Chapter VI: The Sinner’s Ruby
"It looks rare."
"Exactly, my friend," said the squirrel. " When we get this we could sell it and we won't ever have to steal again. So what do you say are you in?"
"…I'm in."
Around this time, Gideon had gotten approval from the local blacksmith to work in his shop. It took Gideon a month to earn enough money to buy proper clothing and a sword. His clothes were now different from Shavron's native dress. He wore a dark blue long sleeved shirt and over the shirt he had padded armor, the cheapest he could find. He also wore gauntlets because he figured he would do some heavy fighting once he entered Shavron. The most appealing thing about Gideon's wardrobe was the new sword that he carried. It was broad and longer than his old sword, but it was easy to handle. The blade was not pointed; it had a flat, rounded edge. He even had the blacksmith engrave it for him:
The wisdom of God has led my way. Every step is a step ordained.
At last, Gideon was ready to return to Shavron. He talked to Langlo and gave him money for the time he stayed in his home. Langlo did not refuse and took the money without haste.
"It‘s very late and I was wondering if I could stay one more night before I make my way back?" said Gideon.
Langlo crossed his arms; Tiber gave him a stern look and replied, "One more night."
After a few hours of conversation, all three turned in at the end of the day. Gideon had more trouble sleeping than usual. Something was tugging at him or to better put it, calling him. Gideon woke up; but he saw nothing, yet a voice as calm as the wind called his name from outside. The rabbit took his sword and went outside following the sound. He ended up in a small part of the woods, not too far from Langlo's hut.
Gideon knew he was in the presence of the Holy One. He placed his sword in the ground and knelt down in reverence.
"I thank you for freeing me from the prison," Gideon prahyed, " God, I also thank you for being with me in those times. I have prepared myself to return to Shavron to stop Jezerah and to reclaim Shavron for your glory. I'll be on my way this morning."
"I have created you well, but my will for you is to stay here. Follow your friend Tiber to the Saragonian Temple. Do not look sad. I did not ease Jezerah's heart just to send you to prison, but to save Shavron. Follow Tiber and stay with him."
"But will I ever see Shavron again? And what is this Saragonian Temple? I don't understand."
The Holy One gave him one line, "Trust me and go."
The next day Langlo was caught by a surprise.
"You're not leaving!" he said quite upset by the change, "But you said only one more day. You're staying in my house again."
"I don't plan on it," said Gideon, " I'm going with Tiber to the Saragonian Temple."
Langlo pulled Tiber to the side.
"Did you tell him about this? It was between us two."
"I didn't tell him." Tiber said.
"Well, Gideon, since you know I might as well tell you what we're planning. There is a treasure in that temple. We'll make a fortune if we get our hands on it."
"Stealing again?" inquired the hare.
"Yeah and what's it to ya? No one is using it and its just sitting there. Besides, a moral creature like yourself would be in the way with all your: don’t do this and don't do that."
"Langlo, be quiet." Said Gideon.
Langlo walked away saying a few unseemly words under his breath. Gideon paid him no attention and went to pack for the journey. The squirrel pulled out a map and the two rabbits gathered around him.
"So how far is it to the temple?" asked Tiber.
"About five hundred miles," Langlo said pulling the map away from Gideon's sight.
"It'll take us forever to get there." Tiber said.
"Don't worry your pal Langlo is wiser than you think. We'll take the ropeway. It will get us half way there."
"What's the ropeway?" asked Tiber.
"Something that was built while you were gone. The ropeway gives creatures‘ better transportation across the land. It will make crossing hundreds of miles effortless."
The three made their way to the ropeway. Langlo estimated that they would need to take three carriages to get to their destination. The ropeway was busy and it was an amazement when the hare saw it. There were different levels of carriers that would take a passenger to a specific area. The lower level, which glided near the ground, was the cheapest to rent. The upper level, which soared high in the sky, was the most expensive. There were six levels in all. The carriers were attacked to ropes and the passenger would have to pedal to the next station. Tiber thought it would be best to take the upper level in order to follow the map. But Langlo said he did have the money for it and suggested the third level, Gideon agreed. After climbing a host of stairs, they paid their toll and were off. The ride was slow at first. Langlo insisted that Tiber speed up. Gradually, the carriage picked up speed.
The carriage flew through the air. Gideon could not contain his excitement. He was looking at all the carriages flying by him a high speeds; some came so close that he thought they would crash into them.
"Aren't there any safety device along this track?" cried Gideon.
"Safety?--hah!--- you pedal as fast as you can and everything else will take care of itself."
Faster and faster they went. Finally, up ahead, was the next station. "Slow it down! Hit the brakes!" shouted the squirrel.
Tiber pulled back on the lever. The carriage slowed down, but not as much as it should have.
"We're still coming in too fast. Hit the brakes!"
"I am---oh no---brace yourselves!"
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, tossing everyone out. They were a little shaken but no one was hurt. The second and third stations were just as enjoyable as the first, minus the terrifying speed. Traveling over rivers, lakes, forest, and hillsides were a sightseer‘s delight. Finally, they made it to the half way point.
"We covered a lot in one day," said Langlo. "We'll travel a mile and set up camp. Tiber, can you feel it? I can almost see myself holding that ruby right now. Come, let us go on."
Setting up camp was difficult. Langlo was bossy and Tiber couldn't start a fire.
Gideon found himself doing most of the work, which agitated him. Dinner was the only thing enjoyable that night. Gideon was still wondering why he was on this wild goose chase for treasure. The Holy One knew that he had no use for such things, but there was one thing Gideon would not do, and that was to say that the Lord made an error in judgment. It rained that night and all three were soaked to the bone. Unfortunately no one brought any change of clothing, so they had to deal with what they had. Throughout the day the party of three got lost, they ended up back at the campsite.
"Let me see the map," said Tiber. "All we have to do is find the great tree, here, and it‘s a straight shot to Saragose."
Tiber's sense of direction wasn't any better. They ended up only traveling ten miles in half a day. The trio continued, but Langlo complained about his feet and they rested for a few minutes. Daylight was beginning to pass by and the great tree was no where in sight. Gideon took the map to investigate.
"It should be here," said Gideon. "I don't see it," replied Langlo.
Gideon and Tiber sat down with Langlo. They had some fruit and water. "So what is this ruby you're looking for?" asked Gideon.
"Its one of the last true treasures of this world, said Tiber.
"If this treasure is so precious there may be traps set when you get there."
"Possibly, but nothing is going to stop me---I mean us from taking it." said Langlo quickly catching himself.
Tiber was looking around as Gideon and Langlo continue to discuss the treasure. He noticed something odd about what they were sitting on.
"Hey do you notice something about this base we‘re sitting on?" asked Tiber.
"It‘s just a mole hill." said the squirrel.
"But mole hills are not this circular or large in size. Help me tear away this moss." As they got to work, a funny thing happened. The moss exposed the texture of a tree stump. They uncovered a third of the base until they were sure that they had been sitting on the great tree all that time.
"This is good," said Langlo opening the map. " We are going in the right direction after all. Now we have to cross the plains, and then Saragose! Come, hurry!"
Hold on, it‘s all ready night. Let‘s sleep. The treasure isn‘t going anywhere." said Gideon.
The squirrel was reluctant to agree. He disliked Gideon‘s company the moment he laid eyes on him. He also was beginning to see a change in Tiber as well. Tiber had a happier demeanor than his somber attitude of past years, and Langlo wanted nothing to do with it. As he laid down to sleep, he said to himself: "Shame that Tiber, he turning soft on me.
That Gideon has spoiled him, a crying shame.” That night the squirrel made up his mind to take the treasure for himself, but of course he had this in mind from the beginning.
The next day was cloudy and all three were sore from sleeping on the tree trunk. They made their way beyond the forest and across the open plains. It was an easy walk and the fresh air put a new life into their bodies.
"You know I was thinking…who could have cut down such a great tree?" Tiber said.
"I‘m not sure, but all that wood could easily make a few homes if not more." replied Gideon
"Will you two keep up!" the squirrel said snapping at them, "The tree is not the purpose; it is the ruby. So if you please, less chattering and more walking!"
They continued to walk. The green grass was becoming brown and scarce as they drew closer to their destination. The ground itself was no longer the rich color of brown; it had turned to a sickly gray that put fear into the creatures‘ hearts. Langlo shook off his emotions and stepped forward. Gideon and Tiber did not move.
"What‘s wrong with you two? Tiber, come on!"
"Hey, something‘s not right about this." said Tiber.
"There‘s nothing wrong. Stop being a wimp and let‘s go. The treasure is so close."
Tiber went with Langlo. Gideon was still looking at the ground.
"Whenever you get the courage, Gideon," said Langlo walking off, " we‘ll be waiting for you in the temple."
Gideon wanted to say something, but held his tongue. The rabbit followed a few pace behind. The gates, that were once strong pillars, were now in ruins. As they passed through the gates everything was the same color of the ground. The buildings, the streets; everything was a sickly gray.
"This must be the capital city. Shame what happened to the citizens here." Tiber was shaken by Langlo‘s words.
"What are you talking about?"
"Didn‘t I tell you?--- Sorry. I found out that Saragose was once a great civilization. It was the center of trade for all nations."
"Greater than Shavron?" asked Gideon.
"I‘m sure that it was," he said dismissing Gideon‘s comment, "Anyway, rulers came and went until one of them had an idea. Why not conquer other countries. I was a grand idea and they did it. Murdering, plundering, and all sorts of foul deeds proceeded. The nation became the greatest country of them all."
"I wouldn‘t call murdering and plundering great." said Gideon.
"Can I finish my story or not?"
"Go ahead."
"But like all good things, it came to an end." said Langlo. " I heard that a great power turned the creatures of Saragose into dust, leaving no trace of their kind. Some say the power was of nature others believe it was of God, but I really don't care, it‘s the ruby that matters.
"So how does the ruby fit into all of this?" Tiber said.
"It doesn‘t fit at all. It‘s just a treasure of Saragose. The country was full of them, but throughout the years thieves have taken what they could… it‘s our turn now. We‘re very close, my friend, very close."
Inside the temple there were two large statues of two kings positioned at the back wall. In between them was a podium the once a held a great treasure.
"Looks like someone got here before you two," said Gideon, " I guess this is over."
"Not by a long shot," was Langlo‘s reply. " The ruby isn‘t up here. We have to go down to find it."
Langlo pointed at the floor. The entire floor of the temple was comprised of hundreds of tiles; each had a faded fresco painted on them. Langlo reached into his bag and pulled out a hand full of scrolls. He quickly searched through them until he found what he was looking for.
"Look at this picture," said Langlo. " One of these tiles has this picture on it.
When we find it we‘ll find a trap door that will lead underground."
The picture was of a half moon with three stars positioned around it like a triangle, but there was one problem: all the tiles looked that way.
"Remember, these stars are painted differently than the others."
Tiber and Langlo franticly looked for the pattern. It took sometime, but