Mainly, the first few days after their proposal was accepted were extremely hectic for them. The artifact required special handling and as such Clara and her team were given permission to go to a secure lab that housed the artifact. The center was situated in a small, beautiful town, the atmosphere of this location was calm and that is why it was suitable for these two people to work as nobody could interrupt them.
Clara felt a combination of both joy and anxiety as they gained entrance to the facility for the 1st time. The artifact was an imposed large flat stone out of which emerged the messages written; it was kept in a protected room at a regulated temperature; the messages were covered with glass. It was covered in more beautiful carvings and markings that appeared to beat with the tempo of time.
When they were all around the artifact, Dr. Whitmore explained to them the conservationists and technologists they would work with. He paused, and stared at all of them before saying, 'This is an extraordinary opportunity'; echoing joy and anticipation in his tone. I will use significant amounts of time to do this work and make sure it is flawless as we feel this artifact can unveil information about a vanished culture like no other. Take your time and make sure your work is perfect. We believe this cultural artifact could give more information than any other culture that exists in the world today.
Clara agreed and for the first time she felt the responsibility resting upon her. Observing her team-mates closely while they prepared their instruments, she could observe each individual's response to the artifact.
Leo was not only an active member of the society but also a student of history and he seemed to find himself at home with the inscriptions. "It is characteristic of the script, the closest thing that I have ever come across," he said softly moving closer to her. English and the remaining three languages: Old Norse, Proto-Germanic, and Proto-Norse, are in a way familiar ancient languages, but with words that are entirely new.
Ethan could not deny the reality, so he decided to look at the artifact, and this time, he analyzed its physical appearance. He measured the items accurately and took pictures, carefully observing the conditions of the items and damages if any. "They did a very neat job," he said admiringly. 'This is not merely an archaic barbarity but a piece of Paleolithic sculpture' the voice that belongs to the man present with the car owners during the painting.
Gabriel looked a little pensive; the equilibrium seemed to have shifted a little towards accepting his leadership. "They are again symbolic," he whispered cheerfully. Several things should perhaps be taken into consideration when coming to this conclusion, but the primary one would be the setting in which this was created – beliefs, rituals, people.
They weren't sure what it would be like to work in Clara's team, but they felt pride toward the employees that she had immersed herself in. It appears that each of them had a different view and the whole attitude was covered, and therefore balanced, in the study. The girl could not help watching as they worked while becoming intrigued by the secret of amulet. What did these symbols have to mean? What about this ancient tablet that was still kept hidden from the viewers?
Soon reestablishing a normal work schedule for the players and coaches of the children's team. Some of them spent long hours in that lab recording the details of the artifact and analyzing it. The evenings were also set aside for sharing the results with the findings of the day spent over meals and the discussions were always charged with enthusiasm and suspense.
One evening, when everyone including Clara and friends were gathered in the common room of the rented house, she observed that there was some sort of shifting in the manners and behaviors among them. For example, while the early stage of the relationship was characterized by great enthusiasm, other emotions crept in later. Intuitively, Gerri knew that there were significant problems each female was dealing with on a personal level but no one voiced it.
Ben expected Ethan to be bold as usual but he noted that he was very calm. Clara also asked herself if the man had difficulties to carry out the pressures of the project. Leo, in his character, wore the look of an overjoyed man but he looked a bit down perhaps due to some unexpressed ideas running through his mind. Gabriel on the other hand continued to be very mysterious though Clara felt that he was becoming slightly aggressive in his attitude.
That evening over dinner they conferred about the day's research. Gabriel who had been studying the inscriptions elaborated on the findings. ''The symbols point towards astronomical events,'' he said, indicating at a drawing made by him. Science is a predominant facet of any civilization and predictably, this civilization might have possessed couple of knowledge regarding astronomy.
Leo agreed, saying, "That would also account for some of the peculiarities of the script Sometimes people invent their signs, perhaps they used this script to record such events."
Ethan slumped into the chair and looked thoughtful. Of course, if these are their intentions, one might question their technological advancement 'How were they able to get to this level of advancement?'
This Clara listened, enthralled with the boy's theories. But she never seemed to realize that there was void that needed to be filled. "What about the cultural meaning of this symbol?" asked the lady. Perhaps, knowing their outlook on things, their mythology, might help.
Gabriel smiled and I could sense that he respected me a little more than he did before. "Yes Clara you are right we cannot just look at the technicality of what we do, symbols are not just records, and they are responses to culture and faith."
When they proceeded with the discussion, Clara seemed to be developing a sense of comradery to her peers. However, they were competitors that had personal interests in defeating each other, but eventually they had a dream in common and growing friendship. But she also felt that both of them have their side that they are yet to share with the other.
Finally, Clara had Leo all to herself after dinner and they were taking their meal on the porch at night with the air being quite chilly. He looked rather lost in deep thoughts with his gaze fixed on the sky in the night. Clara hesitated, then spoke. "Leo, you seem to be quiet, especially in group assignments. Do you have any problem?"
He looked at her, and there he was surprised by a private smile on his face. "Probably just lost in thought here," I said quietly, still feeling slightly stunned by his comments. "This project… It's so much more than I could have ever imagined. "
Clara also agreed without denying his rationale on the issue. 'It is overwhelming though. ' But it was good to know that they were not alone.
Leo then stared into her eyes with a frown on his face. Oh, I know that And I thank you for that But there is something that you have to understand, Clara I have a vested interest in this project I have to do it My grandfather was an archeologist His entire life was spent researching such artifacts as this, This is his legacy and I am doing this for him.
Several tirades later I was drenched in sweat and Gabriel smiled, I could see that he had a bit more respect for me than he used to. "Yes Clara you are right we cannot just look at the technicality of what we do, symbols are not just the records they are responses to culture and faith."
When they decided to move to the next level of the discussion, Clara was gradually gaining a sort of fellowship with her age mates. However, they were rivals who had personal reasons as to want to defeat the other, but later on, they both had a dream and a growing friendship. But she also understood that each of them has his/her perspective of the situation that he/she has not revealed to the other.