Journey Through Time Part Two

As time passed on by, they settled and married producing a fine brood of children yet growing more and more unsettled until one day they headed off again this time going to the far north where the lands were bound in ice Onward and upwards to the top of the world great glaciers with bottomless voids blocking their way as they struggled on their breath billowing with icy smoke a storm was brewing, they needed shelter where to find it in this icy barrenness? Finding a crack large enough to squeeze through they went inside to find it opened up to a vast chamber many signs that others had used it scattered around signs of fires with scattered broken pots and pans dried crumbly bones not all of them animal musty smelling moulding hay once used as bedding Cleaning it up a bit they cooked some food listening to the eerie sounds of the wind as it whistled through the crack soon they drifted off into restless sleep when they awoke silence greeted them and an impenetrable darkness surrounded them They found the crack blocked by snow and thick ice lighting torches in the dying embers they started searching deep at the back there was a narrow passage they could feel fresh air blowing as they entered gently sloping, at first a tight fit they went on until they could see daylight in the far distance Now widening out on to a ledge they peeked out there was a rugged path leading downwards tentatively they set out carefully placing their feet they could see a mist covered valley ahead and curls of smoke drifting in the breeze finally reaching the bottom, they found themselves surrounded Dark skinned natives with spears pointed at them they were tied up hung on poles and carried to the huts there they were left suspended from forked trees a flash and billowing black smoke from which appeared a shaman like they had never seen before dressed in snake skins and holding a stick that rattled as he shook it at them Dancing around them muttering incantations he hit the ground hard and the stick became a snake that hissed and wreathed in sinuous movements laughing as he watched them cringe back from it now McLeod and McBram thought this to be the end when he suddenly cut them loose and beckoned They followed him to the fire side, he gestured them to sit pretty girls brought them food and bade them to eat slowly tucking in the tastes were very strange and hot causing them to feel like they were on fire given bowls of clear liquid they sipped on coconut milk which alleviated the burning sensation entirely Told to rest they drifted off into a strange sleep in which they seemed to be awake travelling at the speed of light they saw the ages flash by when they woke they were in the future monolith like structures reared up before them blocking out light everything dim and dingy Apart from one gateway which emitted startling bright light they with trepidation headed towards it to find themselves in a stone circle with long bearded men dressed in white toga like gowns with hoods obscuring faces in the middle was a crystal clear pool that sparkled like stars the druid like men bade them to approach it Standing side by side, McBram and McLeod looked into it they saw over the ages how mankind had plundered and ravaged it until only one spot of green remained circled around an ancient tree which was also slowly dying, its leaves drooping and shrivelling "See the damage mankind has done" thundered the head druid "If the tree dies, so too will this world cease to exist" "You two are the chosen ones brought here from the past" he said, "Only you can change the damage done We have a gift for you to take back, It is the gift of Benevolence" and on this they disappeared leaving behind a shiny rock gingerly picking it up, they found themselves again whirling through time on awaking they found themselves back on the mountain outside the crack Hurrying down they went to the centre of the lake and built a shrine to protect the rock when they returned home, they found people changed rich people sharing their wealth until all people were equal and still all out did themselves as they gave and gave in the end leaving things in piles for others to take final part to come soon