“Yeah, like how someone isolated in the Rocky Mountains found us here,” said Spock smirking.
Chuck smiled, took out his smart phone, and said. “We have technology and stay up to date with world events.” He looked at Pon, “We know about the Tinju and how you moved here?”
Pon looked shocked and shook his head, “Not us all. Only several Tinju guarding the Holy Relic and I stay at the Palace, the others were still in Salaburi,” he furrowed his brow, “but how did you know Chuck?”
“What you did in recovering your Holy Relic was on the news in America Pon.”
Pon furrowed his brow looking puzzled. “But that was only national news in Thailand, the story was never released worldwide,” said Pon who saw Taksin looking bemused.
“Oh,” said Chuck sounding surprised. “The news stations must have somehow got hold of it because it was big news there several years ago.”
Spock and Stu glanced at one another. “They’ve got telly,” said Stu sounding surprised.
Chuck looked at them, took a drink of coffee, and said. “After a descendant and Gopetu came to us and told us their story, I figured these attacks were being committed in the same way as described in the Puravuttanta, as I am sure you also realised. When we caught an Amanussa who attacked us, he told us about Fahed Del Alaz before he died. As the Tinju were the only other Sanctuary we knew about, I contacted you Pon.”
“Before he died,” said Pon looking bemused.
“Yes,” said Sedgly, “he used some kind of poison on himself.”
Dave furrowed his brow. “So did ours, but he said nothing about what was happening before he killed himself.”
Chuck looked confused. “But you told me on the phone that you had a prisoner alive Pon, and you told me he also implicated Fahed Del Alaz.”
Pon nodded. “We do... After they called me from here and told me about the attack, I knew they killed themselves, and how, so when we caught our Amanussa in Salaburi, I made certain he didn’t die.”
Chuck raised his eyebrows and looked surprised.
Sedgly glanced at him, smiled, and said. “We must have been lucky with ours; he sang like a canary about Del Alaz before he committed suicide.”
Chuck then said. “I figured Fahed Del Alaz has the funds and the power to perpetrate crimes against us. Our dead Amanussa said he held a grudge against Buddhists for killing his father.”
“But Buddhists didn’t kill his father. He died of cancer,” said Stu, “we saw him croak.”
“Perhaps he doesn’t see it that way,” said Sedgly, “I think we all know how these people perceive non-Muslims as infidels. That’s evident from the recent spate of terrorist attacks against Americans led by Fahed Del Alaz.”
Chuck then took an image from the envelope. “Master Sedgly and I came here to see if we could help while the rest of our monks stayed and guarded our Sanctuary.”
He held up the A4 size image and said. “This is Fahed Del Alaz.”
They looked at the photo of Fahed, wearing dishevelled military garb.
They then all looked at Chuck waiting for him to say something that they don’t already know, but he just smiled and said. “We also think he could be somewhere in the Hindu Raj Mountains, so we will find him together.”
Pon, not wanting to offend the Prime Master with his useless information, shook his head, and said. “We know he isn’t there, but it was the only lead the Amanussa we captured gave us. We need to get information from our prisoners chiefs in the Hindu Raj Mountains to find out Fahed’s whereabouts,” said Pon as Taksin took printed images from his briefcase, handed them to Chuck and Sedgly and said. “That was where we are going”
Chuck and Sedgly looked at the images, nodded, and put the pictures on the table.
As Spock and Stu looked at the pictures and cringed, Chuck said. “That sounded like a good plan Pon, and our knowledge of living in freezing temperatures should be useful in that terrain.”
“Thank you Chuck, I am sure it will,” said Pon and noticing Chuck looked to be in his forties, said. “You are young for a Prime Master, Chuck.”
“As are you Pon, but I know your story and how your Tinju Warriors were wiped out.” Chuck frowned and with a tremble in his voice said, “We need to prevent the same thing happening to us all.”
“I agree Prime Master,” said Pon and wai-ed Chuck who returned the wai and said. “As for being a young Prime Master. We are a young order compared to others such as the Tinju. We keep up with the outside world as much as possible and have Internet, smart phones, iPads, and other up-to-date devices at our Sanctuary.”
Spock and Stu looked at one another, raised their eyebrows, and glanced at Pon smirking at them.
Chuck smiled, and said, “The Warlords of Peace’s Prime Masters give up their position at sixty-years-old and they elect the new Prime Masters from Masters around forty years old.”
Chuck looked at Sedgly, smiled, and said. “We are an open order and our monks come and go as they please.” Chuck smirked, “but it was rare for anyone to leave; we lead a hard but utopian life.”
Sedgly nodded. “Yes, we are self-sustaining, with the forest providing food and building materials in the warmer months. We also made things from the forests resources, which we sold or traded in the nearby towns.”
“You sound more like Amish than Buddhist Warriors,” said Dave sounding intrigued.
Chuck nodded. “I suppose there are similarities, although we don’t have long beards,” He smirked.
“Or hair,” said Spock grinning.
Sedgly then took a folded white garment from a small plastic bag and shook it. “These may help, if you can get them made.”
They all looked at the one-piece suit and Sedgly smiled. “We wore these under our cassocks; they keep out the winter chill.”
Sedgly handed the garment to Spock, who felt the warm white undergarment and said. “We wore Long johns in England that looked the same as this, didn’t we, matey?”
“Yep,” said Stu looking at Dave chuckling. “I don’t know what you’re sniggering about Yorkie; I bet you wore these in Sheffield.”
“Aye,” said Dave, “but not with my friends.”
He translated for Manhut and the pair burst out laughing,
“They look warm, what are they made from?” asked Pon looking at the Long johns.
Chuck and Sedgly looked at on another.
“Oh err, its Yak’s hair,” said Sedgly. “Yaks roam around the mountains, and we shear them to make our garments.”
Spock furrowed his brow and said, “Oh yeah, and I suppose they are the Yaks with labels on them saying Made in USA on them,” said Spock showing everyone the white inner label.
Sedgly and Chuck looked at each other and chuckled.
“We buy them at the general store in the nearby town,” said Sedgly sounding nervous.
Spock chuckled. “See Pon, American monks have a sense of humour.”
Pon furrowed his brow and sounding indignant said. “Spock, I have a sense of humour.”
“Yeah, right,” said Spock smirking and he and Stu sniggered.
The garment made its way around the men at the table and Taksin said. “I will take this and have some made.” He pondered for a moment and, looking at the garment again, had an idea for some alterations and improvements.
“You must be tired after that long journey,” said Pon after seeing Sedgly yawning. “We can continue this later. Why don’t you rest and I will wake you when it’s time to eat.
Chuck and Sedgly went to their rooms. Pon and Taksin left to continue planning. Dave and Manhut went to the lounge to see Sid and Lek, while Spock and Stu stayed in the kitchen to be close to their friend, the fridge.
“What do you think matey?” asked Spock making two mugs of tea.
“They seemed okay,” said Stu, “Everything they told us made sense now. They seemed like nice blokes and looked as hard as nails. It must be all the hard graft and living in the cold.” Stu took a drink of tea.<
br />
“We look nowhere near as tough as them, and we lived in the cold,” said Spock furrowing his brow.
“Yes mate, but we never worked hard.”
“Hmm, suppose not,” said Spock, taking a slurp of tea as Stu turned on the TV. “Let’s see if there’s anything on about those terrorist attacks Sedgly mentioned.”
— Chapter Fourteen —
Taksin went into the small air-conditioned Palace gymnasium where Pon watched Chuck, Sedgly, Manhut, and Dave training.
Taksin noticed their styles very different as Manhut and Dave used *Muay Thai and the similar Cambodian*Pradal Seray techniques, while Chuck and Sedgly’s looked more of a military style with sticks they used as daggers.
“Good afternoon Prime Master,” said Taksin who wai-ed Pon. “How are things progressing?”
“Fine Khun Taksin,” said Pon after returning the wai.
Taksin, looking disappointed, said. “I still haven’t yet found a safe way for you to get to Abdullah’s hide-out, but I’ve had another idea.”
Taksin discussed his plan and Pon, looking intrigued, nodded.
“That could be a better option Khun Taksin, that’s if we can find the information,” said Pon, and the pair walked to Pon’s study.
Pon took the Puravuttanta from the safe, placed it on his desk, and said. “Things are going well Taksin. It has only been a few days, but we all have different strengths and weaknesses. The Tinju are trained in stealth attacks and proficient with the sword and Juglave.” A wry grin came across his face, “along with a new weapon and technique Vitchae taught them.”
Taksin smiled and nodded,
“The Chokdet are proficient in defence, and although they are adept with swords, they’re amazing archers.”
Taksin smirked. “Yes, I saw them shooting yesterday Pon.”
Pon smiled and said. “Prime Master Chuck and Master Sedgly are okay in close quarters combat with their daggers, but not so much with swords. They use a technique that relied on strength but are unable to keep up our pace in the heat. Dave and Manhut are excellent fighters but have little skill with weapons. I am unsure of our timescale and I cannot teach them new skills in a short space of time, so they trained in the gym at their individual levels, as it is cooler for Chuck and Sedgly.
Taksin nodded. “That sounded like a good idea Pon. Chuck and Sedgly will be more adept in the cold.”
Pon frowned. “Yes, and that’s our problem. How can we simulate the cold conditions here? Apart from them and Dave, none of us have felt freezing temperatures.”
Taksin shook his head. “I don’t know Pon; perhaps we can find a cold storage facility.”
Pon nodded. “Perhaps.”
He smiled. “Now my friend, about your plan.”
Taksin nodded and pointed to the book. “You told me before that the Puravuttanta contained a list of Sanctuaries and their rough locations.”
“Yes,” said Pon and opened the book to the list, “Here.”
Taksin glanced at the list, but not understanding ancient Siamese text, said. “I know it will be difficult to find them all.”
Pon nodded. “Yes, it would take a lifetime to find them all.”
Taksin smiled. “But finding one might not be too difficult.”
Pon looked at Taksin and furrowed his brow. “Which one?”
“I imagine that there is one in or around the Hindu Raj Mountains,” said Taksin, knowing from Pon that the isolated Sanctuaries where in hard to get places.
Pon studied the list for several minutes. “There are five Sanctuaries in Pakistan,” he said reading about the five.
He smiled and looked at Taksin. “Here,” he said tapping on ancient squiggles. “The Gi'āna dē tākata, Strength of Wisdom. Their Monastery’s listed as being in a valley between Mount Hindla and Mount Vishnir, to the east of the Hindu Raj Mountain range.”
Taksin nodded. “That’s the one we needed to find,” said Taksin and smiled, “it doesn’t happen to have the GPS coordinates written in there by any chance?”
Pon looked at his friend and grinned as Taksin continued.
“If they had also been attacked, they would join you. I also imagine that they know the region well enough to lead you to Abdullah’s and other terrorist’s hide-outs.”
“That’s a good idea Taksin, but looking at the maps of the Hindu Raj Mountain range, it looked vast, so they could be anywhere. So how will we find them?
“Leave that to me Pon,” said Taksin and chuckled. “I have modern technology at my fingertips.”
Pon sighed and frowned. “What still concerned me was that the Sanctuary also looked to be in sub-zero temperatures. The cold would still be our greatest enemy.”
Taksin nodded and smirked. “Yes, and I am working on that Pon,” he said before he left Pon’s study.
Daytime in the residence had been quiet over the last few days with most of the men training.
Spock and Stu contributed by taking Chuck and Sedgly to the gym on their first morning after the others had left earlier.
Although they only did it once because the ten-minute walk took its toll on the English athletes and they had to spend the morning in the kitchen by the air conditioner, rehydrating themselves with cups of tea.
The rest of the Tinju had arrived from Salaburi, with their Wat and grounds now a death trap for anyone encroaching without knowing where the booby traps were.
The outside training area now looked and sounded like an ancient battlefield, with orange and green cassocked monks fighting each other in fierce mock combat in the searing heat.
Evening mealtimes in the quarters felt hectic with the dining room filled with chatter as the men sat at the large table and ate, while the kids and women sat at the smaller table in the lounge.
However, with the gym sessions being so intense, the American monks and Gopetu’s went to bed early.
Manhut and Dave told Lek and Sid that they were going to fight the ghosts, and although the children felt safe while their Gopetu’s were still there, knew that would change once they left.
Chuck and Sedgly had been there almost a week when Taksin came to the quarters one evening and went into the dining room.
“Sorry to disturb you,” he said showing them an envelope. “I have information on what we discussed before Pon.”
Taksin sat with them at the table. Spock and Stu, not part of the operation, joined the children in the lounge while the women cleaned up in the kitchen.
While the others gathered around him, Taksin opened the envelope, took satellite images and a large map from his briefcase, unfolded the map, and placed it alongside blurred pictures and satellite images.
Taksin pointed to a satellite image and said. “This is where I think the Strength of Wisdom Warriors Monastery could be.”
The others looked at the enlarged image and although barely visible in the snowy landscape, once Taksin pointed to a faint outline, they saw a walled enclosure with what looked like a domed building at its centre.
Taksin then pointing to an area he’d already marked on a map and said. “According to the GPS coordinates, it’s here.”
The others looked as Taksin pointed to other areas and said. “There is Mount Hindla and Mount Vishnir, and as you can see, the Monastery lay in the valley between.”
They looked at the map and Pon smiled and nodded. “Well done Khun Taksin.”
Taksin then pointed to another area already marked on the map of Abdullah’s hideout in the caves of the Koyo Zom Mountain. He frowned and said. “From here to here looked approximately 60 kilometres in a straight line. However, this is by no means a straight route. It goes around, and in some cases, over mountains. The weather conditions are dangerous this time of year with freezing fog and snow blizzards making it treacherous, with virtually no visibility.”
Chuck chuckled. “Just like home then,” he said, looked at Pon, and then frowned. “It certainly won’t be a walk in the park Buddy. This looked difficult even for us, and I believe
that this may prove to be your worst nightmare Pon.”
Chuck tapped on the map and said. “With it being at high elevation, there was no way for you to acclimatise to the altitude in time.”
Pon and the others listened to the American Prime Master as he told them about altitude sickness, the dangers of hypoxia, and the pain and risk from frostbite.
Apart from Dave, who translated for Manhut, none of the other Asians had ever experienced cold.
Pon looked worried as Chuck explained and hoped Taksin could come up with something to help, but he saw the concern on Taksin’s face.
Pon rubbed his chin as they all looked at him for a decision. He then leant over and tapped on the satellite image and said. “That’s where we should start. Hopefully, the Strength of Wisdom Warrior’s will join us.”
Dave furrowed his brow and asked. “How do we get there?”
Taksin, already figuring Pon’s reaction, had planned accordingly. He pointed to an area on the map and said. “I have arranged helicopters to fly you here. The rest is on foot I’m afraid.” They looked at the area were Taksin pointed.
Taksin looked at them all. “I have cleared it with the Pakistani government. You are a conglomerate of Buddhist monks on a pilgrimage to a Buddhist temple in that area. I told them it is under a Thai Royal charter, so you will have no problems getting your weapons through customs.”
Pon smirked. ‘Khun Taksin’s invaluable,’ he thought as Taksin continued.
“The Thai Royal jet will fly you to a small airfield near Gilgit airport where my Pakistani contact will arrange helicopters and a guide to take you to the drop off point. Although the guide didn’t know about the Monastery, he knew the region and will take you to the coordinates.”
“Hmm, I wonder what language they speak. We needed to communicate with them.”
Taksin shrugged. “I don’t know Pon. I imagine it was Punjabi with their name being Gi'āna dē tākata.” Taksin thought and said. “English is the second language spoken in Pakistan, so who knows.”
“That was a bridge we will have to cross when we get there,” said Pon sounding wistful. “Although it might be useful if I learned a little Punjabi.”
Protector--The Final Adventure Page 14
