Rome bustled with activity. Spring was approaching the capital city of Italy, and it was evident by the budding flowers throughout the markets. This time of year was less popular for tourists, taking some foot traffic off the historical sites.
The Colosseum stood brilliantly in the city. A few blocks from the historical wonder was a large museum. This museum, named The Rome Museum of History and Archaeology, housed hundreds of artifacts from countries around the world. It was this museum that Kantara worked at.
Kantara Jimenez Zaidi was an archaeologist. She was from Bogotá, Colombia, and studied in Rome. It was here she lived, working to retrieve and analyze artifacts for the museum.
Kantara sat in the laboratory of the museum. Wearing a long lab coat, white gloves and goggles over her eyes, Kantara cleaned an ancient Persian vessel she had retrieved from Turkey. Careful not to chip the vessel, Kantara gently brushed away the dirt and grime so the Avestan writing became clear. She had already been cleaning it for five hours that day, and she wasn’t anywhere close to being done.
While Kantara kept focused on her work, she subconsciously reflected on all the adventures she had. Retrieving artifacts was never an easy task. Between getting permission from the locals to house the artifact in the museum, to actually retrieving the artifact, so much work had to be done. She had been on countless trips around the world, retrieving an assortment of different artifacts from many different cultures and societies.
Kantara’s adventures never shied from the supernatural. She had fought all sorts of entities during her escapades. Kantara had to defeat the spirit of an evil king just in retrieving this Persian vessel. Now the evil king’s spirit rested in this vessel, and Kantara knew it was safe in the museum, away from anyone who wished to use it for harm.
It would be an understatement to say that Kantara had encountered many dangers during her adventures. There were times where she was close to death. However, Kantara was very smart, was skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and could wield smaller weapons if the situation called for it.
Kantara never went alone either. While she was able to find guides and translators from the countries she went to, she always had her best friend there with her. The girl’s name was Mariola Leggieri. From Sicily, Mariola worked at the museum as well, as a zoologist.
The two met in college, which they both attended in Rome. Mariola was much more outgoing than Kantara- she spent her time out mingling with other people. However, she could always focus on what she needed to do. Others always seemed shocked at Kantara and Mariola’s friendship. Kantara was a distinguished woman who almost never smiled. One could say she had a hint of a short temper.
Mariola was the polar opposite. Loud and boisterous, Mariola loved to talk to others, and especially flirt with good looking men.
The hours seemed to fly by as Kantara analyzed the ancient vessel. A buzz on her smart watch alerted her it was time for lunch- and that she had a missed call. Giving a heavy sigh, Kantara dismissed the notification, for it would have to wait. She had to clean up and store the vessel properly before she called whoever it was back.
After storing the vessel and taking care of her lab equipment, Kantara stepped out of the laboratory and headed to her office. The door was locked, so she grabbed her key from her pocket and unlocked the door.
The air was still. Kantara closed the door behind her and headed over to her desk, taking a seat. Now she had time to see who called her.
Checking her phone, she saw it was a missed call from Dr. Trevisani, the museum director. She quickly returned his call.
“Hello Kantara!” Dr. Trevisani answered the phone promptly.
“Dr. Trevisani.” Kantara responded. “What can I do for you?”
“There’s someone who would like to speak with you.” Dr. Trevisani said.
“Alright,” Kantara nodded her head. “Who is it?”
“Come see for yourself.” She could sense him smile through the phone.
Kantara rubbed her chin. Being a pretty profound archaeologist, visitors who wished to work with Kantara weren’t all that uncommon. However, Dr. Trevisani was usually straight to the point; his lack of clarification right off the bat led Kantara to speculate who could be wanting to speak with her.
She accepted his request, and Dr. Trevisani let her know where she could meet this mysterious visitor. Kantara grabbed her jacket and left the office, locking the door before heading down to a local cafe.
The cafe sat just down the street, within walking distance and within sight of the museum. She walked with a brisk pace, hoping whatever it was this person wanted was quick. She had a plethora of things on her plate that she needed to tend to.
Without any idea who she was meeting with, Kantara felt slightly irritated. How inconvenient— how was she supposed to recognize this person? Would they recognize her? How were they supposed to know how to spot each other?
Kantara reached the cafe, and her brown eyes traveled over the people sitting and enjoying their food. To her surprise, her question was answered when her gaze landed on a blonde haired man sitting alone at a table.
The man wore business clothes, with his hair neatly parted. His cheekbones were well defined, and his golden eyes met with hers.
He must’ve recognized her too, as he got to his feet and approached her, his hand extended.
“Kantara Jimenez Zaidi.” He greeted, his voice deep.
Kantara took his hand and shook it. “Lysander Goscicki.”
The truth was, the two had never met. However, she was very familiar with Mr. Goscicki. He was a very wealthy man, and he was well known for donating millions of dollars to museums all around the world, as well as to the preservation of historical sites and artifacts.
Kantara herself was not well known in the same sense. So, she was surprised to know that Mr. Goscicki knew her name.
Lysander pulled the chair across from him out from under the table. “Please, have a seat, miss,” he told her. Kantara took a seat, and he sat across from her. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too? Although I’m not sure how someone of your status would know about me.” Kantara responded truthfully.
Lysander cracked a smile. “Don’t tell anyone, but the Rome Museum happens to be one of my favorites.” His eyes lit up. “Of course I would know about the head archaeologist here.”
Kantara cocked an eyebrow. This was definitely odd, but it did make sense. Kantara was the head archaeologist at the museum, and Lysander was a very generous donor. Their paths were bound to cross eventually.
“Okay,” Kantara replied. “Well, how can I help you, Mr. Goscicki?”
“Please! Call me Lysander.” He laughed. His tone then grew serious. “I’m here with you today, Kantara, because I want to find Vilcabama.”
“You’re kidding me!” Kantara let out a laugh. “Gene Savoy found Vilcabamba in 1964.” With another huff, she added, “I thought an archaeology buff such as yourself would have known that.”
Lysander twirled his pen around his fingers, an amused smile playing on his face. “Mr. Savoy only found an outer colony; a temporary city that the Incas fled to after the invasion of the Spanish. The real Vilcabamba is still hidden in the wilds of Peru.” His smile grew wider, his eyes flashing. “I thought an archaeologist such as yourself would have known that.”
Kantara felt indignation boil inside her, but she kept her cool and sighed heavily. “Alright,” she started, “what about Vilcabamba? Why are you bringing it up to me?”
Lysander leaned forward. “I’m putting together a team of experts for an expedition to find the real Vilcabamba. I want to assemble a documentary that is as comprehensive as possible on the discovery.”
Kantara furrowed her eyebrows. She never was the one for the camera. Crossing her arms, she said nothing— only stared Lysander down.
He chuckled. “You don’t seem too thrilled.” Shifting back, he tapped his pen against the table. “Your friend is Mariola Leggieri, correct?” Lysander asked. Kantara narrowed her eyes.
“Yes, why?” She questioned.
Lysander leaned back in his chair. “I’ve hired her on the expedition.” He responded. Kantara stifled a groan of irritation.
Of course she would agree, she thought to herself. While not captivated by Lysander herself, Kantara couldn’t disregard the fact that he certainly was attractive- she wouldn’t doubt Mariola agreed to the expedition in hopes of getting Lysander alone.
“I am offering generous pay. I’ve hired many people,” he spoke again, bringing her back from her thoughts. “Many different experts from various fields. I just need an expert in archaeology.” He looked Kantara straight in the eye. “I need you, Kantara.”
Kantara glared at him. She didn’t like the idea one bit, but if her best friend was going, then she should go as well, for Mariola. Besides, she knew Mariola would try to convince her to come anyway.
Kantara hung her head in defeat. “Alright. I’ll accept your offer, and I’ll come with you on the expedition.” She sighed.
A single edge of Lysander’s mouth raised in a half smile— Kantara could tell he expected to win. Dammit, Kantara thought, frustrated with herself for giving him that satisfaction.
“Then it’s settled.” Lysander stretched his hand outward, and Kantara shook it firmly. His grip was tight, and the shake was thorough.
Withdrawing his hand, he looked her in the eye. “We leave in two months,” Lysander informed. “I still have to make the final preparations, but I want to leave as soon as possible.”
Kantara nodded her head, saying nothing, and Lysander gestured to the menu placed on the table.
“Are you hungry, Kantara? Let me buy you a bite to eat— it’s on me.”
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