The Spear of Destiny Read Online Free Page A
Author: Julian Noyce
getting ready to start shooting. In front of the camera a beautiful reporter with Asian features.
“Three. Two. One. Go,” the cameraman clicked his fingers at the reporter.
“Good evening and a very warm welcome from the British museum in London on this the opening night of the exhibition of what is perhaps the most important exhibit in the christian world, the ‘Holy lance’ sometimes referred to as the ‘spear of destiny’ the mysterious Roman spear that supposedly pierced the side of Jesus Christ while he lay on the cross. I’m Kim Nguyen reporting from a star studded occasion where the world of archaeology meets those of politics, film and stage as a host of stars pay tribute to this, the first exhibit of it’s kind here at this magnificent building for many years. The museum was founded by Sir Hans Sloane in 1753 who exhibited his own collections, a museum which currently holds the Elgin marbles and the controversial Rosetta stone, requested by Egypt for its return to its rightful country. Never before has an exhibit such as this, the ’holy lance’ graced this the most famous museum in the world. On loan from its home in the Schatzkammer, Vienna, Austria the spear was once in the hands of Holy Roman emperors, Adolf Hitler and the American General George Patton. One of the world’s truly great treasures it will be here on display for the next two months….” she glanced sideways and caught sight of Natalie and Dennis as they made their way along the red carpet towards the foot of the steps. Dennis was admiring the six huge Roman fire baskets on stands blazing, merrily away, twenty feet high across the front of the museum at the top of the steps at the entrance. The excitement in Nguyen’s voice quickened.
“Here come the renowned journalist Peter Dennis and the very beautiful marine archaeologist Natalie Feltham, hitting the headlines earlier in the summer, for the failed search for Alexander the great’s sarcophagus. Natalie, Peter can I get a word,” Nguyen called as they got to her.
Dennis smiled into the news camera.
“Can I ask you about your involvement tonight?”
“Hi Kim. Yes it’s a truly great turnout tonight for the exhibition.”
Dennis stopped to put his hand up to a group of journalists he recognised.
“Now Mr Dennis you wrote an article on the spear,” Nguyen said, holding up a copy of ‘the country’ magazine’s latest issue. A photograph of the Holy lance on its cover, “How convinced are you that this may be the spear which pierced Christ’s side, that it has magical powers?”
“I think the magic, Kim, is in what people believe. It has brought so many here tonight. The exhibition will be sold out every day and night for two months. That’s the magic it holds.”
“Some say that the lance doesn’t resemble a Roman spear at all. That’s it’s quite possibly a hoax.”
“Well if it is a hoax we’ll have enough experts here tonight to prove it, one way or the other.”
“That wasn’t really an answer.”
“Look Kim. It’s been added to over the millenia. The Roman soldier Maurice lived four hundred years after the crucifixion when he carried it into battle. It contains a Roman nail from Christ’s cross for goodness sake. What more proof do you want.”
“I have all the proof I need Peter. Here in this beautiful article you’ve written,” Nguyen said holding up the magazine again, “And speaking of beautiful, I must say Natalie you are looking exceptionally stunning tonight. Tell me what’s it like to be with the most handsome, eligible, bachelor in journalism.”
Natalie leaned in to the microphone.
“It’s an adventure Kim.”
Nguyen smiled as the couple moved on down the line of photographers and reporters.
“There you have it,” she said into the camera, “Hoax or not. It will be hard to convince this couple. Just three months ago they were involved in a kidnap plot when their
“Three. Two. One. Go,” the cameraman clicked his fingers at the reporter.
“Good evening and a very warm welcome from the British museum in London on this the opening night of the exhibition of what is perhaps the most important exhibit in the christian world, the ‘Holy lance’ sometimes referred to as the ‘spear of destiny’ the mysterious Roman spear that supposedly pierced the side of Jesus Christ while he lay on the cross. I’m Kim Nguyen reporting from a star studded occasion where the world of archaeology meets those of politics, film and stage as a host of stars pay tribute to this, the first exhibit of it’s kind here at this magnificent building for many years. The museum was founded by Sir Hans Sloane in 1753 who exhibited his own collections, a museum which currently holds the Elgin marbles and the controversial Rosetta stone, requested by Egypt for its return to its rightful country. Never before has an exhibit such as this, the ’holy lance’ graced this the most famous museum in the world. On loan from its home in the Schatzkammer, Vienna, Austria the spear was once in the hands of Holy Roman emperors, Adolf Hitler and the American General George Patton. One of the world’s truly great treasures it will be here on display for the next two months….” she glanced sideways and caught sight of Natalie and Dennis as they made their way along the red carpet towards the foot of the steps. Dennis was admiring the six huge Roman fire baskets on stands blazing, merrily away, twenty feet high across the front of the museum at the top of the steps at the entrance. The excitement in Nguyen’s voice quickened.
“Here come the renowned journalist Peter Dennis and the very beautiful marine archaeologist Natalie Feltham, hitting the headlines earlier in the summer, for the failed search for Alexander the great’s sarcophagus. Natalie, Peter can I get a word,” Nguyen called as they got to her.
Dennis smiled into the news camera.
“Can I ask you about your involvement tonight?”
“Hi Kim. Yes it’s a truly great turnout tonight for the exhibition.”
Dennis stopped to put his hand up to a group of journalists he recognised.
“Now Mr Dennis you wrote an article on the spear,” Nguyen said, holding up a copy of ‘the country’ magazine’s latest issue. A photograph of the Holy lance on its cover, “How convinced are you that this may be the spear which pierced Christ’s side, that it has magical powers?”
“I think the magic, Kim, is in what people believe. It has brought so many here tonight. The exhibition will be sold out every day and night for two months. That’s the magic it holds.”
“Some say that the lance doesn’t resemble a Roman spear at all. That’s it’s quite possibly a hoax.”
“Well if it is a hoax we’ll have enough experts here tonight to prove it, one way or the other.”
“That wasn’t really an answer.”
“Look Kim. It’s been added to over the millenia. The Roman soldier Maurice lived four hundred years after the crucifixion when he carried it into battle. It contains a Roman nail from Christ’s cross for goodness sake. What more proof do you want.”
“I have all the proof I need Peter. Here in this beautiful article you’ve written,” Nguyen said holding up the magazine again, “And speaking of beautiful, I must say Natalie you are looking exceptionally stunning tonight. Tell me what’s it like to be with the most handsome, eligible, bachelor in journalism.”
Natalie leaned in to the microphone.
“It’s an adventure Kim.”
Nguyen smiled as the couple moved on down the line of photographers and reporters.
“There you have it,” she said into the camera, “Hoax or not. It will be hard to convince this couple. Just three months ago they were involved in a kidnap plot when their
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