Tridas (2 page)

Both were thankful for the 2 hour drive to SeaTac airport, not yet ready to be
apart. The change in scenery from the canyon desert hills to the evergreens of
Snoqualmie Pass, reminded them both of the beauty of Washington State. Reaching
the summit, Kavani was tempted to veer off and grab a few runs down the slopes.
She loved snowboarding and she was good, not surprising most of everything came
easy to her. That was part of her magic, but what didn't flow easy, she worked
hard at, pretty much leaving the world and all its activities as her footstool.
Aven was athletic, but had yet to try boarding.

"Sometime Soon Star," was the consensus from their mutual looks, up
the mountain and then back to each other.

So the Mazda stayed the course. Kavani could have had any car she wanted, but
she liked "the lines" of her car. For all her style and grace, she
was also practical, besides if she wanted a few "less practical"
options to drive on any given day, Aven's garage was full of them. Down the
west side of the mountain, the sunshine gave way to rain.

"It's what makes Seattle so lush and green" Aven proffered as they
entered the corkscrew, drop off area of the airport.

"Easy to say while clutching on to a boarding pass Love”. Her eyes had
such a sexy sparkle when she snapped back in sarcasm. Little did she know, that
the rainfall in DC during March is off the precipitation charts. Aven could
care less, he caught a hint of her accent from a previous life... A sound that
would always drive him wild. The good bye kiss began. They were an hour early.
Good timing, they were definitely going to need it.

Stepping off the
plane in DC, a driver was waiting with the traditional sign reading AVEN
ANTIPATER.

We should arrive
at the Pentagon building within 7 minutes, Sir.

"No rush,
merge onto the George Washington Parkway and take the memorial bridge to
Lincoln Circle” Aven instructed.

The town car was
relaxing in a luxurious way, but the monuments were the true source of comfort
for Aven. The scale and design of the national treasures struck a chord, they
always had. The symbols, inscriptions and very materials spoke to his soul. He
felt in harmony with this city and its position of power.

After literally
absorbing energy the National Mall offered him, Aven requested a comfort stop
prior to proceeding on to the Pentagon. Aven was staying at the 5 star
Hay-Adams Hotel, only #2 on Washington's premier list, but it was more attuned
to Aven's taste than the Jefferson.

The Pentagon had
intercepted encrypted communication between protestors against the seizure of
the Thailand government. It is the 38
^th
coup, since Thailand ended
absolute monarchy in 1932. The military, forcefully removed the elected
government after declaring martial law.

The news footage
showed armed soldiers patrolling the streets and inspection points in the
Northeast near the Cambodian border, where suspected supporters for the ousted,
populist government remained strongest. In a speech, The U.S. Secretary of
State, focused on the value of the long term friendship with the country, but
this recent action would have negative implications for investors and tourists
who have fueled recent economic growth. The Pentagon was reviewing its military
relationship with Thailand, but no decision had been made. The truth was they
needed Mr. Antipater's assistance. This coup signaled a new level of
dysfunction, but did not make sense for a country that has long been one of the
world's fastest growing economies; nor did the level of sophistication of the
codes being passed among protestors. Something felt different about this coup,
maybe it was simply missing facts, that would reveal themselves within a couple
of days, but the situation felt like it was a part of a bigger plan. If answers
were not shifted to action, a violent backlash could result.

336 B.C.

Alexander the Great became the ruling emperor of Macedon the fabled land of
King Midas. His father Philip came to dominate the entire Greek world, but with
the conquest of Alexander it became the most powerful state in the ancient
world, not only leading Greece, but seizing the Persian Empire, Egypt and
extending territorial control into India. The leading general for this monarchy
was Antipater, a noble son of the Argead dynasty.

While Philip was redesigning the army of Macedon, Antipater was the strategist
executing the offensives. Philip's innovation of the traditional forces into
his legendary Hetairoi - a well armored heavy Cavalry and expanded light
infantry carrying long spears and shrunken shields, rapidly expanded the
borders of his kingdom. The treaties, from these defeated peoples and
compensatory tributes, were then administered by Antipater who was appointed
Regent of Alexander's empire. The wealth of the empire was under Antipater's
reign. He oversaw the mines and with them the minting of coins. The forests of
the world providing timber for ships of war and commerce were under his
administration, as well as the land properties and port duties and taxes. The
territory flourished under his leadership. He had been a family friend to the
monarchy... close advisor, strategist, warrior, general, and regent, but at the
death of Philip, Alexander's mother Olympias wanted more.

Antipater not only embodied power and wisdom, but his structure was of perfect
dimension and his understanding of the sciences including ancient secrets,
peaked Olympias' interests.

Known for her foray into the cultic and mythical dimensions,
Antipater's past excursions to the greatest libraries in the world intrigued
her. He had also used his influences to bring Aristotle, from his hiatus on
Mytilene, to be Alexander's (as well as his own) tutor. Young and tested in
body, yet sound in both soul and mind, Olympias could not avert her eye.

Olympias claimed descent of Achilles. In tribute to his fall, she had
instituted a memorialization convoluting elements of the cult to Dionysus with
a celebration of "the free one". An organic spree, only for women,
focusing on the magic within, when the constellations of the bull and serpent
were in alignment... happening every 5 years. This season hosted in Rhodes,
coincidentally where Antipater would be meeting with Memnon and Pharnabazus the
leaders of the Persian fleet.

All
night at the DoD had left Aven wiped. Recognizing Aven as he entered the lobby,
the concierge motioned for him to approach.

"Your
guest
is waiting for you in your suite Mr. Antipater..." he said in
a softer voice accompanied with a knowing nod.

"And
you made my usual arrangements, I assume". Aven returned with his
characteristic smirk, knowing that at most times all men wanted his life.

"Of
course Sir, he said with an added twist”.

Aven
didn't always like "twists," but he trusted the staff at the
Hay-Adams and in his years of patronage, he had never been disappointed.

Approaching
his suite, and this definitely was his suite... the 1100 sq. ft. Lafayette Park
luxury suite #1820. Numbers, as symbols were important to Aven and views of the
park in front of the White House and St. Johns Church through the expansive low
floor windows provided the old world architecture that soothed his soul.

Entering
the room, it was not the amenities that caught his attention, but the tease of
a familiar perfume. He loved these rendezvous in DC. His trips here always
required exhausting hours connecting the dots between the latest conflict and
then strategizing the most effective U.S. response. His problem solving skills
were second to none. Aven seemed to have untapped knowledge and almost a
"magic" way of presenting a solution, but right now he needed to let
his mind rest and engage other parts of his body.

He
could hear the water running in the bath off the master bedroom. A shower
sounded refreshing, but the anticipated
company
made it tantalizing.
Aven rounded the corner into the dining room and took note of the silver cart displaying
a layout of various cheeses & fruits as well as a decantering bottle of
2007 snake river reserve, a competitive label to his vineyard, but with a meaning
of all its own – his usual. This time it was accompanied by cheesecake.

"Nice
Twist." Aven was often hungry after ravishing sex.

He
stripped off his jacket and loosened the knot of his tie. Dropping his shirt on
the bed, he made a direct line for the steamy shower. His tailored pants looked
even tighter as the water sucked the fabric to the muscles in his legs. She
loved it, but wanted what was underneath. Unbuttoning his pants, she slid them
down as he caressed her skin. He liked her in the lower position, but in one
motion lifted her up onto him. Pressing her to the wall, the colder tile delivered
shivers up her back as Aven's lips covered every inch of her body. She was now
on tip toes with one leg straddling Aven's shoulder. In this entanglement Aven
was nearly drowning from inhaling water while sucking her body, but other
sensations as well as the sounds of her pleasure, blocked out all other
realities.

Never
missing an opportunity, Aven looked up breathlessly, "How was the meeting
with
Water is Life
?"

Kavani
replied, "Don't stop"

***

Finally
making their way from the bedroom... to the wine and cheesecake...

"You
are a pleasant surprise".

"I
knew you would be late at the Pentagon, leaving me easily 5 hours and 17
minutes to provide you some much needed relaxation." She smiled and time
stopped.

Morning
came quickly, as it always did on their DC rendezvous, but this time Aven had
forgotten to mention a surprising work related detail... the initiative in
Thailand requires actions that need to happen outside the country – in Cancun
to be exact. The op would be off book, as always, so Kava would be free to join
him. She could also see firsthand
Water is Life's
work on the Yucatan
Peninsula, including adding water filtration systems in remote areas outside
the Hotel Zone.

Arriving
mid evening, the 8 story Palapa, a thatched hut, that shades the stunning lobby
of the Fiesta Americana Condesa resort provides an ambient lit welcome to home
for the next few weeks. And Carlos, the Lobby Bar mixologist, provides another
welcome – Grand Marnier margaritas.

"I'm
going to grab another mojito from the swim up bar, can I grab you
something?"

"Sangria...extra
wine." Kava chimed, "Be quick, I want to play (which meant win) the
next round of cornhole". Funny name, great game, especially at the poolside
in Mexico.

Volleyball
was the original plan, but a pack of "Olympic wanna-be" man-boys,
overtaking the hotel for a 3 day sales conference, were monopolizing the court.
It was fortuitous, more cornhole practice.

Kava
looked amazing in her barely there scrunch butt bikini. Aven never wanted to
leave the pool when she wore that black swimsuit, yet he knew there were other
activities that required his special gifts on this trip as well. Rain kept them
indoors for a couple of days, but the return of the sun meant it was time to
get back to work,,, if you could call it work,,, an excursion to one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world.

The
trip to Chichen Itza, the capital of the Maya Empire, was about 2 hours from
the hotel. They couldn't join a tour. It would be better to explore the Temple
of Thousand Columns and the Pyramid of Kukulkan, during a less populated time. The
Morning tours left at 8am, but didn't arrive at the ancient city until close to
noon.

"We
are ahead of the crowds Baby; Take a swim at the cenote?"

"Frolicking
in the woods, sounds amazing!"

Entering
the sinkhole down a long staircase below the earth's surface, the cavern half
filled with water from rainfall over millions of year, was a natural phenomenon
- A completely closed swim hole with just a small opening at the top.