Tridas (20 page)

"Don't
be discouraged, Alexander will not discover me here".

Kavani
embraced Antipater, his body still hard from the training. His blood was
already pulsing through his body, but no matter, her touch made his heart speed
up. The scent of oils on her skin filled the space between them with arousal.

"I
believe your plan has been well thought out. I just have a sense that the
encounter will lead to more than just a simple meeting". Kavani whispered
into Antipater's ear as they gave into the temptation of each other.

The cuts up
Kavani's dress provided ample access as Antipater lifted the material to reveal
her skin. Her legs straddled his already nearly bare body. As they connected
the force between them grew incredibly strong. Their passion continued to unite
them even longer than normal. Entangled in one another, their attachment was
more than physical, more than emotional. It was spiritual as well. As they
moved, the motion was exhilarating, invigorating their bodies to lift and
stimulate one another. Thrilled with the sex, they were enlivened. The moon had
risen, but the light across their naked bodies was almost fully coming from an
amulet on Kavani's table. The jeweled piece bathed the couple in a soft blue
light. Its rejuvenating aura was not of this world. It refreshed and energized
allowing them to enjoy each other when normal exhaustion would have left them
motionless.

"Don't
stop”, Kavani repeated and Antipater obeyed her command.

Before
sunrise the two released their embrace. Lying in the darkness their senses were
strong, The evening's activity had not drained them at all. Kavani noticed the
pale blue light shining from the amulet. "I think we were just given the
missing ingredients”.

"Happy
to help with your experiments anytime", Antipater smiled and kissed her
claret lips.

A few
moments later, Antipater confessed, "I have been sticking myself with your
aconite thorns for weeks".

"How
could you expose yourself to that uncalculated risk?" Kavani questioned.

"I knew
you needed a test subject beyond the field mice and bats. They seemed to be
making healthy progress and I trust your instincts".

"I have
also been taking injections from the thorns", Kavani confessed.

"Why
would you take such a risk?" Antipater questioned unable to restrain his concern.

"For
us. If I were to lose you, my world would not be the same. You just said you
trust my instincts".

Antipater
was silent.

"And
for Legio", Kavani continued. "He is choosing to risk his life out of
respect for you and he doesn't even know all the details. Just that he can
protect a man he esteems and it is his honor to do so".

"Yes
protecting Legio is honorable, but not at your expense". Antipater was
unwavering.

"Nor at
yours", Kavani was equally unwavering.

The sunrise
beams began to shine into the room and the amulet returned to normal. Kavani
and Antipater would never be the same.

Kava
reached out with her mind, channeling the natural forces and engaging her
surroundings. She pushed the air around them into the crater, quickly creating
a high altitude environment. The cold air was already more difficult on the
lungs, but lack of oxygen would be too much in his winded state. Hoyt's size
would work against him again and his mask although inhibiting the stench of the
fumes, made breathing even harder. Kava would be able to withstand in her
meditative state and once Hoyt was out she could secure him for interrogation.

Hoyt
collapsed quickly, but she would not fall prey to her own trick, a potential
charade behind the mask. She held out for a few more minutes then took a gasp
of air as she released her restriction on the oxygen in the air.

"That
should be long enough". She thought to herself. Without any weapons of her
own, she spied Hoyt's knife. Its black blade was a stark contrast to the ice
and snow. She, stealth fully reached for the knife, half expecting Hoyt to
block her path. Possession of the weapon might look intimidating, but she was
not sure it would be of much use against an expert in close contact combat. The
fact that she had it, meant Hoyt didn't – that was the most reassuring. Kava
was still in a bit of shock at the thought of her new assailant. "Hoyt had
proven so helpful". She thought as she fastened his hands and feet with
paracord. Once secured, she slid off his mask. When he did come to, the fumes
would serve as an unrelenting torture device. Kava wanted answers and she was
determined to get them.

****

Aven
had arrived in Malaysia. With no contact from Kavani for so long, was wearing
on him. A delayed response from the Colonel was not helping either. "This
can't be a sham. His knowledge of the ancient image is too compelling".
Aven reassured himself. His thoughts were interrupted by a text,
"Finally!" Aven slid the screen of his phone. It was not a message
from the Colonel, but a note from an old friend. He was announcing the birth of
their daughter, "Lizzy Jane... I like it. Sounds fitting". Aven was
lost for a moment, dreaming of the life he enjoyed with Kavani. Kids were
definitely in their future. They had even thought of names... Elianna Marie and
Ace. When this was all over, the two of them would focus more on the truly
important pieces of life.

Aven
was lost in his own thoughts for quite a while. A welcome distraction, when he
was approached by military personnel - two men, one in Royal Malaysian Navy
uniform, and the other marked with the insignia of Thailand.

"Mr.
Antipater?" The Malaysian officer asked. "We are here to escort you
to the Kek Lok Si Temple".

"Where Colonel Suttikul awaits your audience".
The second officer added.

"Seems
a fitting location", Aven replied. "Lead the way". The men
ushered Aven out of the Plaza
Premium
Lounge into the Rolls Royce waiting curbside. The masses ascending into the
temple changed Aven's view of the holy site, as did the many shops lining the
hallways. It seemed more like a mall than a place of worship. Sensing Aven's
hesitation, his escorts redirected his attention. "We are meeting the
Colonel in the main pagoda, away from the temple visitors."

"In
the middle tier prayer rooms", the Thai soldier emphasized. Aven looked
up, noticing the towering pagoda was designed in three sections. The lowest
level representing, classic Chinese styles, the mid section Thai architecture
and crowned with Burmese.

"The
island symbol of diversity, I see". Aven said with a smirk.

"Acceptance",
the Malaysian officer corrected firmly.

They
climbed the flights of stairs and the crowds began to thin, when Aven
recognized the Colonel standing aside an alabaster Buddha. "I thought you
would appreciate the meeting location".

"I
would have chosen the Snake Temple". Aven answered. "But this is
supreme
bliss
".

"The
reputation is familiar to you”. Suttikul affirmed, moving towards Aven, hands
pressed together in a welcoming gesture.

"Feng
shui is lost on me", Aven said under his breath as he returned the wai
gesture out of respect. "Your message was intriguing. What does the symbol
mean?"

"You
are so direct Mr. Antipater. It is impolite to discuss business before becoming
acquainted. Please, join me in a meal. I respect your powerful connections, but
I need to be sure I can trust you. After all, our first encounter got us off to
a negative start".

Aven
knew negotiations in Thailand were lengthy. He also knew time was of the
essence to stop Sihamuni, but in this scenario Suttikul controlled the process.
Positive influence was Aven's best bet for keeping discussions moving from small
talk to the real reason he had returned to Southeast Asia.

"I
apologize for my frank question", Aven retreated. "The symbol was
simply fascinating to me and I wanted to learn more... that is why I agreed to
return".

"Yes!
You are an antiquity specialist, correct? What led a young man to want to study
the ancient past?".

Unwilling
to reveal too much, but remembering Suttikul's interrogation, Aven began,
"Maybe it's because of my name. Antipater was a mysterious man in history
and there are so many mysteries that perhaps a deeper understanding of the
ancients could answer. I wanted those answers".

"Answers
from beyond?"

"We
both know that many of those answers exist on another plane. What led you down
a path shadowed in the supernatural?" Aven reciprocated.

"My
great grandfather was part of a numismatic society called Aerial. Their vast
collection not only gave him the liberty to travel to continue to acquire
circulating currency, but gave him access to the rare, odd and curious. The
exchange of goods over time to resolve debts transferred items of inherent
value across cultures. Often secrets accompanied these transactions. Legends
grew to add value to items that might otherwise be worthless. Authentication
became paramount in deciphering truth from lies. Engaging with the supernatural
was a part of the society's ancient rituals. Privy information has proven
valuable in advancing my career and securing status, but comes with powerful
unions both positive and negative in nature. Leveraging our knowledge has kept
my family on the triumphant side of rivals for centuries".

"Your
indecisive behavior doesn't tarnish your family's reputation?" Aven risked
asking the bold question.

"In
a world defined by power, reaching supremacy means coming together with those
in the position of strength, regardless of their identity", Suttikul
stated matter of factly.

"And
betraying every relationship, when influences shift", Aven stated with
equal force.

"You
challenge with such vigor my moral high ground, and yet you recline with
your
enemy
in hopes of securing the very position of strength you look down
on."

"I'm
here at your invitation." Aven stressed.

"The
end justifies the means?"

"We
both live by codes we believe in deeply. We both uphold our actions based on their
preserving truth played out in our lives. We find that our paths have now
intersected with potential to be mutually beneficial. I will pursue that course
to its natural end".

"A
diplomat", the Colonel genuinely complimented Aven.

"History
has echoed your sentiment", Aven confirmed confidently. "Share with
me your understanding of the symbol... How did you come to know of it?"

"It
is one of the seminal pieces of the Aerial collection. It is said to have been
in their possession for millennia. The symbol is Sumerian and is believed to
foretell an epic battle.

Aven
wished Kava was present. She would love this... more than likely she had come
across this Aerial society in her studies.

The
Colonel continued, "Sihamuni believes it predicts the division between the
eastern and western mindsets. He has set plans in motion to destroy the west. I
agree that the western newcomers in their greed and arrogance have negatively
changed the landscape of our world".

"Flaunting
our wealth and power has become a default", Aven admitted collectively.
"I would argue it is a universal position across all cultures, it is more
a question of means".

"We
can agree to disagree on this facet. I requested your audience, because I have
come to believe the battle is much less man v/s man, as a battle between
supernatural forces to reclaim their dominance of earth!"

"What?"

"Sihamuni
thinks he is defeating the
Superpowers of the west
, when in fact he is
ushering in the demise of humanity. I found my Grandfather's journal". The
Colonel placed a weathered book on the table, opened to a dog-eared page, and
spun it for Aven to read. "See for yourself the true interpretation."

...The symbol
foretells a time when humanity will fear the very planet seeks their
extinction. Great powers will reveal themselves as a source of knowledge and
protection. In their vulnerable state, the leaders of the world will resign
their positions to align with these forces as a safeguard, but in reality they
will have surrendered to an even greater terror.

"You
have information to stop the monk?" Aven asked.

"In
the Karakum Desert of Darweze, Soviets believe a fiery 'Door to Hell' exists.
This phenomena was of interest to the monk, as you call him. Sihamuni made many
Russian connections, including Vasily, during his inquiry of this extraordinary
pit. Even though he concluded that this was not his entry point to the center
of the earth, he gathered many disciples to his cause. The region already had
little love for the west. A charismatic leader, commanding unique powers, while
depicting the fall of their conditioned enemy..."