The Adventures of Logan van Zant: CH IV

Poseidon’s Mistress ebbs as the water of the Mediterranean laps against its hull. Logan looks out across the water; in the distance is their destination – Crete. Henry approaches and leans against the bow. “Told ya ten hours or less, didn’t I?” Henry laughs.

“I was hoping for ‘or less,’ but I suppose this will have to do.”

“You’re as ungrateful as ever Van Zant! I should’ve let you and that girl drown!”

The two men stare sternly at each other before breaking into laughter.

“At least there’s someone that can make that old sulk laugh,”comes Aurora’s voice.

“Here I thought you’d be sleepin’ all day after drinkin’ my boys under the table,” Henry laughs.

“Not while there are Russkis to foil. What’s the plan, Prof—” A seaplane flies overhead and muffles Aurora’s question. On the side of the plane are Russian letters. The three watch as the plane lands off the coast of the island.

“Speak of the devils,”Henry says.

“Whatever the plan is, we better get on with it, looks like they’ve got a head start on us, Professor.”

“Henry, do you have any weapons that you can lend us?” Logan asks.

“I think we’ve got a few old heaters tucked away. Meet me on the bridge in ten and I’ll get you sorted out.”

Henry lays a map of Crete across the table in the ship’s bridge. “Any thoughts on where to start, Logan?”

“Professor, does the translation say anything?”

Logan removes the parchment from his pocket. The ink had bled into the paper from his swim the day before, but it is partially legible. Logan reads aloud,

“On the island of black sails, facing the fallen father, between the Pillars of Poseidon, in the Mouth of Cronus, lies the labyrinth of Daedalus. Only a hero of courage and wisdom can overcome the trials of the King of Athens and will find the path to the fruit of the immortal —I can’t make out the rest.”

“What are your thoughts Professor?”

“Clearly, ‘the island of black sails’ is referring to Crete, Minoan ships sported black sails. The ‘fallen father’ is the Aegean Sea. Theseus’ father jumped from a cliff into the sea and so it was name for him. . . ‘Between the Pillars of Poseidon’ . . . Must refer to the inner most mountain – Mount Ida. . . ‘Mouth of Cronus’. . . Cronus was the chief Titan who swallowed the Olympians, save Zeus. Cronus’ mouth may refer to a cave in the northern foothills facing the Aegean Sea. So to the foot hills of Mount Ida. I’m sure the rest will make sense after we get there.”

“I had the boys pack you a few things, and as requested, here is your firepower. One for the old war-dog,” Henry hands Logan an M1 Garand, “And, a little something for the lady,” Henry lies a Luger on the table.

“Oooh, how exciting, I’ve always wanted to be in a gunfight.”

“You were just shot at yesterday, or have you forgotten?” Aurora sticks out her tongue at Logan as she picks up the weapon.

“I had a hell of a time getting my boy to give up that Luger, but when I told him it was for you Miss Cross, he couldn’t be happier. They sure have taken a liking to you.”

“How sweet, that’s the nicest thing I’ve heard on this whole trip,” she bumps Logan on the shoulder with her elbow.

“What? They’re sailors. As soon as they hit landfall you’ll be a second thought in a wet dream.”

“Like you would know you old prude. . .” Aurora stands, “Let me know when we’re ready to go ashore, I’ll be gathering my things.”

“What things? The scooter is back in Athens. . .” Logan jokes. Aurora slams the bridge door with a humph.

“You got your hands full with that one, Van Zant,” Henry slaps Logan on the back.

“You’re tellin’ me.”

The dock creaks as Logan and Aurora step ashore from the life boat. A crew-mate hands Logan and Aurora each a pack. Logan’s rifle is wrapped in a bedroll on the side of his bag; Aurora’s pistol hangs at her waste and is covered by her jacket. “Alright, land-lover and Miss Cross, we’ll be back in the harbor tomorrow afternoon. The capin’ wanted me to tells ya, ‘if anything happens while you’re ashore, just stay alive till the boat comes to get ya.”

“Thank you Timothy, give Captain Samuels my thanks.”

Timothy removes his hat and bows his head, “At yer service Miss Cross.” Logan rolls his eyes.

“After you Miss Cross, hope your legs can handle a jaunt, no driving for us this time around,” Logan says sarcastically.

Logan and Aurora walk along the beaten road leaving Heraklion. Mount Ida can be seen in the distance. A small car pulls up; the driver yells to Aurora in broken English, “I give ride to pretty lady and friend, free of charge. Where you need to go?”

“Thank you kind sir, just to the hills below the mountain.”

“There is scenic view, I take you?”

“No, no, just the foothills below is fine enough for us.”

“Very well! Whatever pretty lady wants.”

Logan and Aurora load their bags atop the car and sit in the rear passenger seat. The car speeds off down the bumpy road.

“Guess I’m not just a wet dream, huh Professor?”

“Har, Har.”

Aurora leans over the front seat and speaks with the driver,“Sir, do you know of any caves on the plateau?”

“Yes, cave of Zeus, I take you?”

“No, a different cave. Does the Mouth of Cronus mean anything to you?”

The driver’s face turns pale. “Why pretty lady want go there? It is black pit, filled with the screams of the Minotaur’s victims.”

“That sounds like the place we’re looking for, do you know where it is?”

“Yes, it is at feet of the Mother Mountain, at the end of river of the old Snake Goddess. But, please, pretty lady must not go there, none return that go there.”

Aurora waves to the car as it speeds away, “What a nice fellow, sure hope he’s wrong about the cave though. . .”

“We best get a move on, we’re burning day light.”

Aurora follows Logan into the grassy foot hills of Mount Ida. A cool wind blows down from the mountain, the wind moves the branches around them as they walk along the shallow waters of a river bed. A Great White Heron fishes while the singing of Goldfinches fills the air. They come to a stop at a fork. At the fork is an eroded statue of a female goddess who holds a snake in either hand.

“Which way now professor? Professor?” Logan looks behind them. The singing of the birds has stopped. The white heron opens its wings and flys as a gun shot rings out.

“Aurora, get down!” Logan grabs her by the arm and drags her behind the cover of a boulder. Logan slides the rifle from his pack and chambers a round. “Did you see where that came from?”

“No. . .” Aurora says shakily.

Logan stands and fires two rounds into the bushes of the adjacent bank. Rounds return from the bushes; Logan takes cover as the bullets ricochet off the boulder. Logan breaks cover as the sound of splashing footsteps cross the stream. He comes eye-to-eye with three Russian soldiers; Logan fires striking the soldiers with two rounds each. The M1 pings as it ejects the clip. Logan returns to cover and reloads. The clear water swirls around the bodies of the soldiers as it carries away their blood. A shot rings out from above and strikes the water next to Logan. Logan takes aim and fires and fells a soldier standing on the mountain’s ridge. The sound of a familiar female voice echos out, “Peremiriye!” The gun fire ceases. “Gospodin van Zant! I’m glad to see that you’ve made it! I’m sure you’re uncle is happy to see you as well!”

“Natasha, I suggest you run along, before you chip a nail!” Logan calls out from behind the boulder.

“I think not!”

“Have it your way then!”

Logan breaks cover to take aim at Natasha, but in her place is a man with raised arms, trimmed mustache, round glasses, and dressed in a khaki safari uniform.

“Cornelius!”

“Logan my boy, so glad to see you! It looks like we’re in a bit of a pickle!”

“What are you doing up there?”

“Trust me, my boy, it’s not by choice!”

“Gospodin van Zant, throw down your weapon, or this will be the end for your uncle!”

Natasha steps from behind Cornelius and places the muzzle of a pistol next to his head. Logan throws down his rifle, and raises Aurora to her feet as they are surrounded by Russian soldiers.

Logan and Aurora are pushed up to the ridge where they are greeted by Natasha, Bruno, and Cornelius. Cornelius embraces his nephew and Aurora. “I’m so happy to see you, my boy. Aurora, my dear girl, I’m sorry to have dragged you into this.” Aurora caresses the bruise on Cornelius’ cheek.

“What have these brutes done to you?”

“Oh nothing that this poor old man can’t handle”

“Well you’ve beat us to it Natasha, how ‘bout you let us go?” Logan says sternly.

“I’m afraid not Gospodin van Zant, you still have your worth, even if it is just cannon fodder. Take them to the cave!”

The stream trickles from the wide mouth of the cave, as an explosion booms and smoke billows from it. As the smoke clears, Logan, Aurora, and Cornelius enter the cave escorted by an entourage of soldiers. The electric light shimmers against the smooth surface of the stalagmites and stalactites. Drips of water echo throughout the cave. “ Finally! We have been working on that stone all day, no power hammer, or drill could break it, but a little bit of T.N.T goes a long way,”says a soldier with admiration.

“The first trial. . .”

“What was that, Professor?”

“The stone blocking the way was Theseus’ first trial, he had to lift it to obtain his fathers sword.”

“That is quite right Gospodin van Zant, and next are the warriors that he faced on his way to Athens, and you will be leading the expedition through the Daedalus from here.”

“Why me? What happened to your expert?”

“How do you say, he met an unfortunate end when he let you escape.”

“If I refuse?”

“Then you must choose who’s life I am to take, your sweet uncle or your precious paramour?” Natasha points her pistol at Cornelius and Aurora.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Then go on, enter the labyrinth and find the way, then we will follow!”

Natasha hands Logan a flashlight. Logan steps over the scorched chunks of stone and enters the labyrinth.

An hour passes. Aurora and Cornelius wait in anticipation. A gust of wind blows out of the labyrinth. The bellow of a raging bull and hoof beats echo into the cave. The electric lights pointed at the labyrinth’s entrance flicker on and off. The Russian soldiers whisper to one another, their weapons rattle as they shake with fear.

“Cornelius, I thought Theseus killed the Minotaur. . . Do you think that. . .”

“No, my dear girl, it’s just a myth. . . Beside’s Logan is too hard to kill, he’ll come back, he always does.”

The loud bellow comes again as Logan pops his head into the entranceway. A group of soldiers drop their weapons and flee out of the cave at the sudden sight of him.

“This way, I’ve found it!”