The Chronicles of Shamballa

Chapter Twenty Five: Arthur Carey- Reborn

“What just happened here?” Carey questioned.

“I-I think we saw your past life,” replied the Princess.

“But- me- why me? I don’t understand,” he replied.

Suddenly the entire cavern began shaking furiously, the rocks were coming apart. Carey looked at the ashes of the holy man who had just turned into dust in front of his eyes. He then looked at the metallic piece and put it in his pocket, grabbed the Princess hand and ran towards the exit. Both of them crawled into the tunnel that they came through and barely made out alive. The cavern had collapsed behind them and there was nothing they could do about the strange old man they met earlier. Carey and the Princess came out covered in dust and cobwebs. The others had no idea what had occurred inside. Carey sat down and thought about what he had seen in the visions. He was having a hard time believing it. His idea of life and death, his perception of reality- everything had completely changed. He had only read about reincarnation in stories but he could not believe that he was himself a reincarnated scholar from the ancient world. His mind had a lot to process and he took out the shiny piece of broken metal and stared at it for a while. The Princess walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. He understood it was time to leave this place and carry on with the journey.

“I’m sorry that I doubted you and your visions but now I understand,” said the Princess kneeling beside him and holding his hand.

“It is all right Princess, I doubted myself too, if what we saw was right then we have a lot of work to do and a long journey ahead of us,” he looked at her with thoughtful eyes.

“It is the truth, now I understand, we were meant to be in this journey together, this- piece of the Orb will lead us to Shamballa and it will be the solution to all our problems,” she replied looking into his eyes.

Kali was watching this interaction from a distance and he did not like the idea that they were getting close. He immediately turned around and walked away. Jealousy began to grow inside of him, his heart was green with envy. For so long he had been in love with the Princess, from the first time he saw her, if only she knew…

Soon they prepared to leave the mountain. Raza suggested that they should hurry before it gets dark lest the creatures are awaken. He knew that the foreigner had found something in the cavern and he was hoping that it was priceless for he was planning to steal it from him once they reach the shore. Ram Babu noticed that his master had changed a little- he looked more thoughtful. He tried talking to him about it but he could not make heads or tails of what he was saying. He thought that it was the curse of the jungle that his master was talking like a philosopher…

“So what do you think your Sahib found in the cavern?” asked Raza.

“I don’t know, Sahib seems to have changed, he talks so strangely,” replied Ram Babu.

“Of course, he must have found a great treasure, maybe a large diamond, yes, that’s why he looks changed, anyone would change with such a valuable treasure, wait till I give the signal to my men,” he said to himself and chuckled.

But Carey was in a different world altogether. His views have changed, he was no more the practical and logical person he used to be, and instead he was getting in touch with his spiritual side. He felt the nature around him come alive, everything around him felt sacred. He felt alive for the first time in many years, no worries or trouble, only the celebration of life in and around him. It was as if he was reborn and this was the first day of his life. It was the magic of the piece that was doing this to him. Every piece had a unique energy signature about it, this one made him more spiritual. Combined with the gift that he had earlier- the power to see the aura- his perception about the world had changed completely. He could literally see the life energies of everything around him and the way nature functioned so elegantly like a beautiful machine… It brought a smile to his face…he never knew that the world was so beautiful…

In came the hawk, Rakshak, swooping from the skies and landing on his right shoulder. He was shocked at first but he realised that he was nothing but an old friend from his past life. The others looked at him curiously but he assured them that it was harmless. He remembered how in his past life, he had kept this hawk as his pet and it grew up to be his loyal friend. When he died, he had send the pieces away across the country but he also enchanted a magical spell to the hawk which would keep him alive until his return and remind him of who he really was. But now that his job was done, it was time for the majestic bird to leave.

“Thank You my old friend, thank you for protecting this piece for so long and reminding me of who I was, it is time, go rest in your heavenly abode,” he said and with these words, the hawk took off his shoulders, let out a loud and cheerful cry, flew into the skies and disappeared into the clouds.

“Wow Mr. Carey, look at you, you seem so cheerful and happy,” said the Princess teasing him.

“Ah, it’s nothing Princess, it’s just that I’ve never felt more alive ever,” he replied.

“Good for you, hey, do you think you got any powers? Like the holy man said you would?” she asked cheerfully.

“Huh, I don’t think so Princess, but I can see things more clearly now, perhaps it is more of a spiritual improvement rather than a physical one,” he replied smiling.

“I see, so what was your name, in your past life?” she asked again.

“Strangely, Princess, I can’t remember,” he replied.

“Ah, don’t worry, maybe the next piece will help you remember? It is a long journey after all… where to next?” she asked.

“Kathmandu- Nepal!” he replied looking at the sky.

“But where exactly in Kathmandu? And how do you suggest we get there?” asked the Princess.

“Well there’s a peculiar waterfall in the Kathmandu valley, like the map suggests, we just have to get there and see for ourselves,” he replied.

But there troubles were just beginning. Raza was leading them directly towards an ambush. His idea was to start a smoke signal which could be seen from miles away. His men would know that he was arriving and wait for them. Then in a sudden ambush they would overpower them and snatch the valuable artefact and leave. It was early morning and the creatures of the jungle were hidden in their dark pits so it was perfectly safe for them to cross the woods. Then they have to arrive at the shores via some sort of transportation and reach the shores to their boat. But Carey had a different idea.

“Princess, I don’t think there’s any point in us in going back to the boat, we don’t need it,” he said.

“What do you mean? We can get to Kathmandu on the river,” she replied.

“That’s not necessary, I have a better and more efficient way of getting there- the train junction!” he replied “I know of a train station not far east from here in a small village called Raxaul, we can take a carriage and arrive there within the hour and as far as I know, it is a direct journey of 6 hours from Raxaul to Kathmandu, the boat would take longer,”

“I see, let me get rid of this Raza then, I will pay him some coins, give me your bag,” she replied and took the sack of gold coins from him.

“Here, Raza, take this, you have led us to our destination and you kept your promise, it’s time that we honour our side of the bargain, take this and be on your way,” she said handing him ten pieces of gold.

“Oh! Thank You, your highness, I guess your mission is complete but we still have to get to the river, there’s plenty of time to say goodbye,” he replied smirking.

“That won’t be necessary, we are not travelling by boat anymore, and we shall take the train,” she replied.

“Train? Why train? No, you must go to the river- I- I mean, it would be better if you go by boat- eh, wherever you are going,” he responded in surprise, his plan was about to fail.

“That will be all, once we exit this forest, you will leave us and be on your way,” she said and walked on.

Raza crushed his teeth in anger, what was he supposed to do now?