The Quest

Mercado went on, “After three thousand years of relative stability under the Solomonic dynasty, the whole country is in chaos.” He pressed his point. “And if the black monastery is looted by revolutionary troops-soldiers of Getachu, for instance-the Grail is in jeopardy. Even if it is sold to the highest bidder, that bidder could very well be someone like the Saudi royal family, who have billions to spend on whatever they fancy.” He concluded, “I don’t want the Holy Grail to wind up in Mecca.”

Purcell pointed out, “You’ve done a quantum leap, Henry.”

“Perhaps, but you see what I’m getting at.”

“You’re making a case for why we should relieve the Coptic monks of their property.”

“I am trying to protect the Grail.”

Purcell inquired, “And where do you think it would be safe?”

“The Vatican, of course.”

“I thought you might say that.”

Everyone got a small laugh from that.

Vivian said, “I agree with Henry.”

Gann, too, said, “I agree that you-we-need to get this relic out of Ethiopia.”

Purcell, too, agreed, but he advised, “Not permanently. Just until the times in Ethiopia grow less evil.”

Mercado pointed out, “The Grail has been taken on long journeys over the last two thousand years to safeguard it from evil, and I believe it has fallen to us to do that again.”

Purcell said, “So we are all agreed that if we find the black monastery and the Holy Grail, we are morally justified in stealing the Grail for its own protection.”

Everyone nodded.

Colonel Gann looked at Mercado, Purcell, and Vivian and said, “I should tell you that I am not a believer in this relic as the true cup that Christ used at the Last Supper, and neither do I believe that the Ark of the Covenant and the Ten Commandments are in a hidden chapel in Axum. But these artifacts are central to the Coptic Church in Ethiopia, as well as in Egypt.” He continued, “Egypt may never be Christian again, but Ethiopia will be. And it is important that all the religious objects that are in jeopardy be safeguarded for the time when the Marxists are overthrown and the emperor is restored to the throne.”

Purcell thought that if by some miracle they actually got hold of the Holy Grail and got it to the Vatican-for safekeeping-it wouldn’t get out of there until the second coming of Christ. But that wasn’t his problem.

Gann asked, “Can you tell me a bit more about this Father Armano?”

Mercado looked at Purcell and Vivian, who both nodded. Mercado said to Gann, “I’m sure you know of the Italian spa that Getachu was talking about.”

“I do indeed.” He told them, “You shouldn’t have spent the night there.” Gann explained, “The Gallas fancy the place. I don’t think they bathe there-or bathe at all-but there is fresh water for their horses and for themselves.” He advised, “It is a place to avoid.”

Purcell commented, “We had an old guidebook.”

Mercado continued, “Well, we put up for the night-had a quick wash-and when we returned to our Jeep, we came upon Father Armano, who was wounded and dying.”

“And I’m sure he said more to you before he died than you told Getachu.”

“Correct.” Mercado suggested that Vivian relate the story, which she did.

Gann listened attentively, nodding now and then, and when Vivian had finished, he said, “Remarkable. And do you believe this man’s story about the Lance of Longinus hanging in thin air, dripping blood? Or that this blood healed the priest?”

Vivian said she did, as did Mercado.

She also said, “We think it was more than chance that we and Father Armano arrived at the same place at the same time. And now you tell us that the Gallas are usually there, but they weren’t that night.” She concluded, “We think it was a miracle.”

Colonel Gann nodded politely.

Vivian added, “And it was an eerie coincidence, I think, that Father Armano and Henry were at the same battle of Mount Aradam in 1935.”

“Yes… striking coincidence.” He looked at Purcell.

Purcell said, “I believe the substance of Father Armano’s story, but I’m a bit skeptical about the Lance of Longinus hanging in thin air, or about the Holy Grail healing Father Armano.”

Gann replied, “Yes… that seems a bit unnatural, doesn’t it? But we agree that this relic is probably in the black monastery.”

Everyone agreed.

Gann asked, “Do you have any specific operational plans to find this monastery?”

Mercado replied, “We hoped you could help us with that.”

“I believe I can.” He informed them, “I have a general idea where it is.”

“So do we,” said Purcell, “based on what Father Armano said about his army patrol from Lake Tana to the black monastery, then being taken by foot to the Royalist fortress, then his escape forty years later and his walk that night to the Italian spa.” He suggested, “Maybe we could triangulate all of that if we had a good map.”

Gann nodded again. “It’s a starting point.” He advised, “You ought to begin with aerial reconnaissance if you can.”

Purcell informed him, “We might have access to a light plane in Addis.”

“Good. That will save you time and effort, and help keep you out of the hands of the Gallas-or Getachu.”