They entered the shade of the thick patch of jungle that barred the way to the temple. The path wound back and forth, almost like the coils of the Amazon River as it snaked its way across the continent. This was likely the only path through the jungle, and was cut this way in order to slow down invaders. Defenders could hide at each curve to repel invaders. The only alternative would be for the attackers to come through the jungle itself, which he imagined each citizen in Kephises knew like the back of his hand.
The jungle gave way to a sparsely wooded area. Stone houses, built in the style of the ancient Mediterranean world, stood in the center, with huts resembling those of native Amazon tribes scattered all about. The trees, all tall with broad limbs, cast this village area in mottled sunlight.
“This would be hard to spot, even from a satellite,” Bones observed, looking up at the massive trees. “And the pyramid, as eroded and overgrown as it is, probably just looks like a hill.”
“I wouldn’t have believed it was possible for a place like this to exist undiscovered,” Tam said. “But it makes sense to me now.”
Mago ushered them into the largest stone building, a rectangular structure with small windows and an arched entryway. A fragrant scent, like incense, greeted Dane as he stepped inside. Three men looked up as they entered, one of them springing to his feet.
“Kaylin! Oh my God, what are you doing here?” It was Thomas, and he hurried forward, arms outstretched.
Dane stepped aside, and a spark of jealousy flared in his heart, but it was extinguished almost immediately as he saw the look of hesitation in Kaylin’s eyes. It was only there for an instant, long enough for her to steal a glance at him before Thomas crushed her in a tight embrace.
“I didn’t mean for you to come,” he mumbled, his lips pressed against the top of her head. “You were supposed to send help.”
“Things got complicated,” she said. “I had to come along for my own safety.”
Thomas drew back and frowned at her. “You went into the deepest, most unexplored region of the Amazon for your own safety?”
“ScanoGen was after us. Is after us,” she added. “I don’t know who you need to warn, but they might be right behind us.”
“I have taken precautions, Father,” Mago said, addressing a broad-shouldered man who remained seated, staring impassively at them. Finally, he nodded, and Mago bowed himself out of the room.
Kaylin introduced everyone to Thomas, who shook each person’s hand and thanked them profusely for coming to his aid. She saved Dane for last, and a shadow crossed Thomas’s face when he heard the name. Clearly he knew Dane and Kaylin had once had a relationship. He recovered immediately, and gave Dane the same warm thanks he had given the others.
“I imagine you have many questions.” A tall, lean man of lighter complexion than the others waved them to sit on a wooden bench that ran the length of one wall. Of middle years, he was lean and athletic-looking, and had about him an aura of abundant energy. “We will answer what we can. You have obviously taken a great deal of personal risk to come here.”
Dane frowned at the man. There was something familiar about him. Perhaps it was his eyes, which, though friendly, were lighter than those of the others Dane had seen in Kephises, and burned with an intensity bordering on zeal. His accent was different, too. It almost seemed to have a touch of the U.K. in it.
“Would you care for food or water?” the man asked.
“Actually, my friend has a wounded leg that needs tending to.” He nodded to Willis, who waved dismissively, but his smile was a tired one.
“We shall see to it at once.” Now it was the big man who spoke. He rose to his feet and clapped his hands twice. A young man, another of those who looked to be of mixed race, hurried in and dropped to one knee. “Take the Nubian and see to his hurts.”
Willis’s jaw dropped in surprise, but he was too tired to reply. Tam covered her giggle with a forced cough, and Bones looked like it was taking all he had not to chime in.
“I’ll go with him,” Matt said, rising to his feet and helping Willis stand. “I have first aid supplies that might come in handy.” They followed the young man out the door, Willis leaning heavily on Matt. Clearly, he was in worse shape than anyone had suspected, and the climb up the five steps had taken its toll. Dane had to admire his friend. He was resilient.
“Is that word amusing to you?” The big man had not missed their reactions. “Or is it no longer used?”
“Forgive us.” Tam spoke up quickly. “The word is still in use, but it is typically only used when complimenting a beautiful woman. You might call her a Nubian queen or princess.”
“Ah.” The man settled back into his seat. “Your amusement was not disrespect, then.”
“No disrespect was intended,” Dane assured him. “I am curious, though. Your settlement has clearly been here for many years.”
“Two thousand, one hundred, forty four, to be exact. My ancestors wandered in the wilderness for a long while before finding this place.”
“Were your ancestors from Carthage?” Dane had a feeling he knew the answer to that question, but did not want to make assumptions.
“Yes, they were.” The man with the British accent spoke up. “You have the honor of addressing Hamilcar of Kephises, descendant of Hannibal Barca, the greatest of the Punic generals.”
Hamilcar inclined his head, the expression on his face almost kingly. Under different circumstances, this would have been a stunning revelation, but considering they had just discovered Percy Fawcett’s legendary lost city, Dane found it merely surprising.
“So, Kephises was not a Greek city,” Kaylin said, half to herself. “The legend was inaccurate.”
“The name is of Greek origin, for reasons that have to do with the purpose of my people’s journey here so long ago,” Hamilcar said.
“May I ask what that purpose was?” Tam’s voice was hopeful. Obviously, the answer to this question lay at the core of her, ScanoGen’s, and the government’s interest in Fawcett’s last expedition. Assuming, of course, she had told the truth about her government connections.
Hamilcar shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“I can show you later,” Thomas said. “I owe you all an explanation after you came all this way to find me.” He sat next to Kaylin, holding her hand, though she did not look pleased about it.
“If I may ask,” Dane began, turning his attention away from the discontented couple, “how is it that you speak English?”
“I’m afraid the fault lies with my grandfather and great-grandfather.” The man whom Dane had thought familiar-looking took over the explanation. “I am Brian Fawcett, great-grandson of Percy Fawcett and grandson of Jack Fawcett.”
Dane’s heart raced. “So Fawcett did make it here!”
“Why, yes he did.” Brian smiled, clearly proud of his ancestor. “Mister Thornton, here, tells me my great-grandfather is quite famous, though it is generally believed he died in pursuit of a folly.”
“That’s true. But now people will know the truth.” Dane imagined revealing the true story of the heroic explorer, and validating the man’s life’s work. But then he imagined what would happen next. The very best scenario he could envision was a swarm of researchers: archaeologists, anthropologists, historians, even geneticists wanting to learn more about this place and its people. They would destroy Kephises as it existed right now. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”
Fawcett nodded. “I understand. It must be an even greater surprise to you than it was to my grandfathers.” He leaned back in his chair and smiled, as if he was telling a story by a campfire. “Of their party, only Percy and Jack reached Kephises. The rest died along the way, or were killed by the ‘dead ones’ as Thornton tells me they are known to the outside world. The people of Kephises welcomed and honored them, though they were not permitted to leave.”