The Quest For Buddha’s Scimitar - Act I: The Scimitar’s Call
Francis Dwight Mealy
Casa editrice: Francis Dwight Mealy
Sinossi
A High-Stakes Adventure Begins in the Heart of 19th-Century ChinaIn the flickering glow of paper lanterns at the Danish Hong, a daring wager ignites a perilous journey: "Gentlemen," declares Captain Carlo Fontana, his voice resolute as a seasoned gambler’s hand, "I swear—by all I hold holy—I’ll fetch that scimitar within a year." Thus unfolds The Quest For Buddha's Scimitar - Act I: The Scimitar's Call, a gripping tale of adventure, intrigue, and the relentless pursuit of a legendary relic, set against the vibrant and volatile backdrop of 1858 China.This enthralling narrative plunges readers into a world where East and West collide amidst the bustling ports and opulent trading houses of the Pearl River Delta. Here, a diverse band of Western adventurers—Captain Carlo Fontana, a seafaring Italian with a shadowed past; Thomas Derby, a brash American hunter fueled by pride and glory; Adam Mazur, a youthful Polish cabin boy eager to prove his mettle; and Li Wei, a wise Cantonese guide whose knowledge is as deep as it is enigmatic—embark on a quest to retrieve Buddha’s Scimitar. This is no ordinary blade, but a mythic artifact symbolizing Dharma’s triumph over violence. Yet, this treasure hunt is a descent into a land of beauty and brutality, where every step courts danger and every choice could spell doom.The legend of Buddha’s Scimitar anchors the tale: centuries ago, a Muslim warrior, armed with a blade he deemed invincible, challenged Buddha himself. In a miraculous moment, the scimitar froze mid-strike, humbled by enlightenment. The warrior knelt, converted, and the weapon became a sacred emblem—later hidden, stolen, and lost to whispers of Lijiang and Amarapura. This powerful story drives Fontana and his crew, who, disguised as Cantonese in flowing changpao and queues, venture beyond the treaty ports into forbidden territories. They face a gauntlet of threats: hostile mobs, cunning bandits, treacherous rivers, and the ever-watchful Qing authorities, all while grappling with their own pride, fears, and clashing wills.From the card tables of Western merchants to the chaotic streets of Zhaoqing, the journey is fraught with action and tension. A standout moment finds them trapped in a besieged inn: "The inn was turning into a coffin, gradually closing around the four men. They wielded their weapons with relentless precision, each shot true, yet for every foe that fell, ten more surged forward." Such scenes propel the narrative with relentless pace, immersing readers in a world where survival hinges on wit and firepower. The historical setting—amidst the simmering aftermath of the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion—adds rich texture, capturing a China on the brink of transformation, where ancient traditions meet the encroaching West in a clash of cultures and ambitions.The prose is vivid and evocative, painting the sensory tapestry of 19th-century China: the salt-laden air of the Pearl River, the oppressive heat of Yunnan jungles, the acrid sting of gunpowder smoke. Dialogue crackles with authenticity, revealing the characters’ diverse origins and the simmering tensions beneath their alliance. Themes of honor, loyalty, and the cost of ambition weave through the plot, lending depth to the high-stakes adventure. Quiet moments of reflection—Derby’s struggle with his Yankee identity as he dons a queue, or Fontana’s steely resolve masking unspoken scars—reveal the human stakes behind the quest, forging bonds tested by each trial.The Scimitar's Call is a masterful opening to an epic saga. It sets the stage with meticulous historical detail, cultural insight, and pulse-pounding action, leaving readers breathless and yearning for the next chapter. Will Fontana and Derby claim the scimitar within the year, or will China’s wild heart consume them? This is more than a quest for a blade—it’s a journey into the soul, where legends are forged and destinies rewritten. Dive in and join the adventure—history awaits.
Disponibile da: 17/07/2025.
Lunghezza di stampa: 60 pagine.
