The Diamond's Secret

It lay comfortably nestled in the soft dirt.  It was damaged now, its delicate lacework dented from the events that left it behind. A bush had grown next to its resting place, the roots catching its chain and dragging it below the surface.  Eventually the bush had died, and a rodent looking for grub tunnelled below.  The tunnel collapsed sending it deeper into the earth.  A quake shifted the surrounding soil until it finally found its current resting place where it was content to remain.  

 *   *   * 

An excited shout pierced the monotonous sound of scraping shovels and sifting soil.  Activity paused as a soft brushed swept delicately across the thin veil of dirt no longer concealing the object hidden beneath. 

“I found one!  It’s damaged but still looks to be in working order!” 

A hand reached into the ground and removed the object almost reverently from its resting place. 

“Incredible.”  A voice barely whispered.  “Bring me a Reader!” 

It was held up and tilted in the light, inspected from every angle. 

“Incredible.”  The voice repeated.  “Gold lace design overlapped with…it must be platinum. There’s no tarnish.  Who did you belong to?” 

A finger caressed the curved shape dislodging one of the small diamonds set with the lace design. 

“Damn.  Get some fine sieves.  We need to find the four missing gemstones.” 

The sound of rocks clicking and the soft swish of dirt sliding through sieves filled the air. 

“Let’s get you cleaned up and see what you can tell us.” 

The object plunged into a liquid that vibrated ever so faintly.    

“Now that you’re clean, let’s get you fixed up.”   

Once moved, a bright light engulfed the object.   

“This is Dr Everett of the Lunar 2 Exploratory Division.  We have found a locket that appears to be in working order.  The heart shaped locket is a combination of gold and platinum in a floral lace design. A small dent in the metal work caused loosening of the diamond gemstones. Three diamonds remain, with four missing. Crews are searching the area in the hopes of finding them and helping us discover what happened.  The locket is attached to a thick platinum chain in good condition with a broken clasp. Whomever owned this was quite obviously a member of the wealthy elite.  I am going to attempt to open the locket and examine the mechanism inside.” 

Dr Everett slid a thin metal disk in the groove of the heart and it popped open in two symmetrical halves.  The inside of the heart was polished to a mirror finish with seven tiny square holes cut to line up with the placement of the diamonds on the outside. 

“It’s perfect! I don’t think that has even been read before.  Finally, we may have the answers.”  Dr Everett took a deep breath.  “I am going to make sure the three diamonds are secure.  Hopefully they will be able to tell us something of what happened to this civilization.” 

Taking out a set of small delicate tools, Dr Everett slowly and carefully removed the two remaining diamonds before replacing all three available diamonds. 

Someone else arrived, placing a silver box and another diamond next to the doctor. When Dr Everett was satisfied the adhesive was dry, the box was opened, revealing a similar polished mirror finish to the locket.  Tiny moveable square pegs waited to move into position to read the locket.  It took a few attempts, but Dr Everett got the pegs in place and slid the locket onto them to essentially plug the locket into the box.  Seven small buttons appeared on the front side of the box., but only four were lit.  Dr Everett pressed the first button and an image flashed on the mirrored surface of the box. 

*   *   *    

A woman with straight chestnut hair flowing past her shoulders and framing her diamond shaped face smiled.  Her cherry red lips contrasting against the white of her teeth and porcelain skin.  Her storm grey eyes shone beneath an umbrella of long black lashes. 

“Seb it’s beautiful!” She breathed, her voice containing pure joy. 

The image shifted to a reflection of the women as the locket was placed around her neck. Her arms covered in fitted black silk and her torso in protective leather leaving a square neckline displaying her décolleté where the thick chain rested and the heart settled just above the valley of her round breasts. 

“For when you can’t wear your crown, so no one forgets you are queen.” 

The woman’s eyes grew cold and her mouth straightened into a stern line. 

“No one will forget that I am queen.” 

*   *   * 

The image vanished.  Dr Everett quickly pressed the next button. 

*   *   * 

A man’s face flickered onto the screen.  His eyes were puffy and dark circles marred his pale skin, looking like it hadn’t seen the sun in decades its natural olive tone now more of a sickly yellow.  His attention was focused entirely on the screen until a crash made him flinch, his focus averted, and his eyes widened.  

“Is it done?” 

“N..no, s..sir.  I only j…ju…just set the first stone.”  The man ran a hand through his soot grey hair. 

“It was to be done today.  The Queen’s birthday is in a few days, I want her to be wearing it, so I need it before the day’s end.” 

“Your request is unreasonable.” A younger voice accused and the craftsman’s eyes widened further in fear.  

The young voice continued.  “My father hasn’t slept in two days, can’t you see he’s working his fastest?” 

There was a thud and a squeak, causing the craftsman to cringe. 

“It will be ready and delivered to your r…room before dinner, sir.  P…please, leave my son.” 

“You’re late, but too valuable to punish. Get it done.  This one…” another thud was followed by another squeak of pain, “has never been useful, until now.” 

Everyone watching the box jumped with the craftsman as a gunshot echoed from the box and the craftsman’s face was splatted with blood. 

“Get it done, or I won’t be so lenient next time, mole.” 

The craftsman peeled his eyes from what was probably a ghastly scene and went back to placing another diamond on the locket.  A tear escaped down his cheek, clearing a line through the fresh blood splatter of his son. 

*   *   * 

Hesitantly, Dr Everett pressed the third button. 

*   *   * 

Seb stood next to the window, profile revealing every curve of his shirtless toned figure as he laced his pants. 

“Gather the servants, anyone between ten and forty. Give them each a basket of cakes, wine, or whatever we don’t use.  Send them to the mine, they will be a good addition and will appease them.” The queen’s voice commanded.

“And what will we do about servants?” 

“Bring new ones of course.  Those that remain can train them.” 

*   *   *  

“Dr Everett we found two more.  We’re still looking for the last one.” 

“Well done, thank you.” 

Dr Everett turned his attention back to the reader and pressed the fourth button. 

*   *   * 

They were in a room with matte grey walls and gold light fixtures that reflected off the polished white marble floor. 

“We found another vein your majesty, but the workers are restless. My men are quelling the dissent but it’s cutting into productivity.” 

“I’ll send someone to quiet their disrespect and remind them of their place.” The queen’s voice was sharp and cold like sleet during a thunder storm, all trace of joy lost.  “They want to live, then they work to provide.” 

*   *   * 

Dr. Everett removed the heart shaped locket from the Reader to reset the two new diamonds.  One of them had a crack but hopefully it wouldn’t affect any important information. Once done, the locket was placed back on the reader, two more buttons glowing. 

*   *   * 

It was the woman again.  She was in front of a mirror, this time dressed in a scarlet gown with a plunging V that stopped just above her naval.  The curves of her breasts were clearly visible on either side the fabric. The platinum and gold locket adorned her neck resting above the mounds of her breast.  The rest of the dress fell in a cylindrical sheath around her legs with a slit running up her right leg leading all the way to the soft skin of the V of her hips.  Her lips matched the dress and her grey eyes were lined with black, giving her a fierce appearance topped by the silver spikes of the crown that adorned her head. 

Her face lit up as Seb entered into the reflection.  His black uniform was similar to the one the queen had worn in the previous memory, but more ceremonial with patterns engraved in silver in the leather.  

“You’re back!” The Queen turned and ran to the man.   

The image became choppy as the locket was jostled in her eagerness to greet him. The locket shifted, half blocked by Seb’s shoulder, the other half revealing the queen pressed against the wall, a bare leg wrapped around his waist. The image went black as the locket dropped back to its original position, but the moans and quickening breathing elaborated enough what was taking place. 

“SEBAS…” 

The image skipped. 

Servants with their eyes downcast moved between women garbed in richly coloured gowns, their skin adorned with matching cascading gems. The stone grey of the servants’ outfits a stark contrast amongst the guests, but camouflaged against the matching walls. Seb, along with two other men dressed similarly stood along with a woman dressed in topaz. 

“The current problem has been quelled, but it won’t last.  The unrest is spreading.” One man spoke, a red slash healing across his left cheek. 

The queens tone was severe. “How dare they turn on us.  We are their superiors, they live to serve us.  What do they possibly believe they need?  Are they not rejoicing as we are, celebrating the new vein?” 

 “There is unease about the depth we have reached.  They say there is not enough food for the journey.  They are starving not celebrating.” 

“You!” 

Everyone flinched as a ruby tipped hand snapped out and latched around the thin arm of a passing servant. 

“You look healthy enough.  Are you starving?” 

“N…n…no, You…Your M..Majesty.” 

“What do you eat?” 

“W…what’s left fr…from your table.” 

The image panned to a table piled high with cakes, pastries, and other delicacies. 

“Then we shall send them some cake.” 

*   *   * 

“I think they’re talking about the pit to the East, we still haven't found the bottom.”  

Dr. Everett pressed the last button.  Everyone held their breath as the sounds of panicked shouting could be heard. 

*   *   * 

“Murderous bastards!  Where did they come from?!” 

The sky was no longer its usual bright blue.  Now angry amethyst clouds blanketed the sky directly above, and to the east the sky glowed an eerie fluorescent green.  Screams erupted in the distance and a burst of orange light caused everyone to squint.  Bodies rushed passed as directions were barked out and muffled by incessant gunfire. 

“Get your hands off me you filth!”  

A shot louder than the others range clear. 

“Leave the fortress.  Get to the mine!  Protect it at all cost!  The filth can fend for themselves.” 

“Please…” a voice cried and a hand reached out covering the image. 

“I said get your hands off me!” 

Another bang and the image went dark. 

*   *   * 

“No... no. NO!  Where is the last diamond?” 

“We have not found it yet.” 

“Keep searching.  It must hold the answer!” 

Dr. Everett removed the heart-shaped locket from the Reader and gently suspended it in gel, to await the last diamond.  

“What happened after the war? It only took 100 years to get back. The survivors, what did they do? What happened?”

As the doctor set it aside, the locket held onto a secret.  Trapped within the soft metal of its gold lace, hidden against the edge of the platinum, a single diamond waited.