Page 39 of 1000 of You
“Ah!” Ossaheld up a finger and grinned. “You’re not going to believe me when I tell you.”
“Tell us,”Muaminsisted.
“Iron.”
Muampaused. “Why is that unbelievable?”
“We’re nottalking iron deposits,” Ossa noted. “We’re talking about iron that has beenshaped, and worked, and made into tools and weapons.”
Insideanother tent were more of those odd boxes sitting on tables. In the center ofthe structure was a much larger table with another one of those flying urnshovering above it. Ossa picked up a small box asBregstromled them to stand around it. Immediately, the lanterns in the tents went dark.At the same time, smaller lights appeared above the table.Muamleaned over to examine what he saw more closely. It looked like a very smallvillage, similar to a painting or drawing, but made out of light.
“This is a3D holographic image of the dig,” Ossa informed them. “See that red dot in thecenter? Follow it as I point out a few structures we believe we’ve identified.”
Govapressed closer to him as she andMuamstared in rapt fascination.
“This iswhere we’ve discovered partial remains of wagons and carts. Note that they’re surroundedby several stone buildings. This section looks to have been the central part ofthe village.”
The red dotslowly moved to another area, away from the village. “This is what we believe wasthe well that provided water for the village. Now, here’s the intriguing part.”
The dotmoved back into town and ended on the opposite end, away from the center. “Thisis where the manipulated iron fragments were located. This is where we’re concentratingour attention for the moment. We’re hoping to find more artifacts that willenable us to pinpoint a more specific timeframe.”
“Have youfound any cuneiforms or evidence of writing? Tablets and such?”Dolucainquired.
“Not yet.”
“How about coins?Jewels? Precious metals? Something they may have used as a monetary system?”
“Not yet,”Bregstromanswered. “But it’s conceivable that they mayhave solely used a barter system of trade.”
Muamlet go ofGovaand placedboth hands on the large table. The more he stared at the miniaturerepresentation, the more certain he became of something.Gova’sconfession echoed in his ear.“I cannotexplain it, but this place feels familiar. I feel that we have lived herebefore.”
“Gova,look at this. Tell me what you see.”
“I see avillage.”
“A village.With a central area where there are carts. With a well on the outskirts.” Hepointed to the red dot. “And a place where iron has been shaped.”
Sheclutched his arm as the truth came to her. “It cannot be.Muam?”She locked eyes with him, incredulity masking her face.
An ironicsmile curved the corners of his lips. “You were there only a short time, butyou see it, do you not, my beloved?”
“What?What’s wrong? Do you see something?”Bregstromdemanded.
“That placewhere you found the iron fragments. Did you also find an anvil? And a largerock oven?”
Bregstromand Ossa exchanged looks. “Yeah,” Ossa finallyadmitted.
“You knowthis place, don’t you,Muam?”Dolucachallenged him.
“We know ofa place very similar to this one. I cannot, in all truthfulness, tell you thisvillage is the one I believe it is because I have not inspected it for myself,”Muamconfessed.
Bregstromgrunted. “Hell, that isn’t a problem. We can suitup and go down to look, if that’s what you want. But youdorecognize this village, don’t you? You’ve been here before,maybe in one of your past lives, haven’t you?”
Muamshook his head. “Not in a past life. In our firstlife. In the life we were living when the curse was laid upon us. This may bethe village where I was a forger of iron. Where I made swords and daggers, andsold them to soldiers passing through.” He turned toGova.“Where I traded one of my finest weapons for a slave girl, who I freed so sheand I could wed.”
Dolucaclapped his hands. “Then what are we waiting for?Let’s go check it out while we still have plenty of daylight!”
Chapter 21
