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
The duration of his imprisonment Long knew not as he languished in the twilight of the tiny cell. Periodically, the same silent guard brought a cup of water and a small bowl of stale rice. Long swallowed tiny chunks and drank small sips of water not only to savor but to enable the dry food to pass down his parched throat. As time passed, he could feel himself growing thinner and weaker; he wondered if he would die in this god-forsaken hole. To bolster his strength to fight off the emboldened rats, the young man thought about his old master and his teachings.
*************************
Master Li parried with his stick and then brought it with mild force against Long’s upper arm. Wincing in pain and upset that his mentor had bested him again, Long resumed his attack. In a short period, the Taoist sage delivered another blow. Then he signaled they should stop. “Tomorrow, we will take a walk in the mountains. Let us prepare elixirs today. ”
The next day they walked and walked. Finally, when they reached a dense part of the bamboo forest, Master Li found a rock, sat on it, and remained silent. Long sat and also kept quiet. They remained like that for a spell and, then by and by, Long heard crunching and cracking. He looked over and saw a giant panda. Glancing at Master Li, who nodded, both watched the panda forage for food. After gathering a few bamboo sticks, the panda sat and chewed on them. Content, the panda gnawed as if he was in deep contemplation.
Master Li spoke softly. “Notice how the panda chews his bamboo. No need to rush. Evaluate your situation and wait for a sign. When the time is right, you will know it.” He placed his hand over his heart. “Here.”
Continuing, he instructed, “The panda is like a great and brave warrior; not submitting to force but deep in his heart wanting peace and harmony. His coat is black and white; Yin and Yang. The way of Life.”
After the panda moved back deeper into the forest and disappeared, Master Li turned to Long. “Dragon, one of your great strengths is your zeal and passion but you can also be brash. It would be of great benefit for you to develop patience. Your name is Wu; become the sorcerer you are meant to be. Learn to communicate with the Qi.” His gaze bore into Long’s eyes and soul. “Do you think that you are wiser than the Universe?”
Long shook his head no.
“Still your mind and meditate. Then you will know when to use action and inaction.”
**************************
Long tried to sleep, but he was hungry. Depressed, he had let the rats eat the last two rice bowls. Trying not to focus on her, Long couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to Mingzhu. His foolish, strong will had separated them; would he ever see her again? The dragon had lost his pearl and, he felt helpless. Summoning his discipline, Long focused on his breathing and finally dropped into a meditative state.
Master Li appeared before him and spoke. “The time is coming. Conquer your fears and follow the lead to Gold Mountain. Use the knowledge that I imparted. Remember Lao Tzu’s wisdom: ‘What the caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly’ ”.
Then his laoshi was gone. Long opened his eyes and felt renewed hope that his imprisonment would end soon.
When a new guard brought Long’s rice the next time, he whispered, “This is your last meal in here. Later, I will help you escape.” True to his word, when the man came again, Long heard the clinking of keys and the click of the lock opening. “Quick and quiet,” he hissed at Long. The prisoner crawled out of his cell, struggled to his feet and, the man led him to freedom.
They made their way to the Yangtze River to a docked junk. Long hesitated briefly before boarding the boat but then remembered Master Li’s words about conquering his fears. As the small ship brought them to a large vessel anchored in the distance, the guard finally spoke. “It’s good to have friends in high places.” He handed Long a folded letter.
Long opened it and read, “My dearest Long, As you are reading this, it means that you escaped your eminent execution as a traitor. Nui convinced the general that you were in a secret society planning a rebellion against the Qing Empire. With the help of some friends and the sale of my jewels, I managed to procure you a position on a ship headed to Gold Mountain: America. The general is taking me north and threatened me with death if I ever try to run away from him again. I accept my fate as you need to accept yours. I love you, Mingzhu.”
**************************
The ocean voyage had been long, and finally, the ship anchored in the bay. Tomorrow, Long would step foot onto the soil of Gold Mountain. The Chinese Exclusion Act precluded him from legal entry, so he was smuggling through underground tunnels near the port. He would be joining an American brothel as an indentured servant. His fellow English sailors had all fallen asleep, but Long was too excited. He tossed and turned before he finally dozed off. Awakened by the motion of the ship and a female voice, he opened his eyes. “Lei, get up!” she repeated. Peering ahead, the moonlight streaming in the open hatches, he could see his mother. She motioned to him.
“You must get off the ship now!” she commanded and moved up the ladder. Unable to believe his eyes, Long followed her onto the heaving deck. The sea had previously been quiet, but a fierce gale had arisen and, now the boat was straining against its boom logs. The ship began to jounce around. The wind howling about his head Long managed to keep his footing on the slippery deck as he made his way to the deck railing where his mother stood nearby. Suddenly, there was a thunderous snap and, the ship abruptly fell over to one side.
