Note: I wrote this story in Spanish and published it elsewhere years ago. Enjoy it. Sorry for any spelling mistakes.
"Lady Lara Croft, the book you are looking for is not in our inventory, but I can tell you that an original version is in stock. In exchange for a commission, I can give you information about his whereabouts under strict confidentiality." Lara reads the email several times and although the amount required for "commission" is somewhat excessive, she agrees anyway and after executing the transfer of funds she receives a second email with the data of the location of the book in question, the city of Mumbai, India. "To Asia, the tickets," Lara thinks.
After checking into the hotel, examine a detailed map of the city. At first, she thought that this copy would be in the hands of a private collector, a millionaire or even a museum, however the direction leads her to a bustling and crowded street market where she manages to find the place that turns out to be an old building that has a small sign on the door, "Antiques" it reads. As she enter, a bell announces her presence and inside she can smell a soft aroma of incense. The site fascinates her as she notices an extensive collection of items of Indian origin and also from other parts of Asia, there are even some reduced trophy human heads among many other curiosities.
"Miss, is there anything that interests you?" an older man asks Lara, who must be about 70 years old or older, wearing a typical Hindu robe and sporting an abundant beard. "Thanks, but I'm actually looking for another item that I'm told you have in your possession." The man is surprised to hear it, "and what item would that be?", "a book or rather diary of a European explorer that I was told is in your possession". The man laughs kindly, "I'm afraid that item isn't for sale," Lara isn't discouraged, "I'm sure we can reach an agreement, money is no problem." With interest he looks at Lara, "ah you must be a millionaire who only seeks to add another item to your collection", "I actually look for the diary since I intend to investigate if what this explorer claims to have found is real or not", "and you are an explorer?", "and I am also an archaeologist", the old man remains silent as if he were thinking about something. "In that case miss, maybe we can reach an agreement" and gestures to Lara inviting her to take a seat while he puts a sign that says "closed" on the door.
Sitting at the table, Lara watches him. Soon he brings a teapot and pours her a cup of tea, "wow, Indian tea, my favorite", "then you must be from England, only an Englishman knows how to value good tea". After enjoying a cup, Lara asks him about this agreement that he proposes. Mahin, his name, responds by displaying on the table a very old map of India where an area enclosed in a red circle can be seen. "Before I tell you about this map, I'd like to know how you know about the explorer's journal." "My father, many years ago, had access to a copy of it, of course it is incomplete and not in good condition, several pages are missing but it mentions a series of ruins that do not correspond to any known culture, for the same reason I want to visit the area", "oh I see".
Lara examines the map in detail and notes that it is a representation of India before the arrival of Europeans in the area and the establishment of British rule, when the country was divided into various kingdoms and the like. "Excellent, I see that you are very well informed." "I don't think you're showing me this just to test my knowledge?", "Not really, what I want is for you to find something for me". Lara looks surprised and then Mahin pulls out another map of a particular area of the country. "For years I have researched and tracked down every piece of information and recently I was able to narrow down the search area to this area", "search for what?", "from a temple consecrated to the goddess Rati, I want you to find that temple for me and bring me some artifacts that the goddess gave to her reincarnation on Earth. Do so, and I'll give you the explorer's journal." "If you already know where to look, why don't you go yourself", "I'm already old and wouldn't last a day in the jungle, you are young, adventurous and full of energy, and according to legend only a woman can access them".
It wasn't exactly what he had in mind, but he has no choice. Mahin rejects any possibility of a financial settlement for the journal, so Lara accepts the deal and he gives her all the available information. "As soon as you bring me the artifacts, the diary will be all yours," he tells her, but Lara has one last question. "How did you come into possession of that copy?", "one of my ancestors was part of that expedition, he was actually the only survivor along with the explorer and they both wrote the book, so it became a family heirloom, several have tried to buy it, but I never wanted to part with it, until now".
Back at her hotel, Lara checks all the information she received. She also makes use of the extensive network of contacts he inherited from his father and acquires all the equipment he needs for the journey through the jungle as such an expedition was not in her plans. More importantly, it compares the data with its own information and thus manages to narrow down the search area, although it will still be several days in the jungle.
From a small village surrounded by rice plantations, Lara enters a remote area. A difficult trip due to the weather conditions and the presence of wild animals that roam the entire area. Fortunately, the information she gathered turned out to be quite accurate. She uses a series of geographical points as a reference as she moves through the thick vegetation, always attentive to his surroundings. It's almost a week's journey to a practically inaccessible area where the temple is supposed to be located.
From the morning, she is combing the area when it is almost dark and with the clouds threatening a storm, she arrives at the edge of a lagoon covered with thick vegetation. She takes some time to catch her breath and notices a small island with a building covered by trees and plants. From the air, such a place would be undetectable. Using the branches of the trees, cross until she reach the island and take a quick look at the building. "This is the temple," she says with relief as the first drops of rain begin to fall.