The Secret of Osiris by Graham H Rogers

Author:Graham H Rogers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: G2 Rights Ltd
Published: 2005-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

4 Even though the communist government of Mengistu had been toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces – including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front – there were still pockets of resistance and violent skirmishes which made travelling inadvisable, unless adequate precautions were taken.

Chapter Sixteen

JONATHAN WILDEN:

Our coach came to a halt outside the living quarters of the Falasha priests. The last part of the journey into Ethiopia had proved very hot and tiring and, by the time our escorted convoy reached Axum, we had lost much of the initial excitement shared when we first set off.

But now the sun had set and the temperature was falling. A group of priests came out to greet our delegation. We waited for the baggage to be offloaded and to be assigned to our appointed host, who was to provide our accommodation for the duration.

“Mr Wilden and Miss Francis?” repeated the voice.

“Yes, over here.” I replied.

We began walking towards the administrator who had summoned us.

“This is Meskel – your host, while you are with us. When you and Miss Francis are ready, he will take you to your quarters.”

With the formalities completed, Meskel promptly launched into a conversation – being keen to practise his accomplished knowledge of the English language – while we grabbed our suitcases and followed him to a nearby building.

“Don’t worry . . . I’ve booked two single rooms,” said Jane, with a cheeky grin.

“To be honest, I’m so tired, I wouldn’t complain if you told me I was sharing with the Bishop!”

“Well, thank you!” she replied, pretending to be romantically wounded. “But I’m not so sure the Bishop would have been so indifferent – you’re not his type!”

With the dawn of a new day, Jane and I awoke feeling very much refreshed and cheered by the smell of freshly brewed coffee and newly baked bread, as we made our way to the communal dining hall.

Meskel politely invited us to help ourselves at the breakfast bar. He did not stop talking until we returned to the table and began eating. I deliberately waited until he had filled his mouth before taking the opportunity to explain that we were not, actually, part of the delegation. Meskel nodded, but was apparently unconcerned about such minor details.

“Our purpose for coming to Axum is to investigate the legend of the Ark of the Covenant.” I added, as Meskel swallowed the rather large hunk of bread he had been chewing.

“Ah! The Tabot,” he finally acknowledged. “But that’s not a legend.”

Jane smiled. “No, of course not, but there are many who question whether the Tabot at Axum is, indeed, the same Ark of the Covenant Moses constructed.”

“And you, also, doubt that our Tabot is that very same Ark?”

“We don’t know, Meskel,” I replied, honestly. “That’s why we decided to come and see for ourselves. We understand that it was, allegedly, brought to your country by the Queen of Sheba’s son – Menelik.”

“It’s an historic fact,” asserted Meskel. “Menelik – which translated means ‘son of the wise man’ – was born of Solomon.

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