The Wealth of the World

“Run Eli!” The small company fled frantically through the wooded grove. Twigs snapped and leaves brushed by as they desperately clawed at escape. Amidst the whooshing leaves around them came a similar, yet altogether distinct whooshing – arrows whisping narrowly passed each man before lodging itself into the oak trunks about them.

zEli, by far the oldest of the company, single-handedly doubled the duration of their escape. Feeble and worn, weathered by decades of time’s cruel decay, he clung to his friends, throwing one foot in front of the other to escape the peril that pursued them. A friend at the end of one arm, the other clutched close to his heart a withered, small black book. His clutch on the small possession was one that would not easily be loosened. Old as he was, his grip retained maximum strength in order to protect the contents of his small, black book.

The whisping continued until finally, the company broke free of the outstretched reach of the forest. The forest duff transformed into plush sand. They had reached the seashore.

The pursuing arrows were now silenced by the plunk of their watery marks.

Two of the men grabbed hold of a small wooden boat and thrust it into the oppressing waves. Two others lobbed Eli into the boat, as yet two more began paddling.

Safety was near at hand, when suddenly, one rogue arrow met its mark. Eli gasped, and keeled over.

“Eli!” His companions cried.

Unable to stop, the company continued paddling furiously to escape the range of their pursuers.

The plunk of the arrows slowly grew faint, as the desire of escape became reality.

The company rowed towards the silhouette of a large ship on the horizon. Reaching the vessel, they climbed up one-by-one, hoisting Eli’s motionless body aboard.

“Eli! Eli!” The company’s Captain cried.

Eli moaned; an ominous moan, informing his friends that his time was fast approaching. Reaching up to place a frail hand on the shoulder of the Captain, Eli looked up and said, “The contents of this book…” He gasped for a breath. “The… contents of this book… contain a treasure… beyond that which I now leave you…” Violent coughs broke his parting words. “Take care to value this treasure… Don’t… let them… snuff it ouuut –“ With that, the glimmering light in Eli’s eyes faded into the beyond.

The Captain lowered his fallen friend gently. Looking at the small black book – still in Eli’s arms – he reached down, and picked it up. He opened the book with rippling crackles yawning as the pages stretched from one side to the other. All that read on the first page, were coordinates.

“What is it, Captain?” One member of the company asked.

“Coordinates.” The captain replied. “Our quest is only just beginning, men.” The Captain closed the book, and shouted the heading to the helmsman. His orders were echoed, and every man aboard attended to his station.

“What of Eli, Captain?” One man inquired.

“Lay him in my quarters.” The Captain answered. “Rest at peace, my friend.” He whispered. Standing, and attending to the main deck.

“Captain!” called the helmsmen, “How are we to afford the journey ahead? Narrowly has we afforded the journey at hand!”

“Eli left us all that we need. Set course and leave the details to me.”

“Aye Captain.” The helmsman veered the ship about and the quest continued. “Where are you going, Captain?”

“I’ll be in my quarters. Fetch me when we’ve arrived.” The Captain took his leave and entered his stateroom. Taking a deep sigh, he acknowledged Eli, laying lifelessly on the bed. The Captain sat at his desk, and began to pen an account of their journey.

“Captains log, 334:

It is November the 20th. Our voyage has taken us from the isle of Endernby to the southernmost reaches of the known world. Eli the Wise, has fallen. His legacy now lives on in the weathered pages of his small, black book. Though all I can make of it at this time is unknown coordinates, I have no doubt that we will find at our destination one who can decipher the unknown languages and parables of his work. Staying true to his word, Eli left myself and the company the remainder of his wealth in the sum of – what can only be estimated – 20,000 gold pieces. Honoring the life of integrity that my dear friend lived, I won’t let him down. I won’t let his life’s work fade as the light in his eyes faded, only moments ago. Should this be my last entry, let it be known that Eli the Wise saw through the corrupt nature of known society; that though they sought to rid the world of all who came from his generation, he sought to rally against such evil with wisdom more valuable than the riches of the world. May his name and his legacy live on into generations to come, that we might avoid repeated conflict and further disintegration of modern society.

Signed,

Captain James O. Mortguard

Days past. The sea was gentle. The weather calm. Only upon reaching the destination, did a mysterious fog move in. Easing the pace of the seasoned ship, the company began to take depth readings.

“20 feet!” Cried one deckhand.

“Lay anchor!” The Captain ordered. “And prepare a landing party!”

The same company of six entered the lifeboat and ventured eerily into the deafening fog before them. The waves gently lapped against the boat. Faint shrieks of gulls berated the shrouded sky above. Suddenly, the soft sounds were disrupted by the violent scratches of the rocky shore on the hull of the small boat.

Swords drawn, the Captain led his men up the steep mossy incline; Eli’s book in one hand, and his torch in the other. The Captain looked for any clues that might lead them to Eli’s trove. Reaching the crest of the embankment, the distant fog dissipated just enough to reveal the peaks of a large, stone structure.

“A castle!” Announced one of the party.

“Stay alert, men.” The Captain cautioned. They proceeded forward slowly.

Drawing near, the craftsmanship of the castle was steadily realized as the men reached the large, wooden door which boasted gorgeous carvings and engravings of men and women, young and old, laughing, running, building and crafting. The details were like none that any of the men had ever seen. Inscribed at the top of the door, were chiseled the words, “Enter All into the Great Host of the Wealth of the World”.

The men exclaimed their excitement – quietly, yet giddily to one another. Their treasure was alas at hand!

The Captain tucked Eli’s book into his belt, and stretched his hand forward to push the large door open. It creaked, which echoed throughout the expansive chambers of the castle. The door stopped with a loud, echoing thud. He stretched his torch into the deep, dark mouth of the doorway into the vacant chambers. Finding scones throughout the room, he lit them, revealing walls–not of stone–but of books. More books than could be counted. In the center of the room, the Captain approached an engraved plaque.

Blowing off the dust burying the plaque, the Captain held his torch closer to read the inscription:

“Welcome to the refinery of wisdom. In these halls, you will find tales of old, and tales of recent days; tales of woe, and tales of triumphant joy. In these halls you will find wisdom and knowledge, expanding your understanding of the world to its farthest reaches. Through language, culture, and tales from eons ago, the contents of this great treasure most assuredly will usher the world from the devastating days it has come to know into days of glory, splendor, peace and renown. The powers that sought to destroy my generation will become the contents of refined wisdom to be housed in these lofty halls. The names of those who sought to rid the world of her past will meet that very fate. And once more, life will be nourished, protected and cherished. Guard the wisdom of these books; house as much of it as you can in the minds and hearts of those whose minds and hearts are under threat of being dimmed and darkened. To whomever comes to find this treasure and this light, spread its glow. Light the world in wonder once again.

- Eli.

“Where is the treasure?” One of the men exclaimed.

The Captain turned. Walking over to one of the shelves, he reached up and pulled down a large, dusty book. Laying it down on a table, he stretched it open. With the same crackling yawn that Eli’s small black book opened with, the Captain smiled. Looking up into the bewildered eyes of his men, he answered, “It has yet to be discovered.”