"THE LOST TREASURE OF THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS" "Legend has it that St. Paul the Apostle was caught in a terrible storm - in the Mediterranean when returning from a mission in North Africa." "St. Paul survived and miraculously drifted ashore." "Local fishermen found his lifeless body." "They revived him - but before he could thank them, he was bitten by a snake." "Local superstition dictates that snakes only attack murderers and criminals." "And the hitherto merciful fishermen threw him into a cave." "When the island's Roman governor, Publius, arrived - to assure himself that the stranger was dead - he was shocked by what he saw." "St. Paul was alive." "Convinced that St. Paul was under God's protection - he invited him home to pray forhis ailing father." "Not many days passed before the father could leave his sickbed." "Publius converted to Christianity." "In gratitude Publius had another ship constructed - and before St. Paul continued on his mission, he received a gift - symbolizing the miracle witnessed by the island of Malta." "The Treasure of the Knights Templars." "All done." " Great, honey." "How about a swim, mom?" " I'm fine, thanks..." "No!" "There isn't much wind today." " There's plenty." "We should've hired water bikes." " Next time." "Mom!" "You're face is all green." "Seasick already?" "You know how I feel about sailing." "Mom?" "How about sailing to Bornholm with us?" "Easy, now." " Excuse me for asking." "Your dad and I need to talk to you about something." "You always say there's nothing to do around here in the summer." "It'll be just like the old days." " 'The old days'!" "You're 16!" "Go on!" "Do it for me." "Katrine..." "And we're not just doing it for you..." "We've talked about you two moving in with me." "So you're..." "Really?" "!" " Do you like the idea?" "Yes!" "You're soaked." "Lovely." "Thank you." "I spoke to Nis today." "When are we going to Bornholm?" "Honey, I..." "We're not going this year." "What?" " I have to go to Malta." "Malta?" " Yes, on business." "It's in the Mediterranean." " I know where Malta is, thank you." "But you can't do that." "Is it Knights Templarbusiness?" "Great!" "Mom knows." "What is it?" "I'm a Templartoo, you know." "So you're obligated to tell me." "I can't win, can I?" "No..." "Okay, come on, then." "Very exciting, dad." "Are you showing us the furnace?" "When did you have this done?" " It's always been here." "It used to be an air shelter." "Now I understand all the craftsmen coming and going." "This is what I want to show you." "Careful." "What is it?" " It's the Snake Crown of St. Paul." "It's beautiful!" " Is it gold?" "If you traded it for the Mona Lisa and the Sixtine Chapel you'd lose out." "Really?" "The Knights Templars have decided to return it to its original owners:" "The Knights of Malta." "We share a complicated history." "Both orders have theirs roots in 13th century Jerusalem - and whetherthey're friends or enemies depends on - who is Grand Master and ruler in Europe." "The Maltese Ordernever doubted that it belonged to them, and I..." "We have decided to return the crown as a token of peace and brotherhood." "Along awaited reunion." "Just like you and mom." "Smart girl." "She takes after me." " Yep." "It's all very well with apostles, dramas and what have you, but..." "I want to go to Bornholm this summer." "Or I won't get to see Mathias and Nis for a whole year." "And they're my best friends." "And Fie, too." "A greatreason to call off Malta." " Maybe you could postpone it?" "Postpone it?" "This is a historic reunion of crusaders, not a house meeting." "Take mom with you!" "It could be your second honeymoon." "How long could it take to return a hat." "I've always wanted to cruise the Mediterranean." "Okay." "But we can't let you go to Bornholm all by yourself." "I'm 16!" " My point exactly." "She can come with us." " Like I have tons of friends there!" "There's a Danish resort in Malta." "Great!" "Me and 100 seniors." "What are the rules in bingo, again?" "We could bring yourfriends." "Okay..." "Fine." "Go call your friends." " Really?" "Yes." "The Knights of Malta built the forts in 1565 following the Great Siege." "Asmall group of Templars drove away the Turkish armada - and within 5 years 8,000 workers had erected the huge fort." "Nis, goddammit, we want to enjoy the view." "Don't disrupt it with facts." "They have a clever tunnel system." "It facilitated contact amongst the many temples in Malta." "Things are looking up." "Asphalt and taxis." "I'm sure they have a disco." "It's beautiful here!" " Fie, it's an airport." "Just wait till you see the Neolithic temples." "It's said that..." "You just gave us a 2-hour lecture." "How about some vacation time." "His intellect compensates for his diminutive stature." "Don't you start talking like Nis." " You sense the positive influence." "How primitive." "There's nothing wrong with being smart." "Good boobs and a flirty look goes a long way, too." "See what I mean?" "Hot, huh?" "Nis, I look forward to hearing all the facts about Malta." "No, thanks." "We were hearing about forts while you sat on business class." "Good work, Nis." "He's just envious." "There's a cab." "Nis, you know I think you're cool." "Easy now, we're not sweethearts." "But I'm serious." "How many girls have you scored by being brainy?" "Girls don't find it cool." "Buy some funky shades and don't talk." "You don't want too look needy." " I don't." "Hey, Einstein and Casanova." "Are you coming?" "Cool hacienda." " Bikes and a pool." "Feel free to report us to child welfare." "Cool place." " Great." "Hi, and welcome to the Danish resort." "You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps." "Jens." " Christian." "Dorthe." " Hi, Dorthe." "Well..." "I'm here to look after the kids but we have a refreshment - for the parents in the Lumumba bar." "Now?" " Yes." "You kids behave, now." "You must be Katrine." "Hi, Katrine and..." "Chris, and an obvious Mathias and finally little Fie." "Nis." "My name is Nis." "Of course, Nis." " You read well." "We'll have a ball!" "Malta is a wonderful island, full of fun activities." "Great place." "How about the historic landmarks?" "The Mediaeval forts and Neolithic temples I find particularly interesting." "Sure." "But we also happen to have a water slide!" "And mini golf." "And water bikes, too." "Isn't that the girl from the airport?" " And bingo." "What the hell is he doing?" " How about that roundtrip now?" "Sure, but what about Matthew?" " Mathias." "Just leave him here." " Okay." "Follow me." "We'll check it out." "Look!" "A Maltese cross." " That's right." "This is the city of Valetta, a really cool town, because..." "It's old and stuff." "But out here..." " Actually it's a fairly new town." "Malta has been inhabited for centuries- and when Valetta was built, it was the world's most modern town." "Someone's been cramming." " I call it research." "Right." "Follow me, and I'll show you something awesome." "How did Mathias get out of this?" " We'll do fine without him." "Later on let's breeze by the temples." " Great..." "This is one of the highest placed Barraccas- with a cool view of the dock." "Look!" "Another Maltese cross." " This is Malta." "They're everywhere." "Okay." "And here's another one." "Look." " What?" "Astrange man." " Isn't this the best view, kids?" "Look, a tug boat!" "That's a lot of water." "Someone's enjoying themselves." "What's he doing?" " Flirting with every tramp here." "Don't you care?" " He's a fool." "So kids, anything you want to see?" "Yes, the Neolithic temples." "Yes." "It's like this, you see." "Here in Malta they built the temples uh, a very long time ago." "Right around the time of Jesus." "No, no." "Most scientists believe they were built 3000 B.C." "They are the oldest buildings in the world." "You're quite the bookworm, professor." "Let's take off." "Unless you'd rather go somewhere else." "There's a disco at the resort." "You can go there tonight." "You prefer the ruins, right?" " Yes, but it will have to be later." "I have the Snake Crown ceremony." "Please take us to the Knights' HQ?" " Sure, come on." "Can we tag along?" "When were you last in Denmark?" " I visited my aunt in Vojens last year." "Vojens?" "Far out." "For the most part I've lived here." "What a beautiful pendant." "The last two summers I worked for the Knights Templars." "Can you keep a secret?" "You can't tell anyone, but the reason we're here - is that we're to attend a ceremony this afternoon." "I came on official Templar business." " Okay." "You see, I..." "We decided to return this thing to the Knights of Malta." "What 'thing'?" "The Snake Crown of St. Paul." "It's one of the most valuable arta... arte..." "Artefacts." " Yes, it's more than 2000 years old." "I know of it." "And so does everyone in Malta." " We felt it was time to return it." "But it doesn't belong to them." " Yes, it does." "No!" "Look!" "Another Maltese cross." "Has it started yet?" " I thought you were busy." "I came as fast as I could." "I had to study a local bird." " Only Katrine is allowed inside." "We have to wait here." " Fabulous..." "That was really exciting." "Hey." " We're off on our honeymoon." "Sounds romantic even at your age." "Thanks." "Jens will keep an eye on you." " And don't get into trouble." "I'll keep an eye on them." " It's Malta." "What could happen here?" "You must represent the Knights Templars in my absence." "I know I can trust you." " Of course." "Bye, sweetie." "Have a nice trip." " Look out for each other, kids." "How nice of you to stop by." "You're no longer busy with the locals?" "I'm thrilled I came." "I didn't realize it was VIP only." "I really wanted to see the crown." " Me too." "And me." "You promised." " Where is it?" "It's in the great hall, but I'm not allowed to remove it." "Of course not." "You're only the Templarin charge..." "Boo times two." "Wait here." "What is this?" "Did you see anybody?" " No." "The lodge is under attack." "Wow!" "The Snake Crown of St. Paul." " Holy crap!" "Nice!" "Oy..." " Something's not right." "Are you okay?" " The crown..." "Did you break anything?" " My head hurts." "Who were they?" "Are you okay?" " Who cares!" "They took the crown." "I wish they had killed me instead." " Don't say that." "I promised my dad..." "But no one was supposed to know that the crown was here!" "It's my fault." "I took it!" "We're short on time." "I know who we should talk to." "Okay." "Come on!" " Come, Katrine." "And then they were gone." " Did you have permission to take it?" "Yes!" "Or..." "You know..." "Not in so many words." "This is not good." "You're my responsibility." "I have to call the police." "Acrime has been committed." "Thanks, Sherlock." "Who knew?" " Hey, buddy!" "You should be worrying about your part in all this." "Don't move a muscle." "Did nanny Jens just lock us in?" " But we did the right thing." "We always leave the cops out of it." "They don't get the Templar thing." "Can we be absolutely sure that no one else knew?" "Mathias?" "That girl..." "Elena." "I may have told her about the crown." " You what?" "She may not be involved." "Maybe she told someone..." " I'll neverforgive you!" "Maybe she..." " You don't tell!" "This is more than losing an iPod." " You'd do anything to impress a girl!" "We can fight, orwe can take action." "We'll get it back before your dad returns." "Yes?" " There she is." "All of this is her fault." "Wait up." "I'm not going to jail alone." "Where did she go?" " What did Elena say?" "She didn't say much." " You were together for hours!" "I just told her we were returning it." "Wait... she did say something odd." " What?" "That it didn't belong to the Maltese." "That we should give it to its owners." "It's in Malta now, isn't that enough?" " Maybe she means all the way back." "After all, the crown wasn't made for St. Paul." "Let's go back 2000 years and walk in the footsteps of St. Paul." "To the cave they threw him in." " Any other suggestions?" "Okay, let's go." "Here we are." " You said 'cave'?" "This was built on top of it and named after him." "The Church of St. Paul." "What's it got to do with the crown?" " Alot, maybe." "St. Paul." " The catacombs!" "'No trespassing'." " We're already wanted by the police." "Look." "Elena's pendant." "Where's the light switch?" "Does anyone have a flash light?" "I thought as much." "It's a good thing that I have one." "From my boy scout days." " Come." "It's spooky here." " Don't be afraid." "Stop!" "Old acquaintances." "Brilliant, Nis." "We're in the right place." "Elena!" "What the hell is going on?" "Hurry!" "Come on!" "Mathias!" "Sleep tight." "Stop!" "Where's the Snake Crown?" " I don't have it." "Only you knew about the ceremony, so come clean!" "Think of what she's been through." " But she stole it!" "Relax." " She's right." "Stop it." " Mathias, the pendant." "Oh, right." "Here you go." " Thank you." "You dropped something, or did you?" " When the priests find me, they'll..." "Do you know the priests?" " No, I don't know them!" "They kidnapped me." "Everyone's afraid of them." "We must return to the Danish resort." "Moron!" "That's where Jens is." "If I'm arrested, I'll never be minister." "No one would vote for you." " You can become a minister anyway!" "Be quiet, please!" "I'm safe at the Knights' HQ." " It's only for Knights." "You can take me." " If the priests get her, she's dead." "Only you can bring herto safety." "Okay, let's go." "We must learn more about the crown." "There's something I don't know about." "That makes sense." "There's a library in the building, too." "It holds everything about the order." " Let's go." "You stay here." " So do I." "If you can read, we'll need you." " Back off a little." "We'll lock you up to keep you safe." " Okay." "Thanks for saving me." "This is what I call summer vacation." " This is too much." "Every yearwe end up in a dusty library." "I'm with Mathias." "I could do with a waterslide right about now." "There!" "It's in Latin." " Of course." "Odd." "These date back B.C. Before St. Paul stranded on the island." "What does that mean?" "The crown is thousands of years older than St. Paul." "Your dad probably doesn't know." "It's from when they worshipped Earth." "Didn't they always?" " As a god." "In this case a goddess." "You know: 'Mother Earth'." " Is that what the priests believe in?" "Yes." "Which explains the snake symbol on their foreheads." "Why a snake?" "It's the Earth Goddess' holy animal." " Man!" "The crown was made for a ritual." " What ritual?" "For centuries they've sacrificed animals." "And before that humans." "What did these people do?" " I don't know." "That'll take more research." "You may be smart but no too clever." " What do you mean?" "Elena was about to be sacrificed." "You're right." "It's an annual ritual on the night of the first full moon after solstice." "When is that?" "It's tomorrow." "Let's go back." "I need to talk to her anyway." "Elena?" "Thanks forleading us to the Knights' HQ." "What?" "Do you know these old geezers?" "It's my people." "You've been a great help." "What?" "What's going on?" "Let go!" "Let go!" "What are you doing?" "Traitor." " I knew it." "We have to rescue Mathias." " Let's get some weapons." "Follow me." "What should I take?" " Anything." "I'm going to kill Mathias." "Which way?" " Let's start diagonally." "The town is logically structured." "Much like New York." "Did you say 'logically'?" " Yes." "Weren't we already here?" "If we were walking in circles, the angle of the shadows would change." "They're not very hospitable." "Oh no." "I know what that sound means." "I've never seen a Labrys in real life." " Awhat?" "Adouble-bladed axe constructed by the Earth worshippers." "We will have to fight them." " Are you crazy?" "Through here!" "Hurry!" "Inside!" "Get inside!" "Oh, no." "Not again!" "Good." "There!" "I've been looking foryou all day." " Come on." "We're not running from the police." " What about Mathias?" "Hey!" "Stop!" "Hey, kids!" "Wait up!" "Wait!" "This won't exactly help our case." "Wait!" "Let's go through here." "This is a good hideout." "The priests won't come in here." "It's beautiful." "I have a criminal record!" " Easy, professor." "Well, I do!" " We have bigger problems." "What do we do now?" "If they intend to sacrifice him, we must find the holiest place in Malta." "Back to the catacombs." " No." "They're from Christian times." "We want something older." " And you know where?" "Yes." "Yes, I do." "What is this?" " This is Hagar Qim." "The oldest structure in the world." " It must be really old, then." "It's Neolithic." "It's from 3000 B.C. And a tribute to the Earth Goddess." "Spare us the details." "Let's check it out." "He's not here." "We must have overlooked something." "It's Fie!" "Fie?" "Fie!" " Here." "What's wrong, Fie?" " Asnake." "Careful, Nis." " I don't want to die." "You won't die anytime soon." " I didsee a snake." "Sure." "Or a stick insect." "Look!" " Oh, no." "Snakes." "There's an inscription." " What does it say?" "I can't tell." "It's ancient Greek." ""His soul will travel underground."" "What does "underground" mean?" " That he'll die." "I hope it's not Mathias." " Orus!" "We must return to the Knights' HQ to find out what we've overlooked." "Will we have to sleep there?" " We won't get much sleep." "My friends'll find me, you know." " Don't be afraid." "Where am I?" "When I first saw you, I could tell you were brave." "What is this place?" "You don't understand how important this is." "I've only known you a short while, but you're important to me." "What's going on?" " It's okay to be scared." "I'm not scared." "Don't you like me?" "Not even a little?" "Does it say where the ritual will take place?" "I'm doing my best." "Sorry, Nis." "I know." "I'd be completely lost without you." "Really?" "You don't find me a third wheel, when Mathias is around?" "Does that make me the spare?" "You're equally important to me." "I'm glad he's the one they took, 'cause none of us would be able to find you." "It's true, Nis." "You're the smartest person I know." "What's your game?" " Find out where the ritual is, Nis." "Wake up, this is no time to sleep!" " I was just thinking a little." "Not enough, it seems." " No, I could do with some more." "The ritual... it's today!" "Am I not doing my best?" " Yes." "You take everything so literally." " Literally..." "Literally." " What's up?" "You're a genius." "You solved the riddle!" "You're not making any sense." " Yes, I am!" "I should have taken it literally." "The inscription was in ancient Greek:" ""Dei Psyche Autou Hypo Geum Poreuomai."" "Don't you see?" " Clearly!" ""Poreuomai" is scary." "It can mean "to travel" but also "to die"." ""Hypo Geum" means "underground", literally speaking." "But "Hypogeum" is also a place in Malta." "What is it?" " It's an underground temple." "There's a chamberthey called the holiest of the holiest." "Hypogeum." "And that's where Mathias will be sacrificed?" "Yes, I'm convinced of it." "Great." "You're brilliant." "Let's go." " We can't!" "Why not." " It's closed to the public." "When did that ever stop us?" " You'll think of something, genius." "Yes, let's go to the Danish resort." " What?" "Didn't you say I was brilliant?" "Sleep well?" " Drop it!" "I had to lie to get the crown." " What will happen now?" "There she is." " Who." "The Mother priestess." "What did she say?" " She said..." "That you needn't be afraid." "Your soul will be rewarded." "Who is it?" " Dorthe." "Hi!" "Everything is wonderful here, Dorit." "Yes, Dorthe." "How's the weather." "Great." "Sure, she's right here." "Wait, she just ran out to the pool." "If they're alone?" "No, they're not alone!" "They're not to be..." "Yes, that's... not allowed, I know." "I'm going there right now to check on them." "Yes, I will." "Bye." "It doesn't even have a wirebus." " My thoughts exactly." "Tell us what you're doing." " I second that." "Looking for a map of Malta's underground." "Town hall would never give it to us." " Why not?" "It leads to many interesting places." " So, what do we do?" "Find it ourselves." "They probably just block coded it." "Government 1-2-3-4." "What bozos." "That wasn't too hard." "Okay." "The colourindicates tunnel depth." "Yellow is close to the surface." "The way in is where red meets purple." "Part of the tunnel is missing." " Not important." "Okay..." "Watch out!" "The police!" "Later." "Right now it's about Mathias." "Hey, overhere, quickly!" "I found it." "Oh, no." "Mathias' shades." "They were here." "I should probably go last." "The door must be closed, and it can be a bit tricky." "Sure, chicken." " I'll go first." "Okay, we're in the red tunnel, and we're going that way." "This ought to be..." "What did I say?" " How do we get across?" "I told you!" " We know!" "How far is it?" "About 9 feet?" " We need a ladder." "There's a board overthere." "You can't hear it land." "If we don't get across, he will die." " But what can we do?" "I don't know." " Listen." "I'm light as a feather." "You could throw me across." " It could work." "Nis!" "You must help me." "I can only give you courage." "The sacrifice has been decided." "Drink this." "I wish Mathias were here." "He could do it with is eyes closed." "Nis, don't." " You'll nevermake it." "Think again." " Nis!" "What the hell are you doing?" "You think I'm a clown." " Nis, listen up." "You're smarter than everybody I know." "Mathias is good at sports." "Do you want me to lie?" " No." "Okay, then." "Nis, what are you doing?" "Nis!" "Hold on, Nis!" "Nis, climb up!" "Come on." "Climb!" "You can do it!" "Nis, climb up!" "Watch out." "The rock will fall!" "Move over." "Come on, Nis." "You can do it." "You can do it!" "Watch out!" "Come on, Nis!" "You rock, Nis!" " That was totally whacked!" "Mathias, I..." "She says it's time." "This is huge." "It's really huge." " It doesn't look like much." "It's the oracle chamberwhere the goddess delivered her prophecies." "This room has unique acoustics." " Acou... what?" "It was designed to pass on a deep masculine voice orthat of a deity." "Listen to this." "We can't hear a thing." "Maybe yourvoice is breaking?" " Maybe." "Let's move on." "Did you hearthat?" "We'd better take off." "Did you think you could take him from me?" "Mathias is coming with us." " Mathias?" "He's here of his own free will." " Mathias!" "What's wrong with him?" "What did you do?" "Easy, now." "We'll find an amicable solution." "Butt out!" "Nis, we don't have time for this." "He didn't recognize us." "Why was he like that?" "They doped him." "Why?" " How would you feel?" "Nothing for me!" "I had it at the dentist's once." "ACrotalus." " What?" "Arattlesnake, of course." " It's not venomous, is it?" "25% of all rattlesnakes are non-poisonous." "Very reassuring." "Where is it?" "It's a fascinating venom with a hemotoxic effect." "It destroys the blood cells..." " Shut up and find the snake!" "There it is." "I hate snakes." " It only bites when threatened." "And how does one know?" " It starts..." "It starts to rattle its tail." "Where did it go?" " Calm down!" "There!" "I got it!" "I'm not dying in a sandpit." "Let us out!" "Let us out!" "Let us..." "What do you do in a sandpit?" " Dig." "Dig?" "You're a genius, sister." " It's working!" "Watch the snake!" "Hurry!" "Hurry up!" "Please!" "It's coming closer." "Calm down!" "We're doing everything we can." "Fie, you'll fit under it now." "Come on!" "Room service." " Super." "Come." "What can we do?" " Let's try this." "I'm going down to the oracle chamber." "Pri... priest..." "Damn it!" "Elena?" "I'm not saying the right words." "What am I supposed to say?" "Pureomai." "Of course!" "Pureomai!" "Stop!" "Watch out!" "Great job, Mathias." "Fie found the rock." " At your service." "Come." "Through here." "What about the crown?" " I have it, and I'm keeping it." "Yes, I don't deserve it." "Mathias!" "She was going to kill you!" " No, she wasn't." "That's not true." "I was." "The Earth Goddess is the goddess of peace and happiness." "But I couldn't do that to you." "No." "I'm sure that's the truth." "Why were you at the airport?" "I was wrong." " You knew the crown was coming?" "We have ourways." "She's right." "It's in the Bible." "It depends on how you interpret the story about St. Paul." "The snake bite showed that the goddess was against St. Paul." "But St. Paul won, converted them to Christianity and took the crown." "They took it as a sign ofhis victory." "Clever boy." "The crown belongs to the Earth Goddess in Malta." "What did you say?" " That Elena should have the crown." "That Goddess is pretty cool." "Let me know if you get in trouble." "Thank you." "Come." "Come on." "Can you forgive me?" "Elena, I..." "Here..." "Take care." "What will you tell your dad?" " I don't know." "I'm sure he'll understand." "Well, I hope so." "Hi." " Hello." "Did you have a nice trip?" " Yes, thank you." "So, I felt we should give it back." "It's not noble to keep something that's not yours." "I take full responsibility, and should the orderwish to penalize me I'll understand." "Katrine, frankly you did the right thing." "They were with me all the or..." "I was near them most of the time." "Good job, Jens." "Anything you're going to miss?" " You must admit she was a fox." "Aren't all girls?" " Thank you, Nis." "Atrue gentleman." "There's something fresh about a dangerous girl." "So, if I sacrifice you, you'll like me?" " Cheap shot." "Katrine, not now, okay?" "I need a minute." "I thought you'd be happy to see me." "Elena!" "I was going to Vojens shortly, anyway." "Katrine, I must tell you something." "We've been friends forever." "I just want to tell you that I love you." "Katrine?" "What?" "What is it?" " We're flying over the Alps." "Nis, you nut." "You never stop." "I'm exhausted." "Can I snuggle next to you a little?" "Sure."