you know the spiel don't own anything yada yada
Chapter 4
There are seven pairs fighting with swords of different lengths a man about fifty dressed in grey leathers walking around watching everything. A look of horror comes over my face and in a louder voice than I intended I blurt out, He's still a trainee? Everyone stops, some fighting to keep a smile off their faces, others covering their mouths. Terry and Char have a look of horror as if just standing near me will paint them with the same brush.
I don't believe I said anything about stopping the grey clad man said in a low voice and seven pairs jump right back at it with a fever. Terry is cringing as he heads our way. Who have you brought today trainees?
Terry and Char are almost standing at attention, newly chosen Raven arms master Barth.
To answer your question young Raven it is a long standing tradition that the arm masters wear grey leathers unless the king tells me otherwise.
Oh, I look at him like a small scared rabbit I have always shown the proper respect to all my marcel arts teachers. At the age of twelve I had a black belt in ty-kow-do and in judo. I was also trained in hand to hand as a range with knife work but nothing close to the long weapons that these people danced with. Before I think about it my right hand forms a fist and moves to my left hand perpendicular to my body in the center of my chest and I bow at the waist. Forgive me Master flows out of my mouth before I even think and I stay in the position until he speaks.
A frown on his face he has only seen this once from an eastern hand to hand expert fighter. Where are you from Raven?
Herald Del found me, deep in Sorrows, that's all I know Master. I figure in for a pound in for a penny and bow again. Everyone is listening to our exchange. His eyes get a faraway look and I can feel his mind reach out Terry bumps my shoulder and shakes her head no. Even I can figure out this one and pull my thoughts back.
He looks at me with a big smile like a cat starring at a goldfish in a bowl. I'm to start you on your physical therapy he looks at my two friends as if to say (you are still here?) they both start to warm up and head over to get there practice swords. He reaches down and picks me up like the trapped rabbit I feel like and lays me on a matt. He gets down and shows me leg and arm exercises and tells me to do two reps of ten for each limb then he will be back when I finish that.
I kept at it until sweat was pouring out of me I had tears in my eyes but I didn't stop I once fought with a broken arm in Afghanistan.
Master Barth tells us all to stop and I lie like a puddle. He points to me and saying, look at her, if you had half the drive she has at eight years old I would not have to beat on you all the time. Good job Raven I expect great things from you. He bends and plucks me off the floor places me in the wheel chair. We will have you walking before you know it.
I bow again, thank you for the instruction master and look up and smile.
A grin crakes his face and is gone like magic before anyone but I see it. He turns to Terry, make sure she gets a good soak before bringing her back to the healers.
They have a special bath at healers and Terry got permission for Char and her to help me. They had a lift that I scooted on that was like a boom picking me up and lowering me down in the water. It felt like heaven.
They had both been real quite all the way back but Char couldn't stand it and blurted out, what in the lower seven circles was that.
Looking at them in confusion I ask, what?
That hand thing and the bowing Terry waves her hand all of it?
I think I might have had some training Master Barth seemed to know what it meant.
What did it mean Char asked as she handed me the soap.
I show them the gesture; it means I fight with an open hand no weapons.
Well the Bear likes you.
I look at them with a frown who's the Bear?
The arms master Char tells me with a laugh.
I look very seriously at both of them you never disrespect your master on or off the matts.
The color drains from Char's face. I was just having a little fun everyone calls him that.
From somewhere deep inside me a voice spoke to the two girls. Some day and I hope it's a long time away you are going to find yourself in a fight that you might not survive he knows this that is why he is so hard on you. Next time you want to stop or laydown in practice just remember that. You work to you pass out, nothing less than 100% maybe then he can stop yelling at you.
Val was waiting for me when the girls dropped me off he was radiating pride. Good job Ra.
I duck my head and put my hand on his neck. They needed to hear that I hope it does not cost me their friendship.
Char went to see Ross and Terry is talking with Star it will all work out you did good.
I feel a knocking on my door. Ready for us?
By the tone I know it is Patty, Anything to get me up and moving. The door swings open and three healers step in there is discomfort when they heal me. Patty told me it was because of my shields. I give Patty a mental knock no pain no gain and laugh. I'm almost sobbing as I sent that, Patty smiles at me and we keep going.
You rest she tells me as she leaves a few more days of this and with the workouts and you may walk out of here.
I crash that took a lot out of me the next thing I know Kyle is in the room. You had a bizzy day today. Barth likes you I didn't think he liked anyone.
Show respect to get respect Kyle.
A look crosses his face, I let too much out and now he knows. You are more than you seem Raven.
I shrug, maybe the gods truly love me.
Then he did a strange thing and I felt surrounded by something. What do you remember of your life on the farm?
The pressure built and words were forced out of me. Six glowing figures standing around me and then Del riding like the wind straight for me.
Who were the glowing figures? He was watching me with mage sight as he asked these questions all of a sudden the spell winked out he could tell it wasn't me or Val. He tried three more times he could put the spell on me and ask anything else but when he asked that one the spell would implode.
Kyle sat in the circle the highest ranking heralds are only allowed here. I've never seen the like. I was tapping the node to fuel the spell. Whatever she is hiding we are never going to know. I don't think we could generate enough power with ever mage we had to bypass that protection.
Holt got "the look" Rollin told me that the companions can't breach it either. That is why she was chosen so young he even had her companion chose two years early.
The lord marshal Pell pounds the table. I don't like it. She is eight years old for gods sake.
Sharece looks at them with a scowl. The oldest among them elected by all the field heralds stands up and the murmurs stop. You have something to say Stephon?
If you cannot trust your selves or the other people on the counsel, trust that the companions always chose right.
Not always Pell looks at his mentor.
Until Vallary says otherwise she is pure of hart maybe the gods poured in a little something special. All to the good I say. We will know her thru and thru before she gets her whites. Let Flamedancer know his favor is due in a few years.
It's been a few weeks and I'm finally vertical. Master Barth has me running around the sally. He keeps a close eye on me after the first day he knows I will pass out before he tells me to stop. Val is always in the back of my head now Terry tells me that usually happen in the fourth year. I'm something of a freak already. After their meeting they started me in class one on one with the instructors. Word of some of the things I can do have gotten around some of the teachers are amazed with how fast I pick up things. I can read and write now. I find my mind clearing when I run. It's a good time to process what I have learned. My new body moves with grace and my mind remembers everything I hear or see or read quite the improvement over my old brain. Master Barth waves me in I have only done four laps. I did thirty yesterday. More students have arrived from break and there are ten boys and girls between fourteen and sixteen standing around the matt waiting for Master Barth to bring me over.
Steve get in there Master Barth barks out. He turns and looks at me. Short of causing permeant harm do whatever it takes to win. I stop at the edge of the matt and remove my boots and socks. Why did you do that?
I look at Master Barth, it is a sign of respect not to damage the face of the matt it breaks your falls.
Would you stop in a true fight?
No Master but this is training and one should always protect her equipment.
You don't feel at a disadvantage with Steve wearing boots?
No. I turn and put my hands to my side and bow deeply to Master Barth then spin around bow to the matt. Then to Steve however my eyes never leave his.
ATTACK master Barth yells I do a hand stand into a kick in Steve's chest knocking him down my body rides his to the ground and I come to a stop with his arm in a joint lock. It was over before he finished saying attack. I go through two more opponents then Master Barth calls out Kile I watch him move as he steps on the matt he has had some special training. He takes a strange stance almost like Khufu I have been using a lot of judo up to this point. I crick my neck one side then the other and bow to Kile letting him know I am ready. Master Barth was quite sure I would never lay a hand on Kile. Kile had payed close attention on how I was moving but he was no fool he never assumed that was all I could do. Instead of grappling or forcing a throw I struck spinning to the right and hitting the inside knee. Kile rolled out and sent a jab to my head but I had fallen into a rear summersault and stood back up. We looked across the matt and then the match really started. I took some hits but I was giving as good as I got then I saw my opening and delivered a spinning front kick to his head as I landed in a crouch I heard his body hit the matt and then complete silence. I turn and bow to Kile then turn and bow to Master Barth and then went to my kneels. Master Barth checks Kile and seeing he had just been knocked out told two of his year mates to help him to healers. He dismissed the rest of the class then motioned for me to follow him to his office. I stopped stepped off the matt turned and bowed picked up my shoes and followed my new sansei.
How would you rate Kile as a fighter?
Fair, if I was bigger or stronger it would have been over much quicker.
Barth smile, Really what would you say if I told you he is one of the best trainee in hand to hand, studied with the iron monks for three years before being chosen. He is still taking lesson at the temple once a week.
I would say he lacks challenge his first strikes were sloppy over confident.
We are going to have so much fun you and I. Barth was smiling from ear to ear.
How would you like to help me out for the next hour or so?
I answer in Japanese HAI SANSEI. He looks at me strange what does that mean. Hai means yes sir. Sansei means Teacher/master/elder. It is a high form of respect. I don't know how but I remember only two other people I have ever called that. It is also a form of endearment between a student and a teacher.
He smiles, then I give you leave to use it. I give him the biggest smile so far in my new life Thank you Sansei.
We walk in and there is a group of heralds here to work. The one by the rack at the door you see him? He is the best fighter in the circle. You think you could throw him?
He stands six feet tall and must weigh 190, all solid mussels. I go through my mind the throw I would have to perform. If I take him unaware, if he was trying to restrain me, then yes I could do it.
Barth leans down and whispers. No bowing, this is a sneak attack.
Yes sansei.
Zake a little help hear please he yells across the room. Barth walks me to the center of the matt. A tinny trainee, he looks at Zake please restrain her and walks off the matt.
I act like a scared child and move away from him giving him my back. He reaches around me to grab my arm. That is all I need. I grab his wrist step back into his legs, roll my shoulder to the matt. Physics take over where the head goes the body must follow. He is so surprised that before he can act I have him in a wrist lock. You don't have to be strong, six or seven pounds of force is all you need. Most people thrash about casing damage to them self when in this hold. That is why I did not use it before; Zake did not move a mussel.
Has the little eight year old beaten you Zake? Barth's words are very condescending he looks on with the same smile he wore in his office. Have I not told you time and again that every opponent can be deadly?
Yes Master Barth. Could you please ask your trainee to release me?
Raven, he barks out one word, its part of the lesson.
Yes SANSEI. I let him go while doing two back hands stands to put distance between us and then bow to Zake. To add insult to injury I do the fist and palm while bowing. Zake's eyes widen. When he sees that he returns the bow with a hand cupping the fist.
News travels fast trainees can hardly believe I put Zake on the matt. Kile hears and feels so much better. He is only a side note to the stories flying around. Thank gods it was Heralds only and no bards in the sally it is a thing which Zake is eternally grateful for.
Terry and Char track me down in the baths with a group of girls following, the most I have ever seen in a room built for ten. Out Ra and get dressed everyone wishes to hear about your fight with Zake.
One girl in the back yells out, not a word till the hall the boys wish to hear it first hand to. I frown at them but Terry and Char just smile and make a motion to get up.
I dried off and got dressed and it was straight to the hall it was packed with trainees and Heralds they put me up on a table and waited you could hear a pin drop. Two heralds slipped in the back to hear what I would say. The first thing that any sansei that is any good will teach any student is you to never gloat. After my class Sansei asked me to help him to teach another student.
What is Sansei someone yells out of the crowd?
When the teacher allows the student to address him as sansei it is a great honor to the student. One must never use this form of address unless the teacher allows it. Sansei then told me that Zake had become compliant and asked if I could throw him like I did earlier with Tom. After pointing him out and letting me assess him. I told Sansei how we could set him up by having him restrain me. It put me inside his guard. Once he reached for my wrist it was all over. A simple throw then a wrist lock. Something I would not normally use because most people try to get out of it and harm them self. Sansei told me he was the best so I was sure he would not struggle. He didn't move a mussel a real pro. They were all looking for a story that would make Zake look bad. I basically told them we ambushed him. Set him up to fail, for training, it was perfectly executed. People mulled around and the two that stole in at the last, quickly left when I finished.
I had dinner and headed back to my room. That was gracefully done thank you. Zake comes out of the doorway of one of the class rooms.
It was the truth and any chance to learn should be taken.
I'm glad you feel that way Raven there have been a few request to see your stile of fighting demonstrated. The captain of the guard the iron monks and yours truly would like to see. Your teacher asked me to tell you to report tomorrow at ten.
Then I best get to sleep. I like to run first thing.
Run where, what for?
It helps me think, loosens me up. As to where sometimes it's around the sally other times around the outside of the palace. I'm going to have Val ask his father if it's ok to run in the field.
What time do you run?
Mostly at dawn you can get a lot done when everyone is asleep.
Mind if I tag along?
I smile at him, sure but I won't slow my pace.
He looks at my height. I think I can keep up.
I may not look like much but this body was made to run. I had been doing between eight and nine miles every morning for the last week plus however much Sansei asked me to do. Around mile seven Zake dropped out and walked over to the sally. I finished my ten a new personal high and did a few stretches.
I can't believe an eight year old ran me into the ground.
You give up to easily you have to push past the pain, the only way to find your limit is to reach it.
What's yours?
Until I am full grown it will keep changing. I have to run I got to eat they still have me washing dishes after breakfast. I would like to try something new but they think I'm too small. I shrug my shoulders and give him a smile see you in three and one half marks.
Barth leads me into the sally. All set Ra, everybody heard Terry and Char call me that and it stuck. I just smiled it was ok by me. Who will be hear sansei? Like Zake told you about ten monks eight guards Zake, Kile, and me of course.
No one else from the circle?
Well they may drop in don't let it bother you.
Every time they watch me I have to change classes.
I will make sure to work into your open time ok sweetie?
We get inside and it's just like he said. After a brief introduction the holy father of the temple which happens to be a branch that worships the sun god steps up and bows. Both hands in his sleeves I return the bow with an open hand and the priests get excited. He looks over at Barth. We had a visitation last night, and a message.
What did the fire god have to say?
Stop looking a gift horse in the mouth. He smiles at me, in other words leave the girl alone.
Sharece looks at him. About time someone talked some sense.
That said we would still like to see the moves you know and anything you can tell us about your training.
Bits and pieces father, I told Sansei that I had two other that had earned the name.
May we see your Kata's?
Standing in the center of the room I move through all the moves I had been schooled in. Then moved into all the mixed martial arts I had picked up. Finally finishing with everything I was tot in ranger training.
Is that all, the guard captain ask?
No sir I will need a partner to demonstrate throws and body locks.
Sansei barks out Kile.
My fellow trainee steps into the center; I whisper to him, you have had instruction in falling? He nods his head. I turn with my back to Kile this is called a hip through.
Two hours later and a bruised and sore Kile picks himself off the floor for the last time I give him a very deep bow saying clearly Arigatogozaimashita(thank you) and stay bent over till he returns the bow.
The high priest nods his head you have been schooled by some other monks. Some of the moves you know we do not teach to any but brothers of the highest order. Others we have never seen. We would like you to work with a few brothers on a few joint locks.
I bow to the father they are simple to learn the trick is holding them without casing permeant damage you can lame without meaning to. In true combat the breaking of these joints causes such distress that most will black out allowing you to finish your opponent. Someone who is familiar with the holds has been known to ignore the pain and continue the fight.
The father smile, much like our brothers we teach them to reach beyond the here and now allowing the pain to have no hold.