Chapter 16 #3
“We will examine it now,” Gabriel said quietly, already retrieving a roll of parchment, graphite sticks, and pencils from his portfolio. “While the details are fresh in our minds.”
Henri joined him at the table, watching as he laid the parchment over the stone’s surface and smoothed it flat with the side of his hand. Despite the chill in his fingers, his movements were precise.
He began to take the rubbing in slow, even strokes, working from the outer edge inward. Gradually, the shapes began to emerge. The spiral of swords, the fractured crown at the center, and the arcane markings they had only glimpsed in the failing light.
Henri watched in fascination as the image slowly emerged.
“The precision required for the original carving,” Gabriel murmured, pausing to warm his fingers before continuing, “suggests a hand well-versed in both art and astronomy. This was not the work of a local mason following simple orders. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were recording.”
Henri studied the developing rubbing. “Someone preserving something sacred. Hidden knowledge, perhaps. This could be the work of Matteo di Bianchi himself. But why bury it beneath an abandoned altar in the middle of the Yorkshire moors?”
“Perhaps,” Gabriel said, adding subtle shading to indicate the depth of the carved symbols, “we will understand once we decipher the message embedded within the design. But first, I need to ensure we have a complete record of every detail.”
The documentation process took nearly two hours, with Gabriel working by the light of a small oil lamp.
He captured not only the overall design but also the specific details of each astrological symbol, the precise angles of the sword arrangements, and the intricate elements of the central Pendragon crest.
Henri found herself impressed by Gabriel’s approach, the way he systematically recorded each element of the carving without allowing excitement over their discovery to compromise the accuracy of his work.
It was the kind of disciplined attention to detail that spoke to years of training in situations where precision could mean the difference between success and failure.
“There,” Gabriel said finally, setting down his pencil and examining his completed sketch with critical eyes. “I believe I have captured all the essential elements. Now we can attempt to decipher what this remarkable piece is trying to tell us.”
Gabriel stored his documentation materials and withdrew the Malory manuscript from its wrapping.
The ancient text looked fragile and precious in the lamplight, its pages yellowed with age but still clearly legible.
Henri watched with growing anticipation as Gabriel began the complex process of cross-referencing the symbols in his sketch with specific passages in the medieval manuscript.
The deciphering was painstaking work, requiring Gabriel to examine each individual element of the spiral design and match it with corresponding entries in the manuscript.
Henri helped where she could, pointing out symbols that might have been overlooked and suggesting alternative interpretations when Gabriel was uncertain about a particular marking.
“This symbol here,” Gabriel said, indicating one of the astrological markings with the tip of his pencil, “is Leo. And this arrangement of letters … if I am reading the pattern correctly …”
He continued working, occasionally muttering under his breath as he worked through particularly complex sections of the code.
The room grew colder as the evening stretched on, but neither Henri nor Gabriel paid attention to the discomfort as they became increasingly absorbed in unraveling the ancient puzzle.
“I believe I have it,” Gabriel announced finally, looking up from his work with satisfaction after nearly an hour of careful translation. “The complete message reads, ‘The Lion’s gate opens when the Silver Queen reigns in Arthur’s sky. From cliff to sea, let the bloodline flow.’”
Henri felt a thrill of excitement as Gabriel spoke the deciphered words, immediately beginning to work through their possible meanings. “The Silver Queen! That must refer to the moon? Medieval and Renaissance texts often used such poetic language when referring to celestial bodies.”
“Precisely my thinking,” Gabriel agreed, setting down the manuscript and focusing his attention on Henri’s interpretation.
“And ‘Arthur’s sky’ likely indicates a specific location associated with Arthurian legend, or perhaps a particular astronomical alignment that would have been significant to anyone familiar with the traditional stories. ”
Henri leaned forward to examine Gabriel’s sketch of the spiral more closely, her mind working to connect the deciphered message with the visual elements of the design.
“Look at how the swords are arranged within the spiral. The hilts all face inward toward the central Pendragon crest, but the blades point outward in different directions, almost like compass points.”
Gabriel followed her observation with renewed interest, studying the arrangement with fresh eyes now that they had the deciphered message to guide their interpretation.
“And this sword here …” He pointed to one that appeared slightly longer than the others, its blade bearing what they could now identify as the astrological symbol for Leo.
“It is angled distinctly southwest from the center of the design.”
“Leo,” Henri repeated thoughtfully, the connections beginning to form in her mind. “The lion. That connects directly to the ‘Lion’s gate’ mentioned in our deciphered message?”
“Indeed it does,” Gabriel confirmed, taking on the tone of growing certainty that Henri was learning to recognize.
“In medieval and Renaissance symbolism, Leo represents strength, royal birth, and noble destiny. All qualities that would have been particularly significant to anyone claiming connection to Arthurian heritage.”
Henri experienced a surge of understanding as the pieces began to fall into place. “So ‘Lion’s gate’ is not referring to a physical structure at all. It is a metaphorical reference to Leo’s domain, to the power and legitimacy associated with Arthur’s royal bloodline.”
“Exactly,” Gabriel said, his excitement evident despite his attempt to maintain his usual measured demeanor. “And if the sword bearing Leo’s symbol points southwest from our current position …”
“Southwest would be Cornwall,” Henri finished. “Tintagel, specifically. The legendary birthplace of King Arthur, according to most versions of the traditional stories.”
Gabriel nodded slowly, though Henri caught a shadow of concern crossing his features as the implications of their discovery became clear. “It appears our next destination has been decided for us. The question is whether we can reach Cornwall before others who might be following the same trail.”
Henri felt a chill that went far deeper than the winter weather as she considered Gabriel’s words.
Their discovery was thrilling and represented a major step forward in understanding the ancient puzzle they had been following.
But it also meant they might be drawing ever closer to whatever forces had threatened her at Danbury’s estate.
“How long would it take us to reach Cornwall?” Henri asked.
Gabriel considered the question, clearly calculating distances and travel times in his head. “Under normal circumstances, perhaps four or five days of hard travel. But with winter conditions and the need to avoid main routes where we might be easily located … it could take considerably longer.”
It was a grim reminder of the assailant at Danbury’s who had threatened her with the pistol. She only wished Gabriel would reveal anything he knew about it.
“Then we had better depart immediately,” Henri said, hoping that their growing partnership would prove strong enough to face whatever awaited them in the legendary homeland of King Arthur.