Viking Gold by L.A. Sartor

Author:L.A. Sartor [Sartor, L.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780985679286
Publisher: L.A. Sartor

A knock on the mess door stopped all conversation.

Captain Andrews stood with his hand on his holster as Hermann slid the pocket door open. Magnus, flanked by two of the Captain's men, stood pale and trembling, glancing about in confusion.

“You're putting everyone in danger by bringing me here,” he said, his voice tight with fear.

“Hermann has extra people to protect us. Come sit down,” Abby said, scooting over on the banquette to make room for him. “We were just discussing the medallion and Odin's power—”

“Odin is a myth,” Magnus interrupted.

Abby couldn't help the gentle laughter that bubbled up, joined in by Tori and Reid. Hermann refrained.

“Magnus, many of the things we've found and held were myths at one time. That's what makes this so interesting. That's why we laughed, not at you or the situation.”

“Someone has already died. I don't want more blood on my hands. And what the hell is the Sign Q something the old man talked about?”

“SineQuaNon as in Sin-neh, Qua, Non,” Hermann pronounced. “The SineQuaNon's closest translation means “without, there is no existence.” People use the phrase for many different things. This SineQuaNon is a secret society created after King Olaf's conversion.”

“You mean like the Templar knights?” Tori asked.

“More like opposites,” Reid said. “I couldn't believe my ears when I heard Henri's grandfather mention that name. I thought they were more myth than real.” He shrugged. “I fell into my own trap of not believing, and I've seen my share of the unbelievable. So believe me, Magnus, I understand your confusion.”

After seeing that he had the young man’s attention, Reid continued. “The Knights Templar gave their money to charity when they joined the organization; the SineQuaNon members give their wealth to their society.”

“What do they control?” Abby directed her question to Hermann.

“Politics, banking, stock markets. There is a table of three, then below that, the table of one hundred.”

Abby kept her focus on Hermann, who looked fiercely worried. “You know a lot about this group?”

Hermann nodded.

Not his usual way of admitting anything. He was direct and outspoken whether he was in the right or admitting wrong.

“I'm sensing we have more than a treasure hunt on our hands,” Abby said.

“No. I'm not going to involve you in this any further. I'll go into hiding.” Magnus rose from the table. “And I'll bury the medallion so no one will find it.”

“And then you'll be tortured until you give up the location. They will find you, and they will find the location of the medallion, now that they know an Ødegård lives,” Hermann said.

Magnus sat back, stunned.

“Your great grandfather believed that as well, apparently,” Tori said.

“Can we fight the SineQuaNon?” Abby asked.

“Ja.”

“Can we win?”

“Perhaps, or perhaps not. We can win battles, but I am uncertain if we can destroy them,” Hermann said softly.

“I'm stunned by your saying that. We beat the damned Believers and their immortal god, for cripes sakes,” Reid said as Abby watched him grasp Tori's hand and hold it tightly.

“But this is more, isn't it?” Abby looked squarely at Hermann.

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