“What do you think?”
“The Druidic Order is closely aligned with the Bacchic and Eleusinian Mysteries of Greece or the Egyptian rites of Osiris.” The Sampan Man looked over at David.
David pulled a face and sipped on his mint tea. “I have no idea what you just said.”
“Okay, fair enough. There are three divisions in the Druidic Order and I belong to the third division. I’m a Druid or a Derwyddon. I’ve progressed through six successive degrees of the Druidic Order. I’ve gained wisdom and knowledge beyond most people’s comprehension. I’m one of only three Arch Druids on the planet. David, I’m a big wig in the Druid world.” The Sampan Man smiled and sipped his tea. “I know where the guardians of the sacred artifacts are hidden. It’s my job to protect them. I’m worried David. Kieran has knowledge. He knows where the guardians are located and he will track them down. The Druid organization is just a cover for the Servants of Byblos. I’m serious when I say these artifacts can not fall into the wrong hands.”
“Why am I here Arch Druid Sampan?”
“Cute. But it’s no joking matter. The four arrows and the eye are a symbol of the secret Druid society. The eye goes back to our Egyptian roots and is unique to the third division. This division is responsible for protecting the sacred artifacts. The Egyptian artifacts are the most dangerous. The Druids have a powerful ceremony referred to as, ‘Calling the Four Corners.’ This means engaging the four corners; Earth, Fire, Air and Water. The four arrows represent the sacred calling ceremony that the third division is responsible for. It’s all fascinating stuff but I need you to help me David. Kieran and the Order of the Serpent have identified me. They’re trying to track me down. Plainly stated, I’m on the run. Aardina is the daughter of an Arch Druid.”
“You’re serious aren’t you?”
“Yes. David, do you get this? You’re getting mixed up with some very driven and very dangerous people. For hundreds of years men have had secret societies and lodges. Many times it’s just an excuse to get away from their spouses and dress in funny hats to feel important. Occasionally in the higher orders of secrecy, these groups are more sinister. They’re chartered to keep ancient secrets and protect dangerous knowledge, not meant for the masses. Someone tried to kill Aardina’s Father last week.” The Sampan Man stopped and calmly sipped his mint tea, while letting the gravity of his statement sink in. He lifted his eyes above the steaming rim of his tumbler.
David met his stare through the rising steam, “The Order of the Serpent?”
“Yes.”
“Does Aardina know?”
“No, she thinks he’s away on business. She knows he’s in danger and I’m posing as an old family friend. He’s fled to a safe house in Cologne. I need you to go to Cologne and meet with the Arch Druid. He has the Amulet of Byblos. We can’t risk it being discovered and we can’t let it slip into the wrong hands.”
“What do you want me to do with it?”
“I want you to get the Amulet. The Arch Druid will tell you what to do next but you must go and meet with him. I’m in danger and I’m going underground for a while. Did you meet with your young lady in England?”
“I did.”
“Did you find the young man with the crystal?”
David looked downwards admiring the expensive Turkish carpet, “No, not yet.”
“If I know how these people operate, I would say she’s in serious danger. They’ll try to get to her. They want to find out more about her portal experience.”
David stared at the window, “Her man was a plant. He used her for that purpose already.”
The Sampan Man coughed, “I know but they’ll be back.”
“Why?”
“The crystal probably contains a spirit, guiding the young man. The spirit is trying to locate the artifacts. They will want to collect as much information as they can. I don’t know why but the spirit seems to have knowledge of the artifacts and the guardians. If they get the Amulet and the Golden box, then the balance of power will shift. You’ll need to get the Amulet and the girl to a safe place. Get them somewhere where they won’t be found. Can you do that?”
David averted his gaze, “Yes, they won’t be looking for me.”
“Go now. I don’t know when we’ll meet again but I wish you well. Take the train to Cologne tomorrow morning and I’ll email you instructions. It’s a couple of hours ride. I’ll mention two dogs, that way you’ll know my emails are authentic.”
The Sampan Man leaned over and pressed a button hidden in the arm of the couch. As David rose to leave, a key turned and Aardina propped the door ajar. She smiled at David and lowered her pretty eyes. “Thanks,” he said stepping through the door. David turned, “Thanks Sampan Man, I look forward to our next boat ride.”
“Me too,” he said sipping from his steaming tumbler.
It was an uneasy night for David. He didn’t sleep well. He debated if he should send Beth an email warning her of imminent danger. What if he was wrong and he just spooked her? How could he be sure? He couldn’t give his location away that easily. David kept checking his email, getting excited every time his device indicated receipt of a new message. Eventually he fell asleep without the email he was waiting for.
It was a cool morning when David stepped into the cab outside of the Hotel Amstel. He endured the ten-minute cab ride to the station in silence. He was lost within his thoughts and cared little if he appeared rude. He boarded an ICE train, on platform 4B of Amsterdam’s Central Train Station. He caught the 8.04am train bound for Cologne. He found a quiet seat to rest his head. Unaware of what lay ahead, he knew Cologne was only a few hours away. The train was due in Cologne at 10.45am and he would await instructions from the Sampan Man. The train’s rhythmic rocking had him asleep in no time.
“Excuse me,” said a uniformed man, gently shaking David’s arm. “Tickets?”
David shook his head to clear his foggy mind. “Oh yes.” He reached into his coat and retrieved the ticket. He handed it to the official.
“Thank you,” said the man stamping the ticket and returning it.
David looked around and noticed the train had filled. It had progressed through several stops on its journey. He glanced at his watch 9.15am. He was surprised at how long he had drifted off for. He looked at his Blackberry and noticed three new messages. Two seemed to be welcome messages, acknowledging his crossing of mobile carrier zones. One was from Sampan Man. David clicked on the message, it read.
Dear Uncle Fred,
It’s so nice to hear that you will be coming to visit us in Cologne. Uncle Berty is really looking forward to seeing you but unfortunately he must work. He is willing to say a quick hello to you on his way to work. When your train gets in at 10.45am you need to follow the visitor’s signs and head for the visitor’s center. This will exit you from the station and you will be standing in front of the famous Cologne Cathedral. Uncle Berty will meet you inside the Cathedral. Walk around the inside until you come across the sarcophagus of a famous Knight. You will see a plaque on the floor at the feet of the Knight. It will read “Gottfried IV Graf Von Arnsberg – 21. Februar 1371.” The Knight is lying on his back with two of his trusty hound dogs guarding his feet. The Knight is protected by a metal wire case. Uncle Berty will meet you at the Knight’s plaque. Just stand there and wait for him. Hold your Blackberry in your right hand. After you’ve said hello to Berty we look forward to you visiting our home.
“Clever,” thought David. It contains enough misinformation to confuse. It contains just enough information to schedule the meet with a reference to the two hound dogs, to make it authentic. The rocking of the train soon lulled David to sleep again, with the announcer waking him just before the train pulled into Cologne.
* * * * *
Chapter 20: The Three Wise Men
Cologne, Germany, Present day.
David leapt from the train with a heightened sense of excitement. As he landed on the platform of Cologne Train Station, he took a quick glance o
ver his shoulder. He smiled to himself, realizing the absurdity of his situation. He looked at the tourists, businessmen and families, leaving the train. He studied them with a keen sense of scrutiny. One of these people could be in disguise, trying to blend into the surroundings. They would represent the secret society of the Order of the Serpent. In reality, David would be tailed to uncover the whereabouts of the Amulet of Byblos. It sounded exciting.
David felt like Jack Ryan, a character from a Tom Clancy novel. He pictured himself as the spy, skulking around on secret business. Then his smile disappeared as he recalled the Sampan Man’s words. This was serious and he was skirting the attention of some dangerous motivated people. They had tried to kill Aardina’s Father, so why wouldn’t they kill him?
David was wearing a light blue rain jacket. He pulled the collar close to his chin and realized the cold deserved a thicker coat. He hustled along the platform to a staircase leading down into a concourse. It was well lit and contained numerous shops. He marveled at how clean it was, supporting a bustling underground hive of activity. Below the station tracks was a mall, full of shops and eateries. People browsed and drank coffee. They passed the time until their train sped them to their destinations.
It was warmer underground and David was swept along with the industrious crowd. A sign caught his eye, protruding from the low roof of a tunnel. “Visitor Information,” it read, like a beacon in a sea of distractions. People wheeled luggage and hugged hello and goodbye. David heard many languages but he seemed to stand out. There were few Oriental faces in the crowd. He proceeded towards the visitor information as the note had indicated. It directed him out of the station towards a high wall of glass and ultimately an exit.
Leaving the station, David walked into the chilly mid morning air of Cologne. He was in a square of sorts. It was a well-designed landing area for the crowds of people that enter or leave the station. To his immediate left rose a majestic dark colored building that had to be the Cathedral. Its stark dark color contrasted with the cloudy sky, framing the ornate shapes of its silhouette. David studied the Cathedral. He was rooted to his spot amazed at the sight before him. The structure rose majestically, supporting numerous spires. Ornate details hid within the stonework. He could see statues of religious figures. Numerous gargoyles were clinging to the edge of the building, their faces contorted in pleasure or pain. Mystical animals comprised of half griffon and half bird provided magical waterspouts. Today was overcast but at least it was dry. David could have spent hours studying the building and photographing the architectural details. He loved the old buildings and the creativity and energy surrounding them. He had often laughed at people visiting Hong Kong, as they photographed the walls of glass and iron. Hong Kong has some really neat skyscrapers but compared to this, why waste the digital storage? “I suppose it’s what you’re used to,” he said under his breath.
He needed to get inside and meet his contact. David picked up the pace and headed for the entrance to the Cathedral. After navigating a small lineup he was relieved to find out there was no entrance fee. He didn’t have many Euros in his wallet and he didn’t want to leave a credit card trail. Any spy worth their salt knows that trick. Use cash wherever possible. He walked into the Cathedral and was immediately assaulted by the large vaulted roof, challenging his senses and making him feel small and insignificant. He stared at the engineering feat and quickly snapped himself back into the moment. “Focus,” he thought.
David began a systematic sweep of the Cathedral looking for the Knight and the plaque. He started along the left side of the Cathedral and noticed numerous close calls. Several Knights could be seen but not surrounded by a metal cage and certainly no plaques. He noticed a heavily secured area at the front of the Cathedral sporting a large gold chest. No one was allowed to access this area and the chest was elevated and protected. Once he was closer he could see the chest had three sections. It was perched on top of a strong stilted platform, elevated at about six feet high. The gold box was encased behind Perspex glass. It was sealed with a lid that sported rows of bright lights, illuminating the chest. It was ornately decorated with figures and scenes cast from pure gold. The shape of the chest was interesting. It had two clear sections on the bottom, each with a vaulted roof. Perched on top was a third section. It spanned the gap between the two lower structures. It gave the appearance of a triangular shaped chest.
David walked past the chest and started down the right hand side of the Cathedral. “What if I miss the Knight?” he thought. David started to scrutinize every little detail, trying to match what he saw with the description in the email. He passed a stone-carved figure lying on top of a sarcophagus. He could not see any dogs or a metal cage encasement. Was this a set-up? Perhaps he was being framed after all?
David continued his path, passing a white figure lying on his back under a plaque with a skull. As he moved onwards a metal cage to his right caught his eye. This looked promising. He could see a figure surrounded by a metal cage. What surprised him was the thickness of the iron bars protecting the figure within. The stone looked yellow in the dull light. At the foot of the sarcophagus was a metal plaque set into the stone floor. The plaque had two shields. To the left was a cross. To the right was an eagle. In the center of the shields were the words, “Gottfried IV Graf Von Arnsberg, 21. Februar 1371.” His attention was immediately drawn to the details within the plaque. This was the right plaque including the missing “Y” on February. “Perhaps this was the old German spelling?” he mused.
Raising his eyes, he peered deep within the iron bars. He noticed a reclining figure, dressed like a Knight in full armor. What set his heart racing were the Knights boots. They were resting peacefully upon two hound dogs. The attentive hounds were carved from the same yellowish stone. David studied the Knight’s head, covered by a smooth domed helmet. His throat and neck were protected by chain mail, its intricate pattern carved into the stone. He reached into his jeans and held his Blackberry in his right hand, as instructed.
David sensed a presence over his right shoulder. “What part of Gottfried interests you?” David was surprised and whirled around to see an attractive woman smiling at him. She was dressed warmly in boots, jeans and a long black padded coat. Her striped scarf was red and white and looked like a football scarf. David was expecting a man and this could blow his rendezvous.
“Oh, I’m just looking,” said David coldly, turning his attention back to the figure. David knew that students are often employed to inform visitors of the various historical facts. It’s a chance for them to earn a little money and practice their English. She would get the hint soon and move on.
“Gottfried has an interesting history, he reclaimed the local lands around here and was very popular,” she continued. “What most people don’t know about Gottfried is his involvement with the Servants of Byblos.” She let the sentence hang to register with David. Her voice was soothing. She had perfect pronunciation but if you listened carefully, you could detect a slight accent.
David turned to study the face of the young woman. She had flawless skin and beautiful green eyes. Was she his contact or perhaps he had been deceived? “What’s your favorite part of the sculpture?” inquired David.
“The two hounds. Even in death, they would not leave their master’s feet. It is said that he loved his dogs. Gottfried saved the Servants of Byblos from extinction. He was responsible for integrating them into the Druidic Order. He was credited with finding the lost Golden box. He assumed the mantle of Soul Collector and became the guardian of the Golden box.” It finally dawned on David. He turned to look at the magnificent Golden box, encased in security grade Perspex, elevated at the front of the Church. The young woman caught his glance. “No, not that box, it’s far too large. That’s an important relic; it’s the shrine to the three Kings. It is said to hold the remains of the three wise men. It was opened in 1864 and the records showed that it did indeed contain bones and 2,000 year old clothing.” She spoke in words that ran toge
ther like the smooth pouring of honey. Most men would just watch her lips and perhaps not hear the words. She was so fresh faced and naturally pretty.
David couldn’t stand it anymore. He decided he wouldn’t make a good spy. “So are you friend or foe? I was expecting a man?”
She smiled and linked her arm through his. “Let’s go before we get noticed shall we?”
David did not resist, how could he? “Who are you?”
The Skin of the Gods Page 29