Chapter Two – A Royal Request
Ice tea had never tasted so refreshing, well almost never. Indiana Jones reminisced as he poured a second tumbler for an equally dehydrated David Tyrell as they waited to learn the importance of the unexpected summons. They sat, well guarded by their coal covered captors, in an elegantly furnished sitting room.
"We are in Horseshoe Mansion!" David leaned in to share a strained whisper. "Mr. Coulee was given special royal permission to lease this crown property overlooking Horseshoe Canyon to build this lavish estate – I can't believe we are inside!"
Indiana surveyed the room. What was more intriguing to him was that the miners hadn't confiscated his whip. He grinned at the thought that the miners may have figured it to be a paleontology tool.
The echoes of luxuriously soled shoes neared the room from the marble corridor beyond. Dr. Jones and Dr. Tyrell instinctively rose from their seats.
"I've never had much luck with palaces." Indiana remarked from the corner of his mouth within David's proximity.
"The Eleventh Earl of Southesk and Mr. Edmont Coulee" announced an impeccably tidy employee of the household.
"Dr. Jones, Dr. Tyrell, please do sit." requested the Mr. Coulee in his upper end English accent. "Can I offer you something to dine upon? The chef has just commandeered a lovely cut of beef from a local rancher."
With two snaps of his fingers, the stewards standing at the door disappeared. Within moments, a crew of serving staff bustled into the room with tablecloths, cutlery, dishes, hotplates, and the most alluring aromas of meats, vegetables, and sauces.
"Well, if you have already gone through all of the trouble… we wouldn't want to be discourteous" Indiana removed his hat and eyed the feast.
The serving staff and miners exited the room leaving the Earl, Mr. Coulee and the two scientists to dine at the small but exquisite maple wooden table ensemble complete with candelabra.
"Allow me to introduce my special guest. Visiting me this fine summer is the Eleventh Earl of Southesk, Richard Carnegie." Mr. Coulee gestured toward the divinely attired, middle aged gentleman seated to the right of him.
Earl Carnegie was dressed in what resembled a fox hunting outfit, complete with tall black stiff leather boots and emerald green velvet jacket. His russet riding pants seemed to be uncomfortably tight possibly as a result of too much royal indulgence while touring the estates of his wealthy Canadian hosts, who would have been all too willing to be remembered for their hospitality. Nothing was too grand for royalty.
"Richard Carnegie is here reliving his great grandfather's historic visit to western Canada. James Carnegie, the Ninth Earl of Southesk, came to Alberta on a touring and artifact collecting holiday in 1859, during the fur trade you know."
"I am familiar with the ninth Earl's historic ventures. As the story goes, the Earl James Carnegie acquired many native artifacts on his travels; some of which were very sacred to the aboriginal people of Alberta." Indiana interjected with a hint of disapproval.
I knew I sensed a treasure hunter. How DO they find me? Indiana boiled mentally as he passed a steaming plate of wild boar dripping in thick spicy gravy.
Tensions crept higher as the Mr. Coulee adjusted is gleaming white shirt collar and went on to describe the absolutely priceless nature of the artifact collection inherited recently by the eleventh Earl, Richard, and the tumultuous places that the ninth Earl had gone to retrieve these invaluable items.
"Did you know the Royal British Museum of Art and History offered Earl James Carnegie one hundred thousand pounds for an animal-skin dress worn by a native woman at a Sundance celebration? Remarkable collection, this!" Mr. Coulee shook his balding grey head.
"Times were tense during the fur trade, you know. The French and the English weren't on the best, oh how would I put it, er, working terms?" Mr. Coulee mused as he grappled to set the historic scene.
"And then there was the resistance from the Natives. There was an extraordinarily WILD west just north of the United States border, you know Dr. Jones." Mr. Coulees hands were outstretched and his pudgy face red with excitement.
"The reason I have sought you out, Mr. Jones," Earl Richard impatiently interrupted "is to offer some assistance in recovering the most priceless piece of this authentic collection."
Indiana and David, in unison, shifted their attention instantly to the Earl, relieved to end what seemed to be the beginning of a long and convoluted Canadian history lecture.
"What particular artifact would that be, Earl Carnegie?" inquired Indiana, with false politeness. Ironically, Indiana had studied North American history extensively in his college days and was sure he knew where this expedition was going.
"A rarely seen handcrafted knife with an elaborately beaded hide sheath disappeared from my great grandfather's travel trunk the very morning he was to leave Fort Edmonton.
Indiana hid a grin of satisfaction at the accuracy of his prediction.
"My great grandfather had been staying at the fur trading post for several weeks as this was a common place of trade for the native people, Métis settlers and those who worked for the Hudson's Bay Company. It was an absolute gold mine of artifacts!" The Earl sighed and continued.
"One afternoon, an older native hunter arrived at the Fort Edmonton gates to trade for domestic supplies and hunting provisions. As winter was only around the corner, the aging fellow decided to double his supplies in exchange for the trade of his magnificent knife and sheath. The sheath been beaded by his daughter. Knowing that the Earl was looking for unique items to bring back to Britain, the gate keeper accepted the offer and the native man went on his way. My grandfather wrote about his own sheer delight at handling the blade for the very first time." The Earl paused, looked down, and then forced a dramatic sigh.
"As an avid hunter himself, it was to be my great grandfather's most prized piece." The Earl looked up again and took a long drink from his water glass as if to distract his audience.
"While an extensive search was undertaken and many interrogated, the blade and sheath were never recovered even though many were punished"
Indiana did not particularly like the way the Earl emphasized punished.
There was a painfully long silence. Both Dr. Tyrell and Mr. Coulee shifted uncomfortably in their chairs and nervously fumbled with their silk napkins. Finally, Indiana broke his intense stare and began to speak.
"If my years of historical research in the area of lost artifacts serve me correctly, you are speaking about the Muskwa Warrior's knife and sheath. Legend has passed that the knife and sheath, when worn together, harbored protective qualities. It was told that the hunter who wore the Muskwa knife and sheath exuded the mighty presence of a bear and therefore both he and his fellow hunters were safe in the wilderness."
Earl Richard sat absolutely motionless. Feeling dreadfully transparent, the Earl moved his hands beneath the table to hide his clenching fists.
"If the legend is true, then I can see why anyone, particularly anyone who spends time in the outdoors for sport, would want this artifact." Indiana paused and then slightly cocked his head. "Isn't it true that you come from a long line of fox and game hunters, Earl Carnegie?
Mr. Coulee looked as though he was about to be ill at any moment. David's hair was now quite disheveled as a result of his anxious fingers.
"Let us just get right to it, then?" Earl Richard redirected through a stiffened jaw. "How much will your expertise in these matters cost me, Dr. Jones? I will have the Muskwa knife and sheath as it is rightfully mine."
"I beg to differ, Earl Richard." Indiana ventured, not once abandoning eye contact. "I am sorry but I am not the person for your search."
After loosening his furrowed brow and exhaling slowly, the Earl calmly responded "I see. Then I must respect your intentions."
Mr. Coulee secured eye contact with the Earl and in a jovial voice leaned forward and announced, "Gentlemen, gentlemen, enough business for one day. Let us leave this discussion for tomorrow and enjoy some wild berries and cream on the terrace."
Successfully chipping away some of the evening tension, Edmont Coulee lead the three men to the terrace. They were followed by two young stewards carrying a silver coffee service set and a tray of creamy desserts. The beauty of the flat stone paved area quickly diminished as Indiana and David notice the four mining brutes standing around the perimeter. They were quickly reverted to prisoner status.
"Before we call it a night, let us share some sweets. We wouldn't want to part on pessimistic terms, Dr. Jones. It would be bad luck, after all." insisted the Earl.
Indiana hesitated and looked at David.
Leading a sheltered life thus far, David was already two spoonfuls into his dessert. The Earl and Mr. Coulee each reached for a bowl of fresh berries and rich farm cream. Despite the nagging feeling in his stomach, Indiana reluctantly indulged in the delightful summer parfait. Maybe it was just his many years of dealing with untrustworthy powerful people that had left him skeptical. Maybe after dessert, they would be driven back into Drumheller to the paleontology camp and this wretched day would be over.
The glow of the summer sun began to set far too swiftly.
"You are a truly reliable host, Emont. I shall speak very highly of you in my memoirs." affirmed the Earl as the four burly miners marched over to assist Mr. Coulee with the two unconscious captives.
"I will have the scientists removed and we will start our search for the Muskwa artifacts at first light tomorrow." Mr. Coulee stepped over Indiana.
"Not to worry, Dr. Jones will help us. As the head of a very successful mine, I am an expert in commanding obedience." Mr. Coulee explained in a desperate attempt to assure his high-ranking guest.