“Help him!” I cried.
“There is nothing to be done.”
Within the hour, Little Brother lay dead. The attendant left me alone to grieve, during which time I searched for his pistol. It was nowhere to be found. I lifted his body, only to collapse under its size and weight. I must have fallen asleep, for when I awoke, Brother was gone again. I hurried to the charnel room, certain he’d been taken there.
His body lay upon a slab surrounded by the women. One held a vessel of burning incense. Some stroked his once powerful limbs. Others wept and kissed his lifeless lips.
“Why did you not take me, as well?”
“It is not your time,” our attendant replied.
“Take this gold nugget and give me my brother!”
“The nugget has no value here. It is part of you.”
She pointed to the bodies lying on slabs. “All were good men, their tormented souls now released. Your torment has yet to begin. Leave while you still have your wits.”
“Not without my brother.”
The women unsheathed their knives and slowly approached, making their intention clear. I groped my way through the halls and climbed the spiral steps that led to the opening of the dome, then lumbered through the night, clawing my way up the sandy mount to which Little Brother had pointed.
Dawn broke as I reached the top. I sat upon a desert throne, looking down at journey’s end, where the rising sun unveiled a great rainbow arced across a glittering sea.
“Woe is me!” I cried, raising my arms in false lamentation. “What comes our way no longer will be shared, my brother. Riches destined for both shall now be mine.”
A city ran along the coast. Its rooftops shimmered like divine fonts upon a sacred temple. I descended the hill, wary of possible new terrors in the west. I told the people about the desert women and the fate of my brother. They knew nothing of such corruption. These kind strangers prepared a feast as if my arrival were a homecoming. Angelic children danced in circles, cackling in harmonious delight as they gazed upon the gold nugget.
Well written fable. Thoughtful ideas about man search for things of lesser value that hide more important issues. Do we suffer little deaths while searching for the unattainable? What should we be doing instead? What is living all about? Thoroughly enjoyable and thoughtful read.
Beautifully written