CHAPTER 69

As Teabing's Hawker jet climbs out of Le Bourget, Sophie realizes the seriousness of what she has done. By leaving France without documentation, traveling with the wanted Langdon, and carrying a bound hostage, Sophie crosses from a defensible effort to protect Langdon and honor Saunière into outright flight from the authorities.

Inside the luxurious cabin, Sophie, Langdon, and Teabing sit near the front while Rémy guards the wounded, bound Silas at the rear. Before examining the cryptex, Teabing asks to speak about the responsibility Sophie has inherited with the keystone.

Teabing tells Sophie that Saunière and the other murdered Priory leaders died to keep the keystone from the Church and Opus Dei. He warns that Sophie must either accept the duty of preserving the Grail secret or pass it to someone else, because the wrong hands could destroy what the Priory has protected for two thousand years.

Sophie insists that Saunière must have believed Sophie could handle the responsibility, though Sophie privately remains driven by a second need: discovering the truth about Sophie's family. Teabing presses further, explaining that opening the keystone may reveal the Grail's location and force Sophie to decide whether to expose a history-changing truth to the world.

Sophie suggests the Priory should make that decision, but Teabing argues the brotherhood has been effectively shattered and may be compromised. Teabing believes the Church's attack proves the time has come to reveal the Sangreal documents, while Langdon cautions that Teabing is placing too much weight on Sophie too soon.

Teabing apologizes for pressing Sophie but says Sophie must begin considering the consequences if they succeed. Sophie answers that if the Grail has found Sophie for a reason, Sophie will know what to do when the time comes, then directs the men to focus on the rosewood box and the keystone.