Secrets Of The Serpent's Heart (The Arkana Archaeology Mystery Series Book 6)
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SECRETS OF THE SERPENT’S HEART
by
N. S. Wikarski
Secrets Of The Serpent’s Heart
Book Six Of Seven—The Arkana Mystery Series
http://www.mythofhistory.com
Copyright © 2015 by N. S. Wikarski
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Names You Should Know
Chapter 1 – How A Golden Age Turns Bronze
Chapter 2 – Legal Threshold
Chapter 3 – Formal Invitation
Chapter 4 – Go With The Flow
Chapter 5 – Feathered Fiend
Chapter 6 – Time And Tide...
Chapter 7 – Paper, Airplanes
Chapter 8 – Vanishing Point
Chapter 9 – Jaded Travelers
Chapter 10 – Incendiary Prose
Chapter 11 – Informed Observer
Chapter 12 – It’s Hip To Be Square
Chapter 13 – Dancing Around The Problem
Chapter 14 – A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Steppe
Chapter 15 – What Dreams May Come
Chapter 16 – The Wheel Facts
Chapter 17 – Flight To Suburbia
Chapter 18 – The Pits
Chapter 19 – Getting Warmer
Chapter 20 – Reason To Retrieve
Chapter 21 – What’s Around The Bend
Chapter 22 – Power Beauty Tips
Chapter 23 – Lame Excuses
Chapter 24 – High Way To Heaven
Chapter 25 – Upon Reflection
Chapter 26 – Antipodal Alliance
Chapter 27 – Psychic Friends Network
Chapter 28 – Abominable Writing
Chapter 29 – Location, Location, Location
Chapter 30 – Dead Zone
Chapter 31 – Crowning Moment
Chapter 32 – Termination Benefits
Chapter 33 – Keyless Entry
Chapter 34 – Photo Opportunity
Chapter 35 – Leroy And The Bandits
Chapter 36 – Scene Stealers
Chapter 37 – Nephilim Ninjas
Chapter 38 – Planned Aggression
Chapter 39 – Arrivals And Departures
Chapter 40 – An Enemy In Need
Chapter 41 – Silence Is Golden
Chapter 42 – Embracing Truth
Chapter 43 – Aftershock
Chapter 44 – Choosing Up Sides
Chapter 45 – Cage Fighters
Chapter 46 – One Step Beyond
Chapter 47 – Bad News Bearer
Chapter 48 – Phantom Pains
Chapter 49 – Going Dark
Chapter 50 – Recyclables
Author Bio
Books By N. S. Wikarski
Useful Info
NAMES YOU SHOULD KNOW
(Through The End Of Volume 5 In The Series)
Key to books in the series:
GK – The Granite Key
MM – The Mountain Mother Cipher
DW – The Dragon’s Wing Enigma
DD – Riddle Of The Diamond Dove
JL – Into The Jaws Of The Lion
Abraham Metcalf – Prophet and autocratic leader of the Blessed Nephilim. In his seventies.
Annabeth – Third wife of Daniel. Nervous and high-strung. Wants to improve her position in the Nephilim hierarchy by birthing more children.
Archwarden – Leader of a Nephilim satellite compound.
Arkana – Secret organization whose mission is to retrieve and protect the artifacts of lost pre-patriarchal civilizations around the globe.
Blessed Nephilim – Fundamentalist religious cult which traces its lineage to the Nephilim of the Bible. They practice polygamy, live in isolated compounds, and maintain a strict separation from the rest of the world.
Bones Of The Mother – Collection of Minoan artifacts which have been hidden among the ruins of forgotten civilizations on every continent. Each artifact provides clues to the location of the next relic. Collectively, they will lead to the location of the Sage Stone.
Cassie Forsythe – Psychic with the ability to touch an artifact and relive scenes from its past. She succeeds to the title of Pythia within the Arkana after the murder of her sister. Nineteen-year-old college freshman at the beginning of the story.
Central Catalog – Abandoned rural schoolhouse outside the Chicago metro area which contains the records of Arkana troves throughout the world. Also known as “the Vault.”
Chatelaine – Arkana honorary title meaning “castle protector and keeper of the keys.” Rank conferred on Maddie in recognition of distinguished service (DD). This title carries with it voting privileges within the Circle.
Chief Scrivener – Person responsible for managing the records of the Arkana Central Catalog. The title is currently held by Griffin. His rank was elevated to Right Honorable Chief Scrivener in recognition of distinguished service (DD). This title carries with it voting privileges within the Circle.
Chopper (Orvis) Bowdeen – Mercenary and friend of Leroy Hunt. Hired by Abraham Metcalf to provide weapons training to the Nephilim and set up surveillance systems at all Nephilim compounds around the world.
Chris (David Christian) – Librarian at the Chicago Public Library who assists Daniel with his research and becomes his friend.
Circle – Governing body of the Arkana.
Concordance – General council of the Arkana.
Consecrated Bride – Nephilim term for married women within the cult.
Daniel Metcalf – Lesser son of Abraham whose skill with ancient languages has made him an unwilling participant in the quest to find the Bones Of The Mother.
Diviner – Title given to the prophet of the Nephilim. A role currently occupied by Abraham Metcalf.
Dr. Rafi Aboud – Foreign doctor with a mysterious past who has been hired by Abraham to perform experiments at a secret laboratory. The purpose of his experiments is known only to the Diviner.
Erik – Martial arts and weapons expert, in his mid-twenties. His job is to protect the Pythia on field assignments and arrange for the safe transportation of artifacts. His title is Security Coordinator.
Fallen – Term used by the Nephilim to describe inhabitants of the outer world. Anyone who doesn’t belong to the cult.
Faye – Elderly leader of the Arkana. She holds the title of Memory Guardian. Her age is unknown but it may exceed normal human limits.
Field Agent – Operatives of the Arkana deployed around the globe who handle artifact retrievals. Individuals tasked with assisting in the retrieval of Bones Of The Mother. In order of appearance: Fred (Turkey-MM), Rabten and Rinchen (Tibet-JL).
Griffin – Chief Scrivener. He is responsible for cataloguing all artifacts collected in troves around the world. British and in his early twenties, he has an eidetic memory.
Hannah Curtis – Teenage bride of Daniel Metcalf who is subsequently re-assigned to marry his father Abraham. Runaway who has found shelter with Faye.
Joshua Metcalf – Daniel’s biological brother and
competitor for Abraham’s favor. Appointed by the Diviner as head of the Order Of Argus.
Leroy Hunt – Mercenary currently on the payroll of the Nephilim. His job is to protect Daniel as they attempt to retrieve the Bones Of The Mother. He has no conscience and a taste for violence.
Maddie – Short-tempered, chain-smoking Operations Director of the Arkana. She manages day-to-day global affairs.
Matristic Civilizations – Arkana term for ancient goddess-worshipping societies which thrived without military fortifications, rigid social hierarchies, male dominance, or career warfare.
Memory Guardian – Faye’s title as head of the Arkana.
Mother Rachel – Principal wife of the Diviner. Highest ranking consecrated bride of the Blessed Nephilim.
Operations Director – Maddie’s title as manager of global operations for the Arkana.
Operatives – Members of Blessed Nephilim satellite communities assigned to help Daniel in the field. In order of appearance: Nikos (Crete-GK), Ilhami (Turkey-MM), Sergio (Spain-DW), Mohammed (Egypt and Sudan, DD).
Order Of Argus – Secret intelligence organization within the Nephilim. Abraham’s eyes and ears among the congregation.
Overlord Cultures – Arkana term for male-dominated warrior cultures fixated on territorial expansion through conquest and exploitation of indigenous inhabitants.
Paladin - Arkana honorary title meaning “the Pythia’s defender.” Rank conferred on Erik in recognition of distinguished service (DD). This title carries with it voting privileges within the Circle.
Pythia – Title currently held by Cassie. The official seer of the Arkana. Her rank was elevated to Right Honorable Pythia in recognition of distinguished service (DD). This title carries with it voting privileges within the Circle.
Rhonda – Antique store owner and Sybil’s former business partner. Surrogate big sister to Cassie.
Sage Stone – Mythical Minoan relic which is reputed to possess great power. Nephilim prophecy reveals that this relic must be acquired by Abraham if his secret plan to orchestrate a global apocalypse is to succeed.
Scion – Nephilim title given to the Diviner’s successor and heir-apparent. Daniel currently holds the position.
Scouts – Operatives of the Arkana deployed around the world to ferret out undiscovered matristic civilizations and potential new trove sites. In order of appearance: Bobbye Johnson (Botswana-DD), Oluoma Okoli (Nigeria-DD).
Security Coordinator – Title originally held by Erik. He reports to the Operations Director.
Sentinel – Watchers posted by the ancient Minoans to guard the location of each artifact until the arrival of the Arkana team. In order of appearance: Iker Mendiluze (Spain-DW).
Sybil Forsythe – Cassie’s sister. Late Pythia of the Arkana.
Trove – Arkana collection point for artifacts related to a specific geographic region or culture.
Trove-keeper – Person appointed to manage the collection of artifacts at a particular location or trove. In order of appearance: Xenia Katsouros (Minoan-GK), Aydin Ozgur (Anatolian-MM), Stefan Kasprzyk (Kurgan-MM), Thea Xara (Maltese-DW), Ortzi Exteberri (Basque-DW), Ochanda Exteberri (Basque-DW), Grace Littlefield (Haudenosaunee-DW), Michel Khatabi (Berber-DD), Sophie Khatabi (assistant, Berber-DD), Dee Pandala (Malabar-JL).
Tyro – Title which refers to an apprentice agent of the Arkana. In order of appearance: John (Sudan-DD), Zachary (Vault-JL).
Vault – Another name for the Central Catalog.
Vlad – Broker for shady arms deals. Aboud’s ally in finding a buyer for weaponized pneumonic plague.
Zachary – Faye’s teenage descendent—often referred to as her “great-great-something-or-other grandson.” He has joined the Arkana as a tyro.
Chapter 1—How A Golden Age Turns Bronze
Gansu Province, Northern China, 2650 BCE
During the age of Shen-Nung, people rested at ease and acted with vigor. They knew their mothers, but not their fathers. They lived among deer. They ate what they cultivated and wore what they wove. They did not think of harming one another. –Zhuangzi
The woman stood upright and stretched to ease the stiffness in her back. She’d been cultivating around the roots of a row of millet plants. She paused to study the feathery seed heads drooping above their tall stalks—still green though the weather had been fair and promised to ripen them in a few more weeks. Her youngest son, barely more than a toddler, was attempting to help her by attacking weed clumps with a sharp stick.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed movement in the distance. Several dozen figures were descending from the mountains that surrounded the river valley where she and her clan lived. They were moving at a leisurely pace down the slopes. Curious, she dropped her hoe and, taking her son by the hand, threaded her way through the millet field. Several others of her clan, also working in the fields, had noticed the approach of the strangers. The farm folk wandered toward the river bank and gathered in a small group to watch their descent.
As the band loomed ever nearer, a collective murmur of surprise rose from residents. The woman gasped audibly at the spectacle. The strangers numbered about fifty men, women and children. These people were odd-looking. Whereas the villagers were short and stocky with straight black hair and brown eyes, the strangers were tall and gangly, their skins as pale as a fish’s belly. Their eyes were round and set deep in their sockets. Their hair was bushy—the color and texture of straw.
They were not walking but riding. The lead figure sat astride a long-necked, long-nosed beast which he controlled with leather straps fastened around the creature’s mouth. The woman had seen a few of these animals before though large numbers of them were said to roam across the grasslands beyond the mountains. They were useless as livestock. Not placid like the pigs which her clan kept in pens. These long-necked creatures were easily frightened and, once startled, they ran like the wind. Sometimes her people would hunt them for their meat but no one had ever tried to sit on one before.
Yet here was a band of humans astride the backs of these creatures as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Not all the strangers were riding the animals though. Several among them, mainly women and children, were traveling in even stranger fashion. They sat in square wooden boxes with round disks attached on either side. Long-necked beasts were tied to these boxes and pulled them forward, making the disks spin and leaving behind tracks in the grass.
The woman’s son had wrapped his arms around her leg as if it were a tree trunk. He stared up at her, silently demanding to be carried. She hoisted him into her arms so he could get a better view. He stuck his fist into his mouth, warily regarding the advancing procession.
The woman’s eyes were drawn to a female figure seated in the foremost of the square boxes. A plank of wood was strapped to her back. On it rested an infant, if the poor little thing could be said to rest at all. It was swathed in cloth strips that bound its tiny body to the plank. The infant was wrapped so firmly that it could move neither its arms nor its legs. Its forehead was held rigidly against the board to keep it from flopping to either side. For a moment, the woman wondered whether the baby was even alive. Perhaps this was the way these foreigners prepared their dead for burial. Then the baby’s eyes blinked open lethargically. The pressure of the wrappings made the eyes seem to bulge from their sockets but the infant remained mute. Perhaps it knew that no one would release it from its bindings so there was no point in whimpering.
The woman’s attention then traveled from the bound infant to its mother. Her hair was flame-colored. She wore an intricately stitched shawl—red and green thread had been worked into square shapes with straight lines shooting through them. The design was more complex than anything the clan weavers could produce.
This caravan was a peculiar sight to be sure. But of all the curiosities in this odd procession there was one stranger than all the rest. It was a wooden platform, smaller than the boxes which held the women and children. It too had wooden disks attached to e
ach side and was pulled by a long-necked animal. Beneath the platform were more disks with notched edges which seemed to interlock with one another. These all connected to a small pillar resting on top of the platform. The pillar was topped by an ornamental carving of the neck and head of one of the beasts these people used for conveyance. As this platform traveled forward, no matter which way it zigged and zagged down the hills, the nose of the carving always turned toward the same direction. The woman judged it to be pointing south. She couldn’t imagine what purpose this device served.
Her silent speculation was cut short when the leader of the band raised his arm, commanding his followers to halt. They wordlessly obeyed. The man gave his beast a sharp kick in the ribs and it ambled forward until he tugged on the strap in its mouth to make it stop a mere ten feet away from the assembled clan.
The farm folk gawked up at him. He impassively stared back at them. The woman took in every detail of his appearance. His yellow hair hung down his back. It was the color of ripe millet as was the color of the thick beard which flowed down his chest. His age was hard to guess. He was not a youth but not an elder either. His eyes were set so deeply that his eyelids folded over them like a hood. On his head, he wore some sort of metal bowl turned upside down. Horns had been affixed to either side of the bowl, giving him the fearsome aspect of a charging beast. A long knife hung from a leather belt at his waist.