The Blade of Gilgamesh. Jeff Edwards

wove their way through the city Heidi became aware that the direction they were heading in would not take them to the international airport, and her sense of foreboding increased.

      She looked around for some means by which she could contact the driver and ask where she was being taken her but could find nothing.

      In desperation, she knocked on the glass dividing panel but the driver refused to acknowledge her presence.

      She was debating whether to use her mobile phone to ring the police when Heidi realized that her cell phone was in the pocket of the overnight bag that the driver had taken from her.

      Hoping she had not made the most serious mistake of her life Heidi was therefore forced to watch as the city sped by outside.

      They had reached the city’s outer suburbs now and Heidi was relieved to see a sign pointing in their direction of travel saying ‘Der Flughafen’, and she realized that they had been heading for one of the several smaller domestic airfields that usually catered for private aircraft.

      Minutes later the limousine passed through a security barrier and made its way between tall hangars to the edge of the main runway where a small executive jet awaited.

      The jet’s motors were running and Raya Khan stood waiting for her arrival at the bottom of the planes, ladder. ‘We will be leaving immediately,’ she advised Heidi as they climbed aboard the aircraft.

      Heidi noted the flag of Libya painted on the tail, ‘This isn’t a commercial flight, is it?’

      ‘This is one of our great leader’s personal aircraft. We are on a diplomatic mission in his name.’

      ‘Is that why you’re using this airport?’

      ‘We are permitted by diplomatic protocol to use whatever airport we choose, other than the German military runways. However, we have chosen to use this point of entry and exit to your country because it does not have a regular Intelligence presence. We wish your trip to visit our country to remain a secret.’

      ‘But why?’

      Khan regarded her with a cold eye, ‘I am given a mission, I do not question the reason for that mission. My only duty is to carry it out.’

      ‘You don’t know why they want to know about the sword?’

      ‘I don’t, and I don’t care to know,’ she replied coldly, ‘Now Dr Schmidt, may I suggest you take the opportunity to sleep. Your day tomorrow may prove long and tiring.’

      As the plane lifted off and left German airspace Heidi sat beside a window sensing rather than seeing the majestic mountains passing below her. She was deep in thought as a thousand images flashing through her mind, as well as a myriad of conflicting ideas and concerns.

      With a final summation of her situation she concluded that there was little or nothing that she could do. The commitment had already been made and it was now up to fate to see what would transpire.

      As she drifted off to sleep Heidi made the vital decision that special care would have to be taken when she reached her destination, and that whatever she told the people she would meet would have to be thought through carefully. Not everything she knew could be revealed until she was sure that it would be treated with respect, and that she was safe.

      ***

      With the wide variety of military aircraft parked beside the runway and all of those persons she could see being in uniform, Heidi deduced that they had landed at one of Tripoli’s military bases.

      The plane had landed softly and was taxiing to a small building. Heidi saw a limousine like the one that had taken her to the airport in Germany parked alongside the building. A short male standing beside the car’s open rear door.

      The man was dressed in western garb and shaded his eyes from the morning sun as he watched the jet draw near.

      As soon as the plane stopped its door was opened and the man quickly climbed aboard.

      He held his hand out to Heidi as he entered the cabin, ‘Good morning Dr Schmidt,’ he greeted her in English, ‘Welcome to Libya, my name is Professor Ahmed Samal from the Assaraya Alhamra Museum and the University of Tripoli’s Antiquities Department. I’ll be looking after you while you’re in our country.’

      Heidi accepted the happy man’s hand and responded in the same language. ‘Thank you, Professor. I’m glad to be here.’

      ‘Come! Come! We have much to do!’ gushed Professor Samal as he led Heidi out of the plane.

      ‘Where are we going?’

      ‘Our meeting is due to begin this evening when the sun is setting. It’s much more comfortable then. In the meantime, you’ll be coming home with me. My dear wife will help you freshen up.’

      He collected Heidi’s overnight bag from one of the crew and the limousine was soon carrying them off the military base and along a broad highway that let into central Tripoli.

      ‘I was totally enthralled by your story of Gilgamesh’s sword,’ Ahmed Samal began, as they raced toward the city, ‘I didn’t even know such an important object existed.’

      ‘Perhaps it no longer does.’

      ‘Don’t say that Dr Schmidt! It must exist! So much depends on it!’

      ‘What do you mean?’

      Samal suddenly realized he may have said too much and attempted to change the topic.

      ‘I’ll be escorting you to a secret location where you’ll be questioned by me and by my associate Professor Ilmann. There may be other persons present from time to time but they’ll only be listening in. If they need any clarification on a matter they’ll pass their questions on to either me or the Professor.’

      ‘I gather that the questioning will be done in English?’

      ‘I’m afraid most of my associates do not speak German,’ he replied, ‘We were aware that you had previously lectured in English and thought that you would be more comfortable without an interpreter.’

      Heidi gave the man a curious look. It was obvious that they had not done a full search of her academic achievements and were making assumptions based on their vision of what all westerners were like.

      If they had done their work properly they would have found out that as an antiquarian Heidi was proficient in several modern Arab dialects as well as of the writings from numerous ancient Middle Eastern civilizations.

      Heidi quickly decided that it would be to her advantage not to tell her hosts the truth.

      ***

      Their limousine deposited them outside a tall, imposing home and Ahmed Samal escorted his guest inside to an open plan living room with large windows revealing extensive views out over the city.

      Here he introduced Heidi to his wife Suffa, and then abruptly decided that he could no longer stay. ‘I have to make sure all is in readiness for our session this evening,’ he said as he closed the front door.

      Suffa smiled as the door was closed, ‘He gets himself into a dither of excitement if he’s forced to be in the company of a woman for more than a few minutes, especially someone as exotic and beautiful as you.’

      ‘Thank you,’ Heidi smiled, ‘I’ve met many Arab men and their reactions still puzzle me. No two are the same. Sometimes I am accepted fully, and sometimes it’s as though I’m not present, even though I’m standing right beside them. I’ve learned to take my lead from how the local women act.’

      ‘That’s as good a way as any to stay out of trouble,’ Suffa grinned, ‘And is that how you intend to present yourself this evening?’ she added, looking at Heidi’s attire.

      ‘I selected these clothes primarily for the flight. I needed to feel comfortable.’

      ‘I’m afraid they’re not modest enough for our country. I’ll have to help you find