The Dead Tree Scrolls

Chapter 2

Blain Darwin Serling had just had a eureka moment that in reality didn’t seem so fantastic.

“Think we may have just condemned ourselves to a firing squad.” He spoke softly.

The others looked at him in question.

“ Truer words may have not been spoken by such a wise commander in a very long time.” Came a voice from behind them.

The three men turned and un-slung their weapons in the blink of an eye. All concentrated their aim on a single, robed figure of a man sitting atop a small boulder not fifteen feet away. He held up his hands.

“Please! I am unarmed!”

“ Your identity sir! And make it quick!” Serling voiced.

“ I am xīng yíng , Headkeeper of the gāo tǎ qiáng miào ,and it would seem,” He added as calmly as if he were speaking to a herd of sheep, “……maybe the last one.”

“ Sir , I’ll tell you what you really are!” Serling said as he sternly eyeballed the fragile figure before him. , “ Captured! and hereby clamed as prisoner of the Unified Armies of the Peoples Alliance, and as such you……”

“ Sorry Lieutenant Serling, but I am no such thing.” The man broke in on Serling’s claim that he was a p.o.w. His voice so calm as to convey the notion that he hadn’t an idea that he would soon be in chains.

“ My good soldiers,” He continued, “ You are the p.o.w.s. The people led astray. A shackled bunch, bound by the belief in a leadership that will have you lose your lives and your souls for the mere conquests of a handful of small planets and moons. What harm have the freedom fighters done to deserve such degradation? The scope of the Alliance ruled worlds has changed but little in the conquering of such tiny worlds? Are the Independents such a threat? No, I can tell you. We all are but fleeting embers tossed into the seas of the universe, a thought in a time capsule.” The monk looked up into the early evening sky.

“This fellow is whacked out of his brain!” Serling thought.

“ Oh contraire lieutenant. I know exactly what I speak of.” The holy man’s focus was directed straight into the eyes of the commanding officer. Serling swallowed hard. Was he a mind reader?

“ You have your doubts sir.” The holy man continued, “ and you are within your rights to do so. It’s what led me to come out into the open, to seek you out and explain, but yet a couple things before I leave. First I wish to convey that your troops may want to consider searching the structure of my abode over there.” He pointed to a dusty looking tent structure fifty yards away. Expertly camouflaged and unnoticed until then.

“ Rogers, Buck, check it out!” Serling gave the order. “ Run an explosives scan before you enter the place!” The ranking lieutenant ordered as his men scurried off to perform his last command.

Alone, the two contemplated one another.

“Ah….. that’s better.” The gentleman on the rock continued. Serling was confused with his sense of ease…… as if he were in control of the whole situation.

“Shepherd, now that we are alone….”

“ Wait a minute! I’m no holy man!” The lieutenant voiced over the robed figure, his weapon aimed directly at the man’s chest.

“ Yet, you will be.” The man continued. “ Book, you are but a small thing in a wide universe. Better to use the knowledge you’ve gained in solos rather than in poor judgment. Still, I think it is destined that you should seek out the others that will be looking for you. That is, after a period of meditation I would have you to understand. The Bathgate Abbey- Persephone, yes that would be a fine place to begin your journey, and later your search.” He concluded.

“ My name isn’t Book it’s……., Well, you’ve got things all wrong here monk!”

“Oh, do I? How did you know that finding the Sacred Scrolls would bring trouble to you and your brothers…….tell me? And how do you know that a find of this importance will lead to the end of some of your lives?” He paused. “ No my dear Shepherd, you know who your leaders are and what they are capable of, and you know that you are not a man that follows that kind of leadership. Universal conquest, humankind has no idea what small creatures we are. There are bigger things I assure you. Join me, search your soul. Let the special hell be for those that create dire evil. There is a destiny that awaits you and people that will come to need your guidance.” With that he finished.

“ SIR…..,” Serling again was brought back from the spell this man was able to cast upon him.

“ We found nothing!” Lieutenant Buck informed him.

Serling again was reminded of his duty. He eyed the man deeply.

“ I soon shall be leaving.” The robed man continued. “ My body will go with you but my essence will not be chained to the ground……..” He looked up to the first stars twinkling in the evening sky.

“ Nope! fraid not your holiness! You’re coming with us!” Serling spoke firmly, weapon raised.

The robed figure just smiled.

“ ……….RED 7.…this is RED 13, over!” The com on Serling right hip signaled it’s contact with the troops below. Serling grasped it and brought it to his lips.”

“ This is RED 7 go head!”

“ RED 7, have witnessed your smoke and received it as an all clear, is that affirm?”

“ Roger RED 13, all clear .” Serling recognized the captains voice. “ Captain, we’ve have captured a prisoner. Request……..”

“ NEGETIVE RED 7! No prisoners are to be take! None! Confirm!”

Serling and his crew were jolted by the command! Here their captain was telling them to take no prisoners? Were they the only breathing souls to descend this escarpment?

“ But captain……”

“ Those are your orders Lieutenant………. And they come from a higher source than myself, understood?

“Affirm commander!” A sense of dread came over the members of the group.

Serling looked over at the monk. A slim smile squeaked across the priest’s weather lips.

“ No Worries commander,” He spoke “ I have but a few moments breath left in me before I pass to other side.”

The three men looked at him.

“ I have taken poison. Remember those wine flasks you drank from?”

The troopers all lowered their weapons. A hand went to each throat and their eyes began to bulge.

“ Just joking with ya…..” The monk grinned, “ It was only sweetberry wine. Sorry for the scare. You should see your faces.” He chuckled. Then his eyes grew dim. “…….but in truth I have poisoned myself, and will be leaving this place in the next moment or so. Trust in one another my friends and just believe in…..”

Then his eyes closed.

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Some time later three men descended the canyon walls. They had formed a secret pact with one another. A bond to be unbroken to death……….and death, in time would come for some of them.

End part 2