The Secret of the Dragon - The Revelations of the Sacred Papyruses Read online

  “Yuck! These waters are even worse than the ones in Italy!” said Hayex, throwing the water from his claws.

  “You are right.” agreed Califax. “It is too salty. How can men drink from it?”

  They continued westward, towards the city of Hircan, and arrived at the walled city of Jerusalem, where they got a glimpse of what once was the fabulous Temple of King Solomon. There, at dawn, they intended to continue the plan they had devised in Tiberias.

  The burning hot sun of the east rose on the desert steppe, as the adventurers got ready to continue their search for the man called “Ichthus.” Wearing their disguises, early that morning, they entered the city, crossing the valley of Kidron and, as veteran pilgrims, they walked the streets in search of a clue that would lead them to their destiny.

  As the day passed, the city came alive, filling up with lively merchants and many consumers eager to buy up the different types of merchandise. The sloping streets of the city slowly began to take its toll on the feet of the travelers, a price paid for walking on its dry footpaths.

  “We have been walking for hours and these boots are killing me.” Hayex complained loudly.

  “And do you think I am comfortable under these blankets? I am dying of heat, my friend.” replied an agitated Califax.

  Close to the viaduct that crossed the city, they found a well fed with water from the Spring of Gihon, where men and animals quenched their thirst. They walked quickly toward that urban oasis, anxious for the vital and refreshing liquid. Hayex’s natural instinct betrayed him as he lay in front of the pool to drink the clear waters with his snout.

  “Hey, boy!” exclaimed a man, disgusted by Hayex’s actions. “Do not drink like an animal.” he reprimanded. “Here, take this.” he offered, thrusting an earthen bowl towards the disguised traveler. “What kind of an upbringing did your parents give you?”

  So Hayex had to learn, quickly, how to drink from the earthen bowl, while Califax had to learn how to drink like a camel, to which a dragon of his ancestry and education was not accustomed.

  After satisfying their thirst, the tired wanderers continued with their inquiries. When they arrived to an esplanade in the ruins of the Salomon’s Temple, they found a man who appeared to be writing down his observations. They approached him and the gargoyle asked:

  “Could you help me, sir? My name is Hayex and I am looking for a man called Ichthus,” he said, from within the depths of his hood.

  “My name is Solomon, disciple at the School of Flavius Josephus. I do not know anyone by that name. In fact, that word means fish, in Greek, son,” clarified the man in a friendly tone.

  “Does the fish is the fisherman mean anything to you, sir?”

  “Now that you mention it, Josephus the Teacher wrote something regarding this.” he remembered, rubbing his beard. “The first Christians used a symbol similar to a fish to identify each other and to escape the persecution of Nero. ” he explained, reflectively.

  “Christians?” asked Hayex, glancing furtively at the dragon.

  “The followers of the Nazarene, son.” the historian clarified in a friendly manner.

  “I do not know him, sir.”

  “They call him The Christ, which means The Anointed One, in Greek.”

  The gargoyle could only shrug his shoulders and the man continued.

  “Many centuries ago, he preached in these lands, and one of his disciples betrayed him. The Sanhedrin condemned him and Pontius Pilate crucified him, but his followers said he was resurrected and rose to Heaven.” he informed the gargoyle.

  “How is that possible?” Hayex asked, incredulously.

  “How should I know? I do not believe in that. Only Yahweh, Blessed be His name! Has the power.” exclaimed the man.

  “But, then, who am I looking for, teacher?” Hayex asked, crossing his arms.

  “There is an acrostic in Greek that means: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Our Savior. The initials of each of these words form Ichthus in the Greek language. Thus, the first Christians drew a fish so that others would know, in a discreet manner, that they were followers of Jesus of Nazareth.” he explained, drawing a simple figure of a fish in the sand.

  “Then, is Ichthus the Roman god?” Hayex asked, remembering the inscription that they had seen on the cross in Saint Deiniol, in Bangor.

  “Jesus Christ is, officially, the God of the Holy Roman Empire of the East, since Constantine the First came to power, my friend.” he informed.

  Califax listened carefully to the words of the historian, hidden under his disguise. The mysterious words of Dee the magician and the pythoness at Delphi began to make sense. Then, with a slight push to Hayex’s back, he urged him to continue asking questions.

  “It seems that your camel wants to know more, son.” said the scribe, noticing the Califax’s gesture.

  “Do not pay any attention to him. He is an unimportant ruminant.” Hayex excused the dragon as he glared at him with disgust.

  “Would you like to know anything else, Hayex?”

  “Yes, teacher. There is a legend about a Sacred Chalice. Do you know anything about it?”

  “It would be best if you come with me, my friend.” he said, inviting him cordially. “It delights me when young people like you are eager for knowledge of our great history. Perhaps we can find something regarding this matter in our archives.” he said, taking the gargoyle by the shoulder, friendly, while the dragon and the gargoyle glanced at each other discreetly not really knowing what to do. Without any other options than the one presented at the moment, they followed their unexpected guide to the heights of Jerusalem.

  Located to the west of the city, in a large house close to Harrods Palace, Hayex and Solomon entered a room that lodged the great library of the historian. Solomon explained that his collection came from diverse parts of the world, and that it had been assembled over the centuries by the intrepid hands of men and women who, with self-sacrificing patience, dedicated a major part of their lives to collecting information of Man’s deeds in the name of knowledge. Several parchments came from Rome, Egypt, Greece, and many other nations to fill the shelves of that incredible Judean library.

  With sincere and gracious hospitality, the historian offered a refreshing cup of red wine to his hot and weary guest.

  “Please, sit and make yourself comfortable, my young friend. The weather is very warm and you must be tired of that cape covering your face.” he said, while he served his guest some dates, honey, and bread on a copper tray. The mere idea of uncovering his face sent a shiver of fear into Hayex’s heart. He had to come up with something, quickly, that would justify a refusal to such an invitation. He did not want Solomon to mistake him for that Satan, from whom the Roman soldier ran away the day before. Meanwhile, Califax, who was following his companion’s meeting from one of the windows, was also alarmed by the suggestion and released several smoke rings from his snout.

  “It is part of my ritual of initiation, teacher. I cannot reveal my face until it is concluded.” Hayex lied with a tremulous voice.

  “Ritual of initiation?” inquired Solomon.

  “It is the formation phase of the bards.” he explained, while he ate the food from the tray.

  “Bards?” questioned the historian, with professional curiosity.

  “The bards are students aspiring to become Druids, high priests of the Celts.”

  “Very interesting, Hayex.” he said, taking a stylus, ink, and a piece of papyrus. “I know that the Celts are great soldiers and that they trade with the Greeks, but tell me, where your fascinating country is located?” he asked with interest, getting ready to write the gargoyle’s words down like a curious reporter.

  “The Celts are based in many regions, but my village is in Briton, to the northwest of Europe.”

  Upon hearing his words, Solomon went to a shelf and brought down a papyrus, which he then began to read. The document spoke of a Jewish man who was a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin and a supporter of Jesus, who traveled to
the northwest of Europe, sometime after the crucifixion of the Nazarene.

  “Joseph of Arimathea left Jerusalem, and according to some sources, he took with him a Saxon soldier’s sword and Jesus’ grail.”

  “Grail?” Hayex inquired, intrigued, while he drank his wine from the cup.

  “The Christians call the Chalice, the one that Jesus drank from, the Holy Grail.”

  “Which means I have traveled all this way in vain?” he exclaimed perplexed.

  “No, I do not think so, Hayex. Surely you have learned many things throughout your trip.”

  “What does the Chalice look like, teacher?” he asked, increasingly interested in Solomon’s words.

  “The papyri do not mention it,” he said, rolling the scroll, “but it is well known that Joseph of Arimathea loaned his house to Jesus on the Passover previous to his crucifixion. Joseph’s being a rich man makes it possible that the Chalice is made of fine gold or bronze. However, Jesus was a simple man who never liked luxurious things. He was the son of a carpenter, so it could have been a chalice made of olive tree wood.”

  “Why would he take the sword of a Saxon soldier too, teacher?” Hayex begged

  “The documents say that a guard pierced the body of Jesus with the sword while he was dying on the cross. The Christians also consider it sacred.” he explained.

  “I have a copy of the Sacred Key. Do you know what the inscriptions mean?” Hayex said, taking it out from under his cape.

  “I am the Alpha and the Omega; the Day and the Night; the Earth and the Water; Life and Death; the Sign and the Path.” he said, solemnly translating the symbols.

  “Who could be so powerful, teacher?”

  “Only Yahweh, Blessed be His Name! He is omnipotent.” he exclaimed, lifting his hands to the sky.

  “What significance does the medallion have, teacher?” the gargoyle continued his questioning.

  “The center image forms a type of cup, and its outline suggests a fish, but looking at it closely, its base is a moon in its first quarter, and its body seems to join the star with the moon,” he said as he examined it. “I’ll say it has a message, it seems to say the day emanates from the night, and the night from the day. One does not exist without the other. It is very interesting. Where did you get this copy?” he asked to the gargoyle.

  “It is a long story. Perhaps I can tell you on another occasion.” he explained.

  “In addition, the star has twelve points, Hayex,” observed Solomon. “It could evoke the Twelve Tribes of Israel or, possibly the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. On the other hand, the reverse side has Ichthus written on it, which means fish in Greek.” he said.

  “That is why I have been looking for a man called Ichthus, teacher.” he clarified.

  “I see. This object is a type of key which leads to the Sacred Chalice of Jesus, and without a doubt, is the Holy Grail of the Christians.” he affirmed.

  “Where do you think I can find it, teacher?”

  “I do not know for sure, son.” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “After the crucifixion, the Sanhedrin imprisoned Joseph of Arimathea for providing a tomb for Jesus. They say that he was in prison for more than a year without food or water.”

  “How could he survive for so long, teacher?” Hayex asked, intrigued.

  “They say that a dove provided food and water for him during all that time by means of the Grail. However, I find it more plausible that friends helped him during his confinement. Later, he fled to Ramat. I know someone there who will be able to give you more information regarding the matter. His name is Nathan and he is a good man, although he is hard to get along with. He has many documents, but you must have patience with him.” he advised.

  “How can I thank you for your advice?”

  “It is not necessary, Hayex. Who kindly sets a wand'rer on his way does e'en as if he lit another's lamp by his. No less shines his, when he his friend's hath lit. However, I have a request to ask of you. When you find the Chalice, tell me the story.” he asked, amicably.

  “Of course I will do, teacher. You will be the first to hear it.” he assured.

  After having listened to Solomon the teacher, Hayex went back outside, gathered up his friend and went to rest and then to go to the city of Ramat, where they would find more clues that could lead them to the Chalice.

  The adventure seemed to have no end, but their objective was closer than ever to being achieved.

  ***

  6

  The Apostle of the Grail

  In a dark grotto near the town of Ramat, the reddish hue of the Eastern sunset welcomed the intrepid travelers who, tired of wandering, took a well-deserved rest before continue their adventure the following day.

  While Hayex slept like a log, Califax, far from home, started to cave in to the hardships that the relentless nostalgia haunting him provoked. From his long neck, he took the locket that his mother had given him and, after looking at it for several minutes, his mind was flooded with pleasing memories. The melodious songs that formerly fell on his ears lovingly in his cradle when his mother would sing him to sleep; they seemed so near to him that he could almost hear them. Gazing at the shining sword which he having received from the claws of his father, the day that he was dressed as Grand Dragon of the Chalice, it evoked memories of the games and escapades that, along with his brothers, he made shout with delight and laughter.

  The night passed, in silence. The silvery moon which illuminated the desert steppe intensified in brilliance when watched through the tears that unexpectedly escaped from the young dragon’s eyes.

  The early birdsong announced the arrival of a new day and the globetrotters got ready to continue their journey. Since the fauna and food around the place was scarce, they were reduced to picking all the figs they could from a fig tree, which they ate for their breakfast.

  Disguising themselves again as camel and driver, they went to the village of Ramat to meet Nathan, friend and colleague of Solomon. The small population of Ramat contrasted with the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem, and the dusty streets seemed to intensify the heat that already scorched the legs of the two friends, even though the day had just begun. Upon arriving at the southern part of the village, they walked toward a simple house that rose slightly above the rest of the structures, almost as if wanting to escape from the prying eyes of neighbors. Hayex knocked firmly on the door, and after a few minutes, a very tall, old man, with white long, wet, hair and a thick white beard, appeared before him.

  “Who the devil comes to my door to annoy me at this hour of the morning?” he demanded in a powerful voice, as he violently flung opened the door to the house.

  “Excuse me, sir. I am looking for Nathan the Teacher.” said Hayex, with a tremulous voice.

  “Eh? Who are you?” he inquired as he towered over the diminutive gargoyle.

  “My name is Hayex and I have been sent by Solomon, the Teacher of Jerusalem.” he explained.

  “Does Solomon have nothing better to do other than to send me young lads like you?” he thundered.

  “I am sorry, sir. I did not want to bother you, but it is very important that I speak with you.” he insisted.

  “I did not mean to be rude, son,” he apologized, lowering his voice. “It is only that I was bathing when you knocked at the door.” he explained while he dried his hair with a bath sheet.

  Hiding his face under the cape, Hayex explained his reasons for dropping in unexpectedly. The teacher looked over the gargoyle from head to toe, in a distrustfully manner, and then, reluctantly, motioned for him to enter into his old residence.

  Anticipating the scribe’s questions, he gave the same explanation about his clothes that he gave to Solomon, but Nathan seemed uninterested in his clothing and proceeded to serve a glass of wine to the unexpected guest at his table.

  “So, do you want to know where the Chalice is, eh? No one knows, son. After being released, Joseph went to the island of Cyprus. This is known because of the letters that he wrote to Nicod
emus, another distinguished member of the Sanhedrin who also sympathized with the Nazarene.”

  “Do you know why Joseph of Arimathea traveled to the west?” asked Hayex.

  “Many say that he did so to escape the wrath of Saul of Tarsus,[65] who was a ferocious persecutor of the Christians before becoming one himself while on a trip to Damascus. Others say that he went to preach the Gospel to the pagans under instructions by Jesus himself. Many called him The Apostle of the Grail.” indicated Nathan.

  “The Gospel?” asked Hayex with interest.

  “The Word of Jesus!” he scolded. “Joseph himself assured that he saw the Nazarene resurrected. That is why he believed in him.” he explained.

  “Is it true that Jesus was resurrected?” Hayex asked, shyly.

  “You do not believe in those things… do you? Only Yahweh has this power! Blessed be His Name!” he shouted as he spread his arms wide as if to encompass the whole sky.

  “Of course not!” he agreed with surprise. “It would be best if I were on my way now, teacher. I need to travel to Cyprus.” he said, getting up from the table.

  “When you get to the island, Hayex, go to Nicosia.” he advised. “Surely, you will find someone there to help you. The place is plagued with Christians.”

  With the sun on their backs, they flew on a course to the Mediterranean and the Island of Cyprus. The clues that the Judean teachers had given them brought them closer to their goal. However, they were far from imagining the vicissitudes with which they would have to face.

  They arrived at Nicosia, capital city of Cyprus that, at that time, was shared by the Romans and the Turks.[66] They hid in a thicket of the trees on a hill near the city. They planned their strategy in order to continue with their search.

  This time, the idea was to enter the city at dusk, when it was easier to hide their identity to the inquisitive eyes of men.

  To the travelers, the crowded streets of Nicosia were a swirl of languages, cultures, and religions where Turks, Greeks, and Romans intermingled. The two friends wandered these streets and soon found a Christian church, where a parish priest was celebrating an evening mass to the faithful followers of Jesus. They waited for the mass to end and the followers to leave, and which time Hayex approached Father Constantius, a short, plump man with little hair who was dressed in a somber black robe.