Andy McDermott - The Hunt For Atlantis

“Nothing serious,” said Kari. “Mr. Chase’s local contacts got us back to Esfah?n, and the foundation’s influence with the government let us clear the country unchecked.”

“And Hajjar?”

“Dead.”

Frost nodded. “Good. A shame about the ten million dollars, but it’s a small price to pay.” His face became eager. “So, Dr. Wilde. Please tell me what you have found.”

Nina cleared her throat. “Well, I’m afraid it’s not a direct route to Atlantis, unfortunately. But it’s definitely a map of some kind.” She held up the metal bar, turning it to the laptop’s camera. “The line running down its length represents a river-the Glozel word is unmistakable. And there are other markings, which I’ve been able to partially translate.” She checked her notes. “‘Begin from north mouth of’ the something ‘river. Seven, south, west. Follow course to city of,’ um, something. ‘There to find…’ I’m afraid that’s all I’ve got so far. But these markings to each side, I think they show the number of tributaries you have to pass to reach the destination. Four on the left, seven on the right, and so on.”

Frost was intrigued. “I take it the words you can’t translate are not Glozel.”

“No. They’re actually more like hieroglyphics than letters, part of a different linguistic system. The frustrating thing is that they seem familiar, but I can’t place them. They could be a regional variation…”

“Interesting. Kari, can you take pictures of the markings and send them to me, please? I want a closer look.”

“Of course, Far,” Kari answered, using the Norwegian term for father. She took the artifact from Nina and started a program to photograph it with the laptop’s camera.

Chase came over as she worked. “So who are these Glozelians, Doc? I did GCSE history, but I’ve never heard of them.”

Nina laughed. “You wouldn’t have, because they don’t exist.”

He looked puzzled. “Eh?”

“Glozel is-at least at the moment-the oldest known written language,” she explained, “a sort of ancestor to several others, including Vinca-Tordos and Byblos.” Chase’s expression didn’t change. “Which I guess you’ve never heard of either!”

“I said I did GCSE history. I didn’t say I passed it.”

“It’s named after the town where it was discovered. Here in France, actually.”

Kari finished taking pictures and put the artifact down, addressing Chase as she sent the files to her father. “The Glozel Tablets were found in a cave beneath farmland in 1924 by a man called Émile Fradin. Because they indicated an earlier origin than any language known at the time, they were dismissed as fakes-but when they were tested with new dating techniques fifty years later, it turned out that they really did date back to at least 10,000 BC.”

Chase whistled. “Bloody hell. That’s really old.”

“There was a civilization using a complex written language in Europe several millennia before even the ancient Greeks,” said Nina, “and that civilization was widespread enough to influence the languages of the Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Hebrews… even the Romans and Persians.”

“And that civilization…” Chase gazed at the artifact, the golden reflected light illuminating his features from below. “You think it was Atlantis?”

“She does,” said Kari. “And so do I.”

“In that case? I do too.” He smiled at Nina. “So how do we find out which river to check?”

“That’s the problem,” Nina told him reluctantly. “I don’t know. This figure on the main inscription,” she pointed out the little group of seven dots, “seems to be some unit of distance. The words following it mean ‘south’ and ‘west.’ ”

Chase examined the artifact more closely. “So it could mean seven miles southwest of somewhere, or seven south and then go west…”

“Exactly. The problem is, we don’t know what units are being used, or even what they relate to-their ‘zero point.’ ”

“Atlantis, I’d guess.” Nina looked at him, impressed. “Hey, I’ve been known to use my brain from time to time.”

“Dr. Wilde,” said Frost over the videolink, catching everybody’s attention, “I’ve just looked at the markings. I didn’t expect that my knowledge would be any greater than yours, and I was right. I don’t recognize them either. But,” he went on, catching Nina’s glum expression, “I will arrange for an expert in ancient languages to view the artifact.”

Nina’s face fell further. “Oh. So you don’t need me anymore, or…”

Kari laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Nina! You’re the most important person on the entire mission! In fact, without you there wouldn’t even be a mission.”

“Kari is absolutely right, Dr. Wilde,” said Frost reassuringly. “You’re irreplaceable.”

“Our expert can decipher the remaining characters when he gets to Paris,” Frost said. “Then, once we know which river to search, we can prepare for a full expedition.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier just to e-mail this guy some pictures?” Nina asked.

“After your last experience, I don’t want anybody to see the artifact except under conditions we can totally control. The fewer people who know about it, the better.”

“Good point.”

Frost gave her a broad smile. “There’s no need to feel downhearted, Dr. Wilde. You’ve done excellent work! I think we’re now closer to finding Atlantis than ever before. Congratulations!”

The praise boosted Nina’s spirits immediately. “Thank you!”

“Since there’s nothing more you can do for the moment, I suggest you take a break and enjoy Paris. Kari can show you around. I’ll speak to you again soon. Good-bye.” The screen went black.

Kari checked her watch. “It’s a bit late to show you around town now, unfortunately. We should probably go to bed.”

“Oh, aye?” said Chase, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. Kari glared at him again. “Sorry, boss,” he said, without a hint of genuine contrition behind his smirk.

“Have you ever been to Paris before, Nina?” Kari asked.

“Yes, but only briefly. I was with my parents; they were going to an archaeological conference. And I was only nine, so I didn’t really appreciate it.”

Kari smiled. “In that case, tomorrow we’ll do something that you can appreciate.”

That something turned out to be art, cuisine… and shopping.

They spent the morning at the Louvre, Chase acting as Nina and Kari’s escort while Castille guarded the Atlantean artifact at the hotel, before moving on to Paris’s consumerist heart.

“Uh, I don’t think so,” said Nina, pausing at the entrance to Christian Lacroix’s store on the rue du Faubourg St-Honoré. “My credit card’ll spontaneously combust if I even look at the prices. I’m more of a T. J. Maxx kind of girl.”

“Thank God,” Chase exclaimed with a mocking smile. “Nothing more boring than standing about watching women try on clothes. Unless they’re bikinis.” Nina made a face at him, which only served to widen his grin.

“Don’t worry about it,” said Kari. “From now on, you have unlimited credit. The Frost Foundation will pay for anything you need. Or want, for that matter.”

“Seriously?” Nina asked.

Kari nodded. “Absolutely. Well, within reason. If you want to buy a Lamborghini, you should probably ask first! But you can get anything you want. Treat yourself.”

“Thank you,” said Nina, feeling oddly uncomfortable about receiving such largesse. It wasn’t something she was used to. She decided to restrain herself, whatever Kari might buy.