To Dream, Perchance to Wake

"Yuh must tell da bugu bout dis dream," said Baga-Bars as he pulled Alvin Maker into the cabin that the Mongols used as tsereg-ger. "Dis Khan yuh see in dream mabeh our Khan!"

Kub-Kuko was the first tsereg to arrive. "Sain Bainuu!" he greeted. "What beh important?"

"Dis han, Alvin, him have dream meh think it say whare Khan beh," explained Baga-Bars. "Mabeh da bugu can understand."

"Dat Castile-han beh here too?" asked Kub-Kuko.

"Dsa, but weh need tsereg. Mabeh weh need fight too," said Baga-Bars. "URAGSHAA!!" he added the Mongol war cry.

"URAGSHAA!!" agreed Kub-Kuko.

Alvin looked between the two Mongol warriors. "Another Mongol tsereg?" he asked. "What are you planning to fight that takes two tsereg?"

"Mabeh all da orghs!" laughed Baga-Bars.

"Meh bish tsereg yet," said Kub-Kuko. " But meh fight sain, and some day beh tsereg."

The others began arriving. There was Bourtai, a xatun-bugu to the Mongol tribe.

"Ahh. A lady Mongol." exclaimed Alvin. "Are you a mage? You carry no shield or blade like these tsereg warriors."

"Meh dsaluu bugu. Meh still learning," responded Bourtai.

Next to arrive was the han, Daimon followed by the bugu-han Castile Elan. Idugan Aigeran, another Mongol xatun-bugu, arrived riding on her llama. This "strange agta" drew several comments. The han, Myrex and Mongol, Dorji Boshigt were the last to arrive.

"Dis han beh Alvin," Baga-Bars introduced Alvin to the others. "Him have dream. Meh think dis dream have clue bout da Khan. What yuh bugu think?"

"Ah, now perchance we will hear of this omen," said Castile, eyes lighting in anticipation.

Alvin described the dream he had had as he sailed his ship back from his rescue mission to Yew.

"Where da earth walks?" mused Idugan Aigeran when Alvin finished.

"It was a dark place, like a cave or maybe a dungeon," added Alvin.

"Was der big ugly insects der?" asked Idugan Aigeran.

"I could hear some horrible scratching noises and there were shapes with many legs scurrying in the darkness. They could have been giant bugs," confirmed Alvin.

"What spirit guide in dream say?" asked Bourtai.

"The spirit said that the Khan was there and that the name of the place defiled his honor and was filling his soul," responded Alvin.

"Shame!" cried Idugan Aigeran. "Earth elementals walk there and horrible scorpions with deadly stingers."

"Dsa! Meh fight dem dare," Baga-Bars nodded in agreement.

"Khan bish belong there," said Bourtai. "Us get him out!"

"What else da spirit say?" prompted Baga-Bars.

Alvin thought for a moment. "That the could be set free at a place where the virtues combined," he said. " I was just off the coast from shame at the time. I remember some light flashing in the setting sun. Off of eight pure white pillars."

"Lighthouse?" suggested Idugan Aigeran.

"I have long sailed those seas and I know of no lighthouse there," stated Alvin.

"Perhaps ye should take it step by step," suggested Castile Elan. "Find out what might be lurking in the dark. It may provide thee with further clues."

"Hmmm," Baga-Bars considered the information. "Weh go dis Shame place see what be dare. Den we plan more," he announced his decision.

"Dost thou need a magical gate?" asked Castile.

"Dat might be sain," said Baga-Bars. "Meh think time beh short."

Idugan Aigeran cast a buyu spell creating a gate to a spot just outside the dungeon Shame and the party stepped through. "Weh all get through da bugu gate?" asked Baga-Bars counting heads. "Stay close," he gave his orders.
"Da tsereg fight da monsters and da bugu heal and cure if da bug poison." With that he drew his kryss, shouted URAGSHAA! and led the other Mongols into the dark mouth of the dungeon.

The dungeon welcoming committee consisted of several earth elementals backed up by some scorpions, stingers dripping green poison. Getting out ahead of the tsereg, Bourtai was poisoned by a scorpion. Baga-Bars applied some bandages to cure and Idugan Aigeran cast a heal spell. Kub-Kuko was groping around blindly unable to see their foes. Finally, that problem was corrected and the monsters in the immediate area were lying dead. The Mongols began to search the darkness for signs of their Khan's ghost.

They searched a long abandoned miners' camp and a small chamber in the very north west corner of the dungeon. They found many monsters, but no sign of their Khan. Finally they came to the shimmering gate that led to the second level.

Baga-Bars eyed the gate uncertainly. He knew that many of the Mongols in the group were still weak from their journey to this land and had yet to build their full fighting skills. From his own experiences he knew that the second level held a more formidable array of monsters than the first level. Many of them used dark buyu or even exploded violently when killed. He also knew that Khan's ghost was probably down there. It was a risk that they would have to take.

Taking a deep breath Baga-Bars lead his small force through the gate to the second level. The gods of fate smiled and the Shade of Shame was found, trapped in some stalagmites, near the gate. "Dare beh da ghost!" they all cried almost as one.

"oOoo," welcomed the spirit. The bugu set to work translating the ghosts speech.

"Does this ghost belong to one once living?" asked Myrex. "Can he be resurrected?."

"Trapped alone, lost," translated Bourtai. "Dat all him say."

"Better stay close," commanded Baga-Bars as a tsereg wandered off into the darkness. He knew what quick death could be lurking there for the lone or unwary. If they stayed together they could support each other and prevail against a possible attack as the bugu questioned the ghost.

"So.. you wish to be returned to life?" asked Daimon.

"O oOoooo OO. Ooo OOO OO o OOoooO Oo," explained the shade.

"Really.. that's interesting," commented Damion. "He says he cannot be returned to life but can be restored. Who were you in life?" he asked.

"o OoO oOOooO ooOoOOOO (I was called Haruchai in life)" responded the ghost. "o OoOooO OOOoo oOoo OOoOO oOo OOoOooo Ooo oO OooO (I cannot leave here. Both Khan and not Khan. I am but a shade neither spirit nor living. A memory of one who lived trapped in shame)"

"(Go forth and find the trapped one)," commanded the shade. "(From Shame follow the noonday sun and the spine of earth bone till you come to where the mountains bleed. Then turn into the noonday sun with your face into the trees. Listen for the whispering wisp. Near him, fingers of pure rock bone point skywards. Two hands of fingers. Therein lies the trapped one. I may speak no more to guide you. Free the trapped. Free the lonesome. Free the abandoned.)" The shade vanished.

Bourtai swore an oath. "Meh lost him."

"Two hands fingers. Dat be eight pillars?" asked Kub-Kuko.

"South," said Idugan Aigeran. "We mah find dis place where trapped one is?"

"Weh leave dis place now," ordered Baga-Bars. "Weh find dis place da shade talk of." With a final look at where the shade had stood, he lead his band of followers back through the gate to the first level of the dungeon. The fought their way back out into the welcome sunlight. Although he, himself, could now handle most of the denizens found in the first level of the dungeon, the responsibility for the well being of the others weighed on Baga-Bars' shoulders. Being the leader had once sounded like great fun, he thought as he counted heads.

"Meh bish like da dark buyu holes," complained Kub-Kuko.

"Shame is a foul place," agreed Idugan Aigeran.

Baga-Bars agreed with their assessment, but now was not the time for chatter. "Weh search to da south," he ordered, moving off to lead the way. After a short ride, they came to a clear, cold pool fed by a waterfall from a bubbling mountain stream. As they paused to let the agta drink and rest, the shade appeared once more.

"(On into the sun and into the forest. Seek the whispering wisp and the fingers of bone)" the specter urged them on. Tired but determined, the group pressed the search. As they cleared a line of trees, Kub-Kuko let out a gasp of awe.

"Eight pillars," exclaimed Bourtai. "Like in han dream."

"Dere be han treasure box," said Kub-Kuko.

Sitting in the center of the circle of eight snow white marble pillars sat a large chest. By the condition of the chest it looked to have been submerged in sea water for ages. Baga-Bars wondered what the connection between the shipwreck chest and the dolphins' trinket might be. As he examined the chest looking for traps, the shade appeared just outside the circle.

"(Here are the trapped)," began the ghost. "(Take care for what lies within is eldritch with power)"

Kub-Kuko backed off a step eying the chest suspiciously. "Buyu?" half question, half curse.

"(Carry not the trapped by magic)" warned the shade. "(For any magic upon the trapped will cause death and devastation and shackle the trapped forever)."

"So no gating back to your village or Shame then," sighed Daimon.

"Weh have to carry back?" asked Baga-Bars.

"Bish use magic or spirits trapped for good," confirmed Bourtai.

"(Free the trapped. Free the lonesome. Free the abandoned.)" urged the spirit.

"Dar be nother box inside," said Baga-Bars. "It beh locked. How weh unlock?"

Kub-Kuko poked at the box with his kryss.

"Don't do that!" exclaimed Myrex.

"(Only the innocent may open the trapped)," commented the ghost.

"Maybe we bring back to Castile bugu?" suggested Kub-Kuko.

"(NOOOOOO)," wailed the spirit. "(Use not magic upon the trapped. I warn you)."

"Us have to bring innocent here," said Bourtai.

"Da innocent," repeated Baga-Bars.

"Castile used to be a warrior, remember," said Myrex.

Several other names were mentioned and rejected as being not truly innocent souls. "Mabeh dat baga-han, Anna," whispered Baga-Bars.

"We bring innocent han here?" asked Kub-Kuko.

"Dsa," said Bourtai. "Innocent mean what? Bish kill anyone? Bish think bad thoughts?"

"A child?" suggested Daimon.

"Anna, She just baga-han, she bish kill," said Baga-Bars. "She be at tosgon."

Bourtai pondered this. "Mebbe dat why spirits send her to us."

"Weh carry box back to tosgon," said Baga-Bars.

"Mebbe us supposed to leave box in circle place of power." Suggested Bourtai.

"Why not just bring the innocent here?" suggested Daimon.

"Safer bring her here, like han say," agreed Bourtai.

"Dis be dangerous place," said Baga-Bars. "Meh bish think that baga-han father let Anna come here. Weh take box to tosgon. Weh do it old fashion way. Meh carry." He strained to pick up the heavy box, eyed the edge of the circle and shouted "URAGSHAA" as he dashed across the invisible line. "It bish blow up!"

The others cheered as they began the trip back to the tosgon. After a while they spotted the huge trees of Yew. They were almost there. Castile Elan was waiting as they entered the clearing.

Baga-Bars sighed wearily as carefully sat the heavy box on the ground. "Dat beh heavy," he said. "Dere beh small box inside. It beh locked."

"Ghost say we bish use magic on box or spirits be trapped forever," said Bourtai.

"How then, to open it?" asked Castile.

"Spirit say innocent must open. Us think baga han," replied Bourtai.

"The child - it would fit," mused Castile. "Saved from the orcs for this."

They noticed Anna Maker peeking out at the Mongols. Hiding behind the pillar of the small marble shop they were using as an armory.

"Come forth child," encouraged Castile. "Thou knowest these people."

"Hello," Anna said shyly. "Why are you all here?" She stepped closer to Baga-Bars horse and scratched Maraeda's ears.

"Perhaps Bourtai should explain," suggested Castile.

"Meh?" said Bourtai nervously.

"What is wrong Baga-Bars?" asked Anna.

"Us find ghost in dungeon, him sent us to find box," began Bourtai. "Him say spirits trapped in box and only innocent can open box." Anna nodded.

"Us think mebbe you the innocent," finished Bourtai.

"Is that the ghost my father dreamed of?" asked Anna.

"Us think so. Him talk of being lost and alone and trapped," said Bourtai.

"Your Khan? How can I help?" asked Anna.

"Try to open box--but let han bugu check first for dark buyu," explained Bourtai. Turning to Castile she asked, "Can yuh check? No want baga han hurt if trap."

Castile picked up the box and examined it carefully.

Anna looked a little scared. "What is in the box?" she asked.

"Bish know," answered Bourtai. "Mebbe trapped spirit."

"There seems to be a source of great power inside," pronounced Castile. " I can sense it but not understand it."

"You saved me Baga-Bars," said Anna. "And my father. I'll try to help. What do I need to do?"

"Anna, thou wilt have to try the box," explained Castile. "I will stand next to thee and use all my healing powers to keep thee safe."

"Open the little box?" asked Anna.

"Aye," confirmed Castile.

Anna held her breath and reached out to open the box. Castile and the others hovered close ready to protect her as best they could. She touched the latch and quickly lifted the lid. The box opened without a sound. "I did it!" exclaimed Anna.

"Well done. Brave girl," complimented Castile.

"There is a mask inside," announced Anna as she handed the now open box back to Castile.

Bourtai looked a little disappointed. "Masks can have power…" reminded Daimon.

"Thank thee, Anna," said Castile.

"Dsa, thank you brave han," said Bourtai. "Yuh got guts of a monggol."

"You are welcome," said Anna with a curtsy and a smile. "The mask is as black as night."

"Thank yuh Anna," said Baga-Bars. Anna reached out to pet the horse again. "Meh tame agta for you Anna when we get back," promised Baga-Bars.

Castile examined the artifact. "It is very ancient," he said. "Carved of a black wood that became extinct a thousand years ago. It is etched with runes."

"What it say?" asked Baga-Bars.

"Aye, can you read then," asked Daimon.

"Han runes?" asked Kub-Kuko.

A shocked expression filled Castile's face. "Bourtai," he whispered.

"So, what's so suprising about these runes then?" demanded Daimon.

"Examine this," commanded Castile as he handed the mask to Bourtai. "Are they not Mongol letters? On a mask a thousand years old? A Britannian mask?"

Bourtai looked closely at the mask. "Feel funny… Dsa. Old writing." She ran her hands along the etching. "Mebbe writing newer? Dis very strange."

"Is it Britannian runic script though?" asked Myrex.

"Maybe others of your kind have become lost here in the past?" suggested Daimon.

Castile shook his head. "This be a mystery for another time," he said. "For now, I believe Bourtai will agree the ritual of restoration is plainly written. Ye must return to the circle and Bourtai must perform the ritual as bugu of her people." Bourtai clutched the mask nervously.

"Can we use buyu now?" demanded Baga-Bars. "Time beh short. Dat ghost seemed weak."

"Aye," said Castile. "The mask is free now."

Daimon prepared to open a gate back to the dungeon Shame.

"Weh go back den," ordered Baga-Bars.

"I have protective herbs with me in case things go awry," said Myrex. "I shall cast a circle when we get there."

"Excellent idea," complimented Castile.

Baga-Bars turned to Bourtai. "It be up to yuh."

"Meh bring back Khan," said Bourtai.

"URAGSHAA!!!" shouted Baga-Bars. The others took up the war cry as they rode through Daimon's gate.

"Good luck," Anna waved as the Mongols rode off into the shimmering light.

As the party approached the circle of stone, there were great disturbances in the either but they pressed on, determined to prevail. Myrex laid down his circle and the wisps gathered as if to watch the humans. "You may begin," announced Myrex.

Bourtai braced herself closed her eyes and donned the black mask. She swayed and strange flickering lights played over her body. Eyes opened, but not her eyes. A voice began to speak, but not her voice. "We call to the lost spirits. Those abandoned. Those who are trapped. We reach out across the darkness. Spreading our light to guide you." She held up her hands.

"Come, lost ones. Use our strength to return to the world of light. You are not abandoned. You are not forgotten. You are lost no more."

Baga-Bars took her hand adding what small power he possessed to the desperate call.

Suddenly, before them stood Haruchai in the flesh. No gray robed spirit. The Khan staggered taking in a deep shuddering breath. Shaking his head.

Bourtai hugged the Khan.

"You are in safe hands now..." soothed Myrex.

Haruchai looked around. "Bourtai? Baga-Bars?" He rubbed his head. "Wat beh happening?"

"We beat da evil han buyu!!!" exclaimed Kub-Kuko.

Damion seemed disappointed, pensive. "That was too easy... All things have a price. I don't feel one has been paid."

Baga-Bars ignored the comment. Not wishing to look a gift agta in the mouth. But in the back of his mind, he wondered if the han was right. Wondered if there was some hidden price and when it might come due. For now, though, he was content to join the others in the celebration that their Khan had been restored to them. Baga-Bars thanked the han for his help, admitting that he had, at times, harbored doubts about his motives, but that Damion had proven to be a true friend.

Bourtai offered her agta to the Khan. "Dere, you can ride meh agta back. Da Khan should ride."

"Meh without agta for long time," said Haruchai.

"Weh without Khan for long time!" responded Baga-Bars laughing.

Haruchai looked at the hans. "Yuh hans help dese tsereg?" he asked.

"Dsa," confirmed Baga-Bars. "Dese hans help and dere be other hans dat help too."

"Spirits join hans and monggols to fight dark buyu," added Bourtai.

"Haruchai in yuhr debt," said the Khan. " Yuh always welcome in tosgon."

Haruchai thanked the Mongols that had worked so hard to ensure his return. Dorji Boshigt and Kub-Kuko, the newest member of the otog. The faithful and clever Bourtai. "Meh do meh best," mumbled Bourtai, embarrassed.

"Yuhr best, do honour to ayimag and to me," said the Khan.

"Baga-Bars be khan while you gone, him do sain job," pointed out Bourtai.

Haruchai looked at Baga-Bars. "Yuh most faithful tsereg a Khan ever have."

Now it was Baga-Bars turn to look embarrassed. "Yuh like brother," continued Haruchai. "Yuh take care of ayimag and ayimag salute yuh. Meh salute yuh. From dis time yuh be Agha," pronounced Haruchai. Baga-Bars looked shocked. Bourtai looked pleased. Kub-Koko grinned.

"Meh? Agha?" stammered Baga-Bars. The blows from the monsters in the dungeon must have effected his hearing.

"Dsa," confirmed Haruchai and Baga-Bars looked very shocked.

Haruchai held his spear up to the sky in salute. "URAGSHAA!, URAGSHAA! URAGSHAA!" The others took up the cry, even some of the hans. "Now we drink," exclaimed Haruchai.

"Dsa," agreed Baga-Bars, eager to be out of the centre of attention. "Now we eat drink. Meh sure da Khan Haruchai be hungry."

"So, a moongate back to your village?" asked Damion.

"Dat be sain," replied Baga-Bars. "Bajrlalaa - Thank you."

Damion created a gate and Haruchai lead the way back to the Mongol tosgon. Anna waved from the porch of the tsereg-ger.

"Us got him Anna!" shouted Bourtai. "Dis Anna. Her help free you." Bourtai said to Haruchai.

Haruchai nodded to Anna. "Yuh beh brave," said as he jumped off Bourtai's horse.

"It was all I could do to repay the kindness of your people," said Anna. "They are good people."

"Dey not bad," responded Haruchai.

Anna laughed as she scratched Bourtai's horse behind the ears.

Bourtai smiled. "Him name Sirik. It mean 'club'. Meh name him that cause him so big. Bish know him run like wind," she laughed.

"Well, I'd best leave you all to fill Haruchai in on what has been happening," said Myrex.

"Aye.. this would seem to be where we part company for now," agreed Daimon.

"Meh thank all who help," said Baga-Bars. The other Mongols added their thanks as their han friends left the tosgon.

The Mongols filed into the tengri-ger to renew their allegiance to the long lost Khan. As Baga-Bars swore fidelity to Haruchai, that one was reinstated as Khan. Baga-Bars smiled as Haruchai bestowed new titles on his friends.
"Yuh have proved yuhrself in time of trial. No longer will yuh wear da tulum of unaga, but beh Tsereg," said Haruchai. Kub-Kuko was now tsereg (warrior).

Haruchai smiled at Bourtai. "Yuhr wisdom make yuh strong. Bish dsaluu any more but Urlug Bugu." And thus Bourtai became urlug bugu (high shaman).

Then Haruchai turned to Baga-Bars. "Baga-Bars, yuh beh faithful friend. Though dis like demotion, it great honour for great tsereg. Touch the Stone Ghost and beh my agha." Baga-Bars bowed before the Khan and touched the stone. "Now, at last, we go drink kumis!" announced Haruchai.

Baga-Bars grinned from ear to ear as he followed his friends back to the tsereg-ger and the celebration. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The Khan was back and the long nightmare was finally over. The smile faded as a thought occurred to him. The evil bugu that had done this thing to the Khan was still out there. The ones behind this war and strife were still out there. Baga-Bars resolved not to drink too much kumis. There was much work yet to be done…


© 2001 Todd Bailey