Relic Hunter: Spear of Destiny

Chapter Eight The Search For the Code

    The next morning Gemma and Finn packed what little bags they had and found a small
 cheap out- of- the- way hotel that did not have the same class of clientele as their previous one
 before heading for the Bibliothèque  Nationale de France or the National Library of France.
 The library’s twenty four story twins towers shaped like open books stood towering in the Paris
 skyline.
 
    Gemma took a seat while Finn searched for the books they needed.  Gemma had been in many different parts of the world and seen many wonders but she was in awe of the magnificent
beauty of the library.  The reading room alone boast over 1500 seats.

    Gemma looked at Finn as he sat a stack of books on their table.  “That’s all they have on codes and ciphers, according to the librarian.”

    “I’ve been thinking, these markings can mean anything.  How do we even know what century they came from much less what they mean.”

    “That’s why we are here.  To find out what these marking are.” Finn sat down across  from her and grabbed a book

    “So when we find out what kind of code this is we will be able to decipher these markings.”

    “So let’s get started,” Finn said.

    Gemma blew her bangs out of her eyes and reached for a book.    She knew research played a big part in her dealings but she loved the action more than the research.  Now her dad would have loved this. Gemma smiled.  He would have already known what these markings were.  She really missed him. Shaking her head to clear the memories she open the book.
 
    For the next two and a half hours Gemma and Finn searched the books for the code.  Gemma put her third books aside with no result and sighed.  She glanced at Finn who was bent over a book.

    She couldn’t help but notice him.  The way the sunlight came through the many glass windows highlighting his chiseled features.  If only his eyes weren’t so green or his hair wasn’t dark then she wouldn’t be looking at him so often.  But they were so she did.  The odd thing was every time she looked at him, he was staring back at her.

    Finn closed the book and stretched.  “I don’t know about you but I need a break.” He stood up.  “You want to take a walk?”

    Gemma reached for the last book in the pile. “Uh, no you go ahead. I want to finish here.”

    “Suit yourself,” he grinned showing off his perfect white teeth.

    Gemma watched him walk away.  That’s quit possibly the dumbest thing you’ve ever done, or rather didn’t do, Gemma, she scolded herself.   She turned back to the book.  So much for a normal life.

    She flipped the next page and sat up straight.  The same strange markings she found on the beam were right in front of her.  She read the text.  The pig pen cipher or masonic cipher, was used by the Freemasons.  The same grids, x’s and dots and angles.  The first grid resembles a tick tac toe grid followed by a large x then another tick tac toe grid then the last large x.   Each space had a letter of the alphabet in it.

    Gemma grabbed the book and took it to the copy machine and pressed the button just as Finn came rushing back in.

    Finn grabbed the book and Gemma’s arm.  “Let’s go.

    “I found the cipher, Finn.  I just got to copy this first.”

    “We don’t have any time. We have to leave now,” he said. Grabbing her arm again and pulling her away from the copy machine.  She made a grab for the paper she had just printed, barley grabbing it before being dragged away.