Tridas (13 page)

"Rumors of Alexander's temper
are as renowned as those of his splendor”, Antipater stated. "He tramples
all in his path. Do you fear your work towards democracy in Rome is a challenge
to his power?"

Calvinus was slower to respond,
"Our Oligarchy is striving to be more open to the needs and desires of our
fellow Romans. The memories of the Latin War are still fresh, but our recent
expansion to the north, is an expression of our influence. As we continue to
unify the Italian city states, we could risk drawing attention from Alexander.
In truth, our positions close to home are tentative at best. Our territory in
Cales to the south continues to be contested by the Samnites and the Greek
colony of Tarentum is not an ally."

"Prudence suggests we focus our
collective concentration on territories in disputed areas”. Antipater offered,
"We have a vested interest in keeping Neapolis loyal to Rome”.

Kavani realized that their home to
the south, may not be as safe as they had once considered.

Aven and Kavani had been texting
(most of the time sexting) and communicating via cute subjected emails over the
distance. The phone call from Aven was a pleasant surprise.

"Talking on the phone isn't
your favorite. To what do I owe the novelty?" Kavani instantly joked.

"I love hearing your voice. It
is an immediate boost to my energy”, Aven returned.

"Ahhh".

"Our
friend
from
Cambodia is en-route to Italy. My team is scrambling as well, but he is ahead
of us. I know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself, but might I
suggest you find a strategic place to wait for his approach. Those bright robes
make him easily identifiable in a crowd, but his powers are impressive and he
is not afraid to act in public. He leveled one of my units and a handful of
Thai guards with as little as a look. We are in the process of tracking flight
itineraries, so I should have an exact time for his arrival shortly. I'll also
text you about our flight schedule, once we are airborne. Amore”.

"I have some allies here as
well... And their powers are equally impressive. My Goddess sisters and I will
be ready for any encounter. The Druids have welcomed us and the presence of
power here amongst the ruins of Venus' Temple drive my link to the
supernatural. Not to mention, the bond with my new gizmo”. Kavani reassured
Aven.

"Only you would call an ancient
staff of power a gizmo. I love who you are!" Aven complimented Kavani and
ended the call.

The team had secured Vasily and
Suttikul for the trip to Italy. The two men were important pieces to the
puzzle. They would be more secure at the U.S. embassy in Rome, where additional
resources could be tapped for further interrogation, as the strike team
advanced on the Cambodian priest.

The embassy of the United States of
America to the Holy See is located on Aventine Hill in the Villa Domizia. In an
effort to conserve time based on Aven's input, the Commander requested
"specialists" be sent to this chancery from the traditional US embassy
situated in the Palazzo Margherita. The Angkor priest was traveling on a
commercial flight. A few phone calls to adjust the flight plan, without raising
too much suspicion, would also reduce the time gap. A joint effort by all the
team to develop a precise sequence to their strike was in the in-flight agenda
- No extraneous steps, brainstorming, reviewing intel for the best possible
strike points and a shared consciousness that this mission was beyond the
bounds of a traditional enemy. The "practice makes permanent"
mentality behind their training would need to be leveraged to call upon their
instinct as well as their imagination to capture their target.

"The priest is landing at
Fiumicino Airport”, Aven texted. "He will likely take the Leo Express to
Termini Station. The ride by train lasts approximately 30 minutes. We are
landing at the military side of Ciampino Airport and will take the circular
motorway around the city. We will have an 8.5 mile lead to your location. We
will have 'eyes on him' once he steps off the gangway”.

The forum was an open locale, with
scattered ruins clumped along the hillsides. The team felt like a ground
approach from the priest would be too exposed and easily spotted, but he
appeared to be working alone and thus his nature seemed brash enough to
possibly be just that bold. The likelihood of gun fire or range snipers seemed
remote given the previous encounters, but clearing the Palantine Hill was still
an agreed necessity. His powers were still a mystery and Aven was persuaded he
had yet to unleash the force he commanded.

"The tracking team has the monk
on the ground. Customs has an ID of Sihamuni Narendrapong. Should we further
detain him?" The signals expert informed the Command.

"No, we are already ahead on
the motorway. Let's not delay this encounter any further”, the Command replied.

Aven recognized the name of the monk
as ancient Sanskrit. "Lord Lion Sage Dynasty", Aven recalled under
his breath, wondering if this name was true or just chosen for the meaning.
"Narendrapong is an ancient royal family name”.

"Sihamuni is on the express”.
The signals expert updated. "Intel is reporting a buzz among the
passengers that the forum areas have been evacuated. Our cover has likely been
blown”.

"It could be evacuated for any
number of reasons. Let's not bug out yet”. The Command reassured.

Aven texted Kava. "Clearing the
forum may have spooked the monk. He is using the name Sihamuni Narendrapong.
Keep you posted on his actions”.

"Do you think he is Indra Lord
from the royal lineage of Narendrapong?" was Kava's immediate response.

AVEN: "His powers lend
credibility... He certainly has sway with the ancient secrets. Plus
guardianship over the staff links the Sanskrit and the Buddhist elements”.

KAVA: "We seem to be attracting
attention amongst Venus' ruins from the guard posts???"

AVEN: "Sihamuni seems to be in
a stand still at Termini Station..."

KAVA: "My sisters and I are
departing for the Pantheon. Our collective powers will be strong there as well”.

"Sihamuni is on the move to
Navona Square!" The signals expert broke the silence.

"No, he is going to the
Pantheon. I don't know how, but he is tracking Kavani”. Aven insisted.

It was evening now and the moonlight
entering the Pantheon through the Oculus was marvelous. The dome itself was a
marvel. The expanse of space defied modern construction laws and yet there it
stood for the last 2000 years. Looking up under the concrete coffered dome,
Kavani felt the dazzling light from the moon touch her soul. The dimensions of
the structure perfectly balanced. The architecture itself was spiritual. The
sisters could also sense the incredible richness preserved in the ancient
rotunda.

AVEN: "Sihamuni knows where you
are! Moments after you told me, he hopped a taxi in your direction”.

KAVA: "Our power here is strong,
I can't wait to see you!"

AVEN: "We are close”.

Entering the Piazza della Rotonda on
foot, the team was struck by the grandeur of the large granite Corinthian
columns backlit under the pediment of the Pantheon. Even at night it was easy
to see. Aven spotted the saffron robe on the porch as Sihamuni entered the
outer vestibule of the Pantheon. He and Hoyt broke into a full sprint. After
all, Hoyt had some reckoning for Sihamuni as well.

Rushing into the circular structure,
Aven found Kavani dead central, directly under the oculus. The moon had
shifted, but the glow still present left her draped in radiance. The monk was
still 20 meters away.

"Sihamuni!" Aven shouted.

The monk turned towards Aven, then
back toward his prey and broke into a full sprint tackling Kavani to the floor,
knocking the staff from her hand. Kavani easily broke loose of the priest and
both nimbly regained their footing posed face-to-face ready for war.

Aven slid across the large tiled
floor to grab the staff, Hoyt his shadow. Reaching for the ancient wand, he
could not lift it from its resting place. Hoyt gave it tug, tensing his massive
muscles, but also to no avail.

Sihamuni laughed, "You haven't
told him?" questioning Kavani.

"Told me what?" Aven
looked at Kavani.

"The staff is from the original
garden. A tree that existed, even before the Druid annuals. Only a few
throughout all of history have been privileged to wield it. The legend is
Arthurian... like Excalibur, the staff can only be held by the chosen”.

"Or in chosen places”. Sihamuni
interrupted. With a quick swipe of his open hand the rod sprung into his grip.
"True, you are strong here Venus, but under the Pantheon, 'The temple to all
Gods', my gifts are disproportionate as well. Once the rod was out of your
grasp, here I am worthy to possess it!" Pointing the rod in Kavani's
direction, Aven dove in front of her to block any unseen blows. Nothing.

"I may not be able to use its
power yet, but neither will you”. Sihamuni used the staff to sweep the leg of
Hoyt, who had moved into an attack position, and fled the Pantheon.

Kavani, Aven and Hoyt all lay on the
cold tile.

"My strong wolf, still laying
down your life for me" Kavani said admiring Aven's courage.

"The staff was powerless in his
hands”, Aven moaned.

"I beg to differ..." Hoyt
snapped back and Aven just laughed.

As Sihamuni rounded the obelisk
fountain in the Piazza della Rotunda, the weight of the staff in his hand
became too much to bear. The burden forced him to the ground, pinning his hand
under the heaviness. Just a few yards from the Pantheon, the assistance of the Gods
removed, his own power was not enough to yield the ancient staff. Looking back
over his shoulder, mustering all his strength he focused on the massive bronze
doors of the temple. They began to close, the momentum of their mass swinging
them shut. He knew it would be just a short time before Kavani had the doors
open. Centering his mind, he began dragging his hand from underneath the staff.
The pain was excruciating as inch by inch the rocks on the piazza floor cut
into the back of his hand as the weight of the staff crushed his bones. In
desperation, he pulled a knife from within his cloak puncturing his hand with
the blade. The shot of pain began to shock his system. He threw the bloody
knife into the fountain and began to speak with a guttural incantation. The
inscription on the obelisk began to smolder as water mixed with blood began to
gush from the mouth of the sculpted mask facing Sihamuni. The water tinged with
blood covered the staff. The blood sacrifice was sufficient as the monk
painfully removed his saddled hand from under the load. There were likely broken
bones and the torn flesh would also need attention, but for now he was free to
fight another day. He needed to disappear. He stood and vanished into the
night.

Hoyt pushed on the doors from within
the Pantheon. No movement.

"I think those weigh about 20
tons each there Hercules”. Aven offered up with a smirk.

"They are on hinges Genius.
It's not like I am trying to lift them" Hoyt jokingly replied, knowing he
was neither the smartest nor the strongest in the room.

"The doors were closed by magic
and need to be opened by such”, Kavani stated. She approached the massive entry
and the doors began to open. "My connection here is strong, makes it hard
for a girl to wanna leave." Kavani always commanded attention, but here in
the Pantheon, engulfed in the supernatural, there was an element of
trepidation.

Hoyt was amazed. Finally admitting
to himself, Aven's ideas were not "bed-time stories”.

Aven was simply in awe of his love.

Entering the Piazza, Kavani was
relieved to find her staff near the fountain. It further eased her mind that
outside of the Pantheon the monk was apparently unable to poses it. She knelt
down to pick it up, noticing the blood stains on the rocky surface ground.

"He obviously knew its power...
he must have been forced to leave it behind”. Aven concluded, also recognizing
how special Kavani was to be chosen to wield its power.

"There is blood”. Kavani
indicated the remnants that were all but washed away by the fountain waters.

"I can be of assistance”. Hoyt
stated with a bit of pride in his tone. "Step back and watch me work some
magic”. He removed a small spectrometer from his gear pack and scanned the
chemical fingerprint of the blood. "This will identify our monk friend. I
have uploaded the data and we should have results back shortly”.

"You special ops guys do have
all the toys", Aven said nodding his head with admiration and rolling his
eyes at Hoyt's stance of superiority.

"Kavani has her
magic wand
I obviously have some gadgets to bring to the table, what's your contribution?
Maybe it's time you head home and leave this to the experts”. Hoyt continued as
he wrapped his tree-truck-of-an-arm around Kavani, who was suddenly lost in his
giant embrace.