Sharp File by CB Samet

Author:CB Samet [SAMET, CB]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781950942299
Publisher: Novels by CB Samet

“Why did the archaeologist hate his life?” Ava asked as she and Santino continued their journey over the rough terrain.

“Why?”

“His career was in ruins.”

Santino shook his head as she smiled.

She continued, “A group of archaeologists gathered to find the leg bone of an ancient man…. It was a real shindig.” She moved aside branches of a tall fern. “How did the two archaeologists fall in love?”

He cast her a sidelong glance. “How?”

“Carbon dating.”

“¡Ay, Dios!” He rolled his eyes.

“What did the archaeologist say to the other archaeologist?”

Santino replied, “I have a bone to pick with you.”

Ava laughed.

As they walked, a light rain began to fall. Served her right for traveling during the wettest month of the wet season. Fortunately, the backpack was water-resistant, and she’d stocked it with waterproof flashlights and sealed meals ready to eat. And two of everything. This was her first rugged archaeology expedition, and she wouldn’t be caught unprepared.

“What do the pieces look like?” Santino asked.

“Assembled, they make a chakana—the Incan cross. It’s a stepped cross, equal size on all sides, with a hole in the center. The central hole represents Cuzco, once the center of the Incan empire. The arms represent the cardinal points of a compass. There are four provinces in: Tawantinsuyu, the empire itself: Chinchaysuyo, Kollasuyo, Antisuyo, and Contisuyo. Say them three times fast.”

He chuckled.

“On a chakana, each of the three steps of one corner is believed to have meaning,” she continued. “The first quarter of the cross represents energetic tiers or worlds: the lower world or underworld, the middle world or world of human life, and the upper world of stars, celestial beings, and gods. The second quarter represents their revered animals, corresponding to these worlds: snake for lower world, puma for middle world, and condor for upper world.”

“Makes sense. Most snakes live underground, pumas are land animals, and condors live in the sky.”

“Exactly. The third quarter symbolizes the three commandments of Incas: don’t steal, don’t lie, and don’t be lazy. The fourth symbolizes human principals: love and kindness, knowledge, and work.”

“All of this in one relic?”

“One chakana to rule them all.” She shook a hand in the air melodramatically.

Santino laughed. “Is that what you’re after, señorita? World domination through reassembling the pieces?”

“Ha. I don’t think world domination would be so simple as the power from a talisman. And besides, who wants that level of responsibility? I’m after fortune and glory, baby.” She batted her eyelashes. “Not really. I want to prove to myself I can succeed at this, even when no one else thinks I can, which sounds much less grandiose than the other ambitions.”

“I think you can. Even if it doesn’t happen today. Even if it doesn’t happen in Peru. You’ll find what you’re after.”

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