by Tesla » Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:46 am
Story from a manuscript, donated by a traveling Antiquarian who had been attacked
Written in Sinitic, an oriental language
Received Aug/Sept 2013
"Long, long ago, an evil spirit lived in a cave on a mountain between two villages. The spirit was very fierce and devoured any who dared travel the mountain path. And so, the people of the villages had to travel very far around the mountain, instead of taking the shorter mountain path. This was the state of affairs for many years and the evil spirit was always hungry because it only had the rare unwary traveler to eat.
One day, during Spring Festival, a young man met a young maiden and the two fell hopelessly in love. For all six weeks of the festival, the two spent every free moment with each other. They walked by the river, under the light of the moon. They watched the fireworks together and they flew kites. Inevitability, though, the festival drew to an end and the young woman was heartbroken to learn that the young man’s family lived in the other village and had simply been visiting his mother’s parents for the festival. The young man was responsible for running his father’s shop and would not be able to leave. The two separated with heavy hearts.
Days passed and the young woman grew desperate. Eventually, she decided that she would simply leave her home village and seek out her dear love. And so, set off around the mountain. Within a few miles though, she learned from fellow travelers that bandits had set up camp along the road and a beautiful girl, such as the young woman had no hope of passing by unharmed. The young woman returned to her home village, intent on passing round the mountain on the other side.
She made it almost halfway to the other village when she discovered that a flood had washed out the bridge. There was no longer any way to reach the young man.
Filled with a terrible aching sadness, the young woman made her way to the temple of her village. She lit three pieces her incense, bought with the last of her money and prayed to her ancestors and the Court of Heaven alike.
Hearing her fervent prayers, an old monk approached her.
“Why do you not travel to be with your love?” He asked her
“There is no way around the mountain” She replied
“Why not go over the mountain, then?” he asked.
“There is an evil spirit on the mountain path. He would devour me and I would never see my love”
The old monk offered the young woman an urn and said “Perhaps it is time for you to capture the evil spirit, then.” "
Accepting another cup of tea, the Professor waved the group away. "I have the second half to translate still. I'll finish the tale when I know it myself"
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Crumpling up the last note page, the Professor announces that he's finished the translation. After people get settled around again, he rereads the first part, but continues on....
"The young woman took the urn but when she made to ask the old monk a question, she found that he had disappeared.
The young woman was afraid but the love in her heart was greater than the fear and so she made her way along the mountain path, carrying nothing but the urn. When she neared the summit of the mountain, she found the entrance to the cave and from the cave came a voice.
“Who goes?” asked the voice
“A simple traveler” called the young woman
“That is excellent,” call the voice “I am in need of supper.”
A roaring sound filled the air, like a huge fire or the beating of countless wings. Quickly, the woman opened the urn and pointed it at the mouth of the cave.
The evil spirit was so hungry and moving so quickly, it did not stop to consider, dove straight at the woman and was sucked into the urn. Quickly, the young woman sealed the urn and made for the other as fast as she was able.
“Let me out!” The evil spirit cried from within the urn.
“Never!” said the young woman
She ran on.
The evil spirit howled from within the urn “If you do not let me out, I shall make my own way out and burn down your whole village!”
“I shall not let you out!” said the young woman.
She ran on.
“If you let me out,” said the evil spirit, “I shall forgive you for this prank. But you must release me at once.”
“I shall not let you out!” said the young woman.
She ran on.
“If you let me out,” said the evil spirit, “I shall give you as much wealth as you could want for. Coffers of gold, baskets of gems, even your sandals would be made from gold, if you so wished it.”
“I shall not let you out.” said the young woman.
And she arrived at the young man’s village.
She found an old well at the edge of the village and carefully, very carefully, she lowered the urn to the bottom of the well and left it there for safety.
And she , and the young man married and had many healthy children."
Kevin
-Character: Douglas Rook
-Formerly known as Professor John Challenger
-Position: Rook for The Lady in White
"Time to feed the Crows"