The First Jewel of Earth: The Search for Wisdom (Part Two)

By James W. Greenhalge

At the turn of the century, a promising and largely unknown future awaited this traveler. But was it the Twenty-first century, the First century, or some other mysterious milestone? You were there, also traveling, even though you may have been only partially aware of it. For you see, my friend, we all travel, sometimes together, but more often alone. We learn from our own experiences, sometimes lessons taught by others, and then there is the perpetual quest for wisdom. Some lessons are joyous and positive, others are tragic and debilitating, while so many others are tedious and repetitious. We treasure the seemingly ‘good’ lessons and regret the ‘bad’ ones, yet they all contribute to our promising and unknown future, shaping who we are and where we are going. Is it possible to believe that “all things could work together for good”? All things? Even the bad things? Join us in the traveling. Let’s find out!

This book is Part Two of the Traveler’s ongoing search for Wisdom, a rare jewel that is an integral component to a mystical pendant given to him by the King of another reality. His quest is for the First Jewel of Earth. First published in 1999, this new edition has been revised, re-edited, and refreshed with new chapters. While it would be a more complete journey having read Part One first, this second part stands alone and you will quickly find yourself traveling with him. But be warned, you will not return to the way it once was!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798823007061

James W. Greenhalge

Even as a boy, your author has always had trouble staying fixed at one moment in time. While an overly active imagination is charming in a young child, a mature adult should behave better. Your author's interests flow easily from one topic to another…past, present and future. Fascination with the scientific method, the reality of faith, and a study of the law leads smoothly into the imagination of science fiction. A love of History and human culture compete with a sense of the mystical and the magical. His friends and family will be overjoyed about the re-publishing of this book; now, someone else can listen to his flights of fancy! A traveler at heart, your author is comfortable at home or on the road, in foreign countries or in a local coffee shop. A college graduate, an Army officer, an orator and Christian church leader, a college professor, a licensed attorney, and a prolific writer! And he loves computer-generated games! When some grounding in this reality is required, he is a private practice attorney in Grand Junction, Colorado. His loving wife, Mary, has traveled with him for more than forty-six years, and their son is also married, and has given them a wonderful daughter-in-law and three marvelous grandchildren, and a grand-dog. "If we begin with the premise that there is a design to this universe," says the author, "the truth of its construction is just waiting to be discovered. Life is a journey of discovery, and we are all travelers. I hope you can see yourself in the pages of this book. It was written with you in mind!"

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The First Jewel of Earth

The Search for Wisdom

Part Two

James W. Greenhalge

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: [phone]

© 2023 James W. Greenhalge. 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 04/27/2023

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0707-8 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0705-4 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-8230-0706-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023907624

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © 1960, 1962,1963,

1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977, by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Cover art by James W. Greenhalge

E-mail at springsgreenhalges @ juno.com

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

About The Author

Chapter 24

He stopped the narration and took a long draw from his coffee cup, watching his audience over the rim. Blank faces, a few puzzled looks, a grimace or two, and a few intrigued glances. They had made it through Part One and now this crowd was continuing their search for Wisdom in Part Two. Did they realize the entire story was about them? True, no one picks up a strange new book thinking that it will be autobiographical. Surely, you would have some input into your own autobiography!

So, is any of this story true? asked a more confident listener in the front row.

"One basic premise of the entire Jewel series is that we are all travelers, whether we like it or not, whether we listen for the leading of the jewels or not, whether we acknowledge the King or not, began the Traveler smiling, setting his coffee cup aside. We all travel forward through time, from cradle to grave, choosing our own course as best we can, given the circumstances of our life. No two people are the same, no two journeys alike, yet there are similarities in traveling and lessons to be learned. Is any of this true?"

Here, the Traveler hesitated, aware that he was exposing his own vulnerability with an honest answer, but then he had no choice. Honesty was required!

Yes, my friend, it is all true, if you will hear it.

There was a low rumble through the crowd. Clearly, this book was a fictional account of traveling through time on a quest for the King. No one could actually leave their own timeline and wander about the past. Could they? At most, it was a long and detailed metaphor used to explore the author’s theses about faith and traveling. Only generally true, and only if you accepted the author’s arguments.

Are you claiming that your Traveler is a real person having these…adventures?

Just for a moment, suspend your natural cynicism, begged the author, and allow yourself to travel with the protagonist in this book. The lessons he learns, the wisdom he gathers, are the same lessons and the same wisdom that you would be likely to collect on this journey.

I ain’t seen no centaurs lately, buddy, said a man with crossed arms in the back.

Oh, I believe you have, but you have not been wearing the pendant in this century, argued the Traveler confidently, waving the book in the antagonist’s direction. Do you know people who gladly trade away their essential humanity for a few fleeting moments of fame, power, stardom, or notoriety? The rock star, the internet or social media sensation, the photogenic politician, the unprincipled military commander or the street gang dictator, the glamourous televangelist! A few minutes of power in this life at the expense of their integrity, humility and morality. They may not have hooves and a tail, but they have the self-centered attitude, the arrogance, and the quest for attention.

And elves? And trolls? complained another critic. These allegories have no place in a thoughtful, religious treatise.

"You mean like calling religious leaders of the day ‘a brood of vipers’ or ‘a white-washed sepulcher?’ responded the Traveler. ‘Hidden reefs, waterless clouds, autumn trees without fruit?’ There are two kinds of people in this world—those who will listen and those who won’t."

Listen to you? shouted one angry man heading for the door.

No, I am just a seer, a traveler, and the teller of the tale, admitted the author. I have done my job, however imperfectly, and the Series is written. How it is received, how the Holy Spirit uses it to talk with you along life’s way, that is all another story, your story. You will decide who you will be listening to! But I assure you, you will be listening to somebody.

So, you do believe in angels and demons? whispered a timid voice in the front row.

"Angels and demons, yes, but not limited to the medieval bestiary that immediately comes to mind. Their ‘presentation’ has changed over time. Now the demons wear business suits and uniforms, gang colors and ‘bling’. The angels walk among us, performing their timeless and loving work behind the scenes. The writer of the Book of Hebrews even admonished hospitality toward strangers for some have entertained angels without knowing it. It is still true."

That is all so much old religious ideation, denied a well-dressed woman in a business suit. Modernly, we do not need personifications of good and evil. It is all a matter of good morals, sound teaching and a socially relevant gospel.

Is it? The author sighed. "Then you have a problem. For you see, both angels and demons are mentioned specifically in John’s Revelation, prophecies yet to come to fruition in our time. So, either the apostle John is entirely wrong about his vision or you are!"

Expecting to see dragons? asked another cynical point of view.

Dragons, and supernatural events, and marvelous miracles, confirmed the author confidently. "It is all part of his story, my story, your story. You must pursue Wisdom with a single-minded dedication. God requires it! "Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom." The Psalmist saw it as a gift, available to all of us."

I thought this story was all just for fun, admitted a disappointed younger reader.

Hopefully, it is still fun, agreed the author, but a parable is a common story that everyone can relate to with a moral purpose. Jesus told several parables about a shepherd and his flock. It is a very pastoral and affirming metaphor because we can all relate to the love and devotion of the shepherd, and the profound neediness of the sheep. He is not recommending that we become sheep, only that we apply the lessons to our own life. That process can be loving…illuminating…fun! The Traveler smiled thoughtfully, recalling many lessons learned along the way in his own traveling, but that was for much later with this particular flock. They were still pursuing the first jewel.

Can we keep traveling?

Most certainly, confirmed the Traveler. Picking up the second half of this story, he thumbed through the first few pages. Now, where were we? The Traveler had confronted Osidon, god of the underworld in the River Kingdom, and grievously wounded Mendes, the ram-headed god of the northern kingdom.

Mendes is not dead? asked another reader.

One does not ‘kill’ immortals, explained the Traveler. Their future rests with the King, but human travelers are not left defenseless against this supernatural opposition.

And the Traveler has allies!

Yes, Yad’el and Latris, his devoted companions.

These are the angels and demons you are talking about, asked the skeptic in the crowd. Why be so coy with the descriptions?

The Traveler chewed his lip in consternation and considered his next answer carefully. This was the decision point, the crossroads for each traveler, whether to continue in the metaphor or walk away.

If this were a church service, or a class in Biblical scholarship, or an exegesis of the Word, then there would be no place for ‘coy’ storytelling. As I said before, there are those who will listen and those will not. Some will rely on their own preconceptions, the doctrines of their faith, their own knowledge and training to close out the truth of this traveling. They will not listen. They will want to quibble about names and places, about identities and descriptions, about historical anomalies, and denominational interpretations. But it is not a church service, a Bible study, or a history lesson, although it easily could be any of them. This is a parable, a fun and engaging story, familiar to all of us, yet teaching moral lessons and truth. Some will hear and some will listen. I am not being ‘coy.’

A few more people headed for the door. They did not want anything to do with thoughtful entertainment or challenging their preconceptions. Their priority was satisfying their own appetites.

The Traveler seems to spend a lot of time in deserts, commented one seeker.

Don’t we all? agreed the Traveler, returning his attention to those who were still traveling with him. Those times when we struggle with our own walk, when the guidance seems insufficient, and the provision is scarce. Those are the times when we question our calling.

And Philando, the injured elfin boy, who does he represent?

Good people, answered the Traveler with a deep sigh. Wounded, innocent, ignorant—desperately needing our help. And meeting physical needs is important, but there are spiritual needs that are of eternal significance. What would it profit a man to receive healing, but lose his soul? Every traveler must be careful with their traveling priorities.

So, who loads your camel? asked a thoughtful seeker.

Who, indeed? agreed the Traveler, finding his place in Part Two of The First Jewel of Earth.

Travel a little further with me!

Chapter 25

Three days out of Zoar and still there was no apparent pursuit from the River Kingdom. Nor had Meggo, the reckless centaur, rejoined their small caravan. The Traveler mentioned the centaur’s lack of provisions, but Yad’el only shrugged his broad shoulders.

The food is here, was the laconic response.

They traveled long hours throughout the cold desert nights, freeing up one of the pack camels to walk unencumbered, then rotating that freedom among the remaining animals to permit some small respite from their hard labor. The days were becoming hotter, stifling all activity, spent suffering under the meager shade provided by their small tent, squinting against the glare, and swatting at the desert gnats that rose from the sand. Philando talked very little -- the very effort seemed painful -- and he was increasingly restive under Latris’ ministrations. The Traveler showed him the marvelous chest taken from Zoar and told him the details of this whole, incredible adventure. The young elf seemed to dismiss the box as some expensive, but insignificant, trinket.

Hardly worth the trip. I’ve theen better boxes in Ursa, slurred Philando, wiping his drooling lips with his free hand.

I was sent for this jewel, stammered the Traveler, somehow dejected by the young man’s rapid dismissal of his quest. He wanted to explain its meaning to the boy, capture his imagination, give some greater meaning to his injuries, inspire him with the nobility of this cause. But the young man turned away, rubbing his right shoulder in agony. The Traveler walked over to his own bedding and sat down without further conversation.

The price for his trip to the River Kingdom has become far greater than he first imagined, observed Latris, as he joined the Traveler leaning against the circle of saddles and baggage that outlined their small patch of shade created by their tent. Yad’el tended the camels, hobbling them with a rope around their forelegs so they could move about to graze on the sparse desert grasses that dotted the dry riverbed without straying far from camp. The sun was already well up into the cloudless, blue sky. The temperature was soaring. It was so miserably hot and dusty here in the desert. Memories of their easy boat trip down to the River Kingdom came unbidden to the Traveler’s mind.

"What is the price of my trip, Latris?" asked the Traveler, bitterness beginning to creep into his voice.

If the price had been discussed before we came, you would not have paid it in advance.

If I only understood the importance of this jewel, the trip would be easier. The King has told me to recover it, and I have done that, but couldn’t I be told the reason why this jewel is so important? Perhaps I could explain the quest to Philando. His suffering would have more meaning. Can you open the box?

You could not give his suffering any more meaning, asserted the companion flatly. If his suffering is to have any meaning at all, then he must find that meaning for himself.

Must everything you say be couched in riddles? snapped the Traveler angrily, though he could not fully discern the reason for his own anger. I only want some straight answers. Why are we doing this?

The meaning of life? asked Yad’el sarcastically, as he joined them in the shade of their traveling tent. He settled his tall frame against a saddle and loosened his robe.

"Yes, damn it! Does mortal life have meaning? returned the Traveler hotly. Your King could end this struggle once and for all, yet He sends us on this meaningless errand, causing all this suffering and pain."

Causing? asked Yad’el, closing his eyes and relaxing with a sigh.

Yes, causing! If He has the power to stop this suffering, but does not do it, then he is responsible for it.

If humanity is to be permitted to rule in this world, then does it not follow that humankind must be permitted to make those decisions? Why does Mankind permit the suffering to continue? offered Latris, as he distributed the noon rations.

But what about the counter-offensive you described when the King destroyed the rebel’s first efforts at a unified human race. He intervened then. Why not now?

You cannot imagine the pain and heartache that first counter-offensive generated in our reality, responded Latris solemnly. Millions of living creatures died in your reality. It was a last resort, a desperate intervention to reaffirm Mankind’s sovereignty over the planet. It will never happen again.

And what if the rebels succeed in establishing their sovereignty over the planet. They certainly seem to be winning at this point in time, snapped the Traveler, surprising himself with his cynicism.

The way will be provided, intoned Yad’el firmly, his eyes now open and staring at the Traveler. The lines of his face were firmly set.

I’m sorry! said the Traveler, raising his hands in apology. I guess I just thought after our victory at Zoar the trip would be over. You would lead us back to the gate, or whatever it is, and we would go home. The story would have reached its climax, the good guys would have won, and it would all be over. Why are we wandering around in the desert?

"Because the journey is not over!" asserted Yad’el. He closed his eyes again. This conversation was concluded.

Oh right, the journey is not over, but we are left in the desert! The Traveler persisted, unwilling to let the matter rest. Your unquestioning confidence in the King’s ability to sort out this mess is frustrating.

Just as your doubts are frustrating to us, responded Latris coldly, settling himself back into a comfortable position. He commenced eating his simple meal of wheat cakes and dried figs with no further comment.

The Traveler was stunned by the thought. Somehow, he had never considered that these companions might have an adverse opinion about this quest or about him as a person. They had been assigned to him by the Counselor. It was their duty to serve, but he had no idea why they were still here with him now. He had arrogantly accepted their presence as somehow justified by his quest, as servants to facilitate this mission, but he never considered their lives or their desires. Latris, as if anticipating his question, finished a bite of food and interrupted his thoughts.

We are fellow servants, Seer, nothing more. Your race has not been permitted to see past the edge of your reality because with that knowledge comes final judgment. We exist on both sides of the barrier. Accordingly, it is easier for us to be confident in the outcome.

What final judgment? asked the Traveler.

Latris sighed, looking for words. The King is working out a plan to bring your race out of this world and back into our reality. A barrier has been erected and a guard placed at the gate. Latris sighed, his gaze studying the desolate wasteland surrounding them. After several moments, he continued. Once you have been in the throne room of the King, exposed to His perfect will, you have only two choices for the rest of your existence. You may choose to serve Him, with unquestioning obedience in every aspect of your life, or you may reject Him. With rejection comes the judgment. As a human being on this side of the barrier, you have not faced this final choice yet.

But you have, and the rebels have? ventured the Traveler. They are looking for a way back to your side of the barrier? Latris nodded in agreement. The Traveler licked dry lips. You have not been shown the whole plan, but you have complete confidence in the King that the plan will succeed, in the face of any odds?

In the account of creation taught to you as a boy, there were two special trees in the garden. Do you remember them? asked Latris. The blank look on the Traveler’s face answered his question. Latris continued his explanation. "The first forbidden tree bore the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Tasting it, your race inherited the ability to question God’s purposes. ‘You shall be like gods’, wasn’t that the serpent’s temptation? Alone among mortal creatures, Mankind would question their Creator. The damage was done."

Latris sighed and took a deep breath before continuing. The second symbolic tree in the garden bore the fruit of Eternal Life. If your race had tasted the fruit of that second tree, after eating the forbidden fruit of the first tree, there would have been no opportunity to perfect a plan to bring you back to our side of the Barrier. Your rebellious human nature would have become eternal. A final judgment would have followed your decision, just as surely as it follows the decision of the rebels. Your race was cast out of the garden to prevent that very disaster from happening. The story teaches a great truth about the human condition. The suffering that you complain about in this reality is only suffering for a season, but it must be allowed if there is to be a final end to all suffering.

There is no such plan for the rebels? asked the Traveler.

Latris shook his head slowly. They have tasted the fruit of both trees. For them, there is no other future, answered Latris solemnly.

It would drive you insane, knowing what lay beyond the barrier and having no way to return there, observed the Traveler considering this explanation.

More than you can imagine, Seer! This world, beautiful though it is, offers little to compare with the enfolding magnificence of our reality. The rebels are tormented with the sure knowledge that our reality is now cut off from them forever. That knowledge alone would be enough to drive anyone insane, but they also suffer under a greater burden. Latris finished his meager meal, cleaning out his bowl with the last crust of bread. The Traveler did not move, spellbound by the conversation. Latris made himself comfortable for rest.

There must be a way for your race to get past the barrier. The King has made you the heirs of His household. Yet you have been cast out of our reality right along with the rebels. His purposes do not change. He has said it -- it will be so! They know that! Your race somehow possesses the key to the barrier, access to the infinite treasure they so desperately covet for themselves. Ironically, your race possesses the key, but places no little or no value on the prize. The rebels are perpetually starving with memories of that bountiful feast, while your race trades away its invitation to the feast for a crust of bread. The rebels cannot possess what you have been freely given. And they hate you for it, hate you with an eternal animosity! The rebels cannot reach the King with their anger, but they can wreck their vengeance upon humanity.

Latris closed his eyes to rest.

The Traveler sat alone, looking out across the vast expanse of desert that surrounded them. Despite the heat, he shivered. The world had never seemed so hostile. In addition to life’s hardships, which were many, the world was populated with insane enemies bent upon his destruction.

The King’s enemies are your enemies, added Yad’el quietly from his prone position beside them, without moving or opening his eyes, perfectly at rest in a chaotic world. But the King is your ally and closer to you than a brother. Rest in that truth, teller of the tale!

Rest in that? The Traveler leaned back against the travel-worn saddle, his noon meal left uneaten despite his hunger. Rest did not come easily.

***

The terrain was beginning to slope upward toward the northeast and the footing was becoming more difficult for the camels. Yad’el looked southward more often. The Traveler pounded his saddle in frustration. This mission was accomplished, he had the jewel, why was there now this interminable delay in returning home? He squinted against the glare reflecting from the sun-scorched rocks and licked at cracked lips. The heat was oppressive, even nearing dusk. It rose in waves from the desert floor into the stifling hot air. The tedium, the monotonous plod of the camel, the shapeless surrender of the landscape to the crushing effects of heat and cold, all conspired to dull the senses and cause the mind to drift. Yad’el had warned him about staying…what was it? Yad’el had said…he said so much and so little. He had said…

Traveler? Water splashed across his chapped lips.

Traveler? He blinked at the blurry image hovering over him. He was so hot! There was no escape from the heat. It was not merely skin temperature that was frying; it was internal, his very organs were boiling, his eyes were swimming, melting…evaporating. A gentle slap across his cheek brought back some consciousness. Water trickled over his swollen tongue.

Traveler, you must concentrate. Describe your pendant to me.

Yes, the pendant. The watery, blue pendant. The waves of cool water. The oblivion of the sea. The roll of the tide…the…

Another slap jarred him back toward consciousness.

He blinked dry, swollen eyes, trying to bring them into focus. More water rolled across his tongue, convulsing him in a spasm of coughing. The fit of coughing propelled him back into the present. He was lying on the blistering hot sand, cradled in Latris’ arms. The companion administered drops of water from his drinking bolo. The Traveler blinked convulsively, and his head lolled about.

We must rest, Yad’el. He cannot go further now, said the concerned companion to the approaching caravan leader.

Yad’el knelt beside the prone figure, squeezing the man’s arm in comforting support. He looked deeply into the Traveler’s eyes but said nothing. Then he stood, first looking to the southwest, then to the northeast.

The escarpment! decided Yad’el, gesturing to the northeast.

The two companions helped the Traveler to his feet, then boosted him aboard his camel. They wound a rope about him and tied him to his saddle. Both humans were now captives, realized the Traveler feverishly as the column turned away from their previous direction of travel and headed due east toward a low wall of rocks forming a natural barricade along the horizon.

Distances in the desert were deceiving. It was still another hour before the small