The Jade Dragons
"We've reached it" said Tom. "There's the entrance to the temple of the twin dragons."
"Do you think the fables are true?" asked David.
"If my research is correct and the dying man was in his right mind when he sold me that info in exchange for giving his children a percentage it is but we'll have to get past the guards in order to get to it."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
"I said we'd have to get past the guards first. The old man said that there were two guards hidden on the other side of the gate and several posted throughout the garden leading up to the Jade Dragons. We'll need a distraction."
"I brought the dynamite. I could throw some over the gate into the building."
"Alright. When the guards run toward the building I'll run through the gate and shoot the guards in the back."
David walked up to the wall close to the building and unzipped the green canvas bag he was carrying over his shoulder. He took out two sticks of dynamite and some twine. He then tied the two sticks of dynamite together and twisted the dynamite fuses together. He took a silver toned cigarette lighter out of his pocket, lit the fuses, and waited for them to burn down to about three inches. At that time he hurled the sticks of dynamite directly at a window with all of his might. The glass shattered as the dynamite went through the window then a second later there was a huge explosion that collapsed the side of the building causing it to top over toward the wall.
There was mass confusion everywhere as people tried to crawl out from under the furniture and get themselves out of the building to safety.
Both guards ran toward the building expecting that the person who set the charges was somewhere near the building. Tom ran through the opening and shot one in the back and the other in the chest when he turned around to see where the shot came from. David had now caught up with Tom.
"Okay Tom. Which way?"
"The old man said to step on the stones in the water until one of them started to give. He said that it would activate an entrance to the cave where the Twin Dragons were held."
"Do you think the stories about the ghosts guarding the statue are true?"
"I doubt it. They were probably Dragon warriors with white makeup on so be on guard for guards on the way to the cave."
The two men started walking on the stepping stones and as soon as Tom stepped on the seventh stone an opening appeared in the nearby brush.
As Tom and Dave moved toward the opening a Dragon warrior jumped out from behind the bushes simultaneously drawing his Samurai sword. Tom jumped back as the blade narrowly missed his head. David pulled his gun and fired. The Samurai dropped to the ground, dropping his blade.
"I guess they weren't ghosts after all." said David.
Tom untied the scabbard from the guard's waist and died it around his own then took the sword in his hand.
Tom and David moved forward finding themselves in a maze.
The hedge maze was intricate, having circular spaces with trees and sometimes a small, clear pond from which to drink. It took them two days to get to the center. When they arrived, they saw it. A double dragon made of jade similar to the one on the entrance.
"It's supposed to have mystical powers" said David.
"We'll see" said Tom.
Tom gently lifted the jade dragon from its pedestal. Arrows fired from four directions. Tom and David hit the deck. One of the arrows scraped David's ear.
"Maybe this statue DOES have mystical powers" said Tom. "We could have been goners."
"Yeah!" said David. "Look at my hat pinned to that tree."
"Well, we'd better check our guns and you'd better reload. Don't forget you fired some shots at that Samurai with the white paint."
"Yes, but he was no match for my pistol, was he?"
"No, but don't get overconfident. The guards will probably be back at the gate and they may have more posted after the explosion. We'd better be ready with the Mac 10s this time. I'll use this sword to clear brush if we need to until we get back to the entrance of the maze."
"Okay boss. Good thing we made a map so we can get out of this place quicker. Our food is almost gone."
Tom and Dave dug into their bags and readied their Mac 10s, being sure they were fully loaded and being sure that they could easily reach their spare clips on their belts. Tom stuffed the Jade Dragons into his backpack. They were ready and it was time to get started.
"How much did they say they would give you for this statue again, boss?"
"Ten million dollars. The collector believes that it has lots of special powers."
"Do you really believe that, boss?"
"Who cares. That's five million clams for each of us. We'll be living like princes if we can get out of here alive. Oh, and watch for traps. Removing the statue may have triggered more than just the arrows."
"Okay, boss."
"Why don't you go ahead and check for traps since I'm carrying this heavy statue."
"Me, boss?"
"Yes YOU! This statue is going to slow me down. You can jump out of the way easier."
"Okay, boss. Wow, I'm going to take a vacation in the Bahamas with lots of pretty girls when we get our money!"
"Just keep your mind on what you're doing. Stop to read the map then be careful as you proceed. We don't know what we might run into."
"Okay, boss."
The two men checked their guns and ammo once more and began on their was back to the entrance. About a quarter way back when they had almost thought that it was going to be easy, two long axes fell from each direction. They jumped back but the axes cut the tip of the sole of Dave's boot.
"That was close" said Dave.
"Yeah, that's why I said that you should go first. I wouldn't have been able to jump back in time."
"Smart thinking, boss."
"Be careful as you proceed. Try not to use your gun unless you have to. We don't want to alert those gooks that we're back here."
"Okay, boss."
The men proceeded carefully on their way. Again, it was another quarter way before Dave felt something move down under his foot.
"Jump!" yelled Dave.
Two swords shot out from the hedge in each direction, one of them knocking the gun out of Tom's hand. Tom bent down and picked up his gun.
"That one was closer" said Tom.
"Do you think we'll get out of here alive?"
"I don't know but we're going to have to be more careful."
"Okay, boss."
The two men started on their way again, this time trying to watch for anything that could trigger another trap. They got a little over three quarters of the way back and heard a growl.
"Did you hear that, boss?"
"Yeah. Keep a look out."
"Do you think it's a dragon" asked Dave.
"It sounded more like a big cat to me. Be careful. They're dangerous and powerful. I'll try to use the Samurai sword to kill it if we have to but you keep that Mac 10 ready just in case."
"Okay, boss. Do you think you can kill it with a sword?"
"Samurai swords are very sharp. They're supposed to be able to cut through metal. Let's just hope they can cut through the bones of a lion or a tiger. If we get near some trees be sure you look up before proceeding. Some big cats pounce on their prey from a tree limb."
"Okay, boss. I'm scared though. I don't want to become tiger food."
"Just keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. Remember, they can jump pretty far and their muscles are like steel."
"Now I'm REALLY scared, boss!"
"Just relax and stay sharp and we'll make it out of here."
"Okay, boss."
They came to the next opening and David stopped to check the map.
"RAAAWWrrr!"
"Boss, it sounds closer. Are you sure we're going to get out of this maze alive?"
"You never know."
"Don't say that, boss. You're scarin' me!"
"Keep your boots on and keep your gun ready. If the cat comes after us, jump back beside me and keep your gun ready so I can take a whack at it first."
"Okay, boss. I'll remember."
They followed the map back trough the maze. Dave stopped under a tree at the next turn. A giant jaguar pounced on him ripping the map in two and knocking Dave to the ground. Tom struck out with the Samurai sword slicing the Jaguar's head neatly off.
"Damn it Dave! I told you to watch the trees! You could have been killed."
"I'm sorry, boss. I'm sorry, boss."
"Yeah, you'd be sorrier if you were dead right now."
"How would I be sorry if I were dead, boss?"
"You know what I mean."
Dave pushed the jaguar's limp body off of him and got up.
"Look. Your arm is bleeding" said Tom. "Stop here a minute and I'll bandage your arm."
"Okay, boss."
Tom took off his backpack, reached in, and pulled out some medical supplies. He opened the bottle of alcohol.
"Brace yourself. This is going to sting a little."
"Okay, boss. I'm ready. That jaguar's claws were so sharp that I didn't feel it."
"It's okay. It's just a scratch. Maybe this statue DOES have some kind of power of protection."
Tom poured some alcohol on Dave's wound.
"OUCH" yelled Dave.
" Keep quiet! We're getting close to the entrance. I told ya it was going to sting a little."
Tom put the top back on the alcohol and returns it to his backpack. He then took some gauze and tape and bandaged Dave's arm. When the first aid supplies were put away the men stood up.
"Let's get on our way. You go first again."
"Why me, boss?"
"Do I really have to tell you again?"
"No, boss."
The men started making their way back through the maze. They were getting tired and hungry so they stopped to eat.
"Well, this is the last of the food" said Tom. "We'd better eat and rest awhile. We don't know what else we might run into."
"Okay, boss."
They ate the last of their food and laid on the ground using their backpacks as a pillow.
"Do you think we'll run into anymore cats" asked Dave.
"It's hard to say. Removing that statue seems to have triggered a number of traps."
"I sure hope we make it out alive. I can almost taste those drinks in the coconut shells and feel those pretty women all over me. What are you going to do with your money, boss?"
"I haven't decided yet. I'll probably invest most of it but I'll buy a new house and car for sure. Nothing too fancy but comfortable and reliable. I'll probably take a short vacation too."
"Good ideas, boss. Where are you gonna go?"
"I have a gal in the UK that I might drop in on for a surprise visit. I've never been there and I'm sure she'll be surprised to see me. Maybe TOO surprised if you know what I mean. I'll see how it goes. She broke my heart but maybe things will go better in person: Maybe they won't."
"I sure hope they do, boss."
"Thanks, Dave. So do I. I don't think I can take the heartbreak a second time. Now, let's get some sleep."
"Okay, boss."
When the two awoke the next morning, a cobra was on Dave's chest. Dave froze up and the cobra spread its hood.
"Don't move a muscle" said Tom. "I'll try to get the sword out of the sheath and cut its head off."
Dave didn't say a word. He just lay there staring into the cobra's eyes.
Tom slowly pulled the sword out of its sheath trying not to make any noise or sudden movements. He slowly got up on one knee next to Dave and readied the sword.
SWOOSH! Off came the cobra's head. Dave jumped up as fast as he could, knocking the body on the ground and the head into the hedge.
"Why it didn't strike when you jerked, I don't know."
"It must be the statue, boss."
"Yeah, yeah. I don't really believe in that mumbo jumbo but I'm starting to wonder myself. Check your weapons and let's get a move on."
"Okay, boss."
They continued toward the entrance of the maze without further incident.
I guess they figured the jaguar would get us if nothing else did" said Tom.
"I guess so, boss."
As they approached the entrance they heard some Chinese yelling and heard the shuffle of a large number of feet.
"Oh crap!" whispered Tom. They must have found the body of the ghost Samurai. Take the safety off of your Mac 10 and get ready for a fight."
Tom and Dave approached the opening and saw a company of Samurai awaiting them with their swords drawn. Tom and Dave unleashed a hail of fire each using short bursts for maximum effectiveness. Dave ran out of ammo first and quickly ejected the clip and grabbed a new one from his belt. The remaining Samurai charged and Tom took two of them out before his clip was empty. Tom grabbed a clip from his belt and the remaining Samurai took a swing at him. Tom jumped back and wasn't cut but his ammo belt was sliced in half and dropped to the ground. Dave shot the Samurai in the back.
"They know we're here now" said Tom. We're going to play hell getting past those guards at the gate. Do you have any ammo left?"
"I have one clip left."
"Good. Let me stick my clip in my gun and get the last clip off of my ammo belt."
Tom inserted his clip and cocked his Mack 10. He then bent down and removed the clip from the severed belt and put it in his pocket.
"We have to get back over the stones and make a run for the gate. Try to take out the guards on our way. Watch for guards coming from the rear."
"Will do, boss."
The men made it across the stones and made a run for the gate. The guards called out and more men started coming from the area of the damaged building.
"Take out the guards at the gate first" yelled Tom.
Dave complied then they both turned and fired at the approaching crowd. The crowd stopped and turned back for a moment as Dave and Tom ran through the gate toward their jeep. Just as they got the backpacks loaded into the jeep, men started coming through the gate. Dave and Tom released one last hail of bullets toward the gate killing enough men to semi-block the entrance. Tom jumped into the driver's side and David into the passenger's side and the men sped off to meet the buyer.
The men arrived at the buyer's house and were met at the door by the bodyguard. The bodyguard led the men inside to the buyer's chamber.
"Do you have the jade dragons?"
"Yes" said Tom as he pulled it out of his backpack.
"Good, good" said the buyer. "Here is your money."
"What does that thing do" asked Dave.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah, yeah" exclaimed Tom and Dave in unison.
The buyer rubbed the Jade Dragons. The statue started to glow. Suddenly, they buyer turned into two green dragons and ate the men. The statue stopped glowing and the buyer turned back into a man.
"Put the money back in the safe" said the buyer.
"Yes sir" said the bodyguard.
"It's a shame that they were so curious. They could have been rich men."
Copyright © 2015 Cal Jennings
