The Da Vinci Code Chapter 52-55

CHAPTER 52The winding 185-acre est have of Cha tea leafu Villette was located twenty-five trans ventureions northwest of Paris in the environment of Versailles. De crossed by Franois Mansart in 1668 for the play of Aufflay, it was one of Pariss to the highest degree signifi fuelt historic c scornaux. Complete with cardinal rectangular lakes and gardens doing by Le Ntre, Chateau Villette was to a niftyer extent of a modest castle than a mansion. The estate lovesomely had be derive cognise as la Petite Versailles.Langdon brought the breakfit motor transport to a shuddering pinch at the foot of the mile-long drive mode. Beyond the courtly security gate, Sir Leigh Teabings re positioningnce rose on a meadow in the distance.The sign on the gate was in positionPRIVATE PROPERTY.NO TRESPASSING.As if to record his home a British isle unto itself, Teabing had not neertheless posted his signs in English, exactly when he had ins t totallyished his gates intercom instaur ation system on the right- go through side of the motortruck the passengers side everyw present in Europe except England. Sophie gave the misplaced intercom an odd look. And if someone arrives with issue a passenger? Dont hold. Langdon had already been by that with Teabing. He prefers things the way they argon at home.Sophie rolled d birth pat(p) pat(p) her window. Robert, youd burst do the talking.Langdon shifted his position, leaning forth across Sophie to press the intercom thatton. As he did, an alluring whiff of Sophies bouquet filled his nostrils, and he arrive at how pen up they were. He requireed there, awkwardly prone, while a telephone began ringing oer the petite expresser.Finally, the intercom crackled and an irritated french accent utter. Chateau Villette. Who is calling?This is Robert Langdon, Langdon called bulge out, sprawled across Sophies lap. Im a companion of Sir Leigh Teabing. I wishing his friend.My assure is sleeping. As was I. What is your business with him? It is a private matter. adept of great interest to him. Then Im received he will be delightful to receive you in the morning. Langdon shifted his weight. Its benign of an importationant. As is Sir Leighs sleep. If you be a patron, thence you ar aware he is in piteous health.Sir Leigh Teabing had suffered from polio as a claw and right off wore stagecoach couple and walked with crutches, exactly Langdon had found him such a bouncing and colorful man on his buy the farm visit that it hardly seemed an infirmity. If you would, please name him I break un coverted innovative teaching closely to the grail. Information that rear endnot wait until morning.There was a long pause.Langdon and Sophie waited, the truck idling loudly.A full keen passed.Finally, someone spoke. My good man, I daresay you are still on Harvard Standard Time. The vocalize was crisp and light.Langdon grinned, recognizing the thick British accent. Leigh, my apologies fo r wake you at this obscene hour.My manservant recognises me that not wholly are you in Paris, but you speak of the grail.I image that might get going you out of bed. And so it has. Any materialize youd outspoken the gate for an old friend?Those who seek the truth are to a greater extent than friends. They are brothers. Langdon rolled his eyeball at Sophie, well accustomed to Teabings predilection for salient antics. Indeed I will open the gate, Teabing pro introduceed, but first I essential confirm your insuret is trustworthy. A assay of your honor. You will answer three examinations.Langdon groaned, speak at Sophie. Bear with me here. As I mentioned, hes something of a character. Your first question, Teabing declared, his tone Herculean. Shall I serve you c rack upee, or tea? Langdon knew Teabings facial expressionings slightly the American phenomenon of coffee. Tea, he replied. Earl Grey.Excellent. Your second question. draw or sugar? Langdon hesitated. Milk,Sophi e whispered in his ear. I think the British command milk. Milk, Langdon said. Silence. Sugar? Teabing do no reply. confront Langdon now recalled the minuteter beverage he had been served on his last visit and realized this question was a play tricks. Lemon he declared. Earl Grey with lemonIndeed. Teabing sounded deeply disport now. And finally, I moldiness make the most grave of inquiries. Teabing paused and then spoke in a solemn tone. In which run of study did a Harvard sculler last outrow an Oxford man at Henley?Langdon had no idea, but he could reckon only one intellectual the question had been asked. Surely such a mockery has never occurred.The gate clicked open. Your imaget is true, my friend. You may pass.CHAPTER 53Monsieur Vernet The night manager of the monument Bank of Zurich felt relieved to hear the bank prexys voice on the phone. Where did you go, sir? The natural law are here, everyone is waiting for youI devote a itsy-bitsy problem, the bank presiden t said, sounding distressed. I desire your abet right away.You need much(prenominal) than a small(a) problem, the manager thought. The police had solo surrounded the bank and were threatening to commence the DCPJ captain himself show up with the secondment the bank had demanded. How can I help you, sir? Armored truck get three. I need to find it. Puzzled, the manager check into his delivery schedule. Its here. Dgetst jobs at the fill dock. Actually, no. The truck was stolen by the cardinal individuals the police are tracking. What? How did they drive out?I cant go into the specifics on the phone, but we have a situation here that could potentially be extremely chthonicprivileged for the bank.What do you need me to do, sir?Id corresponding you to stir up the trucks emergency transponder.The night managers eyes locomote to the LoJack control box across the room. akin more armored cars, each of the banks trucks had been fit with a radio-controlled homing device, w hich could be bring outd remotely from the bank. The manager had only used the emergency system once, later on a hijacking, and it had worked flawlessly locating the truck and transmitting the coordinates to the regime automatically. Tonight, however, the manager had the gist 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 authori weds that we have a problem.Vernet was silent for some(prenominal) seconds. Yes, I write out. Do it anyway. Truck number three. Ill hold. I need the exact attitude of that truck the instant you have it. ad sound away, sir.Thirty seconds later, forty kilometers away, hidden in the undercarriage of the armored truck, a tiny transponder blinked to life.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 she could think of few safer places to get their feet under them than this private, gated estate owned by a good- recordd foreigner.They off- break into the sweeping bankers bill driveway, and Chateau Villette came into interpret on their right. Three stories tall and at least sixty meters long, the edifice had gray perdition facing light up by outside spotlights. The coarse facade s similarlyd in stark juxtaposition to the immaculately landscaped gardens and glassy pond.The wrong lights were only if now coming on.Rather than unprompted to the front door, Langdon pulled into a parking area nestled in the evergreens. No reason to risk being spotted from the road, he said. Or having Leigh wonder why we arrived in a wrecked armored truck.Sophie gestureded. What do we do with the cryptex? We probably shouldnt leave it out here, but if Leigh sees it, hell certainly want to know what it is. non to worry, Langdon said, removing his jacket as he stepped out of the car. He wr apped the gaberdine coat around the box and held the practice bundling in his arms like a baby.Sophie looked dubious. Subtle.Teabing never answers his own door he prefers to make an entrance. Ill find somewhere inside to stash this forwards he joins us. Langdon paused. Actually, I should probably warn you originally you admit him. Sir Leigh has a sense of humor that slew often find a bit opposed. Sophie doubted anything tonight would strike her as strange anymore. The pathway to the main entrance was hand-laid cobblestone. It curving to a door of carved oak tree and cherry with a brass boob the size of a grapefruit. Before Sophie could nab the knocker, the door swung open from within.A straightlaced and elegant butler stood before them, make final ad fittingments on the white tie and tuxedo he had apparently plainly donned. He looked to be some fifty, with orderly features and an austere expression that left wee doubt he was unamused by their doubtfulnessing here.S ir Leigh will be down presently, he declared, his accent thick French. He is dressing. He prefers not to greet visitors while wearing only a nightshirt. May 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 guided them through a lush marble foyer into an exquisitely adorned drawing room, piano lit by tassel-draped Victorian lamps. The air inside smelled antediluvian, regal somehow, with traces of pipe tobacco, tea leaves, cooking sherry, and the earthen aroma of stone architecture. Against the far wall, flanked between two glisten suits of chain mail armor, was a rough-hewn hearth large enough to roast an ox. go to the hearth, the butler knelt and touched a find out to a pre-laid arrangement of oak logs and attractiveling. A fire debauchedly crackled to life.The man stood, straightening his jacket. His master requests that you make yourselves at home. With that, he departed, going away Langdon and Sophie a lonely(prenominal).Sophie wondered which of the fireside antiques she was supposed to sit on the Renaissance velvet diwan, the rustic eagle-claw rocker, or the pair of stone pews that looked like theyd been elevate from some Byzantine temple.Langdon unwrapped the cryptex from his coat, walked to the velvet divan, and slid the wooden box deep underneath it, well out of sight. Then, shaking out his jacket, he put it back on, smoothed the lapels, and grinningd at Sophie as he sit down down directly over the stashed treasure.The divan it is, Sophie thought, winning a seat beside him.As she stared into the growing fire, enjoying the warmth, Sophie had the sensation that her grandad would have loved this room. The dark wood dot was bedecked with Old Master headstoneings, one of which Sophie know as a Poussin, her grandfathers second-favorite painter. On the pall above the fireplace, an alabaster bust of Isis watched over the room.Beneath the Egyptian g oddess, inside the fireplace, two stone gargoyles served as andirons, their mouths gaping to cave in their menacing hollow pharynxs. Gargoyles had always panic-stricken Sophie as a child that was, until her grandfather cured her of the fear by taking her a take notre Dame Cathedral in a rainstorm. Princess, look at these barmy creatures, he had told her, pointing to the gargoyle rainspouts with their mouths gushing pissing. Do you hear that funny sound in their throats? Sophie nodded, having to make a face at the burping sound of the water gurgling through their throats. Theyre gargling,her grandfather told her. Gargariser And thats where they get the lightheaded name gargoyles. Sophie had never once more been afraid.The fond memory caused Sophie a pang of glumness as the harsh reality of the get through gripped her again. Grand-pere is gone.She pictured the cryptex under the divan and wondered if Leigh Teabing would have any idea how to open it. Or if we even should ask him .Sophies grandfathers final talking to had instructed her to find Robert Langdon. He had said zilch about involving anyone else. We needed somewhere to hide, Sophie said, deciding to trust Roberts judgment.Sir Robert a voice bellowed somewhere behind them. I see you be active with a maiden.Langdon stood up. Sophie jumped to her feet as well. The voice had come from the top of a curled whole tonecase that snaked up to the shadows of the second floor. At the top of the stairs, a form moved in the shadows, only his silhouette visible.Good 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 metallic element leg braces and used crutches. He was coming down one stair at a time. I realize its quite late.It is so late, my penny-pinching, its early. He laughed. Vous netes pas Americaine?Sophie move her head. Parisienne.Your English is superb.Thank you. I analyse at the Royal Holloway.So then, that explains it. Teabing hobbled demoralise through the shadows. Perhaps Robert told you I schooled just down the road at Oxford. Teabing touch on Langdon with a devilish smile. Of course, I overly applied to Harvard as my safety school.Their innkeeper arrived at the shag of the stairs, appearing to Sophie no more like a dub than Sir Elton John. Portly and ruby-faced, Sir Leigh Teabing had bushy red whisker and jovial hazel eyes that seemed to lighter as he spoke. He wore pleated heave and a roomy silk shirt under a paisley vest. Despite the aluminum braces on his legs, he carried himself with a resilient, upright piano dignity that seemed more a spin-off 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 found some. Teabing laughed heartily, patting his rotund belly. Touche. My only carnal pleasures these daylighttimes seem to be culinary. Tu rning now to Sophie, he gently took her hand, bowing his head s lightly, breathing lightly on her fingers, and diverting his eyes. 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 set on a t fitting in front of the fireplace.This is Remy Legaludec, Teabing said, my manservant.The slender butler gave a stiff nod and disappeared yet 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?Good heavens, no I would not wish a British chef on anyone except the French tax collectors. He glanced over at Sophie. Pardonnez-moi, Mademoiselle Neveu. Please be informed that my distaste for the French extends only to politics and the soccer pitch. Your government steals my money, and your football squad recently humiliated us.Sophie offered an easy smile.Teabing eyeball her a issue and then looked at Langdon. Something has happened. You two look shaken.Langdon nodded. Weve had an interesting night, Leigh.No doubt. You arrive on my doorstep unpredicted in the middle of the night discourse of the grail. Tell me, is this indeed about the Grail, or did you only when say that because you know it is the lone topic for which I would rouse myself in the middle of the night?A little of both, Sophie thought, picturing the cryptex hidden beneath the couch. Leigh, Langdon said, wed like to talk to you about the Priory of Sion. Teabings bushy eyebrows bowleg 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 gritty of quid pro quo. Very well. I am at your service. What is it I can tell you?Langdon s ighed. I was hoping you would be kind enough to explain to Ms. Neveu the true nature of the blessed Grail.Teabing looked stunned. She doesnt know?Langdon shook his head.The smile that grew on Teabings face was almost obscene. Robert, youve brought me a virgin?Langdon winced, glancing at Sophie. saturated is the confines Grail enthusiasts use to describe anyone who has never heard the true Grail story.Teabing move eagerly to Sophie. How much do you know, my dear?Sophie quickly outlined what Langdon had explained front the Priory of Sion, the Knights Templar, the Sangreal documents, and the set apart Grail, which many claimed was not a loving cup but rather something far more efficacious.Thats all? Teabing fired Langdon a shameful look. Robert, I thought you were a gentleman. Youve robbed her of the adventI know, I thought perhaps you and I could Langdon apparently decided the untoward 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 55 sit down on the divan beside Langdon, Sophie drank her tea and ate a scone, feeling the welcome effectuate of caffeine and fare. Sir Leigh Teabing was beaming as he awkwardly paced before the open fire, his leg braces clicking on the stone hearth.The blessed 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 directly at Sophie. However the far more germane(predicate) question is this What is the dedicated Grail?Sophie comprehend a rising air of faculty member anticipation now in both of her male companions.To fully understand the Grail, Teabing continued, we essential first understand the account book. How well do you know the New volition? Sophie shrugged. not at all, really. I was raised by a man who worshipped da Vinci Da Vinci. Teabing looked both startled and pleased. An learn sou l. Superb Then you must be aware that Leonardo was one of the keepers of the private of the saintly 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 eyes turned mirthful as he motioned to the nurseshelf 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 get across between them. distortion the book to face Sophie, Teabing flipped open the straining cover and pointed inside the rear cover to a series of quotations. From Da Vincis notebook on polemics and speculation, Teabing said, indicating one quote in particular. I think youll find this relevant to our discussion.Sophie read the words.Many have make a trade of delusionsand false miracles, deceiving the fatheaded multitude. LEONARDO DA VINCIHeres another, Teabing said, pointing to a contrasting quote.Blinding igno rance does mislead us.O undeserving psyches, open your eyes LEONARDO DA VINCISophie felt a little chill. Da Vinci is talking about the Bible?Teabing nodded. Leonardos feelings about the Bible relate directly to the Blessed Grail. In incident, Da Vinci painted the true Grail, which I will show you momentarily, 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 cleared his throat and declared, The Bible did not arrive by fax from heaven.I beg your dethaw?The Bible is a product of man, my dear. Not of deity. The Bible did not fall as if by magic from the clouds. Man created it as a diachronic record of tumultuous times, and it has evolved through unnumbered translations, additions, and revisions. History has never had a authorized version of the book.Okay. delivery boy savior was a historic figure of staggering influence, perhaps the most enigmatic and inspirat ional attracter the world has ever seen. As the prophesied Messiah, deliveryman toppled kings, divine millions, and founded new philosophies. As a descendant of the lines of King soomon and King David, rescuer feature a rightful claim to the throne of the King of the Jews. Understandably, His life was enter by thousands of followers across the land. Teabing paused to sip his tea and then placed the cup back on the mantel. More than 80 gospels were considered for the New Testament, and yet only a relative few were chosen for inclusion Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John among them.Who chose which gospels to accommodate? Sophie asked.Aha Teabing burst in with enthusiasm. The fundamental ridicule of saviorianity The Bible, as we know it today, was collated by the goy Roman emperor moth Constantine the Great.I thought Constantine was a Christian, Sophie said.Hardly, Teabing scoffed. He was a lifelong irreligious who was baptized on his deathbed, too weak to protest. In Constant ines day, capital of Italys official pietism was sun worship the cult of Sol Invictus, or the Invincible Sun and Constantine was its head priest. Unfortunately for him, a growing tabu turmoil was gripping Rome. Three centuries after(prenominal) the crucifixion of rescuer Christ, Christs followers had multiply exponentially. Christians and pagans began warring, and the conflict grew to such proportions that it threatened to transgress Rome in two. Constantine decided something had to be done. In 325 A. D. , he decided to commingle Rome under a iodine righteousness. Christianity. Sophie was surprised. Why would a pagan emperor choose Christianity as the official religious belief? 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 curiosity at the brilliance with which Constantine converted the sun-worshipping pagans to Christianity. By fusing pagan symbols, dat es, and rituals into the growing Christian tradition, he created a kind of hybrid morality 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 nursing her miraculously conceived son Horus became the blueprint for our modernistic images of the Virgin Mary nursing Baby deliverer. And almost all the elements of the Catholic ritual the miter, the altar, the doxology, and communion, the act of God- ingest were taken directly from earlier pagan mystery religions.Teabing groaned. Dont get a symbologist started on Christian icons. Nothing in Christianity is buffer. The pre-Christian God Mithras called the watchword of God and the Light of the human 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 birthday of Osiris, Adonis, and Dionysu s. The new-sprung(a) Krishna was presented with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Even Christianitys hebdomadally holy day was stolen from the pagans.What do you mean?Originally, Langdon said, Christianity honored the Judaic Sabbath of Saturday, but Constantine shifted it to coincide with the pagans veneration day of the sun. He paused, grinning. To this day, most churchgoers attend work 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 fort the new Christian tradition, and held a noted ecumenical gathering known as the Council of Nicaea.Sophie had heard of it only insofar 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 brass section of sacraments, and, of course, the divinityof Jesus.I dont follow. His divinity?My dear, Teabing declared, until that moment in history, Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless. A mortal. Not the discussion of God? Right, Teabing said. Jesus establishment as the Son of God was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea. stay fresh on. Youre maxim Jesus divinity was the result of a vote?A relatively close vote at that, Teabing added. Nonetheless, establishing Christs divinity was little 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 established sacred ch annel the Roman Catholic church building.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 functioning 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 healthy cloak of divinity, and using it to expand their own power. Ive written several books on the topic. And I model devout Christians send you hate mail on a effortless basis? Why would they? Teabing countered. The vast absolute majority of educated Christians know the history of their faith. Jesus was indeed a great and powerful man. Constantines underhanded political maneuvers dont diminish the stateliness of Christs life. cryptograph 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 substantia l influence and importance. And 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 faster now. Because Constantine upgraded Jesus location 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 accredited 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 interesting note, Langdon added. Anyone who chose the veto gospels over Constantines version was deemed a heretic. The word heretic derives from that moment in history. The La tin word haereticus means 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 attempted to stub out 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 Nag 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, assay very hard to suppress the release of these scrolls. And why wouldnt they? The scrolls highlight glaring historical discrepancies and fabrications, clearly confirming that the modern Bible was compiled and edited by men who possessed a political agenda to advertize the divinity of the man Jesus Christ and use His influence to solidify their own power base.And yet, Langdon countered, its important to remember that the modern Churchs desire to suppress these documents comes from a sincere belief in their established view of Christ. The Vatican is made up of deeply sacred men who truly believe these opposite documents could only be false testimony.Teabing chuckled as he eased himself into a result opposite Sophie. As you can see, our prof has a far softer heart for Rome than I do. Nonetheless, he is correct about the modern clergy believing these opposing 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 unworthy mortals, open your eyesTeabing reached for the book and flipped toward the center. And finally, before I show you Da Vincis paintings of the Holy Grail, Id like you to take a quick look at this. He open up the book to a colorful graphical that spanned both full pages. I assume you recognize this fresco?Hes kidding, right? Sophie was perfect(a) at the most famous fresco of all time The LastSupper Da Vincis legendary painting from the wall of Santa maria delle Grazie near Milan. The decaying fresco portrayed Jesus and His disciples at the moment that Jesus denote one of them would betray Him. I know the fresco, yes.Then perhaps you would indulge me this little game? Close your eyes if you would. Uncertain, Sophie unlikable her eyes. Where is Jesus sitting? Teabing asked. In the center. Good. And what food are He and His disciples breaking 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 dinn er, Jesus took the cup of wine, manduction it with His disciples. One cup, she said. The chalice. 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. Thirteen 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 cadence Grail legend celebrate this moment as the definitive arrival of the Holy Grail. Oddly, Da Vinci appears to have forgotten to paint the Cup of Christ.Surely art scholars must have noted that.You will be shocked to learn what anomalies Da Vinci include here that most scholars either do not see or simply choose to ignore. This fresco, in fact, is the entir e key to the Holy Grail mystery. 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