Stealing Sacred Fire by Constantine Storm

Author:Constantine, Storm
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: angels, fantasy, constantine, nephilim, watchers, grigori
Publisher: Immanion Press

Chapter Fourteen

The Cave of Treasures

The Mountains of Babylonia

Qimir knew of the Cave of Treasures, although he had not visited it in person. ‘Its location is known to the adepts of my people, and some have travelled there to connect with the spirit of our ancestors. But the journey is long and arduous.’

‘How far?’ Shem asked.

Qimir shrugged. ‘Days, at least. You must head south-east. Most of the journey is impassable for trucks, so you will have to travel on horseback.’

It was decided that they would take an escort of half a dozen Yarasadi, for the route was sometimes hazardous, and rival Kurdish factions prowled the shadowed passes, as well as agents of Babylon. Qimir summoned an old woman of the tribe, Tahira, to his dwelling, explaining to his guests that she had visited the cave fifteen years previously and would make an excellent guide.

Tahira was tall and unbent by age, although her advanced years showed in the weathering of her face. Long, grey hair, that looked as strong as steel wire, coiled down over her shoulders. She wore heavy jewellery of malachite-inlaid silver at her throat and wrists, and around her spare shoulders hung a large, fringed shawl of red and yellow silk. She listened without expression as Qimir explained what he required of her. Once he’d finished speaking she spent several minutes arguing with him in Kurmanji. It was clear she did not welcome the suggestion of acting as Shemyaza’s guide.

Gadreel translated her words quietly for the others. ‘She says she’s too old to risk such a journey. And she’s demanding to know why we want to go there. She says there’s nothing left there but bones.’

While Gadreel was whispering, Tahira turned to her and uttered a question in accurate English. ‘Why are you making this journey? Do you seek guidance from heaven and will visit the Cave to find it?’

Gadreel shook her head. ‘Not exactly. We are looking for an artefact.’

‘No artefacts there!’ Tahira snapped, waving her hands. ‘Many bones, old memories, but no artefacts. Barren place, home of the vulture spirits.’

Gadreel smiled patiently. ‘Perhaps the artefact we’re looking for doesn’t look like much. It could be a stone or even one of the bones. We don’t know yet what it is. It is very important, Tahira. The future of our people might depend on us finding this thing.’

Tahira considered for a moment, then shrugged. ‘Did not want to be called upon this late in life, but if the journey must be made again, then so be it. But finding artefacts — that is up to you.’

‘Thank you,’ Gadreel said, in obvious relief. ‘We could not do this without your help.’

Tahira asked Qimir if she might take her grandson, Jalal, with her, for she claimed the boy had a sensible head on his shoulders and she’d feel safer with him there. ‘And you know, Qimir,’ she added, in English for the benefit of the visitors, ‘what you must do before they leave.’

Qimir regarded her thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.