China, Day 1This is the right way to unwind after such an exciting night. Ana was still under strong impression from it - obviously one can't just forget being striked by lightning that easily, specially if talking unicorn "saved you". There was something comfortable about the idea of protectors from magical realm, for her but even more for her son. In some strange way, she felt that part of the burden was taken of her shoulders.
On their way to Forbiden City she got a call from a woman she never saw in her life.
How that woman got her number is a mistery, but Xi Yuan said exactly this:
I am searching for an intrepid adventurer who can retrive an ancient Relic for me. I've searched all over town and no one has the guts. Please contact me, Xi Yuan, if you are interested.As she already have been in most Chinese tombs, she knew what to expect - that woman will give her a key and she will go trough small tomb to find the chest with that relic. That specific tomb is in Forbidden City, small and safe; it would be a perfect opportunity to show Alen what she did and plan to do in future. So they went to see Xi Yuan.
As she saw Ana, Xi Yuan said:
Thank goodness someone finally responded! Come on, there's work to do. I've heard rumours that nearby tomb holds a valuable treasure. Retrieve it for me, and you will be handsomely rewarded. You'll need this key to get into the tomb. What are you waiting for? Get to it!And so they went. Unlike the usual way to start adventures, they took time to walk and look around, Alen was impressed by the architecture!
Inside, her little prince run to get a ride on the trone, while she find the plate to step on and open the hidden stairs. Seems like nothing is left forbidden in this place.
With helm and safety glass on, Alen followed her downstairs. His excitement was hard to explain.
""Mom, open that door, please, please, please!"
Calm down Alen. You must stay behind me all the time and not enter another room until I tell you so!"But mom.."
"No buts young man, you have to do it my way or no way at all, understood?"Yes mom."
"Woow, mom, look at that gold pile! Tresure everywhere! Mom, what are you doing?"
"(To think it took you so late to start talking..)" Stay there until I tell you to come after me!
After making sure the room is safe, she called Alen to follow her in. It was a room with a treasure, but also hidden door, rock pile needed to be cleared, hole in the wall, and she turned of the only dangerous thing in there - electrical trap.
He seems not so impressed, maybe if she gets him to see more of her in action..
"You are the coolest mom ever!"
"That is more what I was hoping to hear."
As she opened the last secret door, she realized it is not going to work like that. He is too young, and even with magical protectors, no way she will take him along to big adventures. To even risk him being hurt is out of question, and she can't leave him home alone.
Over the dinner they talked about exciting day behind them and everything else.
As Alen talked about notes he took while she solved that tomb, she was making up her mind about the rest of the trip.
After dinner, it was digesting time - resting in fresh air of China before going back to Base Camp. Alen read few pages of the book while she checked the mail, and one imporant mail was waiting for her in inbox.
