by HR Moore
The men and women were separated during the meal, each sitting on their own side of the room. However, Tsering, Caspar, Amari, and several of Tsering's senior monks sat together in the center of the room. They'd eaten a meal of vegetable curry and steamed bread, sitting in near silence the entire time. Amari wondered if this was normal, although she enjoyed the uninterrupted opportunity to observe everyone as she ate.
Once they'd emptied their food bowls, had cleared them away, and had collected a warm cup of something called yak butter tea, Tsering finally got down to business.
'I have thought on your words,' he said. 'We Buddhists do not believe in killing. We avoid war at all costs. However, we also believe that you should not take what has not been given, as it would appear the Templars are trying to do.
'We will send an envoy to the Templars. We will try to broker an agreement between the Templars and the Pagans. We will make it clear that, although we do not want war, our utmost goal is to end suffering. If war will cause the least suffering—is most in accordance with the eight-fold path—we will support the Pagans. Of course, we ourselves will never fight.'
'Thank you,' said Caspar, 'although, as you know, the Templars have been known to lie. We appreciate your assistance, but would ask, even if a deal is brokered, that you remain vigilant. Their war is not only with us, but with everyone.'
Tsering nodded. 'Naturally.'
'Thank you,' said Caspar again. 'In which case, I believe our business is concluded. I'd be most grateful if you could make arrangements to take us back to the airport in the morning.'
'Of course, if that is what you wish. But I had hoped that you would stay a few days. An envoy from the Shindu Council is due to visit. It would be prudent to stay and speak with them.'
'We would be honored to stay with you. Thank you,' said Caspar, as though nothing would give him more pleasure.
Amari's heart sank. She was going to have to sleep on the floor for multiple days, in a hut full of women whose language she didn't understand, separated from Caspar. She took a deep breath. People paid a fortune for authentic back to nature retreats such as this … she would do her best to embrace it.
Amari and Caspar barely saw each other over the next few days. They caught only glimpses as they went about their duties, exercised, washed, listened to Buddhist teachings, and meditated. They sat next to each other at mealtimes, but Tsering was always there, either inflicting silence, or dominating the conversation with Buddhist philosophy.
Tsering barely spoke to Amari, focusing all his attention on Caspar, who answered politely but refused to bite on anything contentious.
Caspar and Amari managed to snatch moments together on three separate occasions. Once behind a pillar in the meditation room, once in the garden, and once behind the nuns' sleeping accommodations. But Tsering had seen to it that for the most part, they were apart, or surrounded by others.
The first night on the floor had been uncomfortable, although one of the nuns had given Amari a warm blanket, so at least she hadn't been cold. By the fourth night, she'd got used to it. In fact, the whole experience had her feeling pretty zen.
'How are you faring?' Caspar asked, during one of their rare private encounters.
'Surprisingly, I'm having a wonderful time,' she said. 'I feel great, and life is so straightforward here. Although I wish the nuns could speak English; there are so many things I want to ask them.'
Caspar laughed.
'What?' she demanded.
'They're demons. Every single one of them speaks perfect English.'
Amari pulled away, blushing. 'Are you serious?'
'Have you asked any of them a direct question?'
'Only things about cooking, or where dirty towels go … I've always had props to show them what I need.'
'Ask them something that needs a spoken answer, and you'll see.'
It had taken Amari a further half day to pluck up the courage to speak to a nun directly. When she did, she found Caspar was, of course, right.
'What do all the carvings mean?' she asked a firecracker of a nun as they walked past a particularly beautiful section at the back of the assembly hall. The nun was short, old, and round, but had boundless energy and sparkling eyes.
The nun smiled broadly at the question, as though someone had cracked a hilarious joke, then answered in flawless English.
'Some are decorative: the patterns, some of the flowers and plants, and some of the animals. A lot of them are symbols of our faith: the eight-fold path, the Bo tree, the lotus flower, lions, deer, the endless knot, and later, the Buddha himself.'
'And what are they building down there?' Amari asked, pointing down a new section of corridor. She knew Caspar spent most days chipping away at the rock, but hadn't had a chance to ask him about it.
The nun's face lit up. 'Let me show you,' she said, bounding down the corridor, towards the ceaseless sound of chiseling.
They emerged into a new cave, more modestly sized than the rest, and with no windows at all. It was lit only by burning torches set at intervals along the wall.
'We're building a stupa here, a place to hold our sacred relics. This will be a most holy place for us to pray. The square base represents the earth, the steps: water, the bell: fire, the spire: air, and the crown at the top,' she paused, looking at Amari with delight, 'wisdom. This is a nirvana stupa. It represents the Buddha's death and transition to nirvana. It reminds us of our purpose.'
'Earth, air, fire, and water?' asked Amari. 'Like the Pagans?'
'There are similarities,' said the nun. 'But the Pagans don't put much stock in wisdom …'
The following day, Eka, a middle-aged woman from the Shindu Council, arrived. She and Tsering spent the day shut away in the garden cave, but Amari and Caspar were invited to join them for a private meal at the end of the day.
They arrived, bowed respectfully, then sat cross-legged on the floor, accepting bowls filled with noodle soup, given to them by another monk.
They made polite small talk for a few moments, then Tsering got to the point.
'We have had very interesting conversations today,' he said. 'Eka brings news that you will not like.'
Caspar's insides gave an involuntary lurch, but he and Amari sat in silence, waiting for Tsering to share.
Tsering drew out the silence. 'The Shindu Council have received word that the Pagans are antagonizing the Templars. The Templars say they are only responding to the Pagan's warlike actions. They strongly refute the notion that they are the instigators of discord.'
Silence settled while Amari and Caspar let the words sink in.
'And what is your view on this matter?' Caspar asked Eka. 'Is it the Pagans or the Templars whose words are untrue?'
'The Templars were convincing,' said Eka.
'You've told Eka all that we told you?' Caspar asked Tsering. He nodded. 'And you don't find our account convincing? Especially in light of their historic actions? The Pagans want the same things as the Buddhists, and Shindus. We don't believe in expanding our empire, or manipulating stock markets, or involving ourselves in politics. We want only to establish and maintain peace, prosperity, and fairness, for everyone.'
'At whatever cost?' asked Eka.
'We don't want war, but if it comes to that, to protect us all—to protect our beliefs—then yes,' said Caspar.
'And what about kidnapping?' said Eka. 'Is that an appropriate cost?'
'What do you mean?' said Caspar, taken aback. 'We would never condone that.'
Eka turned sharply to Amari. 'This is the demon Raina, is it not?'
'Asleep, but yes,' said Caspar.
'The Templars have accused the Pagans of kidnapping her, holding her hostage, and feeding her lies. The Templars have been attempting to recover her,' said Eka.
'What?' said Caspar, a million thoughts running through his head. 'We would never do that.'
'Where was she when she died last? Who was she with? What was she doing?' asked Eka.
'I … I
don't know,' said Caspar. 'But Raina would never have joined the Templars. She's a Pagan, and will be until her dying breath.'
'Is she?' said Eka. 'A lot can change in a lifetime or two, and I hear that's how long you two have been estranged.'
'What benefit could we possibly obtain from kidnapping Raina?' he said. 'She's asleep now, but she will awaken, and when she does, she'll be free to go anywhere she likes.'
'We can but wait and see,' said Eka.
Caspar prickled. Who was this woman to accuse him of kidnapping? 'I know Raina; she won't go to the Templars. This is another of their lies and manipulations.'
'The Shindu Council have no natural affinity with the Templars,' said Eka. 'Indeed, we've been friends to the Pagans, happily so, for hundreds of years. But if there is truth in the Templars' story, then we have no choice but to stand with them. Kidnapping is a serious offence.'
'And you'd be right to do so,' said Caspar. 'But seeing as we have not kidnapped Raina—a fact she will confirm as soon as she wakes—I am certain our friendship will endure.'
'Of course,' said Eka, 'if that is the case.'
'I have known Caspar a long time,' said Tsering. 'I will send my envoy still. We will see if there is light we can shine.'
Caspar breathed a sigh of relief. At least Tsering was standing with him. 'Thank you,' he said.
Tsering's expression shifted. 'Don't misunderstand me. I have no love for the Templars, but that woman, Raina, has always been trouble. I cannot entirely discount the idea that you would do something stupid in pursuit of her.'
Amari left the meeting having not uttered a single word. She didn't know what to think, let alone say. Caspar was right behind her. He grabbed her hand, pulled her to his chest, heedless of who might come along the corridor.
'I'm sorry,' he said into her hair. 'I promise we didn't kidnap you. We need to speak to Rose … maybe she knows something more.'
Amari clung to him. He was the only stability she had in the bizarre, turbulent world she'd somehow landed in.
'I don't know what to think,' she said, 'but those men who came after us, if they only wanted to retrieve me, then why did they throw knives at me?'
'The Templars are trying to turn our allies against us. They're trying to weaken us. I don't know why they're coming after you …' He pushed away. 'I don't know what happened in your last life …'
Amari sat on the nearest window ledge, her eyes scanning the lake.
'Part of me wishes I would just wake up, and part of me is terrified to.'
'I know,' said Caspar, moving in front of her.
Amari rested her cheek against his stomach. Caspar's hands stroked her hair.
'I feel the same,' he said. 'We'll leave for the Vikings tomorrow, and call Rose from the plane.'
Chapter 18
Caspar and Amari were back on the plane by dinnertime the following day. Amari was less vocal on the return car journey, her mind going over and over what Eka had said, along with everything else she'd learned since finding out she was a sleeping demon. Those words still seemed absurd.
Amari boarded the plane and threw her phone down on the table, not even bothering to switch it on. It wasn't like there was anyone she could speak to … Did anyone even have her new number?
Amari paced, barely realizing her feet were moving, frustration building.
Caspar was already on his phone, first calling the Vikings to make arrangements for their visit, and then trying to get hold of Rose. Rose didn't answer, so Caspar called round everyone else. Most of their phones went straight to voicemail, the rest rang out, except Talli's.
'Have you heard from Rose?' Caspar demanded.
'No,' said Talli, the phone on speaker so Amari could hear too.
'You know the Templars are saying we kidnapped Raina? They've got to the Shindu Council. The Shindus are half-convinced.'
'That would explain what the Egyptians were alluding to,' said Talli.
'Do you know why they're saying it? Anything from Raina's last life?' asked Caspar.
'No,' said Talli. 'You need to ask Rose.'
'I've tried; she's not answering. Has anyone else put their reports up yet?' asked Caspar.
'Nothing helpful,' said Talli. 'A few meeting write-ups. Most nations are on the fence.'
'Okay. We're heading to the Vikings now. If you hear from Rose, tell her we need to talk.'
'Okay. Good luck.'
'You too.'
Caspar hung up, then pulled a laptop out of a compartment under his seat. He began a furious assault on the keyboard.
'What are you doing?' asked Amari.
'Writing up my report. We upload them to a central system so the rest of the leadership can see what we've learned. We can't always speak on the phone, and we're spread across time zones, so this way, everyone can stay up to date. And the write-ups provide a record we can go back and look at later; it's very useful.'
'Do I need to do one too?'
'Yes. There's another laptop here,' he said, leaning under the next seat and pulling one out. He handed it to Amari. 'Your fingerprint should unlock it. Double-click on the cloud archive icon, and it's self-explanatory from there.'
This was good. Something to take Amari's mind off her potential kidnaping.
The plane took off and they worked on their reports for the next two hours. Caspar said every detail could be important, so she created a blow-by-blow account of their time with the Buddhists, along with an executive summary containing the pertinent bits.
The flight attendant had spent his time in Tibet testing out the local restaurants, sourcing food for the return flight. He'd done well. Once their reports were finished, they ate Sichuan beef, lamb skewers, naan bread, and Tibetan yoghurt. They washed the meal down with Tibetan barley wine, and although it wouldn't be Amari's future beverage of choice, it was surprisingly pleasant.
Caspar and Amari ate appreciatively, enjoying the plush leather seats and the luxury of having someone to clean up after them.
Amari peppered Caspar with the questions she hadn't had a chance to ask him while they'd been with the Buddhists: Had he been chiseling every day? Yes. Were any of the Buddhist nation allowed to have romantic relationships? Only if they were happy to be lay people, which meant they were never in the know, and were looked down on by everyone else. Why did Tsering hate Raina so much? Because he thought Raina was the reason Caspar had never returned to the Buddhists. Was that really the only reason? Raina had caused her fair share of wars. Buddhists frowned upon this kind of behavior. Had he been tempted to stay this time? Not even for a second.
'Why not?' Amari asked.
'Because I want you, and because I'm Pagan. I believe in what the Pagans teach.'
'They're kind of similar though,' said Amari. 'Earth, air, fire, water, living with nature, doing the right thing.'
'A lot of religions have similarities, it doesn't mean they're the same.'
'I know. It just … surprised me.'
'Enough with the questions. We've only got a few hours until we land in Norway, and I plan to spend every one of them in that wonderful bed,' said Caspar, standing. 'I'm hoping you'll keep me company.'
Amari and Caspar landed in Norway, in Honningsvåg, where two women with long, blonde, plaited hair waited for them. They were greeted with warm handshakes that turned into backslaps, ushered to a white Volvo, and asked about their journey.
The women gave them mead, encouraged them to take pictures of the beautiful landscape on their phones, and openly informed them that they were going to Skarsvåg.
'You don't keep the location of your headquarters secret?' asked Amari.
Maja, who was driving, laughed. 'No! We don't care if the whole world knows. If anyone wants to come and kill us in our beds, good luck to them!'
Not one single thing about this was comparable to their visit to the Buddhists, and Amari's head was spinning—probably the jetlag. They'd followed the day around the world, landing in Norway around the same time they'd taken
off in Tibet.
Twenty minutes later, they drove past a sign announcing they'd reached Skarsvåg, a small fishing village. Amari was surprised to find their destination was a hall right in the centre.
'Is the whole village Viking?' she asked Thea, the other woman.
'Most, not all,' Thea replied. 'Those who are not Viking see only what they want to. They don't know we're here.'
'How's that possible?'
Thea laughed, as though this were obvious. 'Magic.'
Amari was totally unprepared for the scene that greeted them when they entered the hall of the Vikings. In the centre sat a fire pit, roaring and cracking, even though it was the middle of summer. To each side of the fire there were long banquet tables with benches. A raised dais with two thrones dominated the far end, its two occupants observing all that took place below.
The hall was bursting with people eating, drinking, and conversing in loud voices. Caspar and Amari stepped over the threshold, and silence rippled through the room, a sea of expectant faces turning to greet them.
'King Henrik, Queen Sofie,' said Caspar, 'we, of the Pagans, thank you for your hospitality.' Caspar bowed and Amari followed suit.
'Cas-par,' boomed Henrik. He leaped up from his throne, jumped off the dais, and hurtled towards where Caspar and Amari stood.
Henrik wrapped Caspar in a hug so fearsome that Amari worried Caspar's ribs would break. Henrik was a bear of a man, with long, dark, shaggy hair and beard. He looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties.
'And … Raina?'
'Amari,' she said, 'although maybe one day I'll be Raina.'
Henrik pulled her into a bear hug too. 'Why always so stubborn? Heh? You'd think, after all this time, you'd give in.'
Amari had no idea what to say to this.
'You're calling her stubborn?' said Caspar, raising an eyebrow.
A laugh came from behind and hands clapped together. 'Yes! If anyone could give lessons on being a stubborn, pig-headed old oaf, then surely it would be this one,' said Queen Sofie, joining them at the door.
