Chapter Three - Zen mind, Beginners mind
Early the next day found Salamandastron in its usual bustle of morning activity. Taliaria, having not slept at all the night before, felt restless. But she stayed locked in her barrack dorm, knowing that if the major caught her she would have the lecture of her lifetime. She paced back and forth still thinking about the Shadow. The shadow, the shadow, the shadow, damn that shadow. It came into her mind in hundreds of different shapes and sizes, each one more ridiculous than the last.
Taliaria tossed herself on her bunk. She wanted to go and talk with Sun and Rath about it all, but the fear of getting caught by the major overruled all her other instincts. She groped about on her bedside table for a book, and her paw came in contact with a tough oily surface. The book she picked up had been bound in oilskin, and its pages had been concealed with a curious deign of water-tight leather. She recognized the book to be the one she had found on the tide line the night before when they found Sabertace. On the front cover was a strange symbol that looked as if it had been inked on with a brush. Tailaira decided it was a letter of some sort. Carefully, she undid the leather and opened the heavily bound book. It was filled with thin, almost transparent pages and on all the left paw pages were columns of the strange brushy symbols. On the other, was the common text. Overwhelmed with curiosity, the captain began to read:
iFor my students.
My teachings and the last hope to save all that is good from the shadow that is to come.
Use it wisely and remember your fellow seekers:
Akira Kurosawa
A young samurai, who has found his own path, may he always remember my teachings and learn to spread them wisely.
Gyokujun Ariansa
The fisherman who never catches fish, but catches thoughts. May he spread these words with his sails.
Suzukusan gensenso
My old friend and companion. May he someday learn how to sit in the correct Zazen. Until that time he is stranded.
Sabertace
A foreigner who came to me with a thirst for my knowledge. The fastest student I have taught. He must face more than just the death of his brother and comrades. May he learn to overcome the sadness he still holds.
Master Shunryu
Part One - Right Practice
Posture
Now I would like to talk about our Zazen posture. When you sit in the Full Lotus position, your left footpaw is on your right thigh and your right footpaw is on your left thigh. When we cross our legs like this, even though we have a right leg and a left leg, they have become one. This position expresses the oneness of duality: Not two, and not one. This is the most important teachi-/i
Taliaria nearly jumped out of her fur as a sharp knock from the door cut across her thoughts. She snapped the book shut quickly and called out.
"Yes?"
"Taliaria m'gel, you in there? I'd like to have a word."
The young captain froze at the sound of Major Calibrace's voice. She quickly looked around for some escape replying in the most level sounding voice she could muster up.
"Wait! Don't come in! Im um . . . Not dressed."
The major's voice sounded slightly surprised and amused.
"Not dressed? It's nearly teatime Captain. What's gotten into you?"
Taliaria passed her paws through her headfur quickly, and undid the top button of her tunic, making it look as if she had just woken up. She opened the door cautiously and tried to smile innocently at the Major.
"Just slept in late. Must have been tired sah."
The Major stepped through the door, his piercing eyes twinkling merrily.
"Well, there is a reason for the Salamandastron code m'gel. Being up after hours cuts into your sleeping time."
Taliaria looked sheepishly at the major hoping he wasn't going to start a lecture. She could just picture it 'Well Tali m'gel, what was all that about now eh?' He never said anything but those same old opening words.
The major smiled back.
"But im not here to talk about that. You are needed in the infirmary. and. . ."
Taliaria was so surprised that the major wasn't angry that she nearly bolted out the door cheering. But Calibrace stopped her. His eyes resting on the book lying half open on the bunk.
". . . Bring the book with you."
Early noon found Taliaria at the bed of Sabertace. Sunlight poured through the open windows, illuminating the spotless white sickbay with a yellow glow. Sabertace motioned for her to sit down on the edge of the bed. He looked in very poor condition, and Taliaria sat down gingerly, not wanting to disturb him. He smiled warmly at her, his eyes sparkling.
"I hear you were the one who found me on the shore line. Thank you."
Taliaria didn't really know what to say. Sabertace had been her fencing instructor for a few weeks before he left on the mission, and she had hated him. Always cheerful and full of energy, he had her fencing and training at the crack of dawn. Often they would spar waist-deep in the tide, and it drove Taliaria crazy. In her mind Sabertace was a young officer who had been corrupted by his evil older cousin Calibrace, and was bent on destroying his recruits through diabolical torture.
But now, he seemed different. He looked different, almost handsome.
iWait a sec! This is Sabertace we're talking about. Remember, evil! Evil!
Well, he doesn't seem so bad right now, does he. . .
Just you wait! When he gets better, he'll have me back, fencing in the surf again. And it will be torture all over!
I think your missing the point./i
"I - uh, your welcome sah, it was, not a problem."
Sabertace chuckled painfully, shifting slightly in the white sheets.
"I see you found my book. Did you read it?"
Taliaria looked down at the book in her lap. The seal was still open.
"Um, only the beginning."
"And you found my sword?"
Taliaria shook her head.
"No sah, I didn't see any sword at all, but we could go an-"
Sabertace's face fell. He shook his head sadly.
"Then it's gone. Thank you for finding my book, you can keep it for a few days if you like."
Taliaria stood up and placed the book on his night stand.
"I think ill leave it for you sah."
The hare captain left quickly to avoid the awkward pause she felt approaching, and stood outside the door for a second. When she had informed him about his sword, he looked so distraught. At that moment she wished that she could do anything to remove the look of sadness that was on his features.
Slowly she walked back towards her room, wondering what had gotten over her. She needed to go speak with Sun and Rath. Yes, Rath would clear her up and Sun, well, he would cheer her up. She picked up her pace and hurried into the male sector barracks. Room 666. Rathmall had to have that room. Why? Well that would forever remain a mystery. The noon light filtered through all the windows and doors, and shadows played about the walls, meeting each other while their owners merely walked by. Taliaria dodged around solders and officers, ducking under equipment that was being transported and sliding past supply trolleys. She arrived in the male barracks section, and hurried swiftly down the hall, avoiding the strange looks shot in her direction. With a thump Taliaria stopped against the door of bunk room 666, and she paused to regain her breath. Raising he paw she knocked heavily twice, and then waited, shifting her weight onto her left foot paw and placing her paw on the wall next to the door. No answer. The hare captain knocked again, still no answer. Moodily, she placed her paw on the handle and pushed forcefully. The door swung inward creakily and Taliaria stepped in. Paper was everywhere. Parchments littered the desk, sketches were scattered about the floor, the room looked as if it had been totally and utterly ransacked.
But, that's how it always looked.
The captain took a step backwards out of the room and started for the main halls, wondering where the two mischievous hares were.
______________________________________________________________________________
Sorry about the bad ending to that chapter but im seriously re-organizing and figuring out a few details to my plot, so this was all I could do for this chapter.
Thankee all who reviewed! :)