The Temple Covenant: (The Temple - Book 3) by D.C. Macey

Author:D.C. Macey [Macey, D.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Butcher & Cameron
Published: 2018-04-06T22:00:00+00:00

19.

Tuesday, 29th October - PM

Mauwled pulled open the back door to the Land Rover but didn’t get the chance to remove Helen and Sam’s bags before two smiling bellhops hurried out from the lodge reception and took them. Set in beautiful flowering gardens, the single-storey building was of new construction but used a mix of dressed dark hardwoods and white plaster to give a hint of tradition. Helen and Sam both guessed there was no wattle beneath the plaster, just modern concrete blocks. That didn’t matter, this was a lovely setting, and the modern construction offered a degree of comfort that was welcome after the morning’s long drive.

As they followed the bellhops into the lodge reception, their senses were refreshed by the sweet rich scents emanating from the riot of flowers and shrubs in the gardens and the climbing plants that had been trained around the entrance. Immediately they had passed through the flowering arch, they were inside reception. There they felt the welcome blast of air conditioning and were greeted by a young woman in a westernised version of Maasai dress - a white blouse with neatly tailored lightweight skirt and waistcoat in a red plaid pattern. Worn off the shoulder was a similarly patterned cloak fastened by an intricate lion’s head broach.

Beyond the reception, glass doors set in an internal glass wall allowed access to the guests’ area. First a broad lounge, its high white walls broken only by high set windows, small to exclude the sun’s heat. The walls were decorated with clusters of artefacts - mostly spears and shields but some pots and gourds interspersed with paintings of wildlife and people in tribal dress. A bar was positioned close to the reception. At one end of the lounge was a raised performance area; at the other end was a dining room, accessed via an open archway formed into the wall. Glancing through the arch, Helen could see seating for perhaps two hundred people.

‘You know, calling this place a lodge is a little misleading. It’s a big hotel, but where do all the guests sleep?’

The receptionist completed their registration and with the warmest of smiles handed Helen an electronic key card. ‘This is your room key. It also releases the lock on that door between reception and the lounge,’ she said, waving towards the set of glass doors. The wave morphed into a clap, and from somewhere behind reception, two more smiling women appeared. Each was dressed in similar style to the receptionist but worn in place of the cloak were purple-hued tabards, added to protect their uniforms from the dust and dirt of the day.

‘These maids can take you to your room now.’

‘Where are the rooms?’ said Sam.

‘I know. Everybody asks,’ said the receptionist as she released the key card into Helen’s hand. ‘The building is upside down. The bedrooms are all below this floor.’

‘Ahh, so your building doesn’t break the skyline.’

‘I think so.’

‘It’s on the crater edge?’

‘Yes, right on the edge. Your room will have a lovely view.

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