The Parables of Ancient Earth: The Third Scroll: the Scrimshaw Tower

By H. D. Anyone

A LEGENDARY PEARL
in an ocean cove lures the young scribe, Archippus, to risk life and limb against a great white fish that protects the treasure. In a desperate attempt to possess its wealth, the young scribes world is forever altered, and he finds himself called to a foreboding conflict atop the Scrimshaw Tower.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Aug 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496928467

H. D. Anyone

As a lover of Literature and fantasy fiction, if I had to choose any store to be locked in overnight, it would be Barnes and Noble.  If I amass wealth as an author, I will open an orphanage and a cat sanctuary. If I amass no wealth but remain a struggling artist, my deepest desire it that the books I have penned will entertain and encourage others.

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© 2014 H. D. Anyone. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 08/13/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2847-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-2846-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014912955

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Contents

Parchment XV

Parchment XVI

Parchment XVII

Parchment XVIII

Parchment XIX

Parchment XX

Parchment XXI

Epilogue

Works Cited

Endnotes

PARCHMENT XV

Long before the final millennium, the continent was rent in two, permitting vast oceans to separate landkind from fighting, like bickering children pulled from a sandbox.

GIVE US THE eegwuhnuh.

"What?" asked Raimi.

You heard me. The gunner pointed a spear at her waist seated deep in the saddle.

What are you talking about? she said.

The six thousand pound lizard. Hand me the reins. The gunner’s voice was cold and pragmatic.

"Why?"

No safety straps.

"What?"

You are not wearing safety straps. We are confiscating the eegwuhnuh.

Archippus slumped in the rear saddle. It figured. They had just lost everything to the Calidron Calamity as it was now called, and they were only halfway on the High-Way to the Citadel by the Sea.

Fuzzy, the invisible where-wolf, growled at the guard.

What was that?

Nothing, Raimi said quickly.

No, I distinctly heard something. The guard nervously waved his spear at sunlit air.

The eegwuhnuh’s stomach growled. He’s hungry, Raimi lied.

"Well, feed it, and then give me the reins," demanded the gunner.

"I will not hand him over! It’s an unjust law!"

The gunner spun back toward her, only this time, he landed the spear at her throat.

Raimi, said Emoticas. You might want to give the gunner the eegwuhnuh.

No!

Raimi shoved the spear leftward and lunged atop the gunner, scratching and hitting, spitting, and biting his ear.

Get her off me! yelled the gunner.

Emoticas and Gershom jumped from their saddles and yanked Raimi backward. Archippus remained seated and slumped.

The guard jumped to his feet. By now, seven other gunners had run up from the nearby watchtower, which made for eight gunners, eight spears, and eight swords.

Archippus did the math. Raimi! Give them the eegwuhnuh! he yelled from the saddle. He worried that if drawn into the scuffle, his mud-caked shoulder that concealed the Barbirian brand would flake off and would lead him to imprisonment.

No! screamed Raimi pressing forward.

Emoticas and Gershom detained her by her biceps.

"We are taking the lizard," said the injured gunner, examining a welted bloody scratch on his forearm.

Archippus snickered, for he knew the sting of Raimi’s leopard-like wounds.

Get off! demanded another gunner who grabbed Buz seated on the eegwuhnuh.

Leave him be! shouted Archippus, jumping down and shoving the guard to break his hold on the blind boy. I’ll get him!

We’re taking the lizard, insisted the gunner who motioned to a comrade to take the reins.

He’s all we have! Raimi strained forward and yelled. And he’s not just a lizard, he saved our lives! A gunner began to lead Hemi away.

"He was a gift from my trust-father! Her voice cracked with emotion. He’s the fastest eegwuhnuh on the hemi-sphere!"

Archippus cringed at the last sentence. Now they’d keep the lizard for sure. He couldn’t negotiate a relinquishment after that statement.

The gunner backhanded Raimi’s mouth. "Shut up! You broke the law. We keep the lizard."

She spit a bloody spray at him, and he responded with a backhand in the other direction.

Archippus rolled his eyes. "There are eight of them, Raimi. Give it up."

Emoticas and Gershom pulled Raimi farther backward as she struggled forward.

The gunner laughed.

The remaining law-enforcers laughed and led Hemi away.

Raimi fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands.

Archippus wondered if she was crying, and then wondered if she even had tear ducts. Raimi, get up. Let’s go. There’s no use crying over a lost lizard, he said, although in reality there was, for the lizard was worth good coinage.

She looked up at him. "I’m not crying."

I didn’t think so.

She stood and started to walk. The rest fell in line behind her. Buz took hold of his invisible where-wolf’s fur and trudged alongside Archippus.

It only took a few trudges for Archippus to realize that selling his sandals for a half shell of snock was ill conceived, for the rocky road dug into the soles of his feet.

All he had remaining was his leather skirt and the pouch scroll around his neck holding the tiny parchment promising he would wed Jazelle. He clutched the pouch in his right fist and ached. He was so close to sending for her and asking for her hand. Now he had nothing: absolutely nothing but one handful of coins given to him by Buz—the only landling in this pilgrimage worth dealing with.

Archippus was angry with the rest of them: angry with Gershom for stopping him from getting his writs from the burning latifundia, angry with Emoticas for always trying to smooth things over, and angry with Raimi for … for being Raimi.

But Buz—Buz had drummed all night to earn coinage. He would look out for Buz. Buz is just like me.

Hungry and thirsty, sunburned and lame with bloody feet on the third day of travel in the company of fools, in which he included the warbler perched on his shoulder, Archippus bemoaned his existence.

However, despite his depression, when they crested the final hill and Archippus stared down at the Citadel by the Sea, sprawling and white like sheep in front of a vast field of blue-green ocean, he sucked in his breath and felt his eyes moisten. The salty air filled his lungs, and he stared at the glistening unending waters. He had never seen the ocean, and as horrible as he felt, a sense of greatness and purpose filled him with wonderment at the sheer beauty. Perhaps this had been a good idea after all.

With newfound energy, the group sauntered down the hill and made their way across rolling green fields dotted with bluebell flowers and tall grass bending in the breeze. Soon they arrived at a vast orchard that skirted the length of the city on one side, the ocean on the other.

Olive trees, said Emoticas. And the olive warblers are singing. Listen.

Archippus listened. He remembered Hodos had told him his feathered kin came from the olive orchard outside the Citadel by the Sea. This could be glorious news, he thought.

So, Hodos, he said, glancing at the bird on his shoulder. Look! Why don’t you visit your relatives and stay awhile. I’m sure you have much to catch up on, and I’ll just busy myself in town.

Nice try, said the bird.

What do you mean?

You know.

What?

You’re trying to get rid of me.

Nuh-uh.

You lie poorly.

Archippus sighed. He watched Raimi walk beneath the trees where tiny brown birds chirped and flitted from limb to limb. He found it unusual that the birds chirped in unison creating a beautiful melody that seemed to welcome the group and calm his pained soul.

If Hodos would cease speaking and merely sing, he would be much more bearable, thought Archippus.

As if in answer to his thoughts, the little bird on his shoulder began chirping with the other warblers.

It was a lovely melody, but Archippus hardened the softness creeping into his heart. He still blamed the bird for the fire. Somehow. Bird hadn’t wanted him to gain riches and marry Jazelle. He was certain this was all Bird’s fault.

Archippus worried that Jazelle wouldn’t wait for him. He had been so close to impressing Lordess Lourdes and asking for her daughter’s hand, only to have his plans and preparation yanked from beneath him like a bedroll snagged on an eegwuhnuh’s toenail. And thinking of Jazelle made him feel as if he had just fallen backward, the wind knocked from his lungs, his upper stomach aching in a sad longing that had become a chronic illness from pining for and missing Jazelle while fearing she might not be caring for or thinking of him.

For a second time, as if in answer to his thoughts, Hodos stopped singing and spoke. Blessing is the inner cessation of wanting.

Archippus glanced sideways at him. What’s that suppose to mean?

Exactly what I said.

But what made you say it just now?

Why not say it now?

Can you read my thoughts … discern what I feel?

"I don’t know, can you?"

Archippus could see this was going nowhere. It bothered him that the bird seemed to see through him, and he now felt annoyed by both the bird and the singing.

The singing, however, seemed to put his cohorts in high spirits despite dismal circumstances. In interlocked elbows, Raimi, Emoticas, and Gershom skipped toward town. Invisible Fuzzy ran flower-pressed circles yelping and dodging Buz’ outstretched arms, all the while Buz laughing at the game.

Archippus rolled his eyes. He was always on the outside of his companions’ emotions. They all seemed happy with nothing to be happy about. What would make Archippus happy was the legendary Pearl of Great Price, and he looked toward the glistening ocean protecting its treasure and decided to head for the shore.

Buz, come on. Let’s go.

Buz called Fuzzy to him and took hold of the unseen shagginess of the where-wolf’s collar that fell in step with Archippus as he made his way on the outskirts of town toward the ocean.

The citadel was constructed of white walled buildings. The structures, so closely pressed and the redbrick streets so narrow, a hand could reach from one iron balcony and touch another. Ivy vines and colored flowers clung to walls or hung from iron rails. Archippus could not deny it was a beautiful city, even in his foul mood. But the beauty of the city paled in comparison to the ocean as he stepped barefoot for the first time onto the soft sand that lined the glistening green waters and welcomed him with the repetitive whisper of each calming wave as if saying, Shhhhh … shhhhh … shhhhh … shhhhh … like a lullaby from nature.

He thought of The Pearl of Great Price.

Archippus! Raimi’s voice interrupted his reverie. Over here! Fish! Cooked fish!

Archippus saw a group of landlings gathered about a daytime fire. He walked over and smelled the cooking fish skewered on sticks. He was starving.

A single denarius will feed us all! cried Raimi.

Archippus squinted. Raimi expected him to buy them all a meal, but he only wanted to share with Buz who had earned the coinage and given it to him. Besides, Raimi still carried the golden trust-ring from Ezbon-Ishuah around her neck.

"Why don’t you sell your neck ring," he ventured.

"Why don’t you sell your soul, snapped Raimi. You obviously aren’t using it."

Reluctantly, Archippus handed a denarius to the cook who in turn gave each of the weary travelers an entire fish on a stick.

Archippus had never tasted fish. The soft tender meat flaked into pieces giving off steam. He pinched a section of the skin and set it in his mouth, and it burst into flavor on his tongue.

They all devoured their food in silence until Raimi spoke again. And look, we can sleep right here! she said with optimism in her tone. On this! She kicked a section of sand. "It is softer than any bed you could ever buy, Archippus!" Her eyes widened with delight, but Archippus cringed at the remembrance of his lost furniture and fortune. How could she be so happy with so little?

Raimi finished eating, ran to the sea, and scooped a handful of water to rinse her hands. Gershom and Emoticas also ran full speed into the ocean, their steps slowed as the water deepened, and then they dived beneath a wave.

Archippus led Buz to the water’s edge where it surged up their shins with a shocking chill.

Buz let out a squeak of a scream and took several steps backward.

Come on. Get in, said Archippus. All the way. You need to be refreshed, because tomorrow I want to sign you up at the MSC, and then I’ll find a job. You need a mind-trade to make your way in this world, Buz. You can become a scribe like me. He pulled the boy who was wrenching backward and scrunching his cheeks from cold.

Come on. Archippus picked up the struggling boy and tossed him into an oncoming icy wave, and Buz re-emerged gasping and laughing.

Archippus also submerged but came up quickly realizing his Barbirian brand was exposed. He grabbed hold of Buz, carried him out of the water, and plopped him on the warm sand.

Archippus knew if anyone saw his mark, he would be at the very least imprisoned, but more likely impaled in an instant without a trial, given the temperament of the continent after the attack on Calidron. He patted wet sand on his shoulder and lamented selling his vest for a snock drink. There was no doubt he would need to purchase a new vest to hide his brand.

The three nonsensically cheerful wet cohorts plopped in the sand next to Buz, laughing.

I’m going to town to purchase a vest, said Archippus flatly.

Well, get blankets too, said Raimi. We’ll need them tonight. And while you’re gone, we’ll gather dried wood from the orchard and build a fire.

Archippus resented the request for blankets, but decided he’d rather do it than deal with Raimi’s condescendence. He hurried off toward town hoping the sand would hold on his shoulder and thankful for the fading light.

He followed the redbrick road through tall rising, white-walled residences until it brought him to a central, wide-open circle with a large fire at the hub. Vendors lined the circumference of the crimson stone floor with their goods.

Archippus scanned his options and immediately spotted a tanner-tailor duo. One laid out unfinished skins and the other having fashioned the products into clothing. He strode up, purchased a vest, donned the garment, and immediately felt relieved. He then purchased five blankets, an inkwell, a pen, and several blank parchments, and then returned toward the now blazing beach fire.

As he walked across the sand, his calves working hard on the sinking surface, he noticed that many other refugees from Calidron had arrived and settled on the sand. The matter concerned him, for he needed employment and now there would be competition.

He arrived at his own fire circle and handed Buz a blanket. He kept one for himself, crumpled the remaining three, and chucked them forcefully at Raimi’s face.

She gave him a scolding look for his apparent resentment and passed one each to Emoticas and Gershom.

Thanks, said Emoticas. The evening breeze is crisp.

Archippus knew it was crisp, for his recently shaven and now sunburned skull felt the breeze as if it were coming from Glacier Lake.

He plopped down and draped the blanket off the back of his head. He opened the inkwell and in small pinches began dropping sand into it, and then stirred the ink with his new pen.

What are you doing? asked Raimi.

I’m taking Buz to the MSC – you know: the MIND SCULPTING CENTER tomorrow. He must learn an intellectual trade. I won’t see him relying on others.

But why the sand? Won’t it ruin it?

Archippus ignored her. He dipped the pen and tested it on a parchment. He then waved it dry and touched the ink.

Buz. Archippus took hold of the boy’s hand and straightened his finger. Can you feel the shape of the letter?

Buz nodded.

"Good. That’s an A." Archippus then wrote every letter of the scribner system onto the parchment and proceeded to teach Buz the shape of each one while the Moles in Heavy Metal discussed what type of employment they should seek and how quickly they might be able to obtain new instruments.

At one point, Archippus caught Raimi smiling at them. This annoyed him. He scooted to block her view from his project with Buz.

Why don’t you re-scribe my parchment? asked Hodos. Teach the boy what you have learned.

"Learned?" Archippus squinted at the bird.

Did I stammer?

"I’ve learned nothing from you!"

Oh, but you have. For I have only given the lines to you as you have learned them.

Archippus resented the interruption of his project.

And, continued Hodos, I am impressed at your efforts with the boy, for true freedom burns inside with a passion to teach and lead.

A compliment from the bird caught Archippus off guard, for he especially liked the term lead.

"I suppose I could scribe the lines. Since you said I would be rid of you at line six," said Archippus, who having lost the original parchment in the fire hadn’t given a thought of it until now.

Listen, he said to Buz in undertones, "I don’t really know why he has me scribe this nonsense, but he did promise to leave me once I’m finished. They’re silly sentences if you ask me, but I’m going to scribe them to be rid of him."

Archippus proceeded to write the lines the bird had dictated during the course of the past two years:

I was in prison, and I was a lousy servant.

I was freed, but longed foolishly for prison.

I sought to lead, but lacked character.

And then he traced Buz’ finger across each sentence reading him the words and finishing with, "I don’t lack character, but he’s a bird. What could his opinion possibly matter?"

But I understand, said Buz.

Archippus was again caught off guard. "Understand what?"

He speaks of the unseen.

What unseen?

My world.

Buz, these lines make no sense!

"But I have felt chained by my blindness and longed dearly for the sight I can’t have, but I know my lack will build me into something better."

Archippus stared at the eleven-year-old boy. The words that came from him seemed like they had come from someone older, someone wiser.

That’s beautiful, Buz, said Raimi, who was apparently eavesdropping.

"No, said Archippus. What will build him into something better is learning a mind trade. We’ll see to that tomorrow, Buz."

Archippus rolled up his scrolls and settled into the sand. He pulled his blanket completely over his body and head. Buz was supposed to be on his side, and that was why he was taking him under his tutelage. He let the evening dialogue bother him as he replayed it in his mind until the softness of the sand, the salty sea breeze, and the warmth of the fire, lulled Archippus into a deep-seated sleep.

He dreamed of a figure dragged with a cloak about her face screaming, Murderers! He dreamed he pulled away the cloak and saw the face of his sister. He dreamed he was falling backward off an extreme height and that everyone was staring at him as he fell—his sister, Jazelle, Buz, Raimi, Gershom, Emoticas. He kept falling downward, downward away from everyone he knew toward his death.

Archippus woke in a panic and tossed the cover from his head.

He wasn’t falling. The only thing staring at him was the candle vigil lighting the night sky. He stared at the twinkling distant fires and wondered if the beach fires looked like a vigil to the gargoyles watching over them from above—the good gargoyles that didn’t rebel against Seraph and the airbornes. Then he wondered about why he was thinking about something he didn’t believe. He pulled the cloak back over his head and resumed his sleep.

In the early morning, Archippus shook Buz awake before the others. No one was scurrying along the beach except for fishermen pushing their net-laden boats through the crashing surf and out to sea. He wondered about Fuzzy, whose heavy imprint lay next to the boy in the sand.

Buz, he whispered, I guess you can take Fuzzy, but they may not want him at the Mind Sculpting Center.

Buz rubbed his eyes and stretched. Okay.

Archippus took hold of the boy’s hand and watched four paw imprints sink into the sand as the where-wolf stood.

Come on, Fuzzy, said Buz. We’re off to the MSC!

Archippus clutched the sand-modified inkwell in his right hand and led Buz with his left.

The heavy where-wolf prints sank alongside them as they trudged.

Archippus had seen the white arch and entrance bell when he’d gone to