"They are doing precisely what you would have me NOT do,"
Tindar chuckled. "It's more about funding than history...they are exploiting the name 'Wanderer' for free publicity. Only they hardly have the legitimate claim to do so, really."
The newspaper article had promised "Local Wanderer Artifact Points to Treasure". The gist of the contents, as I skimmed it, was that a series of symbols on a sculpture attributed to a Wanderer artist based in Reston 300 years ago was being studied by some university. I could see why Tindar was skeptical. In the ever competitive world of funding, outlandish claims and headlines can draw much needed attention to your area of study. You can either be the latest, greatest thing to save the world, or you can tap into the public's imagination. Such was the modern reality behind the politics of research. Either way, it seemed this particular "find" had set off a local modern day
gold rush. According to the article, a host of pilgrims...both the greedy and the curious, have been flocking to the area in recent weeks.
I set down the paper on the table between us.
"I have to agree, they are playing to the public's imagination."
"Charlatans," Tindar scoffed.
"Well, there's probably some kernel of truth at the heart of it."
"A Wanderer treasure? And the treasure map just happens to be found in some local piece of artwork. I'll bet you breakfast tomorrow the darned thing has "Made in China" stamped on the bottom of it somewhere if we could just get a good look."
"And if the 'artifact', if not the hype, is legitimate?"
"Then the treasure is a "One Tin Soldier" kind of tale waiting to unfold."
"And we've walked right into the middle of it all," I sighed.
"A cynic like me might point out this could explain the Wanderer groupie our septmates have picked up."
"Oh shit, I hadn't thought of that."
"Probably just the first of many waiting to crawl out of the woodwork."
"Maybe we should cancel our Reston engagements and move on to quieter territory until the heat dies down," I suggested.
"I will not have all my hard work undone by this!"
I frowned, all the more so because he was probably right. Financially it would be very hard to walk away from the next few days for our sept.
"I will concede I'm glad not to have promoted us as Wanderers now. What a circus that would have been!"
"Small blessings. I'm worried Tindar."
"I can see that. Really, there's no need for concern. We'll just quietly go about our business and carry on along the road to the next town soon enough."
"Why does this capture people's imaginations so?"
"Oh come now! In this day and age, where so many are seeking...so few finding? This has all the elements...the allure of buried treasure...people have always been fond of riches and sparkly baubles. Plus the added bonus of a mystical twist...a spiritual treasure, if you will. Because of all the ways most people are impoverished these days, their wallets might be the least empty. It's like a double treasure hunt, all rolled into one."
"Oh my, not good."
"And then there are those who just like a good mystery," Tindar added. His eyes sparkled, glinting off the light of some far away thought."
"Get your mind off that, big fellow. We're perched precariously enough for the next few days without you and your
curiosity stirring the pot."
"I'm offended," he laughed, holding his hand over his heart feigning a mockery of a mortal wound. I laughed along with him.
"Still..."
"Tindar..."
"The picture of the sculpture was very grainy. You can't really see the symbols they're all fired up about clearly at all."
"Absolutely not!"
"It couldn't do any harm in the morning...just to have a look. With all the other pilgrims, I mean. If we don't at least do that, why, we'd stand out like a sore thumb...when you think about it."
"So this is what it must feel like to stand on the precipice of an avalanche."
And that, as they say, was that.
