Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

By Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Part 17: Shambalah's Healing Ways

A flash of light and Kwai Chang Caine, The Ancient, and Matthew Caine emerged from the glare into a bright and open courtyard. Banners with the same design that was on the book hung between tall pillars. Matthew's eyes became wide as he suddenly realized just where they were. He had heard of this place in his travels, but never had he ever come close to really finding it. How his son had managed such a feat would be a tale of the ages, but he doubted that he would ever hear it.

As the three men approached the steps, two hooded monks came in their direction, one whom Caine knew very well.

"Brother Caine, what brings you to Shambhala?"

"Brother William, this is my father. He needs special herbs that only this place can provide. If he does not, he will die."

Brother William gazed on the face of the elder Caine and his eyes became wide. "Matthew? Is that you? It has been many years."

Matthew's eyes also became wide. "William, I thought the soldiers had killed you."

"No, I was one of the lucky few to escape."

"How is it that you are here?" Matthew asked.

"It is a long story," William sighed, frustration coming through. "One that would be best told during happier times."

"What has happened?" Kwai Chang asked.

"An artifact has disappeared. An artifact that concerns you, Kwai Chang Caine. It was kept in trust until the time was right for you to have it. It would have aided you in discovering the truth."

"What was the artifact?" Caine asked.

"A vial of perfume."

Caine's thoughts were of puzzlement. Why would the monks of Shambhala keep a bottle of Laura's perfume? Caine was suddenly brought out of his thoughts as his father gave out an anguish cry, despite his efforts to hold it in.

"We must hurry, Kwai Chang Caine," Lo Si stated. "We cannot let your father suffer any longer."

"I apologize, my friends," Brother William stated, 'Yes, come with me."

Carrying his father still, the three were led through the halls of the temple and into the infirmary. Kwai Chang placed his father on one of the raised platforms and placed a pillow under his head. He realized this was the very spot that Lo Si had taken him when he had been defeated by the Dark Warrior, his strength nearly gone. Lo Si had placed some herbs in his mouth, herbs that could only be found in Shambhala. The herbs helped to restore his depleted chi and strength. He only hoped that the herbs needed for his father would stop the poison that was slowly killing him. Caine placed a comforting hand on his father's forehead and could feel that a fever was developing. He watched as his father seemed to fade in and out of consciousness. The poison was advancing quickly. Kwai Chang hoped they were not too late.

Lo Si looked around at the shelves that contained the herbs. Many of them were very rare and would only grow in this place. He soon located what he was looking for and began the preparation. It was going to take more than 20 herbs to stop the progress of the poison and another 20 to restore Matthew Caine's chi to its proper balance. The healing would take time, time that was quickly running out. There was more though that needed tending. Lo Si knew that if Matthew and Kwai Chang did not repair their broken relationship, any amount of healing his body would be futile. Matthew would not choose to live with the shame that he felt at his perceived failure as a father. And Kwai Chang Caine's anger would send his father over the edge into that oblivion. Lo Si knew that there was still much that Kwai Chang could learn from Matthew, how to be a son as much as how to be a father. Lo Si also knew that Matthew's life was not over yet. There was still much that was needed of the elder Shaolin despite his apparent age. Lo Si worked in silence until it was time to administer the first dose.

Lo Si approached the two Caines. Kwai Chang held his father's hand, his eyes closed in deep thought or meditation.

"Matthew," Lo Si coaxed. "You must drink this."

In his haze, Matthew tried to raise his head, but weakness prevented him. He could feel his son's strong arms lift his head so he could drink. Afterward, Matthew fell back and let the haze drape him in clouded, fevered sleep.

"How soon will the remedy take effect, Master?" Kwai Chang asked.

"It is difficult to tell since we do not know how many stages the poison has, and which stages Matthew had gone through before this one. It may take several treatments."

Kwai Chang Caine gave a deep sigh. Why had his father not come sooner. Why must their paths always be difficult ones. If he had known about Marlene sooner, he would not have gone to seek the truth regarding Laura, and yet, in seeking Laura he had finally put to rest those doubts about her death. His head knew that her death was real, but his heart did not want to face the reality of it. Going to her gravesite had been the right thing to do. And yet, with the coming of his father to Chinatown and revealing all that he knew, Kwai Chang Caine once again was forced to face the feelings that he had expressed in his bardo. He had been no different than Peter. Kwai Chang felt that his father had abandoned him just as surely as Peter had felt that Kwai Chang had abandoned him. But though Kwai Chang was able to convince Peter to let go of those feelings, Matthew had been less successful. He recalled shouting at his father, calling him a liar, not once, but four times. He also struck out at him and when he did that Matthew had vanished, abandoning Kwai Chang again, and this time, in his bardo; leaving Caine to face whatever his fate dictated. If it had not been for Peter, the Ancient, and Mary Margaret, Caine shuddered at what might have happened. His father had not been among them to help him. He had not come back and as Caine thought about that and he looked down at the face of his father, hot tears streamed down is face.

"Why, father. Why did you abandon me? Why did you leave me in my bardo?"

No answer came for the moment. Matthew Caine was silent, his fever growing with every intake of breath, his spirit slipping away despite the remedy that Lo Si had just given him. Kwai Chang could feel his father getting weaker.

"The remedy is not strong enough. The poison has too strong ahold on his system."

"No, Kwai Chang Caine," Lo Si stated. "It is you who must save your father."

"I do not understand."

"No amount of remedy will mend a broken spirit. Your father, despite the remedy, has decided that death would be preferable than enduring your anger. He feels he has failed you and no longer feels worthy to be your father. He feels too much time has passed between you. I can keep him alive with this, but for only so long. He is allowing the poison to destroy his chi. Only you can stop it, Kwai Chang Caine. But it will be difficult for both of you. You must enter his bardo and relive, not only his grief, but your anger. It is the only way, if Matthew is to survive."

"Peter should be here if that is the case," Kwai Chang Caine argued. "It takes three."

"No, Kwai Chang Caine. "You must do this alone. Only you know your father's heart. For you must face him not only as a priest, but as a father and a son as well."

"I . . . ." Kwai Chang Caine at first was going to say his usual 'I do not understand' statement but stopped. He did understand, as a father, all too well. It was being a son that he wasn't so sure of.

"I must warn you, Kwai Chang Caine. Your own anger will hinder you. You must work through that before your father will listen. If you do not, it will push him away and he will be lost to you."

"I . . . understand, Master." And yet, Caine hesitated.

"I will make the preparations."

Continues with Part 18