The Great Thirst Three: Pursued: The Great Thirst: An Archaeological Mystery Serial, #3

By Mary C. Findley

Keith and Talia's Guardian contacts finally unlock secrets of the holographic map but no one imagined the cost of following the clues. The Ax of Britomartis reveals an unexpected power but they can't use it when they are thrown out of the country. Accusations, heartache,. strife, and even romance can bring the quest grinding to a halt. When the black van changes from pursuer to prison, Keith needs help not even Talia can give. Jenny Kaine might just find out what she needs to know to destroy the Word once and for all.

Excerpt: 

Keith stepped over to the intercom by the door. "This is Mr. Bradley. Ms Ramin and I need a monitor for our class, room 205, please," he said, and released the button. "Ms. Ramin, please join me in the hallway while we wait for relief." 
Talia hefted her duffel bag and followed him out without a word. 
"So, if Naddy and Sophie are okay, or at least going to be okay, what's wrong?" Keith demanded, grabbing Talia's bag from her and almost dropping it. "Whoa. This is heavy even for you. What's going on?" 
"I'm leaving," she whispered. "I can't do this anymore." 
"Can't do what? Talia – Ms. Ramin – Do you feel bad about paying the ransom? Why? I mean, yeah, it sucks, that you had to do it, to give in to those bastards, but Naddy'll make it back up in a couple of days at the tables, right? He's like, the James Bond of Poker, right?" 
"He plays Baccarat." Talia pushed away the smile that tugged at her lips. "I can't keep lying to you. I can't keep any more secrets from you." 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Findley Family Video
• Release date: May 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507081853

Mary C. Findley

Mary grew up in rural NY and Michael is from AZ. We met at college, taught school in AZ, MO and PA, homeschooled, and created curriculum and videos for church and commercial productions. We have three supposedly grown children and traveled the 48 states and Canada together in a tractor trailer.Findley Family Video Publications has the key verse “Speaking the Truth in Love” from Ephesians 4:15. We have four main goals:To Present a Biblical WorldviewTo Exalt the Lord Jesus ChristTo Edify BelieversTo Teach and to DelightMichael J. Findley has been on the road most of his life and his writings reflect that motion. From the rise of the ancient Hittite Empire to a generational saga of a Space Empire, the one constant is his desire to communicate the truth of God's Word through fiction and nonfiction. Homeschoolers, church leaders, and ordinary believers who want to go deeper into the Word and reach higher to put God in the exalted place where He belongs will find many answers here.They say write what you know. Mary C. Findley has poured her real life into her writing -- From the cover designs inspired by her lifelong art studies to the love of pets and country life that worm their way into her historicals. The never-say-die heroes in her twenty-some fiction works are inspired by her husband, a crazy smart man with whom she co-writes science and history-based nonfiction. These works were jump-started by a deep awareness of the dangers in our future if we don't understand ideological enemies rooted in the past. She's a strong believer in helping others and also has books about publishing advice and the need to have strong standards in reading and writing.She has traveled internationally and around the lower 48 and Canada multiple times. Anecdotes from her small town life, college experiences, European, Canadian, and south-of-the border travels, as well as adventures as shotgun rider in a tractor trailer fill her contemporary works. She has also donned the cloak of alt-Victorian adventuress as Sophronia Belle Lyon, steampunk writer with her own League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (and ladies) from the great 1800s novelists. In all her works you will find faith, family, friendship and fulfilling stories. Do come have a look!

Book preview

Chapter Thirty-five – Built upon a Rock

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The rest of the conference had passed without anybody trying to tase him or harass him at all. Keith was startled to be complimented numerous times on both his questions and comments by session leaders. He kept looking at the collection of business cards scanned into his phone. He wasn’t sure he hadn’t dreamed what these people who had never met him before said to him. They offered him recommendations for grad assistant positions or even internships. Some had real jobs, and flexible scheduling to finish his degree along the way.

He also had to pinch himself hard when he looked over the certificates for course credits that appeared in his inbox as he waited for the flight out to Turkey. These meant a Master’s Degree by December if he could just get into the last few online classes he had queried about as soon as he had his proof of attendance coded in. For the first time in five long years, life seemed to be heading in the right direction.

Can I do any of this stuff, though? Can I just go for a PhD, or take a job, or move into college teaching? As he opened his briefcase to put away the phone, he saw the glint of a loop of coated orichalcium and hurriedly shut it. Everything about the Golden Testaments, the survey trip, and Talia and her quest crashed back into the front of his memory.

Christians claim their lives belong to God. We say that all the time, but this thing with Talia, it’s changing my whole life. Does it mean giving up my plans, my goals? Could I end up living on the run with people trying to stab me, or steal what I worked years to find, or kill somebody I love? It’s already happened with Naddy and Sophie. It could have happened to Talia if that guy at the cafe hadn’t been one of the Guardians. And that crazy person in the elevator, trying to get this briefcase – What have I gotten myself into? Do I want to get myself out before I get any deeper?

Keith heard his flight called, jumped up, and headed for the gate. He couldn’t help remembering the argument over the survey trip.

I told them back then that my family has to come first. I told them I didn’t even see how I could be a part of their mission, the way things are with Joana and Grandma. They can throw all the money at my family they want. It doesn’t change the fact that I have to be there for Dad, and Joana, and Grandma. Me, not somebody else’s money.

The opportunities that had been extended to him at the conference would allow him to stay close and continue to be a help at home. He might even be able to continue living there. He’d have to get his own car, but the budget he’d scribbled on a napkin during the morning break, based on just two different offers he had gotten, was very conservative and realistic. It would make a world of difference in how his family could live.

Reality. That was what he had to focus on. Unlike the fantasy of globe-trotting with the Ramins. It was just not going to continue beyond this field trip and the rest of the school year with the Bible as Literature class. After that I have to get busy and make things better for my family, and maybe just help a little with the Testaments on the side, when I have time.

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Talia had gotten permission for the kids’ plan to hide behind every planter and post in the lobby of the hotel in Turkey. They jumped out screaming Hey, Mr. Bradley! Every hotel employee scowled in perfect unison like they despised all Americans. Keith groaned but accepted the hugs and kisses, especially from Talia.

Am I glad to see all of you. Man, oh man, temptation reared its ugly head, but all I could think about was my cute little co-teacher, Keith whispered to her as they went into the dining room for the evening meal.

What? Talia blushed. Keith told her briefly about Jenny Kaine and Talia chewed her lip. Uncle Naddy has a private conference room reserved for us for later so we can talk. It sounds like you have a lot to tell us, and we have a lot to tell you, too.

Yeah, my head is exploding with stuff we need to do when we get hold of the Testaments, Keith replied.

The kids monopolized his attention during dinner, all trying to tell him at the same time about the things they had already seen, especially at Gobekli Tepe, the site they had visited today before he arrived. They didn’t seem to care that he could barely pick out one word out of ten.

So how much sugar have they had today, exactly? Keith chuckled.

Talia snickered. "I think they have made a pact not to sleep the entire trip. The screeners at the airport confiscated all the energy drinks and drops and whatever the kids thought they were going to hide, of course, so they were going through withdrawal. They were delirious to discover Turkish coffee can give them as much of a charge as they wish, if they just consume enough. ‘Ms. Ramin! It’s coffee with coffee in it!’"

Talia watched Keith. He seemed happy to be surrounded by crazy students. He had hinted in his texts from the airport taxi to the hotel that he finally felt he had some idea of how to crack the mystery of the map, and maybe even the location of the Testaments themselves. At least, she cautioned herself, He said we’ve got some baby steps we can take that might go in the right direction.

Talia couldn’t stop sneaking looks at Keith. She was glad he was wearing the Have Faith T-shirt, as were all the rest of the group, in celebration of his arrival. She had wondered if he thought they were stupid. Maybe he did think they were, and humored her by wearing it now.

Ms. Ramin, you can eat Mr. Bradley for dessert if you want! teased Jayna. The kids burst out laughing and Talia and Keith both turned red.

It’s okay, Tom insisted. I’ll be glad to eat your cake for you. He snatched Talia’s small plate away as soon as the waiter set it down. Talia snatched it back.

I’ll eat it myself, thank you! As she bent over her pastry, she glanced around the table, but no one else seemed ready to rib her about too much staring at Keith. Oh, just stop it! She pinched herself hard and made her eyes water. Uncle Naddy had hinted to her that Keith’s family might be in danger and she had to take that possibility seriously. She knew Keith would be doing so, and wouldn’t want distractions while he tried to make their mission a success.

Time to pray, girl. Talia continued nibbling at the very rich dessert. She prayed for protection, clarity, strength, and for these innocent students. Talia and her aunt and uncle knew about the threats against believers in the states. They were holding their breaths but had heard not a whisper of trouble here. Tears gathered in her eyes.

Hey, are you okay, Ms. Ramin? Keith asked, touching her shoulder.

Sure. Just praying, she mumbled around her fork.

I’m so glad to be back with all of you. My family loves God, but I tell you what, the passion ripples off of you and your aunt and uncle. It’s like a revival meeting. I love this feeling. God waves. Energy from heaven. Something like that. You know what I mean?

I didn’t used to, but I do now that Uncle Naddy got himself right, Talia nodded. They used to fight about everything, but now they’re like those couples you hear about that finish each other’s sentences, that cuddle up together, and it’s so wonderful. Energy. Yes, heavenly energy. I love that thought, Keith. And you’re part of the energy. We have so much to praise God for. I can’t believe how good He is to us. But we need to pray for your family, for the times that are coming, for the Guardians of the Testaments and the persecutions they are already enduring. We need to pray that we can help and encourage them, and that we’ll know what to do to slake the thirst when the time comes.

"So many people have sacrificed so much to protect these Testaments. I feel unworthy to even be involved in this. But I’m so glad I am. And I’m so glad I’m involved with you, too. What a privilege. I thought I was going to be a geek science teacher in a small town all my life.

I never imagined God had a plan like this for me. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us next. And I can’t wait to see those Testaments. What must they be like? We still don’t even know what language they’re in. I want to be calm and trust God, but the thoughts won’t stop going crazy in my head.

Finally the chaperones assured Keith and Talia that they would do their best to keep the students