“You mean, they kill one of us and threaten the others so they can control you?” John nodded, considering Kane’s words. “Actually, that makes sense. They know you’d never put anyone at risk, and if they threatened us they know you’d help them find what they want.” John fell silent for a long moment, ruminating all they’d discussed before his eyes narrowed with intent.

  “Listen, Hiram, and listen well. We must never allow the treasure to fall into terrorist hands. Never. Let’s assume we’re right. It seems very likely, given the knowledge we have. We have to take responsibility to stop them. First, no one gets hurt. And then we have a choice. We can subdue the criminals. I’m not sure how, but they are only three, and including Sonco’s men we’re ten. That’s asking a lot of the others, I know. But the other choice, and it breaks my heart to say, we… we never find Vilcabamba.”

  The suggestion hit Kane like a punch to the sternum. For so long he’d dreamed of laying his eyes on the lost city, perhaps the first person to do so in almost five hundred years, at least the first foreigner. But something in the sadness in John’s eyes and the slump of his shoulders let Kane know he was serious, and he had to consider what the wisened professor had said.

  That was the thing about history. Sometimes it was best left alone.

  How many people had died searching for legendary artefacts such as the Holy Grail or the crown jewels of King John, and how much blood had already been spilled in the search for Vilcabamba and Atahualpa’s gold? Too much. Perhaps Haines was right? Perhaps the lost city should never be found.

  Kane was no fool. He knew that with his map and unique skills, combined with his own experiences and vast knowledge of the area, he was more likely than most to find the lost city. So, if Vilcabamba wasn’t located on this expedition, it would probably remain hidden for years, maybe decades more. His thoughts turned to Sonco and his family, and all impoverished Quechuan families throughout not just Peru, but the other former Incan nations, like Ecuador to the north and Bolivia to the east. They were some of the world’s poorest people, and the discovery of their lost gold, if used well, would go a long, long way to ease their poverty for many years to come.

  Kane now accepted the odious idea that a killer might be among them and chastised himself for not acting on his instincts about Hooper. But now they were near certain about what was happening, they had to act. What should they do? What could they do? They weren’t armed, they did not understand who they were dealing with, and they didn’t want to involve the innocent people with them. There was no easy answer.

  At least they had one thing in their favour; the Catholics didn’t know they knew. That’s what they believed, anyway, and if true it bought them some time. But killers obviously didn’t abide by common sense, so they assumed time was short. Kane and John as yet didn’t know which of the men the Catholics targeted. It was either one of them or Evan, and letting Evan know could cause panic. But that was the dilemma they now faced and if these people were capable of killing one person, then why wouldn’t they kill others if necessary? Of course, they would, and Kane’s mind turned to Ridley. Their bond was strong, and in his deepest of hearts, he knew there existed unspoken love between them. He had to make sure that not only Ridley, but Evan, Haines, Sonco and all his team were safe from what Kane now believed were Catholic terrorists.

  Falling Apart

  It was all just so crazy. This was supposed to be an exciting and momentous expedition, those involved making history, and present when one of the world’s greatest and most endearing mysteries might at last get solved. Yet, and Kane just couldn’t understand how it had happened, everything was going wrong. Not only was their expedition in danger, but the lives of some of the people he cared most about in the world were threatened. Kane didn’t see any alternative than to speak to Sonco and his most trusted men, then confront and overpower the terrorists.

  Kane knew they could overpower Hooper, De La Cruz, and Edgewood if they weren’t armed, and he’d seen no sign of any weapons. Of course, if they'd concealed guns in their backpacks he wouldn’t know it. Confronting them was risky. Although one middle-aged professor, a skinny writer, and an outwardly frail female academic hardly inspired fear, for all Kane and Haines knew they could be trained fighters.

  They deliberated for a while before a frustrated silence settled over them. There seemed no obvious course of action, and the situation was so out of their usual comfort zones that both men were at a loss. And the clock was ticking.

  Kane’s grandfather’s three simple words drifted into his mind, and for the first time he really appreciated their meaning. A heavy burden. So this is it, thought Kane, this is my burden. But he also remembered the other words his grandfather said as he handed over the map all those years ago. It couldn’t be in better hands. That’s what he’d said, and Hiram had always doubted it. Am I really that special, that trustworthy? But now was his chance to prove it, both to his grandfather, and more importantly, to himself.

  A plan formulated, and as Kane thought it over, and as the components aligned, he knew it was their only realistic option. It wasn’t a great plan, but if they pulled it off it would bring a satisfactory end to the mounting drama. Satisfactory, that was, except to the terrorists.

  But for Kane’s plan to work, an age-old friendship would be tested to its limits.

  Sonco Amaru was on edge, an honourable man torn between two honourable choices. Yupanqui had a point. They were all descendants of the Inca, which by default meant they all had ancestors who’d been subjugated, enslaved or killed, whether by the bloody hands of the conquistadors, or by diseases the Europeans disseminated to the so-called New World. In principle he agreed with Yupanqui; Atahualpa’s treasure was theirs, and should be used to help their own people, especially if the Catholics were planning an attack. Sonco didn’t like violence, but even less he liked the idea of violence against his own people… his family.

  On the other hand, he knew anybody planning something against his people were a minority, and not all visitors to Inca lands were bad. He thought of his great friends, Hiram Kane and his grandfather, kind and noble men who only did good for the people of Peru. But…

  Searching his heart, Sonco despaired at his choices. The Kanes weren’t Catholics, but if he sided with Yupanqui’s uprising he would have to betray his friend Hiram. The tough old Quechuan sat on his haunches and grabbed a handful of earth, kneading it in his strong, thick fingers. He knew it was provided by the great goddess Pachamama to sustain his people. Thus, it was to both Pachamama and the Sun God Inti that all Inca people and their descendants owed their allegiance and loyalty.

  Now Yupanqui was fulfilling an ancient prophecy, one that Sonco himself had always known about but never thought would come true. The time of the great change was upon them, the Pachacuti, and whether he liked it or not, Sonco Amaru was in the middle of it. He was Inca, and by that decree alone he had a responsibility to defend his people against any threat. The Inca of half a millennium ago were weak, too easily betrayed and defeated by Pizarro’s Spanish invaders. They could not let it happen again.

  Sonco knew that if it did, it might erase their entire culture forever.

  He stood up and closed his eyes. He thought of his family, his wife and children, and his small house just outside Cuzco. They were everything he had, everything he held dear.

  They were worth fighting for.

  Haines agreed with Kane’s plan, and in essence it seemed simple. In private, they would explain the dire situation to Sonco, who knew the map as well as Kane and knew their precise intended route. But their plan would not follow the map to Vilcabamba. Instead, they’d lead the team to a different collection of ruins, a recently discovered Inca settlement, that while impressive was historically insignificant. Few foreigners had even heard of it.

  Lying within a couple of hour’s hike, they would arrive later that day and claim it was an outer perimeter wall of the lost city, evidence they were on the right path to Vilcabamba. Once there, and with Sonco’s pre-warned team, they would swarm, overcome, and restrain the terrorists, surprise their biggest ally. Once they had them contained, Sonco would rush to Cuzco and bring the authorities.

  Kane and Haines returned to camp, and it took a determined strong arm from John to prevent Hiram veering straight towards Hooper. “Not now,” he whispered through clenched teeth, and with great force of will Kane allowed himself to be led to a seat by the fire.

  Hiram soon sensed many eyes on him, and glanced at Ridley, who opened her hands out and flashed a guilty smile as if to say, what did I do? Kane relaxed and let it slide, then scanned the camp for Sonco. He spotted his friend at the edge of the clearing, busy dismantling a tent. Kane stood and approached him, but soon noticed how distracted he looked. Sonco’s face, usually so jolly, was more worn than Kane had ever seen, as if carrying the burden of an ancient tragedy alone. What was it? Sonco wasn’t himself, that was certain. He’d known Sonco since his own childhood, and as a family friend, he trusted no one more than the noble Quechuan. But Sonco’s eyes were filled with a sorrow so alien to Kane it unnerved him.

  But he didn’t have time to worry about that now. He needed his old friend more than ever, and grabbing him by the forearms Kane said, “We have a serious situation, Sonco. There are bad people in our group, and they’re about to do something terrible.”

  Sonco looked at Kane in utter disbelief, not comprehending how Hiram knew about Yupanqui’s dire plans. But when Kane mentioned the Europeans and not the Inca Uprising, Sonco was perplexed. It was only for a second. Now he was in shock. First, the Incans, led by Yupanqui. And now the Catholics, led by De La Cruz. Enemies all around, and he in the middle.

  His mind was clear about his decision regarding Yupanqui, and that wouldn’t change. But he knew he had to help his friend Hiram. Banishing thoughts of Yupanqui, the uprising, and his family he listened with intent to his friend’s plan. Under the circumstances, it was their only real chance of securing the safety of the others. Sonco was to push on ahead of the group under the pretence of locating a camp area, but in reality, it was to find a spot to make an ambush. He would then locate a secure place where they could detain the Catholics and wait out in an arched stone entrance he and Hiram knew of. With a quick hug and a wish of buena suerte, good luck, Sonco collected his things from camp and sought out three of his trusted porters. Out of sight of Yupanqui, he briefed them on the plan. He only hoped they trusted him enough to help. Satisfied they did, Sonco set off toward the ruins.

  Kane trusted Sonco to do anything necessary when the time came, and felt their plan might actually work. The fact something was troubling his old friend worried him, but he put it to the back of his mind, took a deep breath, and walked to the centre of the camp.

  “I have good news,” he said with feigned optimism. “So far our expedition has gone well, other than the unfortunate injury and departure of Muddy. We’re making excellent progress. In fact, tonight we’ll arrive at the very outer walls to Vilcabamba, and that’s where we’ll make camp.”

  A brief but unmistakable look of acknowledgement passed between Edgewood and Hooper. Neither Kane nor Haines missed it.

  “I’ve sent Sonco ahead to check the trail is clear for the rest of us, and unless he returns we’ll meet him at the ruined walls later this afternoon. As soon as everyone’s ready, we’ll be off.”

  Hooper was indeed ready. He knew what he had to do, and his plan was in place. Tonight, Haines would die, the next step on their path to glory.

  Edgewood was ready too. Kate was there as part of the Catholic contingent, but she had her own agenda. A Catholic in name only, she followed the Catholic doctrine for show only when De La Cruz and Hooper were about. She was only using those who were using Kane’s expedition, and she would help herself to the treasure. Beneath the greed and odious objective was a young woman genuinely fascinated by history, and if it wasn’t for her end goal she would be revelling in the adventure. The dichotomy left her conflicted, but Kate was confident she’d overcome that at crunch time.

  Angelo De La Cruz was as calm as ever. His mission was from God, and nothing would stand in his way.

  Yupanqui didn’t know where Vilcabamba was, though he believed beyond doubt it existed, and was completely at the mercy of Kane and his map. And the fact Sonco had gone ahead concerned him, and confirmed his doubts about the man’s loyalty. He knew of Sonco’s skill as a guide and his friendship to the Kane family, and he hoped to use both to his advantage. Once they had disposed of all the foreigners, Yupanqui thought, Sonco could lead them to the lost city and claim its riches for their just cause.

  Yupanqui pondered Sonco’s move. Either Kane was honest about the reason Sonco had surged ahead, or Sonco had deserted them all, turned his back on his Incan heritage, thus turning his back on the Inca Uprising. No matter, Yupanqui thought. If, like Kane had said, the guide was ahead, then all well and good. If not, then by whatever means necessary, he, the new Pachacuti, would succeed in his mission.

  Nothing could stop him, he knew that. He had on his side five hundred years of history, a group of like-minded young Quechuans who would do anything he asked. More importantly, he had the support of their Inca Gods, Pachamama and Inti.

  No mere Catholic mortal could prevent him becoming the modern day Inca King.

  Renewed Hope

  To an onlooker the atmosphere within the group might have been attributed to the excitement of the coming momentous moment in history. Few words passed between them, each with a lot on their individual minds. But Kane knew the truth. His friends Ridley and Evan were focused, oblivious to the deadly game around them, and Haines of course knew the plan, keeping his distance so as not to risk any uncomfortable questions.

  Hooper, as he always did, kept himself to himself. As a killer he was an immoral man, though he didn’t see it that way. His was the work of God, though he answered to De La Cruz, which sometimes felt like the same thing. He had failed the first time, and then had a lucky reprieve, and Hooper knew he couldn’t afford another failure. He was feeling the pressure, and it showed.

  Edgewood was quiet too, cloistered by her own focus because she knew they were getting close. As she walked, she imagined what the hoard would look like. Was the gold hidden in a natural cave, stacked from earth floor to rock ceiling? Was it even gold, and if so, did it glimmer in the dark? Was it buried, and were there booby traps? Her imagination was getting the better of her, but she didn’t mind. It only added to the allure of the treasure. In reality, she believed the treasure was somehow hidden inside the precision stone walls the Inca were famous for.

  Once they found Vilcabamba–and she was certain now that they would–how long until they found the treasure? Days? Hours? Surely they couldn’t just move a few stones and find it waiting for them? If, beyond all hope, it was, could she execute her daring plan?

  Execute. The word made her throat dry. People were going to die, and she would be responsible. Not directly, however. For that, she had disposable help. Edgewood believed the dumb native kid Umaq was onside, and Craft was wrapped far enough around her finger that manipulating him as an asset was within reach. As for the rest of that so-called team, well they were mere pawns in a game that they didn’t understand. It was her game, and it was a game she would do anything to win.

  Kane fought hard to stay calm. He’d been in difficult, often dangerous situations before, but this was on a whole new level. In a matter of hours he would attempt to overcome three people who could have weapons, and although not afraid for his own safety, he was afraid for the safety of his friends. He would have to tell them his plan soon. Ridley would be a valuable asset; he’d never met a tougher, more courageous woman. But he worried for Evan. His friend was a conscientious objector to violence at all costs, and though brave he would rather talk things out. Kane doubted if they’d get that chance.

  As the distance to their target location shrunk, so Kane’s anxiety levels rose. He simply could not wait any longer and had to talk with Ridley and Craft before it was too late. He called for a lunch break in the shade of some large boulders, and most of the group sat and stretched out their weary limbs. Whispering to Haines, he tasked his old professor to occupy the Catholics in discussion any way he could. Taking two handwritten notes from his pocket and acting as casual as possible, he walked past Craft first, followed by Ridley, and dropped a note in each of their laps. On the folded papers was the simple message: Open. Don’t speak! He just hoped it went unnoticed by the Catholics, and that his friends didn’t give the game away. Looking up, both seemed to sense the urgency in his stride as he walked off in silence, and with a glance around, they opened and read their notes. Ridley’s note said: Trust me. In two minutes, take north trail five minutes. Don’t talk to anyone. Evan’s note said: Trust me. Five minutes after Ridley returns, take south trail three minutes. Don’t speak to anyone.

  Both Ridley and Craft were bemused by their notes, but it was so unlike Kane that both felt an innate sense something was wrong. They followed their orders to the letter.

  Kane ducked into a thicket of trees and waited, unsure how to tell his friends they might be in danger. Right on cue, Alex came into view along the trail, and without uttering a sound he grabbed her wrist and pulled her behind the trees.

  “What the…” she started to say, but seeing Kane, and noticing the severe look of concern etched on his face, she fell silent.

  “Listen to me. There’s a… we have a serious problem.” And in as succinct a way as possible, he explained to Ridley that in their midst were three terrorists.

  Of course, it sounded unbelievable to Alex. She’d formed a nice bond with Kate Edgewood, and in no way had she observed in her a criminal intent. But she believed Kane and had no doubt he was sincere in his belief.