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Hyienna winced and cursed as his long-suffering moped bumped down another pothole. Throttling back, he pulled over to the side of the road both to look at his front wheel and double-check the house name spelt out in broken tiling on a sturdy but neglected perimeter wall. He sighed out loud as he read the words Casa Santa Cruz when he was actually looking for Casa Hermoso. He knew he was on the right road as a question to a bemused looking man on a tractor had confirmed it, so where the hell was Casa Hermoso? He’d checked every nameplate and mailbox for the last half mile, and he was running out of options.
The only other place he could see was clearly the peacock in the parade. Picked out in shimmering white cement, the sprawling multi-storey house in the middle distance looked more like one of those holiday rentals for unfeasibly large families rather than any kind of settled family home. With a smart red roof and clean, well-defined edges, it proudly expressed its modernity in contrast with the fading yet desirable and frankly much more homely looking houses he’d passed by on his journey along the coastline. Hermoso indeed.
He looked down at his front tyre again and stared for a moment before finally convincing himself that it was fine. He kicked over the engine once more as his eyes momentarily strayed to the small rucksack bungee across the pillion seat directly behind him. If it wasn’t for that single piece of physical evidence, Hyienna would have thought the whole surreal subterranean experience was just the creation of his concussed brain. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time his imagination had literally run away with him, but the proof was there, nonetheless. Maybe he should take another look, just to be sure...but then again maybe not.
Although he didn’t really know why, Hyienna figured that poking around in that battered and innocuous looking bag for no good reason was not the smartest thing to do, and he’d gotten pretty sick of not doing the smartest thing. Besides, he still had to make an important rendezvous and he was already annoyed with himself for running late. That was an old habit he’d really wanted to avoid.
Hyienna set off down the cracked semi-rural road and soon arrived at some heavy gates guarding a paved drive leading to the ostentatiously tidy new-build on the block. Sure enough, there it was, Casa Hermoso, spelt-out in carved stone and leafed with gold. Hyienna felt a surge of some uncertain emotion run through him as he realised his cousin lived in what was easily the biggest and most expensive house in that neck of the woods. He was surprised at his own sudden and less than charitable reaction. Where had that come from? Was it jealousy? That was doubtful as Hyienna would be the first to admit that he’d never been especially interested in material things. Resentment? Maybe, but wasn’t that just another name for jealousy?
Hyienna shook himself from his reverie and gripped the pebble in his pocket as he noticed the tiny camera lens subtly built into the intercom box beside sturdy looking gates. He reached out to push the button and jumped as he heard a mechanical clank and a whirring sound as the gates swung open with a speed and silence that could only be described as majestic.
It looked like somebody was home at least.
With a deep breath and a sudden sense of trepidation, Hyienna jumped back on his scooter and slowly rolled onto the smooth driveway of dark interlocking stones. It was a relief to be off the less than pristine municipal roadways, although the sudden silence and lack of response from the bike beneath him was oddly disturbing, as though he was suddenly sliding down an icy hill in the blazing sun.
He coasted down the gentle slope, giving himself time to take in the sights. All in all it was quite a place, with a sprawling, informal yet carefully designed air about it as the house and gardens spread out over the dry and windswept countryside. Although it wasn’t quite up to Bond villain standards, Casa Hermoso certainly wouldn’t have looked out of place as the HQ of a cartel kingpin in some mid-budget Mafia movie.
Hyienna couldn’t tell whether it was his long-anticipated rendezvous or the sheer pristine neatness of the place that was making him nervous. He felt naked, exposed and completely out of place as he pulled up on a large and immaculate turning circle and stared at the front doors that were clearly more about statement than function. Nobody was that big.
He killed the engine and took off his crash helmet, kicking down the stand as one of those ostentatious doors swung open and someone stepped onto the porch.
Hyienna lost his breath for a moment as he stared at the elegant and very chic woman framed by the doorway, looking for all the world like a model from some magazine dedicated to unattainable lifestyles. Her flowing white dress exuded a catwalk kind of confidence which was reflected and amplified by her surroundings. She looked at him coolly for a moment before the spell was broken and she waved her arm in an almost childlike manner before running down the steps to greet him.
Within a moment Hyienna found his arms wrapped around his little cousin in an embrace that was a greeting, an apology, a reconciliation and forgiveness all at the same time.
The two of them stood locked together in the hot afternoon sun with neither willing to relinquish the contact they’d missed for so long.
Eventually Hyienna slackened his grip. He wasn’t really sure why, but it just felt appropriate, what with his being a guest. It didn’t make much sense, but it was how he felt so he just went with it.
For a few long seconds he just stared at the beautiful woman who stared straight back at him with those expressive brown eyes of hers. Sarah had always been pretty, but she had truly blossomed in this luxurious if somewhat harsh environment. Obviously, the rich surroundings agreed with her.
As he stood there looking mutely at the woman he hadn’t seen for so long, Hyienna realised he’d completely forgotten what it was he’d been meaning to say on their first meeting after so many years. For the second time that day he was lost for words. “Hi Sarah, you look beautiful.”
She smiled sweetly at the compliment, although her eyes were narrowed with concern. “Hey Hyienna, long time no see. You fall off your bike or something?” She reached forward and gently touched the bump on his forehead.
Hyienna smiled and inwardly winced, although the pain was more to his pride than anything else. “Yeah, damn potholes.” He’d already decided not to mention his bizarre encounter earlier that day, at least until he had some idea of how things were going to play out. After all, it had been a long time and people could change, and not always for the better.
Sarah smiled ruefully and hugged him again. “Same old Hyienna. It’s so good to see you again. We shouldn’t have let it go so long.”
Hyienna hugged her back, hoping that embrace would dull the sudden pain he felt as she summarily dismissed all that hard and agonising inner growth he’d endured with a single flippant, off-the-cuff remark. “Hey, it’s as much my fault as anyone’s. Still, we’re here now and that’s what really matters.”
Sarah stepped back once again. “Where have you been?”
“To hell and back.” Hyienna gestured to the impressive house and gardens. “Nice place; you win the lottery or something?”
She winked at him and beamed a broad, friendly smile. “Something like that. Come on; let me give you the tour.” Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed his hand and led him up the wide front steps like an excited teenager.
Hyienna was happy to let her lead and the air was refreshingly cool in the wide and spacious hallway. It certainly was a relief to escape the glare of the mid-afternoon sun.
“Voilà! Welcome to Casa Sarah, and Casa Solomon too.”
Hyienna wasn’t really listening as his cousin reeled off a list of rooms and amenities, pointing excitedly this way and that. Her voice faded to a low murmur as he turned a slow circle in mute astonishment at the sheer opulence of his little cousin’s home.
A tiled floor weaved an intricate pattern of interlaced geometry marked out in quarry red and gleaming white; a modern take on the latent Islamic influence found across that part of the world. In many ways the floor was a reflection of the rest of the house as it branched off and soared upwards in endless acres of flawless white walls and gleaming glass. It was a pleasing if oddly oxymoronic style best described as a traditional modernist Mediterranean home. Furniture was sparse in that part of the house, allowing cool air to move freely and bestowing a settled and calm feeling on visitors. The occasional modernist painting or a discrete sofa nestling in a corner accentuated a smart yet homely feel; with those interior décor pieces appearing to be well made and most likely one of a kind.
Sarah always did have a designer’s eye, although the house and the furnishings must’ve come from someone else’s very deep pockets.
Hyienna was jolted out of his contemplative state when he realised the cousin, he hadn’t seen for so many years had just asked him something. “What? Sorry, I didn’t catch that; too busy admiring your beautiful home.” That should do the trick, she always responded well to compliments.
Sarah smiled warmly. “Yeah, I see you still have that laser focus you were so famous for. Come and meet the gang.” She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards a heavy looking door leading off the spacious hallway. “Mind your step.” The door swung open silently as she pushed it, immediately allowing a swell of hushed voices to escape from the spacious room beyond.
Hyienna took his cousin’s advice and looked down, carefully negotiating the two gleaming tiled steps leading down into a spacious, airy room that he could best be described as a study, or a den, or some kind of lounge, or maybe all three combined.
It was a long, rectangular room filled with deep and comfortable looking sofas and chairs, interspersed with occasional tables and cabinets filled with what looked like archaeological artefacts. Hyienna caught a glimpse of an outdoor pool glistening beyond some billowing white chiffon curtains before his attention focused on a man and a woman standing in the middle of the room. Although they must’ve seen and heard the two arrivals, they simply lowered their voices so that their conversation couldn’t be overheard.
Although Hyienna thought it was pretty damned rude, they were not altogether successful in their attempt and he heard the woman talking about someone called Nathaniel, who sounded quite mysterious and important, whoever he was. Dressed in white in a similar fashion to Sarah she was certainly attractive, although her features were more angular and chiselled which made her beauty more statuesque and aloof when compared the radiant, smiling warmth of his recently reconciled cousin.
Sarah turned to Hyienna. “This is Solomon, and the good-looking one is Kate. Hey guys, Hyienna’s finally made it.”
Hyienna frowned as Solomon merely held up a finger for quiet as he wrapped up his hushed conversation without turning to acknowledge his guest. Dressed in crisp white shirt and equally crisp dark trousers, he was obviously used to being in charge.
For a moment Hyienna got the idea of some kind of religious cult in his head. It was a crazy notion, but there was just something about the way everyone was dressed and the odd air of deference which had suddenly descended. It was a strange idea, but it was made all the more persuasive when the conversation finally wrapped up and all eyes turned to fix firmly on him.
Hyienna wasn’t sure if the women had noticed Solomon’s challenge, but it was clear enough to him when the larger man cocked his head on one side and thrust his hands in his pockets as he observed his visitor with a mixture of curiosity and barely disguised amusement. Tall, gym honed and sporting the clean-shaven head of the classic black man of action, Solomon was obviously someone with a very high opinion of himself.
Sarah clicked across the tiled floor and leaned up close against Solomon, wrapping her hands around his muscular arms both as a sign of affection and perhaps also as a way of laying claim. “Hyienna, I’d like you to meet Solomon, my fiancé. He runs the Island Scuba School, along with a few other businesses around the place. This here is Kate, a good friend of ours and someone who always seems to know what’s going on before everyone else.”
Kate was first off, the mark, stepping forward with a mischievous smile. “So, you’re the long-lost link. Sarah’s often talked about you.”
“Only the good stuff I hope.” Hyienna cursed his own social clumsiness as he gently clasped Kates’ soft and manicured hand. God knows how many times a woman like her must’ve heard a lame reply like that.
At last Solomon spoke. “My girlfriend beat you up or something? She does that.” His voice was deep, matching his imposing frame and weight bulked physique.
Sarah slapped Solomon’s muscular arm. “That’s fiancé to you.”
“Sure, sugar; whatever you say.” Solomon finally took his hand from his pocket and offered it to Hyienna.
Caught off guard but doing his best to look nonchalant, Hyienna disentangled himself from the smiling Sarah and turned to face the smirking Solomon. “Fell off my bike on the way over. Damned potholes.” He grasped Solomon’s hand firmly and tried to contain the annoyance rising inside him as the larger man refused to let it go.
Solomon’s smirk grew a little more noticeable. “So, you’re Hyena.”
“That’s Hyienna.”
“Yeah, right. I fell off my share of scooters when I was a kid, although I prefer four wheels and air-con these days. All the same, you can’t beat the wind in your face on a hot day like this, even though it ruins your shirt.” He eventually let go of Hyienna’s hand and gestured upwards with his head. “Sarah will take you to the guest room and get you cleaned up.” He winked before turning away and pulling a cell phone from his pocket, making it clear that the introductions were over.
Sarah quickly grabbed her cousin’s arm. “Come on, you’ll love the guest room.”
* * *
HYIENNA SHOOK HIS HEAD sadly as he packed his dusty travelling shirt into his small rucksack. This wasn’t how it was supposed to have turned out, not at all. It was great to see Sarah after such a long time, but he knew he couldn’t stay and risk getting into some kind of argument with her fiancé. Solomon was clearly a dick with some serious attitude, but it would do neither him nor his cousin any good to say so. Love is blind and all that stuff.
Still, on the upside, Sarah had certainly landed on her feet and Hyienna felt pleased that his cousin was living in such high style. In fact, the house was so spectacular that he’d half expected a large portion of it to suddenly fall down, as though it were some kind of elaborate movie set or a conjurer’s illusion. It was all real enough though, as the tranquil view of Mediterranean reminded him as he stepped onto a small balcony sheltered by a wicker sunscreen. He’d had such high hopes for this trip; a long overdue reconciliation and an unexpected mystery to share as well. What was that thing, and how on earth did that old woman fit into the picture? He figured that locals like Kate would be a big help so it was a pity he didn’t know anyone well enough to trust them with something so downright bizarre.
There was a tap at the door, and he took a deep breath to hide the annoyance in his voice. “Yeah?”
“Sarah’s invited you for drinks on the patio.”
Hyienna smiled and shook his head ruefully as he recognised Kate’s muffled voice outside the door. Drinks on the patio. It really felt as though he’d fallen into another world, maybe as some bit player in a Bond movie. He grabbed the little rock in his pocket as he realised it was the second time that day the world’s most famous fictional spy had sneaked into his head.
He stepped back into the cool guest room, running his hand lightly over the heavy carved wood of the guest bed. It was an impressive piece of furniture, so God only knew what the master bedroom looked like. It was probably all gaudy gold and pointless gadgets if he’d got Solomon’s number. Still, the guest room was pleasant enough and it was with a heavy heart he realised he couldn’t stay there.
* * *
THE SUN GLINTED ON brightly polished glass as Sarah regaled her cousin with yet another tale of Solomon’s business acumen, which always seemed to end with her explaining how much money they were making.
Hyienna nodded politely now and then, but he’d got the idea a while ago. Solomon was good at making money and Sarah wasn’t afraid to let everyone know about it. It seemed like they were both good at showing off.
Sarah had changed into a flowing halter necked white dress, while Kate had donned an expensive and chic looking trouser and blouse combo, which highlighted the dark tones of her seemingly flawless skin.
Solomon had changed neither his clothes nor his boorish manner as he directed the women to see to their guest’s comfort, and by default to his own. He talked about new cars, which he enjoyed buying; scuba diving, which he was good at and entertaining, which he apparently excelled at.
Hyienna wouldn’t have been surprised that Solomon was single-handedly working on a cure for cancer, which no doubt he would’ve been brilliant at.
Although the drinks were refreshing and the location was nothing short of beautiful, the more the afternoon wore on, the more uncomfortable Hyienna became. His discomfort reached a peak as Solomon started fishing for compliments. “So, Hyena, I hope the spare room is okay for you.”
Hyienna swallowed down his anger as Solomon deliberately mispronounced his name for the umpteenth time. No doubt the man was absolutely hilarious after a few drinks, and no doubt that was something else he always told everyone. “It’s very nice, very comfortable.”
“Yeah, you’d struggle to find a hotel room as good as that anywhere on the island, so I guess you can thank your little cousin for being related to you. I guess that’s your lucky break.”
Hyienna could stand it no more. He drained the last of his very agreeable Sangria spritzer and made his move. “It’s a beautiful room all right, great for someone who might be staying for a couple of days, but I’m not sure how long I’m going to be here and I really don’t want to take advantage.”
Sarah’s face fell. “Oh, that’s okay...” She stopped mid-sentence as Solomon held up his hand for quiet.
“Listen, if the man don’t wanna be a burden then let him find his own way. A man should be self-reliant after all. Ain’t that right, Hyena?”
Hyienna rose with all the calmness and dignity he could muster. “Thanks for your hospitality. Is there anywhere I can crash nearby?”
Solomon smirked. “Bad choice of words with that bone rattler of yours out front, my friend.”
Kate, who’d made a good job of looking like a human ornament, finally spoke up. “Sure, there’s the Green Lizard Tavern just up the road. It’s a nice spot and Yaz will take good care of you.”
Solomon winked. “Plenty of ladies to chase on that mean machine of yours too.”
Hyienna thought he saw a flash of irritation in his cousin’s face as he made his excuses and left the table.
* * *
OH CRAP! CAN’T I JUST get the hell out of here without saying exactly what I’m thinking? Hyienna forced a smile as he descended the stairs to where his cousin was waiting. He’d seen enough of the world to know that a woman standing with her hands on her hips was never a good sign. The expression on her face wasn’t all that encouraging either.
“Hey cous’, I’m glad I’m not gonna get lost looking for you around here. So where do I find this Green Turtle place?”
“I can’t believe you, Hyienna. You roll up here after all this time and pretty much the first thing you do is throw my hospitality back in my face. I knew this was a mistake.”
Hyienna had been trying hard all afternoon, but he couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Last time I checked, the word hospitality had nothing to do with letting some pumped up, corn-fed lounge lizard walk all over me.” He gestured around the tastefully appointed hallway. “You might think it’s worth it, but that guy puts no food on my table. And I’ll tell you something else too, no way would the Sarah I knew put up with that kind of bullshit from a boyfriend, fiancé or anyone else.”
Sarah sighed with exasperation. “Jesus, do you have to pick a fight with everyone just to prove a point, or are you just sore that Solomon’s actually done something with his life?”
“All I can see is a jerk who mistreats the people he should care for the most.” Hyienna made for the door. “Nice place you’ve got, I just hope it didn’t cost you too much.” He heard her say something else as he slammed the door behind him, although by that time he wasn’t really listening. The whole day had been a disaster from start to finish, not to mention unbelievably weird. All he wanted to do was just get the hell out of that stiflingly clean, orderly, and ostentatious place and back to something resembling normality. If Sarah was happy then good for her, but her silence at Solomon’s endless taunting had told him that she’d made her choice and was content to lie in the bed she’d chosen. Well, that was fine for her, but it looked like Hyienna just didn’t match the furniture anymore.
He stamped across the smooth paved driveway to recover his dusty and somewhat battered scooter, which suddenly seemed to be all the more out of place in the sumptuous surroundings, like a guy in sneakers at a black-tie ball.
Oh, Christ Almighty, I can’t bloody well believe this! Hyienna shook his head as he stared glumly at the flat tyre at the front of his scooter. He thought he’d got away with it, but it looked like that damned pothole had done for his ride after all. He took a quick look, but he couldn’t see any obvious signs of damage, and he wasn’t about to start messing around with his front wheel on the driveway.
Goddammit! Of all the bloody times! He stood up and wondered if he could maybe call a cab or even some kind of tow truck to get him back to town.
“Looks like you got yourself a flat there.”
Hyienna whirled around as he heard Solomon’s deep voice close behind him. In truth he didn’t know if he was mad because he couldn’t just tell the guy where to get off or because, once again, circumstances had conspired to make him look foolish in a place where he really didn’t want that to happen. “Yeah, must’ve been that pothole on the way in.”
Solomon thrust his hands into his pockets and stepped closer. “Well, that ain’t going nowhere tonight. Tell you what, grab your gear and I’ll run you over to the Turtle.”
Hyienna hesitated.
Both Solomon’s stance and expression softened, as though he could sense what the other man was thinking. “Listen, you don’t want to pay no attention to me, I was just busting your balls as the Italians say. You know, I thought you were a bit of a pushover until you basically told me to go screw myself by staying at the Lizard. I like that; a man should have a little fire in his blood and some steel in his spine, even if he shows it in a different sort of way. In truth, I don’t really care if you think I’m a jerk, you’re a stranger to me, but you’re Sarah’s kin and I have to respect that. She’s been through some tough times, and you have too, from what she’s told me.”
Still Hyienna hesitated.
Solomon gestured with his head. “Come on, we’ll get your bike fixed first thing in the morning.”
* * *
THE COOLNESS OF THE air conditioning left Hyienna feeling oddly detached as he watched the parched landscape from behind darkened glass. Solomon’s Range Rover was a five-star ride, no doubt about it, but he found the high degree of separation from the outside world oddly disconcerting. It seemed as though the fully loaded vehicle was a means to escape from the world rather than a way to discover more of it.
That oddly unreal quality was made all the more unsettling by the sudden change in Solomon’s attitude. He wasn’t exactly acting like a best buddy, but his unexpectedly friendly demeanour was oddly off-putting. Hyienna didn’t believe that it was all a big act, but neither did he think that Solomon had suddenly revised his attitude and thought of him as less of a loser because he didn’t own a big house and drive an expensive car. On the other hand, Hyienna had seen enough of the world to know that wearing the suit didn’t mean the tailor had been paid.
The slightly off kilter quality in the car was reflected in the way the larger man spoke as they rolled silently through the Formentera countryside. It was clear that Solomon knew a lot about history, especially that of the island and its people; and it was a knowledge which he seemed keen to impart to any audience he could find. It was almost as though Solomon wore that knowledge like he wore his clothes and his car, his research being just another accessory to show his standing in the world. The folktales and the impromptu history lesson were all very well, but they were relayed in a very detached and uninvolved manner, just as Solomon’s prestigious vehicle left both of them detached and uninvolved.
It was a great effort for Hyienna not to glance back at the mysterious rucksack nestling incongruously in the rear footwell. It was also a great effort not to think that whatever was inside had cast a mysterious and less than benevolent influence on affairs. He tried to resist the idea that it had called him to that mysterious cavern by the sea, and he would not be released from its power until he had done its bidding; whatever the hell that might be. It was hard not to think of Tolkien’s infamous ring of power, and once again he had to scold himself against his own tendency to over dramatise. No way was he going to reach into his pocket while he was sat next to Solomon. He’d never hear the end of it!
“Just a second, we need to pick someone up.”
Hyienna looked around and realised he had no recollection of the route they’d taken or even where they were headed. He must’ve seemed a million miles away, which in fairness was a bit rude on his part, not that he cared very much.
He was surprised to see that they’d pulled up in front of an old church, complete with dusty graveyard and what looked like some kind of courtyard out the back. If it wasn’t for the incongruous air-conditioning pipes running along the roof, the place could easily have passed for a Sergio Leone movie set with a little creative cutting and some tight camera angles to avoid the small cluster of more modern shops and houses that seemed to have sprung up for no reason beside the dusty highway. “Where are we?”
Solomon was keen to show off his local knowledge once again. “This is la iglesia de San Miguel. There’s been a church on this site since at least the Crusades and maybe even longer, although the archaeology gets a bit jumbled, and the Vatican doesn’t like having its sites disturbed.”
“The Vatican?” Hyienna was intrigued, although he wasn’t really sure why.
“Sure, it’s Catholicism all the way in these parts, and its roots reach deep into the local folklore. In fact, they’re kind of mixed together in a weird way around here; part religious doctrine and part superstition all at the same time.”
“I see.” Said Hyienna. He had to admit that Solomon’s take on the place had been banging on the bull’s-eye from what little he’d seen. Formentera did have a strange air about it. Away from the traffic and the tourist spots, there was a timeless quality, a feeling of slight disconnection from the rest of the world. Those air conditioning pipes were accepted as a compromise rather than embraced as progress.
Hyienna watched with curiosity and a little trepidation as a bulky figure emerged from behind the church and made straight for the car. Solomon was a big guy, but the man approaching was huge. He just hoped the newcomer didn’t mind riding in the back.
As if on cue the big man adjusted his course slightly and climbed into the back of the Range Rover. He reached across to clasp Solomon’s hand before looking at Hyienna.
Solomon spoke for both of them. “This is Hyena; sorry Hyienna, Sarah’s cousin. He’s headed to the Green Lizard. Hyienna, meet my bro, Seth.”
Seth shook Hyienna’s hand firmly but not too hard, even though it was a bit awkward. “Hyienna. I heard you were coming. The Lizard’s a good spot and Yaz will look after you.” Seth’s voice was as deep as his biceps were wide and he was clearly not a man to be trifled with.
One of the first details Hyienna noticed was the large hammer of God tattoo on Seth’s right arm. Picked out in intricate Celtic knot work, its impact was lessened as the black ink produced little contrast to Seth’s own dark skin. However, rather than hiding the needle artist’s fine work, that lack of contrast left the impression that Seth’s body art was as much an integral part of him as the large limb it adorned. It was as though he’d always worn that statement on his arm, and it did not escape Hyienna’s attention that the big man didn’t seem to be sporting any other body art or piercings. That suggested the tattoo was something special, something meaningful; a clear statement standing alone, rather than a single sentence lost in an incoherent hotchpotch of overlapping imagery. That single tattoo suggested a single-minded man, but although Seth was an intimidating figure, he did not project the immediate confrontational challenge of Solomon. Clearly a man with little to prove, Seth might be a great guy or a total jerk; there just wasn’t enough information to make any kind of judgement.
With the introductions complete, Hyienna turned back to contemplating the darkened countryside through his smoked window and Seth settled back into his own seat, seemingly oblivious to the remarkable and perhaps even miraculous artefact hidden right beside his feet.
Seth’s arrival seemed to suck all the energy out of the atmosphere, leaving it brittle in a way that made speech seem somehow impolite and even inappropriate.
The short journey to the Green Lizard was conducted in silence.
* * *
HYIENNA FOUND IT DIFFICULT to sum up the Green Lizard in one word when he first clapped eyes on it. Craphole was his first impression, although he quickly realised, he was way off the mark as they got closer.
As they pulled into a dusty car park, it was clear that the Green Lizard had decided that its future was firmly rooted in the past, leading Hyienna to quickly revise his assessment of what turned out to be a little slice of rustic heaven as he clambered out of the air-conditioned Range Rover. Although his trip had been as comfortable as could be, he was nevertheless relieved to be back in the real world so to speak, with his otherworldly burden close at hand. Despite the obvious friction it had caused, he immediately knew his decision to stay elsewhere had been the right one.
Perched on a small rise overlooking the glittering ocean, this place was far more...connected to the world in a way that Sarah’s beautifully appointed home was not. The rustic looking building had probably hosted fishermen, travellers, pilgrims and bandits over the years, although, like many buildings in the region it seemed to be of an indeterminate age.
Hyienna watched with interest as the two big men clambered out of the car, seemingly not bothering to lock it as they headed inside. Hanging back to get the vibe of the place and also to recover his bags, Hyienna was immediately charmed by the Green Lizard’s faded holiday charms. He immediately knew this was where he was meant to be, in readiness for the next stage of whatever journey or pilgrimage he’d stumbled into.
Just a short drive from the main road on the island’s south side, the Green Lizard was nonetheless very quiet with no immediate neighbours. Smart chrome napkin holders glinted on half a dozen well-scrubbed Formica tables as they waited patiently for hungry visitors. A couple of soft drink machines lurked beneath a sun-bleached canopy festooned with fairy lights and wind chimes that twinkled and tinkled in the warm afternoon breeze.
It was hard to tell if the place was actually open for business, although Solomon and Seth seemed to have no such difficulties as they wandered straight through the brightly painted yet faded front door.
Hyienna noted an ageing but serviceable looking payphone on the wall as he stepped into the cool and somewhat dim interior of the Green Lizard Tavern. He immediately knew it was much more like his kind of place, with worn quarry tiles and a jumble of mismatched but scrupulously clean tables scattered around a small yet well-stocked central bar. He nodded to a couple of older locals talking over some sweating glasses of beer as the incomparable smell of home cooking permeated the atmosphere, adding to the Lizard’s informal, lived in and welcoming feel. It was the polar opposite to Sarah and Solomon’s immaculate show house, which although impressive, had made him nervous to even stand on a rug or sit on a sofa for fear of wrinkling some of those sumptuous fabrics.
That general feeling of informality seemed to affect everyone as they crossed the threshold, with Solomon unexpectedly reaching out to hug a woman who Hyienna assumed was the owner, or manager or something. Clad in a billowing and loose-fitting green dress, she clearly enjoyed Solomon’s embrace, her fingers splaying around the back of his neck and head with an intimacy more intense than that of a simple friend.
Seth somehow perched his large frame on a narrow stool and reached into a small fridge at the end of the bar. Retrieving a cold bottle of beer, he briefly raised it in the owner’s direction before twisting off the cap and taking a long swig. Hyienna didn’t see him hand over any cash although he figured that places like the Lizard still ran on an informal tab system.
Finally breaking his long embrace, Solomon gestured for Hyienna to come over. “Yaz, this is Hyienna, Sarah’s cousin from Ibiza. Hyienna, meet Yasmina, owner and manager of the Green Lizard Tavern. Best food, best beer and best beds this side of the island.”
Yasmina smiled at Solomon before stepping forward and offering her hand. “Just call me Yaz. It’s so nice to meet you, Hyienna. Any kin of Sarah’s is welcome here.” There was a genuine warmth to her manner and speech, although there was also another, more elusive quality that Hyienna couldn’t immediately put his finger on. He began to wonder if there was something in the local water as Yasmina was also attractive, although there was an aspect to the earnestness of her demeanour that made him wonder about her. She and the Green Lizard obviously belonged together, and he could easily envisage a grainy image of her younger self popping up in some random photo taken at Woodstock...or with the Manson family.
Hyienna felt an immediate connection with Yasmina, although it wasn’t really based on any kind of physical chemistry. It was more of a kinship of shared experience as he saw how sadness and sorrow had dulled those once bright and enquiring eyes. Yasmina could still put on a good show if she chose to, but a more guarded and cautious spirit now dwelled where once carefree abandon had been everything.
He realised he’d better say something rather than just smiling and staring. “Thanks, I appreciate it. Do you have any rooms? I’m thinking of staying for a few days.”
There was that brightness, like a switch being flicked on when Yasmina felt needed. “Sure! Sarah phoned ahead and we’ve got you the presidential suite overlooking the ocean. Are you hungry? I can fix you something real nice, Mina and I are quite the cooks even though I do say so myself.”
Before Hyienna could respond, Yaz called through a doorway and a young woman emerged in a cloud of good smelling steam. “Ermina, say hello to Sarah’s cousin, Hyienna.”
Ermina, who was younger and obviously related to the tavern’s owner, beamed an excitable smile as she stepped forward to greet him. “It’s so great to meet you, even though I thought you’d have been staying at Solomon’s place.” She glanced across to where Solomon and Yasmina had taken up position on either side of the bar.
Hyienna made his excuses. “Well, I don’t know how long I’m gonna be staying and I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”
Ermina glanced at Hyienna’s lack of luggage. “Travelling light?”
“Yeah, I don’t need much, and I figured I could pick up anything else I might need while I’m here.”
Not deterred, Ermina glanced over his shoulder. “No car?”
Rescue came from an unlikely quarter as a Solomon chipped in. “Poor guy got a flat so he left his ride at our place. Now I know you girls are going to take good care of Sarah’s kin, which pretty much makes him my kin too.”
Again, Hyienna noticed Yasmina’s hand on Solomon’s arm as she spoke. “Don’t worry; you have the best room in the tavern, probably the best room on the island. We don’t advertise and we like to keep things low-key.”
“Just the way I like it.” Hyienna confirmed.
Seth said nothing, merely sat quietly drinking his beer. For such a big guy he made a good job of being inconspicuous.
At last, Ermina changed the subject. “You hungry? I can rustle you up some ham and eggs or maybe a burger. It’s a little early to start on the dinner menu.”
Hyienna avoided the trap of asking whether there would be anyone around to order from the dinner menu. “I’ll just have a beer for now, thanks.” He picked up his bags and made his way to what he considered to be the best seat in the house. It was a small table around the corner from the bar and just beneath a small window with a brightly painted frame. It had been one hell of a day and he just needed to unwind and sit quietly for a while. He had an awful lot to think about and he couldn’t figure out how he should feel about the first day of his Formentera adventure. To say it had been a rollercoaster was an understatement, and in truth he was feeling more than a little lost and overwhelmed.
He flopped into a worn but surprisingly comfortable wooden chair and shrugged off his jacket, enjoying both the warmth of the afternoon sunshine through the window and the coolness of the shadows beneath the table. Hyienna knew straight away that he’d fallen on his feet in terms of accommodation as he gazed out through those small glass panes. He could see the glittering Mediterranean as well as a sweeping curve of sandy beach as it took a sharp turn towards some sort of inlet that vanished behind a nearby clifftop. That stretch of coastline was much like the tavern, being devoid of tourists and locals alike. In fact, he could only see one solitary figure standing down there on the beach, although he couldn’t decide whether it was a local resident or some kind of visitor.
Hyienna jumped as Ermina appeared with his order, and never was a cold beer more greatly appreciated. “Quiet here.” He remarked as she turned to leave.
“That’s just the way we like it. We do get a few tourists passing through, mostly backpackers, although the bulk of our trade is local.”
He thought it impolite to ask how the tavern could make ends meet, after all there must be a thousand things he didn’t know about the place and how it worked. Instead, he just nodded and stared out of the window once more, playing a game in his head as he began inventing backstories for the lone figure standing on the beach. Maybe he was a famous writer escaping from the pressures of the world and dedicating himself to his next book, like the beginnings of so many good and mediocre horror movies. Maybe he was a retired intelligence operative, burying himself in the middle of a sunny nowhere as he tried to forget the things he’d done in the service of civilisation. Hyienna speculated that the lone figure might be some unconventional but brilliant sports trainer, come to test out some ground for his latest protégé to train in secret.
Ermina interrupted his daydreaming as she leaned across and looked out of the window. “Something cool out there?” She quickly lost interest as the man on the beach turned and walked slowly away. “That’s just Nathanial, don’t worry about him.”
“Local guy?” Hyienna asked, before wondering why he was inquiring about a random stranger standing on a deserted beach, although he remembered it was the same name he’d heard on Kate’s lips when he’d arrived at Sarah’s house. It was probably just one of those odd coincidences, although he couldn’t shake the feeling that the mysterious figure on the beach was somehow intertwined with whatever the hell kind of mystery, he got himself wound up in.
Ermina sounded far less interested. “Yeah, kind of. Not sure if he was born here, although I heard somewhere that he’s some kind of orphan; grew up in a church or something. I don’t know, anyway, he keeps himself to himself and he’s a bit of a strange one if you ask me.”
Hyienna looked at the suddenly deserted coastline as Ermina joined the small group at the bar and loudly relayed the news that she’d seen Nathanial on the beach again.
It wasn’t really Hyienna’s intention to eavesdrop, but the place was so quiet that he couldn’t help but overhear the conversation taking place over the bar. He was no expert on psychology or body language, but from what he could see it was pretty obvious that Yaz and Solomon were good, good friends. He felt an immediate surge of anger when he thought of his little cousin being betrayed by a guy who was, frankly, more than a bit of a misogynist and a boor in the truest sense of the word. His first instinct was to raise the subject with Sarah, but then the pebble in his pocket and a sip of cold beer counselled caution. He didn’t really know a single soul on the island, and certainly not anyone whose discretion he could rely on. Besides, Sarah had been happy to let her fiancé walk all over him in front of company, which made him wonder about the whole thicker than water idea.
The more he considered his position, the more Hyienna realised he was just a stranger who’d dropped into the lives of a bunch of people who’d known each other for quite a while. They had no reason to trust him and he sure as hell didn’t know who he might trust in return. All he knew for sure was that his reunion with Sarah had not gone even close to the way he’d planned it, plus he’d ended up in possession of something that at least appeared to not be entirely of this world. Although the thing in the rucksack resembled a large piece of cloth, the word blanket just didn’t seem to do it justice, whatever it was. Eventually he settled on the word artefact, much more fitting description, not that he was in a hurry to describe his discovery to anyone.
As he sat back in his chair and drank his beer, Hyienna came to the unexpected realisation that, probably for the first time in his life, he understood what the word faith really meant. He had no idea of what he should do tomorrow or even for the rest of the current day, so he had little choice but to have faith that the mysterious artefact would make its purpose known somehow. Besides, the Green Lizard’s quiet rustic charm was like a soothing balm for his soul, calming his mind and settling his spirit in a way he’d not known for many a long and difficult year. Despite all the little intrigues and petty human jealousies, Hyienna knew that fate, Providence or whatever else it might be called had brought him to this place for a reason. He instinctively realised that reason would never reveal itself before the appropriate moment. That meant he had time enough to enjoy a beer, discreetly take in the gossip and have faith that his adventure would unfold in the fullness of time.