by K. T. Tomb
“I will. Love you,” she said.
“Love you, Pat,” he said.
She clicked off the phone and finished hanging up her clothes. Out of the large bay window next to her workspace, the sun glistened off the surface of the beckoning Aegean Sea.
Chapter Three
The restaurant was dimly lit as Cash entered. She had worn a neat, professional knee length dress with a round neckline and a pale yellow chenille shawl wrapped around her bare arms. She informed the maître d' that she was meeting someone and he directed her to the table where Dr. Edgar Carlyle had already arrived. As she approached the table, she first noticed how young he looked. She had expected a bearded academic-type. Rather, he looked to be just around her own age; well-groomed brown hair, delicate features, and piercing green eyes behind a pair of wire rimmed spectacles. He stood as she approached, extending his hand.
“Ms. Cassidy,” he said. “A pleasure to meet you.”
“Please, call me Cash,” she said, taking his hand with a smile.
He gestured for her to sit as the maître d' held the chair out for her.
“I hope you don't mind. I've ordered us some appetizers.”
“Not at all,” she said. “I'm very much enjoying taking in the culture here. I'm sure the food will be just as delightful.”
He glanced nervously down at this plate.
“I have to admit. I am a bit star-struck at meeting you. The Templar's Secret was the apex of your talent up to that point, in my humble opinion.”
Cash laughed lightly. She wanted to make him comfortable.
“Thank you so much. But while I am here, I want you to think of me as an equal; a colleague if you will. I’m sure you have much to teach me on the subject matter at hand.”
“I'm looking forward to it,” he said.
His demeanor seemed entirely genuine. Nothing about this man made her think that he was anything other than a pure scholar.
A young server approached with a large platter of Meze, cheese and olives along with a basket of warm Pita bread. These were placed on the table and a small plate was put before each of them. Edgar nodded thanks to the server who then disappeared into the darkness of the restaurant.
“So,” Cash began, as she reached for the hors d'oeuvres, “tell me about Atlantis.”
At the mention of the mythical ancient city, Cash noticed his eyes light up from within.
“It was a beautiful place,” he began. “Often described as the birthplace of humanity. Not many people know that.”
“One thing I wanted your opinion on, Dr. Carlyle...”
“Edgar, I insist.”
“Edgar. In my readings I have found that many believe that Atlantis was a peaceful utopia, but in Plato's original description, the Atlanteans were a harsh, selfish people who attempted to take over the world. What are your thoughts?”
“That is a point of much debate. Over the years, mystics and theologians have pondered this very thing.”
Edgar began resting his arms on the edge of the table, barely touching the small plate of food sitting before him. He expressed an eagerness in the subject matter that led Cash to believe that he did not have much of an outlet, on a regular basis, to speak about his interest.
He continued. “I, for one, believe that Plato's description is merely a device that he used to further the divine status of the Athenians. Plato portrayed Atlantis as a large, seemingly unstoppable force intent on enslaving all the surrounding lands. The rise of the small group of rebels took them down with not much more to defend themselves than ingenuity and purity of spirit.”
“That sounds like...” Cash said, mulling over his description.
“Star Wars,” he said with a grin. “Basically, yes. The thing is, I don't subscribe to the idea that Atlantis is a myth.”
“Really,” Cash said, careful to guard her reaction. “Tell me more about that.”
“Off the coast of Greece, there exists the Island of Santorini. Have you heard of it?”
“In passing,” Cash said.
“I believe that the legend of Atlantis is based on this very island, which was destroyed by volcanoes and earthquakes in the early 1600 B.C. This date is the closest in date and description to the events of the Atlantean legend. The island still exists, though it is now a body of small islands, as the destruction caused the main island to sink into the Aegean Sea.”
“It still exists?” Cash was awestruck. In all of her research, she had not learned of this existing island.
“Yes,” he continued. “And I have arranged for us to travel there during your stay. If you agree, we will go by boat to the islands in three days. That will give you time to get settled and continue any other studies you may need.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Cash said.
“I tell you,” he concluded. “If the city is to be found, it is in that area.”
The idea of visiting the site of what may have been the legendary city greatly piqued her interest. She and Edgar spent the rest of the evening comparing notes, discussing theories, and talking at length, but never varying far from the topic of the lost city. They referenced the various movies and books that had been written, and laughed together over some of the metaphysical claims made by some of the New Age writers about Atlantis. By the evening’s end, Cash felt confident that, though they did not agree on everything, they could discuss these differences in a cordial and professional manner as colleagues. She did not find it difficult to see Edgar as a friend and looked forward to having him available as a resource while she conducted her research.
***
For the next few days Cash explored the city, visiting the ancient ruins, the market places and other places of notice. She found special interest in the Temple of Poseidon. During her conversation with Edgar, she had learned that Poseidon had played a large role in the story of the Lost Continent, along with the five sets of twins that were said to rule over Atlantis before it fell into the sea. The Temple stood on the edge of the island overlooking the sea in reverence to the ancient sea god. Cash walked the grounds, taking in the beauty of the ruins. Carefully groomed grass framed the crumbling buildings, creating a dichotomy that epitomized the spirit of Athens, modern verses ancient, chaos verses order. The city skyline in the distance seemed to frame the gleaming ruins, while the sea splashing against the rocky overlook, called to her from the other side.
The day came for the boat tour across the Aegean Sea and she met Edgar at the edge of the pier. He wore a white linen button down shirt and khaki pants. In his dark sunglasses and with the ocean breeze through his hair, she could almost see him being attractive… for a bookish type. She smiled and waved as she approached.
“Are you ready to witness a legend?” he asked.
Cash laughed.
“Don't get too excited. It's just an afternoon boat tour. It will be fun, I'm sure. But nothing life changing.”
They walked down the pier, side by side, toward the large gleaming white sailboat at the end. The crew scurried about readying the vessel. Other than the crew, the two of them had the boat to themselves, rented for the day from a local company. The captain stood at the end of the pier awaiting his two guests.
“Good morning,” he said, extending a hand to Edgar. “Captain Daniel Morgan at your service.”
“Pleasure, Captain,” Edgar said, shaking the captain’s hand. “This is my colleague, Cash Cassidy.”
“A lovely accompaniment to our journey today,” he said, taking Cash's hand. “The sea looks fine for it.”
He turned and looked out at the sea. Cash felt the excitement build as the clear sky stretched out before them, meeting the slightly blue green shade of the water. She noticed a small line of dark clouds just on the horizon, but the captain did not seem concerned, so she felt no trepidation. Captain Morgan spoke again, gesturing toward the plank leading to the boat.
“Shall we?”
They boarded. The sway of the vessel made Cash feel a bit woozy right away, bu
t she managed to keep herself upright as they made their way onto the main deck of the ship. After a few more minutes of adjustments to the gear, the crew found their positions. The captain called out various commands as the ship set sail and left the harbor.
Edgar stood next to Cash as they looked out over the sea.
“Where we are headed,” he explained, “is very close to the place I described to you. The Islands of Santorini will be within view in a few hours. We may be able to dock, even. I'm not sure what has been arranged.”
“What is it like there?” Cash asked. “Today, I mean. What sort of civilization exists there?”
“Small villages. The economy is run nearly entirely on tourism. It's quite lovely, but nothing like the imaginings of the lost city of Atlantis. It used to be a much larger island until the famous volcanic eruption. This caused the island to basically cave in on itself. Seen from above, it looks like a half moon with a large lagoon in the center.”
“Do you really believe Atlantis will be found one day?” she asked.
He gazed out at the sea for a long while before answering. The wind whipped through their hair as they shuttled forward through the blue water. Finally, he turned and looked directly into her eyes.
“Do you?” was all he said.
Cash had no response to this.
They continued onward. The sky had spots of clouds here and there, but the water remained smooth and the boat sailed without incident. Every once in a while Cash felt drops on her face, but she felt certain this was seawater spray from the wake of the ship. They sailed on. The captain soon appeared on deck, looking out to the sky, which had darkened rather quickly.
The storm began quite suddenly. Thinking back on it, Cash could not recall when the water droplets, which seemed to come from the wake separated by the prow of the ship, turned into genuine rain drops. Just a shower at first, but soon coming in waves seeming to engulf the small vessel. The sky had become like a sheet of black clouds rolling all the way to the horizon. The sea bucked and tossed them mercilessly. It had happened so quickly that Cash still clung to the railing of the ship. She looked next to her to find, of all things, Edgar clinging to the railing as well and grinning from ear to ear.
“I saw it!” he yelled over the sound of the pounding rain and wind. He pointed ahead into the maelstrom. “I saw the island!”
Cash looked. She saw nothing more than torrents of rain and the angry motion of the sea. “I don't see anything!” she yelled back to him.
“Before the storm!” Edgar said. “I'm telling you, I saw Santorini Island!”
Cash realized that both of them were soaked through. Not a stitch of her clothing remained dry. She imagined the same could be said for her colleague. The captain and crew were working fearlessly to control the ship, shouting commands and information to each other over the storm. At one point, Cash thought she might have heard the captain shout for them to get off of the main deck. The storm seemed to be gaining strength. The waves of the ocean began to shake the boat in earnest. A small glimmer of panic began to spark inside her. She could not bring herself to let go of the railing for she feared she might lose her footing. Edgar had begun to laugh into the wind, feeding on some energy that Cash was not privy to.
Very suddenly, a wave splashed over the edge of the deck, nearly knocking them both off of their feet. Cash's hands began to slide off of the rail, but she pulled herself back up within a minute. The captain continued to shout for them to find a secure place on the ship, but his voice was becoming more and more difficult to hear over the sound of the storm. The last thing Cash heard with any clarity was the sound of the captain and crew shouting loudly, the howl of the wind and Edgar’s voice.
“Cash,” he said in a strangely calm voice. “I think we are going to capsize.”
The waves overtook the boat. She was underwater before she realized they had been washed overboard. Cash struggled against the waves, fighting the current to reach the surface. She kicked as hard as she could, lungs burning. After long seconds, she broke the surface. The rain came in such droves that she could not see the ship or anyone around her. Lightning and thunder had begun and the surface of the sea became lit with the other worldly flashes that surrounded her. Another wave knocked into her, submerging her momentarily. She broke the surface again, gasping for air. Cash knew she was losing the battle against the sea. She didn't know what to do or which direction to try to swim. But she knew she had to fight, with every last breath she had.
She began to swim as hard as she could. The tumult of the sea tossed her like a weightless balloon and her arms did not have the strength to combat the currents. Another wave overtook her. Lightning crashed and she felt herself pulled under. She felt herself pulled under again, this time by a stronger current. Cash kicked at first, recalling her training for oceanic emergencies. She let her muscles relax. The current would pull her down at first, but there had to be a turnabout eventually and she could find her way back to the surface. She knew as long as she did not panic, she would be fine. Her lungs continued to burn, fighting for the oxygen that her body craved. The water swirled around her. Everything went black.
Chapter Four
The sun felt bright, even before she could open her eyes. Her head pounded. The rain had stopped. Cash felt herself lying on sand, a beach. The sound of waves, small and lapping, greeted her ears. A cry of a seagull punctuated the sounds around her. She attempted to sit up, but convulsed in a fit of coughing. She turned over on her side, leaning on her elbows and coughed until her lungs were cleared of sea water. When she opened her eyes, she saw a small stretch of beach, white and shining in the sun. Further up from the shore, the sand met with a grassy hillside which sloped over into a small hilltop, beyond which she could not see. Carefully, she turned her head. About fifty feet away she saw a crumpled form lying on the beach. Another castaway. Edgar. Cash attempted to stand, but her muscles felt wobbly from the exertion and adrenaline. She crawled over to him leaving trails in the soft sand. As soon as she reached him, she could see that he still remained unconscious.
She checked his pulse. Faint. Too faint.
“Come on, Edgar,” she said. “Don't do this to me.”
With all the strength she could muster, she pulled him onto his side and began to pound on his back as hard as she could. In the state she was in this was not very hard. At first he did not respond in any way to her manipulations.
“Dammit, Edgar!” she said as she pounded his back again. “We are not going out like this! Do you hear me?”
At this last exclamation his body convulsed and he coughed, clearing his lungs. Once he had caught his breath, he turned to Cash.
“You didn't have to hit me so hard, you know.”
Cash laughed with relief.
“Oh, thank the gods you're okay,” she said. “I don't know what I would have done if I'd been stranded here alone.”
Edgar looked around.
“What happened to the storm? Clear up?”
“Seems to have,” Cash said. “Now where are we?”
“Well, this isn't the Santorini Islands, I can tell you that much,” Edgar said. “Can you stand?”
Cash tested her legs, which seemed to have gained a small amount of strength. She and Edgar both helped each other up, awkwardly reaching a standing position eventually. They looked around the small cove. White beaches, grassy knoll, seagulls. Edgar motioned toward the hilltop.
“Let's go look,” he said.
They walked toward the edge of the beach. When they breached the hilltop, they found that they were looking down on the center of a large island, stretching far into the distance. A sparkling city greeted them. The roadways had been patterned after a wheel and spoke design. Segments of the city showed great patches of agricultural practice, while other areas were filled with markets, bustling with the sounds and business of commerce. The roads leading toward the center of town seemed to hum with movement and activity. Cash felt consumed with an other-worldly feeling
, vertigo and déjà vu all at once. Next to her, Edgar took in a breath.
“Wow,” he breathed. “It's just like I imagined.”
“What,” Cash said. “What is it? Where are we?”
He turned to her with a smile that she could only compare to a child on Christmas morning.
“Cash,” he said. “If I told you what I’m thinking, you’ll say I’m crazy.”
He took off down the hill toward the central entrance on the side of the wall that was nearest them. Cash did not know what to think. Part of her imagined that she was experiencing some sort of water-induced hallucination. Another part of her wondered if perhaps they had both died in the storm and this were some kind of in-between world before passing through to the other side, whatever that may be. But then she began to think of the experiences she had in Jerusalem, and the secrets that she carried.
Cash knew that there were things in this world that people would not understand. Were not meant to understand. She knew that she was one of the few people who had the strength to carry those secrets. And after having spent that first evening with Edgar, she also knew that if there was a city of Atlantis, he knew enough about it to recognize it on sight. She shrugged her shoulders and trotted to the path after him.
“Are you saying that somehow we’re on Atlantis?”
Edgar stopped and smiled widely at her. After a few moments he nodded cautiously.
“That’s not possible,” she said matter-of-factly. “The city sank into the sea. We’re on dry land here.”
Edgar shrugged and continued making his way toward the city walls.
“Hold up,” she called after him.
He turned and waited for her. When she neared him, she saw three people walking on the path toward the two of them. They were walking from the gate along the city wall, walking with purpose and straight toward them. When they neared, Cash saw that they wore strange clothes, tunics which swept the ground with every step. There were three of them, two women and one man. The man seemed to be older, but it was difficult to tell as their faces were smooth and seemingly unmarked by age. All three had short cropped hair combed close to their faces. The women both wore silver bands around their waists, and the man wore a blue band. As they neared, the woman leading the three extended her hands forward with her palms up.
