Tridas (11 page)

Not wanting to disclose too much information, but
also understanding the protocols associated with supreme authority, Antipater
attempted to acknowledge and deflect. "When in the glory that is Rome, all
other locales seem to become distant memories."

"An athlete and a diplomat, I shall
definitely watch your ascent in our beloved Rome." Chortled the
politician.

Antipater dismissed himself and attempted to
blend into the background. A more difficult task than it had been a mere, few
days previous.

In what seemed like no time, Antipater found
himself again encircled by the elite of Rome, posing questions.

"From what family do you come?"

"Will you do me the honor of dining with
me?"

Calvinus re-entered the discussion, "I
vaguely recall our first encounter. Did you travel with Nearchus?"

Antipater was no stranger to concealing his
thoughts, "The name sounds familiar... tell me more".

"Five years ago, I met Nearchus, an ally who
had close ties to Alexander of Macedon, but had been exiled by his father King
Philip. He was aware of our success in embracing a democratic society and
sought to convey these ideals in his own country. His cultured mind as well as
his seamanship was recognized by the emperor as beneficial. Alexander
exonerated and then appointed Nearchus as the Admiral of his Eastern Campaigns.
The accord with Nearchus has thus far kept Alexander's sites to the east".
Calvinus stated, not completely recalling Antipater's face, but realizing the
significance of his name.

"He gives the impression of a man worth
keeping close. I would be grateful for an introduction, if you continue to
recognize value in our association upon his next visit to Rome". Antipater
replied evenly.

"I prefer my correspondence with Nearchus to
be at a distance. Honestly, in his new position, I don't completely know where
his loyalties lie. In the expanse, rests safety". Calvinus held affinity
for his up and coming champion, but the name coupled with his obvious skills
during the games, seemed too much a coincidence. If the rumors of events in
Macedon bore more truth than fantasy, Antipater would need to be kept accounted
for in Rome.

[Alexander had muffled the details around his
Regent's absence. He wanted to end Antipater's life, but also feared the
attempted attack bespoke his own vulnerability. After all, he was a God, a mere
man posed with little threat to his well being.]

Antipater's body language did not display the
shock in his mind at the mention of Nearchus. He was only a couple of days away
from being declared the Grand Champion of Rome. Many referred to him as
"the Great Wolf" but certainly the name Antipater had become
recognized as well. News of these games would spread across the world, as
visitors returned home from the spectacle, inaugurating Rome's new, majestic
arena. Antipater had let his pride and competitive nature direct his actions.
The shear enjoyment of the games had clouded his judgment and jeopardized their
safety. He welcomed the Druid initiation. A secret gathering, away from the
attention, was exactly what he needed.

"Welcome Goddess. Welcome Great Wolf".
The Druids used this name for different reasons than his supporters from the
games.

The markings recently added to the cave walls
reminded him of the hieroglyphs of Egypt. The new symbols were a good
distraction. Antipater felt a bit exposed, but was most uptight about others
gazing upon Kavani. Her beauty was matchless. Antipater knew the Druids looked
past the body to the inner essence, but he couldn't help doubting that Kavani's
exquisiteness was the exception.

They were each given masks to further shield
their outer persona. Kavani's was lovely, adorned with white flowers and a
colorful butterfly. Antipater's was made of rich bark, petrified and bowed at
both the forehead and along the jaw line. It was reminiscent of a military cowl
in shape, but much more stunning. Random carvings of Druid symbols gilded the
masks in a green tone suggesting a tribute to life.

Listening to the insight of the elders, and the
acumen of the disciples as they penetrated the veil of the conscious was
fascinating to the couple. The hypnotic state, brought peace and design to
their lives. The two were engaged with their destiny. An incomplete map,
charted and sketched images that were neither understood or could be explained.
As the initiation concluded, the chief elder revealed that the indescribable
images were a glimpse into their future. A future, so different than their
present in every way.

Over the coming days, Antipater contended in the
games and was crowned with the laurels of the Grand Champion of Rome. He knew a
change in his behavior would stir distrust. If Calvinus did have any notion of
Antipater's true identity, better to encourage friendship, than to isolate yet
another man of power. As a valued companion, Antipater would also be privy to
the movements of Nearchus. A man, that both he and his Consulship seemed to
have mutual misgivings. Still, by way of the revelations in the Druid caves,
both Kavani and Antipater knew their days in Rome were numbered.

Capt. Vasily's plane had landed on time, but his
ground arrangements had him traveling to the Grand Palace not the Government
House.

"The palace is only 20 minutes away across
the moat", Hoyt stated after pinpointing the two locations on his GPS.

"You don't even know who you are
hunting", laughed Suttikul. "If you were ready, you would have known
our visitor would view the Grand Palace as the seat of power".

"We are already spread thin, but this
operation falls short without intercepting Vasily, before he can pass on the
launch codes. Hoyt, you and Aven accomplished much in a short time. The palace
is less than 2 clicks away. Move out". The Commander ordered.

Aven would never be used to taking orders, but he
agreed with Command's assessment. Plus, the words from Suttikul echoed in his
ears. They were likely converging on more supernatural activity than anyone
else on the team would be "geared up" to handle.

It was just past twilight. Even from the entrance
gates of the Government House, the view across the moat of the Grand Palace was
spectacular. The golden lights outlining every detail of the famous landmark,
spotlighting the four spires against the night sky. Like most monuments around
the globe, seeing the structure lit at night is like viewing the attraction for
the first time. The intricate detail spoke to the spirit indeed.

Jogging through the streets of Bangkok, dodging
the crowds, as well as the eyes of military so common place under the martial
law declaration, was not an easy feat. Maintaining a good clip, but under the
guise of excitement to see the palace was an active performance.

"I have a strong feeling we should look for
cover in Wat Phra Kaew. Whoever Vasily is meeting is likely to be already
there. And, if my gut is right... robed in saffron", Aven proposed to
Hoyt, in between excited points towards the palace, for the soldiers' benefit.

"Where?"

"The Temple of the Emerald Buddha".
Aven rephrased.

"You think we are on watch for an old
monk?"

"Be alert. Age has nothing to do with power.
The danger we are literally running towards deserves to be recognized".
Aven admonished.

"Whose side are you on anyway?" Hoyt
replied with confused skepticism.

"I do not esteem or admire our foes. I have
a low opinion of how they wield their power. But, to disregard their strengths,
is to enter the battle ill prepared", Aven continued. "Hoyt, you are
an elite warrior who has earned my respect, but your experience is limited in
the realm we are operating in".

"More bed-time stories?"

"Yes, you enjoyed them as a kid. Be
attentive to your child-like imagination", was Aven's final instruction as
they crossed the water into the courtyards of the Grand Palace.

The stairs approaching the relatively small
shrine in the outer court were teeming with visitors from all over the world,
so cover in the congestion was easy. Both Aven and Hoyt had seen pictures of
Capt. Vasily, but in the low light and jam-packed environment, he could
undoubtedly escape their notice. Aven was also surveying the monks. The robes
of the temple members change with the season, a ritual instituted by Thai Kings
long ago. A priest from Cambodia, would have a slightly different shade to his
robe. Aven also knew the legend behind the "emerald" Buddha, which is
actually made of green nephrite, being stolen from Angkor Wat in 1432. If there
was to be a reunifying of the countries, the Cambodians would want to put right
this iniquitous act.

Security burst through the crowds. Aven looked up
to see them running towards a saffron robed warrior priest from Angkor, Emerald
Buddha in hand. The guards around him laying motionless on the ground.

"The Emerald Buddha is smaller than a
football?" Hoyt looked at Aven with surprise.

"Do you see Vasily?" Aven asked,
ignoring his previous statement.

"No!"

Hoyt took off in a sprint to rescue the priceless
statue, but the thief looked right past Hoyt's frame meeting Aven's gaze eye to
eye. The monk recognized Aven as Kavani's companion in Cambodia. His expression
turned to rage, as he fixed his eyes upon Hoyt. The crowd was fleeing the
temple in fear, as Hoyt fell back under the monk's control, hitting his head
sharply on the stone floor. Aven quickly verified Hoyt's wellbeing. He was
still conscious, but not attentive. Hoyt would be fine and Aven was losing time
not pursuing the monk. His gut told him allowing the Cambodian to escape was
not an option. Thus far he was the only one on the other side with supernatural
ties. The fate of the world could actually rest on this decision. Aven left Hoyt
to hunt down their enemy. He needed to reestablish a visual, before the monk
left the Palace. The streets of Bangkok offered too many places to hide, or
simply intermingle with the crowds, even with the curfews "managing the
masses" under martial law. Aven caught site of the fleeing priest, and
quickened his pace to a sprint. The change in speed, reminded him of the Glock
in the small of his back that he had lifted off, one of Suttikul's men. Aven
froze and took aim. Over the years of his life, he had virtually utilized every
weapon. He was an expert marksman. Canting slightly to account for the
distance, the bullet struck the Cambodian's right leg. The target tumbled
forward, but gracefully, imploring a Bokator falling technique. Aven began to
close in on his injured adversary, when his avenue of approach was filled with
men pointing combat rifles in his direction, halting his progression. The
militia soldiers, seized Aven's weapon and roughly put him to the ground as
they questioned his credentials, which they had found in their aggressive
"pat down". Through the legs of the soldiers, about 100 yards away,
Aven saw a smirk flash across the face of the monk. The language barrier
limited communication, leaving Aven's protests pointless, as the guard unit attending
to the monk fell to the ground reminiscent of Hoyt in the Temple. The monk
limped away, glancing over his shoulder, back at Aven with a glare of
superiority.

"He's getting away! He stole the Emerald
Buddha! The soldiers are down!" Aven yelled to no avail, wagging his head
in the direction of the monk, unable to point with his hands zip-tied behind
his back. Exhausted, he lay his head face down into the stone, coming to the
conclusion his immediate concern was escaping his own predicament.

Eventually lifting him back to his feet, the
guards ushered Aven back into the Grand Palace. Pleased to be standing, he was
more excited to see Hoyt approaching with Vasily "acquired." Hoyt
didn't give the slightest signal that he even knew Aven. As they passed, Aven
spotted the knife Hoyt was using to motivate the Russian Captain's cooperation.

Aven knew that Hoyt would report to command and
ultimately he would be released, but the timeframe was an unpredictable
variable. Besides Aven thought, "I will be tormented by Hoyt endlessly
recounting his single handed capture of Vasily, even after I had 'left him for
dead' no less, and then got myself captured letting the 'super-powered' monk
escape”. Aven could definitely postpone that goading for eternity. He resigned
to settle into his new accommodation for the necessary duration.

Vasily proved to be a riddle wrapped in enigma.
The team knew Aven's assistance would be needed to stay in front, at least
level with their enemy. Command explained covertly, but through all the right
channels, that Aven was a civilian antiquities expert/mercenary hired by the
insurance company, endorsed by UNESCO, to track a potential theft of the sacred
Buddha. This allowed the U.S. to stay out of the squeamish politically as well
as preserved the team's "undercover" presence in the incident.