The Quest

Purcell pointed out, “All of our recon was based on a lot of speculation and false assumptions, all of it wrong. Everything we looked at from the air was east of the road. But in fact, if Father Armano was going back to the black monastery, then the monastery is west of the road, and west of the spa.”

They all thought about that, and Mercado stated the obvious. “We have no photos… no idea what is west of the road.”

“No,” Purcell agreed, “we do not. But we have a map that shows part of the area, and we have two points of reference-this fortress and the spa.”

Mercado said, “Any two points will make a straight line… but that line does not necessarily give us the third point.”

“Right. But we need to go back to the spa, cross the road, and head west.”

Mercado thought about that, then said, “So you’re suggesting we abandon all we’ve done and head into a new, unknown area.”

“Only if we all believe that Father Armano was walking to the black monastery.”

They all thought that over and Gann said, “You also need to believe he remembered the way he came here from the monastery.”

Purcell replied, “I believe it was burned in his mind. And when he escaped from here and walked through those open gates, he knew exactly which way to go.”

Gann agreed. “I’ve heard stories of that.”

Vivian spoke. “I think we all believe that Father Armano was going to the black monastery, and that he knew the way.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

They packed up and stood. Vivian asked Purcell, “When did you think of this?”

“Halfway here.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“You needed a photo op.” He added, “We needed to be here.”

She nodded.

They left the ruins of Prince Theodore’s fortress by the gates that Father Armano had entered forty years before and had exited five months ago. They walked across the clearing toward the game trail, which they now saw was marked by a towering and distinctive cedar.

As they walked, Vivian came up beside Purcell and said with a smile, “That was a divine inspiration, Frank. Don’t deny it.”

He smiled in return. “I like to think of myself as a rational genius.” He added, “But I could be wrong about that and about this, too.”

“You’re not wrong.” She also said to him, “Prepare yourself for a miracle.”

They’d already had several of those, mostly having to do with flying. He said, “I am open to miracles.”

“And while you’re at it, open your heart to love.”

He didn’t respond.

“We could die here in the blink of an eye. So you need to tell me now that you forgive me, and that you love me. Before it’s too late.”

He stayed silent a few seconds, considering this, then said, “I love you.”

“Forgive me.”

“I cheated on you before you came to Rome.”

“I forgive you.”

He took her hand. “All is forgiven.”

Chapter 49

They reached the spa in the late afternoon, and though there were hours of daylight left, Gann made the decision to stop for the day, saying, “I don’t want any of us to overdo the first day.”

Clearly, Purcell thought, Gann was concerned about Henry, and maybe Vivian. He was a good officer. Purcell also pointed out, “We have no idea where we’re going after we cross that road, so we should stop and think about it.”

“Quite right.”

Vivian reminded Gann, “You said Gallas stop here.”

“Yes, well, they’ve mostly gone east, and their horse droppings look rather old. Also, this is a large place, and we will pick a dark corner of it and be quiet during the night.” He added, “I have my Uzi, and Mr. Purcell has my service revolver.”

They found the bathhouse, which still had fresh spring water flowing into large sunken pools from the mouths of black stone faces embedded in the marble walls-similar to Miriam’s bathhouse, Purcell noted, except these faces were not of lions, but Roman gods and goddesses, one of which looked suspiciously like Benito Mussolini.

Gann again marveled at the engineering, saying, “Reminds me a bit of the Roman baths in Bath. Water’s still flowing there after two thousand years.”

And that, Purcell thought to himself, was the last decent plumbing installed in England.

They drank from the mouths of the gods and goddesses, hoping the water was potable, then filled their canteens. The spring water was cold, but they bathed privately, and washed their clothes.

Not a bad first day, Purcell thought, and in the morning they’d cross the road and strike out into terra incognita.

They reconnoitered the spa complex and found a wing off the main lobby where the guest rooms had been. Gann explained, “This is where the Italian soldiers, administrators, and men of business came from Gondar for the weekend after a long week of exploiting the Ethiopians.” He added, “Built mostly by slave labor-captured Ethiopian soldiers. And staffed by young Ethiopian women.”

Purcell commented, “Sounds very Roman Empire-ish.”

“Indeed. It’s in their blood, you know.”

Purcell resisted any comments about the British Empire, but Gann said, “At least we brought order, education, and law.”

“Thank God you didn’t bring your plumbing.”

Gann smiled.