Shadows of Death

Chapter 2 (Christopher Section 2)

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Christopher was a little restless to hear the answer. After all, his life was interwoven with the bracelet. But the gate maker with calmness said: "No!"

"You don't want to answer my question?"

"No."

"So why did you say no?!" Edward yelled.

The gate maker laughed and said: "Because your question was wrong...it's not the Carnelian Bracelet. You should say 'Carnelian Bracelets!'"

Edward asked with surprise: "What do you mean?"

The gate maker answered: "This proves you are not able to know any of the book's secret. But you come to my city to ask me your question. So I would like to tell you a secret that almost nobody in the world knows."

Christopher listened carefully. He knew how important this old man was and what secrets were hidden inside of his chest. His grandfather knew this too. They were looking for him for two years to learn one of these secrets.

The gate maker continued: "Carnelian Bracelets...in fact, they were carnelian stones at first. God gifted them to the ancestors of Father Ilia. Of course, you don't know Father Ilia. It doesn't matter. The great-grandfather of Father Ilia took these three stones from one of the divine prophets. I don't know if this story is true or not or what was the name of that divine prophet, but I know the bracelets are true and they are exist. When the great-grandfather of Father Ilia took these stones, they were just stones and there wasn't any bracelet. Father Ilia received these carnelian stones because of his good works."

Edward jumped in: "Well? Tell me, what happened next?"

The gate maker tried to catch his breath and said with a: "Have a little patience. I can't talk so much like when I was young."

He paused a little again and continued: "Yes. I say he received these three stones from that prophet because of his good works. Then he converted them to silver bracelets with carnelian stones. Three carnelian stones with three different colors and with different abilities...green carnelian stone. Whoever took this one into his hand will be invulnerable and invincible!"

"The white carnelian stone. The rarest carnelian in the world. In traditional books it was said that whoever has it in his or her hand will reign over all of the world. But he or she will reign over some land where the people have forgotten God or their faith. But these two stones couldn't help you and healing your illness. But then, you didn't know about these yet."

Edward with sadness in his voice said: "I just want my grandson to be free of this illness! "He looked at Christopher, who stood silent like Robert.

The gate maker looked at Christopher too and said: "I'm sorry, Mr. Artimani. I've never had any children. But I understand you. I saw the death of my family and my friends with my eyes. It's grim. Especially when you know how and when they will die! I know about your problem. In fact, I know if you could find any possible cure for your grandson, you would not have come for me. I told my lady about your problem but even my lady couldn't find any medication for your grandson's illness..."

Edward took his look from Christopher and stared at the gate maker. Then he said: "If you understand me, tell me where the carnelian bracelet is!"

The gate maker sighed and said: "I said there are three bracelets, and the third bracelet is what your grandson needs."

Christopher and his grandfather looked at the gate maker with excitement. They felt they were just one step away from their wish!