The Disillusion Mountains

Chapter 7

    "'Sweeping valley filled with lies–Pack of falsehoods act as guide.'" Nimma recited from memory. "Shadow cats aren't often seen in packs once they're six months old. A pack of shadow cats is called a lie of shadow cats and there are ancient pictographs of them all over that canyon. We've all seen the pictures the Rangers displayed in that documentary from the 80's. That's what the clue means. I'm sure of it." 

    "Nimma even if that's true where are you planning to start?" Grant looked down at the book again and read aloud. "'Stony arch and solstice sun–Points the path on which you'll run.' Our ancestors built stone arches all over those mountains and there are two solstices a year. You obviously think it's the spring and not winter if you want to start on Morik 19 the eve before the solstice."

    "Right." Nimma confirmed. "I know it's the spring and I know where the arch is too."

    "How?" He handed back the book.

    "My family always passed down stories of Regina. They thought it was important and every year we'd go to the spot and have a picnic where Regina gave Rosemarie to her in-laws. It was under a stone arch facing east. The last year we went I was fourteen. My parents took me on a camping trip for the weekend and on Morik 20 I saw the sun rise dead center in that arch. If I had turned around I bet it would have shown a path through the forest."

    Nimma took out a small folded map and pointed to the location where the arch stood. It was a mile and a half hike up a gentle slope to a small meadow. The arch stood over the entrance to the meadow. Easily traversed and accessed.

    "You realize that's a crime without a permit even if it's a part of your family history."

    "Yes. Dad knew one of the Rangers and they always stayed clear of the area when we were there."

    Grant said nothing for a long time. It was so long that Nimma watched Eridani take three kids up a complicated climbing wall and back down again.

    "Alright. You can put me down as your guide. I have some PTO saved up. How long are you expecting this trek to take?"

    "I was thinking three weeks. I know that you'd prefer to take a direct route but there may be something along the trail or at the particular spot where we'll enter the canyon we need to see for the next clue."

    Grant looked at the map again. "I'll get you there and back."

    "Thank you." Nimma said puzzled. "Are we going to talk about what happens when we find the treasure?"

    "If there's treasure up there I don't want any of it."

    "What?"

    "It's yours, Nimma. Whatever's up there, no matter how much, will belong to you entirely."

    "You might want to rethink that. If even half of what was reported as stolen is accurate there's a fortune just waiting."  

    "I know and like I said I want no part of it. If you want that in writing and notarized I'll sign without second thoughts."

    "Why would you do that?"

    "I'm nice." He shrugged.

    "No one's that nice."

    "I have my reasons."

    "Fine. Here's my number. Is there anything you need me to do or bring?"

🌺

    Nimma watched from the front desk as Eridani put the kids through final paces. Selmmie and Grant were talking quietly on a bench across the room. Their body language made it clear they were having a serious discussion. Not unpleasant but serious. Nimma wondered what it was about.

    Selmmie had mentioned Grant a few times over the last year. Not enough that Nimma had thought there was anything serious between them. As far as Nimma knew the two never agreed to see each other or went on casual dates. That was something Selmmie would have mentioned. This state of mutual goo-goo eyes must have been new.

    "Excuse me." The desk clerk, Sue, was speaking to her. "Did I hear right that your name is Rigel?"

    "Yes."

    "Is it true what they say about Regina?"

    Sue looked at her with big excited eyes. The girl couldn't have been more than seventeen.

    "Depends on what's being said."

    "That she was a witch? I'm doing a paper on witches and their history for my senior project. I'd love to get a quote or two from you–if that's okay?"

    "Go ahead but I'm afraid I'm going to have to disappoint you. I highly doubt Regina was a witch."

    Sue began typing quickly on her phone. "How do you explain all the strange evidence found at the robberies though?"

    "I can't."

    "What makes you so certain that Regina wasn't a witch?"

    "If Regina was a witch I think she would have saved her husband. He was shot right in front of her and bled to death in her arms. Wouldn't you use magic to save someone you love?"

    "Of course I would." Sue nodded. "But we don't understand what magic could and couldn't be used for."

    "You're right," Nimma conceded.

    "Can I get a picture with you and use it for my presentation?"

    "Sure." The girl almost squealed and whipped around the counter so fast that if this had been a cartoon, a dust cloud would have been blinking where the girl had stood. Nimma smiled politely for the photo and shook the girl's hand.

    "Excuse me miss?" Another customer called to Sue from the other side of the round counter.

    "Thank you so much." Sue bubbled and went to help the customer. Nimma was left again with only the flower bouquet for company. She ran a finger down the flowers and noticed that one of the buds hadn't opened before the flowers were cut.

    With a quick look around Nimma confirmed no one was watching her. She tapped the bud lightly and a small gold spark flew from her finger and onto the small flower. Nimma sighed sadly as she watched the flower bloom wishing she had someone to teach her.