“What is it?” Uncle said.
“I have no idea, but I hope you might cipher it, as I could make nothing of it. Perhaps it will answer some of our questions.”
Uncle slowly unrolled the thick paper like a bomb that might explode. He laid it on a small table and all looked down at it.
“Humph!” Will said. “Just a bunch o’ stick pictures, waste o’ time. Can’t read a damn thing!”
“Nor can I read it,” said Zhoulin. “Uncle?”
“I think... it is from the writings from the place called Sanxingdui. An ancient script no doubt, but I think I have seen it before. It will take a little time to cipher it.”
“Oh? And where prey, is this… sang Ching… whatever?” Will said, being unable to say the word.
“Sanxingdui A place of ancient knowledge. It may be. We must go there I fear. But I must read it in full I will have the answer by morning.”
“Oh? Fear? Why do you say, you fear.” Billy said “Don't like the sound of that. I’ve had enough fear to last a lifetime.”
“Aye to that lad,” Will said. “Well said indeed. Enough fear for several lifetimes, I would think. So on with it old man I am weary and want to find a place to lie down before we are set upon again.”
Everyone agreed with that. “Yes, we are all tired,” the old man said.
“But from what I have read, we must go to this place and find a jewel of unbelievable power before it is used to destroy the…” he hesitated for a moment. “It says... I think, the universe.”
They all stared at him.
“Surely you are not serious,” Brother Dog said.
Longstrider looked a little blank. “Universe? Does this mean it is true that this world is not alone? I once heard that the stars are actually suns and that there are worlds like this one circling them and perhaps there are even creatures that live upon them.”
“Some of his men gasped at this.
“What balderdash is this?” Will said. “That’s… well, that’s…. Why, that’s blasphemy, my friend! Dare you say such things? Are you not concerned for your very soul? I cannot hear such talk!
“Perhaps, my friend,” Longstrider replied. “Yet here we sit, amongst this gathered company of misfits, wizards, and aliens. We were transported here through some magic. What I hear is some kind of wormhole, through time and space. How can we not believe at least some?”
“Yes,” Uncle said.
“Well, you don't think this little guy and our friend Mr. Brother Dog here came from this planet did you?” They all looked at Billy. The little creature was draped across his shoulders, apparently asleep. “Don’t look at me like that. Even if Geezer here somehow came from me, he is alien.”
“Geezer?” Zhoulin said, “Is that what you are calling it?”
“Might as well. And every time I am near him, he feels like an old friend, so Geezer. It’s better than, no name at all. Or, It. So anyway, we go to this place… San Xing… whatever, and just pick up the most valuable jewel in the universe, that someone else is bent on getting. For the reason of what? World domination? Universal destruction? I suppose. And if this entity doesn't kill all of us? I am somehow supposed to use this thing, to save the world from imminent danger? Then we all go home. Is that about it?” He finished sarcastically.
“Why yes! That is it exactly. I do enjoy how you put things in perspective Billy. It must be your education in the future country you are from. So precise. We here in the middle kingdoms are required to never offend anyone so we often go around in circles about everything rather than just saying the truth I find it very refreshing. Perhaps when we are in your time, we will speak so.”
“So that is the answer then?” Zhoulin said.
“Yes, precisely as Billy said,” Uncle responded.
“But,” Billy said. “I was kidding. Sarcasm, you know that right? There has to be more to it than that. What Jewel? How do we get it? Where is it? Is it magic? I don’t know magic you know. There are so many things!”
Uncle sat there for a moment head in hand. “Ah, we are all tired are we not? Please, I only just received the message from this Merdin...Merlin character. I had no idea this was coming. I was not intending any of this. Yes, we were already heading that way and I suppose it confirms my plan, but how did this one Merlin know what we were about and from this missive it appears he knows more than I. I need to think. We all need to sleep. I can say this much we are off to the fabled Sanxingdui in the morning. It is not so far, in the place they call Sichuan, in which is the city of Chengdu. I do not know what stands against us, nor how we will accomplish this thing, but we must go and try. Else, the entire world might be lost.”
“So. Sanxingdui is a city?” Billy said.
“Lost City,” Uncle corrected. “In the morning,” Uncle said. “I will have your answers in the Morning”
16 The Road Ahead
T
hey were up before the cock crowed, feeling much better for the sleep. Uncle had spoken to no one. He spent his whole morning looking at the script he had been given. They worked around him. Finally, Billy got the opportunity to talk to Longstrider, at first he felt embarrassed not knowing what to say. "What can I do for you young William?" Longstrider finally said, seeing the discomfort on the boy's face.
"Well," He said hesitantly. "I was wondering if it is Ok if I call you Robin." The surprise on Longstrider's face was obvious. "My Lord you are full of surprises, you are."
“But you are sometimes called Robin Hood?”
“By the gods! How do you know these things? This is known only by my closest.”
"Well," Billy said. "There are books written about you, and Will Scarlet and little John, even movies, and TV shows."
Robin looked at him “Well books I know, the other two I have no understanding of.”
“Oh!” Billy said. “Of course, sorry. And I guess I shouldn’t explain and I'm not sure you would believe me anyway. But you are a hero and I am really glad I met you.”
"Well, I thank you for this knowledge, my young friend. It warms my heart to know we are not forgotten. It is also strange to grasp, as here we stand alive and well, yet you think we are long since dead. If I understand it aright. Perhaps we can speak more of this at another time, but now we must be away and I have to give instruction to my men. I would prefer, however if you continue to call me Longstrider for the nonce. It is all a bit much for me and my men. And it is Sir Robin if you don't mind. Might save you a cuff in the ear from one of my men if you were to remember that."
With that, he directed his men to become decoys and try to divert attention from their true mission, leading any interested party, in the wrong direction.
Billy was elated to have the chance to really talk to Robin Hood! It was all he could do to not have a stupid grin on his face all day. And the idea of calling his hero by his pseudonym didn't bother him a bit, not that anyone back home would believe any of it, it still it meant a lot. He had too much respect for the man to just do otherwise.
He had noticed there were considerably less of the merry men he had seen in the meadow. It occurred to him, they might all have been killed trying to protect him. He wanted to ask, but really, he didn't want to know.
All except Scarlet were sent off to cause mischief and mayhem. Hopefully, the little ruse would give Billy's group time to reach their new destination. Zhoulin and Brother Dog disappeared for a short time to try to find clothing for Longstrider and Will. Probably taken off someone's clothesline. The forest green clothing they wore was far too garish for this dark country and they had to wear cloaks to cover them most of the time.
Will complained continuously about having to remove his expensive new shoes and replace them with sandals. However, the fancy shoes smelled horrible when he finally took them off and Billy couldn't help but wonder if his throwing up on them had something to do with that and probably the heat and sweat from the Chinese sun had almost boiled his feet in the hard leather boots.
"Perhaps we
can bottle that smell, I am sure it could kill or incapacitate our enemies." Longstrider joked.
"Yes!" Brother Dog said, "Or we could throw them in a lake and see how many fish boil to the surface trying to escape the stench."
They all laughed. It was nice to have something to chuckle about for a change and they finally set off, keeping to the less traveled paths
"Well, at least there is a good thing about this," Billy said.
"Oh, what is that?" Uncle replied.
"Well, now they won't know how many of us there are, so it should be easier. And I noticed more dogs, as we came here you should be less noticeable."
Brother Dog who was once again on all fours just growled, “How long to our destination?”
“Two days over the mountains to the Sichuan plain first we will go to Chengdu as I said.
But there is good news, that city is part of the ancient trade route, there will undoubtedly be foreigners there, and less need to hide."
"Oh, and pray tell, how will that help me?" Brother Dog said sarcastically.
"I apologize," Uncle said. "Once we are there we only need to go another day to find
Sanxingdui. The jewel we seek should be there, I believe."
"That sounds very simple," Longstrider said. "Tell us more about this Sanxingdui. You said it is a lost city?"
“Sanxingdui, was a mighty capital for many centuries, so the story goes,” Uncle began.
"According to the legends, the Jade Emperor scattered three handfuls of soil from the heavens onto the banks of the Qian River. These stars became the mountains of Sanxingdui and it was so long ago that they are only mounds of earth now. But on these mounds was built a great and terrible city and the gods used to enjoy hunting in the valleys. It is a place of mystery and magic and they sacrificed many souls there.”
“So how is it lost then?” Will said.
"Well, that was millennia ago. The City disappeared under mysterious circumstances. It is all just folklore now, some people even doubt it ever was. Nothing has ever been found of any such city. There is also a story of a powerful wizard who could turn men to stone. Ridiculous of course, but I think people are fearful to look. There are stories of people disappearing never to be seen again, to this day. Most people give it a wide berth as they travel, I believe."
They were deep in a wooded forest now on a path leading over rocky hills and the bamboo forests of the south Billy noticed had been left behind. There were pines and hardwoods along the way and he found it a bit more like home. Not that there weren’t bamboo groves scattered everywhere.
One day that Billy would never forget, he was down at a stream getting a drink and out of the forest came a bear like none he had ever seen before. It was pure black and ivory white. He sat in stunned silence as the marvelous creature wandered down through the bamboo grove. It stopped for a sip from the stream and after a moment of sniffing the air, it sat across the stream from him.
Billy was entranced as the strange creature ripped down a ripe bamboo branch and started tearing it apart with teeth that were at least three or four inches long.
This strange bear grabbed the bamboo in hands almost like the raccoons back home. He stuck it in its mouth and tore the stick apart with ease. Billy had tried to break this crazy bamboo and almost broke his leg in the attempt, whilst looking for firewood.
Billy jumped a little as he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Zhoulin. "Panda." She whispered in awe. She sat down next to him and they watched in silence as the panda ate its fill. Then it got up and looked straight at them, grunted, and wandered off again.
They both fell over laughing “He knew we were here, she laughed. “Oh, that is such a sign of good fortune, Billy, we will be blessed in the future.”
The air was getting cooler and some mornings were downright nippy, so he was glad of the cloak he had complained about for so long. They had met a few people, as Brother Dog ran ahead and waited, keeping watch that they weren't caught off guard. It was simple enough to hide in the forest as people passed by
"So," Billy said, as they took a break. "How do we do this? We find this lost city, waltz in pick up the... the most powerful jewel in the world. Walk out with smiles on our lovely faces and Bobs your uncle, all done, home free and all that nonsense?" He looked around at the small group. "I've been thinking and uh...Do you think they don't know, it is the most powerful thing in the world? I mean are there no guards?"
Uncle chuckled. "This jewel, I must admit I have never heard of. As with most legends, few actually believe in such things of power. If this Jewel has any power at all."
It is said in this scroll, that it is new and old," his voice took on a singsong tone like he was reciting a poem, "and to discover its worth one will die the first. It is a puzzle which the beginning, Sanxingdui. Guarded by the Gods of stone, warriors of that ancient kingdom broken to the very bone. None shall take it, only one shall see it and be part of all destiny."
He sighed deeply. I am not sure what any of this means. I think we will find guidance in Chengdu city, but I think it might be difficult to find, even that. And it bears a strange name, the name is the Jewel of Nirune, but I have never heard of this one. Oddly, it seems to translate also as a vessel. A Jewel, a vessel of time, a rare and unusual find. From two it will grow. Swarred O'Algarth of time it shall glow?" It has no meaning to me."
He looked around the group. No one responded. "This Swarred O'Algarth? It is not in any language I know. Very strange indeed, it has not the sound of our languages. To me, it is a foreign thing. Maybe from the place called Europa?"
“Swarred O’Algarth? I have not heard of either. Nirune has no meaning to me,” Longstrider said, looking at Will.
“Nor I,” Said Will.
"I have heard something similar in my travels," Brother Dog said hesitantly. "It is but a story from childhood, but I will say it here, whether it has any worth I shall not say. There was a story once upon a time that in the land of Nirune on the planet Kayloth and in the valley of Zeth, lived a wizard so pure in truth, that he could move dimensions with his very will. It was said he destroyed an evil empire with his magic’s and two sacred stones, that he dug from the creation of time. But the remaining gods grew afraid that his power would grow beyond them. It is said they plotted against him and he was destroyed by the gods that he saved! Another story is, he was cast away to some strange planet where he wanders lost and abandoned forever not knowing even who he is. Swarred O'Algarth. I'm not sure you are pronouncing it right. Once there was a great weapon of such power it could move time. Some called it this Swarred O'Algarth. Loosely translated. The Sword of Time. It was his weapon. But how is it that these things are mixed up here. The story is from a faraway galaxy. It concerns me that we are even talking about this legend here, on this little planet at the edge of the galaxy."
The small room was quiet for a moment. Longstrider looked at Will, then said. “Little planet? Edge of the galaxy. My strange comrade. What you say perplexes me no end. Is it truly so?”
Brother Dog looked at him for a long moment and sighed. "Truly my friend," he said. "This planet is so small as to go unnoticed for thousands of years, millennia. I fear that this may end very badly for far more creatures than you might realize. If these articles are here, they have been here a very long time. From the legends I am hearing, I am beginning to think they are already in the wrong hands or have been, to the detriment of many. Time, I think, will tell, but I shudder to think what we might be up against in the future."
Finally, Uncle sighed loudly. “It matters not I suppose,” he said. I for one don’t understand any of this. And as I said the writings are old, it could also mean something completely different… I am uncertain. Certain only that there is dire evil afoot and somehow… I hate to say it, it is aimed directly at our young friend here.”
“Aye!” Said Longstrider, and several others.
“It behooves us to follow Master Merlin’s cryptic instructions till whatever is going to happen,
happens.”
Zhoulin, often went off, to get information from local farmers and if lucky a little food. The ruse of sending little John and the others off to make trouble was having the desired effect.
There were rumors of some group of foreigners causing a stir elsewhere. So their trip was fairly uneventful and finally, they came out of the forest. Several carts went by with families in them, but gave them little notice. There were even mounted soldiers going past and didn't give them a second look.
Uncle gathered the group together. "It is safe I think for us to approach the city alone or in small groups. I will go alone, Zhoulin and Billy can go together and Mr. Longstrider and Will go together. You should not need the peasant clothing here on. You don't want to look like foreign peasants in a city such as this," He chuckled. We've managed to find some appropriate clothing."
“How is it you keep finding clothing?” Longstrider asked. “Isn’t it difficult? What ruse can you possibly use to get peoples clothing?”
“It merely requires a slightly mad dog, chasing a bunch of pigs, or chickens, through the yard of some unsuspecting person. While the dog causes the commotion it is simple to borrow what is needed.”
"Well, where would you find a co-operative dog?" Billy laughed.
Everyone looked at Brother Dog. He gave a little growl, then chuckled, “I must admit from time to time it is enjoyable to put the fear of death in some unwitting creatures. Nothing more exhilarating, than chasing something through the woods squawking and squealing; gets the blood moving.”
“Thought you were complaining about being on all fours,” said Billy.
"Ah, but it is on my home world we learn to hunt as pups. Once we reach adulthood, we give that up for adult ways. We go through the change... well it is different and difficult to explain, perhaps someday you will see it. Ah, the beauty of my homeworld. Puppies are puppies, no matter what world I suppose." He stopped talking as some people passed by.
The Jewel of Nirune (The Sword of Time Book 1) Page 21