Excavations and Enlightenment (A sequel to "Caveats and Cliches")

Chapter 8: The Best Laid Plans Of Mice and Men

Everything is infinitely more organized in the morning. My knights with the wagons, he excavation crew, and even the camp staff are already arranged in front of the castle at daybreak. I'm about to go out and address them when Sarah stops me.

"Is that what you're wearing?"

I'm wearing a long sleeved button up shirt with embroidered cuffs that reach past the sleeves of my long coat, a wide leather belt to support my scabbard, and slim trousers covered to the knee by a spectacular pair of buckle-laden boots.

"Of course. Why the concern?"

"It's not exactly...low profile."

"We will stand out regardless of what we wear, I might as well be comfortable."

Sarah considers this for a moment. "All right, Jack Sparrow, let's get this show on the road!"

Easton and Toby are double checking the supplies and making sure everyone is accounted for. I give a short discourse on where we are going, what we will be doing and how important it is that we stay away from the humans as much as possible. The goblins cheer when I finish and eagerly load into the two wagons. They seem really excited, like we are all going on vacation instead of traipsing into the unknown for an unspecified amount of hard labor. The upbeat mood is contagious, and we are all feeling pretty enthusiastic as we shift over to Pema's home country.

Easton has carefully chosen the location. He had to transition a couple of times to check out the area around the town and find an inconspicuous spot for our mini caravan to pop over unnoticed. We walk out onto a natural shelf on the side of a mountain covered in fuzzy green spring growth. We are about two stories up and have a dazzling view of the various ridges and peaks in the range. We take a moment to appreciate the strange beauty around us, then begin a coordinated march along the path that leads down. The bluff is blocking us from view of the town and the goblins are staying quiet. I feel like we have a good chance of going largely unnoticed on this excursion. That is, until we round the first bend and come face to face with a tourist group.

There's a quiet moment where both groups stare in stunned silence at each other. Then a tall man in a large hat yells,

"What in tarnation is going on here?"

Sarah steps forward and addresses the troop.

"We are but poor, lost circus performers. Is there a village nearby?"

What? Oh, this is never going to work.

But instantly the confused faces relax and heads begin nod in understanding. A man who seems likely to be the tour guide steps forward.

"The town of Sawang is just at the bottom of the mountain. You will find assistance- and a translator-at the monastery there."

"Thank you, sir"

Sarah turns and gives us a meaningful look, gesturing to the path with a tilt of her head. Snapping out of our shock, we follow her direction and advance past the still somewhat perplexed tour group.
Reaching the bottom of the mountain, I start towards the jungle but Sarah stops me.

"We have to go to town."

Easton protests immediately. "Ummmm, no, we need to stick to the plan and follow the map to Pema's dig."

"We've been seen. If we leave now we will blow our cover. We can't afford to raise that kind of suspicion."

Toby squints at his sister. "You want to establish our "cover"...as circus performers??"

"We just have to go take a quick break at the monastery, meet the monks, drink some tea..."

"That's racist."

"It's not like we actually have to perform."

1 hour later.

"You want us to perform??"

Sarah's eyes widen in disbelief as she sets down her cup of tea. The monk across from her smiles placidly.

"There is a festival at week's end. A production from your group would be an enjoyable addition. We have an amphitheater that I think would accomadate your needs."

Sarah's surprise slowly transforms into a wicked little smile.

"We would be honored to put on a show for you."

Sarah, what are you up to? I ask myself for the hundredth time. Toby and Easton nearly have simultaneous strokes.

Our host, Kinley Wangchuk, leads us to the amphitheater. It's on the outskirts of town and somewhat secluded. He shows Sarah around the area, conversing congenially; while Toby, Easton and I exchange weighted glances. At the end of the tour, Kinley offers to let us stay in the monastery.

"NO!" The three of us nearly shout in unison.

Kinley startles a bit, and Sarah shoots us a look, then gives our host a strained smile.

"What my associates mean is, we wouldn't want to impose, and we are fully equipped to make camp. Could we be permitted to stay here, near the amphitheater?"

Kinley looks doubtful.

"It gets very cold at night, and we have plenty of rooms available. Would you not rather stay inside?"

"As I said, we are equipped to make camp...and we need to prepare for the arrival of the rest of our troop."

"Very well, the grounds around the amphitheater are at your disposal."

When Kinley has taken his leave, the three of us rush Sarah.

"A circus?? What are you thinking???"

"Sis, I love and support you, but have you completely lost your mind??"

"You said the rest of our troop?"

It's the last question that Sarah gives attention to. She turns to look at me.

"Yes... We are going to need more goblins."

It turns out Sarah is dead serious about putting on some sort of pageant for the festival at week's end. Though we throw every objection possible at her, she is adamant about continuing. Excited, even.

"Look, if we put on a show, certify that we are a traveling group of circus gypsies, then nothing we do from here on out will seem suspicious."

We can't argue with her logic, though we have good reason to doubt the method. None of us have any experience or qualifications to make a convincing production. None of us, except Sarah. She was a stage actor. She sees the realization hit and gives me a sly grin.

"I've always wanted to be a director."

We spend the rest of the day setting up camp. The boys are still sulking over the delay, so Sarah commissions them with finding the best route to the river and bringing back water.

"They are never going to bring back water."

"Of course not. But with any luck they are horsing around like idiots and taking a long swim. At least it will improve their moods and keep them out of my hair."

By the time our brothers get back, dripping wet and carrying just one half filled bucket of water, the tents are up and dinner is over the fire. As night descends, Sarah gets the goblins to tell stories, and they are so comical even Easton and Toby relax. We all sleep well in spite of the cold.