The Seal of Solomon (A Phoenix Quest Adventure Book 6)

by K. T. Tomb

  Nearly 3,000 years ago, the ruler of Sheba, which spanned modern-day Ethiopia and Yemen, arrived in Jerusalem with vast quantities of gold to give to King Solomon. Now an enormous ancient gold mine has been discovered in her former territory, together with the ruins of a temple and the site of a battlefield.

  Phillips, an archaeologist and great, great grandson of pharmaceutical entrepreneur Sir Henry Solomon Wellcome headed the excavation in Sudan and northern Ethiopia. He said: "One of the things I've always loved about archeology is the way it can tie up with legends and myths. The fact that we might have the Queen of Sheba's mines is extraordinary."

  On a mound nearby were found parts of columns and finely carved stone channels from a buried temple that appears to be dedicated to the moon god, the main deity of Sheba, an 8th century BC civilization that lasted 1,000 years. It revealed a victory in a battle nearby, where Phillips excavated ancient bones.

  Sheba was a powerful incense-trading kingdom that prospered through trade with Jerusalem and the Roman empire. The queen is immortalized in both the Qur'an and the Bible, which describes her visit to Solomon "with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices, and very much gold and precious stones... Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices."

  Although little is known about her, the queen's image inspired medieval Christian mystical works in which she embodied divine wisdom, as well as Turkish and Persian paintings, Handel's oratorio Solomon, and Hollywood films. Her story is still told across Africa and Arabia, and the Ethiopian tales are immortalized in the holy book the Kebra Nagast.

  Hers is said to be one of the world's oldest love stories. The Bible says she visited Solomon to test his wisdom by asking him many riddles. Legend has it that he wooed her, and that descendants of their child, Menelik – son of the wise – became the kings of Abyssinia.

  Among the treasures unearthed was an item referred to as the Riddle of Sheba. Some believed that the two often sent puzzles and riddles to one another, even after the meeting that was recorded in the holy books of the region. Though Phillips would not divulge the actual translated text of the riddle, he did mention that it was possible that it might point them toward yet another cache of treasure.

  Sean Kingsley, archaeologist and author of God's Gold, said: "Where Sheba dug her golden riches is one of the great stories of the Old Testament. Timna in the Negev desert is falsely known as 'King Solomon's Mines', but anything shinier has eluded us.

  "The idea that the ruins of Sheba's empire will once more bring life to the villages around Maikado is truly poetic and appropriate. Making the past relevant to the present is exactly what archaeologists ought to be doing," Phillips said.

  In spite of Guy’s opinion that sleep was overrated, it had done Phoe a great deal of good. With a fresh mind, the feeling of doom had lifted and she was more eager to explore what was found in the Ethiopian dig. While they were kicking around at the dig site, she saw Jonathan suddenly pause, stare at something on one of the walls and ask for a brush.

  “What you got, Jon?” Phoe asked, moving over toward him. His eyes were focused on a small speck of something that looked a little bit out of place in the soil of the wall. It appeared to be a tiny chunk of wood.

  “I don’t know,” Jonathan replied. “Just something out of place.” He started using the brush to move soil away from the area and the chuck of wood began to grow larger.

  “There is certainly something there,” Phoe commented. “A wooden box maybe?”

  Phoe joined in brushing. As they continued, the wood became larger, but no metal bands or corners had yet appeared.

  “It might just be a piece of wood,” Eric commented. The others began to gather near and watch the two of them brushing away the surrounding soil.

  After nearly thirty minutes of brushing, they hadn’t yet revealed what it was that they were dealing with. They had, however, uncovered a rather large area of what appeared to be several pieces of wood standing on end in the soil. After a few moments, Jonathan stopped brushing and tapped softly on the center board of the three that they had revealed.

  “Did you hear that?” he whispered.

  “It’s hollow,” Phoe replied. “A door to a chamber?”

  “Makes you think that, doesn’t it? I’ll go up, you go down. There has to be an edge here somewhere.”

  Peter, realizing that it was a great time to use his height, stepped forward with another brush and began to help Jonathan brushing away upward while Phoe continued working downward, before long, he and Jonathan had found the upper edge.

  “I’ve got an edge and a jamb, here,” Peter called out. “It’s a door.”

  After the announcement, everyone else who was watching, including Guy, grabbed brushes and moved forward. Though there were plenty of eager helpers, they quickly discovered that there wasn’t enough room for more than four of them to work in the small area. It took over an hour to finally clear all of the edges and the latch.

  “We’re going to have to be careful when we open it,” Guy instructed.

  The latch was rusted badly enough that it took little effort to knock it away; however, the same was also true of the handle that had been fashioned to open it.

  “We’ll have to use a pry bar,” Peter said.

  “We need to work at three different places. Let’s try to keep the door intact,” Phoe instructed.

  It took some delicate work, even with such crude tools, to finally work the door free of the casing, but keeping the door intact was made impossible as it cracked and splintered, unwilling to part from the jamb that had been its dwelling place for thousands of years.

  With the door open, a small room was revealed. Within it were several boxes, some of which had already begun to break down. Within them, were pieces of papyrus that had Coptic script on them.

  “Wow!” Guy exclaimed. “Do you think that we’ve found another codex?”

  “Certainly something significant,” Phoe agreed.

  “What’s this?” Jonathan said, stepping forward and using his brush to remove thousands of years of dust from the edge of something leaning against the back wall. Peter jumped in and the two of them began to reveal a piece of hammered gold plate with Coptic script on it. Peter translated slowly as each character was uncovered.

  “It seems to be a riddle,” Peter said as the plate was completely uncovered. “The best that I can tell, it seems to say something like: Oh wise king, answer if you will this enigma I present to you. From thy own land to the Nubians fled a man whose burden makes his envy grow. Because of that burden which bears the seal of your father’s strong hand, this man will come to reclaim his land. There may be some other things there with a more careful analysis, but right now, I’d bet money that the translation is roughly that.”

  “Could this be Peter’s Riddle of Riddles?” Jonathan asked.

  “It might well be,” Phoe responded. “So, what do we do with it? It mentions a seal, but it seems to be the seal of David, his father, not of Solomon.”

  “Biblically speaking,” Eric began. “When you consider the three invaders that God sent in order to punish Solomon, there was one who came out of Edom and fled before Joab, who was certainly considered David’s strong hand. According to what’s recorded in 1 Kings, chapter eleven, Hadad the Edomit was taken in by the Pharaoh. He supposedly hid there among the Egyptians until Joab was no longer a threat. He was then one of the three invaders that God raised up against Solomon. Perhaps Sheba already knew of his secret plot?”

  “How does that help us with finding Solomon’s Seal?” Phoe asked.

  She was surprised, not by the answer, but from whom it came.

  “Well, if there were three invaders set against Solomon,” Jonathan suggested, “then I think that it is worth looking into the possibility that each of the invaders might have had the opportunity to carry the seal away from Solomon to wherever they went afterwards.”

  “I’m impressed.” Phoe smiled. “So, where did
Hadad go after his attempt to take over the throne?” She turned to Eric.

  “We actually don’t know what became of Hadad,” Eric responded.

  “But we would have to assume that he would return to Egypt, right?” Peter suggested.

  “Good of a place as any to start,” Phoe agreed. “To Cairo, then?”

  Chapter Eight

  For it happened, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury the slain, after he had killed every male in Edom (because for six months Joab remained there with all Israel, until he had cut down every male in Edom), that Hadad fled to go to Egypt, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him. Hadad was still a little child. Then they arose from Midian and came to Paran; and they took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house, apportioned food for him, and gave him land. And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him as wife the sister of his own wife, that is, the sister of Queen Tahpenes. Then the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh.

  So when Hadad heard in Egypt that David rested with his fathers, and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.” – 1 Kings, Chapter 11.

  The Hanging Church in Egypt was called such because it was built on the southern gate of the Roman Fortress. Logs of palm trees and layers of stones were constructed above the ruins of the Roman fortress to be used as a fundament. The Hanging Church was a unique church and has a wooden roof in the shape of Noah’s ark. From the 7th century to the 13th century, the Hanging Church served as the residence of the Coptic Patriarch. It is also sometimes referred to as the Suspended Church or Al-Moallaqa and is a major architectural feature in Coptic Cairo.

  Rather than dragging along the entire crew to visit the church, Phoe had suggested that Jonathan and Peter come along with her so that they didn’t overwhelm the administrator of the relics when they went to interview him. Guy, of course, would not hear of being left out and so, Jonathan, respecting her wish to keep the group small, bowed out of going with them. It bothered Phoe, because she felt like Jonathan had been making a major effort to do more than his share for the team, but she needed Peter’s skills and experience and didn’t feel like it was in their best interest to make the switch.

  “We can take four, Jon,” she suggested.

  “Nah,” he replied with a wink. “It’s not a big deal. Besides, Jeremy, Eric and I need to catch up on some drinking and watchin’ babes.”

  “Yeah, right. You guys are going to be working on background research and trying to dig up some more clues for us,” she chuckled. She knew her team and was certain that they’d stay focused while she was out.

  “That’s what I meant to say,” Jonathan laughed. “I need to stay here and make sure these guys don’t goof off.”

  “Okay.” She smiled. “We’ll be calling for background if we run into something interesting, so be ready. There’s no telling what we’ll dig up or if we’re chasing another dead end.”

  The administrator of the relics at the Hanging Church greeted them with an eager smile, remembering Phoe, specifically, from Lalibel when she went to give her opinion on the ark. Though she could not remember all of the faces of the officials who surrounded her, she acted as though she recognized Fr. Jacob Soliman and greeted him with a warm smile and embrace. It certainly wouldn’t hurt their chances of getting the best information possible out of their host.

  “It is quite an honor to have someone like you visiting our humble cathedral.” He beamed. “Though I’m afraid that we have no relics to rival the Ark of the Covenant.”

  “Let me introduce my right hand man, Peter,” Phoe said. “And you might already be familiar with Alfred Guy Phillips of Castle Picton in Wales. He’s teamed up with us on our expedition.”

  Fr. Soliman shook Peter’s hand and bowed slightly as he greeted him. As he took Guy’s hand, he wrinkled his brow as he took him in. “No, I’m afraid that I’m not at all familiar with Mr. Phillips.”

  She stole a glance at Peter when she saw the disappointment in Phillips’ eyes. It wasn’t often that he had to play second fiddle and it was quite obvious that he wasn’t happy about it.

  “You said on the phone that you were searching for a particularly elusive artifact and that there might be documents or relics in our possession that might help lead you to it?” Fr. Soliman asked. “Come this way. We’ll go into the library where we can be more comfortable.”

  Peter allowing Phillips to go in front of him didn’t set well with the arrogant aristocrat either. It was customary for him to be the amiable gentleman, however Since Peter wouldn’t budge, he was forced to step forward and lead their party.

  Peter had purposely allowed Phillips to go first. He hung back a little so that he could whisper in Phoe’s ear. “You enjoyed that way too much.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said in a matching tone. Her satisfied smile, however, told a different story. She had enjoyed watching him squirm and was thoroughly enjoying bringing him down to her level. Though, in reality, she preferred to believe that he was coming up to hers.

  In truth, Phillips had turned out to be okay, in a professional capacity. And with her team surrounding her 24/7, she didn’t have much worry about being around him alone on a social level. Consequently, she’d grown to tolerate him and, in a way, respect his expertise. She could not shake, however, the feeling that he was a little bit creepy underneath it all. His eyes and his oily tone when they first met had told her that something else was hidden beneath that aristocratic air and she was sure that whatever it was, it was something to be avoided.

  Once the group was seated in the library, Fr. Soliman folded his hands in front of him and looked directly at Phoe. “So, how can I help you, Miss Phoenix?”

  “We ran across a riddle that the Queen of Sheba allegedly sent to Solomon concerning one of the invaders that would come out of Egypt. I believe his name was Hadad the Edomite in the biblical text. That brought us to you to examine whatever documents or relics you might have in your vault that might link him to the item that we’re looking for.”

  “There were three invaders, of course you are aware, but, yes, Hadad the Edomite was taken into the Pharoah’s house, granted land and even given his wife’s sister to marry. He left Egypt to go back to Israel and reclaim his rights or for vengeance or whatever the case was and he was used by God as a part of His punishment for Solomon’s love of foreign idols. But, without knowing what particular item you’re seeking, it’s hard for me to know where I need to look.”

  Phoe looked around and leaned forward. “You understand that I am sanctioned by the Vatican to find this particular item and my employer wants this to remain highly confidential, right?”

  “Understood,” he replied, leaning forward and matching her tone.

  “My team is charged with locating and returning to the Vatican…” She hesitated a moment and then finished the statement. “The Seal of Solomon.”

  “Mercy,” Fr. Soliman gasped. “That is quite a charge. One that became extremely popular with occultic practices, witchcraft and sorcery in medieval times. There are many of them, you know…”

  “Yes, we know,” Guy said with a tone of irritation in his voice. It was time for him to become the center of attention. He’d been pushed aside as a secondary member of the group for as long as he could stand it. “My father and I have a collection of 44 of them that was handed down to me from my great, great grandfather, Sir Henry Solomon Wellcome. We are well aware of them and the role that each is said to play. However, we are looking for the specific signet ring of King Solomon; the one that he actually wore on his finger.”

  “I wasn’t aware that there was any such ring, though I’m sure he had some sort of signet ring, being a head of state and certainly having t
he necessity of such a seal. None of our documents or relics would lead you to that, I quite certain. We do have a Moroccan ring bearing the Star of David in our possession. It has an interesting history to it and you are welcome to take a look at it, but I don’t know if it will be helpful to you. Would you like to examine it?”

  “We would indeed,” Phillips responded sharply.

  Fr. Soliman, giving deference to Phoe, who was the one who had actually been charged with finding the ring and with whom he was familiar, glanced at her and awaited her response.

  The slight did not go unnoticed by Phillips and he glared at the priest, though he said nothing.

  “Certainly, it couldn’t hurt,” Phoe said, smiling. She was enjoying being able to put Phillips in his place. “It, no doubt, has some characteristics of the period that might duplicate a ring from a similar time.”

  “I cannot assure you that it is from the same time period,” Fr. Soliman replied, rising from his chair before disappearing through a doorway, likely the location of the vault where holy relics and documents were stored. He was gone several minutes before returning with an ornate, golden case, which he set on the table in front of him. He crossed himself and then reverently lifted the lid of the case. He crossed himself again and looked up at the others, who mimicked the gesture.

  Once satisfied that all was proper, Fr. Soliman pushed the box bearing the Moroccan ring in front of Phoe.

  Chapter Nine

  With Peter hovering near, Phoe began her study of the Moroccan ring. It was simple enough and in many ways quite unimpressive, given the way that it was presented in the ornate golden case and resting in the plush silk that lined the box and provided the cushion and tied to keep it from being jostled about. There was little doubt, by the condition of the tarnished gold of which the ring was crafted, that she was looking at a very old relic, but it seemed much too dull to be the ring of a king. It was circular with dash marks about 1/2 of a centimeter in length around the raised border. Inside of the border was the six-sided Star of David, also raised above the underlying surface. That was it. There was no fancy script or additional design of any kind. Phoe held back her comments and passed the relic along to Guy.