Chapter 9
Selene slowly opened her eyes.
She was led in bed and wrapped in Indy's arms, who was still sleeping and she glanced over at him and smiled, studying his handsome features.
Selene slowly got up and disentangled herself from the archaeologist, and Indy muttered something in his sleep and rolled over onto his stomach. Selene smiled admiringly at his deep tan and muscular arms.
Last night, their lovemaking had been gentle and tender which was something she loved about Indy.
Selene got ready and as she did, Indy slowly woke up.
"Good morning Indy", she beamed.
"Hi sweetheart. You look nice", commented Indy, admiring Selene's slim figure.
Selene wore a pair of tan light cotton pants and a white, short sleeved shirt. Indy dressed in a pair of black pants and a white shirt and they made their way to the dining room.
Sat at a table were Stella, Maria and Francesca who were all deep in conversation.
"So, Dr. Jones is your archaeology professor?" Francesca asked Stella.
"That's right."
Francesca smiled.
"I never had a professor as good looking as him when I was at university", she mused.
"Are we interrupting anything", asked Selene.
"No, not at all", replied Francesca as Indy and Selene sat down.
"Well, hello Indy", smiled Francesca.
"Uh, hi Francesca", he smiled back.
"So, what are you all doing today?" she asked, her interest not just in their plans.
"Were not sure yet", replied Indy. "I'm still waiting for a cable from a friend."
"I see. Well, while you're here, why not explore some of the local ruins. I could take you, that is, if that's okay."
Indy nodded and smiled.
"Sure."
Fifteen minutes later, Stella was the first to arrive downstairs and as she was only used to seeing Indy in his professorial attire, it would take her a while to realise that, in fact, the handsome stranger dressed in khaki's, a leather jacket and fedora was, in fact, her archaeology professor.
She noticed that he was carrying a gun with holster, and a bullwhip also hung by his side.
Stella was just about to sit down when Selene came downstairs, followed by Maria, who walked up to Indy and smiled.
Then Stella realised.
Selene walked over to the surprised student.
"Selene."
"Yes?"
"It's Dr. Jones. For a moment I didn't recognize him. He looks so…"
"Different?" offered Selene.
"Yes", she said as Indy approached them.
"Ladies", he smiled. "Are you ready?"
Indy glanced at Stella.
"You okay?" he asked her.
"Yes. I'm sorry, Dr. Jones. For a moment, I didn't recognize you. You look really…"
"Different? Yes, I know."
"Please try to understand that I'm used to you wearing tweeds and glasses. Until yesterday, I didn't realize that you didn't wear glasses all the time. Oh, and something else."
"Yes?"
"I notice you have a revolver. Are we likely to run into any trouble, Professor?"
Indy smiled.
"You can never be to careful miss", he told her. "Especially now that we are at war, and with the recent bombing of Pearl Harbor, well, let's just say that I've always been a cautious person," he smiled.
Stella nodded and smiled, wondering if the rumours about the softly spoken archaeology professor were true.
"And please, call me Indy."
"Okay Indy", she smiled.
She loved that name, loved the way it sounded when she spoke it.
Indy and his four female companions left the Lotus Flower Hotel and the hot sun beat down relentlessly as they made their way to several ruins located on top of a hill.
Stella glanced at Indy as he walked ahead of the group with Selene, and as she did, she could hardly believe that Indy was the same man who taught at her university. Stella had heard many rumours that the seemingly mild-mannered scholar travelled around the world in search of ancient artefacts and certainly had more than his share of danger and adventure. His demeanor had also seemed to change as well, and she noticed that he seemed more confident here, less shy than he usually appeared in the classroom. They reached the top of the hill, which looked out at a breathtaking view of Athens and for a moment, no-one said anything. Instead, everyone stared in awe at the magnificent landscape before them.
"Fantastic, isn't it?" asked Francesca, and the others had to agree.
The vast area consisted huge temples which had once been built to honour the gods. Even though they had gradually worn away by time, a sacred feeling remained.
Indy had spent many years traveling around the world, and had seen more things than most, but even so, he was still in awe at the sight that stood before him.
"Oh Indy, it's fantastic", commented Selene.
Indy smiled and was about to reply when a loud scream was heard. Everyone stopped. Nobody moved.
"Maria", muttered Indy, dashing off roughly in the direction of where the noise had come from.
Indy stopped in his tracks and a man dressed in a purple tunic with black pants flew at the archaeologist.
Indy moved out of the way to see another man with his arm around Maria's neck, and he was dressed in the same attire as the first one.
Indy tried to grab the second man, but wasn't fast enough and the man delivered a blow to Indy's stomach and Selene screamed.
Stella wanted to help but didn't know how, but Francesca was already there. She tripped up the second man who cursed as he fell to the floor.
Indy smiled a 'thank you' but then notice that the man holding Maria now had a knife to her throat.
The others simply stared in disbelief.
Now what? thought Selene.
Indy paused.
A moment later, Indy's bullwhip was in his hand and the others could only watch in awe as Indy cracked the whip and the end caught around the handle of the blade, sending it flying. Stella and Francesca stared at Indy in a mixture of shock, disbelief and admiration and the man who had been holding Maria had almost the same look on his face, and he tried to run but Indy grabbed him and Francesca pushed the other man roughly in the same direction.
The men were silent as they were dragged away by Indy and Francesca.
Francesca was now even more infatuated and fascinated with Indy and Stella was in complete awe.
"Dr. Jones", began Stella. "I must know. How on earth did you…?" She stopped, trying to find the words. "What I want to know is", how did you do that? I mean, I thought you used a whip as a way to reach things, you know, like a rope, but…" she paused. "I'm sorry. I'm babbling."
"It's okay", he said. "It takes a lot of practice", he told her.
"I thought you were great, Professor", she told him, before smiling and joining Maria.
Francesca shared the sentiment and Selene smiled, but Indy simply offered a lop-sided smile and shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't see what the fuss is all about, but thanks anyway."
"Come on Indy", began Selene. "You've gotta admit, that was pretty amazing."
Indy shrugged again.
"Okay Selene, why don't you show everyone your skill with the whip", he asked disengaging the bullwhip from his belt and handing it to her.
Everyone then stopped walking and Selene rolled her eyes.
"Indy, I really don't think this is the time. I mean…"
The man that Indy was holding suddenly elbowed the archeologist in the ribs and Indy gasped in shock. He hadn't expected that.
The man bolted and almost at once, there was a crack and the whip wrapped around his waist.
"But how…" began Stella.
"Like Indy just said. It takes practice."
Indy smiled as the man tried to struggle free.
"And where do you think you're going?" asked Selene, the whip handle in her hand.
Indy smiled again as he disentangled the whip from the man and grabbed him. Selene really surprised him sometimes and Stella shook her head in wonderment, impressed by both Indy and Selene.
After a struggle with the two men, Indy and his female companions returned to the hotel and staff had called the Police and the two men were arrested. The men, although questioned, refused to speak a word and the Police told Indy that if they had any more news, they would call him. Indy had accompanied the Police to the station and they had let him question the men, but to no avail. That evening, Indy had a telephone call from the station, but the news was not good.
Indy listened in disbelief when he was told that both men had escaped from custody and there whereabouts were unknown.
"Gone?" asked Brody. After Indy had returned to the hotel. "Just like that? Does anyone have any idea how it happened?"
"No, I'm afraid not Marcus. Nobody saw them leave, and it's a real mystery as to how they escaped."
"Well, its funny you should say that, because I was only informed today that our non-verbal friend at the Police station has also disappeared."
"Really? By the same circumstances?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so. Listen Indy, old boy I was just about to cable you with some news about the scrolls."
"Go on."
"Well, I've just found out that we may have a possible location. There was a dig some time ago by some ancient ruins in Eleysis. You'll need to find the Temple of Apollo, if you're to find these scrolls."
"Okay", said Indy. "That gives us something to go on."
"Indy. There's something else. Many years ago, I did a friend of mine a favour. Well, I've just spoken to him and he would very much like to help you on this expedition. His name is Dr. Jordan Thomason and he is currently staying in a hotel known as the Mardi Gras."
"Terrific. We'll take a look at this place tomorrow."
"Indy, I'll be sure you telephone you if I come up with anything else."
"Thanks again, Marcus," said Indy, and he rung off.
That evening during dinner, Indy told the group about the phone call from Marcus and also that they would be traveling to Eleysis the very next day. Stella had then asked Indy about Apollo and he had told her that the Greek God was one of the twelve Olympian gods, the sun of Zeus and Leto.
"His name is connected to that of the Hittite god Apolunas, or may be cognate with the Spartan word, Apella or as it is known in Latin, Pellere, which means to 'drive away'."
"That's very interesting, Dr. Jones. I tried to learn Latin once but I found it very had to pick up."
Indy nodded and told her that it was not the easiest language to learn, but encouraged her keep trying.
Later, during dinner, Indy was in deep conversation with Selene and Stella glanced over at him and smiled.
She had been fascinated by his knowledge in the classroom, but now, she found herself having an even greater respect for Dr. Jones, or Indy as he preferred to be called. He was an intelligent man and someone who seemed to know so much about everything.
Stella directed her gaze to Francesca as she looked over at Indy, and it was obvious that the Spanish woman was completely besotted with Indy and Stella understood perfectly well how that felt.
