by Taylor Buck
“Possibly,” said Jack.
“So the Humanists became the protectors of the treasure?” asked Chester.
“Through Cosimo de’Medici,” Jack said. “He created an academy where the elite thinkers and seekers of the humanities could access the treasure and use it to—as Cosimo said…accelerate their learning.”
The men looked pensively to the computer screen as they quietly pondered Jack’s account. The letter before them was displayed larger than life. Cosimo’s handsome penmanship seemed to have a plot all of its own. The movement and lines within his calligraphic strokes evoked a passion and raw striving for truth.
“You see what this means, though?” Jack said. He looked to each of the men with enthusiasm written all over his face. “The Renaissance wasn’t just a random intersection of a few brilliant minds. It didn’t just happen… It was created.”
Forlino, Valente and Chester stared back blankly. Based on their response, Jack knew he needed to elaborate further.
“Whatever this is… this treasure… served as a catalyst somehow to the people who had access to it. You can look at the timeline of history and see the spike in technology and productivity. Classical antiquity, which defined Greece from the 8th century BC through Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 AD, was the pinnacle of philosophy and humanity. But with the fall of Rome came the Dark Ages, which was essentially a hiatus wherein knowledge and technology were at a standstill—for nearly a thousand years. It wasn’t until the end of the 14th century that productivity resumed. A longing for ancient wisdom occurred, out of the blue, fueled by a treasure that had existed all along. It basically had to be awakened and reintroduced… which is exactly why we call it the Renaissance... or Rinascimento. Rebirth. It was a literal reawakening of knowledge that had survived the ages.”
“So, what?” said Chester with a look of annoyance. “What exactly are we talking about? Treasure chests? Sorcery? Aliens?”
“Or maybe an idol,” Valente added, his dark eyes sparkling with intensity. “It must have been something of such tremendous value that merely speaking of it commanded immense power. Imagine the time in which the Medici lived, where power was determined by influence and social prominence. Possessing an ancient relic, or even the rumor of possession, would have captured the reverence of the people. They could have used this influence to employ the wisest men.”
“An idol?” questioned Forlino doubtingly.
“Si,” said Valente. “Un’icona. Possibly from the ancient world. An empowered symbol or statue of a god…”
“Mr. Cullen,” Forlino chimed in. “If what you’re saying is true, then the treasure would have to be some kind of… manuscript of ancient knowledge?”
Jack looked at Forlino studiously, contemplating his question carefully before he provided his response. “Whatever Cosimo had access to incited ingenuity never before seen in men, especially in the areas of the arts and architecture. I mean, think about it…architecture rose from the ashes of a medieval period in which spatial relations and aesthetics were created based on intuition alone. There was no formula to achieve it. During the 15th century, architects like Brunelleschi began to utilize symmetry, proportion and geometry… space as an element defined by proportional logic. These men were pioneering a new path. The ancient ways of composition had been rediscovered and they realized they could actually improve these processes by integrating their existing tools into long-forgotten methods. Soon men were creating architectural marvels… The Duomo, The Tempietto…”
Jack paced around the table.
“The artists of the Renaissance…” he said holding his index finger pointed upward; the involuntary habit of a seasoned professor, “also pioneered their own path. They invented linear perspective, 3 dimensionality, lighting, shadowing and detail brought forth from the human anatomy. And let’s not forget, one of the most dynamic contributions to communicating humanist ideals emerged at this time… oil painting. In fact, painting was one of the inventions that actually superseded Greek competence. In the glorious Greek age, sculpture was the chief medium of Greek art. It was their most elegant form of artistic expression. The sole aim of the classic artist was to represent physical beauty and strength—and at that time, sculpture was the exclusive form of expression. During the Renaissance, however, oil painting became the supreme art form because it represented new ideas and sentiments through realism that had never been expressed before in art. It was a new way of visually connecting with the masses…today’s mainstream media, if you will… and the Christian church quickly adopted painting as a means of reaching a wider audience.”
“Propaganda!” spouted Chester.
“Think of it as an early form of marketing,” replied Jack, shooting Chester the same scowl he would give a troublesome student. “Especially in relation to the church, as it was a representation of everything that Christianity hoped to represent—faith, hope, suffering, humility, joy… These traits could not be achieved as well through sculpture, which at the time was looked on as the art of repose… or leisure.”
Jack looked to Forlino, who seemed to be hanging on every word he spoke. “Kathleen once asked me a question that I will never forget. Can you imagine Michelangelo’s The Last Judgment being as extraordinarily and magnificent if it were attempted through marble instead of paint?”
Forlino responded with a conscious and understanding nod. His eyes were narrowed and fierce as if deeply considering Jack’s examples.
“It’s hard to imagine what it would have been like back then,” continued Jack, “since today we are actually overstimulated by visuals—movies, video games, like walking down Times Square, visually chaotic… but think about how fascinating it would have been to set your eyes upon Raphael’s School of Athens in all its glory. The vibrant colors and grandiose arched hallways set high above the ancient grandmasters…” Jack swept his hand through the air, simulating the massive arched hallway. “Painting…” he went on, “offered a new perspective on history because it was visually resonating. It became intriguing for everyone, regardless of caste, to not only admire—but also learn from it and be emotionally moved. Essentially, the Humanists discovered a channel wherein they could connect with everybody.”
Forlino was leaning forward in his chair like one of Jack’s eager students. Valente had an equal expression of focus, standing along the banister, transfixed by Jack’s lecture. Chester was rapidly tapping on his tablet, somehow decoding GPR diagnostics while remaining a part of the current conversation.
“What I’m getting at,” said Jack with a look of focus and determination, “and I wish Kathleen were here to provide more specified insight about the science of it, is the men who started the Renaissance advanced their capabilities centuries into the future in only a few years’ time. They began achieving advanced mathematics, discovering astronomy and mastering artistic perfection in an incredibly short period. There’s no way they could have done this without the guidance of detailed representations… drafting provisionals or illustrative tutorials of sorts.”
“I was right,” Chester said pulling his eyes away from his tablet. “Alien sorcery.”
It was Valente’s turn to chime in. “The manuscripts from the ancient philosophers…” he said, “the ones that survived the Crusades and were brought over by the Anthrópos… is that what you’re thinking the treasure is? Manuscripts?”
“I’m certain that some of what the Anthrópos were protecting included manuscripts; however, I can’t help but think there were also some elements that never surfaced at all… most likely known only by Cosimo and a few students of the Academy. I believe the actual treasure never surfaced—at least not outside of Cosimo’s core group.”
Forlino looked visibly concerned by Jack’s remark. “What makes you come to that assumption, Mr. Cullen?”
“It’s simple. Lorenzo de’Medici, Cosimo’s most beloved family member, never even got his hands on the treasure,” Jack said. “Look. Kathleen mentioned it i
n the note…”
Jack pulled out his phone and pulled up his wife’s email to reference.
“He left us a treasure map,” Jack read aloud. “Apparently to a treasure he never, himself, could find…”
“So the treasure ceased to exist after Cosimo’s death?” Valente asked, crossing his arms. “He didn’t pass it down through his family, like he planned?”
Jack knew the answer to this. He knew that Lorenzo had failed to find the treasure and had handed over the search in vain to Michelangelo, but Jack wasn’t ready to reveal the letter just yet. It was a calculated risk—choosing instead to circumnavigate his responses to exclude it.
“I believe you’re right,” Jack said. “It died with Cosimo. And now with the emergence of this letter, we have even more evidence reinforcing that.”
Forlino looked extremely puzzled as he rubbed his chin and stared at the computer screen.
“You see, what we haven’t discussed here,” Jack went on, “is that this letter contains a clue that could possibly explain the reason this treasure never surfaced.” He walked up to the screen and pointed to the signature in the footer of the letter. “Look at the year. 1453—”
“The year that Constantinople fell…” Forlino gasped.
“It’s also the year that Plethon was laid to rest,” Jack stated.
Forlino’s eyes widened. “Plethon never knew that the treasure was hidden away...”
Jack leaned forward slowly, rousing the intensity within the room. “There’s a good chance Plethon never even received the letter.”
The room fell quiet.
Valente stood up and stared Jack levelly in the eyes. “So, Mr. Cullen… if what you’re saying is true, then this treasure… which may be thousands of years old, is still in existence today and it’s simply been neglected this whole time?”
“I’m saying that if I’m right, the Renaissance never fully benefitted from everything the Thēsauros had to offer because the information was only introduced to the Academy. It was only the tip of the iceberg and it disappeared when the last of the 4 passed.”
“Madonna Mia…” Forlino whispered. He turned and walked to the window and looked outside. After a moment he marched back across the room with a gleam of determination in his eyes. “So Mr. Cullen, where do we start?”
“First,” Jack said matter-of-factly, “I need you to tell me why Morgan Forbes is in Siena.”
The mood inside the room quickly changed.
“Forbes?” Forlino snapped harshly, before exchanging a look with Valente. “In Siena? I have no idea. We never contacted him… we didn’t need to after we—”
“Then why is that snake looking for the same treasure?” Chester retorted.
Forlino looked stunned. “I… I don’t…”
Valente stepped forward, always the first to equalize a heated moment. “Gentlemen, let’s all calm down. I think there has been a slight miscommunication. As we told you, Massimo and I chose not to hire Mr. Forbes. After TerraTEK provided the needed tools to finish the dig, we had no need for him. Neither of us have had any further correspondence with him of any kind. I assure you.”
Chester looked to Jack confusedly. “Then how did he find out about the treasure?”
“I don’t know. But he wasn’t the only one who knew…”
“He’s right,” Chester said. “Jack chased down a man in black through the streets of Siena last night. He stole the maps that Forbes was working on and ran off into the night.”
“A man in black?” Valente said and turned his head to Forlino. “Il fantasma?”
Forlino’s eyes grew wide. “The man Porto discovered in the mountains! Did you get a good look at him?”
Jack shook his head. “No… well, not really. I tried but he got away.”
“You said he took the map?”
“But we got a picture of it first,” Chester said. “Including the areas Forbes circled to search.”
“You did? Where was he going?” Forlino asked.
Jack paused. He was still reluctant to provide Forlino with any more information. It was safer to keep his cards close to his chest but he knew he needed access to the villas. It could be his only chance at getting to the treasure before Forbes. “The Medici villas,” he answered.
Forlino looked taken back. “The villas?” he asked. “Why?”
“Why not?” countered Jack. “It makes the most sense.”
Jack leaned up against the oak slab table in the middle of the room. “Cosimo took a liking to erecting numerous country getaways. As you’re aware, he utilized them for not only personal retreats but as lecture halls for students of his academy.”
“Villa di Careggi…” Forlino muttered as he stared out the large balcony window. “Where he spent his last days.”
“Careggi is certainly the most obvious starting point,” said Jack. “Considering its where the Academy gathered.”
“Yes,” Valente exclaimed. “It was also his most beloved retreat.”
“Chances are, that’s the spot of our Thēsauros,” said Jack. “But it could be any of them… we still need to check the others to make certain Forbes isn’t getting the jump on us.”
“Wait a minute.” Chester held up his hands. “You said there were upwards of thirty Medici villas… there’s no way we’re gonna have enough—”
“We’ll narrow it down,” Jack interrupted. “Forlino, correct me if I’m wrong… but there were major villas and minor retreats… including La Villa Sulla Collina, your estate.”
“That’s correct,” Forlino said. “The major villas are the most recognized. They were hunting lodges and retreat centers, whereas the minor villas were largely used as guest homes for family friends.”
“And can you get access to all of them?”
All heads turned to Forlino.
“Well…” he paused. “It won’t be easy on short notice. Let me think… The first was Villa del Trebbio, then Villa di Cafaggiolo. His third commission went to Michelozzo to build the Villa di Careggi and then…”
“Fiesole,” said Valente.
Forlino nodded reassuringly. “That’s right. There are many more. Between Ignazio and myself, we should be able to access them all. It just may take some time to persuade the UNESCO reps.”
Jack shook his head and paced to the window. “Unfortunately time is something we don’t have.”
“What exactly are you thinking, Mr. Cullen?” asked Valente.
“The way I see it,” Jack said, “our only chance at getting this done before Forbes gets to the treasure is if we each take a villa and a MOTSU. We drop the unit off at the villas and meet back here to collect the data. Divide and conquer. It’s a lot of work, but we can cover ground quickly this way. We have the tools at our disposal.”
“He’s right,” added Chester. “The only way we will be able to gather the intel in time is if we split up, then come back together to analyze.”
Chester placed his tablet on the desk. The screen displayed a map of Florence with a number of red circles sporadically spaced over the land. “Here is Forbes’ map. This should help,” he said.
“Mr. Allen, please project to my monitor,” Forlino said gesturing to the large screen in the center of the room.
Chester quickly tethered his tablet to the large screen then Forlino began writing on the monitor using a stylus naming each circle with the proper title of the villa. He labeled fifteen of them.
“Okay. Forlino,” Jack said. “Why don’t you start at Poggio a Caiano and Careggi. You know the grounds there and will be able to navigate the layout. Then maybe take these here.” Jack pointed to another grouping of villas. “They are close by.”
Jack looked over to Valente. “Signore Valente, you—”
“If you don’t mind, I must insist that I take Trebbio. The estate owners of both Trebbio and Cafaggiolo will require some convincing before I’m permitted to release a robot spy on their premise,” Valente said smiling. “Luckily, I know the owners well. Old
friends. Massimo and I have been guests there many times. The villas are very close in proximity to one another, so it shouldn’t take me long.”
“Okay,” said Jack. “Then that leaves these to me,” he said pointing to the map. “There are more, but we’ve got to start somewhere, right? Chester can you run through operation of the MOTSUs for us?”
“Alright,” said Chester. “Now it’s very easy. It’s not exactly a household appliance, but it’s certainly operated like one. There is a switch on the bottom of the unit that powers it on. It’s a red button set behind a protective casing. Once you activate the MOTSU, it will perform a default program scan within a 50-meter perimeter. You just drop them and go. The scanned image will be fed back to me where I can assimilate the data and decrypt into a viewable schematic.”
Jack glanced at his watch. “It’s 5:15. We need to swing by the dig to pick up the MOTSUs before we split up. We can work through the night. If everything goes as planned we should be done by morning, 8 am at the latest.”
“I’ll set up my command center at the dig site. I have everything I need there,” said Chester.
“Okay, gentlemen. Let’s move out. Godspeed!” Forlino said with an enthusiastic and rather ridiculous fist pump.
Jack smiled and hesitated as if he had something to say. “You wouldn’t happen to have some extra wheels would you?”
Forlino looked back at him with a baffled expression. Jack quickly realized his request had gotten lost in translation. “An extra car?” he clarified. “Or other means of transportation?”
“Ah! Ma, che sei grullo? Of course! Follow me.” Forlino ushered him down the steps toward the garage. Before they reached the bottom of the stairs, Valente carefully pulled Jack aside.
“Mr. Cullen,” he said in a whispered tone, “Please be careful.” He glanced around to make sure the others weren’t noticing them. “This treasure is not worth the harm it could possibly bring… especially with your family going through everything. You’ve been through a lot already, my friend.”
Jack couldn’t help but notice the sincerity in Valente’s eyes. He smiled gratefully in return. “Thank you.” They locked into a firm handshake. “I still have a lot of questions that need answering, though.”