Tridas (7 page)

Antipater burst into Alexander's private
quarters to find him motionless on his bed. Aristotle turned, startled by his
entrance. "It was poison in the wine”. Aristotle revealed. Before
Antipater could respond, Olympias re-entered the room.

"Alas, Antipater, your chambers were
searched as you were confined under direct order of Alexander himself. The
physicians have traced the poison source back to the wine. The wine you
presented in your private defense with the Emperor. Guards seize the Regent and
confine Alexander's murderer!" Olympias directed.

Being unarmed, just waking from sleep, did not
impair Antipater, a warrior, second maybe only to Alexander, perhaps second to
no one. He easily broke the guards' attempted seizure and doubled back to find
Kavani. At this point, Allatore's words from the previous evening proved sage,
and his preparation of their few allies would bear out beneficial for their
escape.

Taking a few moments to realize the impact of Kava's name being in the
code, Aven knew events were transpiring on another plain. He needed to
reconnect with Kavani, on another ancient ground, but under the government's
radar. The world needed her, but he was unwilling to compromise her identity.
The two of them would need to solve problems on their terms, exercising
whatever means necessary to postpone what Aven had concluded was a pending
global flood.

"I need a flight to Thailand”, Aven requested.

"With martial law enacted, flights are grounded. We could schedule
a flight into a neighboring country and acquire passes to cross the
border?" The Director suggested.

"Where do you suggest?" Aven wanted it to appear, he had no
preference.

"Cambodia, the north east border with Thailand has sympathizers to
the ousted government and is also the original transmission point of the
encrypted code. If you want the answers that is the place to find them”. The
Director directed.

Aven wanted answers and some likely would be found in the region the
Director indicated, but others needed to be found at Angkor with Kavani. The
ancient temple would be the true destination in Cambodia, but that privileged
information was Aven's alone. 

The international airport into Siem Reap is only 3kms. from the Angkor
Wat Temple. Being the busiest of the airports in Cambodia and bustling with
tourists, it would be easy to lose any uninvited tails and connect with Kavani
without raising any suspicion. Past memories were lost in a haze again, so
returning to an ancient site was appealing to both of them, if not only for
personal reasons.

The beauty of Angkor Wat was not exaggerated. The aerial view from the
helicopter tour revealed the size of the many reservoirs surrounding the remote
areas and the great rectangular 'moat' of the temple itself. Even from the sky,
the temple was the dominating fixture of the landscape. It was the pearl of the
Ehem Empire. The intricate designs of the canals peppered amidst the spectacle
of the temple displayed the level of sophistication of the ancient architects.
Kavani could already sense the power here, but not one in union with her
renewed knowledge and power. Touching down near the entrance to the
archeological treasure, Kavani reached out her hand dipping it into the
surrounding waters. A sudden rippling stirred the reservoir.

"There is a force here, strong and opposed
to our presence." Kavani confided in Aven. He had forgotten how powerful
she was in the spiritual realm. Here they were both at their strongest, filled
with full memories and knowledge attained over thousands of years. "We
must be careful to blend in with the other tourists".

"True beauty can never be hidden".
Aven countered, completely captivated by the fullness of her being.

"Our magic will be felt here. Never the
less, we must remain hidden until our destinies call us forward to act".
Kavani's accent growing stronger with each statement.

The figures carved into the temple walls were
speaking, but she could not understand the sounds. Explaining the situation to
Aven, he recalled a phrase from his readings at Alexandria. It had opened his
ears to the sounds of ancient Egypt. He spoke and instantly Kavani understood.

"Descendant of Venus, why do you enter the sacred halls of your
enemy?" Kavani listened to the question emanating from the walls, but
chose to remain silent. As they continued deeper into the temple, both could
sense the danger lurking around them. The questions had progressed into
statements, louder and more threatening. "You may control the moon, but
your pull will end with your death. You shall not survive to claim victory”.

 The massive combat reliefs on the walls were becoming more prominent,
more defined, more life-like. As she turned to describe to Aven the dialogue
being narrated to her, she caught an arrow flying their way out of her
peripheral vision. Her eyes flashed, and the trajectory of the arrow lifted
glancing off the hall ceiling. Aven and Kavani turned to see a lone archer,
being joined by hundreds of warriors emerging from the ancient reliefs.

The hand to hand combat of the ancient warriors was no match for
Kavani's magic. The parade of troops was exhausting, but Aven barely lifted a
finger to defend their position. The battle pushed them into an inner
courtyard, as Kavani continued to evade their pursuers. Not at full phase, the
moon was reflecting the sun's light in mid afternoon. As Kavani and Aven broke
into the outdoors, their enemies stopped short. The last statement Kavani heard
emanating from the hall was a bit of a riddle.

"From the moon you draw power, but from the source we power the
moon”.

Peering down the hall from which they had fled, Aven could see no one,
nothing but light at the end of the tunnel. "Maybe we should find an
alternative route back to the helicopter" Aven posed with a bit of a
smirk, still enamored by Kavani's skills against the stone to flesh soldiers.

"I'm not quite ready to retreat yet” was her calculated response,
obviously deep in thought, "The temple voice described a power source for
the moon... have you ever heard of such an element?"

"In the library of Alexandria, I read the supposed lost book of
Jashar. It describes an ancient Egyptian prophet from the Bronze age, who had
the power to still the moon in the sky to defeat his enemies. His teacher
bestowed him with powers received in the Sinai Mountain Range. This teacher
transferred divine power through his rod. This staff was preserved in an ark
which has been lost throughout history. The location of this staff is unknown,
but is recognized with the ability to control the earth's sun and moon”. Aven
recited.

"Is this the first mention of a 'Magic Wand' being used to conjure
the supernatural?" Kavani asked with interest.

"I guess so... One legend says the ark that kept the 'Wand' was
secretly delivered to Ethiopia and was under the watch of the Coptic guard for
centuries. There are ancient links between Indochina and Ethiopia recorded
during the Auximite period, but could date back to the dawn of history. The ancient
port of Adulis, outside of Ethiopia, served as the entry spot and hub of
maritime trade where the Indian's would trade spices and silk for ivory and
gold. The staff could have been acquired in trade or battle and brought to this
region. The idea has never really been connected, much less investigated."
Aven continued to map out the dots as he spoke.

They had made their way back to the helicopter, avoiding any confined
spaces, but Kavani could still hear the temple voices, droning on over and
over,

"You cannot stop what is already in motion".

Aven greeted the pilot, "Any other sacred sites that are on the
must
see list
? May be some more remote areas?"

Beng Mealea, right here in Siem Reap, was cloaked in the
jungle, lost, not to be discovered until 2003! It's still not very visible from
the air. There is also Phnom Kulen, the old road to the peak has been
bulldozed, but it is considered by the locals to be the most sacred mountain in
the region. There is a small wat at the summit, which houses a large reclining
Buddha carved into the sandstone boulder upon which it is built. Nearby is a
large waterfall and above it are smaller bathing areas and a number of carvings
in the riverbed, including numerous lingas.  For
the Khmer people, a pilgrimage here requires head coverings and the removal of
shoes to enter this sanctuary”. Reported the pilot in full guide mode.

The
description of the lingas in the riverbeds, caught Aven and Kavani's attention.
The cataclysmic event had, since ancient times, been depicted with wave
symbolism and the modern code also seemed to have water themes. The fact that
this natural site was also considered the most holy, the very birthplace of the
Khmer Empire did not slip their notice either.

Returning
to the hotel, Kavani called her contact Derrick, at Water is Life. He had
recently reported success in accessing ancient "holy water"
tributaries to provide clean water sources on the peninsula city of Myeik, in
Myanmar. His positive experience with this culture could prove beneficial in
negotiating with the Social Science Research Council, the Buddhist Monastery
and the Khmer Rouge. Kavani's legal mind was fully engaged, as she attempted to
foresee any potential outcomes or obstacles and then develop resulting plans to
counter or overcome. She preferred to be prepared.

Aven had
used the stealth phone to text some new terms to Langley... Kelun, lingas,
waterfall, Adulis, Jashar... to keep that engine moving forward as well, and
then was jumping into the shower. He came into view, in just his tight CK
trunks, trying to grab Kava's attention. She had much on her mind, but was
easily distracted. Aven hadn't shaved in a few days. She loved just the right
amount of stubble framing his jaw line.

"Shower
with me?" His blue eyes undressing her.

"Think
through a couple scenarios with me first”. Business first was her motto, but
Aven in almost nothing was going to require stern self control to stay on task.

They
worked through a game plan relatively quickly and soon ideas to expose the
inner sanctum of the mountain gave way to exposure of a different kind. Aven
had positioned himself behind Kava and was randomly nuzzling the back of her
neck to her ear, whispering words reserved only for her. He had worked his
hands under her shirt, messaging her breasts and turning everything 'on'. Soon
she was wearing even less than him. She could feel him growing behind her.
Entangled and naked they moved to the shower. Washing each other's bodies never
got old, even after thousands of years the connection was commanding - All of
their senses focused on each other. The evening progressed into the bedroom.
Their union was powerful. Passionate and tender their movements a pounding
expression of their love. Kava was amazing on top. Rotating and leaning, keen
to find the most pleasurable positions. Tossing her about, in rough play, Aven
loved pushing in deep, slowly and then quickly. Holding off the climax was near
impossible, but oh so worth it. The tease of her scratch on his skin the
ultimate satisfaction. A series of embraces ending in both bodies shaking, yet
utter peace.

The morning would begin
with the ascent of the 487 meter peak, but the evening's activities had proven
a better work out, as they both lay sprawled on the bed covered in sweat.

The forested plateau at
the mountain peak coupled with the crashing falls was breathtaking, but the
energy here had both a drawing and revolting effect on Kavani's spirit.

"Something noble is
linking me to this place", Kava told Aven. "Whether it is the staff
or not is yet to be seen, but it is shrouded in magic that is opposed to my
presence".

Both were barefoot and had
brought head coverings to approach the sanctuary. "Perhaps I should enter
the sanctuary alone, while you show your Water is Life credentials to the scientists
at the preserve?" Aven suggested. He could sense a pending conflict in the
spiritual realm and assumed the scientists might pose the weakest threat on
that level.

The Buddhist monks were
rather receptive to Aven's questions and respected his scholarly opinions in
their discussions. Kava spotted one of the scientists at the mouth of the
waterfall near one of the diverted bathing pools. As she crossed the bridge
approaching the water, a surge of energy refreshed her mind. Across the face of
the waterfall was an image of the goddess Venus cupping the crescent moon.
Directing her gaze down, the image turned the water see through, making visible
a cave behind the fall.

Another quake began to
rumble the mountain, as Kava discovered the probable resting place of the moon
controlling device. Inside the sanctuary, Aven knew Kavani was likely in a bit
of a scuff. The monks also appeared to be more concerned than afraid of the
earthquake. He followed their lead down a backside, spiral-stone staircase. The
high spiral walls hid the staircase in what appeared to be a supporting pillar.
The bottom steps spilled out into the pool created by the cascading waters.
Aven rounded the last bend, just in time to see Kava slip behind the waterfall.
The pounding water shielded her from view, but the monks did not hesitate to
follow, knowing their destination apparently prior to descending the staircase.
Aven continued his pursuit.