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The Black Snake Jewel

By Shunaka

...and so by the sacred hand of Lewal the people were divided. To the East the Fur Clans- to the West the tribes of men. But there was a flaw in his design; while the Fur Clans and the tribes of Men settled in their lands, unknown to Him a third kind was created- the demons manifesting in the world between. When Lewal found out, he was not pleased...

from the Fifth Bardo of Iniban

Beside the road leading to the seaport town of Tulmar stood a small curio shop. Like a dusty forgotten museum, the interior smelled of things long discarded. Odd assortments of ancient artifacts crowded together on shelves and tables gathered dust- untouched. Sitting at his book cluttered desk at the back of the shop the proprietor, Professor Temrin Raccoon, poured over a thick volume on the archeology of the Yan Leopard clan.

He rubbing his black masked eyes and glanced up as the front door chime rang; a red and black furred panda stepped into his shop and began browsing among his wares. The panda stood about four feet tall and wore a bright blue neck scarf and similarly colored sash around his waist. A battered leather travel pack was slung over one shoulder.

In quick order the panda picked up and examined various items then tossed them casually back on the counter. Temrin was curious to discover what brought such a rare species to the area and particularly interested if he would make a purchase. Smoothing out his patched tunic, he stood and made his way toward his new customer, who was closely examining a small pottery bowl.

"That's a genuine Skarra bowl, very old and as you can see in excellent condition," Temrin said smiling broadly.

The panda frowned, sniffed the bowl and glanced at the price. "This is overpriced," he said softly.

"Ahh but Skarra artifacts are very rare and this one is in prime condition," Temrin said.

The red panda held the bowl up to Temrin's nose. "This is a fake."

Temrin glanced around nervously. "Sir, I run an honest establishment here."

"You are Professor Temrin?"

Temrin blinked. "Ahh, yes I am. And you are?"

Gtang casually tossed the bowl back onto the counter and bowed. "Gtang Shintar at your service." he said.

Temrin rubbed his palms together nervously. "I can see you are knowledgeable about antiquities but I assure you..."

Gtang waved off the complaint. "You needn't worry; I won't report you to the authorities.

I have a business proposition concerning a very special antiquity."

The panda's name did sound familiar. Temrin maintained contacts in many areas of his trade; he sometimes explored odd avenues and contacted odd characters to produce interesting finds. Suddenly he remembered; in his explorations, he had come across the name of this red panda. "You're Gtang Shintah Panda the tomb robber!"

The panda's nose wrinkled as if scenting something offensive. "Tomb robber? Certainly not! I am an art collector."

"... and a demon master!"

"Ahh yes, true enough," Gtang said frowning. "Demon possession was no choice of mine. But, such powers are not important now, what I need is knowledge, that's why I've come to you professor."

Temrin thought he saw a translucent white form hovering above Gtang but, it quickly vanished. Temrin's ears flattened and he quickly stepped back. "What was that?"

Gtang ignored the question and rummaged in his pack, pulling out a small drawing on battered paper and handed it to Temrin. "Do you know this?"

The drawing depicted a small round box topped with a clear diamond-like jewel. "It looks like the Jewel of Midos."

"I know where it is," Gtang said. "Would you like to own it?"

Temrin eyes narrowed. "Impossible! The jewel was lost when the demon city of Midos was destroyed 500 years ago."

"It was lost, but it surfaced recently in this town, it can be yours," Gtang said softly. "Are you interested?"

Temrin stared at the drawing again. Unsavory stories, full of death and darkness, surrounded the jewel. But acquiring such an unusual item would be very worthwhile. But, he wondered if this object was a fake or even worse, murder committed to gain its possession. When he was younger, it wouldn't have mattered; he had traveled far and tried his share of risky ventures. Perhaps now he was overly cautious and soft. He was certainly getting older but not so old that he couldn't take on one more interesting and possibly profitable risk.

"What do you want from me?" Temrin asked.

The panda smiled slightly. "Tonight I meet the current owner of the jewel. I need someone along with the expertise to make a positive identification. Then we visit the temple district to test the jewel's power. Also, I will need someone to recite the Seventh Chant of The Black Snake."

"For the resurrection of the dead? Who died?" Temrin asked.

Gtang chuckled, a soft sound almost like a hiss. "It will be for me."

Temrin quickly handed the drawing back to Gtang, "You've wasted enough of my time sir!" He said sharply. "I'll have nothing to do with this!" From his pack Gtang pulled out a small pouch and tossed it on the table.

"Gold. There will be more if you agree to help me," Gtang said, "and the jewel."

Temrin picked up the pouch and weighed in his hand. Opening it, he saw the glint of small gold bars, probably equivalent to a year's salary. Business was bad this year, very bad and he needed cash desperately and the jewel had more than cash value. Perhaps just this one more venture...

Temrin sighed, "I hope this won't take long."

"With luck this business can be completed tonight," Gtang said. "Meet me at Chaffee's tavern at midnight. Bring a copy of the Black Snake chant book, I believe you own one?"

Temrin nodded.

"Good, we'll go to our meetings from there."

Temrin went to hand back the gold, but Gtang waved him off, "A down payment for your services."

Gtang turned and walked swiftly out of the shop leaving Temrin with a heavy pouch of gold and many lingering doubts.

That night found Temrin walking through the quiet, lantern lit streets of Tulmar. Ahead a pool of light outlined the location of Chaffee's Tavern. The place was pleasant enough and catered to upscale clientele. Margays dressed in fine silks, foxes in dark leather and other well-dressed patrons, sat drinking while chatting about the day's events. From some hidden alcove, a lute player strummed quiet tunes for the patrons.

Temrin doubted the mysterious red panda had told him the full story and he had fleeting thoughts of leaving this place and disappearing. A long vacation in the south would be perfect right now. He hesitated, then dismissed the thought. The panda was unlikely to take kindly to someone making off with his gold.

A busy wolf waiter noticed him and nodded to a table in a quiet corner. Temrin approached the table where Gtang examined an old astrological chart. Gtang waved him into a seat without looking up. The waiter took Temrin's order for strong Kemitra wine; he would need something to help his courage. The waiter delivered the drink, glancing at Gtang with a mixture of fear and distrust then left quickly.

"That chart is of Safariean origin?" Temrin asked.

"It is," Gtang said. "I acquired it while rummaging through a private library in the south of Safarin. The owners were reluctant to part with it."

"How did you..." Temrin started to ask when a pale white form in the shape of a snake appeared above Gtang's head. Its coal black eyes contrasted with its shadowy outline that faded off like tattered smoke at its tail. The large mouth bristled with sharp teeth.

"I help." the demon said in a breathy whisper.

"Klufung! Don't frighten the professor, he's a friend." Gtang snapped his fingers and the demon faded away.

"It's true! You are a demon master! Is it...dangerous?" Temrin asked.

"Yes, it's dangerous," said Gtang. "But Klufung is more a nuisance even if a useful one. You needn't worry though, if I say you're a friend it'll leave you alone,"

Temrin had heard of furclan who allied with demons. Such pairings were very rare and very dangerous. Temrin couldn't have guessed the diminutive panda controlled such power.

Temrin staring at him wide eyed.

"Are you nervous?" Gtang asked.

"I should say so!" Temrin said his ears laying back.

"You needn't be," Gtang said. "There will be no problems tonight."

"I don't believe you."

"Are you backing out?" Gtang asked coolly.

Temrin considered for a second and sighed. "I've been paid for my services..."

Gtang nodded. "Did you bring what I asked?"

Temrin handed the panda a small black leather covered book. Gtang paged through it for a moment then handed it back. "Excellent! Let's hope you don't have to use it."

"But this only contains strange bits of poetry and scribbles, it couldn't possibly raise the dead," protested the raccoon.

"That's because it can only be used in certain circumstances."

"How do you know of such things?" Temrin asked.

"No more talk!" Gtang said sharply. "The chart is clear; tonight's the only night in the next 5 years the ritual will work. We leave now." He quickly folded the parchment and stuffed it into his pack. Dropping a coin on the table, he walked out of the tavern with Temrin following reluctantly.

Gtang swiftly led the way, leaving the better part of town and entering narrow foggy port side streets. Here the buildings were old and shabby and the pavement had a greasy feel under foot. There was little traffic at this late hour; the few pedestrians passing by kept to their own business. Temrin eyes darted to every corner and his nose twitched catching every scent as he worried about the rumors of muggings and robberies in these districts.

His companion didn't seem to share his concerns and walked confidently down the street. They turned into a narrow alley; here the buildings were two and three stories tall and built of rough gray brick. From behind shuttered windows, the sounds of life filtered; the various cries, curses and murmured conversations of the slums. They came to a crossing alley and Gtang motioned Temrin back against the wall.

Temrin heard soft footfalls coming toward them. "There's someone out there!" he whispered.

"It's been quiet the past coupla hours," said a deep voice floating out of the darkness. Temrin started and grabbed Gtang's shoulder.

"A friend," Gtang said. A shadow detached itself from the darkness of the alley. In the dim light Temrin could make out a broad doggish muzzle and large mobile ears tattered at their tips. He wore a one-piece tunic of rough green wool confined by a broad black leather belt into which were tucked two flintlock pistols. The scent was canine and male but he was unsure of the clan or species.

"This is my partner Kip."

Kip pulled the smaller of the pistols from his belt and handed it to Temrin. "You know how to use this?" he asked.

Temrin gingerly took hold of the pistol as if it might bite. He was not a violent person and had never used the more base ways to add to his collections. "I've never fired one before."

"Simple, you point barrel at the bad guys. Pull trigger and there's a big boom! Hei!" laughed Kip.

Temrin was about to protest but Gtang and Kip had already started across the alley. Since Gtang was his only way out of this maze, He pocketed the pistol and followed.

They halted before a plain wooden door set in the first floor of a blockish warehouse building. Gtang knocked but after waiting a minute there was no answer. He tried the handle and found the door unlocked.

Opening the heavy door, they found themselves in a large poorly lit warehouse. Two oil lamps set in the far wall cast a flickering light that danced with shadows among dusty stacked crates and boxes. Picking their way among the boxes, they walked toward a bright light at the far side. As they approached the light, they could make out a stairway with a bear shaped silhouette at the bottom. As they moved closer, the form resolved into a large muscular, black leather clad bear who stood blocking the stairway.

Gtang strode up to the bear while Kip scanned the area carefully. Temrin hung back, fingering the pistol in his pocket.

"Tell your master that Gtang Shintah Panda is here to do business." The bear stood silently as if deaf.

Reaching into his pack, Gtang pulled out a small coin. He took the bears hand and pressed the coin into it. The bear pocketed the coin. "Master Kritchen don't want your business." He said in a deep voice.

Gtang shrugged and turned away. Kip moved to walk around the bear. The bear reached out and grabbed his arm in a vise-like grip. "Where you going?" the bear asked with a growl.

"Gotta piss bad! This the way to the head hei?" Kip said grinning. Temrin watched in horror as the bear growled, grabbed Kip by the scruff of the neck and lifted him off his feet.

Suddenly, Kip struck the bear on the nose with his open palm. There was a loud sharp snap like the discharge of static electricity- the bear dropped Kip and flew back violently. There was a dull thud as the bear's head impacted the wall and he dropped face first to the ground with a grunt.

Kip picked himself off the floor, brushed dust from his tunic and stepped over the bear.

Gtang hopped onto the bears broad back and turned to Temrin who was staring at the bear's inert form. Gtang chuckled. "He won't wake till we're well out of here. Let's get on with this."

Temrin gingerly stepped around the bear following Gtang and Kip to the top of the stairs, were they found a single ornately carved door.

Gtang knocked, waited a minute then knocked again. There was no answer. "We don't have time for this." Gtang pulled a folded paper from his pack and slipped it under the door.

"What's that?" Temrin asked.

"Something I prepared ahead of time, a special spell that gets quick results," Gtang said.

"What spell is that?"

"Blackmail. I know a few things about Master Kritchen Badger he'd prefer were kept quiet."

A few minutes later, the door opened inward. A large badger wearing a heavy black leather tunic stood in the doorway then stepped back to admit them. Following the badger, they passed down a thickly carpeted hall to a room richly appointed with paintings and intricately carved furniture.

Sitting behind a large wooden desk was a badger dressed in fine red and blue clothes. The white and black stripes running down his head were perfectly groomed and gold rings glinted from both his ears.

Three sharp nosed badgers dressed in black leather and armed with pistols stood nearby. A tall muscular lion also dressed in black leather stood with arms crossed next to the desk.

Temrin had heard unpleasant stories of Master Kritchen Badger, stories he hoped were myth. Mostly he was known for brutally torturing his victims before relieving them of their gold. Gtang and Kip's easy attitude did nothing to calm Temrin's fears.

Kritchen had been reading Gtang's note as they entered the room. He looked up sharply studying the three. Crumpling the note, he tossed it behind him. "You should be one of us, panda."

Gtang, Kip and Temrin started walking toward the desk but the lion stepped in front of them blocking the way.

"And what happened to my guard?" Kritchen asked.

"Sleepy, sleepy," Kip said.

"Indeed," Kritchen said flatly.

Gtang glanced around the bulk of the lion's body. "May I approach the illustrious Master Kritchen Badger with a business proposal?"

"Only you," Kritchen said.

Gtang walked casually around the lion and approached the desk leaving Kip and Temrin under the lion's shadow.

"Now what can I do for you Master Panda?" Kritchen said with a toothy smile.

Behind Gtang, Kip pointed to the lion's luxurious mane. "Nice kitten hair," he said.

Temrin wrung his hands nervously while the end of his tail twitched. "Don't antagonize him!"

Gtang kept focused on Kritchen. "You have in your possession the Jewel of Midos. I want to buy it."

Kritchen folded his hands on his desk. "Hmm...never heard of it."

Gtang reached for his pack and suddenly three pistols drew on him. Gtang froze. "Payment Master Badger, payment."

Kritchen nodded and the guards reluctantly holstered their pistols. Reaching into his pack, Gtang brought out a bag of gold and dropped it on the desk. "Perhaps this will jog your memory?"

Kip sniffed loudly at the lion. "Smells like a cheap whorehouse!"

Kritchen picked up the bag of gold and weighed it in his hand. "Perhaps...I know of such a thing." Gtang pulled out another bag.

"Ahh yes, now I remember. I believe I do have this thing." The badger's eye narrowed to two shining slits. "But, I think I'll keep it...and all your gold! Another couple of bodies in the canal wouldn't be noticed, hmm?"

A loud, deep growl interrupted the conversation. The lion lunged at Kip.

Temrin drew his pistol as the lion grabbed at Kip. Ducking between the lion's legs Kip stood up sharply slamming him in the crotch. The lion doubled over. Temrin wanted to fire the pistol but instead stood paralyzed with fear.

Kritchen jumped out of his chair. At the same time, Gtang slapped the desk, "Klufung!" The smoky white snake demon suddenly materialized over the desk and reared up, towering over the badger. Kritchen froze, eyes wide with fear.

Quickly, Kip stepped between the guards, now their pistols useless for fear of hitting one another.

Kip slapped an open palm into the chest of one guard. There was a loud snap and the guard flew backward taking out the one behind him.

The last guard grabbed Kip by the collar. Kip turned, ducking under the badger's arms and elbowed him hard in the belly. The badger doubled over with a grunt. Kip slapped the guard on the back of the head and he dropped hard, hitting the floor with a dull thud.

Kritchen continued staring at the snake demon. Gtang glanced at Kip and motioned to Temrin. "Better take the pistol away from him before someone gets hurt... and watch the big one."

Breathing heavily, Kip walked over to Temrin relieved him of the pistol. "Maybe this is not for you."

"What did you say to that lion that set him off like that?" asked Temrin.

Kip chuckled, "I say he born in whorehouse! Hei!"

Gtang hopped up on the desk and the apparition dispersed. He then sat down cross-legged before Kritchen. The badger glared.

"Now," Gtang said. "Which would you prefer? My gold or should I have Klufung rip out your stump tail along with your spine?"

Kritchen glanced at his guards who were picking themselves up off the floor and licked his lips. He took a deep breath and smiled. "That demon was an illusion and harmless!"

"You sure of that?" Gtang snapped his fingers and the snake demon appeared again. Klufung drifted closer to the badger who backed away until he touched the wall. Kritchen looked at his guards for help but they stood paralyzed by fear.

"I will eat your soul!" Klufung whispered.

"Demon master!" whispered one of the guards.

Kritchen licked his lips nervously. "Hmm. How could I refuse your generous offer? The jewel is yours." He motioned to a guard who limped out of the room.

"Thank you Klufung," Gtang said. Klufung drifted back to Gtang, rolled his shining eyes, grinned and vanished.

As they waited for the guards return, they watched each other silently.

"You were a leader of the Union uprising." Gtang said finally.

Kritchen laughed. "No no, of course not," the badger thumped his chest for emphasis. "I was a captain in the imperial guard during the rebellion. I helped crush the scum. They tried to remove the emperor and put a new government in his place. That could not be allowed!"

Gtang closed his eyes. "I know you," Gtang said. "I spent some time in the emperor's prisons. Not a pleasant place. Did you have a chance to visit them Captain Kritchen Badger?"

"That was not my responsibility."

"Of course," Gtang said slowly. "You're not responsible for betraying the fur clans, even the badger clan and your own family? You took gold from men in exchange for death, no one is responsible for that but you."

Before Kritchen could respond, the guard returned carrying a small unadorned wooden box and set it on the desk. Gtang motioned to Temrin who carefully opened the outer box, revealing a small plain silver box tarnished almost to black, capped with a clear multi-faceted jewel. Temrin wiped it with a corner of his tunic and turned it around examining it closely. Finally, he nodded to Gtang. "It appears genuine." Temrin returned the jewel to its box.

Quickly Gtang stood, picked up the box and jumped off the desk. He motioned Kip and Temrin to follow him. The trio walked toward the door, past the lion who watched them closely and past the cowering guards. At the door, Gtang paused.

"Do you know the Golden Beasts, Master Badger?" Gtang asked. Kritchen looked up from where he was tending a recovering guard. His eyes went suddenly wide and wild. "I told them where to find you." Gtang turned and followed the others out of the warehouse leaving a sudden flurry of frantic activity behind them.

The famous temple district of Tulmar was located on the hill side of town. The true number of temples was unknown since they came in many sizes from small altars crammed in alleys to luxuriant gods palaces set within high walled grounds.

Gtang, Kip and Temrin turned into a nondescript side ally and stopped before a door to a modest temple. The door was unadorned save for knocker shaped like a hooded black snake. Gtang used the knocker to bang on the door three times.

The door opened and a heavily robed and hooded figure stood in the doorway. The figure bowed to Gtang and motioned them in. Temrin hesitated but Kip pushed him through the portal.

Temrin felt uneasy as he glanced around at the dark walls. Black wax candles set in dark brass sconces threw feeble flickering lights. The thick smell of incense filled the air and prevented him from scenting anything. Everything was dark...dark stone walls and dark wood and everywhere were the image of snakes. Temrin suddenly very much wanted to bolt for the safety of his little shop and leave this adventure behind him.

Quietly as if not to disturb sleeping spirits, they walked through many halls and passages to an unadorned door. With an ornate key, the robed figure unlocked the door and passed within. The others followed.

The room was oval shaped and built of the same dark wood as the hallways. Huge pillars in the shape of hooded snakes rose at intervals along the walls and in the center of the room stood a plain circular altar of grey stone.

The robed figure bowed and left them alone in the room. Gtang turned and nodded to Kip who nodded back and left the room. "Kip will make sure nobody disturbs us."

"What is this place?" Temrin asked.

"This is a temple of the Black Snake. I'm not member of their sect, but I've done them favors in the past. In return I have access to certain rooms if needed," Gtang said.

Gtang walked to a low chest set by the wall and rummaged around inside. He pulled out two thin white cushions, a plain white cloth and an incense burner.

Gtang handed a cushion to Temrin. "Sit on this, don't let any part of your body touch the floor or leave the cushion until the right time."

"When might that be?" Temrin asked.

"It'll be obvious," Gtang said. He walked to the center altar and draped the cloth over it. Pulling the jewel-topped box out of his pack, he set it on the altar cloth. Muttering words Temrin could not follow, Gtang waved a hand back and forth over jewel until it flared with a white light than went dark again. Lighting the incense he placed the burner on the floor in front of the altar.

Returning to his cushion he sat down cross-legged and curled his tail over his feet. "We must wait for the moon to rise over the city and shine through the roof. We have a little time yet."

Looking up Temrin noticed a huge crystal set in the ceiling above the altar. After a while he said, "If I may ask, who are the Golden Beasts?"

Gtang sighed and closed his eyes. "The Golden Beasts formed after the empire crushed the Union. They take revenge for the martyrs of the revolution."

"Were you one of their leaders?" Temrin asked.

"A leader? No. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have no interest in politics. Bad judgment got me caught by the imperial soldiers. I survived the emperor's prisons... barely. I don't actively support the Beasts but sometimes I help them with information."

Suddenly the room filled with white light. The moon had risen and shone down intensely on the altar. The beam broke into multicolored sparks as it struck the crystal top of the jewel.

Gtang started chanting softly. Slowly the light diminished as if sucked in to the jewel then the room went dark. A smoky thickness formed above the jewel and the air swirled in multicolored pools like oil scum on water. The sweet incense turned to the smell of swamps and rotting things. A curtain-like shimmering of heat rose around the altar as a black nebulous snakelike form took shape above the altar.

"Who calls?" said the snake spirit, its voice sounding as from great depths.

"I Gtang Shintah Panda summon you O Orld greatest of the demigods. I wish information."

"Speak quickly! I will not stay in the presents of mortals."

"Recite the spell of the Forgat gate," Gtang said.

"WORM! Mortals perish as the price for such a request!"

The giant snake reared to strike. Temrin closed his eyes but Gtang calmly watched the snake demon.

"You cannot strike," Gtang said, "Recite the spell!"

The snake held by the spell on the altar hissed like steam and struck at Gtang. Time and time again it threw itself at the invisible barrier but it held.

"The spell...or stay locked there forever."

The snake demon settled and stared intently at Gtang. "Very well. It will do you no good anyway," it said. The snake then started chanting in a strange language that Temrin didn't understand. When finished the snake went silent.

Gtang nodded. Raising both hands in the air and closing his eyes, he chanted softly. The snake spirit started swaying and shrinking back into the black box until there was a small glowing ball left, barely noticeable above the jewel.

Temrin saw the shimmer of the barrier fading. He noticed the glowing ball growing stronger and shouted a warning to Gtang. Suddenly, the ball flew down and struck Gtang squarely in the forehead. He gasped once and fell over backward. Temrin thought he heard a voice say, "Mortal Fool!"

Moonlight now filled the room again and the sweet smell of the incense quickly drove away the dank swamp odor. Temrin waited several minutes to assure himself the demon had safely returned to its own world.

He stood up quickly and walked over to Gtang, all the time, watching the altar for signs of the spirit returning to take another soul. He bent over Gtang and felt for a pulse; nothing. On the panda's dark red forehead a small spot smoked, filling the area with the stench of burned fur.

Quickly Temrin opened the black book he carried. It had about a hundred pages of dense black writing in a script that was almost impossible to read. Suddenly Temrin realized he didn't know what section to read. Frantically he started turning pages to find the right passage, all the writing seemed to blend into black splotches as he scanned from page to page.

Suddenly the smoky white snake form of the demon Klufung materialized above Gtang. Klufung darted over and in a breathy voice said, "Read! Quickly!"

Temrin's tail twitched and his ears pinned back. "I can't!"

Klufung reared over Temrin then looked down on the book and seemed to breathe on it. "Read Now!" it said.

Temrin froze, paralyzed with fear. He couldn't read the whole book from cover to cover, that would take too long. He stared at the pages. Slowly the splotches turned to crude images; most of abstract patterns, some of pictures that may have been deities or demons. He turned several more pages and saw the pattern of a crude skull. That must be it!

Temrin closed his eyes for a moment to clear the images from his mind then looked at the page again. The writing was of no language he knew but the script was readable. Slowly at first then picking up speed, he started pronouncing the words that had no meaning to his mind. As if his voice were possessed, he read faster and faster, louder and louder until he could hardly breathe. Temrin gasped, pitched forward over Gtang's lifeless body and lost consciousness.

Temrin awoke, raised his head and looked around. It appeared the moon had not moved much, he had not been out for long. There was a cough and he felt the body move underneath him. Scrambling up to his knees, he looked down on Gtang who stared back at him with very shining eyes. "It worked!" Temrin said. Klufung hung over Gtang for a moment then vanished.

"Doesn't feel that way," said Gtang slowly. He groaned, sat up and touched the spot on his forehead. "I've been to the gates of hell again...one day I'll be a permanent resident. Not this time though! I have the spell I need."

Temrin frowned. "You risked our lives for a black spell?"

"Ahh, explaining that would take a lifetime." Gtang glanced over to the altar and stood up. A glow had reappeared emanating from the jewel. Gtang dashed to the jewel and quickly gathered it up in the altar cloth.

"Run! RUN! Open the door! Out of the way!" Gtang yelled frantically.

Clutching the cloth wrapped box, Gtang ran for the door. Temrin barely had time to swing it open as the panda flew through. Kip stood aside as the he ran by.

A robed priest already had the front door open as Gtang dashed out into the night. He made for one of the canals that threaded through the town. The cloth gleamed brightly, casting a green demon light on the street.

Skidding to a stop Gtang hurled the cloth and its contents into the water. Temrin and Kip ran up and watched as the underwater glow faded and finally died altogether.

"It's done," Gtang said as he sank to his knees, head bowed. They waited quietly until Gtang started recovering. Kip gently helped him to his feet.

Temrin shook his head and looked at Gtang with disapproval. "I still don't understand ... all that for a spell?"

"You collect interesting objects, I collect spells. I travel the demon path. That path requires acquiring deeper and more dangerous spells with each turn," explained Gtang.

"But that path leads to death!" Temrin said.

"All paths lead to death. But for me, death... not... important," said Gtang softly. The strain of the spell casting was taking its toll and he collapsed into Kips arms.

"No more talk now. I'll take him to rest," Kip said. Picking up Gtang's pack he pulled out two pouches of gold and placed them at Temrin's feet.

"What about that?" Temrin asked pointing to the canal where the crystal had vanished.

"That's dead now and can't harm anybody. The salt water fixed it good! Get an otter boy to fetch it for you. Hei!" Kip said smiling. Picking up Gtang, Kip slung him over his shoulder and started walking away.

"He needs a healer!" Temrin said and started running after Kip forgetting the bags of gold on the street.

Kip stopped and turned to the raccoon. "I'm a healer, no worry. You've helped enough. Thank you!" Kip then quickly walked away into the night with the red panda Gtang Shintah draped over his shoulder. Temrin walked back, picked up the bags of gold and tucked them into his tunic. As he considered the events of the past few hours, Temrin realized he was not that old after all, at least not yet. At one time, he wanted to add the Chalice of Kreytranna to his collection- perhaps one more expedition?

Copyright © 2015 Barry Needleman (Shunaka)

Edited by David Holt (Shasari)

More writings and musings at: www.furville.com/writing