An Oshin of Trouble

That night Oshin could not sleep.

Each time he began to drift off, another way to spend the money came to mind. A home overlooking the ocean with an open run for claws. It would be on a hundred acres. A private jet for flying any where he wanted. He could fund archaeological expeditions for the rest of his life. He imagined never worrying about another bill again. Actually owning The Pier with no bank note to pay.

After all he and VW had photographed the treasure exactly where it had rested for centuries. Wasn’t that enough? Hadn’t they already preserved the discovery? They had hundreds of pictures. The beauty of each necklace documented in detailed pictures.

Maybe no one else ever needed to know.

After all, a week ago no one even knew the Sky Shrine existed. It had remained hidden for a thousand years. It could remain hidden for another thousand.

He pictured the necklaces once more, glowing in the beam of his flashlight. Such raw beauty… untouched, unseen.

Was it really being protected?

Or was it simply being squandered?

What would fame do to the quiet area of Mesa Verde? Many curious souls tromping on the trail. A thousand hands a day having to touch the find.

Oshin thought of the massive stone slab covering the entrance. Some fool would trip the trap and try to hold the magician responsible.

“I can’t sleep,” VW said from the other side of the camper. “The sky shrine was hidden for a thousand years. Maybe it was hidden for a reason.”

Oshin stared out into the darkness.

“That’s what I keep thinking.”

VW looked toward the canyon. “But Wong won’t stop until he owns the shrine.”

Oshin’s eyes narrowed.

“No. He won’t. The shrine was never meant to belong to one man. It is a gift to sky gods. Not for owning, but to be shared.”

VW nodded slowly. “But it also wasn’t meant to be destroyed by one.”

Oshin stared into the darkness for a moment.

Then he said quietly, “That’s why we have to go back. Now is not the time for this.”

“Back to the shrine,” VW asked?

“Yes. This time we close it for good. I think it is the only way to defeat Wong.

“You think the door can be locked again?” VW said, “The mechanism is so old.”

Oshin smiled faintly. “Everything has a trick. The key is in New York. The only person who knows how to open that door is me.”

“And Wong?” VW asked, “you think he will just roll over and quit. He is willing to spend a lot of money for ancient Indian necklaces.”

“He’ll have to find another way.” Oshin said, “The only assurance is he will do something.

The two men got dressed for the hike, packed their gear, and ate a hearty breakfast before dawn.

At first light they locked up the campsite.

Neither spoke much as they finally left. Every few minutes Oshin scanned the trail behind them, half expecting to see people following them.

Nothing.

The hike seemed longer than the day before. Every bend in the canyon made them wonder if Wong’s men were already there. The silence pressed against them.

The high thin trail required continuous concentration to place your feet in just the right place, and the section that crossed the toe holes and hand holes in the cliff had to be used correctly to avoid being left hanging unable to progress or go back.

By noon they reached the stone slab that concealed the Sky Shrine.

Oshin ducked inside. VW was left alone on the narrow ledge outside to stand guard. The view from high above into the valley far below was dizzying.

For nearly an hour, the sounds of stone scraping against stone echoed through the chamber as the mechanism was reset. The ancient stone needed a little persuasion to move into place. When he finally emerged, sweat covered his face, but he was smiling.

“It’s done,” he said. “That ought hold Wong for a while.

VW looked at the cliff. There wasn’t the slightest sign that a doorway had ever existed.

“The shrine is sealed,” Oshin said. “You will need the key to open it.”

That evening at the camper the agent appeared and knocked on their door.

“I see you’ve decided against Mr. Wong’s offer.”

“We have,” VW replied.

“The trail is quite treacherous. VW nearly slipped on the way back, and you Oshin filled your canteen with fresh spring water.”

“So you did watch us, and you know I sealed the Sky Shrine.”

The agent smiled. “That changes very little. We tracked your hike with a high-altitude drone. We know exactly where the shrine is.”

Oshin smiled. “Then you’ve wasted a drone.”

The agent tilted his head. “The entrance is sealed. We’ll find another way.”

“Good luck,” Oshin said. “The cliff is solid sandstone and very narrow. Can’t get a lot of equipment up there.”

“Mr. Wong asked me to leave you with one final offer. Thirty million dollars still stands—but there is one change.”

VW and Oshin exchange a glance.

“The money will be paid to the first man who delivers the key. If one of you arrives tomorrow morning with the key, that man receives the entire thirty million dollars. The other receives nothing.”