El Dorado - Fabled Lost Treasure: The Lost City Book 2 - The Secret City: The Lost City

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my son SAM, who sadly passed away aged 16 on 25th February 2009. We miss him so much. He is forever in our hearts and thoughts. Rest in peace Sam.

Note from Author

First of all, I would like you, the reader, to know that every single sale of one of my books gives me a thrill. That you have taken a chance on a relatively unknown author, (you brave adventurous soul,) and are willing to invest your time and money in something I have created, is an act I am most humbly grateful for.

What you are about to read is a story inspired in parts by the exploits of Colonel Percy Fawcett, a real-life Victorian adventurer who entered the uncharted regions of the Amazon jungle to search for a lost city and was never seen again. Fawcett’s son Jack and close friend Raleigh Rimmell were his only companions and no doubt suffered the same fate as the Colonel. Though many search parties ventured into the jungle to look for the missing men, resulting in the loss of over 100 lives, no evidence was discovered to tell what had happened; it was as if the three explorers had disappeared.

Via a modern-day expedition, The Lost City book 1 & 2, continues and completes Fawcett’s story to theorize the dangers he might have faced on his journey, not only from indigenous life forms, but also the jungle itself, what may have happened to Fawcett and what he may have discovered deep within the uncharted depths of the mysterious Amazon Jungle. Also included are flashbacks to Fawcett’s 1925 expedition.

Lastly, as with all new authors starting out on this adventure into the literary world, we do appreciate your feedback and any reviews you may feel inspired to write. Please feel free to contact me with any comments you might have about the book via this email address: benhammott@gmail.com

You may also like to check out my author website where you will find details of my other books: benhammottbooks.com or my extensive website about Colonel Fawcett, which includes among other things, newspaper reports covering Fawcett’s disappearance: Fawcett Website

That’s it, all finished, except to say, THANK YOU and I hope your time spent reading this book will prove to be a pleasurable experience.

Enjoy,

Ben Hammott

CHAPTER 1

Lost City, 10 years ago. Not yet Warriors - First Test

The loud boom of the large wooden door slamming shut behind them reverberated along the tunnel carved through solid rock. Ahead lay three tests they had to survive before they became Amazon Warriors. The five females, coming up to their eighteenth year and all similarly dressed in animal skins that did little to cover their bodies, gazed along the torch-lit tunnel. Each wondered what lay at its end. All who had survived the tests were forbidden to talk about them, though all five had heard the rumors of the dangers each presented. Today they would find out if those rumors were based on truth. Only a few times had all those who entered survived, on average, three of them would die. They looked at each other, nodded, and then as one walked forward to face the first test.

The tunnel led to a rough rock platform with three steps leading down to a smooth stone ledge. Each gazed around the huge space lit by rays of sunlight streaming through two holes in the pyramid-roof-topped cavern and globes of light positioned around the walls. The small group of friends studied the stone ledges and wooden platforms surrounding a tall circular column of stone. There were hanging ropes and pillars of square stone, some rising an incredible height from the pool they glimpsed far below. There was even a small forest of thick undergrowth and trees. However, what intrigued the five the most was the gigantic rustic waterwheel situated to the far right of the chamber.

Well, this does not look too bad, commented Ainia, crouching down to re-tie a loose shoe strap. We obviously have to use the ropes, ledges, and platforms to make our way to the bottom where we shall find the exit.

Myrina, first to descend the three steps, walked to the edge of the square platform and gazed down at something moving in the pool of water below. Crocodiles!

Easy—make sure we don’t fall into the water, said Luanne, joining her on the platform.

It seems too easy, commented Myrina, sensing something was wrong.

I agree. Why the big waterwheel? questioned Andrea, as she stepped onto the platform. It’s not even turning.

You lot worry too much, commented Enyo, pausing on the bottom step to fix her spear on the strap across her back to leave her hands free. If you want to worry about something, it should be how we are going to cross over to the nearest ledge. It’s too far to jump.

Myrina and Andrea judged the distance and saw Enyo was right; the nearest ledge was too far away to reach.

Enyo stepped onto the platform.

Did you feel that? asked Andrea, looking down at the platform they stood on.

It moved when Enyo trod on it, Myrina answered. She glanced behind. Hurry up, Ainia, something’s about to happen.

No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the platform began to tilt forward and move away from the wall.

Ainia tightened the final knot and stood. Finished, she said with a smile that changed to surprise at seeing her four friends carried away by the moving platform.

Jump, Ainia, called out Myrina.

Ainia ran forward and leaped from the bottom step. She landed on the edge of the platform and teetered backward. Quickly, Andrea and Luanne grabbed her arms and pulled her safely onto the platform. She nodded her thanks.

Get ready to jump, warned Myrina as the platform approached the nearest ledge.

Caught by surprise as the moving platform abruptly stopped short of their goal—the wooden ledge fixed to the central column, they were all nearly thrown over the edge. Half leaping and half stumbling, they jumped. The wooden ledge creaked and swayed with the force of them all landing on it.

A rushing sound suddenly filled the cavern.

All looked towards its source. Water poured from a rocky outcrop above the waterwheel to splash onto the large wooden slats angled around its circumference. The wooden wheel creaked in protest as the power of the water forced it into motion. Slowly at first, then increasing in speed, the wheel, and with it, the spindle at its center began to turn. The platform they stood on shuddered which caused them to sway and begin circling the central column.

Lengths of ropes made from strands of strong grass woven together, taut beside the wheel, led off in different directions. All were sliced through by the sharp blade fixed to the turning spindle. A series of twangs filled the air as the ropes were cut, immediately followed by multiple sounds coming from different areas of the cavern. Hearing the growling roar of a large cat, they looked over the edge of the revolving platform to see a leopard–almost three yards long from head to the tip of its tail–exit from a newly uncovered hole in the wall. Hearing a second leopard answer its call, they watched as another appeared from under a rising wooden door. Then from below on opposite sides, two pumas appeared and rushed into the dense foliage surrounding the crocodile-infested pool.

Luanne looked at Ainia. Not looking so good now, is it?

Ainia shook her head in agreement.

We have to keep moving. As some of the platforms are too small for us all to stand on, we have to split up. Myrina looked ahead and saw they were about to pass above one of the smaller platforms. Ainia, Luanne and Enyo, you drop onto this one as we pass, Andrea and I will take the next. Look ahead before you move again. You need to pick out a safe path to the bottom while avoiding the cats. Leopards are excellent climbers, so keep a lookout for them.

Ainia, Luanne and Enyo dropped onto the lower platform.

Andrea placed a hand on Myrina’s shoulder and pointed ahead at another lower platform that was fast approaching. That’s ours. From there we can jump onto that lower revolving ledge and then work out our next move.

Without waiting for a reply, she dropped onto the ledge when it passed beneath. Myrina was just about to follow when Andrea let out a scream of alarm as the platform she had just landed on, tipped, spilling her off.

Andrea! Myrina called out, wincing as she watched her friend land on a lower ledge and then bounce off to fall toward the crocodile-infested pool.

No one was more surprised than Andrea when the platform gave way. Slamming onto the lower ledge, she dropped her spear in her scramble to hold on, but winded by the rough landing she found herself once again falling. She glimpsed a rope beside her and quickly grabbed hold. Ignoring the friction burns as her hands slid down its length, she gripped tighter until her progress halted. She quickly wrapped her legs around the rope to relieve some of the strain on her throbbing hands. A glance down at the pool directly below her revealed the circling crocodiles. Relieved she had not become their next meal, she looked up and waved to Myrina to let her know she was alright.

A low deep growl attracted her attention. Turning her head she watched one of the leopards move to the edge of the lower ledge below her. Andrea searched for the spear she had dropped, spying it on an even lower ledge, too far away to be of any use. Two choices were open to her, let go of the rope and drop into the crocodile pool, a certain death, or stay and face the leopard, a small chance of survival. She slowly drew her knife from its scabbard hung around her waist, and locking eyes with the leopard as it crouched, ready to spring, she waited to do battle.

The relief Myrina felt at seeing her friend survive the fall changed to one of concern when she saw the knife appear in Andrea’s hand, then to horror when a leopard suddenly leaped upon her. Without thinking of her own safety, Myrina jumped to land on a platform two levels down. She glimpsed her three companions jumping from ledge to ledge as her platform moved her around the column away from Andrea. She quickly leaped across gaps between the platforms and then dropped down another level and moved until she was standing on a solid stone ledge where she had a good view of Andrea. She saw the leopard open its mouth in preparation of the kill.

Though the pain from the cat’s long sharp claws slicing her flesh as it tried to climb up her back to get at her neck was excruciating, Andrea stabbed at it awkwardly with the knife. Warm breath wafted over her neck as it howled in pain from the knife that struck and ripped a large gash in its side.

Sensing the blood dripping into their pool, the crocodiles swam about in a frenzy, churning the water as they searched for its source.

Shredding flesh as it climbed, the leopard rested its paws on Andrea’s shoulders and gripped on tightly with its claws. Baring its fangs, it opened its mouth ready to clamp around her neck. Already hungry from three days of starvation to make sure it attacked, the smell of blood had made it even more ravenous. As it moved its jaws nearer, it suddenly went limp, killed by the spear protruding from its shoulder. The tip had penetrated deep to pierce its heart. Relaxing its grip, it slid down Andrea’s back.

Andrea watched it splash into the pool below, where it was immediately set on by the hungry crocodiles. Her strength was waning fast from the vast amount of blood pouring from her ripped skin. Even though she gripped the rope as tightly as she could, she felt herself slipping and knew there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Hold on, Andrea, I’m coming.

Andrea looked up at Myrina and saw her drop onto a ledge by the top of the rope she hung from. The two friends gazed into each other’s eyes. Andrea smiled. Though they both knew she would not survive her wounds, only Andrea had accepted it. She gave Myrina a smile, a nod goodbye and let go of the rope before her friend could risk her life in a wasted attempt to save her own. Myrina screamed with tear filled her eyes and watched her friend splash into the pool. The crocodiles quickly closed in to feed. The churning waters frothed red as Andrea was torn apart. Ainia, Luanne and Enyo jumped onto the ledge beside Myrina. They had all witnessed what had just happened.

Poor Andrea, said Ainia, sadly, tears welling in her eyes.

Myrina tore her gaze away from the pool and looked at the three sad faces. Come, we must keep moving. Andrea is dead. Do not dwell on her passing. You must concentrate your thoughts on staying alive. She looked down at the pool, the surrounding foliage, the rocky terrain and at the series of hanging ropes. Later we shall mourn. Now, we must survive.

Myrina slid down the rope where Andrea had met her death, to pause two thirds down. She swung her legs to-and-fro to build up momentum until she swung far enough to grab the next rope in line. After switching ropes she let the rope go for the next person to follow. Swinging again she dropped down onto the lower ledge, and after picking up Andrea’s dropped spear, she waited for her three friends to catch up.

While she waited, she glanced around, trying to work out the positions of the remaining three cats. She saw the surviving leopard picking out a route across the platforms toward the ledge at the top of the ropes where two of her friends still waited. While Enyo slid down the first rope, Ainia landed safely beside her. Myrina whistled to attract Luanne’s attention, and when she looked, pointed her spear at the danger. Luanne followed the spear’s direction to see the approaching leopard. She glanced down to see Enyo swinging on the rope.

Mistiming the swing, Enyo failed to grab the next rope in line. She glanced up at the approaching leopard now on the ledge above her. It would be upon her before she could climb down the rope, and even if she could, it had not saved Andrea. With spear readied for the attack, she backed into the center of the platform. To win the battle she had to time her attack perfectly.

The leopard stared at its prey. Its hunger forced it to act recklessly. It pounced, aiming to land on the ledge just in front of its intended victim. Luanne made her move while the cat was still in the air. She lunged forward, thrust the spear into the cat’s belly and used its momentum to throw it over the edge.

Enyo grabbed the second rope and looked up to make sure Luanne was about to follow; instead, she saw a snarling leopard with fangs bared heading straight at her. Startled, she momentarily relaxed her hold of the rope. Feeling herself slide, she quickly reclaimed her senses and gripped the rope again, a few inches from the bottom. She watched the cat hurtle by. Although wounded and facing certain death, it lunged out at her with a claw, leaving behind a trail of four shallow scratches along her arm. She watched the leopard fall and splash into the pool. It too was immediately set upon by the alligators. They were feasting well today.

Are you alright, Enyo?

Enyo looked towards the voice to see Luanne slide down the first rope. No thanks to you, she replied, climbing the rope.

Sorry about that, apologized Luanne with a grin.

Hurry up, you two, Myrina called out from below. Enyo and Luanne were soon across the ropes and standing safely beside their friends. Myrina looked at the blood seeping from the scratches on Enyo’s arm. You sure you’re okay?

Enyo glared at Luanne. Yes, fine.

At least you will have a story to tell when we get out, said Luanne.

Aren’t I the lucky one, Enyo quipped. Pity it didn't bite me as well, the story would have been so much more exciting.

Luanne, Ainia, and Myrina laughed, briefly forgetting the stresses of the test and the recent death of their friend.

Come on, we have to keep moving, Myrina ordered. She looked at the forest below and the three raised platforms that stepped down to the ground. There are two pumas hiding down there somewhere, and we have to get past them to reach to the exit that is down here somewhere.

She glanced back at her friends to make sure they had their spears ready and then leaped down to the first lower ledge. After she had moved to the next one, Enyo, Ainia, and Luanne took turns in following.

Myrina led them into the trees.

Shush, whispered Myrina, holding up a hand to halt those behind. She listened—something was moving unseen through the undergrowth ahead. With no knowledge of what other creatures dwelled in the cavern, she was unsure if it was one of the pumas. Deciding on caution, she led her companions in a wide berth around the position she judged the noise had come from and they soon reached the far edge of the foliage. Myrina paused to search the rocky landscape ahead with her eyes. She saw too many hiding places for the pumas or any other creature they might face for her to be certain the way ahead was safe. When she turned to whisper to her friends, she saw it—two eyes staring out from the shadows.

When I say go, run to that large rock over there, she whispered. They followed her pointing finger. If the route’s clear head for the exit.

Ainia frowned. Aren’t you coming?

Ignoring the question, Myrina whispered, Go!

Even though it was just a whisper, they all heard the urgency in her voice. The leaped into action and ran past her. At the same time, Myrina ran in the opposite direction toward the hiding puma, veering away when she neared its position.

The puma had heard the creatures before it saw them, and had laid in wait for them to arrive. It had killed many of them before and had been about to attack when the creatures fled. It was about to give chase but became confused when one of them ran towards it. It remained where it was and prepared to spring when it was near. The creature surprised it again by suddenly changing direction. The puma leaped out from its hiding place to give chase.

Myrina knew her plan was a risky one, but if she could reach what she had spotted earlier before the cat caught up with her, it would be one less puma to worry about. She crashed through the undergrowth, hoping she was running in the right direction. There would be no second chance. She swerved around a tree, stumbled on a root and fell. Momentarily dazed from striking her head on a rock, she forced herself to her feet. The sound of the puma moving through the undergrowth informed her she had only seconds to react. The puma growled and leaped from the bushes, its deadly claws stretched out in front and extended for the kill. Resisting the urge to turn and flee, Myrina stood her ground and sprung into action. She leaped into the air, speared the hornets" nest and slammed it into the puma’s open jaws. The nest burst open. Myrina landed on the ground and ran.

The hornets, angry at the destruction of their nest, attacked the nearest creature, the puma, stinging and pumping their venom into its bloodstream. Ferocious as it was, it was defenseless against the multiple attacks. The puma ran off yelping. It arrived at the pool, jumped in and submerged itself to drown its many attackers. In its panic, it had forgotten about the creatures more deadly than the hornets dwelled in the pool. Only when through its puffed stung eyes it saw an alligator approach did it remember, but by then it was too late. Rising to the surface to come under fresh attack from the hornets that had been waiting, it scrambled up the bank. It felt a searing pain when an alligator clamped its jaws on one of its back legs. Unable to find a purchase on the muddy grass-covered bank, it was slowly dragged back into the water. The hornets continued to sting until the last part of it slipped below the surface.

Enyo, Luanne, and Ainia reached the relative safety of the large rock and moved around to its other side. Ahead, between two rocky cliff walls, they glimpsed the exit, another tunnel carved through the solid rock. They heard a distant growl and then the yelps of the puma in pain.

Ainia smiled. Sounds like Myrina’s hurt one of them.

Yes, but that still leaves another we have yet to contend with, Luanne reminded her.

Each scoured the route to the exit. They saw no sign of the second puma.

Perhaps it’s back there, suggested Ainia hopefully, nodding back at the trees.

Enyo stepped forward. Only one way to find out. You two wait here while I check if it’s safe.

Without waiting to hear their arguments against her decision, Enyo slipped out from behind the rock and cautiously entered the small canyon. Her ears and eyes alert for danger, she moved swiftly and soon reached the halfway mark. She could see the exit clearly now, and what looked like a pit in the ground before it. A rope hanging from a piece of timber protruding from the rock above the pit seemed to be the only way across. After scanning the area ahead, she saw no sign of the puma. Satisfied the way was clear and safe to cross, she turned to wave her friends forward. She glimpsed a shadow on the ground in front of her; it was growing bigger. She didn’t bother looking up to confirm what she already knew; instead, she spun around, her foot skidding on the ground as she spurted towards the exit. The puma, having leaped from the high rock where it had lain in wait, landed in her hastily vacated footprints a split second later and gave chase.

Fuelled by the adrenalin coursing through her veins, Enyo was amazed at the speed she had achieved. She had always been a fast runner, but she was moving so fast now it was more like flying. Suddenly, a spear skidded by, an indication her friends had come to her aid. She knew the spear had been thrown by Ainia; she’d always had a lousy aim. She knew Luanne’s spear would find its target.

Although she couldn’t risk glancing behind, she sensed the cat was drawing nearer with every stride, her legs no match for its four powerful limbs. She would either make it or not, fate would decide; all she could do was her best. When she drew near to the pit she noticed the sharp wooden stakes covering the bottom. She heard the whoosh of a spear in flight followed by a yelp of pain from the puma. She smiled—Luanne had hit her target. Running too fast to stop, she reached the pit’s edge