Secret Of the Sighing Mountains (The Quest Trilogy)

by Iram Dana

  One morning, after a session of archery, Diego hung back from the crowd heading into the monastery. Sierra spotted him lurking around shadily and walked up to him, curious.

  “Wassup, D? Looking for someone?” he asked.

  “No… waiting …” replied Diego.

  “What for?”

  “For everyone to leave so I can go to Master Shengdu. And before you ask, I have some questions that I want answered.”

  Sierra looked around at the almost empty grounds.

  “Doesn’t look like he’s here.”

  “Doesn’t matter. I know where he is.” said Diego, glancing around himself once, then striding purposefully towards the left wing of the monastery where Master Shengdu could usually be found at this time, meditating. Sierra followed in his wake.

  “What are you going to ask him?”

  “Why are you following me?” countered Diego.

  “Can I come too?” asked Sierra, looking excited.

  “No. Don’t you have some stolen puff or pastry you want to gorge on?”

  “Nope. I’m free.”

  Diego stopped to glare at Sierra. “Go away, Si.”

  “Will not.” Sierra said stubbornly, then added as an afterthought, “I have some questions that I want to ask, too.”

  Diego looked at him skeptically.

  “Fine.” he said, and then continued on his way towards the meditation pavilion.

  The pavilion was made of pristine white marble with four huge pillars in four corners. Flowering vines crept up the pillars, painting a pretty picture. This was where Master Shengdu retired to meditate, usually in the afternoons before lunch.

  They arrived in time to witness a most peculiar scene. Master Shengdu was at the pavilion, meditating – wearing only a flimsy piece of white muslin wrapped around his lower body. He was lying down, eyes tightly shut, on what appeared to be a bed of needles.

  They moved closer cautiously, not wanting to be the reason for a thousand pin holes on Master Shengdu’s body. When they finally reached him, both Diego and Sierra stopped and looked at each other questioningly. Diego nodded and they both respectfully knelt down in front of Master Shengdu.

  “Master…” Diego called softly. After a short interval, Master Shengdu replied.

  “Yes? What brings you here, my children?” he asked, eyes still closed.

  “We had questions, Master. We were hoping to get the answers from you.” said Diego, looking curiously at Sierra whose eyes were popping out of their sockets.

  Maybe the bed was scaring him, thought Diego. He put a reassuring arm on Sierra’s shoulders. At that, Sierra turned to cock a brow at him. Only then did Diego realize that Sierra’s eyes were huge with amusement, and his face had gone red from trying to hold back his laughter. This time, Diego glared at him in warning and Sierra straightened his features into an acceptably solemn mask.

  Diego turned back to face the sleeping form of Master Shengdu.

  “Uh… Master?” he said, watching warily for some sign of life.

  Master Shengdu fluttered his lids open and proceeded to lift himself off the spiky bed and into a cross-legged sitting position. He muttered something irritably, then joined both his palms and closed his eyes, looking peaceful again.

  “You may proceed.” he intoned in a calm voice.

  Diego looked at Sierra, motioning with his eyes for him to go ahead. Sierra shook his head quickly, motioning for Diego to go first. Diego threw him a skewering glance, and then turned slowly to face Master Shengdu.

  “Master, I was wondering… how come the view from Mt. Chimpu keeps changing? Are we moving constantly?” he asked.

  Master Shengdu remained as he was, only opening his mouth to answer.

  “You are right. It is because this mountain is constantly moving. We are not anchored to the ground but in fact, are floating constantly through the Sighing Mountains.”

  “Can the people below or outside of the mountains see us?”

  “No, they cannot.”

  Diego was intrigued.

  “Master,” he continued, “sequestors come to the Sighing Mountains every year. And we are going to be training for three years ourselves, so where are the others? There should be a graduating class or something like that every year, right? Or is this the first batch to receive training?”

  Master Shengdu opened his eyes to regard Diego in silence for a moment, then closed his eyes again and smiled.

  “Good question, Diego. As you said, a new batch of sequestors arrives every year at the Sighing Mountains. And all of them receive training. Only, this is not the only training ground…,’he paused, “there are three floating plateaus which serve as training grounds for sequestors; Mt. Chimpu where I am, Mt. N-Ly10 with Professor Spark, and Mt. Kalamitti with Swami Rami. Once a new batch of sequestors arrives on any one of these for training, they stay on for the duration of three years on that same plateau…”

  “Mt. Calamity?” interrupted Diego.

  “No, Kalamitti as in ‘Kala’ – ‘Mitti’, it means black earth in the Indian language. In fact, it was my friend Swami Rami who taught me the art of meditating on a bed of needles. Anyway, every year a plateau floats to the mouth of the Seekers Pass from where a new bunch of sequestors arrives. That batch trains under that plateau’s respective teacher for three years. The plateaus rotate in this manner, taking it in turns to welcome a batch of sequestors, the result being that, as one batch arrives to receive their training, another batch finishes theirs on another plateau. For example; next year, the sequestors will arrive at Mt. Kalamitti. And at Mt. N-Ly10 the year after, then it will be the turn of Mt. Chimpu again, and your third year here. Your training will finish in September, when the Naming Ceremony takes place. And by October, you will all have left for your quests, leaving Mt. Chimpu free for the next batch about to arrive in Decemnber… so you see, that’s how it works.”

  “How come we never see them? The plateaus, I mean.”

  “Because they are usually floating above or below one another, and remain invisible.”

  “Why are there are no boundaries on this plateau?”

  “That is because if you fall off the edge, you will land on one of the other plateaus.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “If you can survive the fall, then you can land up on a plateau, too.”

  “Why? How far is it from here to the next plateau?”

  “One day’s journey.”

  Both of them gasped and then grinned at each other, already entertaining pleasant images of indulging in the longest sky dive ever, or throwing Moto and Ashitaka over the edge without the slightest care for either one’s safety.

  “Don’t even think about it.” warned Master Shengdu.

  He stirred and began to slowly uncross his legs, readying to change into the next position. He looked like he was going for a particularly tricky one, as he lifted his right leg slowly taking it behind his back at an impossible angle, and then bringing it forward such that his right knee rested on his right shoulder. All of a sudden, his nostrils flared and he gave a shout, and then calmed down equally suddenly. Perplexed, Diego turned towards Sierra, who had gone red again, this time pinching himself hard to keep from laughing out.

  Diego looked at him angrily, turning his palm upwards as if to say ‘what’s wrong with you?’ and then he turned back to Master Shengdu and resumed his questioning.

  “Master, so far you have told us many things about the Sighing Mountains and about our Quest. But you have not told us one thing. Who will inform us of our Quest?”

  Master Shengdu frowned at Diego.

  “You don’t know? Thought you would have figured it out by now. Your Geeya will give you your Quest as only your Geeya knows what it is.”

  Diego’s and Sierra’s eyes grew wide at that.

  “Why does only our Geeya know what our Quest is? And what is a Geeya anyway?”

  Master Shengdu gave them both a look as though he thought the answer should be obv
ious.

  “To keep your Quest a secret, my boy. And as for your second question, don’t ask me what a Geeya is. You will find out on the day of the Naming Ceremony along with the rest of the sequestors.”

  “Why do we have to keep our Quest a secret?”

  Master Shengdu looked at Diego incredulously.

  “Obviously, to protect that knowledge. And before you ask why, it is because we are humans, and certain humans have vested interests. Somebody might want to prevent you from completing your Quest simply out of malice, or they may have a Quest that is at odds with yours. In that case, it would be very foolish to reveal what it is, don’t you think?”

  Diego looked alarmed. “Is that possible? For someone to have a Quest opposing mine?” he asked.

  “It is very possible. Not everyone wants world peace. There are some who would just as gladly destroy it.”

  “But you could be training one of those future villains right here!”

  “A mother cannot choose her child. She can only do her best with what she has been given.”

  Master Shengdu started to slowly lower his right leg. Once he had positioned it suitably again on the needles, he proceeded to lift and contort his left leg the same way as he had done the right. Again, his nostrils flared suddenly and he gave a shout. This time, he reached down with his right hand, rolled the muslin into a soft wad, stuffing it between his legs as a cushion.

  Diego’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as understanding dawned on him, and he couldn’t help smiling as he watched Sierra’s cheeks puff up and face turn red, while his body jerked with the effort to keep his laughter suppressed.

  Diego motioned for him to go ahead, indicating that he was done. Sierra’s laughter died instantly and his face became a mask of worry as he frantically searched his thoughts for something to ask Master Shengdu. If Diego found out that he had only come here to hear his questions, the he, Sierra, was dead meat.

  “Master…,” he began, imitating Diego, “once we begin the journey …er … how are we to feed ourselves?”

  Diego’s head jerked towards Sierra and he gave the latter a ferocious scowl. Master Shengdu just smiled, and then answered.

  “Yes, you would be worried about your sustenance, would you not, Sierra? But tell me, am I not training you to hunt and fend for yourselves? You will be skilled hunters by the time you are done here. You will not want for food on your Quest.”

  Sierra stole a glance at Diego, who was glaring at him, his jaws set in determination. Sierra knew he was in for trouble unless he managed to ask a suitable question vindicating him of the crime of following Diego in order to eavesdrop on the latter’s conversation. He took a gulp when Diego pummeled a fist into his palm, pummeling them slowly against each other with a smirk.

  “Just one more question, Master. What happens once we finish our Quest?” he asked, watching the smirk on Diego’s lips die down.

  “Do we stay on in Quniverse? If not, then how do we leave?” he spoke fast, encouraged by Diego’s failing confidence in his suspicions.

  Master Shengdu nodded his approval of the question this time.

  “Once you have successfully,” he emphasized the word, “completed your Quest, you will be given the choice to stay on in Quniverse, or go back into the real world, catch up on your old lives and continue from there. You will be free to choose what you want. Now, is that all?”

  “Yes, Master.” replied Sierra, relieved to be off the hook.

  “In that case, you may leave now.” said Master Shengdu, starting to lower his left leg and already twisting his body into the next position he intended to take. Diego and Sierra rose slowly, thanking Master Shengdu. They turned to leave, each one immersed in their own thoughts, when there was a sudden shriek from behind.

  They froze, took one glance at each other, and then broke into a dead run, trying to get away as quickly as possible from the pavilion. Neither of them needed to look behind to know what that shriek was all about and they burst into laughter the minute they reached the shelter of the fruit trees, holding the barks for support. They remained there for a good hour, sharing the hilarity of the moment they had just witnessed.

  *****

  CHAPTER 11

  Over the days, Diego and Sierra became extremely accomplished and capable sequestors. As the second year drew to a close, they were dreading having to go through another round in the Concept room but to their pleasant surprise, they were all informed that there would be no test this year in the Concept room. Instead, they would have a series of written exams testing them on theories and skills they had learned so far. Well, it was too good to imagine that they would be let off the hook entirely, but this would do.

  In January of the third year, they both turned twenty one. To mark the occasion, Sierra offered to forge a sword for Diego when they were learning how to make their own. Diego said he wanted two swords, not one.

  “All right. Tell me how you want them to be …” said Sierra.

  “I want them to be narrow towards the hilt and slightly wider at the tips … sort of like an elongated machete. And make them long.”

  “How long?”

  “Real long … when I hold my hands loose by my sides, they should touch the ground.”

  Sierra smiled in approval. “You got it brother!”

  Sierra forged the two sword blades for Diego, taking all of his preferences into account.

  Diego made his own leather contraption which allowed him to wear the two swords strapped to his back.

  In return, Diego offered to do something for Sierra. Taking him up on the offer, Sierra asked Diego to carve designs into the wood after they had finished making their own bows. When Diego handed the bow back to him a week later, it was a masterpiece.

  The weeks rolled into months and before they knew it, the three years of training were coming to an end and there was just a month left for the Naming Ceremony. Diego was all alone in the dorm room, seated at the study table, poring over some notes when he heard the clip-clop of heels, indicating the arrival of a female. He straightened up in his seat and quickly ran a hand through his hair on impulse. Who knew? Maybe it was someone hot. He turned at the sound of a series of soft knocks on the open doorway and was not disappointed.

  Stephanie was standing at the door, looking sexy as usual. Over the years, they had become good friends – once Sierra had backed off from his meddling ways, that is. But the friendship had not amounted to anything more.

  He nodded to her in acknowledgement. She returned the greeting with a small smile.

  “Hey, Diego. Wassup? Busy?” Stephanie said, leaning against the doorframe in a casual manner. Too casual, in fact.

  “Hey, Steph.” said Diego, not missing the nervous drumming of her fingers on her thigh. “No, I’m not that busy. Why?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing much. Just wondering if you had some time to spare …”

  She darted a quick glance over her shoulder.

  Diego frowned. Something didn’t smell right. “Do you want to come in?” he asked.

  She nodded, looking relieved. She entered the room quickly, closing the door behind her. “So …” she said, nervously rubbing her palms together.

  “So …?” Diego raised his eyebrows. Her words tumbled out.

  “Look, you’ve heard of Master Shengdu’s ‘Treasure Trove’?”

  Diego looked at her blankly.

  “‘Scrooge’s vault’?” she tried again. “His ‘Chamber of Secrets’?”

  Diego nodded slowly. Stephanie rushed on.

  “Well, I was just down there. Okay, almost. Master Shengdu wanted some help hauling a few cartons and ... Did you know there is a whole basement area below the in-house hospital?” she asked, switching topics abruptly.

  “Yes.”

  Stephanie was surprised.

  “ Really? Well, I didn’t know. Apparently, they carry on research there. Anyway, so I was following Master Shengdu carrying those freakin’ heavy boxes, when he took a d
etour through one of the side doors. We went through this confusing, maze-like path and then at the end of it, there was a door. Red, marked with an emblem of a golden dragon. I swear the face on that dragon was Master Shengdu’s.”

  “Okay, you’re making this stuff up. That’s total bullshit.”

  Stephanie laughed.

  “Just the part about the dragon’s face.” She admitted. “But that door’s it. I’m sure of it. Especially because when we reached there, Master Shengdu asked me to put down the boxes and turn around and walk away without looking back.”

  She paused, looking at Diego expectantly.

  “Interesting.” he said, because some sort of response seemed to be expected. He waited for her to continue, but she just kept looking at him, waiting for him to say … what, exactly?

  “And I would be interested in this information because …?”

  That seemed to be the right thing because Stephanie became all animated again.

  “Don’t you want to know what’s in there? I mean, I know where the famous ‘Chamber of Secret’s’ is! Who knows what sort of crazy cool stuff’s in there? Master Shengdu has probably collected al of this super dope over the years. Maybe he has monsters caged there. Mythical beasts. Magic potions… who knows? But right now, you and I have a chance to go see for ourselves.”

  “Why me?” asked Diego. He had to know. It mattered.

  “You’re the only on I know of with enough balls to do this. Also, if something goes wrong …” she trailed off, her eyes dropping to the ring on his left hand. “You’re strong.”

  She shrugged, lifting her eyes to his again.

  Diego leaned back in his chair, crossing his fingers behind his head.

  “I don’t know … you’re not the only one who knows the location of the secret chamber. I heard a few guys discussing it the other day. They said it was easy to locate, but impossible to get in. Master always keeps it locked.”

  She raised her eyebrows slightly at this information.

  “Okay, so maybe I’m not the only one who knows the location of the room. But I am the only one who knows that the door to that room is open right now.” she gazed at him meaningfully. Diego sat up straight.