Chapter 23
It was bad enough she’d been voluntold for the job, but the gear they were forcing her to wear was way over the top. Violet grimaced as the strap of the headband camera and light duo tightened. Next came a belt of tools.
“How’d you get roped into this?” Jasper chuckled, tying a length of thick cord around her midsection.
“Very funny,” Violet snapped.
“Don’t worry, you won’t be alone,” Jasper snorted, helping her put on one of the backpacks. “I’m going in too.”
“You are?” Violet exclaimed a little too loud.
“Yeah,” Jasper answered. “I want to try out all the gadgets. They look like so much fun.”
“The gadgets,” Violet echoed.
“Why else would I offer to go in first?” Jasper winked playfully. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Where am I going to go?” Violet muttered, rolling her eyes. “I have to wait for instructions anyway.”
“Yes, you do,” Liz Becker agreed, hands planted firmly on her hip. She moved in close to the camera. “What can you see?”
“Your face?” Violet answered.
“Not you,” Liz huffed. “My husband. He’s making sure the picture comes through on our screens.”
“I can see your nose,” Mr. Becker announced.
“And now?” Liz asked, adjusting the angle. “Do you have a clear shot forward?” She took a few steps back.
“All clear,” Mr. Becker called out. “Panning right... and left. The camera is functioning properly. Test the lights.”
“Light one on,” Mrs. Becker announced, stepping away.
“Still good,” Mr. Becker advised.
“Light two on,” Mrs. Becker yelled.
“Adjust it down a bit,” Mr. Becker requested. “That’s it... right there. Hold it! Perfect.”
Jasper’s hands smacked together loudly. “I’m ready,” he announced, eyebrows waggling.
“Why don’t you have this headgear?” Violet complained, spinning to face Mrs. Becker. “Why am I the only one wearing this thing?”
“Well, because we only have one,” Mrs. Becker announced. “You got lucky.” She patted her apprentice on the shoulder.
“You look...” Carla snorted.
“Horrid,” Heather added, finishing her friend’s sentence. “That’s the worst getup I’ve ever seen. Better you than me.” She changed her stance, allowing her full figure to shine. “Good luck, Jasper.”
“Thanks,” Jasper replied, pretending to check his belt to avoid eye, or any other, contact with the send-off committee. “We better go.” He took a step forward.
“Slow down there, partner,” Violet snickered. “I have the fancy gadgets. That means I lead this expedition.”
“Why yes you do, geek girl.” Jasper motioned with one hand for her to go ahead. “Watch your footing. There are plenty of loose rocks and pebbles to trip on.”
The first area was easy. After having been in there once already, they both knew the route, at least up to the spot where the path split.
Violet let her cheeks puff out with escaping air. “Have you tried any of them?” she asked, trying to peer down each.
“Nope,” Jasper replied, leaning against a wall. “So, mighty leader, wearer of the gadgets, which way?”
Violet laughed. “If you’d like to wear this thing, please by all means, take it. I’m not fond of looking stupid.”
“You don’t look stupid,” Jasper said. “You look... cute.”
“Cute?!” Violet echoed. “I look stupid. Let’s start with the left path and see how far it takes us.”
“Good call,” Jasper agreed, darting by her. “I’ve got the lead on this one.” He quickly disappeared out of sight.
“Wait,” Violet complained, trying to follow as fast as possible. One foot caught on a stone, sending her tumbling to the ground. “Ow!” She felt her head. It was intact, but that was more than she could say for the head-cam. After slamming on a rock, it was a complete write-off. She undid the strap, leaving it on the ground without a proper burial. A glow stick lit as a tribute to its service.
“Jasper!” Violet called out, pulling a flashlight off her belt. She smacked it twice on the bottom before lighting it up. “Are you there? This isn’t funny. We were supposed to stick together.”
She pointed the flashlight at the ground, making sure of her footing as she continued down the path. Every fifteen steps, the beam came up, examining the whole area carefully before returning to its loose pebble detail.
In the darkness—in the silence—time held no meaning. It could have been only five minutes or five hours. Endless walking played tricks on one’s mind. This was Violet’s first expedition and she’d already found something that needed to be added to her must pack list: a watch.
She shuffled on, taking her time—each step making her question her choice of paths a little bit more. “Jasper,” Violet called out, her voice a bit weaker than before. “Where are you?” There hadn’t been any markings on the walls or other discoveries since veering in that direction. “This isn’t funny.”
“Yea, it is,” Jasper replied. “Watch your step. It would be better if you didn’t fall down here, too.”
The flashlight searched the ground, freezing on a large hole spanning the distance of the path from side to side. She inched closer, until hearing loose dirt showering down.
“Thanks for that,” Jasper complained.
“I’m trying to see where you are,” Violet said.
“Down here,” Jasper replied.
“I know that,” Violet snapped. “Are you hurt? Can you see a way out?” The backpack fell from her shoulders.
“I’m okay,” Jasper called up. “I don’t see any way to climb out, or I would have. There are a number of paths down here, but I have no way of knowing where they go. I could be walking around for days if I try them.”
“I can go get help,” Violet offered. “I’m not sure I can pull you up myself.” She glanced back at a series of stalagmites. “Hang on. I have an idea.” The backpack emptied on the ground. One end of a rope fastened around the largest of the rock formations. She tugged on it, testing her own weight, before tossing the other end into the pit. “Can you reach that? Try to pull your self up.”
“Got it!” Jasper exclaimed, tugging twice. “Are you sure it’s sturdy?”
“I’ll hang on as well,” Violet answered. “It’s the only option, without going all the way back to fetch help.”
“What happened to the gadgets?” Jasper questioned. He waited for a few seconds. “Violet?”
“Yeah,” Violet replied. “I fell down and smashed the unit. In my defence, I was running after you when it happened. Why’d you take off?”
“Because,” Jasper said, grunting as he climbed. “I didn’t want something like this to happen to you. I figured you were too stubborn to let me take the lead, so I seized the opportunity.” Hair greyed by dust appeared from the hole—one arm fully escaping.
“Yeah, and how’d that work out for you?” Violet asked, bracing her feet against a smaller stalagmite, her hands holding the rope tightly.
One knee followed the other; Jasper crawled his way across the ground, stopping to take a seat beside her. “Not bad,” he huffed, tossing a couple of small figures on her lap. “I found a room full of artifacts. I think the Beckers will be happy.”
“What do you think these are?” Violet asked, running her fingers over the smooth surface of the rock.
“I don’t know,” Jasper admitted. “Maybe some form of an offering. I think whoever was here worshipped dragons. That room is set up similar to temples for ancient gods. There’s a lot to study in one place.”
“Great, except the ground isn’t safe,” Violet replied.
“Yeah,” Jasper agreed, running hands through his hair to remove the dirt. “We are going to need some new gadgets and a few more men.”
“I’m not sure the Beckers will agree with you,”
Violet commented. “Those two are going to want to rush right in and explore.”
Jasper snickered. “True, but we need permission to continue. That was part of the deal. With what happened to me, this project is on hold until my uncle gives the okay. It’s his insurance covering us, if anyone gets hurt.”
“They won’t like it,” Violet sighed.
“None of us are here to win popularity contests,” Jasper replied. “I’ll handle the Beckers. You worry about having that head checked out tomorrow. I have a feeling you are going to have a nasty bump.”
Violet’s hand rubbed her scalp, mouth ready to protest. “Ow!” It wasn’t the argument she had planned to make. Now that she knew a lump was there, it suddenly throbbed, too.
“See,” Jasper gloated. “Why isn’t there a first aid kit in these packs?”
Violet sighed. That was item two that should go with her on every expedition. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “The Beckers made the list. I was only checking things off. It never crossed my mind we’d be missing things.”
“All the more reason to shut this operation down for the night.” Jasper shook his head, a frown forming. “How long have you known them?”
“A while,” Violet replied. “They are Carla’s parents and we’ve been friends for over a year. I probably only met them once or twice before, though.”
“Are you sure they are professionals?” Jasper asked. “Have you actually seen a degree? This project has been sloppy from the start.”
“No,” Violet admitted. “I never thought to question their authenticity. Why would they lie about their profession? Why would Carla lie?”
“I don’t know,” Jasper said, “but something isn’t right about them. Don’t say anything yet. I need to do a bit of digging.”
Normally the bad pun would have left her in stitches. This, however, wasn’t the time for laughter. She glanced down at the scrapes and rope burns covering her hands. There was no argument to be made in her mentors’ defence. Jasper was right; the pair was acting like amateurs.
Chapter 24
Jasper stood, staring into the same raging fire he’d seen a hundred times before. Not once had he entered the villa’s sitting room when the fireplace wasn’t ablaze. Not just burning embers, or a dying flame, either. This was a sight to behold—never fading—never faltering.
“Am I to understand you’ve found something?” Bordwell asked, strolling into the room. The sliding wood panel doors shut behind him.
“Yes,” Jasper replied, without looking away from the flames. “I have a question to ask before we discuss that, though. How did you stumble across the Beckers?”
“I wouldn’t use the word stumble,” Bordwell chuckled. “They came highly recommended in their field.”
“By who?” Jasper turned to face his uncle. “What qualifications did they show?”
“What’s this all about?” Bordwell snapped. “Is there a problem with my choice in excavators?”
“They aren’t very professional,” Jasper replied.
“Coming from the self-taught archaeologist,” Bordwell smirked, pouring a glass of brandy. He lifted the glass to his nose, inhaling the fruitful bouquet before taking the tiniest sip.
“I wouldn’t risk anyone’s life for a few relics,” Jasper argued.
“Why don’t you tell me what happened to get you so riled up?” Bordwell suggested, taking his usual seat. One knee crossed over the other. “I’m listening.”
“There was a partial cave-in,” Jasper replied. “We were lucky no one was hurt badly. Someone could have been killed. Violet has a rather nice goose egg on her head. I’ve sent her to rest.”
“I see,” Bordwell muttered, disappointment reflecting in his eyes. “You said there was a discovery.”
“Yes,” Jasper agreed. “I fell through to a chamber. I could only manage to bring a few knick-knacks back, but there are more. It’s not safe, at the moment, for them to be retrieved.”
“What else was there?” Bordwell questioned, his voice stern and cold. “I need to know what was in that chamber. What did it look like?”
“A place of worship,” Jasper replied. “There were some treasures, but nothing worth risking lives over.”
Bordwell’s neck snapped to the side, meeting his nephew’s gaze head on. “I’ll be the judge of that. Was there a book?”
“A what?!” Jasper exclaimed. “Are you listening to me? Someone could have died. I could have died.”
Bordwell stood, rushing his nephew, one hand grasping tightly on each shoulder. “Was there a book?” He shook Jasper with force. “Answer me! Was there a book in that chamber?”
“Yes,” Jasper blurted out. “There was a book. I didn’t look at it. I was a bit preoccupied with trying to climb out of a hole.”
Bordwell rubbed his chin. “You’ll go back tomorrow. No one leaves this time until the book has been retrieved.”
“It’s not safe,” Jasper complained.
“You’ll go back tomorrow,” Bordwell bellowed. “Am I making myself clear? I don’t care about what else you recover, but bring back that book...” he paused, “...or don’t come back at all.”
“Whatever you say, Uncle,” Jasper agreed through gritted teeth.
“Oh, one more thing,” Bordwell said, reclaiming his seat and his composure. “The girl stays here.”
“The girl?” Jasper questioned.
“Miss Violet Haze,” Bordwell announced. “I don’t want anything else to happen to her. She is...” he turned his head to meet his nephew’s gaze, “...important.”
Chapter 25
Violet rubbed her head. Sleep hadn’t helped one bit. The pounding seemed to be louder than before. She turned onto one side, fluffing the pillow before her head sank back down. It was no use. Tossing about in the bed wasn’t making an inkling of a difference.
She sprang up to a sitting position. That wasn’t pounding, it was rapping. Her gaze spanned to the left, jaw dropping. Violet scooted back, falling out of the bed. Someone was standing on the balcony, looking in. Even with her mouth already open, she couldn’t find a voice to scream.
“It’s a figment of your imagination,” Violet whispered, peering up over the side of the bed at the French doors. “There’s nobody...” Her voice faded. There was definitely someone there and he was knocking to come in.
“Jasper!” Violet exclaimed, throwing the doors open. “How did you...”
One hand covered her mouth. “Shh. We have to go. I don’t think it’s safe here for either of us.”
“What are you talking about?” Violet whispered. “How did you get up here? I thought you left at the same time as the staff. Isn’t the villa locked for the night?”
“Yeah,” Jasper agreed. “It is. I’ve found a few ways around that.”
“You’re the one I saw that night outside,” Violet said. “It wasn’t a figment of my imagination, was it?”
“It was me,” Jasper admitted. “My uncle is up to something. I’ve been trying to figure out what since the day I found the clay pots. It’s as if something snapped in him. Something I’ve never seen before, or at least I never noticed before.”
“I don’t understand,” Violet replied.
“It’s not all a string of coincidences,” Jasper suggested. “You being here; the report on your family tree; the Beckers being asked to do this dig, and bringing inexperienced students along.”
“What are you saying?” Violet questioned, searching his face for answers.
“I’m telling you, I believe my uncle orchestrated all of this so you specifically would be here,” Jasper declared. “I don’t think it’s safe for you to stay, or me for that matter. We need to go.”
“Go where?!” Violet shrieked. “How can we hide from a man with your uncle’s resources, especially around here?”
“The festival starts today,” Jasper replied. “Pack some clothes that could pass for a Renaissance style. We’ll blend in.”
“Surely a man such as Bordwe
ll Drachen has people in town who work for him,” Violet argued. “Our faces will be all over.”
“No,” Jasper disagreed. “He has people all over the world working for him, but here he’s the overseer no one wants anything to do with. Trust me, we’ll blend in and disappear.”
“That’s why you didn’t want me to say you were related to him at lunch,” Violet muttered. “You didn’t want Marge to know you were blood relatives.”
“I’ve managed to keep that a secret,” Jasper admitted. “It was easier to do business that way. Seems it’s going to come in handy one more time.” He tossed an empty backpack on the bed. “Get what you need. We have a small window of time to escape in. I don’t want to miss the opportunity. I have a feeling there won’t be another.”
“What brought all this on?” Violet asked. “Why all of a sudden...”
Jasper pulled out an aged book. “I found this in that chamber,” he admitted. “I think it’s one of those family books your friend mentioned at lunch.”
“You stole it?!” Violet shrieked.
“Shh,” Jasper hushed, his hand covering her mouth again. “I think my uncle plans on using it for something.”
“Like what?” Violet asked, the words muffled by his hand.
“I’m not sure yet,” Jasper admitted. “But I know it involves you.” He held up his free hand, palm first. “Don’t ask me how. It’s a gut feeling. We need to keep you hidden until this is translated. Okay?”
Violet nodded. How couldn’t she agree when the whole situation had her feeling sick? There’d been enough vomiting in the past week already.
Chapter 26
Marge had mentioned the festival being a popular destination for vacationers, but Violet hadn’t believed it; that was until she saw the rows of tightly packed tents filling fields for as far as the eye could see. Most of the occupants weren’t stirring yet, but that didn’t change the sheer magnitude of the event hitting her square in the jaw. It was almost a knockout punch.
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