Tridas

by Alan, Mark

  "It is rumored wealthy Roman generals actually pour molten gold down the throat as a means of execution”. Aristotle reported as he gently maneuvered the cup to tilt over Antipater's lips. The very instant the metal touched his mouth the amulet around Kavani's neck began to glow. "Within 10 seconds the gold will congeal. We will have either ruptured his organs, burned his lungs or repaired his heart”.

  "I'm afraid we are going to cook him from the inside out." Allatore exclaimed.

  Neither of them noticed the blue light, shrouded by Kavani's death garments, but the amulet continued to grow in intensity. The hot gold burned through Antipater's throat and poured over his organs. When the first drop of the precious metal reached his heart, the amulet reached its pinnacle of brightness and Kavani inhaled a mouthful of air. She broke through the perfumed wraps, keeping them as a covering as she approached Antipater's body. Her ghost white skin startled the men as much as the fact that she was alive, but their eyes were drawn to the glowing amulet around her neck.

  "You're ALIVE!!" Allatore exclaimed, steadying himself with a step back. The gaps in the wraps revealing perfect skin where the scar from her stabbing had been. Touching Antipater with her hand, his body began to convulse and change from a pale translucent tone to a beet red color. He was still not breathing.

  "The transformation cometh”. Kavani spoke, almost a whispered announcement. She broke into an incantation.

  Aristotle could hardly believe his eyes as Antipater's torn flesh from Allatore's blade began to heal leaving an intricate golden scar”."Kintsukuroi!" He stated in his excitement. "This uncommon man, in his brokenness, has become that much more uncommon”. Antipater lay motionless. He was still not breathing.

  Aristotle listened intently as Kavani offered some of the details of their miraculous resurrection. Allatore seemed distracted and interjected at the end of her summary, "Where will you go now that there is no fear of Alexander's pursuit?"

  "We love the Amalfi Coast”, she said without hesitation.

  As her body assumed a less supernatural aura, Allatore continued with questions. The necklace returned to its natural beauty, the light dimming until it was no longer aglow.

  Antipater was restored, yet remained in a comatose state. As time passed, Kavani began to question why her healing was immediate and had left her body flawless. Even tinges of fear around Antipater's recovery wrestled to overpower her heart, but her personal journey from the other side kept her faith strong.

  Kavani could not take her eyes off the distinctive mark. Her imagination full, identifying shapes and design in the now permanent scar on the body she knew so well. Antipater was peaceful. She removed her necklace. Holding the amulet in her hands, she admired the images carved into the gem – A spiral was enclosed by three circular bands. The spiral centered around a staff with a single serpent wrapped around it. She placed the necklace on Antipater's chest. It began to glow softly. Kavani smiled and fell asleep beside her soul-mate.

  A jolt from Antipater awakened Kavani. She watched his chest as it steadily rose and fell.

  "He is breathing!" she excitedly thought, not sure if she actually said the words aloud. Something was still wrong. The necklace was missing. She scanned the room. Moving quickly, she checked the hall and a few rooms. Aristotle stepped into her path as she turned a corner.

  Startled, she immediately announced, "Antipater is breathing!" and in the same breath, "The amulet is missing, and it seems Allatore is as well".

  "That is good news" Aristotle replied. "Concerning Antipater, I mean. Allatore has fought beside Antipater in many a battle I'm convinced there is an answer we are missing".

  "What is missing is my necklace!" Kavani returned. "And Allatore has fought beside Alexander in many battles too, but he betrayed him in Rome!"

  Kavani rushed back to Antipater's side as he began to open his eyes. He lifted his head just enough to catch site of his new scar. There was a bit of surprise in his eyes, but then a smirk appeared at the corners of his mouth, "I'm not sure what I expected”, Antipater spoke with little volume, "but I see a mark of freedom. What do you see?" Looking longingly at Kavani for acceptance.

  "I see a man willing to die for his love”.

  He reached up to embrace her. He didn't feel weak.

  "I've already spent considerable time examining your scar. Looking for what I see”, she said with her own smirk.

  "Let me see your mark. I want to look upon it for images".

  Kavani removed her robe, exposing her bare chest. "Your skin bares no mark. It is perfect!" Antipater could not believe his eyes, as much for what he did see as for what he did not. He began to caress her breasts. Kavani melted in his arms. He whispered into her ear, "You are truly a Goddess".

  Aristotle returned after a few hours, waking the couple. "It appears Allatore has set sail to join Alexander in the east".

  "I knew it!" Kavani responded.

  "What has happened?" Antipater asked, unaware of any details since his rebirth.

  "The amulet necklace contains the power that brought us back to life", Kavani explained. "Because it was on my neck, the power was strong enough to resurrect me without the use of gold and completely heal my stab wounds", she assumed.

  "We knew of its power from our night in Niepolis", Antipater stated, still a bit confused.

  "Allatore witnessed its power in healing me immediately and then again, when I placed the necklace on your chest. When we awoke, both Allatore and the necklace were gone". The disgust in Kavani's voice was palatable.

  "I trust Allatore with my life. We trusted Allatore with our lives".

  "And he gave you your life. I believe he wanted peace for you, for us" Kavani conceded, "but he stole my necklace".

  "People do not want peace, they want power", Antipater agreed.

  Youth is easily deceived because it is quick to hope.

  ~ Aristotle ~

  On board the flight, Aven poured through the journal to learn more about the Tridas legend. He recognized the symbol from Kavani's necklace. He knew it as a representation of life. It had in fact raised them from the dead and granted them perpetual life...and eternal youth, but the journal described it as centered in conflict. The notes were choppy -

  Conflict – three outcomes, each side can win or equality is met and then reset to face each other once again. Patterns and positions give an advantage to one side – strategy, mind reading, data crunching, element of surprise, the art of war – Tridas the symbol says two equally matched forces will continue to battle until one is victorious – the battle of Tridas

  The journal contained an interesting history of the symbol, including sketches and details of its origin. What was blatantly missing was some reference of the jewel. Kavani's necklace was mysteriously absent from the record.

  "How did the society learn of the symbol without knowledge of the necklace?" Aven thought as he continued to read. Suttikul had spoken of the symbol as being a seminal piece of the Aerial collection, but he never mentioned the gem. Aven knew Sihamuni had supernatural powers. He had also threatened Kavani with "other resources at his disposal".

  Aven's mind was firing questions nonstop...

  "Did Suttikul reveal the symbol as a clue that Sihamuni actually had the necklace?"

  "Why did the journal have such a negative understanding of the symbol?"

  "How could they have discovered the resting place of the necklace?"

  "Why was Kava so calm after seeing the symbol? Did she not remember its significance?"

  "The symbol had never resurfaced in hundreds of years, why now?"

  The intercom cracked overhead, as the flight attendant announced they soon would be landing in Argentina. The standard safety instructions were given. Aven closed the journal and repositioned his seat. He was only a few minutes away from reuniting with Kavani.

  ******

  The helicopter rendezvoused with the ship, now deeper in the Atlantic waters, but still making preparations for safe harbor back in
Argentina. Hoyt and Kava were escorted onto the bridge.

  The ship's Captain began the brief, "An ICBM out of Russia has been launched. Due to the nature of our visit, Zavodovski Island is one of the potential strike points. With no sensors in close proximity to the missile launch site, we missed the intercept window for boost phase defenses".

  "We have increased presence in the area due to our current situation", Hoyt countered. "How did we not have sensors in close proximity of the known missile site?"

  "Full details are classified, but it appears the Russians had real time intel to deactivate our countermeasure defenses", the Captain continued. "The missile is currently coasting in space allowing us several opportunities to destroy it outside the earth's atmosphere".

  "Sir, Aegis Missile Defense is for you", interrupted the ship's commanding officer.

  After taking the short call, the Captain flipped the all-alert button, "Attention ship personnel, this is not a drill, a long range missile has been launched. X-band radars have established target detection, tracking the path to our previous island location. Ground-based Midcourse defense is useless. A destroyer armed with hit-to-kill technology is underway to position an interceptor projectile in the path of the hostile missile. Should they not be successful, we need to be as far away from Zavodovski as possible. Make it so".

  Kavani could only assume the real time intel was coming from Hoyt. "Will the smoke screen you released have any positive effect?" she asked.

  "It will simply make the impact point less exact", Hoyt reasoned.

  "Impact less exact!" The Captain chided, "We have the largest Sea-Based X-band in the world, with precise radar tracking of missiles of all ranges. There will be no impact! Escort our guests to their quarters, immediately".

  Kava was determined to stay with Hoyt, but the MPs had direct orders. She could not leave him alone. He obviously had communication equipment in his room. Any force against the guards, may raise his suspicions. She entered her room as directed. Calming her spirit, she began to reach out in a meditative state. The ship was certainly not sacred ground, but she was desperate to connect to the beyond.

  Relaxed now, she began to hear the voice of Citlalli, "The ages have called for this battle. The fullness of time is now. The sea Gods will keep you safe". Remaining in her meditative state she began to reflect on the symbol Aven had drawn for her and had prompted his return to Thailand.

  The Captain's voice over the speaker broke her concentration, "An SM-2 Block IV missile has been unleashed. It will make contact very close to the intended target, in an attempt to render the warhead inert. Our current position is very close for a terminal phase intercept. Brace yourself for reverberations".

  "Hoyt had succeeded!" Kavani thought, "But not on his own, it was destiny".

  ******

  It was unclear why all flights had been grounded in Argentina, but Aven knew it revolved around the Tridas battle. He feared for Kavani's safety, while at the same time sensed everything was moving according to a supernatural chronicle, in which she played the leading role. He reflected on the time they had spent in search of Allatore and more precisely the necklace. What had he forgotten? What was missing that still needed to be revealed?

  326-325B.C.

  Allatore had witnessed the life-giving power of Kavani's necklace. Now that his friend was free from Alexander's clutch, he was compelled that it was his lot to rid the world of Alexander completely. Allatore had felt a similar weight in the past, but the amulet seemed to solidify his role in Alexander's demise. Nothing was clear, but his access to the emperor was undeniable.

  "The power would reveal itself at the right time", Allatore said actually speaking to the amulet in his hands.

  The jewel seemed to be a compass, directing Allatore's heart. The chain was too small to fasten around his neck, but he sensed the gem needed to be close to work at its best. He entered the shop of the same smith from which they had acquired the molten gold for Antipater.

  "I need to extend the chain of this necklace", Allatore requested.

  The smith eyed the gem, "By the Gods, that is an amazing gem".

  Allatore realized concealing the stone may be a better option, "Change in plan. I need to fasten the stone to my belt". This way the gem would be concealed by his tunic and also would rest close to his skin. He paid the smith generously, but Allatore knew Aristotle's persuasive ways would break the artisan's silence. A ship to the east, joining Alexander's fleet would at least give him distance from the almost assured pursuit.

  Once onboard the vessel, Allatore had leisure to evaluate the circumstance. Alone with his thoughts he began to question his intention.

  "Antipater must know my heart to be true". His thoughts began. "Aristotle will undoubtedly discover I've set a course for India. Once I saw the glow of the gem healing Antipater's body as it did Kavani, I knew it possessed the power to defeat Alexander. They are free. Their love is the only power they need to be complete. They have no need of the necklace". Allatore justified in his mind. "My friends will realize my purpose. My fear of their pursuit was foolish". Allatore convinced himself, as both his mind and body accepted, needed rest. The stone, resting on his leg dropped him into a deep trance.

  Time passed as Allatore rested under the influence of the stone's power.

  "You are glowing!"

  Allatore awoke to the cowering shouts of the crew, finally discovering their hidden passenger. Looking down at his leg he saw the familiar glow that had emanated from the stone when placed on Antipater's chest.

  "Demon!"

  "Stay Back!" Crewman from the front of the pack began to brandish their weapons as Allatore began to return to consciousness.

  A bit in shock, and wishing no ill will against the crew, Allatore unfastened the stone from his belt. The light began to fade. "Where are we?"

  "Off the shores of Lanka", came the fearful response. Allatore set the fading stone on the deck, and slowly stood, stepping away from its light.

  Seeing their obvious advantage, the mob bum rushed Allatore, pushing him over the side and cascading into the water below. He had just enough warning to scoop up the stone, not noticing the burned impression left in the deck wood.

  As he struck the water, the stone glowed again, brighter than Allatore had yet seen. The waves around him grew, but he felt strangely calm. He seemed to be in some kind of bubble as the water around him began to rage. The waves began to crash against the ship, tossing the vessel about like a toy. The instant stormy conditions shattered the side of the ship as crew members leapt into the sea, seeking safety on the shores of Lanka. Attempting to swim for land was a suicide mission, but some would make it. Allatore slipped back into the trance, the stone firmly in his grasp. The Tsunami raged on, destroying the seaboard cities of Lanka, swelling up the Makran coast leaving a number of ships in Alexander's fleet in its wake. By the Gods of the sea, Allatore washed up on the shores of Persia, unresponsive and unaware of his miraculous journey, stone still firm in hand.

  ****

  Kavani could not believe her amulet was no longer in her possession.

  "The necklace was a gift from my mother". She began to open her heart to Antipater. "She spoke of its special history rarely, but I cannot picture her without it gracing her neck. When she gave it to me, she expressed with a passion its unique power and its significance to our history".

  "As you know, my father was Greek, a ruler of Rhodes, loyal and respected by King Philip". Kavani paused. "My Mother was Persian and secretly descended from a Sumerian nation taken captive by Babylon and assimilated by Persia. Her grandmother, a woman and therefore not suspected of possessing anything of value, carried one of the twelve stones, worn by their high priest, to safety in exile in Babylonia. It was always sacred, said to be the original stone carried by the great father from the Chaldeans. One of the Sumerian Princes, respected by the King of Babylon, carved an image onto the stone under the supervision of his training enchanter. While it was in his possession, he was
said to have wisdom and understanding tenfold that of any of the other magicians in the whole kingdom. At his death, it was secretly passed to my grandmother who served as a Queen of Persia. When her true heritage was revealed, the stone was given to my mother as a wedding gift, when she left for Rhodes to marry my father. It never displayed any extraordinary magic in Greece, just its natural beauty. When she entrusted it to me, my mother reminded me of its powerful origin".

  Antipater held Kavani as tears started to fill her eyes.

  "When she died, I couldn't bear to wear the stone. The memories of her necklace were too close to my heart. I kept it safe, until I felt drawn to it in my studies of the aconite. The symbol has always intrigued me".

  "Did your Mother offer any clue to its meaning when she gave it to you?", Antipater asked.

  "The rod is undoubtedly the instrument central to our heritage. It is believed to be carved from the first tree, the symbol of budding life from the garden. The life giving power of the necklace bestowed upon us, seems to confirm this element", Kavani continued. "My mother believed the three bands to be symbolic of the Gods, but I always wondered about her exact interpretation".

  "How so?" Aristotle interjected, both of them almost forgetting he had returned.

  "I think about the one who carved it into the precious jewel. He was well versed in our history - the sacred nature of the stone. Yet he was not afraid to deface its beauty with his own work. The mark must have been influenced by his studies in Persia or even by the enchanter who oversaw his addition".

  "Interesting!" Aristotle complemented. "By your nature, you must have followed this path. What have your studies revealed?"

  "Numbers carry great significance in the Persian Empire. The Babylonians discovered and charted the astrological signs and the numerology of events past, present and future".

  "Some would argue the point, but continue". Aristotle stated, but with no contention.