The boats pulled up to the dock, letting those inside disembark before moving downstream to where they could be moored securely. Bevis slowly stepped from the craft, grateful to have her feet on solid ground. Breathing in deeply, she looked around. The house was nowhere to be found, but Bevis felt they were not alone. Lifting her gaze, she allowed it to travel slowly along the ridge running along the mountain range spanning one side of the docking area; two figures came into view, and her gaze flew past them momentarily before skimming back and resting on the waiting men.
"Where do we go from here?" The Nisim asked.
"I think they will be able to direct us," Bevis said, keeping her eyes on the two men who drew weapons and seemed to be waiting for something, "either them or the one coming out of that cave."
Nagid pulled a weapon, stepping between Chelsea, Bevis and the approaching man. Chelsea glanced at Bevis with a questioning frown, which Bevis answered with a shrug. The Nisim seemed to simply be watching and waiting.
The approaching man hesitated when he took in the group and found The Nisim standing among them; he holstered his weapon as he stopped a short way from them.
"Who do you require assistance from?" he asked.
Nagid bristled, but Chelsea stepped around him, answering, "We don't require assistance; we bring aid to the fight and answers to end the tyranny."
"Then come this way," the man said, nodding and turning toward the cave, not waiting for them to follow.
"Not everything needs to be shot," Chelsea whispered to Nagid, "somethings just need words."
Bevis glanced at The Nisim and nodded; in unison, they moved toward the cave, "Nagid, your men need you to follow; otherwise, you'll be left behind," Bevis murmured as she moved past, "now rather than later."
Frowning, he nodded and motioned for his team to follow the man into the cave. Bevis glanced up at the two still on the ridge; they still held their weapons, but their gaze skimmed the area and horizon, no longer perceiving the arrivals as threatening.
"Security is high," The Nisim said, "what do they expect?"
"Anything and everything," Bevis said, "something is happening on the lands, and it cannot be good."
"Then we have to end it … for everyone," she whispered, "sooner rather than later."
"Do you know how to do it?" Bevis asked, glancing at her as the cave's darkness swallowed them.
"I think I do, but to end her completely, I think one of my family will be doing that part," she said, "I know much of The Calderone that she is not aware of."
"We'll see what has been put together when we get into the house," Bevis said, taking in the cave they were walking through. The rock was dry; it smelt dusty as though water had never entered or used it, but the walls were smooth as though something had run through here for centuries before, no longer requiring the use of the tunnels.
Their guide smiled as he glanced over his shoulder and noticed her preoccupation, "The tunnel was an underground exit for the volcano decades ago. It has been dormant for many years; doubt it will erupt now. We're here," he said. Indicating a set of stone stairs protruding from the side of the tunnel, he slowly navigated them, finally reaching the top where a wooden landing had been built, "do come in."
He pushed the door open and stepped into an open space, stepping aside to allow the others to enter. Bevis waited her turn behind Chelsea on the stairs and was grateful to step into the high-ceiling, cool interior of the house she had left only a few days before. Looking around, she took in the wood and metal décor, the laminated wood flooring moving to a tiled area where the kitchen started. It was a part of the house Bevis had never been. She liked the area; it was functional and yet spaciously designed. A movement on her right drew her attention; her watchful gaze collided with Jason's, who watched her, a soft expression on his face. A smile flickered over her lips and disappeared as Nagid nudged her into motion, allowing the rest of the group to enter the room. Candy stepped back from embracing Chelsea. Looking past her, she grinned when Bevis moved further into the room, soundlessly wrapping Bevis in a hug and whispering against her ear.
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"I've been so worried about you," Candy's words drew Bevis further into the hug, and she slowly relaxed and embraced the other woman.
"It's strangely good to be back," Bevis whispered her reply, "it feels like an age since I was last here."
"A few days," Candy smiled, "come in," clearing her throat, she looked across the group, smiling. "Please, everyone, come in."
Bevis moved further into the space, ambling toward the large table scattered with papers, maps and photos. Absently, she looked over everything, her absorption absolute. Suddenly she realised someone stood next to her looking up she found her father standing there smiling at her.
"My Bevis has returned," he said quietly, pulling her into a gentle hug. Bevis wrapped her arms around him, burying her face into his shoulder.
"You're safe," she whispered before stepping back and looking around, "where is Mother?"
Jonaraja sighed, "She would go to the operations center in the cave."
"Why? It isn't safe for her out there," Bevis said, "why did you let her?"
"Let her?" her father chuckled, "I tried, but she was adamant she needed to fulfill her mission. Many people think we are the same person because we have the same name, but they are wrong."
"You are both the secret keeper, but you have different missions to perform," The Nisim said from Bevis' side, "so good to see you again, Jonaraja."
"You … here … it's hard to believe," Jonaraja stepped forward, enfolding the woman softly, "it has been years, Sabra."
"It has, and you are strangely still alive," Sabra said quietly, "the last I heard was that your daughter was an orphan and being hunted. I wondered if I should step in at one point, but your company handled everything well."
Bevis listened to the conversation with dawning realisation, "You know each other," she said, looking between the two, "and by the sounds of it … very well."
"It was Sabra that brought The Calederone to our attention decades ago," Jonaraja said, "that is how we knew something wasn't right. I still cannot believe the current head of that family copied the kind of title she is using from you. She must have known it would draw more attention to herself."
"I believe the current head doesn't believe I exist," Sabra said, "or that there is much truth to the damage I can do to her."
"She is very wrong in that assumption," Jonaraja said, "I have much information here …." he turned to see Jason standing a short way from the group, "… Jason …" he glanced between Bevis and Jason before continuing, "… you were working on the footage and information that was stored over the years. Would you mind if I started showing Sabra, or would you like to do the job?"
"Go ahead and start," Jason said, moving forward and shaking hands with Sabra, "it's nice to finally meet you."
Bevis watched Jason shake hands with The Nisim before she moved away with her father toward the computer station Jason had been working at. She suddenly felt shy, out of place and awkward.
"Jason, I'm sorry …" she started to say but was stopped by a finger over her lips; her eyes moved toward his face, taking in his smile and gentle look.
"I'm so proud you took the step to understand the truth," he whispered, removing his finger, "you've come a long way … look the same but … different."
"I feel different," Bevis said, "you're not angry with me?"
Shaking his head, Jason smiled, "Why would I be angry with you? I understand why you thought you needed to do this alone, but we knew exactly where you were and what you needed."
"How?" Bevis asked, a frown puckering her face.
"Every vehicle is equipped with satellite traceable GPS," Jason whispered, leaning toward her, "you were never alone."
"Thank you," Bevis said, smiling, "the journey back here has been …. enlightening ."
"I'm sure it was," Jason said, looking at the computer bank and then at the rest of the group, "everyone seems to be engaged in something; want to help me get the coffee on and put the sandwiches together?"
"I'd love to," Bevis smiled, moving toward the kitchen. It felt like she had come home … if only she could stay here after everything was finished, that would be heavenly and absolutely idyllic.
Sabra watched the pair move toward the kitchen. Did Jason know what Bevis was? Would he be okay with her being herself? If she wanted to live on these lands and work with them, would he allow it, or would he turn away from her?
"Only time will tell," she whispered.
"Did you say something?" Jonraja asked, glancing at her.
Shaking her head, Sabra returned to look at the screen, pointing at a folder, "Open that one."
"Are you sure you want to see this?"
"Yes, it is the only way to stop her," Sabra said, "this has to end … for everyone."
"Okay, let's work through this as quickly as possible," Jonraja said, rolling his shoulders and opening the file.