by Summer Lee
Saeem swore. “Don’t ask me.” He batted his eyes. “I am sorry, my friends, but I cannot fathom what is happening and frankly, I choose not to speculate.”
Achava glared at Sam. “Was it you, Samuel Godfrey? Did you do this?”
She intimidated him for the first time since she met him. He frowned. “Achava? Are you alright? You look… different.”
“I’m fine!” she snapped. “Answer my question!”
She felt the anger swell up within her. She fought off envy, but she didn’t know for how long. She assumed that somehow Sam had transported them to the Garden. If that were so, that would mean that he had supernatural power. Perhaps her powers were transferred to Sam.
“Tell me what you did,” she said, beating on his chest. “Confess.”
“If I did this thing, I didn’t do it on purpose,” he said firmly, as he looked to Saeem for an answer. Maybe he knew what caused her to have a change of attitude. “Help me out.”
Saeem shrugged his shoulders. “We… were in an office, or a closet, or something.”
“It was a restroom, but it was a mistake. I closed my eyes and wished that… we… were…” He started to understand, but it still seemed impossible.
Achava backed away from him. “You. You have taken it from me! Somehow, you have stolen something precious from me and I don’t know how!”
“I didn’t take it on purpose!” he exclaimed.
As rage rose inside her, she slapped his face. “What do you mean that you didn’t do it on purpose? How else would you do it?” She realized how ludicrous that sounded and just dropped her head.
“He took nothing,” Saeem interjected. “Samuel Godfrey may have been the recipient of a possibly temporary gift. That’s all.”
Achava felt jealousy in her soul. She turned to Saeem with fire in her eyes. “I thought all of this confused you!”
“Yes, it does. It makes no sense to me at all,” he continued, “but if I try to put it into perspective, then the only answer is that you, Achava, are no longer worthy to possess the Soul Merge. There may have been other changes as well, changes that I am not aware of. That is the most prominent thing that makes sense to me.”
Feeling the rage, Achava got up in Saeem’s face. “Not to me.”
“That only proves my point,” he said, without backing down. “I now believe that the two trips you took, using the Soul Merge, have made this change in you. There might have been something to trigger the loss of power, if you will.”
“Impatience!” Sam spoke firmly. “You were impatient to help me, the first time. Don’t get me wrong, that was really sweet. The second time, I think you were in a hurry as well and forgot a couple of important steps. Is that true?”
“I do not understand the God you obey,” Saeem said, “but it sounds like your ability was transferred to Samuel.”
“What?” she exclaimed. She could not even fathom such a thought. “Why?”
“I think I know,” Sam said, reluctantly. “I don’t have, or didn’t have, the faith that you do… or did. We do share a bond though—through the heart. Maybe, your ability was transferred to me, because of what you were becoming.”
Achava looked at Sam as if he had revealed the secrets of the universe to her for the first time. She lowered her head. “You may be right. I am so ashamed. I had a part of me taken from me. I deserve this punishment and accept my fate.”
“Forgive the intrusion,” Saeem interrupted. “I do not believe you understand what this is about. You have gone from pride to anger to submission. You do realize what this means, Achava.”
“What?”
“Think about it.”
A tear rolled down her cheek. “I am reluctantly reclaiming my humanity.”
“Perhaps it is humility.” Sam placed his hands on her shoulders and she fell into his arms.
Chapter the Seventeenth
SAM THOUGHT IS WAS all his fault. He watched as Achava cried. She went from sobbing to gasping to weeping hysterically. He had to let her cry, because he knew that tears could cleanse the soul.
With Achava in his arms, he sat down on the soft grass. “Why don’t you take a short walk?” Sam said to Saeem. “We’ll just sit here for a while.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Saeem said and walked away.
With Achava in his arms, Sam held her close to his heart. “It is alright. Just get it all out,” he said.
While she sobbed, he ran his fingers through her hair. He felt strong as he held her tightly. There was nothing else he could do to comfort Achava. He understood her pain, because he had his own inner conflicts to deal with. He wanted to end the dangerous expeditions that she took him on, in spite of the fact that they were the only things keeping his life from being mundane.
Israel was God’s country, and Achava was called of God to pray over Israel. He wanted Achava all to himself, even though she had pledged herself to Israel. That was a problem for him. He could not compete with God.
Achava quieted down and he wiped her face with his handkerchief. She took it from him and blew her nose on it. Grinning, she handed it back to him. “Thank you.”
“Do you feel like talking about what just happened?” Sam asked.
She cleared her throat. “I guess I had better if I ever want peace of mind.”
“I love you, and don’t know my next move.”
“What do you mean?” she asked with a puzzled look.
“There is no way I can compete with an entire country for your affection.” He felt frustrated. “We’re not on the same page.”
“Explain it to me.”
“I don’t understand this whole Sword of Peter thing,” he blurted out. “Why is it so important to you?”
“It was supposed to be guarded for the Israeli Christians.” She sighed. “That was one of my jobs.”
With his hands placed on his knees, he asked, “Who are the Sentinels of the Lord and why do they want the sword? Is it even the sword they’re after?”
“I’m not sure right now, but I originally thought so.” She sniffed back more tears.
“Why would it be both in Vienna and the Garden of Gethsemane? That is not being made clear to me.” He tightened his lips.
“Maybe they just want to distract me,” said Achava.
“Why were you walking away from the Garden when we arrived? Were you still looking for the sword?” He clasped her hand.
“No. I had given up.” She kissed him on the cheek.
“Let’s back up a bit. Saeem and I were on a yacht looking for the sword. I said that I wished we were with you, and we were instantly transported to you.” He rolled his eyes.
“Is that all you did?” She looked surprised.
A frown formed on his face. “When we heard people coming, we tried to hide in a small office, but it ended up being a ladies restroom.”
“Truly?” She giggled.
“Yes. I swear.” He laughed. “It was a Sentinel who opened the door. That seems suspicious.”
“I’ll bet she was sent to check on you,” she said.
“The last thing I saw before spinning away was her round eyes staring at me.”
“They probably know you are here now.” She smiled. “The Sentinels were digging the holes here.”
“What is the connection?”
“I don’t know. Do you want to check them out?”
“Sure.” He walked over and looked at the holes. “Maybe the answer is in the holes.”
“I don’t know about that right now.” She clasped his hand as he studied the holes.
“I don’t see any rhyme or reason here.” He took her in his arms and pulled her close. “I don’t want your powers. I want to help you solve your mystery, but only because I love you.” With his hand on her face, he added, “We’ll get this thing fixed.”
“I believe you.” She raised her mouth to his, and they kissed passionately. This was all that Sam really wanted. Running his hand down her back, he pulled her tight against his body.
>
Saeem returned from his walk. When Sam heard him, he released Achava.
Saeem smiled at Achava. “Feeling better?”
“Yes,” she said. “Sam is a big help.”
“Yes. I saw how he helped.” Saeem smiled and slapped Sam hard in the back. “Good! That’s what we need! A strong man. We need to stop going half without being cocked!”
Sam smiled. “I think the expression is ‘going out half-cocked’, but go on. What is it you have to say?”
“Look at us!” Saeem continued. “We see something and immediately go there, or we come here. We have no plan! Until we come up with a well thought out plan, we will keep going around in circles, like America’s Keystone Police Officials.”
Sam fought the urge to correct Saeem again. Instead, he laughed. “I like you, Saeem.”
“So what is the plan?” asked Achava.
“We take one question at a time,” said Saeem. “Why would the Sword of Peter be in both Vienna and the Garden?”
“We’re wondering the same thing,” said Sam.
Achava’s eyes sparkled. “It wouldn’t, unless it was in more than one piece.”
Saeem remained excited. “Yes! Good! Why would it be in two pieces, and is that even possible?”
Achava’s face lit up even more. “The only way that could happen is if the small cross-guard was removed, but the sword itself is one piece!”
“I have an idea. Isn’t the sword supposed to be in the Archdiocesan Museum in Poznan, Poland?” Sam blurted out. He then realized that he had no way of knowing that information and placed both hands over his mouth in surprise. He had received a prophetic word.
Achava and Saeem glared at Sam as he continued. “Now I remember. I once read about it. There’s an exact copy of the sword on the wall of the Poznan Arch-cathedral Basilica too! I believe the Lord brought it to my memory.”
Achava shook her head. “I know you had a word from the spirit world.”
“I am sure I once read about it as well.”
Saeem said that he liked Sam’s answer. “That means that the sword was not in Vienna with the Imperial Crown, Orb, and Scepter, like we first thought. Why were we led there through the Soul Merge?”
“Achava,” said Sam. “Could you have been thinking about Itai and the Sentinels when you preformed the second Soul Merge?”
“I’m not sure.” She looked upset with herself. “It is possible.”
“Why do we believe the Sentinels want the sword?” Saeem asked.
“Because Itai was in the Garden and tried to get Achava out of it,” Sam said. “And the fact that it looks like they were digging here to find something. I think Achava just assumed it was the sword.”
Sam saw the grimace on her face when he mentioned her.
Saeem turned serious. “Now we must ask: who are the Sentinels of the Lord?”
“I can answer that one,” Achava said. “They are the ancient protectors of the Antiquarians, of which Itai is now the leader.”
“And an Antiquarian is someone who collects antiquities,” Sam said. “Even I know that.”
Saeem turned to Achava. “Do you know anything else about the Sentinels?”
She nodded. “Just that they seldom come out in the open and that they fight with honor.”
Saeem’s round eyes grew larger. “If they fight with honor, then why would they poison Sam?”
“They fight with honor, but will play mind games every once in a while. Is that possible?” Sam asked.
“It appears so,” Achava answered. “They did tear up your house in the states.”
“So what have we learned?” Saeem asked as he crossed his arms in front of him. “We appear to have our backs against a wall. So to speak.”
“I have an idea,” said Achava.
“What is that?” asked Sam.
“The Antiquarians are possibly collecting Biblical artifacts,” Achava said as she looked at Sam.
“Maybe.”
“Fortunately, they didn’t get the Staff of Moses, but they still may be after the Sword of Peter.”
Sam grinned. “Which is in Poland.”
Saeem said, “That is where we go next.”
“I suggest we catch a flight out of Jerusalem,” said Achava.
“Now,” Saeem added, “we have a plan that makes sense.”
Catching a cab to the airport, Saeem paid for the tickets. The ride on the short flight was normal. Everyone on the flight had their own plans and ignored the small group.
Chapter the Eighteenth
ACHAVA STUDIED THE FORMER Lubranski Academy, now called the Archdiocesan Museum, which was a three story brownstone building that housed not only the Sword of Peter brought to Poland by Bishop Jordan, but also hosted other works of art and historic memorabilia.
Dressed as tourists, Achava, Sam and Saeem walked inside. It was just past two a.m. and the usually empty museum had visitors.
Sam grabbed Achava and Saeem by the arm and pulled them behind a large pillar in the corner. He pointed. “Look over there.”
Achava looked up and saw the green clad Sentinels close in on a wide tipped sword. It was similar to a machete, but of far greater significance. The three female warriors waited as Itai made his entrance. “There it is my beauties!” he said with enthusiasm. “How simple a feat to defuse the alarms and disarm the guards. You have made the Antiquarians happy, indeed.”
“Maybe,” said Achava, as she came out from a darkened corner. “I’ll bet that you thought we wouldn’t give you a proper welcome, Itai.”
Itai smiled. “On the contrary, my dear. I was counting on it.”
Sam ran out from behind the pillar, pushing Achava to safety. He wrapped his arms around Itai. His lips were moving as he closed his eyes tightly, and to Achava’s surprise, they both disappeared. He has more control than I do over the Soul Merge, she thought.
Saeem also came out of the darkness and stood between the Sentinels and the sword. He spoke to them directly. “Your main purpose is to protect Itai. He is gone; therefore, you know that you no longer have a reason to be here.”
The Sentinels stood for a moment with a puzzled look on their faces, as if thinking about what Saeem had said. They then ran into the darkness. One of them seemed to accidentally drop a backpack.
Saeem looked up at the sword. “What now?”
Achava was still stunned over Sam’s new-found abilities. “We have a choice that I really do not want to make. If we remove the sword, then we are stealing. If we leave it, then Itai will take it.”
“One question for you, while we decide the fate of the sword,” Saeem said. “Why would the Sentinels be a part of stealing artifacts if they are so honorable?”
“Let me think.” She stared at the sword mounted on the wall under a Plexiglas case. “Their mission is to protect the Antiquarians. They have an interesting sense of loyalty. When they failed their mission just now, they left with no fight in them. Anyway, I’m sure it is Itai and the Antiquarians who are doing the actual stealing.”
Saeem looked uneasy. “Perhaps we should make our decision with haste. I doubt that we will continue to be able to talk here for much longer.”
Achava nodded in agreement, as she smashed through the Plexiglas with both her fist doubled up. She grabbed the sword without thinking.
As soon as she grabbed it, she knew she held the true Sword of Saint Peter. The object held power. Her vision became blurry as she heard a booming male voice inside her head. You have inner conflict young one. This conflict prevents you from realizing the sword’s true power. Once you are whole again, you will see the power of the Lord through this weapon of peace.
The sword was ripped from her grasp as her vision returned to normal. She saw Saeem wrap the sword in some white cloths, which he had been wearing on his wrists, making sure not to touch his bare skin against it. “I choose not to go through what you just did. A good thing then that I brought this cloth for such an emergency.”
Achava looked at Sa
eem suspiciously. “I have known you for years, Saeem. Never have I seen you this wise. I mean no offense, of course.”
“None taken. Haha!” Saeem could not stop laughing. “Never have we been in such a harrowing situation that required all of my intellect.”
“Perhaps,” she said, unsatisfied by his answer.
He lost his smile. “You doubt me now, Achava?”
“No, it is not doubt,” she replied. “I do notice a change in you, though.”
“Not all changes are negative,” he said, as his smile came back. “I understand what paranoia is and have used its benefits to my advantage all of my life. I have also seen ignorance lead to paranoia.”
“I’m sure that you are right.”
“Always trust your gut. Never forsake your faith for worldly thoughts. Of all people, I would think that I wouldn’t have to tell you that, Achava.”
She shrugged her shoulders as they headed for the exit. “I’ll remember that.”
“Not to change the subject,” he added, “but does Sam know?”
She stopped in her tracks as her eyes widened. “What do you mean? Does Sam know what?”
He shook his head. “Your expression contradicts your answer. You know what I mean. Does Sam know about how he really got the Soul Merge?”
“I would say that the obvious answer is ‘no’,” she answered. “I would like to keep it that way.”
“It should be you who tells him,” Saeem said adamantly.
Saeem picked up the backpack dropped by one of the Sentinels. They exited the museum and stayed in the shadows until they were safely on a back street.
“You judge me, Saeem,” Achava said, with a scowl. “That is unlike you.”
His smile faded again. “I do not mean to judge, but I am human. Ask yourself an important question. Which of us has changed more recently?”
She walked in silence from then on. Letting her mind go back to when she was first aware of possessing spiritual powers, she thought about God. He would talk to her and tell her what to do. When she chose to obey him, he’d empower her. It seemed natural to her.
She spent the next hour turning the problem over in her mind. “We’ve both changed, Saeem, since we were young. We are maturing. That is a good thing.”