Chief clapped a hand on the shoulders of the two largest men in the group standing beside him. “Hans and Wolfgang, would you care to join us with the Doctor?”
Smiling, both large blonde men spoke in their heavy German-accented English as they cracked their knuckles grinning. “Ja Chief, we are ready to go with Frau Evans when you are.”
Clapping her hands together happily, Doctor Evans gave the Lieutenant a huge smile. “I couldn’t ask your men go out of their way to bring me back to the ship after visiting with your Mayor. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s no trouble, Ma’am. My men would be ...”
“Lieutenant, I must insist. It just wouldn’t be proper to do anything else. If you want my help, you will respect my wishes.”
“B…B…But” The small Greek man stuttered as he looked back and forth between the towering men walking up behind Doctor Evans.
“Lieutenant, I am willing to break away from the greatest discovery of the century to help you and your men. The least you could do is not waste my time.” Pushing the Lieutenant gently down the gangplank, Doctor Evans continued talking. “We’ll be right behind you in just a moment, but first I have to get a couple of pictures for our meeting with the Mayor.”
Sean could see the Lieutenant wanted to argue, but at this point, there wasn’t much for him to say without sounding unreasonable. Unhappily, the islander men headed back to their boat as Doctor Evans turned to face the rest of the crew.
“Everyone else get back to work. We’ll be back in a jiffy.” Picking up her radio, Doctor Evans spoke quickly. “Sharon, I need you to bring me a copy of those pictures from the main chamber ... Yes, the first five of that series would be perfect … I need them as soon as possible … I’m by the gangplank … Hurry.” Doctor Evans hung her radio on her belt turning back to Sean.
“What do you think, Captain?”
“I don’t trust them, Ma’am.”
“Aye, they’re up to something. I’d bet next month’s pay on it.” Sean grinned at the old Chief as he joined in on the conversation. “Having the Regional Governor approve the permit was a stroke of genius, lass.”
Doctor Evans spat in discuss. “Ever since Spyridon Marinatos discovered the Akrotiri ruins in nineteen sixty-seven, no other archeologist has been granted a permit on Santorini.”
Looking out over the lagoon, Sean could hear the deep anger in Doctor Evans’ voice. “My father fought until he died to be allowed to search for Atlantis on Nea Kameni, but the governor of Santorini never approved the permit. If it weren't for the Kallikratis governmental reforms in two thousand eleven, we wouldn’t be here now.”
Sean knew the story well. In two thousand and six, the Cyclades Prefecture had been abolished. Instead of each island having its own governor and local representative in the Greek Hellenic Parliament, the islands were broken up into five municipalities and assigned a regional governor.
Looking after the retreating backs of the officers, Sean grinned. The islander’s local governments were still adjusting to the realities of the new reorganization. Sean’s thoughts were interrupted as Sharon Wrigley ran up with a manila envelope for Doctor Evans.
“I printed out everything you asked for Larissa.”
“Thank you, Sharon. The next thing I need you to do is write up a quick summary of what we found here. I want it sent out along with these pictures to The Associated Press Headquarters in New York City.”
“You want it sent out now? I thought you wanted to wait for the biopsy results to be finished first.”
“We’re out of time Sharon. Even with the Regional Governor’s permission, Son Aixi was governor of this island for over twenty years before they demoted him to Mayor.” Gripping Sharon’s arm tightly, Doctor Evans continued. “Unless the world hears about what we’ve found here, Aixi could still find a way to revoke our permit. Trust me, once those pictures hit the internet there won’t be anything he can do to stop us.”
Biting her lip, Sharon nodded before hurrying away as Doctor Evans faced him once more. “Let’s do this Captain.”
“After you, Ma’am.”
Chapter Eleven
Location Irlendria / Enelya Tasartir:
How could they have both lost her? Slipping off her moccasins, Enelya Tasartir studied the keep’s outer courtyard thinking furiously. Freed of the leather bindings, she sprang across the ramparts with a graceful ease in search of their prey. Agile as any Wenci, her hunter’s vision missed nothing below as she ran. Argus had followed Lúthien into the Atrium of the Ancestors, but he’d lost her there. Now the hunt was truly on.
With an impish grin, Enelya laughed to herself thinking about the argument she’d had with her cousin the day before. Lúthien had been right when she’d accused her of helping Argus find them. There was no way to close off the spirit link between the two of them. Although her cousin was better than most of the Elves Enelya had met outside Clan, knowledge about the spirit bonds was never spoken about to non-Wild Elves.
The other Clans always looked down on her people for their relationship with the Wenci. The High Elves under King Elerossë being the worst. None of them understood the true depth of the bond Wild Elves shared with their animal companions or the gifts they received in return. F
or those that chose to undertake the Sál Tengilinn, the link was a total sharing of body, mind, and soul. Their lives forever intertwined until death.
With the surefootedness of a Wenci, Enelya dropped off the ramparts. Using the tough grongor strips of hide wrapped around her forearms and calves, she slid down the rough calcimite stone until her toes gripped the six-inch wide lip running along the outside of the keep’s upper levels. With a dexterity that would have shocked her cousin, she scampered along the outer wall peeking momentarily into each window she passed. Enelya was just dropping down to the next level when she heard Lúthien’s blood curling scream. Immediately Argus’ concern flare through their link as she darted towards the sound coming from the far side of the keep.
Listening intently, Enelya began searching each window for her cousin, when the metallic smell of fresh blood came to her senses. Following the scent, she dropped onto the nearest window ledge coming to an abrupt stop at the sight before her. What she saw in that instant would haunt her dreams for many moons to come.
In a rush of adrenaline, Enelya took in everything at once. The ripped apart corpses of her cousin and aunt lying in a pool of blood at the center of the room. The humongous corpse-white creature strangling Lúthien against the wall. The Ironidium Knights standing rigidly at attention throughout the room obliviously ignoring the evil happening in front of them. The incomprehensible scene was almost too much for Enelya’s logical mind to take. Frozen in shock, Enelya watched the horrid beast lick her cousin’s face hungrily unable to move.
Unlike the herbivorous Elves, the Wencis were carnivorous predators of the forest that lived their lives by the law of tooth and claw. They hunted when they needed food. They fought when the need arose to protect their pack. There were no questions of right or wrong when they killed, no regrets. For life and death was the nature of their predatory existence.
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