Trekmaster. James B. Johnson

spirit.

      ...never did find him. but there was this gem, just like old Coronado had and we had buried with him for it was our and his customs, and the people thought that it was okay since maybe it contained his spirit and nobody wanted to cart around another man’s spirit and ail.

      ...though the snarv had almost disembowled me, I found this stream and the minnows ate most of the maggots out that I hadn’t ate and I healed well enough...never did understand, for I sensed them around me when I lay unconscious and almost dying. It could have been them for I crossed the first ridge with the help of God and in Devil’s Dip that damn snarv got me—and then I woke and found myself back on this the human side of the ridges...grandfather Bearpaw’s spirit?????

      —from Alyouishes Longstreet:

      I was the only one who climbed the mother of the mountain; and they’ll probably try again next year when the season is right, but knowing what I do, none of those wimpish limp-dicks will ever return, you gotta be tough, and I mean mean.

      —from Sir Lance Phillips:

      ...of my brothers, I saw nothing after I surpast them in the climbing. Doubtless, their bones add to the soil on the ridges or in the gorge. And the stone? Well and fine it was, almost a gift and I had nothing to give in return, but he seemed, if it was a he, a right fine fellow. And you know? I sort of understood what he was telling me, though the grunts and motions and whistles and sniffs he seemed to be using to communicate were certainly out of my experience. But I felt good about our companionship, you know? Too bad there ain’t a lot of them poor indians left, maybe they couida helped explain. His eyes, like some fish, capable of seeing 2 ways at once. Do their minds register 2 pictures? He....(Note: remainder of this section obliterated with black substance which could have been blood. Francisco Shepherd)

      —from Mark Trevan:

      ...so my father, the King, dispatched all his children—save the girls—and whoever came back first would be King after him. But we had to have proof and obviously the proof is in the gem.

      ...would have made it too, goddamn their tough hides. Damn sister hadn’t beaten me to it. Amazing Grace had disobeyed father. Maybe old Aygee had talked or communicated better with them, those strange ones, weather was horrible, poor sister, and she fell down on this side of Teddy Bear ridge and broke her neck. I buried her there, and took her gem, for I was certain father wouldn’t want a girl to take over the kingdom, which he renamed for the stone I then carried to Crimson Sapphire. And I was correct, he believed I had made the Trek, which I had, and I told the truth. After all, I could have lied, could I not?

      ...and both my sons, the twins, returned alive, too, which was unusual since I had not completed the Trek myself and knew what it was like? Now I am pressed with making a decision about a successor before I allow them to write in this here log?

      —from Francisco Shepherd:

      Forced out of the mountains, we migrated to Crimson Sapphire, and brought our books with us. The joint rule of the twins had torn the kingdom asunder and there were no further entries in the Log. I, the youngest son, had worked my way up in the army for a while and, then discovering my book learning (for did not our family religiously maintain secret and sacred tomes for our children?) the generals took me as an advisor. In that capacity, I was able to locate more written word. My position became quite secure. Because of the fine army, we had no competitors within our territory now—but the twins were ruining the kingdom with their bickering. The generals asked me for a solution and did not like my answer. Learning? Education? These qualifications for the Kingship? Not hardly, they replied. These were fine fighting men and understood only the sword and bow and tactics. I could, at least, applaud their loyalty to Crimson Sapphire in not overthrowing the twins. For they were smart men and saw the example of what had happened to the twins. The Trek book interested them and they were intelligent enough to choose from royal blood or at least blood of nobility for continuity of the crown. Unfortunately, by that time, I was a nobleman, and when the plan was announced, my son determined to go.

      Though I am not a Trekmaster myself, I make these entries in the interest of both history and continuity since the twins failed to carry out their responsibilities in these pages.

      My son, I am now proud to say, stole off in the dead of the night.

      Along with the sons of many other noblemen, he crossed the great plain. He climbed T. Bear Ridge, fought his way through the gorge called Devil’s Dip. surmounted Big Bear Ridge and spoke with the mysterious inhabitants. His account follows.

      —from Thornton Shepherd:

      It was the mountain training my father gave me which gifted me with the techniques and abilities to climb the ridges. Out of many, I alone survived. And talked to the people, or whatever they are, over there. And they gave me a stone, this thing the kingdom was named after. They seemed to actually understand me. And I got some of the concepts they expressed. One day, I would return for study and leisure to communicate further. My observations of the Webbines are attached on separate sheets. (NOT FOUND: perhaps my father was updating these pages when he passed on? Solomon Shepherd)

      But going back there may be a bit difficult for there are other kingdoms now encroaching upon my territory and I must prepare the army and make arrangements. Fools. Civilization is returning, and so must wars? I have heard that all over this vast continent, at least on this west side of the great divide provided by the two Bear ridges, that other towns and villages are growing and joining, becoming feudal kingdoms of which I’ve read from books of Olde Earthe. I foresee that these next years shall be trying to our people. Fortunate that we’ve built a fine kingdom, a strong people, and common goals. (Save those pesky priests.) Personal tragedy aside, I still look at the stone, the badge of office won, and become calm again and am able to plan. I see that the future holds much, and should be accounted for in any actions I take as King.

      —from Solomon Shepherd:

      ...but my father insisted, else the people and particularly the army would not follow me. I used the landmarks he told me of: the spire atop Teddy Bear ridge called The Finger of God, and the peak dwarfing Big Bear ridge, seen by few men only. (INSERT NOTE: this latter peak has since been named Forty-K. TJ Shepherd) And when I returned with my stone, he was dead in battle. How could I forgive myself for not being there? Only Felicia could console me. Now I understand. I face the same problem my ancestors did: I must commit my sons, one of which I hope will master the Trek as I did. But so many have died making the Trek. Should I not consider ordering it ended? My advisors counsel against it. Not knowing what to do, I asked one of my sons, Thomas Jefferson, for his opinion. “Opinions are like assholes, father,” he told me. “Everybody’s got one. Yet it seems to me that there is value within the doing,” he said enigmatically, and I saw this was true. Did not taking the Trek make me a better, more understanding man? Perhaps. But to balance this off with the death of one’s fine sons? TJ seemed to have a grasp of man’s inner nature. But the hordes press in upon us and our isolated little kingdom. And TJ is a fine warrior already—those in the army who personally know him idolize him. He is one of them more than one of us, the royalty. Thinking upon it, I realize that TJ recognized the value of the Trek, not just in personal terms to those who have conquered it, but in importance to the people of Crimson Sapphire. We are the most stable and strongest community that I am aware of now. And for that reason, and our natural wealth of tillable soil, others clamor on our borders. The entire continent is seething with battle. Armies and raiders are all about and it takes much of our energy and production to maintain safe borders. It is draining us. Unfortunately, this is giving the Church new life; that entity is resurging in importance, political importance. They want to return to the days of church domination. Hang infidels, nonbelievers, and blasphemers (being “Jerked for Jesus” they call it, an old SowestAm tradition, they claim). What with the external threats to the integrity of Crimson Sapphire (I’m beginning to sound like an officious monarch, part of the bureaucracy—TJ will fix that when I see him next. If.), I believe the crown is temporarily safe from the priesthood for they need warriors to protect the kingdom they wish to manage.

      —from Felicia Shepherd:

      My husband, the King Solomon Shepherd Rex, died in battle before he completed his obligatory