A huge thank you/ shout out/ virtual cookie goes to Julie A.K.A Carol2flute for her fantastic riddle-writing skills !Thank you Julie!
They entered a sterile room with white walls and matching marble floors. A group of scientists in white lab coats were hunched over a brushed stainless steel counter, murmuring in French. Elaine approached the table and with a sharp whisper, sent them scattering back to their own stations.
" Parasites! Only backing the winning horse, it sickens me." She muttered darkly.
Riley shot a quick, nervous look towards Ben and stepped sideways slightly, blocking Elaine's view of him behind Ben and Abigail.
Elaine ducked down under the counter and returned with four pairs of surgical gloves. Silently she gave each of them a set and quickly pulled hers on as well. She reached into a basin of clear liquid and pulled out a shinning gold ring. It was a signet ring, bearing the image of a French Imperial Eagle on the surface. Ben noticed that the band was quite thick, nearly two centimeters wide. Elaine switched on a small overhead light and handed Abigail the ring. Riley peeked around her head to get a better look.
Set in stone - An Emperor to Praise - His own success -To the end of all days
"Holy Lord," Riley breathed, looking up with disbelief.
Elaine smiled softly at him. " As you can see the emperor and end of days references indicate Napoleon Bonaparte, around the early eighteen hundreds. Unfortunately," she gave a slightly embarrassed grin, " that is as far as we've gotten. We are historians, not cryptologists."
"Well we're not exactly experts on French history." Ben said uncertainly.
"But maybe we can shed some light on the riddle." Abigail said quickly. "Now, set in stone, like a building or monument of some kind-"
"Built to honor himself! To praise his own success, of course!" Elaine's eyes lit up with triumph, then dimmed suddenly. "But Napoleon was a vain man. He had dozens of monuments in his honor."
"But only two in Paris: the Elephant and The Arc de Triomphe. The elephant was destroyed in 1846, so that leaves-"
"The Arc de Triomphe. Of course! Let's go." Abigail and Ben quickly turned and hurried out of the examining room and through the maze of hallways out to the Cour Napoléon, Elaine and Riley following behind them. Swinging open the front doors the front two stopped suddenly, causing the back couple to run into their backs.
"What is it-" Riley silenced and paled, looking around Ben's form.
Standing in front of them, wielding a very lethal-looking weapon, was Ian Howe.
Sorry it's so short but I liked the cliffie so….. Review! I'll update way faster if you do.