The Princess of Cordoba

by Veronica Sparks

  TIME CRYSTAL

  The Princess of Cordoba

  By

  Veronica Sparks

  Copyright © 2019

  Contents

  TIME CRYSTAL

  Copyright © 2019

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Preview

  Copyright © 2019

  Veronica Sparks - All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events or locales or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  He wiped his brow with his forearm and ignored the intensity of the sun’s rays as he adjusted the wide brim of his hat. He could feel the sweat sticking to the back of his shirt, but he continued reading over his notes unbothered by the harsh summer heat. He had a gut feeling that he and the rest of the crew were on to something. It was just a matter of time...he thought to himself scratching his chin, absently. He felt more than just stubble there and realized that he had been so engrossed in his work over the past two weeks that he had inadvertently grown a beard.

  “Professor!” he heard someone call out. He turned in the direction of the voice he recognized instantly. After all, she was the only female member of the crew, so her voice was easily distinguishable from the others. It was Jennifer, one of the graduate students he had volunteered to mentor over the summer. He had done it as a favor for his own mentor, a retired archaeology professor at the University of Edinburgh where James had earned his master’s degree. At first, he had been reluctant to bring a “newbie” into the field, but Jennifer was proving to be an asset to the team.

  As she approached, he noticed that her face showed a mixture of excitement and dismay. James knew what that meant: They had found something.

  Placing his notes down on the makeshift table near the digging site, he rose from his seat on a large boulder and bounded down to meet the young woman. “Let me guess: You found something?”

  A wide smile crossed her face as she nodded, “You were right. About everything!” she said excitedly. “You have to come see this. It’s unbelievable.”

  The young woman’s enthusiasm was contagious. James realized that even after years of working as an archaeologist, he would never get tired of that giddy feeling when unearthing something new.

  She led him through the excavation site that from afar might have appeared to be just a roped off area full of large stones and dirt. But if one looked closely, just below the surface sat the beginning of the excavation of what James surmised was an entire town that history had forgotten.

  And as Jennifer led him through the site, she continued to talk, unable to curb her excitement. It was quite a change since silence was her usual M.O.

  “Your mind is going to be blown! Just wait until you see this. I swear, it’s unbelievable. It’s like the stuff you only read about, but you know, think will never happen to you. I can’t wait to tell my parents. They’re going to be thrilled. This is crazy!”

  James smiled politely, but his thoughts were elsewhere as they approached the rest of the team who had their backs to them. He noticed some of the crew were taking pictures and others were squatting down staring at something in front of them.

  “What’d you guys find?” he called out.

  “Go see for yourself,” Jennifer said with a self-satisfied smile. James approached the others and was about to step around them, when one of the crewmen grabbed his arm.

  “Careful, man” he said, pushing James back.

  It was then that James realized that he had only been inches from falling into what seemed to be a large hole in the ground. The hole was at least as wide as a small car and just as long.

  He carefully stepped around the dark hole that led to what he could only guess was an underground cavern. He couldn’t yet see into it, but tried in vain, hoping his flashlight would illuminate something in the darkness. It failed to.

  “I’m going down there,” James announced.

  “It’s too dangerous,” protested one of the other archaeologists assigned to the dig. He was a nervous looking fellow who was a full-time faculty member at a well-known university in Italy. Unfortunately, James could never remember his name.

  “You stay up here and make sure I don’t get buried alive. And as long as I don’t, I’ll be in and out in five minutes. No big deal.”

  The Italian shook his head and the other crew members looked equally reluctant to participate in James’ plan.

  “For God's sake, man. We don’t know what caused that hole. We’re archaeologists, not geologists. This could be a sinkhole of some kind and you’re just ready to jump right into it?”

  James nodded, unperturbed. “That’s exactly what I plan to do. Can I get some rope?”

  “Way ahead of you,” said Jennifer. She was standing there with rope over her shoulder.

  “At least someone here has some balls besides me,” James mumbled to himself and then grimaced, “No offense, Jenny.”

  “No offense taken, sir. You ready?”

  James nodded, “Let’s do this.”

  “Here,” said one of the crewmen to Jennifer, “We’ll help you secure the rope.”

  James left them to it and made his way to the opposite end of the excavation site where they had set up camp. He moseyed through his tent, picking up a few tools and a more powerful flashlight. His mind was racing, thoughts of what the inner cavern could contain at the forefront of his mind.

  Lost in thought, he didn’t notice the Italian professor waiting for him outside his tent until he loudly cleared his throat.

  James looked over at him but didn’t break stride. The professor struggled to keep up with him in his stiff cargo pants, packed with various brushes.

  “I think you should reconsider, James. This is a liability. If the Spanish government found out----”

  “How would they find out? Do you plan to tell them?”

  “I think they have a right to know----”

  “The right to know that there’s a hole in the ground?” James asked humorlessly.

  The professor stopped walking then and James paused to look at him.

  “I refuse to mince words with you, James. I would just like to go on record saying that I do not, and will not, support this reckless decision of yours.”

  “Duly noted,” James said turning away. He could see that the crewmembers and Jennifer had now secured the rope in place.

  “Ready?” he asked Jennifer and the others.

  They gave him a thumbs up. Avoiding the thunderous expression on the Italian professor’s face, James secured himself to the rope and the crew slowly lowered him into the gaping hole.

  As he clung to the rope, he shone his flashlight into the hole, noting that it was about 15 feet deep. Once his feet touched bottom, he called up to the others that he was fine. Still tethered to the rope, he slowly took stock of his surroundings.

  “Everything ok down there, Professor Dunbar?” a voice shouted from the mouth of the hole.

  James didn’t answer. He was too focused on the sight in front of him. He seemed to be inside of a long-ago collapsed structure. A structure that seemed to have once upon a time been someone’s home.

  With the little light he could muster from his flashlight, he shone the beam in a full circle around him, careful to avoid venturing too far into the cavern. He didn’t want to unintentionally cause a cave in. Speaking of a cave in, he wondered to himself how long the
house had been buried underground. From the looks of things, he figured at least several hundred years, but something about the structure made him think that perhaps it had been longer.

  He slowly lowered himself to a squatting position and peered down at the ground. His flashlight had picked up something shiny. A coin maybe? He thought to himself. He knew coins were a popular find in this part of Southern Spain, not too far outside of Cordoba. In fact, it was a found coin from the 1700s that had led the archaeological world to believe something more was buried here.

  So far, they had only found foundations of homes and the like, but now that this inner chamber had been found, it was a complete game changer.

  “Professor?” his student called again, pulling James from his thoughts.

  “I need more light, Jenny. Do you have anything up there that you can toss me?”

  “Let me check,” Jenny replied. The hole James stood in was dark and dusty. His clothes, boots, and face were covered in dust particles. But he didn’t care. Nor did he notice it. As far as he was concerned, he had bigger things to focus on. He scanned the floor again, his foot this time catching on something. He brought his flashlight closer, seeing something small again reflecting in the light. He began to brush away at the dirt surrounding the object and eventually dislodged it.

  It was warm in his hand, he noted. He frowned, not sure what to make of that. He rubbed it against his shirt, noting that as the dirt fell away, it appeared to be some sort of crystal. Yet, as he shone his flashlight on it, he could tell that something was off. He rubbed at it again and the crystal burned into his skin. He opened his hand to drop it when the dirt below him stirred. He attempted to stand, but the air around him seemed to become thinner, making it difficult for him to see, let alone breathe.

  “Professor, here’s another flashlight,” Jenny said coming back to the hole.

  When she didn’t hear a reply, she called again, “Professor Dunbar, sir?”

  The crewmen and Jenny exchanged confused, concerned looks.

  “Pull him up, pull him up!” cried the Italian professor and quickly they attempted to do what they were told.

  It was no use. Professor Dunbar was no longer at the end of the rope.

  Chapter Two

  She stared up at the sky, watching the clouds form and shift above her. The birds flying high above seemed to be frolicking in the wind, carefree and uninhibited, as they flitted from one tree to the other. Ariana watched them with envy. She found herself admiring their freedom to do as they pleased, when they pleased.

  “Victoria, is it odd that I wish I were a bird?” Ariana asked turning to her lady in waiting who was busy brushing leaves from her plentiful skirts. Victoria hated the outdoors and would stay inside eating cakes all day if it weren’t for Ariana’s insistence on spending time in the garden.

  Victoria sighed. “Most of what you wish for is odd.”

  She took no offense at Victoria’s words. Ariana laughed knowing Victoria was right.

  Ariana had known Victoria her whole life, and she was Ariana’s only trusted confidant. More than that, she was her only friend in a world full of false friends and pomp and circumstance that Ariana found distasteful and boring and falsehoods that she found disconcerting. But ultimately this was her world whether she wanted to be part of it or not.

  “You know what I wish for more than anything else, Victoria?”

  “I do not know, but I am certain you will tell me.”

  Ariana loved Victoria’s contrary countenance and direct manner of speaking. Of course, she spoke to no one else in such a way because it was considered unlady-like. “I wish more than anything that I was enough for my father. I wish that he did not wish for a son more than he wishes to breathe. More than anything, I wish I did not have to marry.”

  Silence descended between the two women. Victoria didn’t know what to say, but Ariana didn’t expect her to say anything. It was a discussion that they frequently had.

  “You’re a princess,” Victoria said feeling sadness for her friend. “You have to marry. You must do what is expected.”

  “But should I not have a choice?” Ariana’s throat felt tight and she struggled to hold back tears. She was not one to display emotion, but today she felt raw inside. Today began the first day of the rest of her life...a life she did not want. At least, not like this.

  Victoria’s heart hurt for her young friend, but it wasn’t her place to fill the princess’ head with hope and silliness. Ariana’s life’s purpose had been predetermined for her and it was Victoria’s responsibility to ensure Ariana fulfilled that purpose. “You are the most fortunate woman in this kingdom. Anyone would want to lead the life you live.”

  “A life of being told who to love?”

  Victoria scoffed, “Some things are more important than love.”

  “What’s more important than love?” Ariana asked.

  “Power,” Victoria said shortly. “And your father understands that.”

  Ariana shook her head, “Power does not bring happiness.”

  “Happiness is for young babes,” Victoria countered making a face. She was always honest with Ariana and didn’t understand why marrying a prince would cause Ariana such woe. Victoria willingly accepted her station in life. She didn’t understand why her friend didn’t accept her own. She felt lucky to be a lady in waiting. Lucky to live in the castle and have food, shelter, and warmth. But she always felt Ariana was different from every other girl she knew. Ariana was always fanciful and stubborn. Traits that would have gotten her in trouble if it weren’t for the fact that she was a princess. And what sane person wouldn’t want to be a princess?

  “Come now,” Victoria said not wanting to have this discussion yet again with Ariana. “We must return to your chambers. You have obligations this evening.”

  Ariana groaned and stood up. By obligations, she knew Victoria was referring to tonight’s soiree. It was the first of many planned to celebrate her upcoming nuptials. Prince Ferdinand and his father were due to arrive anytime now. She hated the King, but his son was even worse. Prince Ferdinand was stuffy, spoiled, and a genuinely unhappy man. To know she was promised to him made her stomach turn.

  But she would do what she must. She was a princess, after all. She dusted her skirts, knowing that her father would not be pleased to see her covered in leaves and twigs.

  Speaking of her father, she heard horses approaching from the distance and knew exactly who the riders would be.

  As if on cue, her father, the king, stopped his steed a few feet from Victoria and Ariana. And directly behind him, on his own horse, was her father’s most trusted advisor, Maximiliano. Maximiliano was a wealthy Italian merchant whose seafaring ways had impressed her father so much that he had given Maximiliano a position in his court. And now, he was a ubiquitous figure, always in the vicinity of her father, listening and watching. He rarely spoke, but that didn’t stop Ariana from deeply disliking him. She did not trust him. He seemed too calculating for her comfort.

  Victoria quickly bowed and Ariana wish she had a tree to hide behind. The look of disapproval on her father’s face said so much. He was a short man whose small stature was forgotten since his countenance was formidable. Most people feared him. Sometimes, Ariana feared him, though she would never admit it.

  “Hello, Father.”

  “Ariana, why are you not preparing for our guests?”

  “I was---”

  “Silence,” he said dismissively. He then turned to Victoria, “Is it not your responsibility to ensure she is ready?”

  Staring at the ground, Victoria nodded, “Yes, sire. I humbly ask your forgiveness. We were returning to the palace---”

  “The fault lies with me, Father,” Ariana cut in, “If you want to find someone culpable than look no further than me.”

  Ariana hated when her father derided Victoria. And she felt responsible that it was happening now, in front of her.

  He narrowed his eyes, “You will learn your place soon,
Ariana. I am your father, but I am also your King. You will address me when I deem fit.”

  Ariana opened her mouth to give a stinging retort, but felt Victoria pull at her hand. She shot Ariana a pleading glance. Ariana knew Victoria was afraid of the king. Out of compassion for her friend, she guarded her tongue.

  Instead, she bowed in an exaggerated fashion while saying, “As you wish, my lord.”

  The horse snorted as if he too knew she was mocking her father and she resisted a giggle. She raised her hand and pet the dark steed that she had cared for since he was babe.

  Her father yanked the horse’s nose from under Ariana’s gentle touch, much to the horse’s consternation.

  Ariana shot her father a seething look. He did not acknowledge it. He wordlessly turned the steed around and rode away. Maximiliano followed suit, but not without giving Ariana a mocking, parting smile.

  “I wish you would not challenge him so,” Victoria said raising her skirts, as to not get them dirty as she stomped away. Ariana struggled to keep up with her lady in waiting’s pace.

  “Someone needs to challenge him.”

  “But does that someone always need to be you?”

  Ariana nodded decisively and Victoria struggled to not laugh. Her charge was brave and loyal, so how could she possibly be mad?

  They made their way to the palace through Ariana’s preferable route, the kitchens. She enjoyed socializing with what her father called commoners. Victoria did not want to allow it, but Ariana had insisted since she was a little girl. It was easier to give in to Ariana’s requests than resist them Victoria had found out early on.

  This time, as they moved through the kitchens, there was almost a chaotic feel to the normally calming atmosphere. People Ariana did not even recognize made their way to and fro. Plates were piled high with breads and cheeses. The smells that filled the air made Ariana’s stomach growl.

  “Maybe there is one shining light in this whole farce of a marriage,” Ariana whispered to Victoria.