‘A strange relationship, that,’ said Brandon.
‘Which one?’ asked India. ‘Abbas and Helga?’
‘No, Abbas and his father.’
‘Hmm, I noticed,’ said India. ‘They don’t talk much do they?’
‘Not that you’d notice,’ said Brandon, popping some trail mix into his mouth. ‘I think there is some history there that we are not aware of.’
‘How far do we have to go?’ asked India.
‘About another hour,’ said Brandon. ‘I was talking to one of the guides a few minutes ago, apparently we have to go through somewhere called the Valley of Desolation before we get there.’
‘Sounds inviting,’ said India.
‘Probably named for the tourists,’ said Brandon. ‘If it wasn’t for our predicament, I would actually be enjoying this, but we are running out of time.’
‘For what?’
‘To escape, of course,’ said Brandon.
‘Escape? But you heard what Hundar told Kosta. If we try to escape he has been told to kill us.’
‘India, I don’t want to scare you, but I don’t think we are intended to return from this hike alive. I have to act soon or it will be too late.’
‘You can’t take any of those two on,’ said India. ‘They are trained killers.’
‘I know, and that’s a problem,’ said Brandon. ‘If I was on my own I would leg it and take my chances, but I can’t risk leaving you here.’
‘So what are you going to do?’
‘I’m not sure. Kosta has been watching us like a hawk and I need to get his attention diverted for a few moments. If we can do that and get a head start perhaps we may have a chance.’
‘What about Abbas?’
‘I think Abbas may be a bit easier to deal with,’ said Brandon. ‘I have seen the way he looks at you and I think he may have some feelings for you.’
‘Don’t be stupid,’ said India.
‘India, you have spent quite a few weeks in that man’s company, and for some of that time you got quite close. Like it or not, I think there is a spark there. Whether it is reciprocated or not is irrelevant, but if it means there is a slightest chance I am right, then there may be a moment where you have to exploit that spark to buy us more time. Do you understand?’
‘I think so,’ said India, ‘but I’m not sure you are right.’
‘It may be the only thing we have,’ said Brandon. ‘Just stay close to me and be prepared to run as soon as I give the signal. We may not get a second chance.’
‘Time to go,’ shouted Hundar, and they all stood to resume the trek. Kosta took his place behind Brandon and India, and the whole party started the final leg of the walk. Thirty minutes later, they crested the top of a slope and once again came to a halt, though this time to stare in wonder at the sight before them.
‘Wow,’ said India quietly. ‘I take it this is the Valley of Desolation.’
‘It certainly is,’ said Hundar. ‘Quite a sight, isn’t it?’
Before them, a tiny valley fell away at their feet, bordered on either side by steeply climbing slopes. The trees on either side seemed to be on fire as hidden vents shot plumes of steam between stripped branches, but the site that intrigued them most was the flat area at the base of the valley. The rugged ground was like something from another planet. The entire area was littered with boulders and bubbling pools of stinking mud gurgled menacingly, releasing spurts of sulphurous gas from the bursting bubbles. An overwhelming scent of rotting eggs filled the air and occasional mini geysers shot boiling water skyward, as if in competition with the rest of the volcanic activity.
‘You can see where it gets its name from,’ said Brandon.
‘It’s eerie,’ said India.
‘Right, everyone gather around,’ said Helga. ‘Carlos has something to say.’
All attention turned to the leather-faced guide who had stepped forward.
‘People,’ he started, ‘the Boiling Lake lies in the next valley. To reach it, we must cross the Valley of Desolation. If you stay behind me, it is quite safe. Please do not stray from the path I follow, for there is danger to either side; the mud pools often fall asleep and thin grass covers many like blankets. Any weight placed on these pools will result in you being sucked into the mud beneath. Once in, it is very difficult to get out, and you could be sucked under. There will be a chance to wash your hands in some pools along the way, but only the ones that I indicate. This is very important – if you wander off, you could die.’
‘Understood,’ said Hundar, and turned to the group. ‘We will walk in single file. Kosta, you will bring up the rear.’
Kosta nodded and stepped aside to let the others pass. Soon they were descending into the valley where the smell of rotten eggs was worse. Slowly they walked through the valley and for a while, despite their predicament, Brandon and India silently took in the astonishing surroundings. Either side of them the alien landscape hissed and burbled at them, hinting at the unimaginable power that lay far below. Finally, they crossed the valley and climbed up the far side, relieved at the fresh air that wafted over the far lip toward them. When they were clear, the guide stopped again and pointed forward toward the next rise. Beyond was a much larger cloud of steam rising behind the trees.
‘Boiling Lake,’ he said simply and carried on walking. The group followed him and within minutes, they were standing on the edge of the feature they had been seeking. The lake stretched away before them and was the approximate size of half a football field. A cloud of steam rose into the sky and in the centre they could see the water bubbling like a boiling kettle.
‘That’s amazing,’ said India. ‘Is it actually boiling?’
‘Most of the time, yes,’ said Carlos. ‘Sometimes the centre of the lake explodes outwards, showering boiling water across its surface.’
‘Is it OK where we are?’ asked Helga.
‘Yes, it is safe here,’ said Carlos, and watched as everyone discarded their packs onto a nearby grassy bank. Carlos turned to Hundar.
‘Mr Hundar, I have brought you here. Is there anything else that you wish me to show you?’
‘Tell me, Carlos,’ said Hundar, ‘are there any caves or fissures around the lake?’
‘There are many,’ said Carlos, ‘though it is not recommended that anyone enters them. Nobody knows how far they go in and often the oxygen is replaced by poisonous gases.’
Hundar’s eyes narrowed in thought.
‘Are you aware of any that are marked or are known to have been explored?’
‘Not personally, though I have heard it said that many years ago, one of the first explorers found a gold ring in one of the vents. I do not know if that is true.’
Hundar’s eyes widened again.
‘That’s it,’ he said, ‘that’s the place we need to find.’
‘I thought you were to carry out some experiments,’ said Carlos.
‘And we will,’ said Hundar, ‘but I have an interest in such things. Just help us with this and if we find the place I am looking for, I will make you a very rich man.’
‘How rich?’ asked Carlos.
‘Beyond your wildest dreams,’ said Hundar. ‘Now, think carefully, do you have any idea where that vent may be?’
Carlos fell silent for a while before answering.
‘I do know one more thing,’ he said, ‘though to follow up on this will cost me my licence.’
‘When this is over, you will have no need of a licence,’ said Hundar, ‘or need to work ever again.’
‘OK,’ said Carlos, ‘I will share what I know. The man who found the gold ring was one of the earliest guides before the tourists first came to our island. He was accompanying a foreign scientist studying the Boiling Lake and was paid to stay with the group for the duration of the study. His job was to walk back to the city every day for anything they needed, fresh meat, eggs, vegetables, that sort of thing. After one such trip, he came back to find the camp empty. This was not unusual as they were ofte
n away studying something, so he continued to prepare the evening meal. When nobody had returned by dark, he went searching for them without any luck. The following morning, he sent the other guide back to the city for help and continued searching for the group. Finally he found a previously unknown fumarole at the edge of the water and saw footprints leading inside. He entered the fissure and within a few feet, found the body of one of the scientists. He tried dragging the man out but was at risk of being overcome by fumes himself so had to retreat until help came. Eventually, the authorities arrived and retrieved all three bodies. The other two were further inside and it seemed that they had taken the opportunity to explore inside the vent. This is never a good idea as the air can be replaced by all sorts of gases within seconds. The authorities came to the conclusion that this is what happened but could not work out why they had gone in there in the first place. All scientists know that it is lethal to enter a fumarole.’
‘Maybe they do these days,’ said Brandon. ‘Perhaps back then they didn’t know better.’
‘Or they had a good reason to go in,’ said Hundar, before looking over to Carlos. ‘Carry on.’
‘Whatever the reason, the authorities put it down to ignorance and the deaths were played down as a tragic accident.’
‘So how does this help us?’
‘Like I said, the guide managed to pull the first man partly clear. It seemed that the group were already trying to get out and he had got further than the rest but was already dead when the guide found him. The guide then saw he had something clenched in his hand and prised open the fingers to reveal something he had not expected.’
‘What did he find?’ asked Hundar.
‘A gold ring,’ said Carlos. ‘A ring like he had never seen before, with a jewel the size of a pebble.’
‘How do you know all this?’ asked Hundar.
‘Because the guide was my uncle.’
Hundar paused for breath, taking in all the information. Finally he spoke again.
‘Carlos, this is very important. Do you know where this particular fumarole is?’
‘I do.’
‘Where?’
‘It is at the water’s edge on the other side of the lake. Usually it is covered when the water is higher, but we are in the low season so it will be accessible.’
‘Take us there?’ said Hundar.
‘It is pointless,’ said Carlos. ‘You will not be able to enter as you may suffer the same fate as those others.’
‘I understand that, Carlos,’ said Hundar. ‘I just want to see the actual entrance.’
Carlos shrugged.
‘It is forbidden to go there because of the danger,’ he said, ‘but if you promise not to enter and keep it between ourselves, then I see no harm.’
‘Good,’ said Hundar, and turned to the others. ‘Grab your packs, we’re moving again.’
Ten minutes later they stood on the far side. The landscape was, if anything, bleaker, and the clouds of steam rising from the lake below were much thicker. They dropped their packs and followed Carlos down the rocky slope toward the water’s edge. Finally they stood on a ledge running around the lake. The water lapped gently at the rocks a few feet lower and in the distance, hidden by the steam, they could hear the ominous sound of the bubbling water in the centre.
‘Along here,’ said Carlos and disappeared into the steam, closely followed in order by Hundar, Helga, Abbas, India and Brandon. Kosta once again brought up the rear, blocking the only escape route possible. The path was tiny and barely big enough for one person to pass but within a minute, they stood before a crack in the rocky wall. The fumarole entrance was hardly big enough to take a grown adult.
‘They died in there,’ said Carlos, ‘and that’s where my uncle found the ring.’
For a few moments, they all stared at the greenish gas escaping through the crack.
‘What are you going to do now?’ asked Brandon. ‘We can’t go in.’
‘I know,’ said Hundar, ‘but it is merely an inconvenience. I can have breathing apparatus here within hours.’
‘Do you really believe it is in there?’ asked India.
‘Absolutely,’ said Hundar. ‘Everything adds up. You have done a wonderful job, Miss Summers, and you have my gratitude.’
‘Don’t you think it is a stretch of the imagination that Kemal Reis travelled all this way and managed to find this hiding place?’ asked Brandon.
‘Not really. They already knew about the new world and took prisoners off those seven Spanish ships. All it would have taken is one of those captives to describe this place and Kemal Reis would have been captivated. Once he was here, throw in a bit of local knowledge and voila, the perfect hiding place away from the treasure seekers of the east.’
‘And what about over here on Dominica?’ asked Brandon. ‘They could have dug it back up as soon as he had gone.’
‘Only if they knew where it was,’ said Hundar. ‘Once it was hidden, slit a couple of throats and nobody would ever know it was here. Add to that the water levels and it was the perfect hiding place.’
‘So what now?’ asked Brandon.
‘Now we return to the ship,’ said Hundar. ‘I will make the necessary arrangements and tomorrow, we will return with all the equipment needed. If the treasure is there, we can have it all out and be on our way back to Istanbul within days.’
The group made their way back across the tiny ledge with India leading the way, closely followed by Kosta and then Brandon; the rest followed behind. As the path opened up again, Brandon saw Kosta stumble on a loose rock and, thinking fast, grasped what could be his only chance. He threw his whole bodyweight at Kosta’s unbalanced body, causing the Arab to windmill his arms frantically before falling the few feet to the steaming waters below.
‘India, run,’ shouted Brandon, and followed her scrambling form up the rocky slope. Below, Helga was holding up the rest as she still struggled along the narrow part of the path. The steam quickly hid them from view and only the sound of the group’s shouting was proof that there was anyone below them at all.
‘Brandon, what have you done?’ screamed India as she crested the lip of the lake.
‘No time,’ shouted Brandon. ‘Grab your pack and follow me.’
‘You pushed Kosta into the lake,’ she shouted. ‘You killed him.’
‘India,’ shouted Brandon, grabbing her shoulders, ‘trust me, he is not dead, but we soon will be if you don’t calm down. This is our only chance, we have to get out of here.’
She stared at him with a look of mistrust he had never seen before.
‘OK,’ she said, ‘but I hope you are right.’
‘Trust me, India,’ he said. ‘There is no time to explain, we have to go.’
Brandon quickly pulled a couple of water bottles from the rest of the packs and added them to their own as well as some of the food. He picked up the remaining packs and threw them into the bubbling water below.
‘What about them?’ asked India as she donned her own pack.
‘They’ll be OK,’ said Brandon. ‘There’s plenty of water around here, but this way they won’t be able to carry any with them; we need every advantage we can get. Besides, we are only three hours away from civilisation, so I am sure they can last that long.’
They circled the lake and made their way back toward the Valley of Desolation. Brandon led the way, encouraging India to greater effort, but it was obvious she wasn’t used to moving fast over broken ground. Fifteen minutes later, they stopped to rest.
‘I’m sorry,’ gasped India, ‘I can’t keep this up.’
Brandon looked around. He knew they couldn’t be far behind and had no doubt they would be caught long before they could reach the city. He thought fast. He had to do something to give them an advantage.
‘India,’ he said, ‘do you trust me?’
‘Of course, why?’
‘Then I need you to do exactly as I say.’
‘OK,’ she said. ‘What do you want me to do
?’
‘Follow me,’ he said, and turned to run back the way they had come.
‘Brandon,’ she started, but remembering her promise, followed him back up the track. Within minutes they reached the edge of the Valley of Desolation once more and stopped for a breather.
‘Where are we going?’ asked India.
Brandon took a drink from one of the bottles before answering.
‘Up there,’ he said, and pointed to the jungle-covered slopes looking above them.
‘But why?’ asked India. ‘Carlos said not to stray off the path, it’s too dangerous.’
‘I know what Carlos said, but this way we have a chance. I did my survival training in Belize and these jungles are not that much different. They won’t be expecting us to go up, they think we are hightailing it back down the path, and by the time they realise what we have done, we will be over this range and halfway down the other side. All we need is to find someone with a mobile phone and call the police.’
‘And what are the chances of that out there?’ asked India.
‘It’s a relatively small island,’ said Brandon. ‘I’m sure we’ll at least come across some habitation.’
‘It looks hard,’ said India, looking up at the almost vertical slopes.
‘It will be,’ said Brandon, ‘but I am more concerned with crossing these mud pools first. Now, walk gently, and only step where I step.’
‘Are you sure about this?’ asked India.
‘It is our only chance,’ said Brandon. ‘Now, are you up for it?’
‘I suppose I have to be,’ said India. ‘I just hope you know what you’re doing.’
‘So do I, India,’ he said, ‘so do I.’
Without further ado, Brandon stepped from the path and started picking his way across the treacherous mud pools of the Valley of Desolation.
Chapter 20
Hundar and the rest of the group stood at the lip of the Boiling Lake. Kosta was stripped to the waist, tying his hair behind his head.
‘As soon as we are ready,’ said Hundar, ‘catch them up and take them to the boat. I will deal with them there.’
‘I think there may be a problem with that,’ said Abbas. ‘My father is chieftain of the Saljik and as such, has had his honour insulted by the infidel. I suspect the option of capturing them has gone.’
The Treasures of Suleiman Page 22
