In the Footsteps of a Legend.
I looked at the young man seated opposite to me, examining the relics of my life. Time had certainly moved on since I had last been free to wander in the world, only the visit of this curious boy had made me realise how long a time that was. Dressed in my monastic robes it was quite easy for me to forget who I was. I lit a cigarette with shaking fingers, in spite of all my efforts I was no longer as young as I used to be and the smallest of tasks seemed to overwhelm me.
"I am sorry sir to be so enthusiastic but these items mean a great deal to me." The young man stammered, his eyes shining as I had not seen anyone's do in such a long time. I smiled.
"Do not apologise. I have been apart from the world for so long that it is refreshing to see the spark of fire in the young that I used to so admire."
"How long have you been here sir? Do you remember tales of the Norwegian explorer."
Do I remember?! If only he knew how much I remembered.
"Oh I have been here for many a long year and yes I remember him."
The young man nearly expired on the spot at this news.
"Oh please tell me what you can of him."
I was about to open my mouth to reply that in spite of popular opinion he was a rude and obnoxious man when a young girl burst into the room stopping the words in my throat. She was a beautiful girl of about fifteen.
"Father we have to go there is a storm coming and we cannot leave mother alone."
Her father, my persistent interviewer sighed at her.
"Yes, yes I am coming." He stood and she went to him, laying a slender arm around his waist, he responded by placing his arm about her shoulders. I bowed to her and greeted her as was appropriate.
"I am sorry to interrupt but I left it as long as I thought wise before doing so."
"Please do not apologise. I have not seen such a beautiful face in...well possibly in my entire life."
The girl blushed.
"You are a strange type of monk." Her father observed, not incorrectly. I laughed noiselessly.
"I suppose that's true, monk I may be and old I may be but I was not always so and occasionally I remember what it was to be a man and an admirer of beauty."
The girl blushed again and her father laughed.
"Well thank you for a most interesting afternoon. I hope to see you again."
I took the hand he offered and bowed as was customary.
"I hope to see you both again, please feel free to visit me. I could do with the vitality of youth around me, especially as I am now feeling so old."
The girl took my hand in both of hers and smiled.
"We will come back."
With that they were gone. I returned to my room, if only they knew the truth. Would they be eager to return of they knew my true identity? I was such a closely guarded secret that I was amazed they had been permitted through the door. Still my soul was weary and eager for the home I had known. These people were a way out of the existence that had been mine for what seemed like a thousand years. I slept that night peacefully, a sleep that was filled with dreams of my youth, my home and the one man I had not thought of in a long time. The reminiscences were pleasant and I awoke to find myself looking forward to the rising of the sun, as opposed to seeing each day as the continuation of a prison sentence. I would go home to die and somehow these people would help me. I would make sure of that...
This piece was inspired by a book by Jamyang Norbu entitled 'The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes' by far the best Holmes pastiche I have ever read. I hope you enjoy!