by Freda, Paula
Hayden recalled what he had told Grace, ...but I believe that what has been happening may be Agnes’ way of leading us, in an offbeat fashion, to a precious relic. More and more his hunch was proving correct.
The Ark glowed in the candlelight. The Dark Lord above it stared back at the two men who had entered the locked chamber. Lord Hayden’s face lit with fiery enthusiasm. He approached the holy relic but did not touch it, well versed in the ancient texts that warned of the immediate mysterious death of anyone, not commissioned by God Himself, laying hands upon the Holy Ark. Talbot noted with satisfaction the temptation and indecision plainly visible on Lord Hayden’s face. The Ark was a strong incentive, especially when combined with the artifacts and mysteries the Inca had mentioned earlier. A lifetime of exploration would never yield such finds.
"The other artifacts you mentioned, are they in your possession as well?" Lord Hayden asked.
"No," Talbot answered truthfully. "But I know their locations."
"How could you know?"
"A fair question. I can only answer that I am not what you perceive. My knowledge goes beyond your comprehension of what I was, what I am, and what I will be." Talbot’s figure seemed to lift from the scene as if superimposed on a canvas. Lord Hayden rubbed his eyes. The haze created by the flickering flames and the wax melting must be playing tricks on him. What he considered an illusion lasted only an instant.
"Well, my friend, you have seen the Ark, and you know, or at least suspect, that I speak the truth. Will you hear my proposition?"
"I am not your friend, but I will hear you out."
"It’s really a quite logical and simple proposition. I want you to work for me and with me. I have long admired your fierce dedication to the past and its mementos; also your courage and your determination when others would turn away in defeat and resignation. Your journals are among my favorite reading." He paused to let the flattery sink in. Then he added, "If you agree, you will remain here with my people until I feel I can trust you. At that time I will allow you to leave the city with me for further pursuits."
Lord Hayden appeared to be considering his proposal. "Where are the other artifacts," he asked.
Talbot shook his head. "You wish to know too much, too soon. I’ll reveal their locations to you when I know I can trust you. For now your word that you’ll join me will suffice."
Lord Hayden laughed quietly.
Talbot persisted, "I’m asking much, I know. But I’ll give you time to think over my offer."
Lord Hayden did not answer. He had no intention of joining Talbot who he now considered an archenemy, but allowing Talbot to think he might be tempted, gave him additional time to plan an escape. He turned to look at the Ark once more. A cask of shittim-wood, it had been built according to the Hebrew God’s specifications: two and one-half cubits in length, one and one-half in breadth and height; overlaid outside and in with gold; a gold molding around it; a ring of gold on each of the four corners, and inserted through these rings, staves of shittim-wood plated with gold for carrying the Ark. The ancient texts told that within the Ark were contained the sacred tablets on which the Hebrew God had written with his own digit, the Ten Commandments. The stories of Samuel in the Old Testament, credited the Ark as being an extension of, or an infusion of God’s personality, rather than a container. Some even claimed that it stood for varying forms of the Presence. Whatever its source, Lord Hayden sensed its strength, both destructive and salving.
CHAPTER EIGHT
In their chamber, Elizabeth sat on the bed in a numbed state, wondering what was happening to Lord Hayden. Had they killed him? Would she ever see him again? No Agnes this time. No possibility to reverse the hours or the days, if a spear or a knife pierced his heart.
Her own heart lurched as the doors were unbolted and Hayden entered. Quickly the guards locked the doors behind him.
Elizabeth flew into his arms. "Oh, William, are you all right?"
"I’m fine. I wasn’t hurt," he reassured her, taking note of the tears filling her eyes.
"Your head?" Elizabeth checked the scabbing wound.
"I’m all right, dearest." He pulled her fingers away from his temple and held them quietly in his.
"Where did they take you," Elizabeth inquired.
"To see Talbot."
She waited as Hayden paused to reflect.
"And?"
"He wants me to work for him... with him."
"What do you mean, he wants you to work for him... with him?" she asked, incredulous that he would even consider mentioning the offer.
Lord Hayden related exactly what Talbot had proposed. When he told her about the Ark, about actually seeing it, his voice conveyed the temptation he had felt.
"I can’t believe you’d even consider helping him. Not to say I’m not interested in the Ark, or the precious and invaluable artifacts you mention. Like you, I would give my right arm for them. But to join Talbot?! William, he’s evil, if not insane."
"He’s just a man obsessed with a desire. A common trait among archaeologists."
"No! He’s more. There is something about him. I can’t quite put it into words, but William, I just know it. You said you trusted my intuition. Do you remember the evening I woke screaming from a nightmare, after we had come upon the Stele H in Yucatan. I didn’t tell you this before. I didn’t realize it until later, but the demon in my nightmare reminded me of Talbot. William, I don’t trust him!"
Lord Hayden took Grace into his arms and stroked her hair, its texture sending bursts of restrained desire down his spine. "Don’t worry. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t tempted. Rest assured, my code of standards will keep it just so, a temptation. But I’m not leaving here without the Ark."
The determination in his voice frightened Elizabeth despite her similar love of the ancient. "I want the Ark as much as you, but there are values that override the desire to rediscover the past and preserve it. We’ll find the Ark again, believe me, and we’ll find those other artifacts Talbot named. The world will benefit by our existence yet."
Lord Hayden laughed. Elizabeth shuddered. There had been a sinister quality to that laugh.
"Three quarters of the world out there couldn’t care less if the Ark of the Covenant, or Noah’s Ark, or the Sacred Chalice, or a hundred other relics, were never found," Lord Hayden said with a sneer. "Archaeologists account for a small percentage of the human race. The only real benefits derived from our discoveries are to the artifacts themselves and to our egos."
"Stop it! Stop talking like that. You sound like... like Talbot."
A corner of Lord Hayden’s mouth twisted into a grin. "Two sides of a coin," he remarked. "I am thinking of accepting Talbot’s offer... for a while, until I can see a better solution."
Elizabeth fell back. "You’re bluffing. I don’t believe you’d fall in with Talbot’s kind, no matter what the rewards. I know you too well. You are a special breed, an adventurer, but you are honorable, and a gentleman. You’re the good guy, William."
"I’m a human being," he corrected her. "And so is the bad guy."
A loud thud at the doors announced the bolt being slid open. The guards entered.
Immediately one said, "The Inca wishes you both to dine with him. You will come now."
"This conversation isn’t over," Elizabeth said to Lord Hayden. Her lips pursed in the way that he had come to admire and appreciate.
The Mixture of Egyptian and Peruvian décor was evident throughout the temple in the stone and reed furnishings. Here and there, a carved wooden bureau and table allowed for European and modern influence. The long table and wide rectangular stools, however, were cut from marble. Servants directed Elizabeth and Lord Hayden to stand at the head of the table on opposite sides. Talbot entered with great pomp, flanked by his personal guard and four young women in white tunics, waists girded and small feet sandaled, in silver.
"Sit my friends," Talbot said to the pair, favoring each with a smile and taking his place at the head of the ta
ble. The girls clustered on silk cushions on either side of his gold-sandaled feet.
As the serving of the meal commenced, Elizabeth asked, "Why don’t you let your wives sit at the table with you?"
Talbot regarded her for a moment before answering. "These are not my wives. I am unmarried as yet."
Talbot was far past the age an Inca was required to marry. "Odd," Elizabeth commented openly. "Very odd."
Talbot smiled accommodatingly. "There was someone, many years ago, that I wished to take as wife, but she would not have me. I vowed then that I would marry no other."
The arch of her brow and her tone of voice saying otherwise, Elizabeth remarked, "What a foolish woman." Talbot inclined his head, his dark eyes communicating to her that he understood what she really meant. Elizabeth turned to Lord Hayden, and from his facial expression could almost hear him saying, Don’t antagonize him. We’re in enough danger already.
The meal preceded with small talk that eventually centered on the migration of thousands of Egyptians and Hebrews to this land; the building of the city; their influence in the Americas; intermarriage with the natives of this land; and the present prosperity of the citadel. "You live in the past," Elizabeth argued. "I see very little technological progress. You light your homes with candles; your beliefs and fashions are centuries old."
"We preserve that which was handed down to us in sacred trust. The people prosper. Our physicians utilize the best and most modern medicines, but the Valley is cut off from the diseased influence of most modern thought.
Elizabeth was about to argue the benefits of most modern thought when the sound of leather striking flesh accompanied by a man’s wrenching groans filled the room. The cruel noises were coming from the front of the temple, crashing through the wide slits that served as windows. Elizabeth blanched and turned a horror-filled gaze to Talbot. Though equally horrified, Lord Hayden sent a warning glance to Elizabeth to remain silent. An outburst from her would do little good for that poor unfortunate outside.
Talbot confirmed Hayden’s thoughts. "Do not let a wrongdoer’s punishment disturb your meal." But Elizabeth had already lost her appetite.
"What was his crime?" Lord Hayden asked.
"Ingratitude," Talbot replied.
"Ingratitude for what?" Elizabeth demanded.
"The wretch was unsatisfied with the peace and prosperity and all the opportunities available in our land. He attempted to leave. Only my most trusted guards and I are allowed to venture outside our sacred valley. I am sure you can appreciate the reasons for this restriction without my detailing them. Admittedly, our laws are stern to your way of thinking, but the secret as well as the culture and stability of the Lost City would not remain so if I permitted my people to venture forth at will. Ignore the disturbance and finish your meal."
"How can you be so heartless!" Elizabeth snapped angrily.
"Grace!" Hayden warned. There was nothing he or she could do to help the man, except to admire his wisdom and courage in attempting to escape. Escape from here was no easy matter. Attempts to leave undetected would have to be foolproof. Talbot was ruthless.
The torturous sounds continued. Elizabeth cast both Talbot and Hayden a wrathful look. Lord Hayden wondered what she expected him to do. "Stop it," she yelled at Talbot. "Please!" For all her spunkiness and determination, she had the most giving heart to anyone in pain, whether man or beast. Often during their trek through the jungle, Lord Hayden had seen her swat an annoying insect, and then make sure it was dead, to the point of searching the ground about her feet for its tiny body. When he inquired what she was doing, her answer was, "I don’t like to see anything suffer. If it has to die, let its death be quick and painless."
"Please…" Elizabeth begged.
Talbot opened his mouth, no doubt to add to Elizabeth’s suffering, but before he could speak, the sounds of the beating stopped abruptly. A guard entered and at the Inca’s nod, said something in the mixed native lingo.
"Well," Talbot said, lifting his gold two-pronged fork, "the prisoner is dead. Now I trust we may continue our meal undisturbed."
CHAPTER NINE
"How can you even consider joining such a heartless monster?" Elizabeth reproached Lord Hayden when they were back in their own chamber.
"I’ve met worse," Lord Hayden said. "And I haven’t come this far to turn back at the first obstacle. You know me better than that."
"You call a human being beaten to death because he wanted his freedom, an obstacle?"
"What’s the matter with you? It’s not like you to react so... illogically."
"You call it logical to work with that fiend?"
"For the moment I have no choice but to go along with Talbot."
"Why in heaven’s name!"
Sometimes she reminded him of a dense child who insisted on wearing out his patience. He thought of another reason that might connect. "Don’t you think it worse to leave the Ark capable of such destruction in the hands of a... fiend?"
"That’s the very reason we need to escape and go for help."
"No!" Lord Hayden was adamant. "Not yet. I’ll find a solution, I promise you, but you have to trust me. Play along with Talbot until the time is right to make our move. Be smart, unless you want to end up like that poor unfortunate hanging out there in pieces in the public square."
"W-what?" Elizabeth uttered, turning pale.
"You can get a clear view of him from that window," Hayden said, pointing, his patience exhausted.
Elizabeth moved slowly. Lord Hayden, at once realizing the cruelty of his own words, tried to stop her. "No, Grace, don’t—" But he was too late. What she saw below made her reel in horror, moan and clutch her waist to keep from retching. Hayden moved to embrace her. "Grace, I’m sorry—"
"Don’t touch me," Elizabeth snarled and fell back, revulsion twisting her features. She made up her mind. She would attempt an escape on her own; she must get help before Talbot’s evil completely consumed Lord Hayden.
Elizabeth might have waited longer, bided her time, formulated a plan, but Talbot’s summoning her presence the following day was to prove the catalyst. The guards brought her to the same chamber where the Inca had spoken to Lord Hayden the day before. Talbot welcomed her, inclining his head and smiling. How she hated that smile that barely hid a sneer. "What do you want?" she demanded rudely.
"Only to speak with you," Talbot replied, unruffled.
"To snare me like you have done with Lord Hayden?"
"We archaeologists are a daring lot. I am surprised at your reluctance to see the benefits of your present circumstance. You share a love of the ancient as well."
"I’m a human being first," Elizabeth spat.
"A fool, I would say," Talbot returned, making no effort this time to hide the sneer. "I had thought to wait to tell you, but I see it’s best I jar your memory now, Psyche my queen."
Elizabeth felt a chill curdle down her spine. "What did you call me?"
"Your true name, that time and reincarnation cannot erase. You are her. And you have known since you came face to face, in the Valley of the Queens, with the physical remains of your past life."
"You’re insane," Elizabeth said. "But how do you know what occurred to us in the Valley of the Queens?"
"A thousand and one ways in which I could have obtained that information; it’s not necessary for you to know them. All that is necessary is for you to search your memory. The truth of who you are is with your spirit, if not with your present mind. I have waited a long time to find you and I will let nothing stand in our way this time. Eros took your love from me then. His powers were superior to mine at that time. But now he is a mere mortal, and I hold the advantage."
"Who are you?" Elizabeth asked, falling back as the Inca advanced.
"I am your betrothed. We were promised and would have married, lived our lives as one, were it not for that alien beast that deceived your senses."
Elizabeth’s reply came unbidden; "I did not love Eros with my senses alon
e." Shocked, Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. Who had spoken? It was her voice, but whose thoughts?
Talbot seized the moment. "You see. You are beginning to remember."
"All right," Elizabeth tried to steady her breath. "Suppose, just suppose, what you say is true. I’m Psyche reincarnated, and Lord Hayden is Eros come back, and you are... "
"Ramatas, a high noble in the court of your brother, the Pharaoh. Having found much favor with him, you were promised to me in marriage when you came of age." Something clicked. A faint image of an imposing Egyptian noble. But no warmth accompanied that image. She had never loved him.
Talbot saw the glimmer of remembrance in her emerald eyes. "I want your love back, the love that Eros stole from me. And when Lord Hayden is of no more use to me, I want to kill him."
Elizabeth scowled, "How could Eros take from you what was never yours—and never will be!"
If he was startled, he hid it under an insidious chuckle. "Once more you misjudge, for it will be mine, my Queen, in time, when you come to realize that Lord Hayden’s love for you is not as sincere as you think it. Archeology, my sweet, was and ever shall be his first and strongest love. For the hundred and more artifacts I can lead him to, for these he will put his feelings for you aside, and leave you as he left you in that other life. You were barely sixteen when, brokenhearted, you gave up your spirit and laid in your sarcophagus. I cursed Eros a million times and swore I would find you both again, to retrieve your love and take my revenge on the one who had stolen it."
"Wait a minute," Elizabeth interjected. "If it’s so difficult for me to remember my past life, how is your memory so clear?"
"The answer to that is very simple. I am not reincarnated. I never died."
Elizabeth swallowed nervously. "That’s impossible."
"Let me assure you, it is possible."
"How?" Elizabeth asked, bewildered.
"I crossed the ocean to Atlantis. It did exist, you know. And there I found the serum of immortality. They were immortal in Atlantis. That civilization had advanced beyond any that exists today. The Atlantians had conquered disease, old age and death itself, except nature. In that area, their intelligence was not as advanced. They had no warning that the underground volcano, inactive for millenniums, would erupt and cause the ocean to swallow up the entire continent. I was among the survivors. You can find our influence scattered throughout history. You have only to look for it with that knowledge in mind."