King Solomon's Journey (The Dominguez Adventures) (9 page)

            “Let me explain how I translate ancient documents. I number the lines that need decoding, and then number the grid, inserting them inside the squares as I translate the Paleo-Hebrew pictographic symbol. I do another grid in the same fashion, except, I use the Aramaic style script for the word in it, the next grid holds the English word. After finishing all the single words, I then turn them into Modern Hebrew sentences. From that, I create English sentences.

            Occasionally, I have to compare and sort of play with the sentences to get them into the correct context; I use my mastery of the p'shat or plain historical meaning, then I delve deeper into other levels of possible meaning. In creating this grid system, I found that when I needed to take a break, coming back to finish is much easier with the grid system. Does it make sense to you?”

            She felt queasy. “Yes, it makes perfect sense.” She lied.

            “Great, I’ve read over most of the Scrolls, but I haven’t translated much of it yet. I thought we could do it together.”

            “Thank you, Antonio.” Her voice sounded appreciative, but once the Scrolls spread across the table, she left her seat.

            “Did I do something?”

            She searched the room. “I need my glasses.”

            Her purse was next to him, he picked it up. Smiling, he asked, “Are they in here?”

            She came back to the table, and reluctantly retrieved her glasses from the purse. He hadn’t seen her with glasses before. He was curious. As she placed them above her nose, he was happy to see her eyes still popped out at him.

            “Now let’s take this word,” his arm slid around her back and pulled her in, nearer to the Scrolls, and closer to him. Her scent, having experienced it once in the car and again in Vegas, fit her quite nicely. One day he would have to ask her about it.

            He pointed to the next word. Saying it in Hebrew, he simultaneously wrote it on the grid.

“Meeg-dal means ‘tower’.” He wrote ‘Tower’ on the English grid.

            “The next word, is za-hav, ‘gold’.” He wrote ‘gold’ in the appropriate square.

            She watched as he pointed out the next word in the text, pronouncing it for him, as he wrote it in Modern Hebrew; “She-mesh is ‘the Sun’.” He smiled at her.

            “Antonio, is it a tower to the Sun?”

            He glanced at the Scrolls copy. “It could mean ‘from the Sun’.” 

            For the next two hours, they worked together, bent over the Scrolls translation copies, and created an English copy worthy of any Museum staff.

Chapter 9

“When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.”

Dom Helder Camara

            Feeling energetic, despite the long hours they had just spent bent over the low table with the Scrolls, Amanda finally straightened and laughingly said, "Enough!"  Smiling at Antonio, she declared. “Antonio, a drink right about now would be nice. Can you open some wine? I am horrible with a corkscrew.”

            He laughed, “You have a vineyard, but can’t open a bottle of wine?”

            “You do not want me to open it. That is, unless you like particles of cork in your wine.”

            Walking with him, she wanted to watch him open the bottle. Handing her the wine glasses, Antonio expertly removed the cork, and held it up triumphantly.

             “I was hoping, Doctor, that you could enlighten me.” She wanted to tease him. After all, he’d already made known his amorous attentions toward her, but she wanted to establish a comfort zone. "About the Scrolls true meaning." She added.

            “I would love to enlighten you.”

            "Let's sit on the sofa." Antonio suggested. Amanda joined him there, and curling her legs beneath her she faced him, the leather cool against her body.

            “How did the Scrolls end up in the cavern?”

            He filled her glass before he began.

            “Let me say first, that almost everything I’m going to explain has been met with at least some degree of controversy. Earlier, I explained that Hidden Mountain is the home of a stone called a Decalogue Stone, a stone of the Ten Commandments. The inscription at Hidden Mountain is the version from Exodus, Chapter Twenty. With Ancient Hebrew letters dating to circa 1000 BC, it coincides with King Solomon’s reign.

            The stone is near the Rio Grande making it reasonable to say that the river created a passage for their transportation. Later, I will convince you, my beautiful lady that the stone was intentionally laid there to mark the site for a Holy Structure.”

            “You’re kidding me,” just listening to him made it sound more amazing. Gripping the neck of the bottle, feeling bolder she gave him more wine.

            “Amanda, I’m not kidding. Stick with me and I’ll show you the Scrolls, then I’ll take you to Hidden Mountain.”

            “It sounds tempting,” Grinning as she answered.

            “I hope. Let me get back to the Rio Grande. More evidence exists of archaic travel along the river. In Texas, there is an ancient Egyptian inscription, which states:

            ‘King Shishong, Egyptian King. A crew of Shishong the King took shelter in the place of concealment.’

            Between 1000-800 BC, several kings had the name Shishong. They were rulers in Libya and Egypt. There is little doubt that travelers from North Africa used this route through the Gulf of Mexico to reach North America during the same time period. Several scholars make convincing arguments in favor of King Solomon’s maritime expeditions. They point out that his alliance with Egypt gained him access to the Egyptian canal in the Mediterranean Sea. This provided King Solomon access to the Atlantic Ocean, and thus North America.

            In the Hebrew Bible, in the Book of Kings, there are passages that support the notion that Solomon built fleets of ships at Ezion-Geber on the Red Sea. A modern archeological discovery revealed a large smelting facility at Ezion-Geber, which dates to the time of, none other than King Solomon.”

            Amanda, having heard bits and pieces of this information before, found his version much more fascinating.

            “Antonio, do you think it is plausible this Scrolls reached America, specifically in New Mexico, during the reign of King Solomon?” She wanted to confirm he wasn’t playing some scholarly head game already dealing with that too many times in her career.

            “Yes, I most certainly think so. Doubting Ancients traveled to the North American Continent is ludicrous. People do it to save Columbus’ glory. This...simple alteration of the facts, for political correctness, or some agenda, is deplorable.”

            She loved hearing his passion. Her values equaled his fervor and disdain for modifying the past. Our written history has suffered many alterations, in response to people unwilling to bend, afraid to learn the truth. Being able to share a common ideal made her more excited about this man, as if she needed more. She tried to control her excitement as she spoke.

            “Antonio, I share your enthusiasm for truth, it impresses me.”

            Thrilled, Antonio felt he scored big. This revealed a lot about her mystery.

            “That pleases me a great deal, Amanda. It does.” Seizing the bottle of wine, he filled their glasses once more.

            “Antonio, I do not want to sound rude, but I do want to make sure I understand.”

            He broke in. “Amanda, relax. You won’t offend me, or seem rude by asking questions about the Scrolls, or anything surrounding it. We’re seeking the truth. By the way, I think your eyes are beautiful.”     Smiling at her, fascinated beyond reason, he wanted to keep her around forever.

            She bit her bottom lip when he said it, and now tried to calculate what was next.

            “I presume, despite evidence suggesting the Scrolls could travel to New Mexico in the appropriate period of time, you have other concerns, questions to answer.” Glancing at him, her solar plexus fluttered.

            “Amanda, I have so many questions, and hoped you could enlighten me on one topic that I just can’t seem to get out of my head.”

            Her expression was stunned, “I would love to enlighten you, or do anything that I can to assist you with Solomon and the Scrolls.”

            “Well, it’s in loose relation to the Scrolls…How’d you get in my head while I was in the cavern? Don’t misunderstand, I’m elated you did, not to mention thrilled that I’m sitting here with you now.”

            “I will answer that, but, would you humor me before I do? I want to know your thoughts.” She wanted two things. “How scientific are you as a professional, and how spiritual are you as a man?”

            He chuckled, as he looked on her in awe. “I’m smart enough to know that you’re challenging me to tell you where I draw the line.”

            Giving her a puzzling look, he spoke.

            “You’re clever and enchanting. I’ll start by putting it this way. This experience is altering and has altered my perception of the supernatural. In my own defense as a scientist, I’ve never discounted, nor ruled out the metaphysical, mystical, magic, or God. I’ve always tried to find justification through science or nature.”

            She suddenly had an unaccountable urge to kiss him; she lifted her finger to his face. Her expression came alive with wonder. Her finger ran down his cheek, as their eyes met, she asked.

“Do you have to see something to know it is real? Does Science or Nature exist when you cannot see or measure it? If science has yet to develop a way to measure it, is it non-existent?”

            He didn’t know whether he should answer her, or make love to her. The Temptress simultaneously confronted, and seduced him. She made him crazy.

            “I prefer to see it, and measure it. I like to touch things. I like to feel things through my senses. I’m aware of experiencing things that I cannot see or measure. I explore those particular invisible forces, and venture to experience, while expanding my horizons. I’ve accomplished much through my inner explorations, and other times I’ve found success through science.”

            Taking a deep breath, she absorbed the explanation of his senses. She wanted him to repeat the words, but worried it would seem inefficient. Providing an answer would be a nice gesture now, but she enjoyed the mental stimulation of learning about him. Quitting now would be a mistake, and she had one more, bigger question.

            “I appreciate your candor, Doctor, but please humor me with one more question before I share my own perspective. You see, I would like a clear view of you before I taint evidence, or muddy any waters. Will you indulge me one more time?” Her seductive look sent Antonio over the edge.

            “I would love to indulge you - now, and far into the future.” His voice slightly cracked within his commitment.

            Their shared attraction so powerful it practically pulsated beyond the two of them, out into the atmosphere. He enjoyed it as much as she did; he wasn’t annoyed, not in the least. She hoped he liked how she teased him, because she wasn’t capable of anything more tonight.

            “You are very accommodating, Dr. Dominguez, I like that. Forgive me, but I am going to ask you one of the most intimate questions a person could ask. What do you think about God? What do you believe about the Divine Order? If I am asking you to expose too much of yourself too soon, I will understand.”

            Brushing his hand across his head, he gave a soft, sexy grin.

            “Where have you been all my life?”

            Both would define this moment as the most intimate of their lives. Sharing personal beliefs was more intimate than sex, and divulging with each other, prior to physical intimacy, sent their senses on fire. 

            His first answer wasn’t what she expected, but it echoed through her mind. Shrugging, she remained silent, and only grinned instead.

            “I do believe in God, though I’m not particularly religious. The event with you and the Scrolls has sparked an interest, and a new opening. I hope to achieve a more complete understanding of God through this endeavor. In fact, I’m hoping you might help me. Sitting here with you, something inside tells me I want to learn from you. Will you be my teacher, Amanda?”

            Breathless, with an odd sense of nausea, he couldn’t comprehend how much she wanted to teach, and learn anything with him. Nevertheless, the need to learn from him grew greater each moment.

            “Dr. Dominguez, you flatter me, but I am not sure that I am as worthy as you believe me to be. You seem capable and open-minded enough to understand anything you would like to understand.

You are being honest and candid with me, for that I am grateful. I will return the same respect to you. There is nothing I would like to do more than commit to you on this journey. Maybe we could even explore other endeavors, on a more personal agenda. However, I am not sure that I am capable.”

            Antonio didn’t comment, and decided to let this revelation dangle.

            “You can’t avoid my original question. How did you, mysterious beyond your beauty, get into my head? Why did you move in, dwell in my psyche, and seduce every part of me from the moment I fell into that cave? During my dream, you wanted me, and together we became enough to fulfill The Legacy of King Solomon.

            Hallucinating, I felt Love - sent from you. It surrounded me, engulfed me, as easy as breathing. Yet, the fate of the Scrolls depends on it. Yes, I love science. Seeing and measuring are my preferences. I do know that I have a soul, which allows me to experience things. Measuring this through the senses, mind, body, and soul of my own being, I’m sure that what I felt exists.

            The questions are; how, why, and what does it mean? How is it even possible?"

            Amanda rose from her position, and walked over to look out the window. In a way, he was right. Answering the question about his experience would expose her defiance of the belief system she respected.