Temple: A New Journey Begins
Please see the disclaimer on the Synopsis page.
Vance Cavanaugh watched from the cliff as Kwai Chang Caine moved down the path then knelt beside the markers that rested by the lake. He sighed deeply and wished that things could have been different. His grandfather had been a bitter man and had never forgiven the priest for what had happened. He believed when the priests built their temple in Braniff that it was a place filled with evil. He never took the time to really find out just what it was that went on at the Shaolin temple. He preferred to think that those who resided in that sacred place were deviants performing all kinds of unwholesome acts. Even after the temple had been destroyed, Vance's grandfather continued to believe it was he and his followers that drove the priests from their home, but young Vance new the truth.
He learned the truth from speaking to several priests who came to the shrine. He would ask them about the old priest whom he saw many years ago, but none could tell them who he was, or why he had come just on that particular day.
Vance came that day with his mother to Rachel Lowery's to drop off some groceries. That had been nearly fifteen years ago. There was an ancient looking priest meditating in the shrine that day. When Vance approached the old man had looked at him. Then the old priest had said something to him and handed Vance an object wrapped in cloth. Vance opened the bundle and saw that it was a huge knife.
"The owner of the knife will return to rebuild," he had stated. "Return it to him."
"I don't understand. Who's the owner?"
"You will know him. Go to the temple on this date." The old priest handed the younger man a slip of paper.
"Go to the temple?" Vance asked, but the old man just got up from where he sat and walked away. He turned the corner from the shrine and when Vance went after him, the old priest had disappeared.
It would be many years before Vance had done what the old priest had said he would do, return the knife to its owner. Vance, however, was puzzled at why he threw the knife as he had done. Something told him that he had to do that to get the man's attention, but he did not understand why. This was turning into a very strange day. In truth, his life has been very strange ever since he met the old priest.
First the knife, then ten years ago another man approached him . . .
Vance pulled out the letter that still rested in his pocket. It was addressed to Kwai Chang Caine. He had also received instructions not to give it to the man until it was time to do so. But when was that?
"You will know," Peter Caine had said, just before he also disappeared. Soon after that, someone placed that marker by the lake.
What was going on? Why had he been chosen of all people to be the barer of these things? Perhaps he was doing penance for his grandfather's crimes, but he did not think so. He was involved with something he could not explain. Perhaps Kwai Chang Caine was the key to this mystery, after all it also involved him.
Continues with Part 4
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2003.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
Synopsis / Previous Part / Next Part
Back to Temple Tales / Contact
Alisa