Another chapter!
Thank you to all my readers who gave input on Jo's parent's names.
Making the Cut
Chapter 15
Montenegro's Manor
"I guess I should have known he would ask about his origins eventually." Mr. Ping said. "Sure he believed me when he was young, but I knew he wouldn't go on believing he came from a goose egg forever."
Mr. Crevan nodded. "It's never really been an issue with Jo. Me and Kalida took him in when he was three. He's never really asked any questions."
Kaleb Crevan sat at the only occupied stool at the counter in Mr. Ping's Noodle Shop as the soup chef himself chopped vegetables on the cutting board. It was nearly 11 at night and the two had been talking for nearly an hour now. Ever since the second defeat of Tai Lung the two men had become friends brought together by each of their sons. He had treated both the Crevans to dinner several times already.
"Up until that point, neither had Po. He remembered a little bit about his home, but he was too young at the time to remember much. Do you think Jo remembers anything?"
"If he does, he's never said anything." Kaleb said. "Truth is we don't know anything about his background either. Both Kalida and I knew right away that we wanted to have a kid, but we weren't able to have a child of our own."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Kaleb." Mr. Ping said to his friend.
"Me and Kalida wanted a kid for so long, when Jo was brought to the Valley of Peace by the Foster home we jumped at it. He was so quiet at first, but eventually opened up. When we officially adopted him a few weeks later we ended up giving him his name. 'Jo' was the name of my father."
"I guess being adopted is just one of the things the two of them have to bond over. They seem insperable, those Dragon Warriors." As Mr. Ping by chance glanced behind Mr. Crevan he looked up in shock. "Has it been this empty for long?"
They both stared around the resaraunt space. It was completely empty now.
As he thought about it, Mr. Ping couldn't even remember taking an order the last 45 minutes. Who knew how long ago it was since there was even a customer.
Mr. Ping snickered. "I guess this is a sign I should start closing up shop."
Mr. Crevan rose from his seat. "I'll give you a hand." the fox said.
As Mr. Ping cleared away the last remaining bowls Kaleb set each of the chairs upside down on the tables they surrounded. Once the chairs were all up Mr. Ping began to sweep.
Kaleb said "By any chance has Jo been by recently?"
"I saw him pass by about 3 days ago. Why?"
Kaleb shrugged. "No reason I guess. It's probably just Kalida getting into my mind again. We saw him last week at his birthday and she's already worrying about having not heard from him."
Mr. Ping said "I guess Master Shifu is keeping them busy with training. Although... come to think of it, Po hasn't been around either. He usually stops by once or twice a weak. He actually wasn't even with Jo when I saw him. You think somethings wrong?"
"Now look whose worrying." Kaleb said grinning. "Both our sons have proven formidable in times of crisis. I think it's safe to say they could hold their own if they were thrown into trouble."
Mr. Ping eyed the fox. "You mean to tell me you don't worry."
"I never said that."
They both laughed heartily. After that the two were silent for a bit. Only the swishing of the broom filled the empty space, before Mr. Ping said "You said you gave Jo the name Jo."
"Yes." Mr. Crevan said.
"What was his name before?"
"Xanidor. He's never gone by the name though. When he found out we asked if he wanted to start being called Xanidor but he wasn't really sure about it at the time. Don't see any reason why he would now."
The dagger was back in its concealed sheath, where I hoped I wouldn't have to use it. As much as I hated to admit it, I did like using it. It held a sense of power. I wasn't sure if this was a good feeling though.
I placed my hand firmly where it was hidden trying to absorb the feeling security I got from it. I once again felt unwelcome at this school. Although they both held the same feeling of uncertainty it they didn't feel the exactly same. This was different than last time. I wasn't walking in to this place like I had with Keen Lee's school. I learned from that. I had a plan this time.
As I passed the weathered fence I began to decrease my distance from the school. I started to realize it wasn't so much a school. It was a home turned facility.
The largest building I knew must have been his manor where he resided, a 3 story stately-looking residence. Built onto the side of it was a training hall. The manor was probably built several decades ago by a wealthy land-owner and was renovated when ever Montenegro got possession of it.
The manor had a prominence to it that seemed to boast it's age in the afternoon sun, but a separate building which looked to be a dormitory by it's architecture of evenly spaced identical windows looked rather newer. Maybe a 4 or 5 years old.
As I walked closer to the manor I saw a crane that looked to be in his early 20's with black and deep purple feathers sitting with his legs crossed in the open lawn in front of one of the buildings. His eyes were comfortably closed and I knew he was meditating. I walked forward till I was just a few feet in front of him before I made myself known.
"Excuse me."
His eyes tightened in irritation at my sound before opening to coming to rest on me.
"State the nature of your emergency." he said plainly.
"Emergency?" I asked confused.
He stood up exhibiting his tall stature and I suddenly felt very small. "If my meditation was interrupted I'd assume the only reason you could have for doing that is that some one's life is in danger"
"Well no, I..."
"Wait a minute..." he said looking me over, "You're not a student here. What has brought you onto the grounds of this Manor."
I tried to stand solidly but I was sure my legs were shaking beneath me. "I came here to see Valko Montenegro."
"May I have your name?" he said.
"Xanidor" I said weakly.
"I am Quiang." he said dignifiedly
I asked "Are you a student of his?"
"I was." he continued with his proud firm voice. "I have since advanced from that stage. I am now Master Montenegro's second in command. anything you want to have the slightest chance at getting to him you have to take past me first. What, may I ask is your relation to Master Montenegro?"
I shrugged. "I've never met him before."
"Then why are you here?" he asked peeved.
I stood up as straight as I could. "I've come to ask to be enrolled into his training here."
He looked at me like I was crazy. "People don't just waltz off the road into this dojo and ask to be students. Master Montenegro isn't interested in handing out lessons to every adolescent who wants to learn kung fu. He doesn't train just anyone."
"Maybe I'm not just anyone." I answered unyielding.
"Leave. You're waisting your time." the crane said beginning to turn.
"With all respect" I said trying to keep my composure "I've come a long way to get here. If Montenegro won't take me I'd like to here that from himself."
He smiled, almost keenly. "As much you irk me in your presence, I can't help but admire the audacity you have in coming. Have you been trained at all in kung fu?"
"Yes" I said nodding.
"Well that may make a small difference. What is the status of your current training?"
I answered meekly "I have been trained in the kung fu styles of Leopard and Panda."
Quiang made a small pace while pondering. "Well, Leopard style is useful. It exhibits strength and cunningness. I've heard little of this so called 'Panda style.' What bits I have heard sound like rubbish. Then again it's good to have a variety of training. What else?"
'What else'? I started to quickly rack my brain for an answer.
"I'm adept in the use of shurikens."
Quiang rolled his eyes. "That's hardly a notable talent."
This guy too?
"I've mastered the 3 inch punch." I ventured. I was fearful telling him anything that wasn't true, knowing as a kung fu personnel, he would immediately want a demonstration.
Quiang considered it. "Better, I need to see you're fighting abilities." He stepped back straightening his posture. "Let me see what you got."
"Excuse me?"
"Hit me with your best shot."he said with a hint of taunting.
I stared at him for second wondering if I understood what he was asking.
Unable to take his taunting stare anymore, I went to strike him but before I could even breathe he blocked my attack with his large wing. I went for another and he blocked before I'd even begun moved. On the third try I faked him by moving one arm and using the other to grab the wing he went to block with. I had a brief feeling of success, but as soon as I had hold of his arm he lifted his arm up bringing me into the air. While I debated whether or not to let go he threw me to the ground. Out of habit I spun myself around in a low leg sweep knocking him to the ground with me. Almost instantaneously he jumped from his back onto his feet.
As I stood up he said "Your fighting knowledge is basic," putting deriding emphasis on on the last word. "But you're resourceful. He may be able to use you."
"Really." I said feeling somewhat excited.
"I'll speak with Master Montenegro. Follow me."
He turned and began walking toward the large house. Obeying orders, I followed. At a distance I saw a three teenagers I took to be students walking by. When they noticed a new acquaintance following Quiang they began to whisper.
Once we reached the raised patio of the manor he told me to wait outside.
As I sat on the porch I wondered what Quiang was saying about me. Our encounter seemed too quick to gain any significant information. I stared at my surrounding wondering where the Masters were being held. I could bolt right now. I could run and start searching for them, but I had no idea how long I would have to search for the Masters before he would be back. If he came back and I wasn't here, he would know something was up.
I depended on getting in here. It was the only way I could get a prolonged search for the masters. I was so close now. I couldn't screw it up when everything I needed was right here and all I needed was time.
Nearly 15 minutes later I was practically sweating with anticipation when Quiang reappeared.
"He'll take you." he said simply.
Almost instantly I asked "Why?"
"He likes challenges."
I couldn't believe it. I was in. My hard work was paying off. I was gonna be taught by Montenegro as his student. This was a dream come true.
What the hell am I thinking? Did I just get lost in the part I was playing?
Quiang lead me into the dormitory building. Once inside we came to a large room with several wooden bunk beds. Another group of students were sitting around the beds talking.
"Castello." Quiang called out to the crowd..
The crowd stopped talking. A binturong looked up out of the group and approached where Quiang and I stood.
Quiang said to the binturong known as Castello "I am appointing you to look after Montenegro's newest student, Xanidor here."
Castello acknowledged me and then nodded back at Quiang.
Quiang looked toward me now. "Castello will inform you on anything you need to know. Your bed will be the one on the end. I'll be back later." He then turned and walked out the dormitory.
As I turned back Castello was still looking at me. He looked to be my age or a year or two older. His body was covered in thick brown fur as was his long tail that stuck out of a hole in the back of his dark pants. His dark eyes were keen, not sharp or dull, but somehow looking into them I felt he expected me to say something. Will I ever be used to being thrown into situations where I had to talk to people? "So uh... you're Castello." I said
"Just call me Cash. Everyone else does." His voice was vague but I sensed traces of friendliness.
"Have you been here long, Cash?" I asked. I assumed he had to be here a decent amount of time if Quiang trusted him to show me around.
"I came here about 7 months ago." He replied. "I'm actually probably the newest here. Till you came that is."
"Is this all of you?" I asked eyeing the small group of people.
"There's still about 5 others out somewhere." He said. "Probably still training. You're not from around here are you?"
"No." I said
"I had a hunch." he said with a hidden grin.
I said "Let me guess, it's because I'm a badger."
"No," he said. "We had heard that you just walked in and asked to be a student here. They don't have many brave enough to do that."
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