TEMPLARS QUEST: LUCEM SANCTAM (THE TEMPLARS QUEST CHRONICLES: A Historical Mystery Book 3) Read Free Page A

Adam was still captive.
    White Feather said, “Yesterday Adam and I were looking for glyphs. As we came to a dirt road there was a truck with four men. They greeted us and seemed friendly enough. They asked what we were doing here since the park was closed. We told them and they offered us a ride back to our camp.”
    “What did you tell them?”
    “Adam told them we were searching for glyphs that proved the Knights Templars came to this area. He showed them the glyph picture of the Ark.”
    “What did they say?”
    “Not much at the time. Then I mentioned the treasure and they really became interested, wanting to know more.”
    Baldwin said, “So, you told them about the treasure in the Grand Canyon. That was pretty stupid.”
    “I didn’t think it would hurt anything. Anyway, that is when they pointed their guns at me and took us prisoners.”
    “Ok, then what did they do?” I asked.
    “They blindfolded us and tied our hands. We were taken to some building, and they asked me many questions. If I didn’t answer they’d beat me and threaten to kill me.”
    “What did they do to Adam?”
    “Adam was locked up in a room. Then they locked me up and started talking to Adam. They asked him many questions about the treasure. They wanted to know exactly where it was located.”
    “Did they hurt him?”
    White Feather said, “I do not know for sure, because I managed to untie my hands and escape out a window. I hid until I saw them leave and then started walking back to your camp.”
    “Did they search for you?” Baldwin asked.
    “Yes, they searched all night for me. But I know how to hide very well.”
    Maggie asked, “Who are these guys?”
    White Feather looked at her and replied, “I do not know exactly. But this is called the Badlands by the local people. In the Badlands there are groups we call Nomad Bandits. That’s who they are.”
    “Bandits?”
    “Yes, bandits, who rob and kill people. They are nomads and don’t live in any one place to long.”
    “White Feather, do you know any of these men?” I asked.
    “No, of course not.”
    “Are they Indians, or Hopi?”
    “The men who captured us were not Indians. But I only saw a few of them because of the blindfold. The Hopi would never do such things.”  
    “One final question. Do you know where they’re going?”
    “Maybe the Grand Canyon. I don’t know for sure.”
    I said, “I don’t think so. They can’t find the treasure until the summer solstice, which is June 21 st . That’s 25 days away.”
    Baldwin spoke up, “They only had ten men here, so maybe they’re going to their camp before going to the canyon.”
    “Yeah, I think you’re right, George. The question is, where’s their camp at?”
    “Let’s look at the map,” Maggie said.
    While we were looking at the map, I noticed that Black Horse was talking to White Feather. I kept an eye on them, because I didn’t trust White Feather.
    The radio came on. “We got company. Two Sheriff trucks just pulled up.”
    Baldwin, Maggie, and I went outside to meet them. They were staring at our armored Humvees. Four Deputies peered at us and one said, “Are you men with the Army or Special Forces?” They stopped about thirty feet away, facing us. The Deputies guns were at low ready as they glanced around at our group of warriors, wondering who the hell we were.
    The problem was we didn’t know if they were real Deputies. They might be fake ones, which was a common trick used by bad guys. Everyone was on edge and ready to take action.
    George told a little white lie. “We’re Marine Special Forces assigned to the Army.”
    The same Deputy replied, “Semper Fidelis.”
     
    This has been the Marine motto since 1883. It is always spoken in Latin and means ‘Always Faithful.’ When a man says Semper Fidelis it usually means he was in the Marines. Once a Marine, always a Marine.
     
    George repeated the motto back to the man, who had some stripes indicating he was a Sergeant. After