by David Wood
“Unfortunately for Fray Marcos, Coronado couldn’t wait to get his hands on the gold. He took Marcos as his guide and set out to conquer the Seven Cities. When the Spaniards never found the cities of gold, Fray Marcos was branded a liar, and eventually died in disgrace. According the journal page Saul gave me, he hid a single clue that would unlock the secret. He hid it in a well in a remote outpost in Argentina.”
“The breastplate,” Bones said, still holding his knife.
“Right,” Jade said. “When Saul showed me this, I dove into the research and learned of a recently discovered Spanish outpost in Argentina. I wanted to get down there and investigate right away before someone beat me to it. Saul introduced me to his father, who offered to fund my expedition through the organization of which he was a member. I would get all the credit for the find. The catch was, when I found the final location, his organization wanted to cherry pick a few of the artifacts before I documented the find. I thought it was a simple matter of black market artifact trading, which I loathe, but I didn’t see any other way I could fund the expedition on such short notice. By the time I learned I was being funded by the Dominion, it was too late to back out. In part, I was afraid of what they might do if I broke our deal, but I have to admit that I had the fever. I probably would have taken their money had I known from the start, as long as it meant realizing my life’s ambition.”
“I don’t get why they needed you,” Amanda said. “If they had the journal page, why not go after the clue themselves?”
“I can’t be one hundred percent certain.” Jade’s eyes took on a faraway glint. “The only things they had were the journal page, which makes no sense if you don’t know the rest of the story, and some local legends about a hidden treasure. They needed my knowledge and expertise. If you have a choice, why send a team of grunts when you can send an archaeologist who’s studied the Seven Cities for her entire life? Besides, even if they had managed to find the well and uncover the breastplate, which I doubt they could have done without the benefit of my research, they would have had needed an academic to help them get the clues deciphered. They also had Saul to keep tabs on me, and I was required to report back to Saul’s father on a regular basis. I guess the answer to your question is, ‘Why not me?’”
“Then why did they show up at Chaco Canyon, Mesa Verde, and Hovenweep?” Maddock asked. “Why did they snatch the clue at Shiprock before we did?”
“Actually,” Amanda said, “Saul found that clue. He didn’t tell us because he knew Jade was working with the Dominion.”
“He did?” Jade looked flabbergasted. “I didn’t think he knew. He didn’t seem to know his own father was in the Dominion.” She shook her head. “He must have wanted to find the treasure before them. Why didn’t he tell me?”
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Maddock snapped. He wanted desperately to believe her, to feel about her the way he had before learning of her connection with the Dominion. Anything that did not make sense, anything that did not strengthen her story, eroded the trust he was trying to rebuild.
“That was Jarren’s doing.” She gestured toward the spot where Jarren had been swept away by the current. “He works for someone who is known only as The Elder. He’s the head of the organization. Jarren wasn’t sure I could be trusted, so he took it upon himself to try to find the first piece without us. When I reported in, as instructed, he backed off. That is until Bones showed up.”
“Why did that matter?” Bones had sheathed his knife, and now squatted on the walkway, listening with keen interest.
“You were a new variable. You had already made trouble for them by taking the sun disc, and by rescuing Orley. At Mesa Verde, Jarren and another thug showed up at Square Tower House. They wouldn’t answer my questions, but they wanted the clue and they wanted you dead though I think they were acting on their own in that respect. I told them you had just reported back to me that Square Tower House was a dead end, and I convinced them that I was going to ditch you anyway because I didn’t need you. One of them cut your rope and knocked me out ‘just to be safe.’”
“So you didn’t set them on Saul and me at Sun Temple?” Bones asked. Amanda had sat down next to him. Both seemed to believe what Jade had told them so far.
“No. I had reported that we were looking at both locations. I kept giving them only the minimum information: what we found, and where we thought the next location might be, so they never knew about the solstice connections or any of our speculation. We were a little off regarding the site at Hovenweep, so we unintentionally threw them a curve there. And you guys held back the information about Rainbow Bridge until we were already there.”
“We thought Saul was the mole,” Amanda said, “but we weren’t sure.”
Jade nodded.
“When Jimmy made the connection that led to Zion,” Jade continued, “I reported in that all the pieces were in place. I believed Saul that the Dominion already had the Ship Rock piece. They, in turn, assumed that when I said ‘all pieces’ that I meant I had all of them. I thought I could ditch you guys at the hotel, complete the mission, and then when the Dominion picked whatever artifacts it was they wanted, I could let you in on everything. But they told me to kill Maddock.”
“Why only me?” Maddock asked. Now they were at the heart of it.
“I think they suspected there was something between us.” She was looking him right in the eye. “It was a test of my loyalties. What I did to you was the only thing I could think of on short notice. I almost told you the truth that night, but I didn’t know what you’d do. I was half afraid you’d hate me and half afraid you’d insist on going with me and manage to get yourself killed. I never planned to hurt you, and I did not know they would send men after the rest of you.” She now knelt and spoke to Bones. “When I came into this chamber and saw you and Amanda here, I was in shock. It was like my brain was frozen. Jarren had his gun on you, and I didn’t know what to do that wouldn’t get you killed. You had to have noticed that I didn’t take your knife, not that it did you any good.” She took a deep breath. “I’ve never killed anyone. Never even dreamed of it. But I swear to you, I had just made up my mind to shoot Jarren when you jumped him. I swear.”
Bones did not say anything. Apparently he was having as much trouble making up his mind as Maddock was.
“I really don’t like you,” Amanda said. Both women stood and faced one another, Amanda’s eyes ablaze and Jade’s dull with remorse or regret. “But I believe you.” She held out her hand, and after a moment, Jade took it in hers.
“Okay,” Bones said, rising to his feet. “I don’t know if I forgive you, but I believe you.”
“Thank you,” Jade whispered. She let go of Amanda’s hand and turned to face Maddock, the questioning look in her eyes making words unnecessary.
Maddock did not know what to say. Though every fiber of his being ached to believe her, to forgive her, to take her in her arms and make things be the way they had been, he just could not. It just wasn’t that easy.
“Let’s find this treasure,” he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. He could not help but see tears flood Jade’s eyes as he turned his back on her.
Chapter 30
The icy water drenched Maddock as he ducked through the waterfall, chilling him to his core. It brought him to his senses after feeling dazed by Jade’s revelations. Behind the waterfall, a door in the face of the rock led to a spiral staircase. As Maddock led the way up, Bones filled him in on the events that had brought him and Amanda to this point, including the attack at the motel, Jimmy’s updated translation, and their trek through the chambers beneath Angel’s Landing. Finally, the stairway ended at an ornate stone door. The door was carved with an elaborate scene of a storm at sea, complete with angry clouds, crashing waves, and a sea monster writhing in the depths. Where a knob would be found on an ordinary door, the cross and clover was carved, hovering just above the horizon. Hebrew words were carved above the doorway.
“I’ve
seen these words before,” Jade said. “When I was studying the first temple. ‘Shaar HaMayin. The Water Gate. I wonder what’s behind there.”
“Only one way to find out,” Maddock muttered. His anger had lent him a sense of reckless disregard. He pressed the symbol and the door slid back, revealing another glowing cavern. Here, the glow was more intense, the light brighter, and the chamber was noticeably warmer, almost humid. A cross-shaped channel ran down the center of the room, the water disappearing into a hole at their feet. On the far end of the chamber near the point of the cross, and on either side, lay circular pools, their dark waters speaking of great depth. “The cross and clover,” Maddock said, noticing the layout of the pools. “This must be the source of Fray Marcos’ symbol.”
“Either that or Estevanico spent a lot of time with a hammer and chisel,” Bones said with a smile. “So, what’s the next clue?”
“At the edge of the canal on its northern side, six cubits toward the immersed pool,” Amanda recited. “Which way is north?”
“To the left,” Bones said, consulting his Pathfinder.
They skirted the edge of the cross-shaped canal. Reasoning that the northernmost point of the cross would be the logical place to begin, Maddock led the others to the far left point of the cross.
“A cubit is the distance between a man’s fingertip and elbow.” The hurt was still evident in her voice. “So, probably about eight feet toward the pool.”
Maddock paced off the distance, dropped to his knees, and shone his flashlight across the floor. He saw nothing but smooth stone.
Bones dropped to the floor next to him and ran his fingertips across the smooth stone. He frowned.
“Shine your light here, Maddock. I think I feel something.” Maddock turned his light on the spot Bones indicated, and saw the cross and clover traced into the rock in such fine lines it would have been almost impossible to see if they had not been searching so intently for it. “But what do we do?” Bones asked. “It’s just a picture.” He pressed it, but nothing happened.
“Boys, how about that big chain hanging up above you?” Amanda asked, her voice playful
Maddock looked up. A massive chain hanging down from the ceiling, ending about eight feet above them.
“How long have you known that was there?” Bones asked.
“Since we walked in,” she said. “There’s another one on the opposite side.” She pointed to the far side of the channel where Jade stood looking up at the twin of the chain under which they stood. “I imagine there’s an unpleasant surprise waiting for the first person who doesn’t know his north from his south.”
As she said those last words, Jade reached up to take hold of the chain.
“Jade! No!” Maddock took off at a sprint, leaping across the center channel and dashing over to her. She looked into his eyes in complete astonishment as he clutched her tight against him.
“I wasn’t going to pull on it, Maddock,” she whispered. “What’s gotten into you, anyway?”
“You have,” he said, so soft that only she could hear him. For in that moment he thought she might die, he knew his true feelings for her. All uncertainties and hurt aside, he had cared only that she lived. He cared. “We have a lot to work out between us, but I do care about you.”
She did not reply but twined her arms around his neck and kissed him very seriously. After what seemed like an hour, Bones interrupted them by loudly clearing his throat.
“Excuse me, but don’t we have a treasure to find here?”
“I found my treasure,” Maddock said, holding Jade tight to his side. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Are you serious, Maddock?” Bones’ eyes were wide and his mouth agape.
“Hell no,” Maddock said after a suitable pause for effect. “I was yanking your chain. How about you yank that one and see what happens?”
“I suppose you think that’s funny too,” Bones said to Amanda, who was covering her face.
“Of course not,” she said, her smile belying her words. “I would never make you the butt of a joke.”
“Forget it,” Bones said. He took hold of the chain and pulled. A sound like thunder filled the room and the floor shook.
“Bones! Are you sure this is the north side?” Maddock shouted over the roar.
“Trust me!” Bones called back. “Look there!” He pointed to a spot on the ceiling directly above the pool, where a circle of stone about twelve feet in diameter had begun to turn. As the stone rotated, it gradually descended, revealing another spiraling stone staircase. It settled to the floor with a thud, fitting perfectly over the top of the pool. “Told you,” Bones said. “Trust me.”
Maddock again took the lead. As they ascended, he finally told them how Justin had rescued him in the desert and showed him the pool that gave him access to a back entrance through a long, spiraling tunnel, much like the one at the top of the peak through which the others had entered. Finally, weary from the climb, he had emerged in the center of the gargoyle-lined pit. He had immediately been set upon by the dark creatures from Justin’s drawings. He had retreated back into the tunnel, where he could pick them off one at a time. Finally, he made his way back out, praying he would not meet any more of the beasts, as he had exhausted his ammunition.
Upon learning that his friend was unarmed, Bones gave Maddock the .22 Jade had returned to him. She had given Bones his Glock back as well, but her revolver was lost. When they reached the top of the stairs, they were again faced with a stone door. This one was engraved with a large circle at the top, with seven lines descending from it, each ending in a hand.
“That’s the same symbol that was painted in Orley’s cave,” Bones said. “And on the sun disc.” He took the disc out of his pack and held it up for comparison. They were identical. “Do you think whoever painted it was here?”
“Whoever the artist was,” Amanda said, “he certainly knew the way to Angel’s Landing. His paintings led the way. And that giant spiral slope Maddock climbed sounds a great deal like the spiral staircase that was painted in the cave. I’ll wager,” she said, reaching out to touch the disc, “that even if the artist was never here, the disc was once here.”
“It’s also the symbol of Aten,” Jade said. “I think this just about seals the connection if there was any doubt.”
“Can you translate what’s inscribed above this door?” Maddock asked.
“Shaar HaKorban. The Gate of the Offering.”
“Sounds promising,” Bones said, putting the gold disc back in his pack. “Maddock, do you want to do the honors?”
This door pivoted as the others had done, and as he stepped through Maddock was greeted by a sight that took his breath. Like the chamber below, a cross-shaped channel flowed through the middle, but this was a massive, vaulted chamber with ornate columns, all shot through with the same intensely glowing streaks, that climbed to a ceiling far above them, supported by shining arches. Here, the light burned with such intensity that it had lost most of its greenish hue and was almost white. A similarly vaulted chamber was carved into either side. It was like a giant cathedral! It was not, however, the magnificence of the room that amazed him, but the treasure.
The floor was carved into seven terraces rising up from the channels in the chamber’s center. Every inch was packed with more wealth than Maddock had ever imagined. Huge chests had dry rotted and burst, spilling their contents upon the floor. Coins and ingots of gold, gold, silver and bronze coins lay scattered on the floor. Bars of gold and silver were stacked like firewood. Casks that probably contained oils or perfumes stood on the upper levels, interspersed with sculptures and pottery. Much of it was obviously Egyptian, but not all of it. As they made their way through the room, they saw other treasures. Some barrels held precious jewels, while others held ivory, or moldering bolts of what must have once been the finest cloth.
“Man, something’s messing up my phone,” Bones said, holding up his cell phone. “I wanted to take a picture. Bummer.” He looked dow
n at a pile of Egyptian artifacts that had spilled down from somewhere up above and lay strewn haphazardly across the bottom level. “This must be how that ranger found his ankh, and Justin found his treasures. They washed down the channels and eventually made their way out.”
“Let’s see what’s in the transepts,” Jade whispered, using the name of the side chambers that gave cathedrals their cruciform shape. She took Maddock’s hand and led him forward. The left transept was shallow, perhaps forty feet deep, and held no treasure, but at the far end, perched atop the seventh tier, stood a golden lampstand larger than any Maddock had ever seen. Three golden arms curved up on either side of its central column, and its solid base was inlaid with rubies. Jade squeezed his hand in a crushing grip. “Maddock! It’s the menorah! The menorah!”
“I can’t get my camera to work either,” Amanda said as she and Bones walked up behind them. “It’s almost as if…” She stopped in mid-sentence as her eyes fell on the menorah. “I can’t believe it. I thought the Romans took it.”
“That was the one that was made after the Babylonian Exile,” Jade said, her voice soft with reverence. “This must be the original. Many believe that the shape of the menorah is influenced by the Aten symbol.”
“So what’s in the other transept?” Maddock found that he could not bring himself to speak above a whisper in the face of such a holy sight. Moving as one, they all turned slowly about, and again were stunned by what they saw.
This transept, too, held no treasure save what stood at the end.
“I have to get a closer look at this,” Maddock whispered. He hurtled the center channel, the others following behind, all in rapt silence. The steps of this chamber were lined with white marble, and the walls were lined with cedar. On the bottom level of the left side of the transept, spaced at three-foot intervals, stood a line of twelve golden lions. On the right, facing their counterparts, were twelve golden eagles. Each step at the far end of the transept was also flanked by a golden creature: A lion facing an ox, a wolf and a sheep, a tiger and a camel, an eagle and a peacock, a cat and a cock, and a sparrow opposite a dove.
