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The city of Katmandu was a bizarre twist of old and new world. Aged buildings and temples lined the streets where taxis and motorcycles rode with horns blaring. In the country of strong agricultural economy remained cultural rituals of human sacrifice and virgin worship.
With gear firmly fastened to their bodies Irina, Jack, Vaughn and Sydney followed a guide to the base of the mountain.
"This is as far as I go." The guide told them in Nepalese.
Irina was the one to answer as she was the only one able to speak the language. "Are we to expect any weather changes?"
"The skies are clear but they may change in a few days. I suggest you move quickly." He nodded to the others and gave them four skull beaded necklaces. "They are luck." He said in disjointed English.
"Thank you." Irina indicated the necklaces. "And thank you for your help." She told him in Nepalese and nodded in return.
Sydney and Jack adjusted their packs while Vaughn checked the GPS. Irina donned her necklace, placing it under her shirt and passed one to everyone else. Sydney put hers on without hesitation but Vaughn and Jack looked at them skeptically.
Irina held the beads up for them to see more clearly. "They're Mallas, prayer beads or what some would think of as a rosary. Each skull is carved individually likely from Yak bones. When they're worn around the neck they are referred to as a memento mori or magical protection charm." Irina sighed at the continued looks. "I've seen things that can't be explained; people being protected and healed through charms and herbs. I don't know about you two but I'm not willing to pass up an opportunity of protection."
Jack and Vaughn glanced at each other and rolled their eyes but placed the necklace over their heads regardless.
"I'll take the lead first." Jack announced. The four set off down the ravine, moving briskly in hopes of making it to their destination before the sun set on them.
THREE HOURS LATER
Three quarters of the way to the temple Irina and Sydney announced they were taking a break. Everyone dropped their packs and stretched body parts that had begun to ache. The air was getting thinner as they climbed resulting in a more frequent winded feeling.
"The next part of this climb is going to be more difficult; it's on a steeper incline." Vaughn said between sips of water.
"We've made good time thus far; we'll take it slow." Jack sat down against the rock face.
"The closer we get the more I wish I had a gun on me." Sydney turned to her father.
"Don't look at me; you're mother was the one demanding no weapons that may insult the beliefs of the temple residents." Jack defended himself.
"Jack, I never demanded we not bring weapons. I merely stated my reasoning and you were not able to come up with an apposing argument." Irina goaded him.
Jack set his mouth in a straight line and huffed. "What exactly are you insinuating Irina?" She looked at him innocently. "You know full well that had I argued with you, you would have dug your heals in on the issue until I relented." Jack bit out.
"Why would you have bothered to argue with me when you went ahead and packed explosives as a precaution?" Irina raised her eyebrows. Jack was unable to respond; Irina had known he had packed the C-4 charges but hadn't said anything.
"We may need them." Jack countered finally.
"Let's hope we don't because I removed them before we left." Irina's tone was serious causing Jack to panic for an instant.
He glared at her then opened his bag in desperation. Moments later he stopped searching and sighed. "I love you but you have a twisted sense of humor." Jack turned to his wife.
Sydney and Vaughn were mighty confused by the interaction. They shifted their gaze between her parents with no further understanding. Irina took pity on them and decided to let them in on the conversation.
"I didn't remove the explosives from your father's pack but I admit to not being able to resist the priceless expression of his face when he thought I had." Irina smiled in satisfaction, Jack scowled.
"Do you two often torture each other like this?" Sydney asked, finding her mother's actions humorous in their own right.
"Yes, your mother does it all the time." Jack maintained his angry tone.
"He's right." Irina nodded at Sydney and Vaughn. "I tease and trick him all the time and your poor father is so innocent and defenseless that he never retaliates." She rolled her eyes as she finished her statement.
Vaughn and Sydney smiled, realizing that Jack Bristow definitely gave as good as he got. Theirs was likely an on going game that happened to catch Jack at the receiving end this time.
The two young agents marveled at the differences in their companions two years had brought. They both appeared to be less guarded and tense in the company of others. Their ability to laugh and smile was not comparable to the years before and above all they seemed completely smitten with one another.
Neither Sydney nor Vaughn missed the silent conversations that passed between Jack and Irina or the covert touches they shared. Sydney had timed their actions during the last hour of the trek. Every ten minutes her parents would make contact in some way, almost ensuring the other was still there. The entire scene had been foreign to her but remarkably comforting. She caught herself doing the same with Vaughn.
"It's a breath taking view isn't it." Sydney said in awe. She was perched against a forward sitting bolder allowing her to see for miles.
Vaughn and Jack made noises of agreement but spoke no further. "You're able to see the Katmandu Valley from this spot." Irina pointed to her right.
"I thought Katmandu was the city?" Vaughn asked in confusion.
"It is the city but it was named after the Valley. Legend states that it was once a lake but was emptied when a God made a swath through the surrounding mountains. The land remains extremely fertile making it the place of major agriculture." She paused momentarily before continuing in a low even voice. "People referred to as Newars have lived in this section of Nepal since forth century A.D. and still make up fifty percent of the Valley's population. They were responsible for creating the first Hindu- Buddhist culture and managed to remain completely isolated until 1950."
"How did you come to know all this?" Vaughn asked. Jack said nothing but his expression showed deep understanding for the knowledge his wife held.
Irina kept her gaze locked on the scenery in front of her. "Almost fifteen years ago I came here seeking direction and understanding. I had become disillusioned by Rambaldi's work and was no longer encompassed by my obsession. Growing up in Communist Russia meant having no spirtitual faith, no knowledge of religion or higher meaning for it was outlawed. I was drawn to Nepal by the tourist nature of the capital city but soon found myself being taught the religion of the land by its masters. I spent time in solitude, at the Holy waters of the Baghmati River and studying the teachings of Buddha. I wouldn't consider myself any one religion but I have great respect for Hindus and Buddhists alike."
Sydney and Vaughn were spellbound. They had trouble reconciling the woman spouting spirituality and individual peace with Irina Derevko.
"I'll admit I never expected to hear a story of religious awakening to fall from your lips Mom." Sydney smiled gently.
Irina looked at her daughter over her shoulder and returned the smile. "Haven't you learned yet that anything is possible?"
It was quiet for a while until Jack stood and refastened his pack. "We should continue our hike before we loose any more daylight. Vaughn, you and Sydney take the lead."
Jack stayed back with Irina as they got under way. "I love when you talk about spiritual awakenings and finding higher powers." Jack spoke softly to his wife and grinned.
"Oh really, should I share with them the spiritual grounds and higher powers you helped me reach two nights ago?" Irina smiled indulgently and started to say something else when Sydney tripped in front of her.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?" Irina asked reaching for her.
"Syd!" Vaughn called and bent as well.
Sydney wore an obvious grimace on her face making her companions believe she had injured herself. "I'm fine. I just got distracted and miss- stepped." She shook off their offers of help.
"You're sure." Jack watched her carefully for signs of injury.
"Yes, now let's get moving." She started ahead of everyone else and Vaughn had to jog to catch up. Sydney used every calming technique she knew to empty her mind of thoughts and images she'd rather not have. A shiver ran down her spine and her stomach tied itself in knots; children were not supposed to hear their parents talk like that no matter how discreet they were trying to be.
"Syd, you really okay?" Vaughn implored.
"Fine." She answered quickly. Vaughn decided to let it go but kept a close eye on her.
Before any of them noticed they had reach a plateau that housed the temple. They shed the majority of their gear at the far side of the cliff and conversed freely for one final time.
"So, we're just going to walk through the front door." Sydney didn't seem sure.
"Just remember to follow your mother's and my lead." Sydney and Vaughn nodded.
Quick and purposeful steps brought the four to the temple doors. Irina and Jack glanced at each other and opened the heavy barriers to find...
Please Review (-:
The city of Katmandu was a bizarre twist of old and new world. Aged buildings and temples lined the streets where taxis and motorcycles rode with horns blaring. In the country of strong agricultural economy remained cultural rituals of human sacrifice and virgin worship.
With gear firmly fastened to their bodies Irina, Jack, Vaughn and Sydney followed a guide to the base of the mountain.
"This is as far as I go." The guide told them in Nepalese.
Irina was the one to answer as she was the only one able to speak the language. "Are we to expect any weather changes?"
"The skies are clear but they may change in a few days. I suggest you move quickly." He nodded to the others and gave them four skull beaded necklaces. "They are luck." He said in disjointed English.
"Thank you." Irina indicated the necklaces. "And thank you for your help." She told him in Nepalese and nodded in return.
Sydney and Jack adjusted their packs while Vaughn checked the GPS. Irina donned her necklace, placing it under her shirt and passed one to everyone else. Sydney put hers on without hesitation but Vaughn and Jack looked at them skeptically.
Irina held the beads up for them to see more clearly. "They're Mallas, prayer beads or what some would think of as a rosary. Each skull is carved individually likely from Yak bones. When they're worn around the neck they are referred to as a memento mori or magical protection charm." Irina sighed at the continued looks. "I've seen things that can't be explained; people being protected and healed through charms and herbs. I don't know about you two but I'm not willing to pass up an opportunity of protection."
Jack and Vaughn glanced at each other and rolled their eyes but placed the necklace over their heads regardless.
"I'll take the lead first." Jack announced. The four set off down the ravine, moving briskly in hopes of making it to their destination before the sun set on them.
THREE HOURS LATER
Three quarters of the way to the temple Irina and Sydney announced they were taking a break. Everyone dropped their packs and stretched body parts that had begun to ache. The air was getting thinner as they climbed resulting in a more frequent winded feeling.
"The next part of this climb is going to be more difficult; it's on a steeper incline." Vaughn said between sips of water.
"We've made good time thus far; we'll take it slow." Jack sat down against the rock face.
"The closer we get the more I wish I had a gun on me." Sydney turned to her father.
"Don't look at me; you're mother was the one demanding no weapons that may insult the beliefs of the temple residents." Jack defended himself.
"Jack, I never demanded we not bring weapons. I merely stated my reasoning and you were not able to come up with an apposing argument." Irina goaded him.
Jack set his mouth in a straight line and huffed. "What exactly are you insinuating Irina?" She looked at him innocently. "You know full well that had I argued with you, you would have dug your heals in on the issue until I relented." Jack bit out.
"Why would you have bothered to argue with me when you went ahead and packed explosives as a precaution?" Irina raised her eyebrows. Jack was unable to respond; Irina had known he had packed the C-4 charges but hadn't said anything.
"We may need them." Jack countered finally.
"Let's hope we don't because I removed them before we left." Irina's tone was serious causing Jack to panic for an instant.
He glared at her then opened his bag in desperation. Moments later he stopped searching and sighed. "I love you but you have a twisted sense of humor." Jack turned to his wife.
Sydney and Vaughn were mighty confused by the interaction. They shifted their gaze between her parents with no further understanding. Irina took pity on them and decided to let them in on the conversation.
"I didn't remove the explosives from your father's pack but I admit to not being able to resist the priceless expression of his face when he thought I had." Irina smiled in satisfaction, Jack scowled.
"Do you two often torture each other like this?" Sydney asked, finding her mother's actions humorous in their own right.
"Yes, your mother does it all the time." Jack maintained his angry tone.
"He's right." Irina nodded at Sydney and Vaughn. "I tease and trick him all the time and your poor father is so innocent and defenseless that he never retaliates." She rolled her eyes as she finished her statement.
Vaughn and Sydney smiled, realizing that Jack Bristow definitely gave as good as he got. Theirs was likely an on going game that happened to catch Jack at the receiving end this time.
The two young agents marveled at the differences in their companions two years had brought. They both appeared to be less guarded and tense in the company of others. Their ability to laugh and smile was not comparable to the years before and above all they seemed completely smitten with one another.
Neither Sydney nor Vaughn missed the silent conversations that passed between Jack and Irina or the covert touches they shared. Sydney had timed their actions during the last hour of the trek. Every ten minutes her parents would make contact in some way, almost ensuring the other was still there. The entire scene had been foreign to her but remarkably comforting. She caught herself doing the same with Vaughn.
"It's a breath taking view isn't it." Sydney said in awe. She was perched against a forward sitting bolder allowing her to see for miles.
Vaughn and Jack made noises of agreement but spoke no further. "You're able to see the Katmandu Valley from this spot." Irina pointed to her right.
"I thought Katmandu was the city?" Vaughn asked in confusion.
"It is the city but it was named after the Valley. Legend states that it was once a lake but was emptied when a God made a swath through the surrounding mountains. The land remains extremely fertile making it the place of major agriculture." She paused momentarily before continuing in a low even voice. "People referred to as Newars have lived in this section of Nepal since forth century A.D. and still make up fifty percent of the Valley's population. They were responsible for creating the first Hindu- Buddhist culture and managed to remain completely isolated until 1950."
"How did you come to know all this?" Vaughn asked. Jack said nothing but his expression showed deep understanding for the knowledge his wife held.
Irina kept her gaze locked on the scenery in front of her. "Almost fifteen years ago I came here seeking direction and understanding. I had become disillusioned by Rambaldi's work and was no longer encompassed by my obsession. Growing up in Communist Russia meant having no spirtitual faith, no knowledge of religion or higher meaning for it was outlawed. I was drawn to Nepal by the tourist nature of the capital city but soon found myself being taught the religion of the land by its masters. I spent time in solitude, at the Holy waters of the Baghmati River and studying the teachings of Buddha. I wouldn't consider myself any one religion but I have great respect for Hindus and Buddhists alike."
Sydney and Vaughn were spellbound. They had trouble reconciling the woman spouting spirituality and individual peace with Irina Derevko.
"I'll admit I never expected to hear a story of religious awakening to fall from your lips Mom." Sydney smiled gently.
Irina looked at her daughter over her shoulder and returned the smile. "Haven't you learned yet that anything is possible?"
It was quiet for a while until Jack stood and refastened his pack. "We should continue our hike before we loose any more daylight. Vaughn, you and Sydney take the lead."
Jack stayed back with Irina as they got under way. "I love when you talk about spiritual awakenings and finding higher powers." Jack spoke softly to his wife and grinned.
"Oh really, should I share with them the spiritual grounds and higher powers you helped me reach two nights ago?" Irina smiled indulgently and started to say something else when Sydney tripped in front of her.
"Sweetheart, are you okay?" Irina asked reaching for her.
"Syd!" Vaughn called and bent as well.
Sydney wore an obvious grimace on her face making her companions believe she had injured herself. "I'm fine. I just got distracted and miss- stepped." She shook off their offers of help.
"You're sure." Jack watched her carefully for signs of injury.
"Yes, now let's get moving." She started ahead of everyone else and Vaughn had to jog to catch up. Sydney used every calming technique she knew to empty her mind of thoughts and images she'd rather not have. A shiver ran down her spine and her stomach tied itself in knots; children were not supposed to hear their parents talk like that no matter how discreet they were trying to be.
"Syd, you really okay?" Vaughn implored.
"Fine." She answered quickly. Vaughn decided to let it go but kept a close eye on her.
Before any of them noticed they had reach a plateau that housed the temple. They shed the majority of their gear at the far side of the cliff and conversed freely for one final time.
"So, we're just going to walk through the front door." Sydney didn't seem sure.
"Just remember to follow your mother's and my lead." Sydney and Vaughn nodded.
Quick and purposeful steps brought the four to the temple doors. Irina and Jack glanced at each other and opened the heavy barriers to find...
Please Review (-: