Chapter Four Part 4

Fourth part

Despite of raining of cats and dogs in the afternoon, later that day at nearly dusk, the clouds had vanished from the sky and weakened rays of Sun surged the meadow in the campus like a golden spotlight.
To Alyssa, the weather was lot more attractive for she was sitting on a clammy wooden pew near the woods. Jeff was giving her company, leaving aside a pile of books that Alyssa had borrowed from the library. Most of the Archaeology first years, including them were relaxed as Skyrie’s test was over and they hadn’t got any more exams before the next week.
Alyssa engrossed herself in a tome that lay open on her lap. The tarnish-coloured cover read: A Detailed Study on Amazonian Tombs. Half her mind was on the pages, while the other half listened to Jeff’s babbling.
“Are you interested about the Korplus?” Alyssa snapped bitterly when she finally lost patience.
“Of course, why not?”
“Wanna know what it is?”
“Yeah.”
“Then do me a favour and…”
“Sure.”
Alyssa had thought of saying “… and shut up!” but the way Jeff said “Sure” made her feel sorry. “Have a look at this.” She tried to divert from the ‘favour’. Stalling the tome on the pew, she carefully pulled out another book from the pile which was little more than a child compared to the previous one.
“What’s this?” Jeff asked childishly as Alyssa handed the book to her. Glaring at its front cover, she read aloud the title, “The Korplus: Legends about the Mythical Artifact.”
“Wow! Does the book tell about its powers? That trapping of moonlight or something…”
“That’s what I am trying to find out.” Alyssa shrugged. “Borrowed this whole lot from the library before I came down to the grounds.” She pointed towards the towering pile of books stacked on the pew.
Jeff stared as if transfixed.
“Only this one’s not from …”
“…the LIBRARY!” Jeff finished the sentence for her and casted a glance at the tome she pointed at.
“It belongs to you then.” Jeff spoke.
“To my father, actually.” Alyssa said with a gasp.
“Your father reads these stuffs?” Jeff’s brow furrowed. “Is he an…”
“My father was an archaeologist…” Alyssa began to speak, but then Jeff caught her word and bawled, “Henrieto Stewart!” Alyssa nodded slowly.
An uncomfortable silence prevailed for a minute or two. Gradually it became hard for Alyssa to bear and at last she spoke when it became unbearable. “Shall I tell you what I found out in the book?” Jeff nodded strangely and it looked more like a jerk.
“Then listen.” She started, “The man who discovered the Korplus from Egypt never lived to tell the tales of his adventure. His name was Dr. Nails. His assistant, whose name the author didn’t mention, returned from the expedition unscathed. He brought back the Korplus with him. He told that the artifact was found buried under a tomb of Pharaoh Khwaha.”
“Sounds interesting.” Jeff said cheerfully at last.
“The author mentioned that Dr. Nails first knew about such an artifact from an ancient rune discovered from a tomb in the Amazon rainforest. And that’s why we need this book on Amazonian tombs. And see the name of the author, Dr. Jeremy Swiss Nails.”
“Brilliant idea.” Jeff spoke with an extra- broad grin.
“I have read till this far. Hundreds of pages are still left,” said Alyssa.
“What’s up, Jeff? Hi, Alyssa.”
Alyssa turned about and saw Maria White gaping at them and her pile of books.
“What brings you here?” Jeff asked sharply.
“I was looking for some fresh air.” Maria falsely inhaled a deep breath. “Anyway, what are you two up to, with all these books?”
“We are�"” Jeff started to speak but abruptly stopped as Alyssa hit her at the stomach with her elbow.
“�"some extra study. Just as Elena does. There’s something to learn from each one of us, you know.” Alyssa tried her level best to conceal their zeal to know about the Korplus.
“But why so many books together?” Maria shoved the pile towards Jeff and seated herself on what small place she could secure.
Jeff regained her conscience with a start. She slipped the “The Korplus: The Legends about the Mythical Artifact” under her jacket and squared her arms over the swelling.
“Elena’s been to the library too. She’s spent the entire afternoon there, and I bet she’s still there. She’s looking for some books about the Korplus.” Maria said, lowering her voice, and Alyssa felt a simultaneous pacing up of her heart. “She’s furious with the librarian. Daisy told me that the librarian had said that someone had taken away all books she could find there.” Maria stopped for a breath.
“It’s not me, if you mean that. None of these books have got anything to do with the Korplus.” Alyssa lied blatantly, trying voluntarily to slow down her heart’s beating.
“I didn’t say that.” Maria said in a cold voice. Jeff squared her arms all over the front of her jacket as Maria spoke.
“I shall better be off. See you in the common room.” Maria stood up and strolled towards the castle door. When she had gone away far enough, Jeff exclaimed, in both joy and relief, “High five!” Alyssa giggled and slapped her palm against Jeff’s.