Sarah swivelled in her chair, trying to catch sight of the elusive form of the Bishop of Rome.
Despite her anti-religious leanings – and the fact he was shrouded from view – Sarah found herself mesmerised by the white-clad patriarch’s presence. It wasn’t every day you came into such close proximity with a world leader, and one that commanded such respect. It was a humbling experience, and Sarah hated herself for feeling that way. The man was the head of an establishment she loathed.
‘What is the meaning of this?!’ said the newcomer, clearly unimpressed.
Zinetti released his hold on Avery, bowed his head and said, ‘Cardinal Visconti, ask our Holy Father’s forgiveness; these are testing times. Passions run high.’
The man turned his head to look out of the window at the sight of Rome burning, his expression one of deep sorrow. He looked back at Zinetti and waved him forward.
The cardinal walked around the curved table and followed Visconti into the area beyond.
Zinetti left Visconti’s side and approached his superior, knelt down and kissed his hand.
Sarah, like the other cardinals, waited with bated breath as the two men conversed in low tones.
After more tense moments passed, the Pope waved Zinetti away and the cardinal re-entered the hall, suitably chastened.
The frail figure of the supreme pontiff took his valet’s arm and moved away, as the doors to the room were drawn closed by his Swiss guards.
Sarah continued to stare and her eyes widened as the religious leader caught her gaze just before he disappeared from view, his look loaded with deep concern.
With the surreal moment having ended, Zinetti walked back past Sarah, who remained sitting on her chair, not quite believing what had just transpired.
‘Well?’ Avery said, his face still flushed from their previous altercation.
‘His Holiness calls for calm heads in these testing times,’ Zinetti said, ‘and reminds us that, despite our differences, it’s that which unites us that makes us stronger, not that which divides us.’
Avery’s expression was sceptical. ‘And that’s all he said?’
Zinetti ignored him and faced the other cardinals. ‘It is time to show our guest why she is here.’
Cardinal Dolmante said something in Latin, which elicited nods of approval from those around him.
‘The time for questions has passed,’ Zinetti said in answer. He looked at Sarah. ‘The time for action is at hand.’
Chapter One Hundred Fourteen
Sarah was led down a long hallway by Cardinal Zinetti, while Avery Cantrell and Ruben followed behind, with two Swiss guards acting as chaperones at a discreet distance.
Sarah took in her surroundings as she was guided deeper into the bowels of Vatican City. Already disorientated by the rabbit warren of twists and turns, she glanced at the man next to her, Cardinal Zinetti, and then at Avery, walking just behind.
That she was amazed the men had almost come to blows was an understatement, but it told her things in the real world were far from normal, despite the dust cloud from the asteroid, which had impacted over two years before, having dispersed. She shouldn’t have been surprised; the consequences of such an event would last a lifetime, or more, although having had other things on her mind over the past couple of years, such matters seemed inconsequential in their immediacy. It was as if she’d been on an extended vacation from the real world, which had continued uninterrupted on the surface.
Sarah wondered where the Vatican’s medical facilities were located. She needed drugs, and sooner rather than later. The pain in her back had increased, and she knew it wouldn’t be long before the tremors in her hands spread to her whole body. ‘Who are the Knights of the Apocalypse?’ she said, trying to distract herself from her craving for opiates.
They stopped outside a glass door guarded by yet another colourfully clad soldier.
Zinetti ignored her as he entered a code and moved into a dimly lit area.
‘Ghosts resurrected from our past,’ Avery said, following her, Zinetti and Ruben inside. ‘Ghosts come back to haunt us.
Sarah gave him an odd look.
‘They’re fundamentalists,’ he said. ‘They believe the Vatican’s corridors of power have become corrupted by Satanists and that they alone can stop the coming of the Antichrist.’
‘And they think terrorising the public will help?’ Sarah said, confused.
‘They attempt to sow discord amongst the faithful,’ Zinetti told her, while giving Avery a ferocious stare.
‘They do realise the asteroid has come and gone,’ Sarah said. ‘Without an apocalypse they have no reason to continue,’ – she laughed – ‘or do they know something we don’t?’
No one replied.
Sarah suddenly realised something. ‘That man – the one with all the tattoos – he was one of these knights?’
‘Alexander Konstantin,’ Ruben said, ‘their leader.’
She frowned. ‘What do they want with me?’
Ruben glared at her as he brushed past, his eyes full of hatred.
Sarah touched her throat protectively, suddenly feeling vulnerable in her white dress, surrounded by strangers.
‘For the knowledge you hold,’ Avery told her. ‘But you would not have survived long; as soon as they had what they wanted, you would have been despatched, just like the Anakim giant.’
Zinetti and Ruben strode away down an avenue bordered by glass rooms shrouded in shadow.
Sarah grasped Avery’s arm and waited until they were out of earshot. ‘What’s with your friend? He looks at me like he wants me dead.’
‘You have not noticed his attire?’
‘A monk’s habit; what of it?’
‘He’s taken a vow of celibacy. A woman with your ...’ – he smiled – ‘forgive me, you are an attractive woman, Sarah. A man of my years does not feel such a commitment as much as the young, although the loneliness can sometimes be a burden that eats away at the soul.’
Sarah remembered the animalistic desire on Ruben’s face as they’d crossed paths in the shower complex. Now the reason for his torment became clear.
They walked in silence for a while, before Sarah said, ‘Do you not think it strange God would want his most devoted followers living an unnatural life? Surely we should all be allowed to love and be loved, to have a family?’
Avery smiled. ‘I think about it often, but that’s how it’s been for hundreds of years, and it’s as God commands.’
‘Have you considered you’ve just misheard him?’
The black-robed cardinal didn’t reply for a moment, his face a mixture of emotions, and then he laughed. ‘Every minute of every day.’
Sarah was surprised by his answer. Is he questioning his vows, questioning God, or just his humanity? Whichever, she thought, it’s an odd response from a man in his position. Or maybe, she reasoned, it’s just unbridled humility. The thought was a troubling one, as she’d always loathed the Vatican and everything it stood for. To find herself warming to one of its highest prelates made her uncomfortable for all sorts of reasons; it was as if she was betraying herself, which was a world of perception she was in no fit state to consider. Something in her gut told her not to let down her guard, that these people were the enemy, but where Avery was concerned her mind was telling her otherwise.
The small party of four stopped outside a large pair of double doors, their wooden surfaces cracked and split with age.
Zinetti pressed some buttons on a nearby wall and waited.
Sarah looked up at a camera on the ceiling, which rotated to view those who wished to enter.
A moment later the doors creaked open to reveal a large metal barrier, which descended into the floor. The movement ceased with a reverberating boom and they were moving forward again, down some steps and into a cold area devoid of light, except that which filtered down from the entrance behind.
Sarah’s breath hung in the air like mist and goosebumps prickled the flesh on her bare arm
s and legs. She shivered, and folded her arms to stay warm.
‘What you are about to see,’ Zinetti said to Sarah, ‘has never been shown to anyone from within the Vatican family without special clearance from the Holy Father himself, let alone anyone outside our faith. You are the first, and likely the last, person to enjoy such a privilege. Make the most of what you see, as you’ll never get a second chance, and remember,’ – he grasped a control switch that hung down from the ceiling – ‘no one will believe you if you tell them.’
He depressed a big red button and a row of lights on the floor traced a pathway into the distance, their steady glow highlighting all manner of objects on either side.
Before Sarah could say anything, they were off again, walking down the aisle.
Sarah glanced back to see Ruben had dropped back behind her, his face once more masked by the cowl of his robe.
As she hurried to catch up to Avery and Zinetti, who gave each other a wide berth as they walked, Sarah took the opportunity to study the objects she passed.
Row upon row of obscure pieces of masonry gave way to a veritable army of sculptures: Roman, Greek, Babylonian and even Chinese. These works of art from another age, large and small, depicted various deities, some of which Sarah recognised. A large statue of Christ accompanied by two women caught her eye and she slowed her advance. It was strange; the depiction of Jesus looked more like a woman than a man.
Ruben nudged her in the back. ‘Keep moving.’
Sarah shot him a dirty look and carried on walking past a host of Egyptian artefacts, which gleamed in the half-light, their metal sheen reflecting hues of bronze, silver and gold. Sarah had heard the stories of course; who hadn’t? The Vatican and its forebears had been stockpiling artefacts for over a thousand years, and this vast storeroom was apparently the culmination of their endeavours.
The further they walked, the older the artefacts became, an array of objects from all over the world, including the Americas, Africa, Asia and even Australia. Many had the common theme of religious worship, and Sarah found herself slowing once again to examine the large skull of a long extinct giant ape.
She reached out to feel it, but Ruben grasped her wrist. ‘No touching.’
Sarah glared at him. ‘That didn’t stop you, did it?’
Ruben flinched at the comment, and she shrugged off his grasp and turned right down another pathway in pursuit of Zinetti and Avery, who’d stopped fifty yards away.
Coming to a halt by their side, Sarah couldn’t help but notice there were no Anakim artefacts on display anywhere.
Disappointed, she looked around at a series of lecterns, which each housed a parchment, papyrus or stone tablet. Glass cases protected these ancient human texts and Zinetti approached an enclosure, removed one of the cases and placed it on the floor.
‘This is what you want to show me?’ Sarah said, still confused as to why she was being given this rare honour.
Zinetti switched on a reading light, creating a pool of light in the dark, and moved aside to allow Sarah to see what was on display.
She stepped closer to peer at an unfurled scroll. Its metal surface glinted under the glare and she quickly realised this was no ordinary scroll, as it was made out of pure gold.
‘This looks like the Copper Scroll,’ Sarah said, resisting the urge to touch it.
‘That’s because it was found close to where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found,’ Zinetti said, ‘including the fabled Copper Scroll.’
Sarah gazed at the strange inscriptions. ‘I’ve never heard of such a thing – a Golden Scroll – no reports, hearsay, nothing.’
‘There’s no reason you should have.’
Sarah glanced at the cardinal. ‘Another of your confiscations?’ she said with distaste.
Zinetti shooed her aside so he could take a look himself. ‘There are many truths that are to be proven. And an unproven truth released to the public can have disastrous consequences and be utilised by those who would seek to undermine our faith.’
‘You mean people such as me?’ Sarah said.
‘Yes, amongst others.’
‘Don’t you see, Sarah,’ Avery said, intervening, ‘you may think undermining our doctrine is just, or right, but ultimately it will only hurt those who seek God’s embrace. Inconsistencies can be found in any argument, and the deeds of the past by the few can be used as ammunition against the present and the many, but neither the past nor the future should be allowed to influence the here and now.’
Sarah gave him a look of disbelief. ‘Why not?’
‘Sometimes, that’s the only thing people have.’
‘It’s the only thing people need,’ Ruben said from close by.
Avery nodded. ‘Well said, brother.’
Sarah gave a snort of derision; she was not a believer, and never would be. ‘So what does it say? I don’t recognise the script.’
‘It’s a previously unknown derivative of Hebrew,’ Zinetti said, ‘similar to Mishnaic Hebrew, and much like that used on the Copper Scroll, but with differences that took some time to decipher. From what we can tell, it’s a narrative about a journey undertaken by a prophet the scroll refers to as the Father of Man.’
‘The Father of Man,’ Sarah said. ‘From your perspective, that’s God, isn’t it?’
Zinetti and Avery exchanged looks.
‘This word,’ – Zinetti pointed to a section of the scroll – ‘has been translated as adama, which is the Hebrew word for earth—’
‘Wait,’ Sarah said, ‘”adama”, that’s the basis of the name “Adam” isn’t it?’
Zinetti held her gaze.
‘You can’t be serious,’ she said. ‘You’re saying this person the scroll refers to is “the” Adam, the man who ate the forbidden fruit?’
‘We are only telling you what the scroll says, its interpretation is up to the reader.’
Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing. ‘Say it is Adam, this would be the only evidence that he actually existed, wouldn’t it, outside of the Bible itself?’
‘Yes,’ Zinetti said, ‘but, as I say, it is a matter of interpretation. Whoever this prophet is, is perhaps beside the point. It’s where he went that is of interest.’
‘And where’s that?’
‘The scroll talks of a land mirrored by Egypt, or perhaps another translation would be, the Source of Egypt.’
Sarah remembered the Anakim Sphinx she’d witnessed, back in Sanctuary’s underworld, located deep beneath Mexico, the giant monument having dwarfed the Egyptian equivalent ten times over. ‘The Source of Egypt?’
‘So it would seem. It is said Egypt may be far older than original estimates and this scroll at least hints at that possibility.’ Zinetti glanced down at Sarah’s hands, which trembled with increasing frequency.
She crossed her arms again, but this time to hide the motion. ‘What else did it say?’
‘That Adam travelled a great distance to find this land, a land dominated by a single city, the City of Naphil, which means—’
‘The City of Giants,’ Sarah said, excited despite herself.
‘Indeed, although unlike the Americans’ precious Sanctuary, this land of giants is on the surface, not underground.’
‘How can you be so sure? Does the scroll say, as such?’
‘Not in so many words, but now we have found it, it’s no longer in dispute.’
‘What?!’ Sarah said, amazed. ‘You’ve found an Anakim city, on the surface? Where?!’
‘The remnants of a city, a cluster of foundations and the outlines of structures. Nothing like what you’ve seen beneath Mexico. The clue to its location was found in a canister that you unearthed on the Turkish plains.’
‘Which your agents stole from me.’
‘The method of our acquisition of those artefacts was unfortunate; however, our need was deemed greater and therefore necessary.’
Furious, Sarah’s hands clenched into fists. ‘Another past deed that should be forgotten, like my mo
ther’s death?’
‘Forgive us, Sarah.’ Avery gave a shake of his head in warning to Zinetti. ‘We do not mean to antagonise you.’
‘It’s a little late for that,’ she said, her mouth set in a grim line.
‘We had no part in your parent’s demise,’ Avery said, ‘as I told you before, but if you wish I can sanction a full independent investigation into the issue. No stone will be left unturned, I assure you,’ – Avery looked at Zinetti who scowled in response – ‘and if anyone is found to be linked to the event, regardless of their position, they will be handed over to the relevant authorities to be dealt with accordingly.’
Sarah’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. ‘And why would you do that?’
‘Because we need your help,’ Zinetti said, with more than a hint of resentment.
Sarah considered him. He was about as trustworthy as a corrupt politician, and twice as sly. Avery on the other hand ...
‘Don’t you want to know why?’ Avery said.
Sarah sighed. ‘I imagine you’ll tell me, even if I don’t.’
‘Last year, an expedition was sent out to the site, which is located on the Siberian-Mongolian border,’ Zinetti told her. ‘We received regular updates until we lost contact with them, three weeks ago.’
Sarah frowned. ‘And you want me to help you find them?’
Zinetti replaced the glass case over the Golden Scroll and moved away, before pausing and looking back. He waved at her to follow. ‘There is something else we need to show you.’
Sarah looked at Avery, who gestured with his hand for her to lead the way.
Another minute of walking led them through an archway and down some steps into a small atrium guarded by all manner of high-tech security. Zinetti placed his hand on a palm scanner located next to a dimly lit entrance, and Avery did likewise on a second device on the opposite side. The opening shimmered and Sarah realised it wasn’t a physical door at all, but some kind of electrical barrier.
The two cardinals entered, their footsteps muffled by carpet. Sarah followed them inside, while Ruben remained where he was, his shadowy form standing as a silent sentry, awaiting their return.
Ancient Origins: Books 4 - 6 (Ancient Origins Boxset Book 2) Page 60
