The Promise (The Seekers Book 1) Page 8

  Quark bowed his head, as usual, “Greetings. I trust you are all well.”

  “Fine thank you,” said Millie, helping herself to another chair, “what’s this?”

  “This,” explained Quark “is Westminster Abbey.”

  “Not another ruin.” Millie groaned.

  Winston was dismissive, “Well it wasn’t in ruins at William and Kate’s wedding was it?”

  Millie sniffed, “Oh yeah – but why are we interested in it?”

  Quark was sensitive to Millie’s mood so he turned to the plans and transformed them into a magnificent model. Sunlight seemed to stream out of the windows as the glorious Abbey rotated through 360 degrees so they could see all the way round.

  Oliver loved it, “Awesome!”

  Quark bowed again at the compliment, “According to Gwyllum this has been the home of the Stone of Destiny since 1296 and it could well be what we are looking for.”

  Millie continued to stare at the Abbey, “So because of some black bird we have to go back to London?”

  Quark was insulted, “Well, I have done my research as well, Your Highness.”

  Oliver could see the need to mediate, “What did you find Quark?”

  Quark rearranged the image and in its place stood an old wooden chair with a high pointed back, sloping sides and a small compartment under the seat. The chair was mounted on four, carved, golden lions.

  Millie leaned forward to get a better look, “Okay – so what is that?”

  Quark steepled his fingers together and tapped his chin, “That is Saint Edward’s chair or the Coronation chair, as you might know it. Commissioned in 1296 by King Edward 1 and used by every British monarch for their Coronation ever since. Except Queen Mary 1 – she had another chair given to her by the Pope. Your present Queen Elizabeth II used it for her Coronation in 1953.”

  Millie wasn’t particularly impressed, she pointed to the space under the seat “What is that for?”

  Quark was delighted, “Exactly!”

  The twins looked at one another, and even Winston started to pay attention. Quark continued, “Until 1996 the Stone of Destiny was kept under that seat.” He rearranged the image to include the stone. “As you can see it is a sandstone block measuring 26 inches long by 16 inches wide and 11 inches deep and every British monarch, except Mary, has been crowned upon it.”

  Oliver scratched his head, “This is like Google in 3D. But why would they do that?”

  Quark started to pace up and down and Winston hopped in his chair to get a better look. Quark was in full flow, “Perhaps a short lesson is in order. According to your historical documents before the Stone came to London it was used by all the Scottish Kings in their Coronations. It was carried here by the victorious English army under King Edward in 1296.”

  Millie interrupted, “So it was just to prove a point.”

  Quark shook his head, “Oh no – tradition has it that the Stone of Destiny is actually Jacob’s Pillow.”

  Oliver and Millie both looked blank, “Jacob’s whato?” they both said at the same time.

  Quark stopped pacing and looked to Winston for inspiration, but for once he had nothing to say so Quark hurried on, “You know – Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.”

  Millie bit her lip, “Oh – you mean Bible stories.”

  Quark frowned and hesitated slightly, choosing his words carefully, he continued, “Sacred documents confirm that Jacob had a vision while laying his head on a stone pillow. This same stone was then dedicated and used as an altar to declare the authority of God over that place.”

  But Millie was still confused about logistics, “Okay ... but how did it get to Scotland in the first place?”

  Quark waved his little hand in the air, “Oh, it was taken from Jerusalem to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah. Of course they knew it by the name Lia-Fail. From there it was taken to Scotland.”

  Oliver stretched his arms and yawned, “So let me get this right. This Stone of Destiny came to England via Jerusalem then Ireland and Scotland and all the kings and queens sit on it when they are crowned?”

  Quark nodded, “Succinctly put Your Highness.”

  Millie was still bewildered, “But why would they? What’s so important about a lump of sandstone?”

  Before Quark could reply Oliver had another question, “You said it was in Westminster Abbey until 1996, so where is it now?”

  “It was sent back to Scotland, Your Highness, it is being held there until the next Coronation. You will find it now in Edinburgh Castle.”

  Oliver laughed and pointed at Winston across the table, “Well I guess you will feel at home then, you are a Highland Terrier after all!”

  30

  Millie was adamant, “No way. He’s not going anywhere, not after last time.”

  Quark moved to be by Winston’s side, “Well actually he could be quite useful.”

  Winston looked pleased at this endorsement but had the wisdom to remain silent. Oliver was intrigued, “How come?”

  Quark pointed to the Stone, “It is readily available to view in the Castle but there is a Security Guard with it at all times. Someone stole it once before and they don’t want it to happen again while they are responsible for it.”

  Millie laughed, “You are joking!”

  “No Your Highness, this is a very serious matter.”

  Millie gave the image a closer look, it was so boring to look at, could this really be what they were seeking?

  Quark continued, “I suggest Winston creates some kind of disturbance, at which he excels of course, then you can get as close as we need.”

  Winston had only one problem with this, “Er ... I don’t wish to point out the obvious but I suspect dogs aren’t actually allowed inside the Castle.”

  Millie grinned triumphantly, “Good!”

  Quark’s face positively beamed with pleasure as he addressed Winston, “But that is precisely the point dear friend, if you are willing?”

  Winston nodded his head to show his approval but had no time to gloat as Quark turned away and opened another portal, “Shall we all go then?”

  Millie hesitated. All the talk of kings and queens had made her feel uneasy and somewhat unequal to the task. What if this was the Cornerstone? What would she do with it? It looked really heavy; she probably wouldn’t even be able to lift it.

  Quark understood and rested his tiny green hand on her arm, “Your Highness, you are not alone, remember? Whatever you need will be provided.”

  “But how do you know that?”

  Quark bowed his head, “Because He who has promised is faithful.”

  Millie remembered what Michael had said about doing their part so she took a deep breath and smiled through her fears, “Yes, let’s go.”

  ###

  The twins had never been to Scotland before and it was a lot colder than at home. Millie shivered as they emerged into a small area of parkland. “Where are we?” she asked.

  Oliver pointed to an impressive building on their left, “Well that looks like a castle to me.”

  Perched high on a hill the grey coloured stone looked very sombre against the pale blue of the sky; nonetheless, it was an imposing sight. Winston wandered off to inspect the nearest tree and Millie rolled her eyes at Oliver, they had forgotten the lead. Oliver went to fetch him, “I’ll look after Winston, you look after Quark.”

  Millie checked her pocket; he was safely installed in cuddly toy mode, so the little group made their way to the castle entrance. It wasn’t as busy as the Tower of London but a steady stream of visitors entered through the large portcullis gate.

  Oliver gestured at the man selling tickets in the small booth. Millie couldn’t believe that they had done it again!

  Just at that moment a large group congregated around them, talking rapidly in a foreign language, and Millie realised these students were about their age. “Follow me!” she ordered and she pushed her way into the very middle of the crowd. She set Quark on top of Winston and they both p
romptly disappeared.

  The woman at the front of the group stuck a large, rolled up, golfing umbrella in the air and immediately all the French students fell quiet. Oliver was well impressed.

  Her voice boomed in accented English, “We must go straight inside as we are already late. Please stay with your partners and there will be free time at the end for the cafe and gift shop. Vite, s’il vous plait!”

  Everyone shuffled forward obediently and no one paid them the slightest attention, in less than a minute the twins had disengaged from the group and were on their way.

  Millie was pleased, “Brilliant! If I’d have known it was that easy we could have saved our money in London.”

  Oliver was most disapproving, “This is dishonest.”

  Millie continued to climb up the steep cobbled path, “Oh, we can send them the money later; hurry up Oliver, Quark will be there already.”

  The Stone was apparently located in the same building as the Great Hall and the Royal Jewels, so once again Millie found herself in a room full of glass cabinets. A young family were also meandering around; the youngest boy was clearly bored and looked ready for mischief.

  Oliver spotted the Stone first. Proudly positioned on a purple silk pedestal it was safely secured behind a heavy metal chain. Standing right next to it was an elderly guard, his severe expression plainly visible under the peak of his military cap.

  The twins had agreed a signal to initiate proceedings. Millie had to trust that Quark was ready, so she made her way to the Stone. Oliver moved in the opposite direction and stationed himself in the corner; as soon as he turned to face the room he stamped his foot three times. Winston appeared in the middle of the room as if by magic and, barking madly, he weaved in and out of the exhibits. The little boy was delighted and chased after him and his mum hurried after them both.

  Just as they had hoped, the security guard went to sort it out and Millie was left alone with the Stone. She hopped over the chain and looked down at yet another unremarkable stone. This one had two small metal rings on each end and several deep cuts in the top, but other than that it was probably the most boring bit of stone Millie had ever seen. So what was all the fuss? She reached out to touch it and felt something brush her hand. Quark! That same golden glow was there for a split second and she knew he had entered the stone.

  Millie could hear Oliver shouting after Winston in the corridor, it was now or never. She was about to try and lift the stone when she was firmly grabbed from behind.

  “Excuse me young lady, but what exactly do you think you are doing?”

  Millie turned to face her accuser and as she did so, a digital camera appeared in her right hand, she blinked rapidly, ”Sorry,” she muttered, “I just wanted ... a picture for the school magazine.”

  The pretty female attendant smiled, “Aye lassie, but this side of the chain is best, it is there for a reason you know.”

  Millie stepped back over and pretended to take a photograph. As she backed out of the room she took one last look at the stone and sighed. What now?

  Oliver was being escorted off the premises. The guard had Winston secured with a piece of string but he trotted along happily, unlike Oliver, who was most embarrassed. Millie caught up with them outside the gate and Oliver got straight to the point. “Well?”

  Millie shrugged her shoulders, “Nothing happened.”

  Oliver noticed the camera, “Expensive. Is that ... er ...who I think it is?”

  Millie nodded, “We might as well go home, this was another waste of time.”

  Millie stomped around the empty portal looking for something to pick up, but of course, there was nothing there now. Oliver and Winston sat on the floor and Quark followed Millie around the room. “I am sorry, Your Highness, but these things happen.”

  She turned to face him, “But they don’t just happen do they? How could it be a fake? You said you had done your research, all that stuff about kings and queens. What was that all about then?”

  Quark almost bumped into her, “Well all that still stands, obviously, but the fact remains that stone did not come from the Holy Land. It has a very local history.”

  Oliver got straight to the point, “So that stone is not the Stone of Destiny?”

  “Exactly.”

  Millie was deflated, “See. I told you, a complete waste of time.”

  Oliver looked at his watch, “Talking of time ...”

  As soon as they arrived in Millie’s room, Winston hurried off to get his tea and Oliver, also hungry, followed him. Millie watched them go, she wanted to lie on her bed and scream for England, but unfortunately it was still covered with her unfinished homework. Great!

  31

  Quark watched his trio of charges leave and felt a little pang of regret. He had enjoyed being part of their family, even though he was unseen. They had done extremely well and he was proud of them, but they could not accompany him now. He had to return to a different starting point.

  Solomon’s Temple, Jerusalem, 900BC

  As usual, the sheer beauty of the building stilled his bustle. At only 15 metres high and 30 metres long it was small by modern standards, but it was magnificently made. The yellow brickwork shimmered in the oppressive heat of the day but the deep call of the inner sanctuary beckoned to him. Several priests were busy in the outer courtyard, but Quark could take his time for he was unseen, as usual.

  In front of the Temple stood the bronze altar and the bronze laver, or basin. Taller than a man it was mounted on twelve bronze oxen and contained the water for purification. The outside was polished so brightly that it shone brilliantly in the sunshine. Quark watched for a moment as the priests were met with their own reflection before being washed and cleansed. There were no glass mirrors, of course, so this polished bronze revealed the condition of men. It was forbidden to enter the Temple without first being washed; in fact the penalty was death.

  At the entrance to the Temple stood two bronze pillars, their beautifully engraved bowl shaped tops reaching about half way up the stonework. A series of steps led in between them to the large wooden doors, each engraved with cherubim, palm trees and flowers.

  Quark slowly made his way inside to the Holy Place. Here no stonework was visible at all as everything was overlaid with gold, from floor to ceiling, all was gold.

  The interior was cool and dimly lit by several small, high windows. A little extra light came from the ten golden lamp stands, five on each side of the room. The golden Incense Altar and several other golden tables stood to one side. On one of these he could see the showbread – twelve loaves, neatly arranged in two rows of six. Quark smiled, but moved on. He stopped when he reached the veil. The heavy curtain of blue, purple and crimson completely obscured his view of the next room.

  He was keenly aware of the magnitude of his next action. Quark bowed his head and waited for permission to enter the Holy of Holies. This was a smaller room with no windows and no artificial light of any kind. Inside two giant cherubim also covered in gold, each over 15 feet high and 15 feet wide, their golden wings overlapping, waited for him. Beneath their wings rested the Ark of the Covenant.

  Quark waited. Slowly the room began to fill with a swirling white cloud and Quark fell to his knees. It was impossible to monitor the passing of time, but when the Presence retreated, he rose, unsteadily, to his feet.

  His hand trembled slightly as he drew back the veil. The brightness surprised him, the Shekinah more illuminating than natural light. The cherubim towered above him but his eyes were drawn to the small golden box on the floor. Quark knew that the Ark was made of acacia wood and that it was overlaid with gold but the Mercy Seat was solid gold. This lid had two smaller golden cherubim facing each other. Just like the ones above him, their wings touched also. Quark had never been afraid of anything before and he was unused to controlling emotion. His whole body shook.

  He knew he could not touch the Ark, but what he wanted was directly beneath it. Looking oddly out of place among such opulence was the
block of Sandstone from Bethel. There was no point in waiting any longer, he took a small step forwards, bowed his head and poured himself into The Stone.

  32

  Samael tapped his fingers on the desk. The Watcher was clearly embarrassed and listening to the report was mildly amusing, but he could not express any admiration for the opposition in front of these fools. He rolled up the scroll and handed it back. “So, the three of you were fortunate.” The underlings were confused.