Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

by Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Part 43: Gathering What. Was Needed

Peter climbed into the back of Kermit's Corvair, the leg room being less than desirable. "When are you going to get a bigger car? And how did everyone fit in this sardine can anyway?"

"Don't insult my car. Not everyone has your height. When are you going to come back to the precinct?"

"Point taken. Come on, Kermit, we don't have a lot of time to waste."

Kermit revved the engine and sped out of the empty parking lot, leaving two blackened tire streaks on the pavement. "You know that will cost you two new sets of tires, Peter."

"I'll talk to the Chinatown community the next time one of the local merchant's services my car. Just you make sure you give me the right size."

It wasn't long before they reached the Caine apartment. Peter raced ahead while Kermit, Li Pei, and Mia followed a little more slowly.

Peter was immediately assaulted by his aunt when he entered. "Peter, I though Kim Luc may have harmed you. I was so worried."

"Not now Aunt Marlene, my Pop and Grandpa need me."

Peter rushed to the shelves of the apothecary room and started searching for what items he needed. He grabbed his brown pouch, a present from his father after he had taken the brands. The first item that came into view was the jade-handled dragon knife. The Ancient had often used it to perform rite of passage rituals for children who reached the age of 12 years old. Peter remembered such a ritual being performed at the temple. It was one where a small amount of blood was drawn, no more than a drop or two and placed in a basin mixed with certain herbs. The herbs were then burned, and prayers were said to announce the fact that the boy was growing into a young man. Peter did not know if the knife had any significance in the ritual that they needed to perform today, whatever that ritual might be, but he placed it in his pouch anyway just in case.

As Peter looked through the shelves, he spied the amulet of Kwai Chang. There was something about that amulet that drew him. He would never forget how he and his father used the medallion to follow the Sing Wah to break their spell of the shroud of snow and recovered the treasure of Bohdiharma. Maybe it also held more secrets yet to be revealed. Rather than placing it in the pouch, he placed it around his neck and tucked it into his shirt. His last search though yielded nothing else, until something fell at his feet. The book of Shambhala had been left out. He thought he had replaced it back in its box. Peter looked down and found that it had opened to a page he had not seen before. A couple passages caught his eye.

"We call upon the light of our Ancestors.

A light held in the Source of All Things.

Protect us from harm in this sacred space.

Bring your light to illuminate the darkness."

"We summon all that is good."

"Spirits of Our Ancestors, we call upon your aid and guide us."

"Let your light surround us."

"Cast out the evil from this place."

Peter could also see a drawing of four figures, each holding an object. His mind could not digest what he had seen at first because he had little time to waste. Maybe it was a clue as to what they needed to do. Peter grabbed a sheet of paper and placed it in between the pages to mark the spot then placed the book in his pouch. He only hoped that the Ancient and his father could decipher it in time.

Peter was about to leave when he was once again brought up short by his aunt.

"Peter, you must tell me what is going on?"

Li Pei approached his wife and held her close. "Please, my wife. We must not delay our nephew. He has a job that must be done. Besides, he has brought someone to see you. He saved her life."

Aunt Marlene's eyes became wide when Mia stepped into the room. "Mia, how did you get here?"

"It's a long story."

"Is it true, my nephew saved your life?"

"That young man is your nephew?"

"Yes," Marlene nodded. "Please, Mia, you must tell me what is going on."

"Peter, we better go," Kermit called out.

"Coming Kermit." Peter gave his aunt and uncle a hug. "We'll all be back as soon as possible. Don't worry. There's no evil in this world that can stop my father. You'll see. Oh, man I almost forgot."

Peter rushed to the shelf that contained his father's elixirs. He scanned the shelf and using his senses, he found the bottle that contained the remedy that Lo Si required. Instead of replacing the amount in the blue and white ceramic jar, he grabbed the larger brown bottle and placed it in his pouch. He did not know just how much his father was going to need, but he knew it could be more than just that small bottle's worth. As soon as that was secure in his pouch, he followed Kermit out the door.

Li Pei, Marlene, and Mia walked out onto the terrace and watched as Peter Caine and Kermit Griffin climbed into his green car and headed back the way they came, back into the tiger's lair. All three said silent prayers to wish them well and a safe journey home.

Continues with Part 44