The Da Vinci Code Chapter 52-55

CHAPTER 52The Sprawling 185-acre estate of Chateatime fourth di mensionu Villette was located twenty-five minutes northwest of Paris in the environs of Versailles. Designed by François Mansgraphics in 1668 for the Count of Aufflay, it was matchless of Pariss or so solid historical chateaux. Complete with ii angulate lakes and gardens designed by Le Ntre, Chateau Villette was to a outstandinger extent of a modest castling than a hu creationkindsion. The estate fondly had aim getn as la footling Versailles.Langdon brought the equip truck to a run low involuntarily stop at the foot of the mile- bulky push clog upway. beyond the imposing security gate, Sir Leigh Teabings residence go on a meadow in the distance.The sign on the gate was in EnglishPRIVATE PROPERTY.NO TRESPASSING.As if to proclaim his home a British Isle unto itself, Teabing had non whole affix his signs in English, tho he had inst bothed his gates intercommunication clay entry system on the dependable wing side of the truck the passengers side e veryplace in Europe except England. Sophie gave the mislaid intercom an odd look. And if any(prenominal) bingle descends without a passenger? Dont ask. Langdon had already been by that with Teabing. He prefers things the way they be at home.Sophie rolled floor her window. Robert, youd better do the talking.Langdon shifted his po flummoxion, angle out crossways Sophie to press the intercom providedton. As he did, an alluring gasp of Sophies perfume filled his nostrils, and he accomplished how close they were. He waited in that respect, awkwardly pr oneness, plot a telephone romancean ringing all all all over the small verbalizeer.Finally, the intercom crackled and an irritated cut accent r. Chateau Villette. Who is calling?This is Robert Langdon, Langdon called out, sprawled across Sophies lap. Im a friend of Sir Leigh Teabing. I bespeak his help.My chieftain is sleeping. As was I. What is your business with him? It is a toffee-nosed matter. One of great interest to him. thusly Im sure he pull up stakes be reveld to receive you in the offset light. Langdon shifted his weight. Its instead important. As is Sir Leighs sleep. If you ar a friend, indeed you are aware he is in poor health.Sir Leigh Teabing had suffe inflamed from polio as a tyke and now wore leg rubbishstock and walked with crutches, but Langdon had strand him such a lively and rich soldiery on his last consult that it hardly visualizemed an infirmity. If you would, please tell him I come overt new declareation most the grail. information that arouse non wait until morning.There was a long pause.Langdon and Sophie waited, the truck idling loudly.A beat minute passed.Finally, someone spoke. My unspoilt man, I daresay you are appease on Harvard specimen Time. The section was crisp and light.Langdon grinned, recognizing the thick British accent. Leigh, my apologies for waking you at this obscen e hour.My manservant tells me that not only are you in Paris, but you speak of the grail.I concept that efficiency lounge slightly you out of bed. And so it has. all chance youd devote the gate for an oldish friend?Those who seek the true statement are more than friends. They are brothers. Langdon rolled his eye at Sophie, well accustomed to Teabings perceptiveness for dramatic antics. Indeed I volition go around the gate, Teabing proclaimed, but first I mustiness confirm your meaning is sure. A test of your honor. You volition answer common chord questions.Langdon groaned, whispering at Sophie. Bear with me here. As I mentioned, hes something of a character. Your first question, Teabing declared, his timber Herculean. Shall I serve you coffee, or tea? Langdon knew Teabings feelings slightly the American phenomenon of coffee. Tea, he replied. Earl Grey.Excellent. Your indorsement question. Milk or sugar? Langdon hesitated. Milk,Sophie whispered in his ear. I thi nk the British take milk. Milk, Langdon tell. Silence. Sugar? Teabing do no reply.Wait Langdon now recalled the bitter drinkable he had been served on his last visit and realized this question was a trick. lemon he declared. Earl Grey with lemonIndeed. Teabing with child(p)ed cloudyly amuse now. And last examinationly, I must return the most grave of inquiries. Teabing paused and then spoke in a solemn tone. In which year did a Harvard sculler last outrow an Oxford man at Henley?Langdon had no idea, but he could imagine only one sympathy the question had been asked. Surely such a travesty has never occurred.The gate clicked spread. Your message is align, my friend. You whitethorn pass.CHAPTER 53Monsieur Vernet The night tutor of the Depository Bank of Zurich felt better to hear the intrust presidents juncture on the phone. Where did you go, sir? The patrol are here, everyone is waiting for youI experience a secondary problem, the bank president said, sounding d istressed. I need your help right away.You have more than a little problem, the motorbus melodic theme. The police had replete(p)ly surrounded the bank and were ponderous to have the DCPJ captain himself expose up with the warrant the bank had demanded. How can I help you, sir? Armored truck count three. I need to happen upon it. Puzzled, the director checked his delivery schedule. Its here. Downst stemmas at the loading dock. Actually, no. The truck was stolen by the two individuals the police are tracking. What? How did they drive out?I cant go into the specifics on the phone, but we have a occurrence here that could potentially be exceedingly unfortunate for the bank.What do you need me to do, sir?Id interchangeable you to activate the trucks emergency transponder.The night tutors eye travel to the LoJack control recession across the room. Like m each fit out cars, apiece of the banks trucks had been equipped with a radio-controlled home device, which could be acti vated remotely from the bank. The manager had only used the emergency system once, after(prenominal) a hijacking, and it had worked flawlessly pickle the truck and transmitting the coordinates to the authorities automatically. Tonight, however, the manager had the impression the president was hoping for a bit more prudence. Sir, you are aware that if I activate the LoJack system, the transponder will simultaneously inform the authorities that we have a problem.Vernet was reserved for several seconds. Yes, I know. Do it anyway. transport number three. Ill hold. I need the take up location of that truck the instant you have it. Right away, sir.Thirty seconds later, forty kilometers away, underground in the undercarriage of the armored truck, a small transponder blinked to brio.CHAPTER 54As Langdon and Sophie drove the armored truck up the winding, poplar-lined driveway toward the house, Sophie could already feel her muscles relaxing. It was a relief to be off the road, and sh e could think of a few(prenominal) safer places to come their feet under them than this private, gated estate owned by a good-natured foreigner.They turned into the sweeping circular driveway, and Chateau Villette came into view on their right. one-third stories tall and at least threescore meters long, the edifice had gray infernal region cladding illuminated by outside spotlights. The mealy facade stood in stark apposition to the immaculately landscaped gardens and glassy pond.The deep bundle lights were just now coming on. preferably than driving to the front adit, Langdon pulled into a pose area nestled in the evergreens. No reason to risk being spotty from the road, he said. Or having Leigh wonder why we arrived in a wrecked armored truck.Sophie nodded. What do we do with the cryptex? We probably shouldnt recant it out here, but if Leigh sees it, hell certainly extremity to know what it is.not to worry, Langdon said, removing his jacket as he stepped out of the car. He cloak treeed the tweed coat around the box and held the bundle in his arms want a baby.Sophie looked dubious. Subtle.Teabing never answers his own verge he prefers to make an charm. Ill find someplace intimate to stash this onwards he joins us. Langdon paused. Actually, I should probably warn you in the beginning you meet him. Sir Leigh has a sense of predilection that mint often find a bit strange. Sophie doubted anything tonight would strike her as strange anymore. The pathway to the main entrance was hand-laid cobblestone. It curved to a door of forge oak and cherry with a organisation knocker the size of a grapefruit. forwards Sophie could grasp the knocker, the door swung open from within.A prim and elegant pantryman stood before them, making final adjustments on the washcloth tie and tuxedo he had obviously just donned. He looked to be about fifty, with refined features and an austere expression that left hand little doubt he was unamused by their prese nce here.Sir Leigh will be down presently, he declared, his accent thick French. He is dressing. He prefers not to greet visitors magic spell wearing only a night garb. whitethorn I take your coat? He scowled at the bunched-up tweed in Langdons arms. thank you, Im fine. Of course you are. Right this way, please.The butler manoeuver them through a lush stain foyer into an exquisitely adorned drafting room, squishyly lit by tassel-draped blue(a) lamps. The air inside smelled antediluvian, regal somehow, with traces of pipe up tobacco, tea leaves, cooking sherry, and the kingdomen olfactory property of stone architecture. Against the off the beaten track(predicate) palisade, flanked among two glistening suits of chain mail armor, was a rough-hewn fireplace large enough to rap an ox. Walking to the hegraphicsh, the butler knelt and touched a match to a pre-laid arrangement of oak logs and kindling. A fire quickly crackled to life.The man stood, straightening his jacket. His master requests that you make yourselves at home. With that, he departed, leaving Langdon and Sophie alone.Sophie wondered which of the fireside antiques she was supposed to sit on the Renaissance velvet divan, the sylvan eagle-claw vibrateer, or the pair of stone pews that looked alike(p) theyd been lifted from some Byzantine temple.Langdon unwrap the cryptex from his coat, walked to the velvet divan, and slid the timberlanden box deep underneath it, well out of sight. Then, move out his jacket, he put it back on, smoothed the lapels, and smiled at Sophie as he sat down straight off over the stashed treasure.The divan it is, Sophie thought, taking a baby-sit beside him.As she stared into the outgrowth fire, enjoying the warmth, Sophie had the sensation that her grandad would have loved this room. The dark wood paneling was bedecked with Old Master icons, one of which Sophie recognized as a Poussin, her grandfathers second-favorite painter. On the mantel above the firep lace, an alabaster hushing of Isis watched over the room.Beneath the Egyptian goddess, inside the fireplace, two stone gargoyles served as andirons, their mouths goggle to reveal their menacing hollow throats. Gargoyles had always terrified Sophie as a child that was, until her grandfather cured her of the revere by taking her atop Notre Dame duomo in a rainstorm. Princess, look at these silly creatures, he had told her, pointing to the gargoyle rainspouts with their mouths gushing water. Do you hear that funny sound in their throats? Sophie nodded, having to smile at the burping sound of the water gurgling through their throats. Theyre gargling,her grandfather told her. Gargariser And thats where they get the silly name gargoyles. Sophie had never once more been afraid.The fond memory caused Sophie a shot of sadness as the harsh world of the murder gripped her again. Grand-pere is gone.She pictured the cryptex under the divan and wondered if Leigh Teabing would have any idea h ow to open it. Or if we even should ask him.Sophies grandfathers final words had instructed her to find Robert Langdon. He had said nothing about involving anyone else. We inevi tabulate somewhere to hide, Sophie said, deciding to trust Roberts judgment.Sir Robert a voice bellowed somewhere behind them. I see you travel with a maiden.Langdon stood up. Sophie jumped to her feet as well. The voice had come from the top of a change sur hardihood staircase that snaked up to the shadows of the second floor. At the top of the stairs, a form travel in the shadows, only his silhouette visible. veracious evening, Langdon called up. Sir Leigh, may I present Sophie Neveu. An honor. Teabing moved into the light. Thank you for having us, Sophie said, now seeing the man wore metal leg braces and used crutches. He was coming down one stair at a time. I realize its quite late.It is so late, my dear, its proterozoic. He laughed. Vous netes pas Americaine?Sophie move her head. Parisienne.Your Eng lish is superb.Thank you. I studied at the Royal Holloway.So then, that explains it. Teabing hobbled lower through the shadows. Perhaps Robert told you I schooled just down the road at Oxford. Teabing fixed Langdon with a devilish smile. Of course, I also applied to Harvard as my sanctuary school.Their host arrived at the bottom of the stairs, appear to Sophie no more like a knight than Sir Elton John. Portly and ruby-faced, Sir Leigh Teabing had shagged red hair and jovial hazel eye that beed to twinkle as he spoke. He wore pleated pants and a roomy silk shirt under a paisley vest. Despite the aluminium braces on his legs, he carried himself with a resilient, vertical dignity that seemed more a by- crossing of noble ancestry than any kind of conscious effort.Teabing arrived and extended a hand to Langdon. Robert, youve lost weight. Langdon grinned. And youve install some. Teabing laughed heartily, patting his large belly. Touche. My only carnal pleasures these days seem to be culinary. Turning now to Sophie, he gently took her hand, bowing his head slightly, cellular respiration lightly on her fingers, and diverting his look. Mlady.Sophie glanced at Langdon, uncertain whether shed stepped back in time or into a nuthouse.The butler who had answered the door now entered carrying a tea service, which he arranged on a put off in front of the fireplace.This is Remy Legaludec, Teabing said, my manservant.The slender butler gave a stiff nod and disappeared merely again.Remy is Lyonais,Teabing whispered, as if it were an unfortunate disease. But he does sauces quite nicely.Langdon looked amused. I would have thought youd import an English staff? dependable heavens, no I would not heed a British chef on anyone except the French tax collectors. He glanced over at Sophie. Pardonnez-moi, Mademoiselle Neveu. Please be assured that my distaste for the French extends only to politics and the soccer pitch. Your government steals my money, and your football game s quad recently humiliated us.Sophie offered an voiced smile.Teabing eyed her a bit and then looked at Langdon. Something has happened. You both look shaken.Langdon nodded. Weve had an elicit night, Leigh.No doubt. You arrive on my limen unannounced in the middle of the night speaking of the Grail. Tell me, is this indeed about the Grail, or did you simply say that because you know it is the lone topic for which I would send out myself in the middle of the night?A little of both, Sophie thought, picturing the cryptex hidden below the couch. Leigh, Langdon said, wed like to talk to you about the Priory of Sion. Teabings bushy eyebrows arched with intrigue. The keepers. So this is indeed about the Grail. You say you come with information? Something new, Robert?Perhaps. Were not quite sure. We might have a better idea if we could get some information from you first.Teabing wagged his finger. Ever the wily American. A game of quid pro quo. genuinely well. I am at your service. Wha t is it I can tell you?Langdon sighed. I was hoping you would be kind enough to explain to Ms. Neveu the true nature of the dedicated Grail.Teabing looked stunned. She doesnt know?Langdon shook his head.The smile that grew on Teabings face was some obscene. Robert, youve brought me a virgin?Langdon winced, glancing at Sophie. utter(a) is the term Grail enthusiasts use to define anyone who has never heard the true Grail story.Teabing turned eagerly to Sophie. How much do you know, my dear?Sophie quickly outlined what Langdon had explained former the Priory of Sion, the Knights Templar, the Sangreal documents, and the holy Grail, which many claimed was not a instill but rather something far more conditionful.Thats all? Teabing fired Langdon a scandalous look. Robert, I thought you were a gentleman. Youve robbed her of the climaxI know, I thought perhaps you and I could Langdon apparently resolved the unseemly metaphor had gone far enough.Teabing already had Sophie locked in his twinkling gaze. You are a Grail virgin, my dear. And trust me, you will never forget your first time.CHAPTER 55Seated on the divan beside Langdon, Sophie drank her tea and ate a scone, feeling the obtain effects of caffeine and food. Sir Leigh Teabing was beaming as he awkwardly paced before the open fire, his leg braces clicking on the stone hearth.The consecrated Grail, Teabing said, his voice sermonic. Most people ask me only where it is. I fear that is a question I may never answer. He turned and looked without delay at Sophie. However the far more relevant question is this What is the Holy Grail?Sophie sensed a rising air of academic anticipation now in both of her male companions.To fully go out the Grail, Teabing continued, we must first understand the account hold up. How well do you know the raw(a) testament? Sophie shrugged. Not at all, real. I was raised by a man who holiness Leonardo Da Vinci. Teabing looked both startle and pleased. An enlightened soul. Superb Then you must be aware that Leonardo was one of the keepers of the secret of the Holy Grail. And he hid clues in his art. Robert told me as much, yes. And Da Vincis views on the New Testament? I have no idea. Teabings look turned mirthful as he motioned to the bookshelf across the room. Robert, would you mind? On the bottom shelf. La Storia di Leonardo.Langdon went across the room, found a large art book, and brought it back, setting it down on the table between them. Twisting the book to face Sophie, Teabing flipped open the heavy cover and pointed inside the elevate cover to a series of quotations. From Da Vincis notebook on polemics and speculation, Teabing said, indicating one credit in particular. I think youll find this relevant to our discussion.Sophie read the words.Many have made a trade of delusionsand wild miracles, deceiving the stupid multitude. da Vinci DA VINCIHeres another, Teabing said, pointing to a different inverted comma.Blinding ignorance does misle ad us.O Wretched mortals, open your eyes LEONARDO DA VINCISophie felt a little chill. Da Vinci is talking about the pa mapping?Teabing nodded. Leonardos feelings about the tidings relate directly to the Holy Grail. In fact, Da Vinci piebald the true Grail, which I will show you secarily, but first we must speak of the Bible. Teabing smiled. And everything you need to know about the Bible can be summed up by the great canon doctor Martyn Percy. Teabing clear his throat and declared, The Bible did not arrive by fax from heaven.I beg your pardon?The Bible is a product of man, my dear. Not of God. The Bible did not blow over magically from the clouds. Man created it as a historical record of tumultuous times, and it has evolved through countless translations, additions, and revisions. History has never had a definitive form of the book.Okay. saviour delivery boy was a historical figure of keel allure, perhaps the most enigmatic and sacred leader the world has ever seen. As the prophesied Messiah, deliveryman toppled kings, inspired millions, and founded new philosophies. As a descendant of the lines of index Solomon and King David, delivery boy possessed a just claim to the throne of the King of the Jews. Understandably, His life was recorded by thousands of chase across the land. Teabing paused to sip his tea and then situated the cup back on the mantel. more(prenominal) than eighty gospel truth were considered for the New Testament, and stock-still only a relative few were chosen for inclusion Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John among them.Who chose which gospel singing to include? Sophie asked.Aha Teabing burst in with enthusiasm. The native irony of delivery boyianity The Bible, as we know it today, was collated by the gentile popish emperor Constantine the Great.I thought Constantine was a delivery boyian, Sophie said.Hardly, Teabing scoffed. He was a lifelong hedonist who was baptized on his deathbed, too weak to protest. In Constantines day, Romes formalised religion was solarize worship the religious cult of Sol Invictus, or the Invincible sunbathe and Constantine was its head priest. Unfortunately for him, a growing religious turmoil was gripping Rome. troika centuries after the crucifixion of Jesus the Nazarene, Christs followers had multiplied exponentially. Christians and ethnics began warring, and the conflict grew to such proportions that it exist to rend Rome in two. Constantine unconquerable something had to be done. In 325 A. D. , he trenchant to unify Rome under a single religion. Christianity. Sophie was surprised. Why would a pagan emperor choose Christianity as the decreed religion? Teabing chuckled. Constantine was a very good businessman. He could see that Christianity was on the rise, and he simply backed the winning horse. Historians still marvel at the brilliance with which Constantine born-again the sun-worshipping pagans to Christianity. By fusing pagan symbols, dates, and ritua ls into the growing Christian customs duty, he created a kind of loan-blend religion that was acceptable to both parties.Transmogrification, Langdon said. The vestiges of pagan religion in Christian symbology are undeniable. Egyptian sun disks became the halos of Catholic saints. Pictograms of Isis nurse her miraculously conceived son Horus became the blueprint for our unexampled images of the Virgin Mary nursing infant Jesus. And virtually all the elements of the Catholic ritual the miter, the altar, the doxology, and communion, the act of God-eating were taken directly from introductory pagan mystery religions.Teabing groaned. Dont get a symbologist started on Christian icons. Nothing in Christianity is original. The pre-Christian God Mithras called the male child of God and the weak of the World was born on declination 25, died, was buried in a rock tomb, and then resurrected in three days. By the way, December 25 is also the natal day of Osiris, Adonis, and Dionysus. The newborn Krishna was presented with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Even Christianitys weekly Blessed day was stolen from the pagans.What do you mean?Originally, Langdon said, Christianity honored the Jewish Sabbath of Saturday, but Constantine shifted it to coincide with the pagans adoration day of the sun. He paused, grinning. To this day, most churchgoers bring up services on Sunday morning with no idea that they are there on account of the pagan sun gods weekly tribute Sunday.Sophies head was spinning. And all of this relates to the Grail?Indeed, Teabing said. Stay with me. During this fusion of religions, Constantine needed to strengthen the new Christian tradition, and held a noteworthy ecumenical gathering cognise as the Council of Nicaea.Sophie had heard of it only heretofore as its being the birthplace of the Nicene Creed.At this gathering, Teabing said, many aspects of Christianity were debated and voted upon the date of Easter, the role of the bishops, the adm inistration of sacraments, and, of course, the theologyof Jesus.I dont follow. His divinity?My dear, Teabing declared, until that moment in bill, Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal seer a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A mortal. Not the Son of God? Right, Teabing said. Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea.Hold on. Youre saying Jesus divinity was the egress of a vote?A comparatively close vote at that, Teabing added. Nonetheless, establishing Christs divinity was critical to the further unification of the Roman empire and to the new Vatican power base. By officially endorsing Jesus as the Son of God, Constantine turned Jesus into a deity who existed beyond the scope of the human world, an entity whose power was unchallengeable. This not only precluded further pagan challenges to Christianity, but now the followers of Christ were able to redeem themselves only via the effected sacred channel the Roman Catholic Church.Sophie glanced at Langdon, and he gave her a soft nod of concurrence.It was all about power, Teabing continued. Christ as Messiah was critical to the cognitive process of Church and state. Many scholars claim that the early Church literally stole Jesus from His original followers, hijacking His human message, shrouding it in an impenetrable cloak of divinity, and using it to work out their own power. Ive written several books on the topic. And I assume devout Christians send you hate mail on a daily basis? Why would they? Teabing countered. The vast majority of educated Christians know the history of their faith. Jesus was indeed a great and powerful man. Constantines underhanded political maneuvers dont strike the majesty of Christs life. Nobody is saying Christ was a fraud, or denying that He walked the earth and inspired millions to better lives. All we are saying is that Constantine took advantage of Christs substantial influence and importance. An d in doing so, he shaped the face of Christianity as we know it today.Sophie glanced at the art book before her, eager to move on and see the Da Vinci painting of the Holy Grail.The twist is this, Teabing said, talking hurried now. Because Constantine upgraded Jesus status almost four centuries after Jesus death, thousands of documents already existed chronicling His life as a mortal man. To rewrite the history books, Constantine knew he would need a bold stroke.From this sprang the most profound moment in Christian history. Teabing paused, eyeing Sophie. Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christs human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up, and burned.An provoke note, Langdon added. Anyone who chose the forbidden gospels over Constantines version was deemed a heretic. The word heretic derives from that moment in history. The Latin word haereticus factor choice. Those who chose the original history of Christ were the worlds first heretics.Fortunately for historians, Teabing said, some of the gospels that Constantine assay to eradicate managed to survive. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in the 1950s hidden in a cave near Qumran in the Judean desert. And, of course, the Coptic Scrolls in 1945 at chaw Hammadi. In addition to telling the true Grail story, these documents speak of Christs ministry in very human terms. Of course, the Vatican, in keeping with their tradition of misinformation, tried very hard to quash the release of these scrolls. And why wouldnt they? The scrolls highlight indubitable historical discrepancies and fabrications, clearly confirming that the moderne Bible was compiled and edited by men who possessed a political schedule to promote the divinity of the man Jesus Christ and use His influence to solidify their own power base.And yet, Langdon countered, its important to entertain that the modern Churchs de sire to suppress these documents comes from a sincere belief in their naturalised view of Christ. The Vatican is made up of deeply pious men who truly hope these contrary documents could only be glum testimony.Teabing chuckled as he eased himself into a chair opposite Sophie. As you can see, our professor has a far softer heart for Rome than I do. Nonetheless, he is advance about the modern clergy believing these argue documents are false testimony. Thats understandable. Constantines Bible has been their truth for ages. Nobody is more indoctrinated than the indoctrinator. What he means, Langdon said, is that we worship the gods of our fathers. What I mean, Teabing countered, is that almost everything our fathers taught us about Christ is false.As are the stories about the Holy Grail.Sophie looked again at the Da Vinci quote before her. Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O Wretched mortals, open your eyesTeabing reached for the book and flipped toward the center. And finally, b efore I show you Da Vincis paintings of the Holy Grail, Id like you to take a quick look at this. He opened the book to a colorful graphic that spanned both full pages. I assume you recognize this fresco?Hes kidding, right? Sophie was staring at the most famous fresco of all time The stick outSupper Da Vincis legendary painting from the wall of Santa Maria delle Grazie near Milan. The decaying fresco depicted Jesus and His disciples at the moment that Jesus announced one of them would betray Him. I know the fresco, yes.Then perhaps you would scotch me this little game? Close your eyes if you would. Uncertain, Sophie closed her eyes. Where is Jesus sitting? Teabing asked. In the center. Good. And what food are He and His disciples open frame and eating? Bread. Obviously. Superb. And what drink? Wine. They drank wine. Great. And one final question. How many wineglasses are on the table?Sophie paused, realizing it was the trick question. And after dinner, Jesus took the cup of wi ne, sharing it with His disciples. One cup, she said. The goblet. The Cup of Christ.The Holy Grail. Jesus passed a single chalice of wine, just as modern Christians do at communion.Teabing sighed. Open your eyes.She did. Teabing was grinning smugly. Sophie looked down at the painting, seeing to her astonishment that everyone at the table had a glass of wine, including Christ. bakers dozen cups. Moreover, the cups were tiny, stemless, and made of glass. There was no chalice in the painting. No Holy Grail.Teabings eyes twinkled. A bit strange, dont you think, considering that both the Bible and our standard Grail legend continue this moment as the definitive comer of the Holy Grail. Oddly, Da Vinci appears to have disregarded to paint the Cup of Christ.Surely art scholars must have noted that.You will be shocked to learn what anomalies Da Vinci included here that most scholars both do not see or simply choose to ignore. This fresco, in fact, is the entire key to the Holy Grail my stery. Da Vinci lays it all out in the open in The Last SupperSophie scanned the work eagerly. Does this fresco tell us what the Grail really is?Not what it is, Teabing whispered. But rather who it is. The Holy Grail is not a thing. It is, in fact a person