The Search for Answers

Olivia took a drink out of her canteen while studying the forest canopy. Henry believed that they were getting close, but she wasn’t so certain. The faded corner of a single map and fragments of barely remembered folktales were hardly convincing evidence. Olivia conceded to herself that she had underestimated the hardships she and Henry would face in this unexplored rainforest near the Congo River, but refused to make the admission out loud. Henry, with his head stuck in the clouds, and his face stuck in a book of esoteric lore, believed in her and relied on her practicality. She couldn’t let him down.

Behind her, Henry swore and slapped the hummingbird-sized mosquito that had attached itself to his neck. He studied the hand-drawn map that was laid out on the downed tree and tried to figure out where they’d gone wrong. He and Olivia had been traveling through dense vegetation for two weeks. This rainforest hid the temple that held proof about the existence of mythological creatures, and it was nearby. He was certain of it. His entire life’s work, years of research and study, led him here. He wouldn’t give up now. Henry knew that Olivia had doubts, but she would never voice them. His wife was the reason that King Leopold II agreed to sponsor this adventure. The Belgian king had given them a special travel visa, good for the year 1891, in exchange for land surveys that would provide information on areas to search for the vines that contain Congo rubber. Olivia had fought tirelessly for this opportunity, and Henry was determined to make her proud.

Olivia and Henry found the vine-covered ruins of the temple two hours later, when Henry tripped over some of them. He pretended that the fall hadn’t happened, while Olivia pretended that she hadn’t seen a thing. These are the little things that make a marriage work. Henry manfully swallowed a squeal of glee, but was unable to hold back a celebratory dance. The dance was cut short when Henry tripped again. The couple then gingerly entered the temple, stepping over the scattered stones. Pausing in the darkness beyond the threshold, Olivia knelt to light one of their precious lanterns. Neither spoke for several long moments, hesitant to shatter the overwhelming quiet. Henry's excitement was almost palpable, but Olivia couldn't shake off a nagging sense of unease.

Finally, Olivia broke the hush. “What exactly are we looking for?”

A honeyed purr rumbled out from the depths of the temple. “I believe that you’re looking for me.”

Henry grabbed Olivia’s arm as they peered into the dimness, looking for the owner of the mysterious voice. A large, misshapen section of shadow separated itself from the surrounding darkness, and glided into the halo of lantern light.

Henry sputtered at the creature that revealed itself. “Bu-bu-but, you’re a sphinx!”

“Aren’t you a master of the obvious? Yes, I am a sphinx, the guardian of this temple. You seem surprised. You must have been searching for me. There’s no other reason to come here.” The sphinx, with its woman’s face and golden lion’s body, folded down the wings that sprung up from its back.

“We weren’t searching for you, not exactly. I didn't know that you exist, and I certainly wouldn't have expected to find you in the heart of Africa. I’m looking for information. My name is Henry and this is my wife, Olivia. We are seeking proof that mythical creatures exist. You’re the first that we’ve been able to find.”

“Would you like to find more? I can help you, but my aid is not without risk, and not without price.”

“What is the help and what is the price?” Olivia asked.

“There are bits of information in other parts of the temple that might help you. If you answer a riddle, I will let you access them. If you don’t know the answer, you can walk away. The tablets might be a bit difficult to understand, so I'm not sure how much they will help you. Not many can decipher nsibidi. However, because I am bored in my captivity, I can sweeten the deal. It will also increase the risk. If you can answer three riddles, I will not only allow you to access the rest of the temple, I will also tell you where to find more of the creatures that you seek. But you can no longer walk away if you choose the three riddles. Should you fail to answer any of them, I get to eat one of you. You may discuss it between yourselves.”

“Obviously, we’re picking the one riddle,” Olivia said.

“No, I don’t think that we should. I think that we should pick the three riddles. I know that it's dangerous, but this is our only chance. This is the only place that might have the answers we seek. All of my studies have led us here, and only here. I’m certain that I can answer anything the sphinx might ask. I know it, and I can’t walk away when I’m this close. If I fail, I will be the one to get eaten. I couldn’t make it back to civilization on my own, anyway. Please, if you love me and if you believe in me, you’ll do this for me.”

“This is such a bad idea. But...I do love you and I trust you. If this is what you want, this is what we’ll do. Don’t make me regret it.”

Holding Olivia’s hands, Henry looked at the sphinx. “We accept your proposal. We will answer three riddles in exchange for your help. What is the first riddle?”

The First Riddle

Author's Note:

The sphinx in my story is loosely based on the Greek story of Oedipus and his encounter with the sphinx that had been sent by the gods to punish the city of Thebes. It guarded the entrance of the city and would ask anyone that passed on the road a difficult riddle. If that person was unable to answer it correctly, then the sphinx would attack and eat him. Oedipus comes to Thebes after fleeing the city of Corinth, and the men of Thebes ask for his help with the sphinx. He confronts the monster and correctly answers her riddle.

This is not the only example of the sphinx in mythology, and they are not confined to tales from Greece. They are often depicted as having the head of a human, male or female, and the body of a lion. Some have wings, but some do not. I chose to make my sphinx female and winged. I also chose to stick with a riddling sphinx who stands guard.

I placed the temple that Olivia and Henry are searching for in Central Africa, particularly the Congo River basin, because much of it is unexplored and mysterious due to the dense rainforest and swamps. That was particularly true in the late 19th century when my story takes place. It's much easier to stay hidden if no one has come looking for you. King Leopold II of Belgium became the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State after his claim was approved by the other colonial nations of Europe in 1884-1885. It was authorized under the condition that he would improve the lives of the native inhabitants of the region. What he really did was rape the land for his own enrichment, and kill millions of Congolese people. He was forced to give up the colony in 1908.

When offering a deal to Olivia and Henry, the sphinx tells them that there is information in the temple, but it is written in nsibidi. It is an old, ideographic script that originated in southeastern Nigeria. The script was divided into a sacred version and a public version.

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