Quest (Dane Maddock Adventures)

by David Wood

  “The influence was Egyptian, actually.”

  Dane was surprised to see a man staring up at them from down the path that descended into the valley. He had wavy brown hair, dark eyes, and a large, curved nose. His skin was deeply tanned, making his teeth seem even whiter when he smiled. He carried a small bow, but he did not have an arrow nocked.

  Good thing for him, Dane thought. He was not sufficiently armed to cause them any trouble.

  “I am Mago and I welcome you to Kephises.” He bowed. “Please put down your weapons. You have my word that we mean you no harm.”

  “I only see one of you,” Matt scoffed.

  “That, I think, is the point.” Mago’s smile widened.

  “There’s at least two guys hiding in the brush over that way,” Bones said, inclining his head to the right. “They’ve got arrows trained on us. I’m guessing there are a few more I haven’t spotted.”

  “You would be correct,” Mago said. “Your weapons, I’m sure, are formidable, but you would be killed.”

  Dane had to go with his gut. They were in an exposed position, and this man truly did not seem to want to hurt them. Could he blame these people for wanting to protect themselves from intruders in their realm? Besides, what choice did they have? Sure, they could fight, but at least some of their number would be killed, and probably for nothing. They had come this far to find out the truth behind Fawcett’s final expedition, and hopefully to find Thomas, and that was what they were going to do.

  “All right,” he said, laying first his M-16, and then his Walther, on the ground. “But I have to warn you, there are dangerous men after us, who are better armed than we are. We mean you no harm either, and it would be a good idea to let us keep our weapons.”

  “We shall see,” Mago said. When the remainder of Dane’s party had laid down their weapons, he made a quick gesture and several figures appeared, as if from nowhere, to collect their weapons. “Now, if you will please follow me.”

  He led them down the trail into the valley, with his comrades trailing behind, some carrying the confiscated weapons and backpacks, and others keeping arrows trained on their backs.

  Dane ignored them, hungry to take in the incredible scene. This was Kephises, the lost city so desperately sought after by Fawcett. Its very existence defied belief. He understood how this place had gone undiscovered. It was too far off the beaten path, and too well hidden, not to mention protected by the tribesmen below, for an explorer to stumble across it. Furthermore, with the heavy jungle growth all around, and the trees interspersed between the gardens, it would take the most detailed scrutiny of an aerial photo or satellite image to realize this was anything more than another patch of green in the midst of the vast Amazon region.

  The people tending the crops stared at them as they passed. They lacked Mago’s distinctive Mediterranean features, and instead bore some resemblance to the natives of the area, though their height, eye color, and complexion suggested a mixed ancestry.

  “May I ask you a question?” Dane actually had a hundred or more questions he wanted to ask, but he thought he’d start small.

  Mago shook his head. “I am not the person to answer questions. When we reach the temple, there are others who will speak to you.”

  A jaguar emerged from the cover of the trees and slunk toward them. Dane tensed, wishing he had a weapon, but their escort smiled at it as it padded up to him and nuzzled his hand. He scratched it behind its ears and spoke to it in gentle tones, as if it was a favorite pet. It left Mago and sidled up to Dane. He froze, wondering if this beautiful but deadly beast was docile only for its master, but then the big cat rubbed against his thigh and purred.

  “Isa likes to be scratched behind the ears and between the shoulder blades,” Mago said. “Go on. She won’t hurt you.”

  Dane reached down and scratched the jaguar, whose purr sounded like a Harley revving up. Kaylin knelt down and stroked Isa’s back.

  “She’s magnificent. And she is tame?”

  “She will do violence only in defense of her life. All the animals in Kephises are that way.” That raised another question Dane wanted to ask, but Mago was already moving again. One of their armed escort motioned with his bow, indicating they should move on.

  They entered the shade of the thick patch of jungle that barred the way to the temple. The path wound back and forth, almost like the coils of the Amazon River as it snaked its way across the continent. This was likely the only path through the jungle, and was cut this way in order to slow down invaders. Defenders could hide at each curve to repel invaders. The only alternative would be for the attackers to come through the jungle itself, which he imagined each citizen in Kephises knew like the back of his hand.

  The jungle gave way to a sparsely wooded area. Stone houses, built in the style of the ancient Mediterranean world, stood in the center, with huts resembling those of native Amazon tribes scattered all about. The trees, all tall with broad limbs, cast this village area in mottled sunlight.

  “This would be hard to spot, even from a satellite,” Bones observed, looking up at the massive trees. “And the pyramid, as eroded and overgrown as it is, probably just looks like a hill.”

  “I wouldn’t have believed it was possible for a place like this to exist undiscovered,” Tam said. “But it makes sense to me now.”

  Mago ushered them into the largest stone building, a rectangular structure with small windows and an arched entryway. A fragrant scent, like incense, greeted Dane as he stepped inside. Three men looked up as they entered, one of them springing to his feet.

  “Kaylin! Oh my God, what are you doing here?” It was Thomas, and he hurried forward, arms outstretched.

  Dane stepped aside, and a spark of jealousy flared in his heart, but it was extinguished almost immediately as he saw the look of hesitation in Kaylin’s eyes. It was only there for an instant, long enough for her to steal a glance at him before Thomas crushed her in a tight embrace.

  “I didn’t mean for you to come,” he mumbled, his lips pressed against the top of her head. “You were supposed to send help.”

  “Things got complicated,” she said. “I had to come along for my own safety.”

  Thomas drew back and frowned at her. “You went into the deepest, most unexplored region of the Amazon for your own safety?”

  “ScanoGen was after us. Is after us,” she added. “I don’t know who you need to warn, but they might be right behind us.”

  “I have taken precautions, Father,” Mago said, addressing a broad-shouldered man who remained seated, staring impassively at them. Finally, he nodded, and Mago bowed himself out of the room.

  Kaylin introduced everyone to Thomas, who shook each person’s hand and thanked them profusely for coming to his aid. She saved Dane for last, and a shadow crossed Thomas’s face when he heard the name. Clearly he knew Dane and Kaylin had once had a relationship. He recovered immediately, and gave Dane the same warm thanks he had given the others.

  “I imagine you have many questions.” A tall, lean man of lighter complexion than the others waved them to sit on a wooden bench that ran the length of one wall. Of middle years, he was lean and athletic-looking, and had about him an aura of abundant energy. “We will answer what we can. You have obviously taken a great deal of personal risk to come here.”

  Dane frowned at the man. There was something familiar about him. Perhaps it was his eyes, which, though friendly, were lighter than those of the others Dane had seen in Kephises, and burned with an intensity bordering on zeal. His accent was different, too. It almost seemed to have a touch of the U.K. in it.

  “Would you care for food or water?” the man asked.

  “Actually, my friend has a wounded leg that needs tending to.” He nodded to Willis, who waved dismissively, but his smile was a tired one.

  “We shall see to it at once.” Now it was the big man who spoke. He rose to his feet and clapped his hands twice. A young man, another of those who looked to be of mixed race, hurried i
n and dropped to one knee. “Take the Nubian and see to his hurts.”

  Willis’s jaw dropped in surprise, but he was too tired to reply. Tam covered her giggle with a forced cough, and Bones looked like it was taking all he had not to chime in.

  “I’ll go with him,” Matt said, rising to his feet and helping Willis stand. “I have first aid supplies that might come in handy.” They followed the young man out the door, Willis leaning heavily on Matt. Clearly, he was in worse shape than anyone had suspected, and the climb up the five steps had taken its toll. Dane had to admire his friend. He was resilient.

  “Is that word amusing to you?” The big man had not missed their reactions. “Or is it no longer used?”

  “Forgive us.” Tam spoke up quickly. “The word is still in use, but it is typically only used when complimenting a beautiful woman. You might call her a Nubian queen or princess.”

  “Ah.” The man settled back into his seat. “Your amusement was not disrespect, then.”

  “No disrespect was intended,” Dane assured him. “I am curious, though. Your settlement has clearly been here for many years.”

  “Two thousand, one hundred, forty four, to be exact. My ancestors wandered in the wilderness for a long while before finding this place.”

  “Were your ancestors from Carthage?” Dane had a feeling he knew the answer to that question, but did not want to make assumptions.

  “Yes, they were.” The man with the British accent spoke up. “You have the honor of addressing Hamilcar of Kephises, descendant of Hannibal Barca, the greatest of the Punic generals.”

  Hamilcar inclined his head, the expression on his face almost kingly. Under different circumstances, this would have been a stunning revelation, but considering they had just discovered Percy Fawcett’s legendary lost city, Dane found it merely surprising.

  “So, Kephises was not a Greek city,” Kaylin said, half to herself. “The legend was inaccurate.”

  “The name is of Greek origin, for reasons that have to do with the purpose of my people’s journey here so long ago,” Hamilcar said.

  “May I ask what that purpose was?” Tam’s voice was hopeful. Obviously, the answer to this question lay at the core of her, ScanoGen’s, and the government’s interest in Fawcett’s last expedition. Assuming, of course, she had told the truth about her government connections.

  Hamilcar shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

  “I can show you later,” Thomas said. “I owe you all an explanation after you came all this way to find me.” He sat next to Kaylin, holding her hand, though she did not look pleased about it.

  “If I may ask,” Dane began, turning his attention away from the discontented couple, “how is it that you speak English?”

  “I’m afraid the fault lies with my grandfather and great-grandfather.” The man whom Dane had thought familiar-looking took over the explanation. “I am Brian Fawcett, great-grandson of Percy Fawcett and grandson of Jack Fawcett.”

  Dane’s heart raced. “So Fawcett did make it here!”

  “Why, yes he did.” Brian smiled, clearly proud of his ancestor. “Mister Thornton, here, tells me my great-grandfather is quite famous, though it is generally believed he died in pursuit of a folly.”

  “That’s true. But now people will know the truth.” Dane imagined revealing the true story of the heroic explorer, and validating the man’s life’s work. But then he imagined what would happen next. The very best scenario he could envision was a swarm of researchers: archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, even geneticists wanting to learn more about this place and its people. They would destroy Kephises as it existed right now. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

  Fawcett nodded. “I understand. It must be an even greater surprise to you than it was to my grandfathers.” He leaned back in his chair and smiled, as if he was telling a story by a campfire. “Of their party, only Percy and Jack reached Kephises. The rest died along the way, or were killed by the ‘dead ones’ as Thornton tells me they are known to the outside world. The people of Kephises welcomed and honored them, though they were not permitted to leave.”

  Bones shifted uncomfortably and cast a dark glance at Dane, but did not interrupt.

  “I do not think they wanted to leave, frankly. They were treated well, and Jack was even permitted to marry into the Barcid family, which had been kept to a pure Punic bloodline. I have the rare honor to be descended both from the great Percy Fawcett and the legendary Hannibal.”

  “You would be a famous man in the outside world.” Dane smiled. “Have you ever been tempted to leave?”

  “No.” Fawcett’s face darkened. “I have not.”

  Hamilcar suddenly rose. “You will be given food and drink and a place to stay.”

  “If I may be so bold.” Dane had no idea how to address this man. If there was an honorific due him, he didn’t know what it was. “Please do not underestimate the men who are after us. They are well-armed and I seriously doubt they care who they kill as long as they get what they came for.” He glanced at Tam, who remained silent. “My friends and I are trained soldiers. We can help you defend yourselves.”

  “I will consider your words.” Hamilcar made a back-handed gesture, like brushing away an insect, and inclined his head toward the door.

  “I’ll show you around.” Thomas stood, nervously brushed invisible dirt from his pants, and ushered them out the door.

  The sun was an orange ball perched on the edge of the horizon as they stepped out into the light. Dane looked around, unwilling to relax. He and the others had not put up a fight when they met the protectors of Kephises, but this would not be true of ScanoGen. They would be looking for a fight, and though they would most likely be on the lookout for Maddock’s group, if they encountered anyone from Kephises, they would probably shoot first and ask questions later.

  “I get the impression they think they’re going to keep us here.” Bones kept his voice low so that no one else could hear.

  Dane nodded. Yet another reason they needed to retrieve their weapons as soon as possible. But how to do it without coming into open conflict with people they would prefer to protect?

  Kennedy stood in the shadows at the end of the tunnel, letting the darkness and the vegetation conceal his presence. He could not make out much from this vantage point, but he could see there was some sort of valley or canyon below them, and what looked like a pyramid in the distance.

  “See anything?” Smithson whispered.

  “Not much, but there’s at least two men hiding out there, keeping watch. If I can see them, there have to be more of them I can’t see.”

  “You think it’s more of those zombies?” Wesley actually sounded eager for a return engagement with the mindless natives.

  “I don’t think so. They didn’t seem like the type to hide out and guard an entrance. There’s something else going on here. I think we’ve reached the end of the line.”

  “Well, let’s go get ‘em then!” Wesley bobbed up and down on the balls of his feet. His near-death experience in the booby-trapped tunnel had not dampened his enthusiasm one bit.

  “Not yet.” Kennedy despised inaction, but he wasn’t stupid. They needed intel. What waited for them out there? How many men? How were they armed? What was the key to Project Pan, and where was it?

  “Yes, sir.” Wesley’s disappointment-soaked words were respectful. The man might be a pit bull, but he was a well-trained one. Good thing, too. Kennedy didn’t tolerate men who could not or would not follow orders.

  “We’ll wait for dark. Our night vision goggles will give us a major advantage. I’ll take one of them alive if I can, and find out just what’s waiting for us out there. Then we’ll move in.” A grim smile crept across his face. He did not know if Maddock or Broderick had reached this place ahead of him. It would probably be an easier fight if they had not, but somehow, he hoped they were here. He had a bloodlust that needed to be satisfied.

  Chapter 27

  “You should see the pyrami
d. It’s really something.” Thomas’s speech was clipped and his expression grave. He was moving fast, as if he didn’t care if they kept up with him or not. When they reached the pyramid, he began climbing. “Watch your step.” He didn’t look back as he spoke. “It’s crumbling in places, but if you stay behind me, you’ll be all right.”

  Dane wanted to tell him that they really weren’t interested in sightseeing right now, but he sensed Thomas had a purpose behind his actions, so he followed without complaint. When they had climbed about halfway, Thomas stopped, and indicated they should sit down.

  “I’m sorry about the climb.” The words were interspersed with gasps as he sucked in air. “It’s steep, but necessary.” Finally composing himself, he drew in a few slow, measured breaths. “Anyway, this is the one place we can talk without anyone listening. Not everyone here speaks fluent English, only the Punics, but the natives all speak at least a little bit, and understand a lot. This way, we can have a bit of privacy, and can also watch to see if ScanoGen shows up. The way in is that way.” He pointed to the ridge on the far end of the valley.

  “Tell us the story,” Dane said. “The whole story. We risked our lives to save you, and we deserve answers.”

  “That’s why we’re up here.” Thomas would not meet his eye. “Where should I begin?”

  “How much have you learned much about this place?” Bones asked.

  “Quite a bit, actually. Fawcett is very talkative, and the others are fairly free with information since they know I’m no threat to escape. Kephises was founded by refugees from Carthage who escaped at the end of the third Punic War, just before the fall of Carthage itself. Those who survived the voyage made landfall far to the north, most likely near the southernmost regions of the Mayan empire. The first natives they encountered worshiped them as gods, and followed them into the jungle. Their leader was Hasdrubal, Hannibal Barca’s grandson.”