The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 107: Bringing Back the Dead

"According to some, the incantation can bring the spirit of the deceased back into the body, but it must be done immediately within moments of death.  The incantation has been known to work twice in the history of the Tempos Servos, but it takes a very powerful person of strong will to master it.”

Sitting in his reading chair in his bedroom upstairs, Dr. Herkeimer read aloud from notes he had taken from Namvelt's book about the incantation and how the original scroll had been lost.  He studied the words of the incantation, memorizing each one.    He had remained in his bedroom most of the day.  Dreda had brought lunch and soon it would be dinner time.  He read over his notes and the incantation numerous times.

Dr. Herkeimer cursed Fulop and how he had taken the battered copy of the book.  Luckily, Dr. Herkeimer had stashed his notes elsewhere, keeping them safe.  He went back and re-read the pages he had copied verbatim. 

The person can also send the spirit back out of the body.  There are issues with the incantation’s use.  The spirit will only remain if… That was where the scroll stopped.  The rest of the scroll was missing and believed to be lost, possibly destroyed.

Jumping further back, he started to read again.  This time about Ranulfus.

According to legend, Ranulfus was brought back from the dead by a descendant of Iordanus.  The exact reason for performing this incantation is unknown.  Some believe that it was to seek out information about the location of ancient scrolls which contain certain secret and powerful incantations as well as older history of their creation. There is little information about the burial location of either Ranulfus or Iordanus.  Their shields are believed to be lost.

Dr. Herkeimer reread his notes.  “Hmmm…  This doesn’t make sense.  It’s says the return from the dead incantation must be used immediately.  But this makes it sound like you can…”  He paused a moment, rubbing his chin, staring at the floor.  "This was the last chapter in the book.  No further information. What could be missing?  What other information would I need to know?"

Slamming his notes down on side table, he got up and changed from his suit jacket into a silk robe.  The boy is the key.  They’ve found one of the descendents.  I need him and the book.  A complete copy. Then I can make everything right.

Dr. Herkeimer walked over to the red chest.  Since Sam had opened it, Dr. Herkeimer had become even more protective of its contents and had the locked chest moved up to his bedroom from downstairs.

Pulling the key from his vest pocket, he unlocked it.  Running his hands along the front of the lid, he lifted it and peered down at its contents.  His eyes filled with tears.