Tridas (8 page)

The cave was damp and
dark, but the glow of Kavani's eyes lit her path. The hole was non- descript;
plain compared to the grandeur and detail of the rest of Kulen. A pungent smell
filled the small space - a true hell hole amidst the surrounding beauty. A pile
of rods lay on the ground, dismissed of all worth to any visitors. The monks
had entered the cave, many carrying rods themselves. They encircled Kavani,
moving into fighting stance. Aven had also entered, ever ready for battle, with
a lit flare he had tucked away in his backpack. The sparks from the flare
easily lit the grotto. The orange robed monks appearing as a circle of fire. A
few of the monks threw down their rods, which became vipers, hissing as they
slithered toward Kavani. Without the slightest fumble, she reached into the
pile and pulled out the rod calling to her. It instantly began budding in her
hand. Blossoms of narcissus. She plucked the flowers, encircling herself in
petals. The poisonous ring magically grew to shield off her potential
attackers.

"Give up the rod.
There is no honor in its power. You cannot stop what has already been put into
motion”. The leader of the monks chanted, trying to cover the slight bit of
hesitation in his voice. The poets of old had written to future keepers, the
dangers of the staff. Anyone's skin who had ever touched it broke into leprosy.
It was their enemy's tool. To their demise, the rod's power was reserved for a
chosen few.

She threw down her rod and
it also became a serpent, swallowing up the smaller snakes of her new found
enemies. Under the lacey veil which covered her head, her eyes shown even
brighter. She looked God-like. Her enemies were frozen in fear. She bent down
to pick up the serpent by the tail and it instantly transformed back into her
rod. In her hand the rod began to radiate white light and in a twinkling of an
eye she vanished.

Aven dropped the flare. He
couldn't believe she was gone. Still in shock, he realized the monks were
moving towards him. He turned and ran, pushing through the waterfall and not
breaking stride until he was deep into the Cambodian jungle. Bracing himself
against a tree to rest, he remembered the moments in the cave. Unable to fight
back the tears, he began to cry. He missed Kavani already.

His emotions were all over the map.
Excitement that Kavani had found a power source so obviously made for her...
Concern for what the bond meant and where she might be...
Sadness over their separation...
Fear from his lack of resources and able pursuants...
Wonder of what this all was leading towards and what more had been learned about the code...

He pulled out his SAT
phone to pinpoint his location. The US Embassy in Phnom Penh was over 3 hours
away. Assistance was not likely anyway, the ambassador didn't even know Aven
was in his country. Best to find a way back into the populace, keep out of
harm's way and wait for the extraction. They had what they had come for after
all, at least he thought they did. He activated his emergency beacon, still
anxious over Kavani's absence.

Kavani blinked her eyes,
as the dark of the cave gave way to bright sunlight. She was alone, but
recognized her surroundings immediately. Straight in front of her was the Roman
Coliseum, she was standing on the grounds of the forum amidst the ruins of the
ancient Temple of Venus. Within Venus' cella, Kava noticed the alter where
newlywed couples could make sacrifices. Venus represented love (Amor in Latin).
AMOR is ROMA spelled backwards, a back-to back symmetry which had always
connected the Goddess and the city. She thought of Aven. She knew he could
"take care of himself," but was concerned all the same.

Looking up she noticed two
women approaching from the Palatine Hill. She had all but forgot the budding
staff she clutched in her hand. No place to conceal the rather large element
now, besides her visitors seemed a welcome presence.

As they became more
visible, one of them spoke, "Greetings Kavani, the poets of old foretold
of your return”.

"Malin &
Citlalli, I've missed you my sisters!" Kavani replied as she squeezed them
both.

"Our journey to earth
has been delayed, waiting for you to embrace your true self”. Malin Ali
explained. "In your original time Kavani, the prophecy was written of the
great flood, many cultures have warned of the coming event, but thousands of
years have passed since you were linked to Aphrodite and her many names throughout
time... Ishta, Hathor, Cypris, Acadalia, Venus. Now is the time of your calling”.

"My calling?"
Kava questioned with a giggle. "You two are the actual Goddesses, I'm the
mere mortal here”.

"You are more than a
mere mortal Kavani, the chosen vessel for Venus is unique and powerful. We are
unable to manifest ourselves in a human spirit, only the Moon Goddess herself
has this gift. She has poured her very essence into you... the two of you are
one”.

"The Stars and flowers,
our patron subjects, bow to your command”. Citlalli added.

"Yes, your Narcissus
flowers have already come to my aide”. Kavani confirmed, gesturing to the
budding rod. "What can you tell me of Aven's well being?"

"Alas, Antipater is
safe. Aven befits him as a namesake in this modern era. The beauty of your love
is true to your identity”. Malin smiled as she thought of their endless passion
for each other across time and space.

Being back in Italy
reminded Kavani of her time together with Antipater on the Costiera Amalfitana. They had experienced so much of
life together, she could not imagine, not being close to him. "Is he still
near Cambodia?"

"The
stars reveal his destiny keeps him where you two parted”. Citlalli answered.

Indeed
Aven had been extracted and set to rendezvous with the SEAL reconnaissance
team, tracking the missing Russian captain. The Chinook, carrying the team,
landed outside the US Embassy in Phnom Penh. The entry palms were bending in the sudden
tsunami from the blades of the helicopter. Ushering everyone into a meeting
room, the commander began the brief.

"We have been
tracking Captain Anton Vasily's movements. He is using an alias, but his face
popped up on our radar and we tagged him in northern Pakistan. He is currently
in Nepal. His south-eastern path indicates an intersection point in Thailand.
We have been monitoring his engagements, but nothing has proven suspicious
enough to 'spook him' with outright contact. We anticipate an increased threat
ratio once he crosses the border into Thailand and intend to be in close
proximity for any random exchange”.

Aven was relieved to learn
that Vasily was being monitored, but too many pieces to the puzzle were still
missing and so was Kavani. The door to the conference room burst open. The ambassador's
aide entered the room, grabbed the remote for the flat screen monitor, and
clicked on the news.

"Ambassador, excuse
my interruption, but you had instructed me that in my monitoring of the Thai
situation, if there was any change, to inform you immediately”.

It was a live report on
the status of the government in Thailand. Realizing the relevance of the topic,
all eyes focused on the screen.

"Initially, we held
out hope that the military would move relatively quickly to transfer power to a
civilian government and move towards free and fair elections. However, recent
events have shown that the current military coup is both more repressive and
likely to last”. A crawler along the bottom of the screen indicated the report
was coming from the Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

"The
ruling military council has continuously summoned, detained, and intimidated
hundreds of political figures, academics, journalists, online commentators, and
peaceful protesters. It continues to censor local media sources and the
internet, and is attempting to block international media as well. The borders
have been closed with one of our five treaty allies in Asia. Our increased
military coordination and cooperation via joint exercises has developed and
strengthened the Thai position. We have called for the immediate restoration of
civilian rule. The coup is a threat to regional as well as global stability.
This step backwards, in an attempt to solve political frustrations is
not..." The broadcast began to fuzz and then fade to black.

"The threat has
escalated. I will get an update on our mission parameters from D.C. Be ready to
move at a moment's notice. Let's stop this soup sandwich, from being force fed
to the rest of the world. Hooyahhh!" Hooyah was the response as the
Commander dismissed the team.

The embassy had
retrieved their luggage from the hotel in Siem Reap. Being escorted to a room
to wait, Aven was pleasantly surprised to see his bags. He quickly checked the
side pocket of his messenger bag in search of his personal cell. He powered it
on, ecstatic to see the lock screen indicating a text from Kavani, "I'm in
Rome, the Temple of Venus”.

336 B.C.

Antipater returned to
Kavani's room after breaking the grip of the royal guard. Allatore was by her
side, ready in defense.

"Aristotle traced
the poison to the wine, my gift to Alexander”. Antipater explained. "We
must return to Aristotle's secret cellar, drawing little attention to our
movements. The only other who knows of this refuge is Alexander, and he is in
no position to reveal the secret”.

After some time
Aristotle returned home, not too surprised to find his hiding guests. "The
toxin in the wine is a poison ivy. The dregs remaining in Alexander's glass
dyed a pinkish hue, so not likely the common green ivy, but the white variety
from Rhodes. Your glass contained no trace of poison Antipater. I can only
withhold my findings for a short time. It does not look good for you my friend”.

"This is the work
of Olympias”. Kavani asserted. "Part of her ritual ceremony in Rhodes
involved potions with the toxin of the white ivy. Olympias is very familiar
with this tonic”.

"As it sounds, so
are you", was Aristotle's quick response. "I have no desire to
challenge your loyalty or doubt Antipater's judgment, but your being here will
also be viewed as suspicious. It was not difficult to work the city into a
frenzy over your presence. In your short time with us, you have obtained the
title of 'witch' and been held under house arrest to investigate your own intentions
toward Alexander. I hate to bear this news, but the time for you two in Macedon
is closing quickly. I will champion your cause in the courts, but I counsel you
to defend your honor from afar”.

"As my teacher,
your words have directed my path many times before. I'm tempted to argue, but
now have another to protect. As well as a companion to enjoy life, apart from
title and free to take pleasure in without judgment or threat”, Antipater
replied. "Keep us informed of Alexander's outcome. In his death, Macedon
will face many dangers”.

"Where will your
travels lead you?" Aristotle asked, but all present were curious as to
Antipater's response.

"To Rhodes”. He
replied with a bit of a question in his statement.

"Perhaps for a
short time my love, but it is an obvious choice, leaving us easy prey, should
Alexander's outcome be for the worst”. Kavani interjected.

"Sage advice Kavani”.
Aristotle commended. "I still have contacts on Miletus, explorers who are
colonizing the Italian Peninsula. My word would be enough to grant access on an
expedition ship, under the guise of seeking further studies with the Roman
scholar Lucan. The Roman Empire is not an enemy of Alexander. In fact, in many
ways they praise his feats of battle, and maybe more importantly, Alexander nor
Olympias are likely to pursue you in this direction... Alexander's eyes are set
to the east”.

"The reports of the
region of Calabria do describe a land secure and lush”. Antipater agreed. Their
plan was taking shape quickly and would need to be implemented equally as fast.
Allatore had secured them a vessel with safe passage the previous night, simply
awaiting a destination.

Kavani and Antipater bid
their allies farewell and set sail for the Isle of Rhodes. Within days they had
word of Alexander's return to consciousness as well as warnings of patrols
being dispersed searching for their whereabouts. The largest garrison being
dispatched to Rhodes.

"My friend,
Alexander the Great still lives, perhaps we should return to Macedon and
petition our state of affairs?" Antipater posed, learning the news.

"One does not drink
poison to kill an enemy. We know not if Alexander is a friend or foe."
Kavani responded.

"Fleeing, we may
always be running”. Antipater countered.

"But running
together! We put ourselves in grave danger by exposing our position to our
attacker”. Kavani continued. "While he is away from his campaigns in the east,
his forces are at full strength. Let us move away from Alexander's immediate
grip. Even to Andalusia if needed. Aristotle has prepared passage for us let us
not dismiss this opportunity. I'm sorry if I cause offense, but Alexander is no
longer your brother, supporter or friend”.