The Magician of Suwa: The Beginning
Valeria
The boy soaks up his training like dry earth finally given water.
Leiyos tries not to be proud; the boy's genius is entirely his own – not owed to Leiyos.
Still, Leiyos notices the way the other soldiers watch Fai, some impressed, others condescending, and yet others jealous.
It takes Leiyos time to figure out where the jealousy stems from.
Finally, he realizes it has something to do with the way Fai learns each move from him, yet never fails to imbue the simple routines with his own sleek grace and lithe economy of movement, turning routine into a deadly dance.
Originally posted 1/13/12