Chapter 7. The Jadeite Buddha
The altar she was looking for was cut into a rock niche, in the furthest corner of the cave, which has a natural bend in its length. As Beckett had previously gleaned from Castle's amusing narratives, altars were no longer bloodthirsty altars-for Buddha devotees they had become a kind of self-improvement practice. And that the images of the Luminary in the shrines are always worshipped, either in short bows or in full prostrations, thus expressing their veneration. And that altars were and are built not to worship something external, not out of a desire to demonstrate one's wealth and thereby amuse one's pride, but rather to increase one's own positive qualities of mind and seek opportunities to help all living beings. Which was exactly what fit into THEIR personal drama. But what does this have to do with kneeling to Buddha on the eve of slaughter sex? No matter what pose you take, no matter what incense you smell, the essence of the process is the same! And in order to passionately caress your beloved, receiving from him a disproportionately large part of himself, you do not need any fancy words. It's so easy to put Castle's head on your chest, to let him kiss you, and to revel in the silky softness of his hair, tracing little circles with your fingers. Or just to meet him, the attraction of his lips and body, and self-forget about everything in the world. All in all, that's how it is, Venerable Buddha, just for each other and without any spirits!
In eerie doubt, biting her nails thoughtfully, Beckett followed Castle with an invisible shadow, while Rick suddenly paused at one of the stalagmites to slip his backpack off his shoulders; holding onto a limey, licked spade, he did not hesitate to shed his shoes, leaving him in just his socks.
"Hmm! Is he afraid to kick the spirits' feet?" - Kate grinned merrily to herself. Knowing in advance that it was customary to serve barefoot, she watched Rick with unflagging interest. Here Castle unhooked the Velcro of the backpack and after a brief search pulled out a scrap of foam mat, rolled up into a roll. The tightly knotted tarpaulin bag retrieved next surprised and agitated Beckett even more. Judging by the way its ties were strung together, the bag clearly contained something heavier than a pack of wet wipes or a pack of cookies. And, as she told herself, Kate confessed to herself that she didn't know anything about the bag's mysterious contents. Castle, on the other hand, knew full well.
Feeling his excitement, Rick covered his eyes for a moment, pressed the things against his stomach. Yes, his nerves are a little bit fidgety, but his joy overflows too, because, even without discounting the difficulties of the journey, they still got to where his exhausted soul had been yearning for so long, passionately and not at all hopelessly. To the greatest mystery of Knowledge. To him, so ascetic in being, the king of impassivity, majestic, wise and the most enlightened of all the enlightened - Shakyamuti Buddha.
In a noble, even slightly pathos-laden lotus pose, the Most Illuminated was seated on a three-line altar of delicately creamy, polished marble. The Buddha's right hand rested loosely upon his hip, touching the ground with his fingers so that everything negative, fearful, and disturbing that interfered with free living could completely drain away through their tips. His left palm was turned outward at the level of the navel and apparently contained an invisible energy cocoon. In keeping with the virtuous deity was his symbolic parietal projection, the ushnisha. It was almost touching the vault of the niche with its pointed spike, covered with curls of gilded hair from bottom to top. The Buddha had also thought of putting on his attire: his dark-green jadeite chest, back and belly glowed nobly from the left shoulder to the hip, the gold-matt kesa, which contrasted nicely with the dark-gray limestone walls.
At the foot of the altar, in dignified rows stood zula and pots with offerings, and, of course, the obligatory ceramic stupa in front of the Buddha was also there. The sculpture of the Most Blessed One was surrounded by gilded figures of his loyal henchmen, jasmine bouquets, and incense smoked in bowls. And it was not at all clear who and when had time to light these outshining lamps, to light aromatic candles, and to put fresh flowers as well? After all, Rick didn't even say a word about that!
- What do you think, Castle? What do you think? - Beckett approached her husband. Touching his shoulder with hers, she realized at once that Rick was feeling small but palpable chills. Castle's face looked a little pale, but still, habitually chirpy.
- That's great!" he smiled dreamily, hiding his trembling hands behind him. - He smiled dreamily, hiding his trembling hands behind his back. - That's exactly how I imagined him, but you have to understand that Buddha is not some supreme being, a god. He is someone who at first was of the same quality as you and me; he was an ordinary being, with flaws and problems. But from life to life, he moved along the spiritual path, purifying himself and developing his virtues. And so he reached the Awakening. And as we kneel, we honor the Triratna, or Three Jewels of the Buddha: himself, his Law of Enlightenment and the Community of Equals; we resort to them as a spiritual refuge in order also to advance along the path, to evolve - and to become like him, to become Awakened. And I would also add, for myself, that it takes trust, or else you won't learn anything. It takes diligence, or else you will stand still. You need experience, or you will learn the wrong things. I hope I made myself clear.
- You did, Castle. You do what you want to do, and you do it your way. - Beckett encouraged him, rolling her eyes slyly, and using Rick's elbow as a support, she took off her sneakers, too. Let it really be kind of authentic, but about his beloved's oddities today - everyone and everyone was silent. As Rick cautiously crept down the aisle, Kate thoughtfully scratched the tip of her nose, when suddenly... She involuntarily caught herself that, despite the absurdity and even comicality of the situation, the fact that she did not take this whole journey seriously for a moment, somewhere deep down she clung to Castle's faith. And if this rite could help anyone, it would be him. Rick believed so desperately in what he wanted, tried so hard to support her, that she just didn't feel comfortable upsetting him. Not only did he have to endure her outbursts of bad temper, but his own worries tormented him just as much. And Rick, just as she was, and even more, dreamed of having a child. And without mutual support, without mutual assistance, and simply without each other, they were nothing at all.
Sighing, Kate inwardly rebuked herself and looked after Rick with warmth, tenderness, and sympathy. When she could, she would sneak up to him and, wrapping her arms around his broad chest, press her cheek against his back. Carefully she would cover her eyes with inexpressible pleasure and silently confess her love. In the meantime... in the meantime, all she could do was wait.
In the meantime, Castle approached the altar, to the base of which a square plate with bowls and incense burners was nestled. He made three deep, unhurried wai, then spread a mat by the plate and, kneeling on it, sank on his heels. He confidently unfastened the knot and took out a large flask of water, bagged rice and dried fruit, several ceramic bowls, and a lighter with a candle. He poured rice and dried fruits into one bowl, lit and strengthened a candle in another, and splashed some water into the other bowls, not forgetting the subservient vai. He arranged all the bowls on the stove in an even, interrupted row (there were eight of them), carefully poured water into them to the brim, and again sealed the preparations with low bows. Now it was the turn of the greatest mission in their destiny.
With his hands loosely on his hips, Rick straightened his back and straightened his shoulders to relax and concentrate fully. His speech had to sound convincing or the Buddha would never share his secret knowledge with them. Before he began, Rick took a few deep breaths and exhales and artistically delivered his speech, skillfully imitating the particular intonation of the lamas:
- Bless the offerings to you, O great Buddha! OM A HUM! OM A HUM! OM A HUM!
I froze for a moment, imagining how much the Buddha felt their pain, and nodded contentedly to myself. Perhaps both the temple and its owner had taken a liking to his incomparable Kate, whom Castle himself thought he owed a long and hopeless debt. Perhaps it was the curse of their childlessness that lay upon him. Perhaps even the enlightening knowledge of the Buddha would not suffice for faithful conception, but if he gave himself to self-forgetfulness at the altar, his unbreakable faith would tear down all those mountains to the ground.
- We come to you, O Lord! O Most Luminous and Most Wise of the Wise! - Castle invoked his voice, which was already hoarse with excitement. - I beg of you! I beg you! Help us! Help us, please, Buddha!
Shadows moved on the walls: it was Castle, who had become engrossed in the ritual, rocking furiously back and forth, right and left, accompanying the action with quivering, noisy muttering. Mostly incomprehensible words, sometimes entirely unfamiliar phrases, were heard, and, to the soft rustling of his clothes, the bows were swung one upon the other. For a moment it seemed to Kate that Castle was completely lost in himself: his clenched hands pressed into each other with incredible force, his voice lost all its endings, and a purple vein swelled and vibrated on her sweat-drenched temple. And even just a few steps away from Rick, Kate's heart felt wild and convulsed: It was impossible to live with Castle without children. It was her sin, her fault. After all, it was hers, and only her cross, and it was impossible, impossible to remain indifferent when the closest and dearest person to you was killed for you like that. Her Rick. And what if from the wild overexertion and the burning desire for happiness Castle suddenly fades his mind? Suddenly he would irrevocably lose both his usual way of thinking and his ability to communicate normally, and then what? Many things would be ruined in their lives, but she would never leave Castle, no matter what happened, though she would wear herself out with curses and torments in every way. Or she'll go to work like she's never gone before... Or she'll go on a binge and drink herself to oblivion... Or...
"No, no and no!" - Kate shook her head desperately. This wasn't her style, this wasn't her life, and if Castle wasn't stopped now, it would be too late.
Covering her aching heart with the palm of her hand, feeling the powerful flow of blood pounding through her temples, Beckett took a confident step. A few more steps and she would hang with a frantic embrace around Castle's powerful neck to stop him. To reason with him. To save Rick from himself. No need for mortal sacrifice, no need for any of this enlightened, let the prose of life play out, and then the proper way out will be found. No matter how difficult it might be. Kate had already reached for Castle's shoulder when Rick, smelling a tantalizingly spicy cherry, sat up straighter and said in a husky voice:
- Sit down with me, Kate! Sit with me, please!
She obeyed with joy and relief in her soul, and in his raised hand was the monk's special bowl, and a bag of "miraculous" herbs. Without further ado, Rick held the edge of the pouch to the nearest candle, and the stunted pyramid flared up almost instantly. Drawing a thin stream of smoke, it burned in a peaked yellowish flame for only a few minutes.
"Well, where's the unusual what?" - Kate grinned skeptically as her hands, in imitation of Castle, rested loosely on her hips and her eyes watched the timid flame's "darting." And even if her feet on the rough, stone floor were both uncomfortable and chilly at the same time, she and Castle would sit through to the logical end. Because it's very interesting. Because it is memorable. Because if Castle gets even a little bit of "help" in time, then their OWN night starts a little early. Well, that's not for Castle to explain.
With a slight huff, Beckett shook her hands lightly, relaxing them. She folded her palms together in front of her; she breathed rhythmically, and then gasped, first on one cheekbone and then on the other, as if an invisible brush had brushed her cheekbone. Then gently, but with a break, something warm touched her chin, outlining the delicate outline of her lips, rose along the clear line of her nose to the center of her forehead, and, frozen, came to naught. It felt strange. More than strange. Normally this was the way Castle used to get his hands on her in the morning, but now he was actually on her right and keeping his hands to himself. And there was no draught in the cave, and the mice they'd scared away weren't flying around, and anyway, she was just imagining things.
With an uncertain chuckle, Beckett covered her burning face with her palms, then waved her hands in the cool air. Her imagination might not be as colorful as Castle's, but sometimes it was at its best, too. So she did, but then someone poked her right in the eye again. The pressure was soft but so sure that Beckett, breathing nervously the unfamiliar, pungent smell of herbs, involuntarily recoiled. She tried, unsuccessfully, to cover herself with her palms, and, feeling her head spinning rapidly, as if separated from her body, frantically grabbed the air with her hand.
- Ri-ik! - She called out in bewilderment. - Rick-ick!
- I'm here, Kate! I am here, and I am always with you! - and her thin, clinging fingers finally found the support they wanted. - Tell me, what's the matter? Are you sick, perhaps? Then let me carry you out of here! I don't care if it's God, Buddha, or the Devil, but carry you out.
- That's great, Castle. He'll carry me out of here in his arms! My head is spinning, my throat feels like it's filled with sand, and my nose feels like it's filled with ashes! - Beckett was "snapping away" the atypical sensations, afraid even to open her eyes. - And I can neither look nor listen, nor hold my balance - I can't do anything at all! And what is this strange thing flickering and spinning so hauntingly in front of my eyes?
- A strange thing? How much is it twirling? Hey, I don't see anything! - Castle stood up, even twirled his head for reassurance.
- It's only in front of me, silly! - Kate gently intercepted Castle's hand, bringing it closer to her. - It's a strange black and white circle!
- Oh, it's a monad! - Rick nodded confidently. Throwing the ritual to hell, he stared into Beckett's face with reverent hope. - Yin-yang, black-white, male-female; as a symbol of the unity and interaction of the two beginnings. It's as if the Most High himself is giving us a sign.
- I don't know what the devil put it on me, but I'm naturally sleepy and thirsty. I wish we had the coffeemaker with us." Kate took her hand from her forehead and blinked her eyelashes helplessly; relativizing her senses, she exhaled in relief:
- "Well, I think that's it. And seeing, and hearing, and speaking.
Lowering her eyes to the stone floor, Beckett sighed bitterly:
- As without salt, so without butter - nowhere!
The sack did burn out, leaving a pinch of light gray ash at the bottom of the bowl. Castle immediately scrambled to retrieve the vial, and Kate hesitated for a fraction of a second before she pulled the snake-head cork out with an effort. Slowly, very slowly, she tipped the vial over the bowl, and only a few drops of oily liquid fell out.
- What, that's it? - Castle grudgingly stretched out, his lips curled back in an aggrieved manner.
- They have, too, like a drugstore, Castle," Kate smiled modestly, "or God forbid an overdose! Imagine what would happen to the "staff" then, and after so much, unimaginable effort!
Beckett raised an eyebrow in a good-natured way, glancing enigmatically at the stupefied Castle.
- See for yourself, for this is no joke at all!
- Eh," Rick gasped, astonished, "and we...
- Come on, Castle, relax. Everything's gonna be fine. Just follow the instructions, and we'll be fine! - Picked up a blade of grass from the floor, Beckett carefully mixed all the ingredients into a dark gray shiny pea that would barely fit the tip of her little finger.
- Perfect! - Rick vowed her efforts, which he watched with bated breath.
- May hopes come true! - Kate smiled with seeming optimism, and Castle didn't smell a catch.
- Cheers! - Rising from his knees, Rick led Kate after him. - Now come on, let's go find our secret passage to the other world! I hope they don't send us to the dragon's mouth or turn us over to the bloodthirsty aliens who have chosen the top of the cliff for their spaceport.
- We're going to be friends, Castle! - Kate hugged Rick across his torso and rubbed her cheek against his chest. - We're gonna be friends!
- Good!
Grabbing the coveted cup, they returned to their backpack to put on their shoes. Castle provided Beckett with a working flashlight and changed the battery in his. It took less than a minute to pack, and now a pair of beams wandered stubbornly in the stone nooks to the left of the Buddha.
- What column was Caelian talking about?
- The column?! Maybe it was behind that rock.
Kate was right: Beyond the boulder, in another niche, a light was smoldering, and from the rocky threshold a winding staircase carved in the rock led steeply upward. He peered into the faintly lit passage and cursed intricately:
- Damn! Have they lost their minds, giving us another staircase? There's not enough love juice to go around! And it's a long way to go, I don't know how long!
- I would gladly believe in love ambrosia if I had to! And if not us, Castle, then who?!
- Yes, we, we, and luckily always! - Rick sighed heavily, shuffling the toe of his sneaker on the narrow steps. - We don't have much time!
The stairs were short, and ten minutes later they were out in the fresh air through a narrow gap in the rock. Their legs were humming with fatigue, but the faith, hope, and love that had not left them all the way should lead them to the rightful conclusion.