The door swung open silently on it's hinges. It took Kel a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light in the room. "Ah here is my daughter now. Zaje, I would like you to meet my daughter, Keladry."
"Greetings" Kel said, bowing to the man Yamani-style, with palms flat on her thighs.
"Greetings and salutations young Mindelan. I have travelled a long distance to speak with you."
Kel could see from the smile on the man's handsome face that he was more than happy to see her.
Kel looked at the young-man before her. Zaje had long black hair that was tied up with a strip of leather. His skin was permanently tanned, indicating that he spent a lot of time outside and most probably travelling. He was over a head taller than Kel so she had to look up to meet his eyes. He wore black breeches and a white tope. A black cloak with sliver lining hung over a chair close by, which she assumed was his.
"You see Keladry, I am Zaje, the Shang Falcon and I have heard that you are a warrior at heart but you have no teacher. Well you see, I am a teacher and I currently have three other students under my wing but I am always looking for new students. I have come to see what you are made of"
"Me?" she gulped, surprise showing through her Yamani mask.
"Yes you" he replied trying to keep a smile from creeping onto his face at her surprise, "if that's alright with you of course. Shall we go out into the field and see how you go?"
With a reassuring smile from her parents Kel nodded and lead the Shang master to a empty field, as they walked outside a thought struck her.
"I thought I would be too old to learn. I head that you began training when you were six years old or so?"
"Many other Masters would not consider you becoming a student, it is true. But on the other hand, I myself began my training when I was 10 years old and I was able to become a master at the usual age of 18." Zaje's eyes began to cloud over slightly, "it doesn't feel like it has only been 4 years since I took the test."
Zaje's attention snapped back as they arrived at their destination.
Bowing to each other, the young man and girl slowly began to circle each other. Kel guessed he had chosen to test her in hand-to-hand combat because Shang warrior naturally fight without weapons, though she had no doubt that if they had used weapons he could of beaten her just as easily. These legendary warriors were known for there lightning speed, incredible accuracy and amazing strength, making them the best known warriors around.
Kel knew that she would not win a fight against a fully fledged Shang warrior but if she could survive for a little while, then she would hopefully be able to prove herself good enough to be his student. Zaje changed his stance and Kel knew that this was his warning that he planned to attack. Kel moved her head to the right just in time to miss his first punch. Kel began to block his onslaught of punches and kicks. As she blocked each move she tried to look for any sign or opening for when she could begin attacking.
Zaje, who used a different movement each time he attacked, suddenly aimed two blows with his right leg at Kel's mid section. Kel again realised that he had done this on purpose to give her the opportunity and insight that she needed. Kel began her own attack, sweat began to roll down her face and painfully into her eyes. Kel saw a smile slightly pull at the corners of Zaje's mouth. Realising she was doing well she decided to try and surprise the Falcon.
Grabbing the front of his tunic, Kel rolled him over her hip as the Yamani's had taught her when she was younger. Zaje seemed ready for this and rolled forward after he touched the ground, coming automatically into another fighting stance. Kel barely saw the leg that snaked out to hit her foot out from under her. Laying flat on her back, Kel began to try and catch her breath.
"Do you wish to learn the art of the Shang?" he asked, helping the young girl to her feet.
"Yes" she gasped.
"We leave to meet up with my other students the day after tomorrow," he said with a broad friendly grin and a pat on the back.
Authors Note: Thank you to those of you who have reviewed. In return, from now on, anyone who reviews my story will have the gesture returned. I don't usually review work but if you can take the time to review mine, I feel that it is only fair that I review yours.
A clearer picture is beginning to form in my mind but I can not give too much away. I know that others have done stories like these, where Kel becomes a Shang but please continue reading, I promise it will be different from others. I know that the genre says 'Romance' and a main part of it is, but it may take a while to get into that part properly.
I'm trying to get all the details right so if I accidentally make a mistake, please let me know. By the way, how do you all like Zaje? Sorry I had to introduce my own character but it would not of worked out properly later if I had used a Shang warrior that has been mentioned in the past. Well everyone R&R, it makes me update sooner.
HOPE YOU LIKED IT. REVIEW PLEASE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE IN THE PAST, I WANT TO HEAR EVERYONE'S VIEWS!!!
"Greetings" Kel said, bowing to the man Yamani-style, with palms flat on her thighs.
"Greetings and salutations young Mindelan. I have travelled a long distance to speak with you."
Kel could see from the smile on the man's handsome face that he was more than happy to see her.
Kel looked at the young-man before her. Zaje had long black hair that was tied up with a strip of leather. His skin was permanently tanned, indicating that he spent a lot of time outside and most probably travelling. He was over a head taller than Kel so she had to look up to meet his eyes. He wore black breeches and a white tope. A black cloak with sliver lining hung over a chair close by, which she assumed was his.
"You see Keladry, I am Zaje, the Shang Falcon and I have heard that you are a warrior at heart but you have no teacher. Well you see, I am a teacher and I currently have three other students under my wing but I am always looking for new students. I have come to see what you are made of"
"Me?" she gulped, surprise showing through her Yamani mask.
"Yes you" he replied trying to keep a smile from creeping onto his face at her surprise, "if that's alright with you of course. Shall we go out into the field and see how you go?"
With a reassuring smile from her parents Kel nodded and lead the Shang master to a empty field, as they walked outside a thought struck her.
"I thought I would be too old to learn. I head that you began training when you were six years old or so?"
"Many other Masters would not consider you becoming a student, it is true. But on the other hand, I myself began my training when I was 10 years old and I was able to become a master at the usual age of 18." Zaje's eyes began to cloud over slightly, "it doesn't feel like it has only been 4 years since I took the test."
Zaje's attention snapped back as they arrived at their destination.
Bowing to each other, the young man and girl slowly began to circle each other. Kel guessed he had chosen to test her in hand-to-hand combat because Shang warrior naturally fight without weapons, though she had no doubt that if they had used weapons he could of beaten her just as easily. These legendary warriors were known for there lightning speed, incredible accuracy and amazing strength, making them the best known warriors around.
Kel knew that she would not win a fight against a fully fledged Shang warrior but if she could survive for a little while, then she would hopefully be able to prove herself good enough to be his student. Zaje changed his stance and Kel knew that this was his warning that he planned to attack. Kel moved her head to the right just in time to miss his first punch. Kel began to block his onslaught of punches and kicks. As she blocked each move she tried to look for any sign or opening for when she could begin attacking.
Zaje, who used a different movement each time he attacked, suddenly aimed two blows with his right leg at Kel's mid section. Kel again realised that he had done this on purpose to give her the opportunity and insight that she needed. Kel began her own attack, sweat began to roll down her face and painfully into her eyes. Kel saw a smile slightly pull at the corners of Zaje's mouth. Realising she was doing well she decided to try and surprise the Falcon.
Grabbing the front of his tunic, Kel rolled him over her hip as the Yamani's had taught her when she was younger. Zaje seemed ready for this and rolled forward after he touched the ground, coming automatically into another fighting stance. Kel barely saw the leg that snaked out to hit her foot out from under her. Laying flat on her back, Kel began to try and catch her breath.
"Do you wish to learn the art of the Shang?" he asked, helping the young girl to her feet.
"Yes" she gasped.
"We leave to meet up with my other students the day after tomorrow," he said with a broad friendly grin and a pat on the back.
Authors Note: Thank you to those of you who have reviewed. In return, from now on, anyone who reviews my story will have the gesture returned. I don't usually review work but if you can take the time to review mine, I feel that it is only fair that I review yours.
A clearer picture is beginning to form in my mind but I can not give too much away. I know that others have done stories like these, where Kel becomes a Shang but please continue reading, I promise it will be different from others. I know that the genre says 'Romance' and a main part of it is, but it may take a while to get into that part properly.
I'm trying to get all the details right so if I accidentally make a mistake, please let me know. By the way, how do you all like Zaje? Sorry I had to introduce my own character but it would not of worked out properly later if I had used a Shang warrior that has been mentioned in the past. Well everyone R&R, it makes me update sooner.
HOPE YOU LIKED IT. REVIEW PLEASE, EVEN IF YOU HAVE IN THE PAST, I WANT TO HEAR EVERYONE'S VIEWS!!!