Anya looked from her grandmother to Marko, who only shrugged his shoulders in just as much consternation as his sister as to their grandmother’s intent.
Marko spread the blankets over Mikla and then brother and sister left for their tasks.
As for Madam Korvesky, she sat in her chair and smiled at the memory of a long-ago night in Hong Kong harbor and the young American woman and the handsome one-eyed scoundrel she had met that seemingly ancient evening.
“Welcome to Patinas at long last, Keeper of Secrets.”
* * *
Stanus sat high on a ridge with his massive head on his front paws as his eyes scanned the scene below. The wolf had just recently settled on the ridge after investigating the two men held in the barn. From the scent of the two humans Stanus knew them not to be a part of the defilement of his valley. Still, his instincts told him the outsiders needed to be watched closely.
As Stanus studied the revelers below, another Golia, this one female and the mate of Stanus, lay down beside the giant alpha male. Stanus leaned over and sniffed her muzzle. The familiar smell was there and it was pleasing to Stanus. The beast allowed his eyes to roam to the small house where he knew Mikla lay in pain. The huge yellow eyes blinked twice and then the large male nuzzled up to his mate. He licked at her filthy paws as she lay against his thick, muscled body. The claws were ripped and torn and the pads were bloodied in a few places. Stanus licked the wounds and the female allowed him.
The adult Golia had been working at a task Stanus had set them to not long after he had figured out that Marko had lied to him. While connected mentally he had told Stanus that the construction was a benefit for the Golia and the Jeddah together. Against its instincts Stanus had allowed Marko to have his way and the resort had started going up. Stanus allowed this without fighting back. And then Stanus had realized that he had been deceived by Marko. The castle started going up and Stanus went on the attack. It wasn’t until Marko had convinced Stanus that would be the very last encroachment to the pass. The castle was the last insult they would have to endure and then their lives could settle back down to normal. Marko had assured Stanus mentally of this.
The one thing that Marko never figured on was the Stanus’s intellect. The Jeddah had always known the Golia to be the smartest animals ever created, but the one thing he didn’t know was that you could deceive a Golia, especially one such as Stanus, just once. After that he would never trust you again. Stanus had made a decision that went far beyond that of joint protection between the Golia and the Jeddah, because when it came down to it, Stanus would protect that which is most important to him—the Golia, nothing else in the world mattered, and that was what the alpha male’s role was. Not the protection of the Jeddah, but the right for the Golia to live on in this world of men.
Stanus was finished cleaning his mate’s paws when he held out his own outstretched fingers to allow the female to wrap her smaller, more feminine fingers over and around his. The two Golia sat like that for an hour watching the village below and the activity of the Jeddah as they celebrated the return of their princess. The female laid her head against the thick chest of Stanus. She breathed deeply as her mate watched the activity far below.
* * *
Alice, Niles, Charlie, Denise, Will Mendenhall, and Carl all stood watching the men and women around them they went into action. In a practiced act of precision the Jeddah had turned the small village of Patinas into any small county fair found anywhere in the world. Hundreds of torches lined the streets and the music was everywhere as people danced, ate, and talked about the return of the young princess to the mountain. It was as if everyone in Patinas knew that night that they would be safe for the next generation because now brother and sister were united as one and they would lead the Jeddah into their future. Charlie Ellenshaw jumped as a firecracker went off and several small boys went running by laughing as they were chased by an irate mother with a broom.
The door opened and Marko stepped out and was joined by his two companions and they quickly left. Anya then came out of the house and looked around and spied Niles and the others and then started walking toward them. She had to almost push her way through the adoring Jeddah to reach the Americans.
* * *
Marko watched the way the men and women of the Jeddah reached out to touch Anya. His eyes took in the fact that the people had missed her far more than he had ever realized. He never took into account the effect her return would have in vitalizing the way the people felt about their heritage and how much they would like to maintain that, even above Marko’s own grandiose plans for the tribe. He knew the people craved news of the outside and of Israel. But soon Marko had realized the people would be satisfied with a brief description of the outside world’s happenings and then they would return to their everyday routine and well-ordered lives.
As he watched the faces of the people as Anya passed by, the way their eyes followed her every movement, was a dagger into the heart of her older brother. He felt the gains he had made in supplying his people with the basic gifts of modern appliances and electronic devices that amazed the children were now lost among the euphoria of having their princess back among them.
Marko allowed his eyes to move to the tall blond American. He saw the way the man with the sharp blue eyes watched his sister. Could this be a way in which Marko solidified his power? He wondered as he watched the crowd part as Anya guided the Americans to their grandmother.
“She is far more popular among the people than we believed she would be,” the large man to Marko’s right commented as he too watched the adoring Jeddah fete Anya with praise and welcoming smiles and touches.
“Soon it will not matter. Anya is far too late to stop the Jeddah from moving out of the stone age. Even if my grandmother went mad and tried to name Anya queen over the leadership of the true heir, it is too late. Soon there won’t be a treasure to guard and thus no need of tribal leadership in that regard. The true leadership of the Jeddah will be established by the man that guides the Jeddah into the future to take our place among the people of the world. No more being the guardians of a culture that has long past slipped into history. No, she will not matter. The people will eventually see I mean to gain status for them after all of these years of servitude.”
“Are you capable of doing what needs to be done, Marko, if and when the need arises?” the man asked, watching the Gypsy prince closely for any deceit that may spring from his mouth.
“My sister will never be harmed. I don’t need to do that. I can see,” as his eyes continued to follow Anya as she squeezed past the crowd of adoring men and women, “that Anya has little interest in continuing with this ancient farce.” He turned and looked at all three of his companions as they stood near the gate. “Leadership will fall into my lap and then we can start using the proceeds from our tribal investment and move into a far brighter future than we have ever known on this mountain. The old days are done.”
The men watched as Marko looked back one last time at his sister and then turned and left, walking toward the temple entrance.
* * *
Anya finally made it to the front door. Niles leaned aside as one old woman reached out and touched Anya’s hair. The girl dipped her head and smiled but Niles could see that this situation of people admiring her didn’t make the young woman comfortable. She tried to smile and nod but the old woman continued to hold Anya’s long black hair in her hand. Finally it was Everett who stepped up and gently removed the woman’s hand and smiled down at her. Anya felt bad but she reached for the door latch and stepped inside. The others followed. Everett waited until everyone was in the house and then he let the woman’s hand slip free. For her part the old Jeddah grandmother was still watching the door with adoring eyes for Anya. Carl was amazed at what he was witnessing.
As Everett stepped into the semidark house he closed the door. Denise Gilliam, Charlie Ellenshaw, Niles, and Alice were standing just inside as they watched Anya as she leaned over and was hugging
someone they couldn’t see. Anya finally stepped away and that was when they saw Madam Korvesky for the first time close up. The woman Alice was looking at was the same young girl she had met many years before in Hong Kong harbor aboard the yacht Golden Child. The woman had aged far more than Alice had. The years of worry and of protecting her people were etched in every deep-cut line and wrinkle in the woman’s face.
Madam Korvesky tilted her head as her eyes locked on Alice Hamilton. The two women were meeting across a vast crevasse of time and the reunion was one that made them both realize that time had not stood still for either of them.
“It has been many years, Mrs. Hamilton.”
Anya was the first person to register her surprise that her grandmother knew this American lady. She looked from face to face and was shocked that none of them was registering the same surprised expression that she was.
“Indeed, we were never really introduced before our evening was cut short … when you blew up the Golden Child right under our feet.”
Niles Compton allowed Alice to play this out her way. She was the closest to the investigation and knew what had to be said where this woman was concerned. He was still apprehensive because he didn’t know how the intrusion of his team would sit with the queen of all Gypsies.
“Actually, Mrs. Hamilton, I used far less explosive power than my great-grandmother wanted to use that night in Hong Kong. She had ordered no survivors.” The eyes were locked on to Alice’s own and they didn’t flinch.
“Well, if it’s any consolation my date that night took good advantage of your light batch of explosives and managed to get us out, as you well know.”
“Ah,” the old woman said as she used her cane to stand, shrugging off the helping hands of Anya. Alice looked down and saw the Eye of Ra emblazoned in gold on the handle. The same cane her great-grandmother had used that night on the Golden Child. “The Keeper of Secrets,” Madam Korvesky said as she reached out and took Alice by the hand.
“Yes, that’s what you called him that night: the Keeper of Secrets. But he wasn’t the only keeper of secrets aboard that yacht that night, was he, madam? I believe you tend toward keeping things rather tight to the vest yourself, correct?”
The old woman smiled and then looked over at Niles, ignoring the statement Alice had just made. Madam Korvesky released Alice and then reached for the hand of Niles Compton. Niles felt uncomfortable and he stepped from one boot to the other. Charlie Ellenshaw stood next to the director and was smiling from ear to ear as the old woman closed her eyes.
“The watcher. So much weariness, so much concern for those … for those…” She smiled and then opened her eyes. “No, you gather, guard … you are also a Keeper of Secrets.” She looked away at nothing and then back at Niles. “To have so much knowledge is not a comfort to you most times, is it?” she asked as Niles felt as if she not only read him perfectly, she felt the drag his position had on his thoughts, his personality, and the ever-present feeling of being overwhelmed by the massive responsibilities he carried with him on a daily basis. She patted his hand and then released it. “One comforting thought for you, Keeper, the job doesn’t get any easier and one day you will realize that it’s not the task, but the people who do the task that is what’s important. I learned that a very long time ago.” She patted Niles on the chest and then moved over to Denise Gilliam.
Denise for her part was not a big believer in any form of clairvoyance or prophecy. She was an old-school MD that knew what she could feel or see was the real version of life, not mysticism in any form.
“Ah, a healer…” Madam Korvesky smiled and then looked into the young doctor’s eyes. “But you’re here to watch … watch this one,” she said as she turned to face Alice with a smile. Alice looked at Niles and gave him a dirty look as she realized that Denise was babysitting her and it angered her to no end. “But I may have something you may very well be interested in, healer, something that will amaze and maybe even frighten you.”
“Does it matter that I’m already frightened to beat all hell,” Denise said as Madam Korvesky let her hand slip out of her own.
The old woman moved on to Charlie Ellenshaw. As she did, Anya took a quick look over toward Everett. Carl saw her and they looked at each other for the longest moment. Anya swallowed at the exact same moment as Everett did and then they both realized they were staring at one another and looked away.
“My gracious, funny-haired man, your head inside is a mess.”
Charlie looked confused at first and then glanced at Niles, who only shrugged his shoulders as if saying, I told you.
“Oh, here it is…” she said as she moved her hand to the front of Charlie’s head, just under a swatch of unruly white hair. “You are a man who is a believer in myth and legend.” She tilted her head and closed her eyes. “You believe when all others don’t see. You try to bring to light the unbelievable. Yes, a true mess inside there,” she said as she lowered a tired hand and touched Charlie’s smooth jawline. “But that’s the way you like it, isn’t that right?” She didn’t wait for Charlie’s embarrassed nodding of his head. She moved down the line until she finally stopped at Carl. The small woman looked up into Everett’s eyes and Madam Korvesky froze as she took him in.
Anya felt uncomfortable. It was if she were terrified of what Everett would reveal. Did the large American hate her for what happened in Rome? What were these men and women here to do? She moved from foot to foot as her grandmother confronted the American.
“The Man from the Sea,” she said as she again closed her eyes, only this time she took both of Carl’s hands into her own. The cane was held between both sets of hands and Everett could swear he felt the age of the wood thorough his skin. “Troubled. You are troubled by a friend, the loss of … of … confidence toward that friend … Jack. Yes, you are troubled by a friend named Jack who will not allow you inside…” Again she tilted her head. “He will not allow you to be too close for there is danger.”
Carl raised his brows as he watched the old woman standing before him. She opened her eyes and patted Carl on the chest as she had the others.
“How is that for Gypsy mysticism?” she asked smiling.
“Truly insightful,” Everett said as he looked over at Anya.
“Is that right, Man from the Sea? Well here is something that will really make your lantern burn brighter.” She once more looked up at Carl and then over at Anya. “You have to stay away from my granddaughter, Man from the Sea. There is nothing there for you.”
Anya was stunned. She allowed her jaw to drop as she took an involuntary step forward to try and silence her grandmother.
“She has many tasks to perform and she cannot be sidetracked. The time is not right for Anya.” She watched Carl for a reaction.
For Carl’s part he could see that the old woman didn’t like what she was saying as Madam Korvesky turned and faced Anya. “I’m sorry, girl-child, but things have changed and as you know a queen cannot take an outsider as a husband, or even as a mate.”
Anya was frozen to the spot where she stood. The words that had just been spoken aloud by her grandmother had made her heart stop.
“Have you gone crazy, Grandmother?” she said as she finally broke the spell she was under. She stepped up to Everett. “I am sorry, Captain I don’t know where this is coming from.” She turned and faced the old woman, who stood by motionless as she leaned on her cane. “And what do you mean, queen? There is no way I would ever do that. Marko is destined to lead our people and you know that. He’s my brother and I will not go against him.”
“You will do as your queen decides, young one, now lower your voice before—”
They all heard the breathing behind them. None of the Event Group personnel had ventured a look into the small room to their right as they had entered the cottage. Standing in the small doorway and leaning over so it could view the interior of the kitchen, Mikla stood with his arms outstretched and bracing himself against the pain in its ankle. It was on two legs
with the right foot barely touching the floor. The beast was breathing in and out as it eyed the visitors.
“Oh,” was all Niles could get out of his mouth. Denise almost went to one knee as her legs could no longer support herself. Alice Hamilton smiled and looked from the impressive Mikla to Madam Korvesky. The old woman was not surprised that not one ounce of shock registered on Alice’s face. It was if she had expected to see Mikla at any moment.
“Golia,” Alice said beneath her breath.
“You seem to know much about us, Mrs. Hamilton. That is good, now I don’t have to explain why my orders must be obeyed as far as my granddaughter is concerned.”
The room was quiet as they all watched Mikla breathe in and out as it scanned the faces before it. The beast was weak and they could see its struggle to remain standing in the doorway.
“Alice, this is Mikla,” Carl said as he eased himself toward the giant Golia. The animal growled as Everett moved. The captain stopped and waited for Anya. He knew the beast was about to collapse.
“This was what I wanted you to see, healer,” the old woman said as she looked at Denise Gilliam. The Gypsy woman stepped forward and placed her small hand on Mikla as the beast wavered and almost fell. “Not all healing is done through potions and medicine. Sometimes a little something more is called for.”
“What is wrong with it?” Alice asked as she also took a tentative step forward to see the Golia better.
“If we don’t get his broken ankle set and spelled before too long Mikla will die,” Anya said as she stepped forward. Her eyes momentarily locked with Carl’s as if in apology for her grandmother’s words a moment before. She finally reached Mikla and the beast lowered its head in pain and frustration as it allowed Anya to take it back to the bedroom.
“We must get Mikla into the temple, the spell will have to be cast soon,” Madam Korvesky said. “Anya, we will discuss my words to your friend later,” she looked at Everett, “when we are alone. For right now I will take Mikla into the temple. You are to stay with the people and show yourself to them. They will be needed when the time comes to face your brother about my decisions.”
Carpathian: An Event Group Thriller (Event Group Thrillers) Page 41