Characters: The Ancient, Brother William

Violence: None

Timeline: Shambhala

Rating: G

Violence: None

Author: Alisa Joaquin

Brother William leafed through a particular book, one that contained the life of a particular line. This line had been VERY important over the centuries, since the very beginning of the Shaolin order to the present time. He reached a particular page, one that would be a turning point in history. It was going to be very important that this particular pair be watched with care. It was also going to be a time of great turmoil. It was going to require someone who would be worthy of the task, someone who will perform that task without question. That person may also be required to take great risks, even go lengths that may cause great pain. And Brother William knew who that person should be

"Please ask Lo Si to come to my study," Brother William asked another robed monk.

The monk bowed then left the room.

"Come," stated Brother William, his head still bent over the pages of the book as he heard the knock on the door.

"You wish to see me?" Lo Si asked.

"Yes," Brother William waved his fellow priest into the room and gestured for him to sit. As soon as the elderly priest was comfortable, Brother William looked up from his book and studied the small Shaolin. "How long has it been since you have been sent to Earth?"

"It has been many years."

"Not since the communists took over in China, correct?" Brother William asked.

"Yes," Lo Si answered sadly.

"Do not be concerned. Someday, you will be reunited. You will see. For now though, I have something else in mind," Brother William said with a smile. "It is going to require that you be away from this place for a very long time. You know that a very special birth will be taking place, though when is uncertain. You will be needed when that child has been born. However, there is another task I need you for that is no less important and will have a bearing on that child's future later."

"What is it that you ask of me?" Lo Si questioned.

"I want you to enter a particular Shaolin temple, this one in Northern California."

"I was not aware there were any temples in America," Lo Si said with surprise.

"It is the first of its kind," Brother William stated.

"What am I to do at this temple?"

"You are to act as guardian," Brother William stated.

"Guardian? Of the temple?" Lo Si asked with mischief but gave the appearance of confusion.

"No," stated Brother William, ignoring the old priest's brand of humor. "The guardianship you will be performing will be for two very special people who will be arriving at the temple in two years. You must be at the temple before then. One of them will ask your aid to assist someone, his wife. But unfortunately, she will not survive."

"I see, and who are these people that I must assist?"

"A father and son."

"You cannot tell me anything more?" Lo Si questioned.

"Only that the trials ahead for this particular father and son will be much. There will be great loss, but that loss will not be for long. You will be part of the reason for that loss. You will be required to make a choice, one that will also require you to die, or at least the persona for which you will be known as to die."

"I do not understand," Again, Lo Si feigned ignorance.

Brother William sighed with some frustration. "You know as guardian, you cannot use your real name. And sometimes that "person" must sacrifice themselves for the sake of others."

"Yes, I have played the role before," Lo Si said with a wry smile. He enjoyed seeing Brother William squirm a bit. Brother William, in his opinion, took each job too seriously.

"You must listen, Lo Si. This time will be different," Brother William stated. "You will also be the one to bring father and son back together because you will be needed with the coming of the new emperor, and the son of the father will be needed as the child's bojiya. All this though cannot come to pass without your aid. Will you do this?"

"Before I answer, you must tell me who the father and son are that I will be required to protect."

"Very well. The father is Kwai Chang Caine. The name of the son is not known to us at this time. His birth has not happened yet, but will be due in three months time."

'So the prophecies are true,' thought Lo Si. As soon as it was known that the grandson of Kwai Chang Caine had married and produced an heir, a new line in the Book of Shambhala had been written, one that had jet to be deciphered. Lo Si had read that line and he wondered just what it meant. Somehow, he thought he would be involved as well. But that particular prophecy had specific dates attached to it, dates that required careful research. What Brother William was asking him to do was no less than changing history itself.

"Will you assist?" Brother William asked.

"Yes, it would be an honor."

"Thank you, Lo Si," Brother William bowed, giving the older Shaolin the time honored salute.

"No, Ping Hai," he said.

"Ping Hai?" Brother William asked puzzled.