Do you like stories with mystery and suspense? Strange and “wyrd” ones? Well, if you do, keep reading and enjoy Eggcentricsagas. If you are just joining Eggcentricsagas, you might want to start from the beginning: A La Mano: Part 1-The Treasure
Lei found himself on his back in the darkness, at the bottom of the tunnel, the wind pounding mercilessly on his chest. Thump, thump, thump… Unseen hands pried open his mouth and, the wind blew into it. Feeling sick to his stomach, he turned to his side, coughed violently, and then vomited. All the water he had swallowed came pouring out.
Exhausted, he rolled back over and opened his eyes. The cloudy sky had reappeared and, another face was leaning over him. It was not the old man but someone new. This man appeared to be middle-aged like his father. He spoke to Lei. “You’re back. I thought your spirit had departed for good when I saw you in the river. You were caught up by a tree branch with the water gushing around you. I pulled you out and helped to clear your lungs.” He sat back on his haunches and surveyed the puddle of liquid next to Lei. “You’re lucky to be alive.”
Lei didn’t think he was so lucky nor did he reply as his teeth were chattering, and his body began to shake uncontrollably. Icy cold, he felt like he was being sucked back into the tunnel. The man, sensing that the boy was fading, stopped talking and took off his coat. Wrapping it around Lei, he hoisted him over his shoulder. The man walked to the wagon on the nearby road and placed Lei in it. As he tucked a thick blanket around the boy, he promised him that he would take him home. The man climbed aboard and gave the oxen yoke a quick shake. The wagon began to roll onward to its destination. Finally, the warmth and the gentle rocking motion lulled the child to sleep.
Groggy, Lei awoke on a straw mat. His chest hurting, he had trouble breathing. Flitting in and out of reality, the boy did not know how long he was there. Mostly existing in a misty world, only being called back by hearing the man chanting over him. Over time, the man nursed him back to health with poultices and potions. When he was finally well enough to talk, Lei told the man all that had happened and the name of his village.
When Lei finished his story, the man stroked his chin in contemplation and said, “Young dragon, eh?” He smiled and asked, “What’s your other name?” Lei answered and then the man replied, “My name is Da Li,” and bowed his head.
Even though Lei missed his mother terribly, he was comforted by the presence of his new friend. He grew stronger and stronger with each passing day as he watched Da Li prepare elixirs, create beautiful watercolor paintings, or listened to him play his bamboo flute as the rain fell hard outside. One morning the sun reappeared and warmed the earth; Da Li told Lei that it was time for him to return home. Informing Lei that his village was two days away, Da Li packed elixirs, a straw mat, and some provisions for the trip, as well as a small purse filled with coins and his instrument. The man put on his pack before putting a straw hat on Lei’s head. Then Da Li tied a small mat on the boy’s shoulders and handed him the bag containing the woodwind.
Da Li cautioned, “Take care of this; it is sacred to me.” Feeling quite important, Lei nodded his head vigorously, and off they went.
Lei did not know that the man’s hut was located high in the mountains; they spent most of the first day climbing down the hills. When they came to a village at the bottom, Lei waited outside of a shop as Da Li went inside to bargain. When he emerged, he took Lei around to the back of the store. The boy watched the men load a cart with goods and hitch an ox to it. After Da Li hoisted Lei up to the seat in front and climbed on himself, he assured the shopkeeper that he would deliver the goods to the man’s cousin in the next town.
Lei was glad to be able to ride as he was tired from hiking. He fought sleep throughout the afternoon, his eyelids flickering open and shut. Finally, they arrived at the cousin’s, unloaded the cart, ate a frugal meal, and then laid out their straw mats in the stable’s loft. Da Li took out his flute and began to play a lilting melody. Using the empty satchel and his hat as a pillow, Lei quickly fell fast asleep.
The next day, they walked towards the pier on the river. Afraid of the water, Lei stopped when he realized where they were going. Da Li crouched down and told him not to worry. The child remained silent but shook his head.
“It is the only way to get to your village. The bridge was washed out by the storms,” Da Li told him. Standing up, the man clapped him on the back. “We will be fine.”
Lei felt misgivings but agreed to get on the craft. Da Li took out his purse and paid the fare. Clutching Da’s hand, Lei got on the large bamboo raft and sat under the small canopy. Using his long pole, the ferryman began to push them upstream. As the village shrank in the distance and finally disappeared with the river bend, Lei’s apprehension grew. He could not shake off the feeling of dread that something terrible was about to happen.
Next: The Mysterious World of Dr. Wu: Part 4-Bamboo Trouble
