Free The Belial Library (The Belial Series) by R.D. Brady Page A

they’re trying to buy holds the cave.  That’s what I wanted tell you last night.  The court ruled that if we demonstrate the sacredness of the land, we can keep it.  But to do that, we would have to reveal the cave.  And it has been our tribe’s job since its creation to protect it."
    Laney nodded, knowing how seriously the Shuar took duty.  It must not be an easy thing to have to choose between revealing the cave or potentially seeing its destruction. 
    "I had wanted to ask the two of you to document the cave for the court.  You are the only ones I would trust with it.  But we knew as soon as I asked you, the world 's knowledge of the cave would quickly follow.  And some members of the tribe were hoping for another way out."
    Laney thought of Henry and the resources of the Chandler Group.  He would be able to help the Shuar protect it once the world became aware of its existence. 
    She glanced through the back of the truck.  The other truck followed about twenty yards back.  Of course, right now none of that mattered.  They probably weren't going to live long enough to worry about the cave being uncovered. 
    "Can you tell us about the cave?" Jen asked.
    Nana nodded, closing her eyes.  "According to our history, we were entrusted with its contents by the Teachers.  They weren’t our people.  They came from another land.”
    “When did they come?”  Jen asked.
    “Right before the great flood,” Nana said.
    Laney looked at Nana in shock.  No.  That couldn’t be right.  “There was a flood in Ecuador?”
    Nana smiled  “Not just here.  Everywhere.  The world flood.”
    A look of shock crossed Jen's face and Laney was pretty sure her face held an identical one.  All cultures across the globe speak of the great flood.  And they each speak of a different way in which the knowledge of the people before the flood was saved. 
    In Hindu mythology, the Satapatha Brahmana tells the story of Manu, the savior of mankind, and the boat he used to save knowledge, seeds, and animals.  The story of Manu is almost identical to the story of Noah, which is almost identical to the story of Gilgamesh.   In fact, there are over six hundred flood myths across the globe.
    Despite the similarity of the tales, scientists had argued for years that there had never been a cataclysmic world flood.  The closest thing would have been the melting after the last ice age, which would have been a much more gradual process. 
    Yet recent research had indicated that cataclysmic flooding could indeed have occurred during the melting from the last ice age due to the creation of ice dams. 
    “That was at least twelve thousand years ago,” Jen said quietly, her voice conveying her awe.
    Nana nodded, her thoughts seeming to be a million miles away.  “I’m not sure of the exact time the Teachers came to us, but I do know we’re responsible for keeping their knowledge safe.  I have known, though, that the time would come soon when the cave would have to be introduced to the world.  The world is encroaching closer and closer.” 
    She looked back at Jen and Laney.  “I’d decided you two would be the first outsiders shown the cave.  I had hoped you could help us preserve what’s inside.”
    Jen nodded.  “We would have, Nana.”
    “I know.  But it’s too late for that now.  I should have demanded the tribe allow me to tell you.  But we have always been an equal society, even if . . .”  She sighed.  “We needed to all agree on the next course of action.  Maybe, though, if I’d told you sooner, this could have been avoided.”
    Laney shook her head.  “I doubt that, Nana.  These men are serious.  I think if you told us sooner, this would have only happened sooner.”
    Jen nodded.  “Laney’s right, Nana.  The only blame here belongs to the assholes responsible for this.  But now we need to deal with what’s happening.  Who are the Guardians you spoke of?”
    “Farther back than any of us can