The Thirteenth Monk (Bartholomew the Adventurer Trilogy Book 2)

by Tom Hoffman

  “I think he will be all right. I don’t have a bad sense about it.”

  “Neither do I. Lately I have been having the feeling there is much more to Edmund than we are aware of – and much more to him than he is aware of.”

  “Who’s hungry besides me?” Oliver held up a very substantial picnic basket he had prepared for their voyage to Pterosaur Valley. He pulled out an oversized panel at the stern of the ship which unfolded to a table for four. “Oh dear, I hadn’t thought about this wind. I’m not certain we can set a proper table while racing along at forty miles per hour.”

  Bartholomew approached the table. “I believe I may have a ready solution to your problem.” With a flick of his paw the entire ship was surrounded by an impenetrable protective sphere, the wind instantly vanishing.

  “I always seem to forget your wonderful shaping abilities. This is perfect. I knew there was a reason we brought you along.” Oliver’s grin abruptly changed to a look of concern. “Do you think your protective shield will be strong enough to protect us from those frightful pterosaurs?”

  Bartholomew glanced over at Clara. She raised her eyebrows questioningly. He had never told Oliver about Bruno Rabbit or the Eleventh Ring which Bruno had given him.

  “Oliver, I have not told you any of this, but when I took Oberon’s ferillium crystal to the Isle of Mandora, the Great Tree was there waiting for me.”

  “Good heavens, you met the Great Tree? You talked to him?”

  “I did. He is not really a tree, however. His real name is Bruno Rabbit. He has since moved to the City of Mandora to be with the Elders, but before he left he gave me this ring.” Bartholomew held out his paw for Oliver to see.”

  “That’s just your ruby Shapers Guild ring. I see nothing new.”

  “Oliver, look very, very carefully. Focus on the ring, seeing not only with your eyes, but also with your mind.”

  Oliver frowned slightly, staring intently at Bartholomew’s paw. “It looks just as I– hold on, the ruby is gone! It just vanished into thin air. I see the Guild’s symbol of the single eye, but there is no stone on the ring.”

  “It is called the Eleventh Ring and you must never mention it to anyone, not even Morthram. The same goes for you, Edmund. There are not ten Shapers Guild Rings, there are eleven. Like the Emerald Ring, there is only one Eleventh Ring in each world, and it is worn by the most powerful shaper in that world. Bruno Rabbit told me one day I would hold that distinction, though the chances of that happening seem remote to me. The ring grants certain powers to the wearer, most of which I have yet to discover. The point is, Bruno told me as long as I wear this ring the pterosaurs will not bother us.” He waited for Oliver’s reply.

  “That’s excellent news indeed, Bartholomew, and quite a feather in your cap. It’s also a great relief to me. I honestly don’t believe I could have faced those ferocious pterosaurs again, not after our last experience with them. Now, shall we be seated for lunch? As a special surprise I have a lovely box containing one dozen of the most delicious éclairs you will ever taste, straight from Madame Beffy’s Pastry Shop in Grymmsteir. Take your seats, everyone.”

  Bartholomew looked across the table to Clara. She shrugged and smiled. “I can’t wait to try one of those éclairs, Oliver.”

  After lunch the four adventurers once again became entranced by the breathtaking scenery below. From time to time they sailed over small villages, watching as the inhabitants gaped at the extraordinary craft flying overhead. Some waved and shouted, beckoning for the ship to land, others ran terrified to the safety of their homes. The first time they passed over one of these villages Edmund looked down and murmured, “They look like ants.”

  Finally, as the sun began to set, Oliver announced, “It’s time to put her down and set up camp for the night.” He pointed to a lovely open pasture directly beneath them.

  “All right, trusty copilot, reduce speed to zero and bring us down.”

  Edmund pulled the green levers back and the Adventurer II gently descended to the pasture below.

  Chapter 9

  Voices Within

  Bartholomew shaped their campsite in the center of the beautiful grassy meadow. Edmund, however, became very concerned that ants might invade his tent during the night, so Oliver agreed to move their tent back into the ship. Bartholomew and Clara’s tent was on the crest of a long sloping hill, giving a marvelous view of the distant countryside. Bartholomew shaped a blazing campfire, and Oliver and Edmund soon joined them. Oliver had successfully convinced Edmund that ants sleep during the evening and they would not be making an appearance. They were treated to a spectacular sunset, and there was much speculation about the nature and location of Bruno Rabbit’s mysterious house. As the fire died down they bid each other good night and retired to their tents. It had been a long day and they were ready for sleep.

  Bartholomew was woken abruptly during the night by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching his tent. He instinctively flicked his wrist and a defensive sphere silently shot up around him and Clara. The footsteps moved past the tent, then stopped. He peered outside into the darkness. There was a partial moon in the sky, its light reflecting off a glimmering figure about thirty feet away. There was no doubt it was Edmund. Bartholomew watched curiously as Edmund sat down on the soft grass and gazed up at the moon. Then Edmund lowered his head, resting his hands on his knees.

  “What in the world is he doing?” Bartholomew peered though the tent at Edmund for several more minutes. Finally he drew the tent flaps closed. He lay back down, speaking silently with his secret voice. “Cavern, do you know what Edmund is doing?”

  “He is doing the same thing you once did in the Cavern of Silence.”

  “He’s trying to talk to his inner voice? Clara did confide in me that he had asked her how to do that.”

  “I am aware of everything Clara says and thinks. A rabbit may have only one inner self, but I may have more than one outer self. Clara is one of my outer selves, just as you are. That is why the connection between you is so strong.”

  “Sorry, sometimes I forget. Do you know if Edmund does have an inner voice?”

  “I cannot speak of this now. Many events must unfold in their proper order before you will understand the truth that lies beneath his actions.”

  “Is this transformation Edmund is going through a good or bad one?”

  “That is a question to be asked by a young bunny, not by you, Bartholomew. You are certainly aware by now there are no bad events. There are only events where the goodness within goes unrecognized by the creature experiencing it. Many painful experiences result in a near miraculous deepening of our self-awareness and our understanding of the world’s true nature. Think how profoundly you were changed by your ordeal in the Swamp of Lost Things. This was a trying time for you, but it led to the discovery of your Great Gem and your awareness of a deeper self within you.”

  Bartholomew held out his paw and a glowing translucent white gem appeared in it, filling the tent with its invisible light, and filling him with a great warmth and comfort. “You’re right of course. I just worry about Edmund. He is a dear friend of mine and I do not wish to see him so troubled.”

  “This is as it should be. Clara has the same thoughts. I will tell you this much. If you do as you have done in the past, and act upon the voice within you, there will come a day when you will see Edmund happier than you have ever seen him.”

  “Thank you, Cavern. That’s really all I needed to hear.”

  Bartholomew lay his head down on the pillow. Half an hour later he was woken again by Edmund’s footsteps as he strolled back to the ship.

  Bartholomew and Clara rose the next morning to warm sunlight shining through the walls of their tent. After packing their gear they returned to the Adventurer II, the aroma of breakfast greeting them well before they reached the ship.

  “Ah, there they are. Are the two sleepyheads ready for breakfast?”

  “Sorry, Oliver, I didn’t sleep very well last night.
I woke up several times and couldn’t seem to get back to sleep.”

  Edmund rose from his seat at the console. “I hope I didn’t wake you. I walked to the center of the pasture and spent an hour attempting to communicate with my inner voice. The moon was quite lovely.”

  Clara studied Edmund’s face for any clues which might indicate his success or failure. “That’s marvelous Edmund. I wish you the very best of luck, but do remember it can take years before you find your secret voice within.”

  “Yes, that is certainly true for many rabbits and muroidians.”

  Clara blinked. “What do you mean? Are you saying you spoke with your inner voice?”

  “I’m afraid I am unable to discuss that now.”

  “Why can’t you discuss it?”

  “I’m afraid I am cannot tell you why I can’t discuss it.”

  Clara put her hand on Edmund’s arm. “Then I will not ask you again. Just know that everyone here cares deeply about you and wishes only the best for you, Edmund.”

  “Thank you, Clara. I will continue my preparations for the day’s journey to Pterosaur Valley.”

  Clara looked over to Bartholomew and a small blue cloud floated out of her ear. Bartholomew drew the cloud to him and heard Clara’s voice. “What in the world is going on with Edmund?”

  Several hours later breakfast was cleaned up, the ship packed, and they were ready to go. Oliver and Edmund sat at the console, Bartholomew and Clara sat comfortably in the stern of the ship.

  “Activating Mark VII Vacuumators.”

  “Rotating nozzles to 90 degrees.”

  “Let’s take her up to one thousand feet, Edmund, then south southeast at forty miles per hour.”

  “According to my calculations we should arrive at Pterosaur Valley in approximately four hours.”

  With a low roar the Adventurer II once again took to the skies.

  Chapter 10

  Pterosaur Valley

  “There it is! Pterosaur Valley, straight ahead!” Bartholomew stood at the bow of the Adventurer II pointing towards the long narrow valley that sliced through the Landorian mountain range. Before Bruno Rabbit made the City of Mandora his new home he had bequeathed both the Eleventh Ring and his mysterious house in Pterosaur Valley to Bartholomew. Finding this house was the purpose of their trip, although it was also a very good excuse for taking the Adventurer II on its maiden voyage.

  The ship sailed on towards the valley while Oliver kept a wary eye out for pterosaurs.

  “Bruno said I might have a little trouble finding his house, so look for anything that even vaguely resembles a dwelling. Knowing Bruno, we will have more than a little trouble finding it. With his shaping skills there’s no telling how he may have camouflaged it.”

  Oliver looked at his map and said, “It seems logical it would be located near the cave where the pterosaurs live, as their main purpose was keeping away unwanted visitors.”

  “There’s no arguing with your logic, Oliver. Head the ship over that way and we’ll take a look.”

  Soon the ship was directly above the area where Bartholomew and Oliver had first encountered the pterosaurs. Oliver brought the ship to a standstill, hovering five hundred feet above the entrance to the pterosaur cave. For half an hour they studied the side of the mountain, but spotted nothing out of the ordinary. Oliver’s anxiety over the pterosaurs was beginning to fade, as they had not made their expected appearance. “I don’t see anything that looks like a house. Not a door or window in sight.”

  “Let me try something.” Bartholomew held his paw out and a wide blue beam shot out towards the mountainside. He scanned the beam back and forth across the rugged terrain, then shook his head, the beam flicking off. “There’s nothing obvious – no invisibility shaping or secret doorways.”

  Clara had been silent during the search, but now spoke. “I think we should land the ship and go inside the cave where the pterosaurs live. I believe the entrance will be found there.”

  Oliver frowned. “Do you think that’s advisable? What about the pterosaurs?”

  Bartholomew nodded. “Remember, Bruno said they would not bother us as long as I wear the Eleventh Ring.”

  Oliver looked dubiously at Bartholomew. “It’s certainly reassuring to know they won’t eat Bartholomew the Adventurer and his marvelous Eleventh Ring, but what about the plump, juicy scientist who happens to be standing next to you?”

  Clara burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth with her paw.

  Edmund said, “I have a solution. I am quite indestructible, so I will accompany Bartholomew and gauge the pterosaurs’ reaction to my presence.”

  “Good idea, Edmund. Oliver, also, don’t forget the last time we were in the cave I was not the shaper I am now. I can easily create an impenetrable defensive sphere that will protect us from them.”

  “Ah, that is all I needed to hear. Very well, I will join your excursion. Let’s take the ship down, Edmund. It’s time to meet a couple of ferocious prehistoric monsters with a yearning for rabbits.”

  Edmund grinned, and the ship began to descend. With a barely noticeable thump they touched down on the valley floor. Oliver switched off the vacuumators, the only sound now was a brisk northerly wind whistling through the valley.

  “Let’s head up through the trees, then climb the slope to the cave entrance.”

  A half hour later they stood eyeing a thirty foot wide circular opening in the side of the mountain. When they peered in, all that was visible was darkness and shadows.

  Bartholomew turned to Clara and said with a wink, “Say, Oliver, why don’t you lead the way and keep an eye out for those ferocious pterosaurs?”

  “I shall be quite happy to let you have that dubious honor. I’m afraid I am highly allergic to pterosaur claws and teeth.”

  “Very well, then, if you insist.” Bartholomew stepped into the shadowy tunnel, the other adventurers following close behind. He flicked his paw and a bright orb of light floated up to the ceiling. The orb followed them as they moved deeper into the cave. “Here’s the bend in the tunnel, Oliver. Remember this?”

  “I do indeed. Thank you so very much for reminding me.”

  “Shhhh. Listen!” They stood motionless, ears standing straight up. There was a snuffling noise coming from around the curve in the tunnel.

  Bartholomew held up his paw for them to stop, then padded silently ahead. Peering around the bend he was met by both a familiar and terrifying sight. A gigantic pterosaur lay sleeping on the tunnel floor, its long beak tucked under one leathery wing. It made a slight snorting noise and rustled its wings. Oliver poked his head around the corner, his eyes growing wide at the sight of the pterosaur.

  Bartholomew crept closer to the beast, which proceeded to do four things. It opened one eye and looked at Bartholomew, gave a great yawn which revealed a row of vicious looking teeth, closed its eye again, and went back to sleep.

  Oliver whispered excitedly, “Great heavens, it didn’t try to eat you!”

  “The Eleventh Ring worked just as Bruno said it would.”

  Clara stepped closer to the pterosaur. “It’s rather cute in a terrifying, prehistoric sort of way.” She moved next to the sleeping beast, gently scratching the top of its head. An odd chirping noise came out of the pterosaur’s prodigious beak.

  Bartholomew grinned. “I think it likes you.”

  “Are you jealous?”

  “Well, you never scratch my head like that.”

  Oliver interrupted their conversation with a mildly disapproving frown. “Perhaps we should begin our search for the entrance to Bruno’s house?”

  “Excellent idea, Oliver. Let’s head to the rear of the cave.”

  They continued on through the tunnel, passing the second sleeping pterosaur, which took no notice of them. The tunnel grew wider the farther back it went. At the end of the tunnel they found themselves facing a fifty foot wide wall of solid granite. Bartholomew moved the glowing orb of light back and forth across the rocky barrier, but
it revealed nothing of interest. It appeared to be no more or less than a wall of solid granite.

  “I don’t see anything.” A blue beam of light shot out from Bartholomew’s paw, scanning the wall for any sign of invisibility shaping. “Nothing.”

  “What should we do?”

  “I’m not sure, Oliver. Clara, what do you think? Are we missing something?”

  Clara closed her eyes and held her paws out in front of her. “She walked slowly forward, veering to the right, sensing the subtle directions being sent to her by the universe. She continued on until her paws touched the wall. She opened her eyes. “Here. Send the orb over here.”

  The orb zipped over to Clara, hovering several feet above her head.

  “Look here. I think you’ll recognize this symbol.”

  Bartholomew moved next to Clara and examined the wall. There was a tiny symbol cut into the granite, right where Clara’s paw had touched the wall. It was an indentation in the shape of a single eye.

  “You found it!” Bartholomew pressed the eye symbol with his paw. Nothing happened. “How does it work?”

  Clara though for a moment. “Try touching your Eleventh Ring to the eye.”

  Bartholomew touched the symbol of the eye with his ring. The embossed eye on his ring fit precisely into the eye on the wall. With a small blink of light, a wide expanse of the granite wall began rippling.

  “What is it doing? Is it a doorway?”

  Clara cautiously touched the shimmering wall with her paw. Her arm moved easily into the rippling granite. “We can walk through it.”

  Oliver’s response was immediate. “Do you really think that’s a good idea? We have no idea where it goes or what will happen to us if we step into it. It could be some kind of deadly trap.”