by Alan, Mark
"Italy... immediately”. Antipater pronounced.
"I like the idea”. Kavani stated, relieved, but ever so mordant.
The explorer vessel was captained by Nearchus, son of Androtimus, a former student of Aristotle, and acquaintance of Antipater. He had been exiled by King Philip, and was no ally to his former friend Alexander. The crew was told that safe harbor was necessary at Rhodes to avoid a monsoon. Kavani and Antipater were snuck aboard in the dark of night. The quarters were compact, but reserved for Nearchus alone, which would avoid any unneeded witnesses to the new passengers. Ironically, the ship did hit rough waters crossing Cape Salome and was forced to take refuge in the Fair Havens on the island of Crete.
Crete's beauty proved too much a temptation for the couple. In need of a break from the tight confines, they dressed as peasants and debarked with the crew. The sparse vegetation and rugged hills were the landscape for the sprawling coastline, with numerous nooks and crannies creating the perfect private beaches. The hot white sands and refreshing blue waters were the perfect contrast. The peasant rags left strewn along the beach, Kavani and Antipater, were splashing in the waves and enjoying their last bout of freedom before the long journey "hidden away" en route to Rome.
The eight day journey had extended into ten due to lack of wind. The shipmates were restless, weary of the constant motion and ready for dry land. The ship stopped short, of the intended destination, in Naples. The Amalfi Coast was beautiful, but Nearchus had the ulterior motive of refreshing his men before arriving in Ostia. The presentation of his ship and crew would proceed his audience before the First Consul, Titus Veturius Calvinus, in Rome and Nearchus wanted his reputation to command attention. The captain was an admirer of the republican ideals of Rome as opposed to the dictatorship of Macedonia. His exile had changed his perceptions in many regards.
The float into their final destination was accompanied by a bit of flair. Nearchus met with the proconsul, touting the singularity of his vessel in battle as well as his personal exploits around the globe. The crew was extended full rights to explore the beauties of Rome as they were paraded off the ship in full fanfare. The Roman scholar Lucan was introduced to the academics on board as Antipater and Kavani slipped away basically unnoticed.
The neighborhood surrounding the port of Ostia was welcoming, but adjusting to their new home would take some time.
"I feel naked... and not in a fun way”. Kavani confided in Antipater, sensing a weaker connection to the supernatural.
"You naked is always a good thing”. Antipater retorted, purposefully trying to lighten her mood. He believed they were safe, almost 1,000 miles in the opposite direction of Alexander's sites, but Nearchus was a questionable link. Trusting Aristotle's judgment, Antipater had agreed to the plan, but all men are fallible, and elimination of any unknowns had always given him the upper hand and his reputed strategic prowess.
A couple of years had passed and this season's festivals would be held in the Circus Maximus. The chariot races were spectacular. Yet, Kavani was more excited for the diverse populations (specifically their knowledge and resources), the games and ceremonies attracted. She had read exhaustively the books Antipater had carried with them from the library of Alexandria. They contained secrets from Egypt, Babylon and even Persia. Her picture of the supernatural had changed since living in Rome, but in many ways her link to the spiritual realm had become even stronger. Her craving for more knowledge was strong.
Antipater had been invited to compete. The athletes were presented in the parade of Aventine, the prelude to the opening ceremonies of the games. The statesmen of Rome were celebrating in the colonnades of the Palatine Hills, overlooking the arena on the eve of the events. The scene reminded Antipater of the evening, when he had first seen Kavani in Rhodes. Continuing to reminisce, he realized how much he missed his role as Regent, but how thankful he was for his life with his soul-mate. He thoroughly enjoyed taking it all in.
"Enjoying yourself I see." Kavani interrupted his thoughts. Her beauty, instantly grabbing all of his attention.
"What is performed in haste in youth, is appreciated in age” Antipater declared.
"Feeling rather stately this evening, My Liege!?" She smiled, beaming with pride over her companion. Antipater was always the obvious leader in the crowd. He attempted to shroud his gifts, but his presence was often unmistakable. People took notice; thus his invitation to participate as a champion to celebrate the erection of the arena.
Wine was not a part of Antipater's evening program. He needed to be sharp and perceptive for tomorrow's games. Kavani would on the other hand, be taking part in all the celebrations had to offer. Her high spirits made her that much more frisky.
"Dance with me my handsome stable boy” Kavani spoke in jest. In an attempt to draw little attention to himself, Antipater worked in the officium stables and the grand cru vineyards. Over the few years, however, his natural leadership promoted him to administrator of the stables. And his influences on the winemaking process even captured the attention of the Tuscan providence.
Watching Kavani move was mesmerizing. Feeling her move next to him was even more thrilling. The two danced close for hours.
As the revelry began to slow, Antipater excused himself to find some sleep. Kavani had heard rumors of a Druid gathering, from the jugglers and fortune tellers who had set up booths outside the arena. With the moon at its high point, Antipater knew there was no point in opposing her wish to look for these most interesting visitors. They parted with a kiss.
The activity of God... is the activity of contemplation.
~ Aristotle ~
Aven was called back into the briefing room. "Tensions are high. Troops are amassing on the borders. We have isolated a safe drop zone, 20 clicks away from the hot zone. We will look to cut a covert path to the Government House. The grounds consist of several palace like structures extended over 11 acres. Hostiles, as well as officials, in the area are considered armed and dangerous. Our strike team has been tasked to secretly secure Col. Suttikul, the alleged leader of the coup, for questioning regarding his involvement with Russian Captain Vasily”. The Commander instructed.
The team would be boarding the helicopter shortly, but Aven wanted to give Kavani an update. Their phone conversation was brief, but both of them felt like a critical piece of the puzzle was still missing.
"I'll update you on the ground in Bangkok. I love you". Aven ended.
"I love you more". Kava hung up her phone.
Knowing Aven was doing his part to learn more on the technical side, Kavani sensed her role rested in the supernatural. "Tell me more about the prophecies of my return” Kavani requested.
"The time the poets speak, describes a grave danger for all of the earth. The outcome is not foretold, but an epic battle is fought between a noble mortal and a powerful warrior priest. The moon plays a crucial part in the story." Malin recited”. Many interpret this as prophecy of the earth's destruction, skewing the orbits of the heavenly constellations. Venus returns to bring order to the cosmos”.
"Aven and I believe another prophecy, of a great flood, is also part of this impending drama". Kavani added.
"The Great Writings read that there will never be a global flood" Citlalli protested.
"But they don't say, it will not be attempted." Kavani challenged. "I agree, fate is on our side. This staff also wields unheard of power".
"It seems many powers from the past are converging on this moment in history".
"I would like to learn more of its origin. Transporting me to this destination... can't be coincidental".
"Seek out the Druids?" Citlalli offered almost giddy.
"I assume the Awen markings still point the way”. Kava stated as she began to examine the ruins for the Druid mark.
The Britannica Order of the Druids had been welcomed in ancient Rome, by none other than Kavani herself, and had flourished in numbers over the centuries. Malin stumbled upon the first mark. The Awen, is welsh for insp
iration. The shape, three lines capped with 3 dots coming to a point, represents many ideals, but serves as "an arrow" pointing the way to the order.
Following the sub sequential markings, the women found themselves on the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome. Amongst the multi-storey buildings and ancient ruins was a shepherd feeding his flocks on the slopes of the Palatine. Knowing this to be more than coincidence, they approached the shepherd and followed him as he slowly ambled the summits, winding his way through a narrow crevice penetrating the hillside. About 50 feet in, the narrow passage gave way to a vaulted sanctuary.
"Welcome to the Lupercal”. The shepherd turned and spoke, his announcement echoing in the resounding space.
"The Lupercal? The lost cave of the she-wolf who raised Romulus and Remus?" Malin asked excitedly.
"Yes, the breeding ground of the twin sons of Mars." The shepherd confirmed matter-of-factly. "You stand at the very centre of Rome”.
Kavani stepped forward, "We seek your counsel. At the height of your influence, your people possessed wisdom without equal. A Druid could walk between two armies waged in war and dispel hostilities causing them to discontinue fighting. In the matters of learning your words are absolute. The time has come again to serve as the link between mankind and the gods."
"You are uniquely gifted for such a time." The shepherd began. "The creator has served you with specific duties and the other world to protect the mother earth. The staff is the tool of a shepherd. It guides, corrects, and rescues the flock. The almond wood, it is made from, predates the Druid tree lore. It's origin - at the crossing of the four rivers, from the original garden of the east. Channel its power and cherish this gift from the Higher God. I revere you for your role as safeguard of mother earth. The she-wolf will look after you, as she did for the twins, when you encounter our enemy”.
The four spent the next many hours conferring on astronomy, mathematics, music, philosophy, and all things spiritual, each holding the others in high regard.
Aven exited the embassy, to the sound and vibration of the propellers on the transport helicopter ramping up to speed. The entire unit was in plain clothes. They would be posing as a tourist group in Bangkok as they infiltrated the inner offices of the Government House. The camouflage for this mission would simply be blending in with the thousands of other trapped tourists attempting to enjoy the sites, in spite of the situation now looming over Thailand.
The bird landed in the "safe zone," unnoticed. The team took off on motorbikes to the first bus transport and then switched to tuk-tuks once they entered the city. Architectural elements of the main building surprised Aven. The golden dome looked very Italian. He quickly Googled the building's history and coincidentally it was designed by an Italian, Rigotti.
"The Italian design of the house could help with our infiltration”, Aven explained. "This architect and his student artists were known for including tunnels in their designs, in tribute to the labyrinths of ancient Rome. Once inside the gates, descending stairs could be a way to navigate the acres undetected”.
"Let's divide and conquer”, the commander ordered. "Keep coms live. I will patrol the perimeter, while Techie continues to patch into their communications. Thermal will be too conspicuous, so we are old school on this op. Once the Colonel is secured, we hold the strong position, giving us more options. Move out".
Given the chaos in the streets, it was not difficult to blend, even just steps from the iron fences walling in the Government House. Cultivating a riot was easy and served as a perfect distraction of the guards, to enter the grounds.
Aven had separated off with the largest of the unit, a Dutch farm boy from Michigan. "The team appreciates your expertise Aven. You are probably the most intelligent guy I have ever met, but I got to be honest... your ideas about an ancient prediction of floods and magic-talk have us all a little bugged out", Hoyt confessed. "The scientific study about the water in the core of the earth seems reasonable, but rumor has it, you cracked the code by channeling the spirit world at some pyramid in Cancun? Come on man, Cancun is a Spring Break destination, not a vestige of military intelligence from the gods!"
Aven reasoned, it was not likely a good time to fill his new cynical friend in on his further exploits at Angkor, but actually embraced Hoyt's sarcasm. "People embrace science to explain what they cannot understand. Acknowledging the existence of magic would destroy the last vestige of that egocentric control".
"Deep", Hoyt replied, but internalized the message more than the one word response indicated.
"Where do we stand?" The commander's voice snapped over the coms embedded in their ears. The position reports of the unit came next. Aven and Hoyt were making the best progress. The tunnels had proven a good route to remain unseen while approaching the inner offices. From the layout maps they had studied, Hoyt could sense they were very close to the assumed position of the Colonel. Now they simply needed an access point back to the surface.
"The fact that the tunnels were omitted from our layout plans, leads me to assume they may be secret even to the Thai. That being the case, the likely hood of an obvious exit is pretty slim”. Hoyt offered up his thoughts.
"The first principle of good strategy. Never assume anything" Aven replied, in his best impersonation of Hoyt's previously sarcastic tone.
They both burst out laughing, the echoes bouncing off the cavern walls. Hoyt froze, head cocked. "The acoustics are wrong. There is an attenuation effect coming from this left wall. It's not pure rock." Turns out, Hoyt is an echo suppression expert. He at least had exceptional hearing.
"Nice work Hoyt!" Aven complimented.
"When it comes to 'having ears on it,' I'm the best!" Hoyt stated, full of pride. "Let's scout out some tools and bust threw this outer layer. I'm betting it's not thick at all."
"Ever seen Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade?"
"Who hasn't? Made my visit to Petra a must when we were stationed in Jordan”, Hoyt recalled.
"The Treasury is amazing, but I was hinting at the library scene... X marks the spot..."
"Awe, the velvet rope and pedestals blocking the initial staircase we descended". Came Hoyt realizing the reference, already in stride, moving in the direction from which they had come.
"I'll go this way, just in case another staircase is around the corner". Aven yelled back over his shoulder as he stepped into a brisk jog in the opposite direction.
Aven's path came to a dead end, but retracing his steps, he could already hear the sound of Hoyt hammering away. Returning to where they had parted ways, Hoyt had uncovered a wood formed mosaic. Hoyt had been tempted to bust through the weak, tiled stones, but squelched his urge, figuring Aven would reveal that it was "priceless" upon his return. Hoyt found the image of the wolf "to be cool" anyway, but rarely (if ever) let "art" interfere with the parameters of his mission.
Aven was taken aback by the relevance of the image. The two of them could easily dislodge the mosaic by its frame. After a few coordinated pulls, the image broke loose from the wall revealing a square ramped hollow backed only by plaster. They quietly cracked through the plaster and found themselves in the hall connecting the inner offices. Voices from behind the third door, indicated the room as their target. Instead, approaching the second option, the door swung open to an empty chamber with large pointed-arch windows.
"Perfect! Easy access to our neighbors next door”. Hoyt spoke softly, yet triumphantly. "I'll alert the unit".
"Coms are jammed. Some of the team could be compromised", Hoyt reported after a few attempts. Aven tried his link as well. Radio's had been quiet, but they both had attributed the silence to their underground location. Coms were down.
Tilting open the stained glass, the window ledge would be more than enough edge to peer in the next room and the colored glass would provide some concealment as well. "Ready to check in next door?" Aven asked.
"Nosy neighbor reporting for duty, Sir". Hoyt quipped... rigid posture, salute gesture and all. He certainly made a
ny situation more fun.
In the neighboring room sat Colonel Suttikul and three others. It appeared by the relaxed nature of the grouping, that if any members of the unit had been compromised, the guards had not thought it necessary to alert their leader.
Accessing the situation, Hoyt shrugged, "Equipment failure?" referring to the non-functioning earpieces.
"Don't assume. Let's take the room", Aven spoke more focused than Hoyt had ever seen him. They took their respective positions. Hoyt burst through the door. His massive size, the more dramatic distraction, as Aven came through the window, stealth mode. The element of shock swayed the odds, making it easy to secure the Colonel and confine his companions. Hoyt stripped them of any weapons, while Aven examined the office for any unwanted surprises.
With coms down and no time to waste, Hoyt began his interrogation. His instruction had included extensive negotiation training; coupled with Aven's ageless diplomacy experience, getting the answers they wanted should not be too difficult.
It was initially easier than either of them expected. The Colonel was very forth coming.
"Our vision is bigger than either of you or those you represent." The colonel began pontificating. Gesturing towards Aven, "Your appearance matches the descriptions I received from Angkor. Your discoveries there will not prove as powerful as you anticipate. What is in motion has strong roots. In ancient times, Cambodia and Thailand were one nation. We have been weakened by our separation, but the countries will reunify. My modern military prowess in tandem with the spiritual forces of our Warrior Priests of Angkor, your so-called super power of the west will not withstand our wrath. The seeds of destruction have existed for millennia. The threat is growing, even as I speak. Fear it!"