The Da Vinci Code Chapter 105

CHAPTER 105Night had fallen oer Rosslyn.Robert Langdon stood alone on the porch of the fieldstone house enjoying the sounds of laughter and reunion drifting done the screened door behind him. The mug of potent Brazilian coffee in his hand had granted him a hazy reprieve from his mounting exhaustion, and stock-still he wizd the reprieve would be fleeting. The fatigue in his be went to the core.You slipped out quietly, a voice behind him said.He turned. Sophies grandmother emerged, her atomic number 47 hair shimmering in the night. Her name, for the last twenty-eight years at least, was Marie Chauvel.Langdon gave a tired smile. I thought Id give your family some time to commenceher. finished the window, he could retard Sophie talking with her brother.Marie came over and stood beside him. Mr. Langdon, when I first hear of Jacquess murder, I was terrified for Sophies safety. Seeing her standing in my doorway this regular(a)ing was the greatest relief of my life. I rotter non th ank you enough.Langdon had no idea how to respond. Although he had offered to give Sophie and her grandmother time to talk in private, Marie had asked him to roost and listen. My married man on the face of it trusted you, Mr.Langdon, so I do as well.And so Langdon had remained, standing beside Sophie and listening in mute astonishwork forcet while Marie told the tosh of Sophies late parents. Incredibly, both had been from Merovingian families direct descendants of Mary Magdalene and deliverer Christ. Sophies parents and ancestors, for protection, had changed their family names of Plantard and Saint-Clair. Their children re premiseed the most direct surviving royal telephone circuit and thitherfore were motorcarefully guarded by the Priory. When Sophies parents were killed in a car accident whose cause could not be determined, the Priory feared the identity of the royal descent had been discovered.Your grandfather and I, Marie had explained in a voice choked with pain, had to make a grave decision the instant we received the phone call. Your parents car had solely been found in the river. She dabbed at the tears in her look. All half-dozen of us including you two grandchildren were supposed to be traveling together in that car that very night. Fortunately we changed our plans at the last moment, and your parents were alone. Hearing of the accident, Jacques and I had no way to shaft what had historically happened or if this was truly an accident. Marie expressioned at Sophie. We knew we had to protect our grandchildren, and we did what we thought was best. Jacques reported to the police that your brother and I had been in the car our two bodies apparently washed off in the current. wherefore your brother and I went underground with the Priory. Jacques, being a man of prominence, did not hold in the luxury of dis issueing. It only made sense that Sophie, being the eldest, would stay in Paris to be taught and raised by Jacques, close to the life and protection of the Priory. Her voice fell to a whisper. Separating the family was the hardest thing we ever had to do. Jacques and I saw each other only very infrequently, and always in the most secret of settings under the protection of the Priory. at that place are accepted ceremonies to which the brotherhood always stays faithful.Langdon had perceived the story went far deeper, entirely he also sensed it was not for him to hear. So he had stepped outside. Now, gazing up at the spires of Rosslyn, Langdon could not escape the hollow gnaw of Rosslyns unsolved mystery. Is the grail really here at Rosslyn? And if so, where are theblade and chalice that Sauniere distinguished in his poesy? Ill take that, Marie said, motioning to Langdons hand. Oh, thank you. Langdon held out his empty coffee cup. She stared at him. I was referring to your other hand, Mr. Langdon.Langdon looked down and created he was holding Saunieres paper rush. He had taken it from the cryptex once again i n hopes of assisting something he had missed earlier. Of course, Im sorry.Marie looked amuse as she took the paper. I hold out of a man at a bank in Paris who is probably very eager to forecast the return of this rosewood box. Andre Vernet was a dear friend of Jacques, and Jacques trusted him explicitly. Andre would develop done anything to honor Jacquess requests for the care of this box.Including shooting me, Langdon recalled, deciding not to mention that he had probably broken the poor mans nose. Thinking of Paris, Langdon flashed on the leash senechaux who had been killed the night before. And the Priory? What happens now?The wheels are already in motion, Mr. Langdon. The brotherhood has endured for centuries, and it go forth endure this. in that location are always those waiting to move up and rebuild.All evening Langdon had suspected that Sophies grandmother was closely tied to the operations of the Priory. After all, the Priory had always had women members. Four Grand Masters had been women. The senechaux were traditionally men the guardians and yet women held far more honored status within the Priory and could bristle to the highest post from virtually any rank.Langdon thought of Leigh Teabing and Westminster Abbey. It seemed a lifetime ago. Was the perform pressuring your husband not to release the Sangreal documents at the End of Days? heavens no. The End of Days is a legend of paranoid minds. There is nothing in the Priory doctrine that identifies a date at which the grail should be unveiled. In fact the Priory has always maintained that the grail should neer be unveiled.Never? Langdon was stunned.It is the mystery and wonderment that serve our souls, not the grail itself. The beauty of the Grail lies in her ethereal nature. Marie Chauvel gazed up at Rosslyn now. For some, the Grail is a chalice that go away bring them everlasting life. For others, it is the quest for mazed documents and secret history. And for most, I suspect the sa intly Grail is simply a grand idea a glorious unattainable treasure that somehow, even in todays world of chaos, inspires us.But if the Sangreal documents remain hidden, the story of Mary Magdalene will be lost forever, Langdon said.Will it? Look around you. Her story is being told in art, music, and books. More so every day. The pendulum is swinging. We are starting to sense the dangers of our history and of our destructive paths. We are beginning to sense the need to reanimate the devoted feminine. She paused. You mentioned you are writing a manuscript about the emblems of the sacred feminine, are you not?I am. She smiled. Finish it, Mr. Langdon. Sing her song. The world require modern troubadours. Langdon fell silent, feeling the weight of her message upon him. Across the dedicate spaces, a new moon was rising above the tree line. play his eyeball toward Rosslyn, Langdon felt a boyish craving to know her secrets. Dont ask, he told himself. This is not the moment.He glanced at the papyrus in Maries hand, and therefore back at Rosslyn.Ask the question, Mr. Langdon, Marie said, looking amused. You pee earned the right. Langdon felt himself flush. You want to know if the Grail is here at Rosslyn. Can you tell me? She sighed in sneer exasperation. Why is it that men simply footnot let the Grail rest? She laughed, obviously enjoying herself. Why do you think its here?Langdon motioned to the papyrus in her hand. Your husbands poetry speaks specifically of Rosslyn, except it also mentions a blade and chalice ceremonial occasion over the Grail. I didnt see any symbols of the blade and chalice up there.The blade and chalice? Marie asked. What exactly do they look like?Langdon sensed she was toying with him, but he played along, quickly describing the symbols.A look of vague recollection crossed her face. Ah, yes, of course. The blade represents all that is masculine. I count it is drawn like this, no? Using her index finger, she traced a puzzle out on h erpalm.Yes, Langdon said. Marie had drawn the less common closed form of the blade, although Langdon had seen the symbol portrayed both ways.And the in indite, she said, drawing again on her palm, is the chalice, which represents the feminine.Correct, Langdon said.And you are aspect that in all the hundreds of symbols we have here in Rosslyn Chapel, these two shapes appear nowhere? I didnt see them. And if I show them to you, will you get some sleep?Before Langdon could answer, Marie Chauvel had stepped off the porch and was heading toward the chapel. Langdon hurried subsequently her. Entering the quaint building, Marie turned on the lights and pointed to the center of the sanctuary floor. There you are, Mr. Langdon. The blade and chalice.Langdon stared at the scuffed stone floor. It was blank. Theres nothing here .Marie sighed and began to walk along the famous path worn into the chapel floor, the same path Langdon had seen the visitors walk earlier this evening. As his eyes ad justed to see the giant symbol, he still felt lost. But thats the Star of Dav Langdon stopped short, mute with bewilderment as it break of the dayed on him.The blade and chalice.Fused as one.The Star of David the correct union of staminate and female Solomons Seal marking the consecrated of Holies, where the male and female deities Yahweh and Shekinah were thought to dwell.Langdon needed a minute to find his words. The verse does point here to Rosslyn. Completely. Perfectly.Marie smiled. Apparently.The implications chilled him. So the Holy Grail is in the bound beneath us?She laughed. Only in spirit. One of the Priorys most ancient charges was one day to return the Grail to her homeland of France where she could rest for eternity. For centuries, she was dragged across the countryside to livelihood her safe. Most undignified. Jacquess charge when he became Grand Master was to affect her honor by returning her to France and building her a resting place checker for a quee n.And he succeeded?Now her face grew serious. Mr. Langdon, considering what youve done for me tonight, and as curator of the Rosslyn Trust, I can tell you for certain that the Grail is no endless here.Langdon decided to press. But the keystone is supposed to point to the place where the Holy Grail is hidden now.Why does it point to Rosslyn?Maybe youre misreading its meaning. Remember, the Grail can be deceptive. As could my late husband.But how much clearer could he be? he asked. We are standing over an underground vault tag by the blade and chalice, underneath a ceiling of stars, surrounded by the art of Master Masons. Everything speaks of Rosslyn.Very well, let me see this mysterious verse. She unrolled the papyrus and read the poem aloud in a deliberate tone.The Holy Grail neath ancient Roslin waits.The blade and chalice guarding oer Her gates.Adorned in masters loving art, She lies.She rests at last beneath the starry skies.When she finished, she was still for some(prenomina l) seconds, until a knowing smile crossed her lips. Aah, Jacques.Langdon watched her expectantly. You understand this?As you have witnessed on the chapel floor, Mr. Langdon, there are many ways to see simple things.Langdon strained to understand. Everything about Jacques Sauniere seemed to have double meanings, and yet Langdon could see no further.Marie gave a tired yawn. Mr. Langdon, I will make a confession to you. I have never officially been privy to the present location of the Grail. But, of course, I was married to a person of enormous specify and my womens intuition is strong. Langdon started to speak but Marie continued. I am sorry that by and by all your hard work, you will be leaving Rosslyn without any real answers. And yet, something tells me you will eventually find what you seek. One day it will dawn on you. She smiled. And when it does, I trust that you, of all people, can keep a secret.There was a sound of someone arriving in the doorway. Both of you disappeared, S ophie said, entering.I was just leaving, her grandmother replied, walking over to Sophie at the door. Good night, princess. She kissed Sophies forehead. Dont keep Mr. Langdon out too late.Langdon and Sophie watched her grandmother walk back toward the fieldstone house. When Sophie turned to him, her eyes were awash in deep emotion. Not exactly the ending I expected.That makes two of us, he thought. Langdon could see she was overwhelmed. The news she had received tonight had changed everything in her life. Are you okay? Its a lot to take in.She smiled quietly. I have a family. Thats where Im going to start. Who we are and where we came from will take some time.Langdon remained silent.beyond tonight, will you stay with us? Sophie asked. At least for a a few(prenominal) days?Langdon sighed, wanting nothing more. You need some time here with your family, Sophie. Im going back to Paris in the morning.She looked disappointed but seemed to know it was the right thing to do. Neither of the m spoke for a long time. last Sophie reached over and, taking his hand, led him out of the chapel. They walked to a small uprising on the bluff. From here, the Scottish countryside spread out before them, suffused in a pale moonlight that sifted through the departing clouds. They stood in silence, holding hands, both of them competitiveness the descending shroud of exhaustion.The stars were just now appearing, but to the east, a exclusive point of light glowed brighter than any other. Langdon smiled when he saw it. It was Venus. The ancient Goddess give out down with her steady and patient light.The night was growing cooler, a cow chip breeze rolling up from the lowlands. After a while, Langdon looked over at Sophie. Her eyes were closed, her lips relaxed in a contented smile. Langdon could feel his own eyes growing heavy. Reluctantly, he squeezed her hand. Sophie?Slowly, she opened her eyes and turned to him. Her face was sightly in the moonlight. She gave him a sleepy smile . Hi.Langdon felt an unexpected sadness to realize he would be returning to Paris without her. I maybe gone before you wake up. He paused, a knot growing in his throat. Im sorry, Im not very good at Sophie reached out and placed her brushed hand on the side of his face. Then, leaning forward, she kissed him tenderly on the cheek. When can I see you again?Langdon reeled momentarily, lost in her eyes. When? He paused, unusual if she had any idea how much he had been wondering the same thing. Well, actually, undermentioned month Im lecturing at a conference in Florence. Ill be there a hebdomad without much to do. Is that an invitation?Wed be living in luxury. Theyre giving me a room at the Brunelleschi. Sophie smiled playfully. You presume a lot, Mr. Langdon. He cringed at how it had sounded. What I meant I would love nothing more than to pit you in Florence, Robert. But on one condition. Her tone turned serious. No museums, no churches, no tombs, no art, no relics.In Florence? For a week? Theres nothing else to do.Sophie leaned forward and kissed him again, now on the lips. Their bodies came together, softly at first, and then completely. When she pulled away, her eyes were full of promise.Right, Langdon managed. Its a date.