William the Conquerer and the Sands of Persia: Chapter 14 - Home Again

William said, “Oh Scroll of Time, now take me home. My form no longer in time to roam.” 

Suddenly, William was standing straight in front of a gladiator’s sword in an ancient Roman Colosseum where two gladiators were viciously battling. He would have appreciated watching the battle, but the gladiator’s sword was coming straight at him! 

He tried again.

“Oh Scroll of Time, with power bright, take me home this very night!”

This time, he found himself in Camelot with a knight on a warhorse charging straight at him!

Quickly William chanted, “Oh Scroll of Time, with power great, take me back to California state!”

The very next moment, William saw Zorro battling against the evil Capitaine Esteban Sanchez Montesterio Pasqual. The capitaine pressed Zorro hard, but William joined the fight by telling the scroll to fetch him a sword. He fought off the  soldiers who were trying to kill Zorro. He then interceded on Zorro’s behalf and disarmed and defeated the Captaine and forced the evil Alcalde to return his unjustly raised tax money to the poor and homeless. Then Zorro thankfully looked at William, who said, “I do not know how to use this scroll. I’d have more luck with dinner roll.”

“Fear not,” said Zorro, “My alter ego is Don Diego Vega. He knows about such things.” 

Zorro took him on his horse and they rode out with the Capitaine screaming profane curses I can’t repeat here, while a bumbling fat Sergeant screamed orders and tripped over his own feet, looking very funny.

They rode and rode till they approached a great hacienda. Zorro handed out the tax money to the poor as they rode till no money was left.

They rode into a tunnel, and Zorro dismounted and walked his horse into a cave. He took off his mask and cloak. There were stairs carved into the side of the tunnel. Zorro took these stairs, motioning for William to follow. They emerged into a  grand house. 

“I will just be a moment,” Zorro said, as he disappeared through a doorway, closing it behind him. A short time passed, and then the door reopened and a young fop stood there, dressed in a magnificent nightgown and grumbled, “Is there any amount of decency left in this pueblo? What turbulent times when a man must be awakened in the middle of the night! What are you doing here, young man?” 

“Can you make sense of this?” asked William, holding up the scroll.

“Certainly, chico. ¿Qué es esto?” said the man, “Aha! I’ve got it. According to this, my Farsi is a little rusty, but what I’ve learned at the Royal Academy of Madrid is that you simply have to say the words, ‘Take me home.’”

“Thank you,” breathed William in relief, “And may I know the name of the gentleman who has been so helpful to me?”

“Oh, of course, young man! ¡Mi nombre es Don Diego Vega!” replied the elegant man, “And may I ask what has brought you to my hacienda in the middle of the night?”

So, William told him about his adventures with Ali-Baba and Al-Horrid. 

Don Diego said “Often as a small boy did I read The Arabian Nights, and the fact that you defeated a tyrant is very impressive. I am proud of you, William. I have been trying to do this with the Capitan and the Alcalde.” 

William could not believe this. The young man just didn’t seem like the type to indulge in heroics or gallantry. Until he whispered in William’s ear.

“You are Zorro,” William exclaimed. 

“Don’t tell this to anyone,” said Don Diego, “It is my greatest secret.”

William said, “I will keep it. And proudly hope that you continue your fight against tyranny, injustice, and oppression.” Don Diego smiled at that.

And turning to the scroll, he recited proudly the words, “Now, take me home.”

There was a brilliant flash of light, blue smoke, and William found himself back home in Northern California. It was the same day and the same hour of the day in which he departed. He noticed all the leaves were raked. He went inside and found his game exactly how he had left it.. Before he continued his game, he told his parents about the magic scroll. They didn’t believe it until he showed them. He used the magic scroll ever after to make life a better place for people and to get himself all the things he wanted. And for other people too. After he had beaten his video game later that day, he glanced out the window and noticed a Muslim girl walking home. She was wearing a blue hijab headscarf.

William went outside 

“What's your name,” he asked

“My name’s Shari! What's yours?” she asked

“My name is William,” he answered, “You know, you look like someone I know.”

“I do?”

“It's a long story…”

They walked down the street as William told her.