His demeanor softened as we sat under the shade of the tree. Another layer of this man I didn't expect seeing.
"I realized I was lying to myself; That I am fulfilling someone else's dream and not my own. Life is too short to not go after what your heart desires."
"So you enrolled in Archaeology."
"Not quite. My father would disown me. I met Professor Keating at a benefit some time back, and he offered to teach me in the evenings. Night school so to speak, except, it was at his house and one-on-one with one of the country's most respected Archeology professors. In exchange, I would be his wife's physician and see to it that she gets the best treatment possible under my supervision."
"Melanie. She died last year of colon cancer. It was awful."
"Yes. Melanie. She fought a good fight right till the end."
I catch myself scratching the beginnings of a heart with the stick in the sand in front of me. But I stop and quickly wipe it clean with my foot. Stupid girl. So he's spilling his guts and giving me some soppy story about his life. No reason to now carve out hearts like some silly teenager!
"And that's it. The whole truth and nothing but the truth. So when your father's situation came up, Keating approached me. I couldn't say no. He's still teaching me at night, even long after his wife passed. Yes, quite possibly because he'd kill two birds with one stone but is that so bad? The guy cares about your father, and you and I happened to be available and experienced on both levels. Ok fully experienced in the medical field and somewhat experienced in the chaser field, but you get the drift."
Darn it. Does our jungle doctor always have to be so bloody right about everything? And cute on top of it.
"You got that right. You still have lots to learn about chasing, but I suppose you're right. I easily would've done the same, had I been in your shoes. But get this straight Mr. Quinn. I don't do well with liars. No more secrets okay? If we're going to do this expedition together, we can't be keeping anything from each other. I need to know that you have my back and that I can trust you. I have a sneaky suspicion things could get very messy and out here... you end up dead."
"Deal." spitting into his hand and holding it out for me to shake.
"Okay, that's pushing it a tad too far. For sure you've been in the bush too long. Let's get on with it. We have a long walk ahead of us, and before you know it, the sun will be at its highest."
The next two hours our conversation took on a much lighter tone as we got to know each other. Quinn told me about his controlling father and his childhood. How his mother sneaked adventure books into his room. How she managed to sign him up for scouts without his dad ever finding out about it. About his best friend who got hit by an oncoming drunk driver while out cycling and how much he misses him. How the two of them grew up together chasing the same dreams. Their regular secret escapades in the nearby woods on an imaginary quest finding make believe hidden treasures and ancient relics. How he was like a brother to him and how his death left an empty void.
Several times through our conversations I find myself wanting to hug him and tell him it'll all be okay. Somehow, he has touched the tender side of me. I am going to let him in. Just a little.
I find myself pondering how terrible it had to be for him growing up in a home where no one ever supported his dreams. My parents never once forced me to follow in their footsteps. On the contrary, they tried nudging me out of it. 'Perhaps you should find something safer to do in life. Like a teacher or curator,' my mother always said. Ironically, now that I'm thinking about it, it was the very thing from which she ran. Her parents practically disowned her when she went off on her first expedition. Gramps insisted she become a teacher too, but she defied him and left on a study group through uni. Good thing it was too. It's where she met Dad. They seemed to have hit it off from the get-go. Soulmates they said.
Does that even exist? Can it be that in the entire universe there is only one person destined to spend your whole life with you? One soul. Kindred spirits. Thinking the same, finishing each other's sentences, picking from each other's plates.
This soulmate stuff sounds utterly ridiculous.
Chapter Six
3 Years ago - Izzy Hunt
"Charles! Hurry. I think we found something. Look!"
"Bleeding blazers Izzy. Can it be? Eric, bring over the camera. Quick!"
"Be careful Charles. We don't know in what condition it is. Here, perhaps the margin trowel will work better. Ca-a-a-reful."
My breath catches somewhere between my lungs and my throat. I pay attention to Charles as he meticulously scoops away the spoil from what looks to be some weapon.
"Is it a piece of some sword, you think?"
"Hmm, hard to tell at this stage but it's too short for a sword. Unless the blade broke off or something."
"Ah then maybe a knife? It was one of the most popular weapons back then. Do you realize this could very well be it, Charles? Finally! I mean, if this weapon is from Rhapta then that means it would have to be somewhere here. If we find it, we would be unlocking an immense amount of lost history. A history that the world dooms to bury forever. Do you know what that means?"
He chuckles a bit. "Of course I do Izzy my dear but let's just see first shall we?”
I think I was fifteen or sixteen maybe when I first heard about 'the city that vanished into thin air.' I remember how my father sat in his chair clicking all sorts of funny sounds with his tongue. He read it in the paper and mumbled inaudible words to himself.
'Sweetheart' he said. 'Perhaps you'll be the one to find the lost treasures one day. Then I can finally go on retirement and take your mother on that boat trip she's always nagging me about.'
Little did he know, that his one single sentence would set me on a course of a life-long adventure. Determined, I made it my quest to get them that boat trip. I was so intrigued and fired up I spent hours in my room planning my exploration. I conjured fantasies of climbing through chasms and secret chambers in my quest to find the Lost city of Rhapta. I as much as lived at the library doing research and plotting my course. Now, years on, they have both passed, and I never did manage to get them that boat trip of which they dreamed. Oh daddy, if only you were alive still and could see how close we are now.
"Well, I'll be damned."
Charles sat back, hands on knees and cap in hand staring at the ground.
"Blimey Izzy. It's an ancient weapon indeed. Pinch me. I must be dreaming."
We've been at it so long it almost became mechanical. Like breathing. Something you just do without thinking about it. Day in and day out in the treacherous African sun. None of us ever thought of quitting. We all just keep going in the hope and anticipation that someday... one day... we will find the lost city of Rhapta.
"We need to keep digging Charles. If we found this, then we might have hit the spot. There must be more." I contain myself somewhat.
"Easy there trooper. You can't rush these things. We have to clean this up very gently. Eric, peg this off but be careful not to step just anywhere."
"Yes, sir."
I giggle. Charles always succeeds in keeping me together. I can charge like one of these African wildebeest without a second thought of the consequences. He seems to have the patience of Noah when he had to build the ark. There's no way I'm taking seventy-five years looking to find Rhapta. No way! Charles has been at it for years by this time. He was long since at it when we first met in his final year at uni. Those were my tumultuous years when daddy freaked out about me switching majors. Somehow, through the daunting teenage years and breakout parties, I managed to receive a scholarship. Something my father boasted about for years as the first in a line of family members to ever study at a University.
It was love at first sight, Charles and I. During hazing I was meant to carry his books around and call him 'Master Charles, The Helper of the Cows.' It was a joke playing on the real Charles, Prince of Wales' tribal name given to him during his then recent trip to Tanzania. Quite apt now that I thi
nk of it. As soon as we dipped the corners he would take his books from me and carry it himself in secret. We would sit for hours under the trees in the garden deciphering the myths and new clues found by the earlier researchers in Tanzania.
"We should just do the dig ourselves" he joked one day.
"Sure. I mean why not? If they can do it, we can do it better right?"
"Indeed Izzy. I feel it in my bones. The two of us will find Rhapta as sure as eagles fly. Together as one team, we will go down in history for the greatest discovery yet!."
And with that, he somehow managed to persuade the chancellor to sponsor a small group of us to fly to Africa in the hope of making the discovery. It would have the University go down in history for discovering the world's most coveted lost ancient city.
The next couple of years I found myself flying back and forth alongside Charles who, after graduating went on to become the uni's top Archaeological Professor. It was kind of unavoidable for me to not go with him on all his expeditions, being his steady girlfriend and all. Thinking back now, I think the girls would've given their left ovaries for the privilege of being by the infamous Professor Hunt's side. I grin.
"And that smile Izzy? What's going through that pretty head of yours?" still carefully brushing and cleaning off the relic.
"Oh, nothing Charles. I was just thinking back on our journey together."
"And what a journey we've had, my love. But the best is still to come. I can feel it in my bones."
I crack a belly laugh. "You always say that Charles. But this time, I think my bones agree."
We both sport a laugh so loud and infectious that the excited crew laughs with not having the foggiest clue as to why they are laughing. Of course, that sets us off giggling even more. We do always laugh together. It is the one thing we take most pride in with our marriage. Laughter is good. It somehow cleanses the soul of all nasties and has helped us overcome many arguments over silly things.
Thirty minutes later the relic is every inch excavated from the soil, completely unscathed.
"It's a beaut, Izzy! I am almost certain it dates back about 1800 years or so. I can't be sure until we run the tests, but it looks as if it is ivory?"
"I would agree with you, Charles. There are striking similarities to it being ivory. I mean it's not impossible knowing that they mainly traded in ivory and tortoiseshell. But see these jagged edges. That must have been hand carved. They would have needed their tools to be able to slice the meat from their hunts. Baboon, Hippo and so on. Their skins are quite tough."
"You're a walking encyclopedia Izzy; you know that? I love you!" smacking a kiss full on my forehead with excitement.
"It's how you got me into all this remember?"
"Ah, you love chasing, Izzy. You might have started out researching, but I saw that twinkle in your eyes when we first went to Egypt. You have that hunger in you. Never needed any persuasion from me to go on any of our relic chases. Excavating is one thing, but chasing! You're a natural my love. You have that instinct no textbook can ever teach you. How many students have you seen come and go hey? They all think they have what it takes. After the fortunes, if you ask me. But patience. Ha. That's the one thing this job of ours tests you at the most. And that daughter of ours. Let me tell you. She has it in her too. Chip off the old block."
I smile with glee. Charles is right of course. I love chasing relics. The sheer danger and excitement are enough to make a cat laugh. Those days when I was pregnant with Alexandra, and she was still small, I missed it. It was a void I battled to fill with only researching and watching from the sidelines. Not that I would ever give up those days with Alexandra for anything in the world! She was a miracle child after all.
If I think how we battled to fall pregnant; All those doctors visits and pills and potions in the hope that I would fall pregnant. Africa became our solace. Our way of escaping London and the sadness and pressure of wanting a child so desperately. Working hours and hours in complete silence, side by side. Busying ourselves with our ongoing quest for finding Rhapta. Somehow our Swahili tribe became our family and gave us the much-needed encouragement. Perhaps the fact that I couldn't speak much Swahili was a blessing in disguise. Back home it was a constant, 'I'm so sorry Izzy.' and 'why don't you just get a puppy or two.' As if.
I find myself looking across our campsite to Alexandra. With a new found hunger she is aggressively hitting the keys on her laptop. Eager to acquire as much information as possible on our latest discovery. She has been nothing but a beautiful blessing to us. A delightful young woman with the same burning fire in her heart. She was worth the wait, that's for sure, and now, in hindsight, I would drink the Sangoma's disgusting tasting magic potion again in a heartbeat.
How time flies. Look at my daughter. It was just yesterday; Shortly after we found the first pieces of pottery by the river. We all went out to celebrate, and before I knew it, I was sitting in front of the crazy looking witch lady. Drunken state and all.
I stroll over to Alexandra and lean over her shoulder.
"Find anything yet sweets?"
"Nah, nothing much. At least nothing more than we know by now. The first batch of tests is running since earlier so we should at least know for sure if it is ivory or not. Once that's established, it's fair to say it could very well be a Rhapta relic."
"Oh, Alexandra! A relic such as this one is a great find. We are so close I can feel it!"
"Izzy!! Come quick. They found something else. Alexandra. Bring your computer, my girl. We're going to need those fancy programs of yours on this one."
We both rush over to where Charles and Eric hunch over something in the ground.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Not sure love. In all my years I haven't quite seen anything like it. It is a wooden box of some sort, but there is no opening to a lid or keyhole or latch. Nothing. Just a piece of wood."
"Hang on. Let me clean it up a bit more. Hand me that small brush, please? "
With a steady hand, I brush off all the debris and sand while they all watched with bated breath. It doesn't take long to excavate to the max, and a small, rectangular wooden box reveals itself. It is so quiet I can hear my cells dividing.
"Hand-carved for certain."
"It would have been ebony wood. They carved anything and everything from ebony and then polished it till it shone. Masks, household items, animals... pretty much anything frankly." Alexandra volunteers, just beaming with enthusiasm. "See if you can open it though. They used to hide things of value in boxes like these and then buried them."
Talk about an encyclopedia. This child of ours is a born historian. Where she stores all that information only she knows.
"Hmm. This box is a strange one though Alexandra. Look here. I can't seem to find an opening anywhere. I've never seen anything like it. It's solidly closed off on all the sides."
"Here, let me see."
I watch my daughter meticulously inspect the wooden box and minutes later she jumps up.
"Oh, my gosh Dad! Do you realize what this is?" with the excitement likened to opening presents on Christmas morning.
"It's an ancient puzzle box! Do you know what this MEANS? They only ever put items of significant value in these! Trade Secrets, Family heirlooms or keys to hidden treasure. I've only read about these and seen pictures of one found in Egypt but to hold it? I can't wait to tell Jelani. He's going to freak out."
"Well? Can you open it dear? We'd all like to see how this gadget works and if there is, in fact, anything hidden inside."
"It's not that easy Dad. It's most often crafted with extreme precision and has hidden sliders and drawers and latches. It's a combination of a safe. I have to follow a perfectly executed sequence, or it goes nowhere. Like those Rubix cubes. It can take hours. Days even. Not to mention that it has been buried in the ground for centuries. There's just no way of knowing how long yet. It might take me a bit, but I'll figure it out."
"I don't doubt that for a minute sweets. You're not ou
r daughter for nothing." flashing her a wink-smile.
Over the next couple of hours, we work the site inch by inch in the hope of finding more relics. Alexandra, on the other hand, ferociously continues at it with the box. A successful day indeed! Two remarkable relics in ONE day? Archaeologists can go at it for weeks, months or even years and not find a single artifact.
I look up at Charles also beaming from ear to ear.
"You know what's happening here don't you Charles?"
"Oh, I know love. Once Alexandra opens that box we're going to have to start the chase. If it is an old safe as she says, then chances are there would be some clue in there. Hopefully, one more clue leading us to Rhapta. Let's push another hour before we finish off today, just in case we find one more. It always happens in three's remember? Tomorrow the crew can carry on with the dig, and we can plan whereto from here."
He looks at me with a squinting smile while dusting between the pegs.
"You just can't wait can you?" packing a laugh
He's right of course. I love strapping on my boots and crawling through caves.
"You know me too well Charles Benjamin Hunt. I'm running on pure adrenaline right now. How I'm even going to sleep tonight is left to be seen. What's more is that all three of us are together this time. If you think I have ants in my pants, wait until that daughter of ours figures out that box and opens it. She has not put it down once since we found it. It's a matter of time before she cracks it."
"Yes. That daughter of ours is bitten all right and may I just add a walking Wiki-thing."
"You mean Wikipedia."
Charles is old-fashioned. Still trying to get acquainted with all this online stuff.
"Exactly. Wikipedia. I have a sneaky feeling we might need to decipher more than just a box though. I can feel it in my bones."
ALEX HUNT and the Chase for Rhapta Page 6