Post by niels1975 on Mar 22, 2021 17:16:35 GMT
Chapter 1 – Maeko’s way
The Ten Dragons Monastery was nothing like the religious institutions most people know. It had nothing to do with any God or faith. It was the place where the Dragonmonks trained themselves in the art of unarmed combat, and the ways of the spirit. Religious people seek salvation through their faith in their deity. The monks of The Ten Dragons Monastery seek enlightenment by focusing the flow of their spiritual and physical powers, rising above their own earthly form, becoming an example of self-control and spiritual focus. They strive to become masters in the Way of the Manyfists, which can only be achieved by absolute control of the mind over the body, allowing the energy of their spirit to echo in their every movement.
The man opened the door to the stone shed outside the monastery. Inside a torch was lit, but immediately snuffed out by a powerful gust of wind. In the darkness the man felt his way around the shed, until he touched what felt like a table. He placed the basket he so carefully had kept dry on the table. He placed a leather scroll case next to the basket, then stepped outside the shed closing the door behind him. He looked up at the great gate. Another lightning bolt revealed ten dragonheads decorating the top of the gate. The stranger’s mind tricked him into thinking they were all staring at him, he shuddered and quickly walked back to the mountain trail he had come from. He tried to comfort himself, “it is for the better, this way we can at least go on with our lives. The monks will know what to do.” He turned the corner and disappeared into the dark stormy night.
The monks, as always, were up early. They were called Dragonmonks by the people of the Emerald Reach, though they simply called each other brother and sister. Brother Sugnar, spiritual leader of The Ten Dragons Monastery, stepped outside onto the still wet pavement, followed by several of his apprentices. Without Brother Sugnar having to ask, they started warming up for their early morning training. Brother Sugnar walked around the monastery grounds inspecting the damage from last night’s storm. He checked the palisades and gate for damage, when he suddenly became aware of a sound seldomly heard in the monastery. “The sound of a crying child, a baby”, he concluded. He opened the gate as his well-trained hearing had already pinpointed the sound’s location, the shed. He opened the door and walked over to the basket from which the sound was coming. He carefully looked inside. “By the Dragonfists what have we here”, he shouted. He looked again at the crying child, then carefully lifted the baby from the basket amazed at the child‘s yellowish skin. “How did you get here?”, he whispered to the child while gently rocking it in his arm. He hummed a monotone sound that Dragonmonks learned early on their way to enlightenment to blank their minds and fully focus on their training. The child stopped crying, much to the satisfaction of Brother Sugnar.
His eyes caught the scroll case, which he took with him back inside the monastery together with the child. The monks saw Brother Sugnar carrying a baby, but did not let that distract them, they continued their training with unwavering focus. Brother Sugnar entered the chapel and took the child to his private quarters. He asked Brother Kalerac to take over the training so he could attend to the child. He placed the child on his bed and opened the scroll case. He quickly read the parchment than put it back in the case. “So you are Maeko, that is all I need to know.” He quickly put the scroll case into one of his cabinet’s drawers, and returned to Maeko. He lifted Maeko in the air and checked if she was in any way hurt. “She can‘t be more than three months old”, he mumbled to himself. He held her against his shoulder and whispered, “Fear not little one, I will take care of you and raise you as my own.” He smiled, “and train you to be the best Dragonmonk you can become. And maybe someday even a Monk of the Manyfists.” He looked at the tiny hands and feet of little Maeko. “You are now officially the youngest sister of the Dragonmonks, Sister Maeko.”
Maeko was placed in the center of the triangle wrapped in pure white linen.
The Dragonmonks stood in a wide circle around her, all dressed in their formal attire. Long regal blue robes with golden hemlines, the back embroidered in color with the same image as the mosaic. The only thing distinguishable was the color of their belt indicating their advancement in The Way of the Manyfists. Brother Sugnar stepped forward, making sure not to touch or cross the red dragon mosaic. “Brothers and Sisters, tonight we welcome to our order a child, left by her parents at the doorstep of our sanctuary. This child only carried with her the name Maeko. She is blessed under the presence of the watchful eye of our ancestors.” Brother Sugnar gestured at the ten statues. “We will all raise her with discipline, so that she may one day learn truth, and through that pass judgement.” Brother Sugnar stepped back into the circle of monks. “We welcome you Sister Maeko.” The monks repeated in unison, “We welcome you Sister Maeko”, their voices resonating in the great hall.
Maeko grew up in the loving care of all her Brothers and Sisters, whom she all regarded as her parents. Even at the young age of four she already took an interest in her brothers and sisters fighting techniques. She tried to imitate them which was very funny to look at, but never met with laughter, only respect. She was fearless in her attempts to copy their every move, which didn‘t always end well.
She tried to copy Sister Niru’s backflip without arms once, which worked fine hadn’t it been for Brother Kalerac who was just passing behind her carrying a bucket of practice shuriken. She kicked the bucket from his hands sending the razor sharp weapons flying off in all directions. One of the shuriken got stuck in her leg, and another in Brother Kalerac’s head. It hurt but they both had a good laugh about it afterwards. The scar on her leg would remind her of the incident for the rest of her life, as would the scar on Brother Kalerac’s head. Sister Niru decided shuriken kicking should be explored as a new fighting technique.
She had started training in the arts of unarmed combat from the age of four and learned very rapidly, conquering a special place in each of the Dragonmonks hearts. but she was most fond of brother Kalerac, who taught her how to read and write. The extensive library, in the monastery‘s basement, was the only window she had on the outside world. She spend most of her spare time there, reading about the Emerald Reach and its history. At the age of ten, there was one story in particular she adored. It was a story of a brave little girl, who was lost in the caves of the knife edge mountains.
The girl’s was named Tinnely and she liked to go on long walks across the countryside. She liked the outdoors, and despite her father’s warnings strayed far from the safety of her village. One day she absent mindedly wandered too far and found herself on the eastern part of the contested areas, a place where dangerous Orcs roamed. The Orcs had spotted her and she fled into a nearby cave, hiding from the Orcs between piles of rocks. The Orcs that followed were slain by sinister looking huge cave spiders that blocked Tinnely’s way back out of the cave. She was stuck in a dead end and didn‘t dare leave her hiding place. She didn‘t despair though, instead she kept herself alive by collecting moisture dripping from the caves walls and eating moss and insects, until finally, after eight days, she was rescued by a group of adventurers her father had sent to find her.
Whenever any of the Dragonmonks explained to Maeko what discipline was, she thought of Tinnely, and what she did to survive. She learned that discipline was the first virtue of the monks and that through discipline one could find truth. At the age of ten she did not yet fully comprehend the meaning of truth. She did learn that to Brother Sugnar truth was something very important, so she took the first virtue to heart and trained her discipline to point where even some of the older monks could not match her self-control.
Maeko was practicing a technique called The Dancing Fist, which originated from the monasteries founder named Kilana, one of the two female Dragonfists. She was especially keen on learning this technique because she really enjoyed the fine balance between flexibility and strength required to perform a Dancing Fist.
The merchant’s son, who was about the same age as Maeko, sat down leaning against the side wall of the monastery observing Maeko. He had noticed how all the Dragonmonks were dressed exactly the same, simple and uniform. A tight brown cloth wrapped around their torso knotted in the back of their neck, covering only their chest and shoulder blades, and long ash grey wide trousers that allowed complete freedom of movement. She paid no attention to him, trying to concentrate on the intricate movements required to prepare for the special attack. She swung her torso in circles while stepping back and forth, giving a would be opponent the false impression of her losing her balance. Then suddenly she made a step forward while her torso was bending backwards and her arms behind her, making a tension arc of her entire body. She moved her torso forwards followed by her arms and hands in a whip like motion. She exhaled shouting “Tsaaa” as her fists flashed forward in a double punch so fast, the trained eye could see the air in front of them compress. She exhaled and relaxed her muscles. While rearranging her long straight black hair that had escaped the grip of her hairband, she looked at the boy with her deep brown eyes.
The merchant’s son stood up and started clapping. “Wow, that was awesome!”, he shouted. Maeko didn’t know where to look, she wasn’t used to this kind of praise. The merchant‘s son walked towards her while holding out his hand. “I am Jarod”, he said. Maeko hesitated for a second, than remembered that shaking hands was the way for normal people to make their acquaintance. She took his hand and quite brusquely shook it. “I am Sister Maeko”, she paused for a moment, “nice to meet you.” “Likewise”, Jarod answered. “I don‘t have a sister, I have a little brother though.” Maeko looked confused. “Are you a monk too?”, she asked. Jarod laughed, “I am definitely not. I mean I have a real brother, you know, my mother and father made him, just like your parents made you.” Maeko giggled, “The monks are my brothers and sisters. I don’t have parents.” Jarod looked surprised. “Of course you do, we all have parents. You are joking right?” Maeko looked at the ground thinking about what Jarod said. “I don’t know my parents, I’m a foundling. I have been here ever since I was a baby.” Jarod looked at her with pity, “I’m sorry to hear that. Don’t you want to know who your parents are? I would want to know I think, if I was you.” Maeko considered his words carefully. She had never thought about that until now. She was about to reply when Brother Sugnar approached the two of them. He greeted Maeko with the formal greeting, making a wide circle with his hands while stepping forward, then smashing his fist in his palm and nodding briefly. Maeko did the same while Jarod observed them with open mouth.
Brother Sugnar looked at Jarod who still stood next to them flabbergasted by this strange way of greeting each other. “Are you hungry or are you imitating a cave entrance?”, Brother Sugnar asked Jarod while pointing at his own mouth. Jarod shook his head and laughed apologetically. “Just pulling your leg boy, it is your first time here right?” Jarod nodded. “Do you like what you see?”, Brother Sugnar informed. “I do sir… brother… mister….” “Sir is fine”, Brother Sugnar said. “I’m glad you do, because you will be staying here for a while. Your father does not want to risk taking you to the mountain dwarf town, so he arranged for you to stay with us until he returns. Is that ok?” Jarod looked at Maeko, who smiled at him while nodding. “Yes sir, that is fine.” “I see you have already met Maeko. That is good, I’m sure you will have fun together. You can tell Maeko about yourself and life outside the monastery, and Maeko can probably give you some lessons in discipline.” Jarod smiled at Brother Sugnar then looked at Maeko questioningly. “I will Brother Sugnar”, Maeko replied.
Jarod’s father had arranged an escort by the Dragonmonks to the mountain dwarf town. A dangerous journey across the vanguard marsh and along the edges of Mount Drassa, home to giants. The real danger however, were the stealthy mountain lions, who considered travelling merchants a fine meal. The journey would take at least three days, so Jarod would be in the monastery for at least a week. Brother Sugnar would join the merchant along with three of Maeko’s brothers and sisters. They would leave at dawn, because it was already near dinner time and spending a night in the marches was nothing short of suicide. Maeko couldn’t sleep that night, her mind was contemplating Jarod’s words about her parents and she was too excited about this unexpected visitor.
The following morning Maeko woke Jarod who was obviously not used to getting out of bed at first light. His father had just left together with his bodyguards, and Maeko was eager to show Jarod around the monastery. She impatiently sat at the kitchen waiting for Jarod to join her. Finally Jarod sat down with her. “Good morning Jarod. Did you sleep well?” Jarod yawned while stretching his arms and back, “I did.” He looked at his breakfast. A finely balanced mixture of oats, milk, raw egg white and broccoli. Maeko had already started eating, while Jarod observed her wondering how she managed to not twitch a muscle in her face with disgust. Maeko looked up at him, “Eat, you will need it”, she simply stated. Jarod didn’t want to be rude and starting spooning up the somewhat slimy mixture. He strained not to gag, and managed to empty his plate.
Sister Niru walked in and formally greeted Maeko, as was custom to any brother of sister the first time they met each day. Maeko sprung from her seat and returned the greeting. “A new friend?”, Sister Niru inquired. Maeko thought about this for a few seconds, then decided Jarod was a new friend. “Yes”, she replied, “this is Jarod. I was about to teach him our formal greeting.” Sister Niru bowed to Jarod who felt rather uneasy about this. He clumsily stood up and bowed. Sister Niru looked at Maeko, “How is your Dancing Fist going? I heard you were practicing it.” “Pretty well, though I am not satisfied yet. I still can’t get my mental energy to flow from my hands into the air.” Sister Niru put her hand on Maeko‘s shoulder. “Yes you can, you just haven’t done it yet.” Maeko smiled as Sister Niru cleaned her bowl and spoon. She knew Sister Niru was right, and felt strengthened in her own skills.
Maeko and Jarod walked outside to a small patch of grass behind the monastery. “Let’s start with a little warm up before getting to theformal greeting. It is important to stretch and warm your muscles to prevent injury.” Jarod looked in awe at Maeko. “What is it? Why are you looking so funny at me?” Jarod shook his head. “You sound like a grown up. It’s weird.” Maeko shrugged, “It’s what I have learned. I can‘t help it.” Jarod smiled friendly at Maeko and followed her instructions for warming up. After just five minutes Jarod was panting heavily and sweating like an ox. Maeko was still bouncing around like a tireless young deer. “I think I am pretty warm now”, Jarod stated. Maeko did a somersault just to tease him.
Jarod turned out to be a good listener and quite flexible, but still he struggled to perform the intricate movement that formed the formal greeting. Maeko kept telling him not to give up, and that only practice makes perfect. Jarod smiled at her and her grown up talks, but persevered until finally he got it right. They practiced for a while, until Maeko was satisfied with his achievement. “Well done Jarod, now you are ready for your tour of the monastery.” Jarod stood straight up, chest forward and looked at Maeko with gratitude, he felt very proud of himself.
Maeko showed him around the monastery, and introduced him to some of her brothers and sisters. While they walked past several training areas, the obstacle course, the bathhouse and around the monastery itself Maeko explained what it means to be a Dragonmonk. She taught their motto to Jarod repeating it several times so he would learn it by heart as she had. “Through discipline you will find truth, through truth you will find justice, through justice you will find discipline, that is our road to enlightenment. That is how we become a Monk of the Manyfists.” Jarod listened carefully and took to heart every word she said, though there were several things he just didn’t understand.
The tour ended in front of the entrance to the great hall. “What’s in there”, Jarod asked. “That is the great hall, where we gather to honor the founders of The Ten Dragons Monastery, the creators of the Way of the Manyfists.” Jarod scratched his head, “Can I see” he asked, his eyes begging for a yes. Maeko’s answer was straightforward, and left no room for arguing. “You may not, only Dragonmonks may enter the great hall. It is what you would call a holy place to us. I’m sorry.” Jarod laughed, “Don’t be sorry, I understand I think.” Maeko thanked Jarod, “shall we go to the library in the basement? It’s nice and warm there with comfortable seats, you can tell me about your life. And tell me about parents again.” Jarod rubbed his belly, “An excellent idea, any chance of some lunch? All this practicing made me hungry.” They grabbed something to eat from the kitchen and walked down the winding granite staircase leading to the library.
The collection of books, scrolls and scriptures was extensive, though the library just like the rest of the monastery looked sober and simple. It was a large square room with four enormous bookcases along each of its walls. A torch burned in each corner of the room, and in its center an open fireplace with four comfortable leather armchairs. The wooden floor creaked as they walked to the fireplace and sat down. Maeko pulled her legs up and folded them under herself to get as comfortable as possible, then looked at Jarod. His lightly tanned face and green eyes gleamed in the light of the fireplace, and his tousled hair intrigued Maeko. She was genuinely curious about Jarod’s life, and more so in talking about parents.
Jarod told Maeko about his house, playing at the waterfall, his village and the city of Fer, where he had only been twice in his entire life. He told her about the emerald mines that have given this land its name, the Emerald Reach. Several stories were about him and his dad going out on trips to Arakan, a village in the woods where there were wizards and goblins. Maeko really enjoyed his tales and they even looked some things up in the books of the library. Jarod couldn‘t read, so Maeko read the stories to him. They discovered they both knew and liked the story about the little girl Tinnely and her adventure in the cave. Jarod said his father had read the story to him many times. “No one has ever read a story to me”, Maeko realized.
“Is that what fathers do, read stories to their children?” she asked. “Sometimes, but mostly my mother”, Jarod replied. Maeko thought about this for a few seconds, “What else do fathers and mothers do?” Jarod shrugged, “All sorts of stuff, make dinner, play with me, teach me things and sometimes they get mad when I misbehave.” Maeko was surprised, “Why would you misbehave?” It was something she didn’t really understand. Misbehavior was something she hadn’t learned, so to speak. Jarod chuckled, “You don’t plan to misbehave, sometimes you just do things that aren‘t allowed or are bad. And then mom or dad gets mad, and I get punished.” Maeko looked startled, “Punished, how?”, Jarod shrugged again, “You know, do the dishes, or sit in my room or mop the floor.” Maeko was totally flabbergasted, the things he named were not punishment, they were just chores that needed doing and were the responsibility of all her brothers and sisters, herself included.
Maeko was wondering about her parents. Would they punish her too, and take her on trips, and read stories to her? Her mind was swirling with questions. Jarod noticed the confusion in her eyes. “Have you really never met your parents?”, he asked. “Haven’t you ever wondered where they are or why they brought you here?” Maeko felt overwhelmed by emotions. She didn’t know what to answer, and changed the subject, using her disciplinary mind to push away the questions that were forming in her head. They sat and small talked for the rest of the afternoon, but Maeko could not stop thinking about who she was and where she came from. That night she again hardly slept, not out of excitement of Jarod visiting, but because she sensed something had been missing in her life. She felt an urge inside herself that needed to be fulfilled, but couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.
The next morning Maeko woke to the sound of monks shouting, which was a first for her. She hastily put on her clothes to see what the fuss was all about. She ran down the stairs into the kitchen, and straight outside through the lounge. The shouting came from the other side of the palisades, and sounded like something serious had happened. Just as Maeko reached the great gate Brother Sugnar walked in. Maeko couldn’t believe her eyes. Brother Sugnar’s trousers were torn and red with blood, his arms and face covered in deep scratches. He caught sight of Maeko who had stopped dead in her tracks at the horrific sight, “Quickly child, get Sister Niru, we need immediate medical assistance.” Maeko didn’t hesitate and sprang into action. She ran back inside faster than she had ever ran before, shouting for Sister Niru. Niru was in the library and walked upstairs. They met at the top of the stairs. Maeko formally greeted her so fast that she almost stumbled, “Hurry, Brother Sugnar is hurt, he needs medical assistance.” Sister Niru looked startled but swiftly grabbed bandages from a cabinet in the hallway along with a box of medical supplies. They sprinted back outside, almost bumping into Brother Sugnar who had just reached the door and was leaning against the door frame. “Quickly, take him inside”, Sister Niru commanded Maeko, while supporting Brother Sugnar who almost lost his footing. “Not me, at the gate”, Brother Sugnar indicated. The two sisters raced off again towards the monastery gate. They didn’t see Brother Sugnar collapsing in the door opening losing consciousness.
They ran through the gate and witnessed a horrible sight. Two of the monks that had escorted the merchant were bending down over an improvised stretcher. On it lay the torn body of the merchant, his left arm ripped off and a huge chunk of his neck missing. Maeko screamed at the sight and felt her stomach churning. Sister Niru struggled to maintain her disciplined composure, and put her hand in front of Maeko’s eyes, “Don’t look child, turn around and go back inside.” Maeko was trembling like a leaf, “Is he…” “Yes”, Niru replied, “now go back inside and tend to Brother Sugnar.”
Maeko hurried back to Brother Sugnar almost stumbling over her feet as she felt her strength draining away making room for panic. She saw Brother Sugnar’s lifeless body lying in the door opening. She stopped for two seconds, “Maeko, help him, be strong”, she told herself, “control your mind!” She kneeled beside Brother Sugnar and checked his pulse, he was alive. She felt an energy taking control over her being, something she had felt in her fists or feet before during training, but never this strong and never all over her body. The threatening panic made way for pure resolve. She lifted Brother Sugnar from the ground not thinking about his weight, but with a singular focus on getting him to his bedroom. She walked across the lounge and up to the sleeping quarters carrying her injured mentor, and placed him on his bed. She ran downstairs again to get water, bandages and cloth, when a high pitched scream from outside cut through her soul, hitting her chest like a raging bull. The scream was gushing with despair and grief. Maeko suddenly realized she hadn‘t seen Jarod anywhere. The adrenalin rushing through her veins prevented her from lingering on that thought, and she refocused on tending to Brother Sugnar.
She carefully cleaned his wounds with the cloth and water, then bandaging him with the loving care of a true daughter. Brother Sugnar briefly regained consciousness and wanted to sit up. Maeko held him back, “Lie down and let me tend to you, these wounds must be cleaned and bandaged.” Brother Sugnar accepted the fact that he was too badly injured to do anything else, and lay down willingly. “Thank you Maeko, you are doing fine. I’m proud of you.” Maeko shushed him, “Niru taught me well, now lie still and stop talking.” Brother Sugnar obeyed.
When Maeko was convinced she had done everything she could for Brother Sugnar, she reluctantly walked back outside. She walked towards the palisades to listen what was going on, when suddenly Jarod ran through the gate screaming, tears gushing from his eyes. He ran straight towards Maeko, who felt herself trembling with fear. He didn‘t make it to her, as he stumbled and fell on the grass. He cried and smashed his fists on the ground screaming for his father. Maeko had no idea what to do and felt that panic from before trying to take hold of her again. At that moment Brother Kalerac came in through the gate and hurried towards Jarod. He lifted the hysterical boy from the grass and held him in his arms. He crossed eyes with Maeko. His face was unlike anything Maeko had ever seen from him before. The sadness and helplessness in his eyes broke Maeko’s heart, who had always known Brother Kalerac as a jolly tutor with a never ending good mood. Brother Kalerac walked back to the gate with Jarod in his arms. Just before they exited the gate again, Jarod screamed, “Wait.” Brother Kalerac stopped. Jarod looked at Maeko who still stood frozen in the spot. He reached out to her while tears flowed from his red eyes, “Find your parents Maeko, find them before you lose them!” Brother Kalerac tightened his grip on the boy, then moved off.
Maeko heard Jarod’s voice echoing in every corner of her being, “Find your parents.” She hid from the horrors outside in the place where she felt most comfortable and safe, the library. Curled up in one of the armchairs she shivered and sweated as if struck by a fever. She tried to hum like Brother Sugnar did when he found her, to soothe her mind, but to no avail. “Everybody has parents”, Jarod’s voice said in her thoughts. “Don’t you wonder where they are and why they left you here?” The words imprinted into her very being. In this moment of desperate pain Maeko finally realized what the urge inside her was exactly. “I need to find the truth”, she mumbled to herself, “the truth about who I am and where I come from. The truth about my parents“. Maeko had accomplished her first step to enlightenment, and was now ready for her second. To find truth deep within yourself, and become more than just your physical body. It didn’t feel like the victorious accomplishment she had always imagined it to be.
Chapter 2 – Revelations
As the years passed Maeko changed from a little girl to an aspiring adolescent and finally into a beautiful adult. By the time she reached the age of twenty-seven she outperformed all her brothers and sisters in the art of unarmed combat, and even proved more than a match for Brother Sugnar himself. Fifteen years had passed since that unfortunate day where Jarod lost his father, and Maeko still vividly remembered every second of it. Her singular focus on her training and extremely disciplined mind had helped her come to terms with not knowing her parents, despite Jarod’s warning all those years ago. She had come to terms with it, but knew that one day, when the time was right, she would have to look for her truth. In the winter of her twenty-seventh year as member of the order of Dragonmonks, she faced one of her toughest challenges yet, both mentally and physically. Over the last couple of years a lingering conflict between the inhabitants of The Emerald Reach had slowly escalated. Skirmishes between the citizens and farmers of The Emerald Reach and the western orc tribes became more frequent with each passing day. At the same time the growing strength and influence of the Iron Brotherhood, a group of mercenaries and hitmen under the command of General Bragg, who operated from their fortress called Castle Stormhold, were a strain on the populace’s resources. Heavy taxes were implied on the people of The Emerald Reach to keep defenses at an adequate level, and in a stroke of bad luck, a major collapse in the Emerald mines near the City of Fer had all but dried up the city’s treasury. On top of all that, the winter was extraordinarily harsh this year, bringing people to the brink of death by cold or hunger. The aid of the Dragonmonks was constantly in demand, even for simple food transports.
“Keep your eyes peeled and your fist at the ready”, Brother Aaron said. “Always”, Maeko thought while she sank into the snow halfway up to her knees. She looked up and down the caravan she and her brothers and sisters had been charged to guard. Three wagons carrying food and two wagons with supplies, and only two Fer city guards. Then there was Brother Aaron, who had joined the order around four years ago, Sister Niru and herself. The horses strained, pulling the carts through the deep snow, clouds of water vapor from their nostrils instantly freezing in the frigid air. The road they were following was barely visible, and they often had to stop to make sure they were heading in the right direction. “Thank the Gods last night’s snowstorm has settled down”, one of the city guards stated in an attempt to give their ordeal a positive twist. No one reacted.
“At this rate it will take us at least six days to reach Arakan”, Maeko said to Sister Niru. Sister Niru looked at her from under her cloak. “I know, and I don’t like it. I can feel we are being watched, can’t you?” Maeko nodded, “best not let the others notice it, no need to cause a panic.” Niru agreed as they plowed on towards Arakan. During the day the weather turned against them again, at first with just snow, which was actually a pretty sight, but soon the wind picked up speed again chilling the worn travelers to the bone. “We should make camp, the group of trees over there look suitable”, Niru pointed out. They left the road and placed the wagons in a semi-circle against the group of pine trees, that provided them with some cover from the wind. Everybody contributed in building a fire, driven by their furious wish to find some solace from the relentless cold that had gripped their limbs.
Lookouts were posted on the wagons, two at all times, while the rest of the group prepared to turn in for the night. Maeko observed the five children in their group playing in the snow. “Unbelievable, how those young ones seem unbothered by the cold”, she thought while preparing her bed on the moss under the trees. Maeko and one of the city guards were last to take watch, though Maeko had learned to slumber and rest with open eyes, still vaguely aware of her surroundings. A skill that had saved her life quite a few times over the years.
It was still dark when Niru woke Maeko. “You are up, nothing to report.” The wind had turned into a storm again and Maeko could see no further than ten feet in front of her. “Curse this blizzard, it makes us vulnerable”, she thought sitting on the bench of one of the wagons peering into the raging wall of snow. Suddenly a scream from under the trees. It was Gwenda, one of the traders. Maeko jumped from the bench and hurried to see what was wrong. Gwenda stood upright in the cold, holding a blanket in her hand, her face looking at the blanket in horror. “Sasha!”, Gwenda shouted, frantically looking around the campsite. Maeko realized what had happened, and put her hand on the panicked mother’s shoulder. “I’m sure she just went to take a pee, don‘t worry. I will take a look.” Gwenda looked gratefully at Maeko, “I will help”, she said. They decided they would circle the group of trees and meet on the other side.
Maeko made her way along the tree line looking for the child, but saw no one. She had searched for at least ten minutes when she heard a faint scream somewhere in front of her. She rushed forward, but only found two sets of tracks leading away from the trees into the menacing storm when she finally reached the place where she believed the scream came from . She peered into the blizzard and thought she saw a silhouette moving away from her, but wasn‘t sure. “What now,” she asked herself, “should I follow?” A flash from her unconscious forced itself onto her disciplined mind, Jarod screaming for his father. She decided to follow the tracks against her better judgement. “I can’t abandon this child and her mother”, she told herself.
She stepped into the deep snow and only seconds later was fully engulfed by the storm. The tracks were clearly made by an adult and a child. She followed the tracks for about ten minutes and noticed Gwenda was gaining on the child. Trying to read the tracks as best she could, she came to a point where obviously the Gwenda and her child had met, the footsteps facing each other. Maeko looked around and picked up the trail, imprinted deeper in the snow, which made her believe Gwenda was carrying her child. She felt glad they had reunited, but the direction the tracks were now going in worried her deeply. If her sense of direction was correct, they were moving deeper into the territory under control of the Iron Brotherhood.
She followed the tracks which were changing direction irregularly, as if Gwenda was looking for the way back. The tracks turned again, and after a while more tracks joined from the sides, tracks made by boots. Maeko stopped for a minute to gather her thoughts. “I count at least three tracks following Gwenda and her daughter, presumably scouts.” She looked around trying to get her bearings. “What a fool I have been”, she thought as she realized she could not determine the direction the tracks were going, nor which direction would lead her back to camp. “I guess there is only one thing left to do, keep following and hope I don’t freeze to death.”
Maeko tightened the heavy leather belt securing the bearskin coat around her, and resumed her battle against mother nature. She had no clue as to where she was going, and at some point two more sets of tracks joined the one she was following. Her mind was racing and she was worried sick about what could have happened. She feared for the lives of Gwenda and her child. Slowly the darkness gave way to the morning sun, though the storm kept raging causing a total whiteout. The tracks of the soldiers suddenly were wider apart and deeper. “They were running”, Maeko realized as she read their imprints. Then, just about sixty foot further, something was sticking out of the snow. “A branch”, Maeko thought, but as she came closer she screamed in terror. It was a hand, sticking out of the snow. She frantically dug into the snow next to the frozen hand. It was Gwenda, she had frozen to death.
Another flash from the past erupted from her inner being. She saw Brother Kalerac carrying Jarod in his arms. Seeing Brother Kalerac struggle with what had happened, then walking off to do what must be done strengthened Maeko. She shook her head to clear her mind of the memory and of the horrific sight of Gwenda frozen stiff. “Press on Maeko, the child may yet live”, she encouraged herself. “Whoever did this to Gwenda will be punished for it, I will see to that”, she promised herself.
She checked her surroundings, “There was a struggle.” She looked closer, “Aha, more tracks, five men and…” She shuddered. They were dragging something. She tried to quicken her pace and after some time, she had no idea how much, three sets of tracks separated to the left. Maeko stood in doubt. “which way to go, neither of the trails seem to be dragging anything from here”, she thought. But then her eye caught something. She saw a child’s shoe just up ahead, “definitely this way”, she mumbled and moved on. The wind was slowly losing ferocity and the snowfall seemed to be getting less. It became a bit easier to follow the tracks, though Maeko still couldn‘t move fast. She could feel her feet and hands ache with cold, and knew she wouldn’t be able to go much further without risking her own health. She had to warm up at least.
“Damnit Maeko, you can‘t give up, the snow will cover the tracks and you will never find her if you stop now.” She decided to keep moving as far as she could. Another twenty minutes passed and the wind had died down. The snowflakes were softly landing on the hood of her coat and the landscape around her became visible again. To her left a mountain slope, to her right a forested area. The sun had risen and she managed to get some idea of her position. As the snow stopped falling, she noticed a plume of smoke in the distance. She decided to investigate, either to seek refuge and rest, which she hoped for, or to find those two soldiers and the young child, so she could avenge the child’s mother. Both thoughts renewed her will and vigor.
She approached the small cottage very carefully, circling it to check for any signs of life outside. When she was positive no one was guarding the place, she moved in. Snow had been blown up high against the side of the cottage, almost up to its thatched roof. Maeko sneaked up to the front door, and heard voices from the inside. “A nice find, too bad we had to leave that wench behind, she would have made a nice dessert.” Another voice replied, “Agreed, but this youngster will do fine. I think I will try her myself as soon as she is nice and warm again.” Maeko shuddered at what she heard. She was trying to decide on what to do next when one of the man spoke again. “Get her ready then, I will get some more wood from the back.”
Maeko was horrified by what she suspected these scumbags were planning. She heard footsteps, then doors opening. “I have to act now”, she thought. Carefully she pushed down the door handle and peeked inside. The inside was just a simple farmer’s cottage. She quickly and silently stepped inside and closed the door. A voice from behind a door to her right. “Well now child, stop struggling, no one is coming for you. If you promise not to scream I will remove the gag.” Maeko felt her blood boil with anger and hate. She took a deep breath and briefly closed her eyes, to help her inner eye focus her rage into spiritual strength. She ran to the door and kicked it open with such force, that the door split top to bottom falling from its hinges. What she saw further fueled her spiritual rage. The child was tied to a bed and gagged. The unbelievable fear in the child’s eyes pierced Maeko’s heart and stripped her of any remaining compassion for these soldiers. They were no more than animals to her subconscious, her mind took full control of her body making her muscles feel like steel and her flesh like granite rock. She lunged forward at the surprised soldier who had already unbuttoned his pants. The man wanted to step forward to counterattack, but was not even nearly fast enough. Maeko‘s left fist flashed forward so fast the air in front of it crackled. She hit the man just left of his plexus, a blue glow emanating from that spot as she hit him. His ribs cracked and he bent forward in pain. A millisecond later Maeko’s knee hit the bent over man in the middle of his face, his head crashing backwards as three of his teeth flew through the air followed by a spray of blood. The man was losing his balance and Maeko in a blink raised her leg vertically up, sending it down on the man’s shoulder with so much power that his collarbone snapped and his shoulder dislocated. The men fell sideways but before he hit the floor Maeko tumbled towards him one leg stretched out and landed her heel in his neck, snapping his spine.
Even though the adrenalin was coursing through her veins, she was fully aware of each muscle, each sinew of her being. Time around her seemed to flow slower as her mind was wielding her body as a weapon focusing her mental energy into a force that could shatter stone. It felt to her like the world around her was moving in slow motion while she herself was moving normally. She looked at the girl on the bed, who squeezed her eyes shut in horror. “Fear not child, you are safe now.” Maeko turned around as she heard the sound of metal behind her. The second man stepped in shouting something in slow motion.
Maeko watched him move in slow motion. He drew his sword while his foot was crossing over the doorstep into the room, Maeko jumped turning around her vertical axis to gain momentum. As she landed on her right foot her left foot was underway to the man’s sword arm. Before the sword had fully left its sheath Maeko’s foot landed on the man’s lower arm. Both bones snapped like twigs tearing through his skin, pieces of bone sticking out into the open air. The man screamed in agony as Maeko jumped op towards his head strapping her legs around his neck. The man tumbled backwards, at the same time Maeko twisted her body causing the man‘s head to turn backwards. He hit the ground and Maeko rolled backwards and landed on her feet. The man’s body twitched, then stopped moving.
“I am Maeko, who are you?” The child kept staring at Maeko. “Sasha”, the child replied. Maeko embraced the child firmly whispering in her ear, “You are safe now, the bad men are gone.” She could feel Sasha’s body relaxing at her words, and she started crying. “Where is my mommy?” Sasha asked in a trembling voice. These words were too much for Maeko. The towering walls of discipline she had built around her inner being started crumbling and the tide they had been holding back came gushing into her mind. She felt all her lessons and training receding to the background being washed away by the tsunami of emotions and questions that hit her so hard she was completely overwhelmed by them. “She is dead”, Maeko screamed as she burst into tears. She felt the last bit of strength leaving her body, no longer able to maintain her grip on the child. She fell to her side as her body curled up, unable to move. She slowly lost her grip on reality as her mind kept hammering on her with those words Jarod had said when Brother Kalerac carried him home. “Find them before you lose them, find them before you lose them, find them before you lose them.” Maeko slipped into unconsciousness.
A voice in the distance unfamiliar to Maeko “She should come by any minute now, the spell needs some time to take effect. Especially with someone like her, her mind tries to resist the change.” Maeko tried to move but couldn’t. She concentrated on opening her eyes which she managed as she noticed the black slowly turning to a white blur. “There, you see, she is opening her eyes”, the voice said. Maeko saw a figure bending over her but couldn’t discern who or what it was. She tried to sit up, but a warm hand gently pushed her back. “Not yet sister, take it easy. Just like you told me once a long time ago.” Maeko felt a tremendous joy filling her every fiber, it was Brother Sugnar’s voice.
Slowly her sight started to return. She looked around and realized she was somewhere completely unfamiliar. The ceiling she was looking at was painted dark blue and covered with stars. She heard bubbling sounds and a strange smell penetrated her nose, a metallic yet herbal smell, mixed with tar. She looked to her right carefully, her head aching at the strain of tuning her neck. A large bookcase with big tomes and strange symbols on their sides. A table with all manner of strangely shaped glasswork on it. Over the fireplace a cauldron spewed brownish puffs of smoke. “Where am I?”, she asked in a feeble voice. Brother Sugnar took her hand.
“We are close to Arakan dear, we are in the tower of the Templars.” The other voice added, “The Templars of the Arcane. Welcome and welcome back.” Brother Sugnar continued, “What do you remember?” Maeko’s mind felt like it was waking up at Brother Sugnar’s question. “I’m not sure, it’s blurry. I remember setting up camp.” Brother Sugnar put his hand on her forehead, “and then, what happened?” “There was a scream during my watch, it was Gwenda.” Suddenly the chain of events passed right in front of her mind’s eye again. She looked at Brother Sugnar in horror, “Sasha, where is Sasha?”, she sat up looking around herself in panic. Maeko noticed the other man in the room, a tall, slender man wearing a long yellow and teal robe. He leaned on his staff shaped like a lightning bolt. “She will be fine”, the man said while nodding to Brother Sugnar. He had a satisfied look on his face. Brother Sugnar sighed. “Oh Maeko, I’m so glad we found you. Sister Niru saw you wander off into the blizzard and followed you.” Maeko looked confused. “I remember Sasha tied to a bed, and soldiers.” Brother Sugnar chuckled, “Yes, I have seen those soldiers. Niru explained what happened. I heard they had the fortunate honor to meet you in person.” Maeko could not yet appreciate the humor in Brother Sugnar’s response. “Sasha’s mother… she died…” Brother Sugnar seemed surprised by Maeko’s words, then gave the other man in the room a questioning look. The man approached the bed and looked down on Maeko with a warm smile. “Hello child, I’m Sirisar. I’m an arcane templar. You have been very lucky.” Maeko stared at Sirisar waiting for an explanation on how her ordeal had anything to do with luck. She felt frustration towards this weird wizard she had never met and who referred to her as if she were a child. He radiated a snobbish know-it-all aura. Brother Sugnar recognized the look in her eyes, and asked for her patience. “Let the man speak dear. It will soon make sense. There was no Gwenda, no mother of Sasha. Hear him out.”
Sirisar took a chair and sat down right next to Maeko. “Have you ever heard of Mindstalkers?” Maeko shook her head. “They are vicious beings that trick the minds of people like us into seeing what isn’t there.” Maeko thought about this for a second. “But I was there, it happened, I’m sure of it.” Sirisar put his hand on Maeko’s shoulder. “Think deeply child, who was with your caravan before you made camp.” Maeko listed all those present. “Sister Niru, two city guards, five merchants, Brother Aa…” She stopped as she realized there was no Brother Aaron among the Dragonmonks. She tried to remember exactly what she saw as she had looked up and down the caravan that day. No matter how hard she tried, there simply wasn’t a Brother Aaron, nor were there any children. She looked at Sirisar, “So it all was a dream, nothing of it was real?” Sirisar smiled, “Some of it was real. You did wander off into a snowstorm, and you did end up in that cottage where your Sister Niru found you. You had wandered far into Iron Brotherhood territory. The cottage was probably a resting place for their forward lookouts. But believe me child, there was no Gwenda or Sasha. They were created in your mind by the Mindstalker.” Maeko looked angry, “But why would it do that, why would it torment me like that?”
Sirisar started stuffing his pipe with an extremely self-satisfied smirk.
“You see dear, it was all in your mind.” Brother Sugnar comforted her. Now rest and regain your strength. We will return to the monastery come morning. Maeko nodded and lay back down on her bed. “You get some rest too Sir”, Sirisar said to Brother Sugnar. “You have watched over her for more than twenty hours, she is safe here.” Maeko still felt very tired mentally, and dozed off while watching the circles of smoke from Sirisar’s pipe swirling up to the star-covered ceiling.
The next morning Maeko woke up well rested. The first thing she saw was Sirisar, still sitting in his chair as if he had not moved all night. “Good morning child, did you sleep well?” Maeko nodded while sitting up. “Where is Brother Sugnar?” Sirisar laughed, “still asleep, which is very convenient. It gives us a little time to talk child.” Maeko gave him an annoyed look, “I’m not a child.” Sirisar smiled at her, “we are all children of our parents, and that is what bothers you”, he stated. Maeko looked shocked. “What do you mean exactly, how do you know.” She was about to stand up and punch the arrogant wizard in the face. “Calm down”, Sirisar said, deliberately avoiding calling her a child again. “You were talking in your sleep. You kept repeating ‘Find your parents Maeko, find them before you lose them“. Maeko wanted to give some reply, but words failed her. “You are a foundling, right? Brother Sugnar told me. He also told me about your encounter with Jarod. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I just needed an anchor point for my spell to take a hold on.” Maeko gave Sirisar a faint smile. Sirisar continued, “I think you need to visit the Arakan graveyard someday, maybe there you will find what you seek.”
Brother Sugnar walked in and Sirisar and Maeko dropped the subject. “Are you feeling better?”, Brother Sugnar asked. “A lot”, Maeko simply replied. “Excellent, finally some good news. We should leave right away while the weather is still good.” Maeko nodded. “Sirisar, I can’t thank you enough for what you did. How can I repay you?” Sirisar gave Brother Sugnar a friendly smile. “You need not pay me anything, I’m glad I could be of help. Besides, I’ve never had the chance to talk to a Mindstalker’s prey before, that by itself is reward enough for me.” Brother Sugnar shook Sirisar’s hand, and went outside. Maeko lingered for a moment, then formally greeted Sirisar. As she turned around and walked out, she heard Sirisar’s voice in her head. “You will find truth in the graveyard child.” She glanced back with an annoyed look, then closed the door behind her.
A month had passed since her ordeal in the snowstorm. Spring was just around the corner, Maeko’s favorite season. She loved how everything renewed itself turning winter into nothing more than a distant memory, though this was a winter she would remember until the end of her days. She had asked Brother Sugnar a few times about her parents, about who they were, and where they came from. Brother Sugnar told her he did not know. Still she could no longer push her thoughts about what Sirisar said, and Jarod’s words, back into her subconscious mind. “The truth has to come out someday, and if not I will have to leave the monastery and seek it for myself.” Despite her unrestful mind she quickly adapted to life at the Monastery again, fully regaining her mental and physical discipline. But all that was about to change, as the beautiful spring had another test in store for her.
Maeko remembered Sirisar’s words, “Find truth in the graveyard.” She was sure that this was a sign, and was very surprised with Brother Sugnar’s change in behavior. Maeko knew very well that the monks all respected each other’s privacy dearly, but they also looked out for each other. She decided to at least ask Brother Sugnar once more what was going on, and she would offer him her help. She climbed up the library stairs, through the hallway and up to the bedrooms. The door to Brother Sugnar’s room was open so she walked in as she always did. Brother Sugnar sat on his bed holding another scroll when he noticed Maeko walk in. He jumped up from the bed and quickly put the scroll back in the drawer. Maeko was even more surprised at this behavior and was wondering whether she should press the matter. He seemed very disturbed by the message from the courier. “I’m sorry”, she said. “I should have knocked.” Brother Sugnar smiled nervously. “It’s alright, please leave me.” Maeko nodded and turned around. “I will be gone for a few days, I will be leaving tomorrow morning”, he added. Maeko changed her mind and stopped. “Where to? I hope nothing bad has happened?” Brother Sugnar replied, “No nothing bad, just something I must do.” Maeko’s finely tuned senses could tell he was lying, something he had never done before, and it worried her deeply. The remainder of the day it was as if Brother Sugnar was avoiding her. It made her feel really uneasy, and only added fuel to the fire of her curiosity.
The next morning Maeko got up very early. She had been pondering Brother Sugnar’s strange behavior and the scroll he obviously didn’t want anyone else to see. She listened at her bedroom door and heard Brother Sugnar leaving his bedroom. Maeko peeked through the door opening and noticed Brother Sugnar was wearing his formal attire. As he walked past her bedroom door she saw a black ribbon around his ankle. She shuddered because the ribbon was only worn when attending a burial. As Brother Sugnar turned the corner and walked down the stairs she heard him mumbling about Arakan. She didn’t trust it one bit, but didn’t want to tell her Brothers and Sisters. She felt that would be disrespectful to her mentor. “I have to know what is going on”, she thought, “forgive me Brothers and Sisters for what I am about to do.” She tiptoed across the hall to Brother Sugnar’s bedroom, closing the door behind her. She went straight for the drawer and opened it. The scroll was still in there, and looked pretty old. A brief struggle inside her made her hesitate, but she took the scroll and sat down on the bed unrolling it. She could not believe her eyes.
Honorable Dragonmonks,
It is with pain in my heart and a weary mind that I turn to you for aid. Before you lies my daughter, Maeko. I beg of you to take her into your fold. I am desperate. Know that it is against the will of my wife and myself, but circumstances have forced me to give up my beloved daughter to the mercy of strangers.
I have heard only words of kindness concerning your institution. I hope these words were true. Please don’t be judgmental about the tone of her skin, or her unfamiliar looks. She is as much a human and a child as any of us. For reasons I cannot discuss I beg of you once more, care for this beautiful child as you would for your own.
Her destiny does not lie with me and her mother. She is born for greater deeds, that go far beyond our comprehension. Trust me in this as I trust in your benevolence, and you discretion.
In eternal gratitude,
Erion and Sylva Woodsbane
~
Maeko sat in silence for a minute as her mind was trying to process what she had just read. “But how… I mean… When did…” She couldn’t make sense of the situation, or of what could be the reason Brother Sugnar had kept this from her. Honesty had always been the basis of their relationship. She held the parchment close to her chest as she realized it was the only physical thing she had from her parents. “Erion and Sylva, my parents”, she thought while a tear of joy rolled down her cheek as finally she had found some truth about where she came from. At the same time a feeling of anger and distrust against Brother Sugnar took hold of her. “I must speak to him right away, and he had better have a damn good explanation.”
Maeko carefully rolled the parchment then sped to her bedroom. She quickly grabbed some clothes and put them in her backpack together with the scroll. She ran down the stairs and outside towards the gate. Brother Kalerac was surprised to see her in such a hurry. “Where is Brother Sugnar, has he already left?”, Maeko asked. “Just a few minutes ago, can I help you?” Brother Kalerac was wondering why Maeko didn‘t formally greet him, but decided not to ask. “Thank you, I will catch up with him.” Maeko sprinted through the gate toward the narrow path. Brother Kalerac shouted, “He is travelling by horse to Arakan!” Maeko waved as she turned the corner and rushed down the trail to the Northwestern passage. She knew she could not catch up with a horse, and estimated how long it would take Brother Sugnar to reach Arakan. “two days on a swift horse, maybe three”, she thought, “I can make it in four days if I push hard.”
Maeko kept a steady running pace throughout the day, hardly noticing the beautiful spring rebirth of nature. Her mind was focused on her goal, to reach Arakan as quickly as possible. During her long run her thoughts were swirling through her head. “I have parents. Where do they live? Do they want to meet me? “ She had so many questions and couldn‘t wait to meet the father and mother she had never had. The question she wanted answered most of all was why they had left her. She could feel in her entire being that she was close to reaching the second step of her enlightenment, to find truth within herself. It fueled her endurance and persistence helping her maintain a fast pace.
By the end of the second day she had already passed the group of trees where the Mindstalker had tricked her, almost causing her death, and the Darkwood Forest could already be seen on the horizon. She pushed on the next day into the forest. Her surroundings rolled by meaninglessly. She didn‘t even notice a group of goblins who had spotted her and were in pursuit. It didn‘t matter, they couldn‘t keep up anyway. Her focus was on one thing and one thing only, talk to Brother Sugnar and find her parents. At late noon of the fourth day she finally reached the Arakan outskirts and at last the gates to Arakan. The gate was guarded by two swordsmen and two wizards. The Templars of the Arcane offered protection to the village in exchange for goods.
“Aren’t we in a hurry”, one of the guards stated. Maeko was panting heavily but soon regained her composure. “I am Sister Maeko, a Dragonmonk from the Ten Dragons Monastery. I am looking for one of my Brothers, Brother Sugnar.” One of the wizard guards looked up when Maeko introduced herself. “Let her through, she is the one Sirisar told us about”, the wizard commanded the guard. “Your brother has arrived yesterday. I take it you are also here for the funeral?” Maeko hesitated a second, than replied, “I am Sir.” “You better hurry then, I think they are already on their way to the graveyard.” Maeko was surprised that the wizard seemed to know who she was, and apparently was expecting her. She didn’t give it any thought and walked past the guard into the village. “Thank you sir, I will make haste.”
Arakan was a beautiful village built under the canopy of the Darkwood Forest. It was situated in a small valley between two hills. The houses were all made of wood, and one was even carved out of the stump of an ancient tree, thirty feet in diameter. The village had its own pond with a waterfall flowing from the rocks, providing the inhabitants with fresh water. Maeko could feel the breath of nature here, slowly inhaling and exhaling, blessing the people that live here with health and longevity. Maeko noticed her surroundings but was too preoccupied to enjoy its beauty and purity. She was on a mission. Just as she wanted to ask one of the villagers where the graveyard was situated, she saw a group of people moving out of a large wooden building towards the other end of the village. They were carrying two caskets. Maeko walked closer, and noticed Brother Sugnar was following them. She was surprised to see him being the only one to follow the coffin bearers. “Maybe Brother Sugnar lost friends, and needed time alone”, Maeko thought. “I’d better not interrupt him now, I’ve waited for twenty-eight years, surely I can wait one evening more.”
She followed Brother Sugnar at a distance as they went through the rear gate of Arakan and moved into a forested alcove. To the left stood the home of the groundskeeper who joined the others assisting in carrying the weight of the coffins. The alcove went further than Maeko thought at first, but the undergrowth offered more than enough cover for her to remain unnoticed. The funeral procession finally reached the perimeter of the graveyard. The groundskeeper opened the large metal gate which creaked eerily. Maeko waited until everyone had passed the gate, then moved to the five foot wall. She didn‘t want to risk going in, so she waited behind a bush. Within two minutes the coffin bearers came back passing Maeko in silence, but the groundskeeper and Brother Sugnar were still inside. She waited until the men were no longer in sight, then walked towards the wall separating forest from cemetery.
She looked over the wall and saw the two men standing next to two open graves that shared a single large headstone. They were too far away for her to hear what they were saying, but she did see Brother Sugnar holding the funeral ribbon that was around his ankle in the air. The graveyard bathed in a faint mist, beams of sunlight piercing the canopy as if they were deliberately highlighting specific headstones and epitaphs. Brother Sugnar released the ribbon and the two men kneeled for a short while, then started closing the graves. They moved in a synchronous and regular way, slow but determined. Maeko thought she heard Brother Sugnar chanting, but wasn’t sure. The two men had finished their ritual and walked back to the gate. Maeko quickly hid again, and watched the two men pass by slowly, as if they were carefully considering each step, while bowing their heads in silence. The look on Brother Sugnar’s face revealed a deep sadness which chilled Maeko to the bone. Even though he had not been truthful to her, she felt sorry for him, he was obviously struggling.
Maeko was about to follow him back to the village, when suddenly she remembered Sirisar’s words, “You will find truth in the graveyard.” Maeko felt like she was standing at a crossroads. Straight on was a dead end, turn left would be respectful to her mentor and the people he buried, but would also be unfair to herself. “I must follow my heart, not my mind as I always do”, she decided and walked towards the gate.
She slowly made her way along the lines of headstones inscribed with names of people she had never heard of. “They were all mothers and fathers and children once”, she thought. At the far end of the graveyard she noticed three crypt entrances, but she focused on the spot where only minutes ago Brother Sugnar had stood. The silence around her was pressing heavily on her spirit and it seemed like the forest was holding its breath. She felt herself becoming very small and insignificant as the weight of this strange place penetrated her very soul. She reached the graves of the recently departed, and just at that moment a ray of light broke through the canopy bathing them in an almost divine light. Maeko kneeled down in front of the graves, her eyes still focused on the ground right in front of her. She slowly lifted her head and looked at the headstone.
May the sacrifices we make in life
Be the music of our eternity
So we may follow its fragile tune
To the end we most desire
Here lie Erion and Sylva Woodsbane
Blessed be their souls.
~
Maeko froze in place after reading those last words. She sat in silence as the words started their descent into her being. She felt her surroundings moving away from her, the trees and headstones leaving her perception. The questions she had, the thoughts and concepts that had formed in her mind about her parents, started to unravel. The veils shrouding her inner truths were slowly lifted as her mind followed those words inward, ever deeper into her being. Memories passed her mind’s eye as the words fell faster and faster. The graveyard, Sirisar, the caravan, Jarod, the scar, a fierce storm, then suddenly a shimmering pool of pale blue light. The words fell, broke the surface of the pool. Ripples of light extended outward. An image formed, a reflection, two silhouettes. They came closer, a man and a woman, they’re holding hands. Closer still, unfamiliar faces, or not? Her mind fell towards the pool following the words. The faces smiled, her parents. For an instant she touched their essence, their life force, their truth. Her mind fell through the surface of the pool, a flash of light burning those faces into her memory. Mind and spirit merged, becoming one while being two. The light faded to darkness, the headstones and trees fell back in on her as she realized her truth.
“My truth was not that what was outside of me, my parents. My truth is what is now inside of me. My parents forever within me. My truth is that I will never know my legacy. That truth is what I carry within.”
She slowly opened her eyes and stood up. She felt a strange energy rippling through her being, like a new untapped power. She stood in silence realizing this would be the first and last time she would be here, at her parents grave. She respectfully presented them with the formal greeting of her order, a deep sense of closure befalling her. The light shining on the two graves faded as the sun’s angle declined. Maeko turned and started the final journey on her path to enlightenment.
Chapter 3 – Crossroads
Maeko left Arakan that same night, realizing she could not face Brother Sugnar right away. “I need some time to think, to set my mind straight”, she thought as she left the town of Arakan behind. She knew travelling at night wasn’t safe, so she went to the nearest place where she knew she would be safe, the Templar’s tower. As much as she disliked Sirisar, she felt it would be best to ask for their hospitality again and see if they would let her spend the night there.
The early spring nights were still cold and thick drops of rainwater fell on her face from the forest canopy. It didn’t take long for her to reach the Templar’s tower, with its spire piercing the canopy high above her. She was about to knock on the door when it opened by itself. “Come in, warm yourself by the hearth, of course you are welcome.” It was Sirisar who had opened the door. Maeko thanked him and stepped inside wondering how Sirisar knew what she was thinking. “I know it’s late, but would you care for some tea?”, he asked. Maeko sat down in a comfortable chair in front of the hearth and before she had answered his question Sirisar sat down too, putting two steaming cups of tea on the table.
“How did you know I wanted tea?”, she asked. “Can you read my mind?” Sirisar sipped from his tea and looked Maeko in the eye. “I’m a wizard, but I’m not a mind reader”, he answered. “I just pay close attention to my surroundings and can often guess what someone wants or needs. Not by using a magic trick, but simply by observing.” This was not a satisfactory answer for Maeko. She leaned towards Sirisar. “Explain this to me please”, she insisted. Sirisar smiled, “With pleasure. I asked if you wanted tea, and I noticed a faint smile on your lips and a glimmer in your eyes while you were rubbing your hands. You probably didn‘t notice this yourself, but they were signals that convinced me your answer would be yes.” Maeko thought about this. “But how did you know I was coming and wanted to spend the night here wondering if I would be welcome?” Maeko looked at Sirisar and was sure he couldn‘t talk his way out of this one. Sirisar threw some more wood onto the fire. “That wasn’t so hard. Of course you were wondering whether you were welcome here, because you don’t really like me and thought you might be unwanted here. And I knew you were coming because I saw you walking this way. I just came home myself from Arakan. You see, nothing magical, just logic and observations.”
Maeko smiled at him as she took her cup, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be so suspicious of you Sirisar, thank you for your hospitality.” Sirisar waved her apology away, “Don’t worry, most people dislike me and find it hard to trust me. It’s because of what I am. People in general fear what they do not know.” They both stared into the fire for a while. Maeko noticed Sirisar’s face was actually very gentle and friendly, “He is not arrogant, I perceive him as arrogant because of what he is. It’s just his way, who am I to judge him for being who he is.” Maeko was pleased with this insight and promised herself that in the future she would think twice before judging people just by their looks and the way they act. Sirisar refilled their cups and stuffed his pipe. “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but when I was in Arakan I saw you following a funeral procession. My curiosity was aroused. I followed you and observed you while you were visiting the grave of those two people. I saw blue flames engulfing you and you were floating. What happened?” Maeko shuddered, but did not judge. At least he was honest. “What you saw was probably the visual manifestation of my spirit and mind becoming one. We call it enlightenment.” Sirisar was looking at her in awe. “Enlightenment”, he repeated, “I thought you were practicing magic.” Maeko recognized the genuine interest he had in her enlightenment, and could not deny him an explanation. Sirisar memorized her every word and was very happy learning about the Dragonmonks and their ways. When Maeko finished, he simply stated, “What a beautiful world, after all these years I still find new things to learn. Things I had no idea existed.” Maeko smiled at the childish joy in Sirisar’s eyes for learning something new.
Early next morning Maeko was getting ready to head back to the monastery. She felt well rested and looked forward to hiking back home. She said goodbye to Sirisar, who thanked her for sharing her story last night, and set off into the forest. The fresh spring leaves colored the trees green again and birds whistled all around her. The air smelled fresh and new. Soon the forest gave way to the magnificent rolling hills and grasslands of the Emerald Reach. Maeko felt reborn and by the time she walked up the steep narrow path leading to the monastery she had already forgiven Brother Sugnar. She realized his difficult situation, with on one side the will of her parents, on the other side their own relationship. She simply could not let this one issue, this one painful conflict, wipe away twenty-eight years of trust, friendship and love. She was mostly grateful that she had never been put at the heart of such a dilemma.
Brother Kalerac was the first brother she saw when she arrived back at the monastery. He jumped up in joy at the sight of Maeko and ran towards her, arms stretched out. Maeko smiled and they gave each other a loving hug. “Where were you, you had me worried.” Brother Kalerac asked. Maeko looked at him seriously. “Later Brother, I really need to see Brother Sugnar“. Brother Kalerac sighed, “He has been meditating for two days straight in the Great Hall. When he came back from this funeral he had attended, he seemed different. He went straight to the Great Hall and entered a deep state of meditation. We haven ‘t been able to talk to him and decided it best to leave him alone until he has found what he is looking for.” Maeko nodded, “I understand, but I think he will want to see me as well. Do you mind?” Brother Kalerac didn‘t oppose her so she made her way into the monastery and straight into the Great Hall.
Brother Sugnar was meditating in the center triangle of the mosaic floor. He was floating a few inches above the ground and his body was engulfed in blue flame. “So that’s what Sirisar saw”, Maeko thought. She approached Brother Sugnar and at the moment she reached the Dragon mosaic Brother Sugnar opened his eyes. She saw his eyes glowing with light that quickly faded as did the blue flames. Gently Brother Sugnar came back into contact with the floor. He looked at Maeko and stood up. They stared at each other for a minute without saying a word. Maeko sensed the guilt and sadness Brother Sugnar struggled with. Finally Maeko broke the silence. “I understand now”, she whispered, “there is nothing to forgive.” Brother Sugnar felt a tremendous weight lifted off of his shoulders. He stepped out of the circle and gently embraced Maeko. “I wish there could have been another way”, he whispered back. Maeko replied, “I know, but there wasn’t. This is the truth and it has no alternatives. That is the essence of truth.”
Brother Sugnar looked Maeko in the eye. “You have changed, I feel a connection. Your mind and spirit, they…” “They have brother, I am Maeko the truthful now.” Saying that reverberated through her entire being. Brother Sugnar smiled while tears rolled down his cheeks. “Oh Maeko, I am so proud of you. We must gather our brothers and sisters. And tonight we will celebrate. You had best change into your formal attire.” They presented each other with the formal greeting, and Maeko sensed they were no longer student and mentor. They were equals, Brother Sugnar could teach her nothing more.
Maeko washed herself and changed into her formal attire. She was combing her hair when a strong vibration passed through her body. The Great Gong was sounded, something she had never felt before in all the years she had been a Dragonmonk. She wasn‘t quite sure what it meant, but knew it was sounded for her, and signaled a gathering of all her brothers and sisters in the Great Hall. The Gong was sounded again, vibrating through the air. Its sound could not be heard, only felt. Brother Sugnar knocked on her bedroom door. “Join us in the Great Hall Sister Maeko, your brothers and sisters await your arrival.”
Maeko felt nervous as she walked down the stairs while the Gong was being sounded again. She entered the Great Hall. Her brothers and sisters had formed a line leading to the center of the mosaic, where Brother Sugnar was standing inside the golden triangle. Her brothers and sisters were wearing their formal attire, but Brother Sugnar was dressed in an angelic white robe with red hemlines on its sleeves, collar and at the bottom. The black silhouette of a dragon chasing its tail was woven into each of the robes’ shoulders. He wore a black belt around his waist embroidered with red fists and a white band at each end. His legs were slightly spread, making his stance firm like the foundations of the monastery.
Maeko formally greeted her brothers and sisters, and walked towards Brother Sugnar. The Gong sounded again, and as she passed each Dragonmonk they formally greeted her shouting “Hiaa!” to strengthen the respect they were showing. Their voices echoed through the Great Hall seemingly synchronizing with the vibrations caused by the Gong. She reached Brother Sugnar and formally greeted him. Brother Sugnar stood still as a mountain, then formally greeted Maeko at the exact same time the Great Gong sounded again. Without saying a word he took a step back revealing a mahogany box he had been standing over. The box was inlaid with gems depicting the circular dragon and golden triangle just like the floor mosaic. He stepped further back and joined the other brothers and sisters who had formed a circle around Maeko. The Gong sounded and they all kneeled and crossed their arms in front of their chests. Brother Sugnar started the monotonous hum she had known all her life. The monks joined him as they all closed their eyes. The Gong sounded again and the ten huge statues, made in the image of the founders of the monastery, slowly opened their granite mouths and eyes. They joined the Dragonmonks in their humming, while their eyes lit up with the same blue fire that had engulfed her and Brother Sugnar before. Maeko felt the sound resonating through her body, mind and spirit, and saw the box opening in front of her. Her formal attire seemed to become ethereal and slowly faded away until she was fully naked. A blinding white light started rippling from the box until it fully encompassed her and everyone around her. She felt a soft material forming around her body. The Gong sounded again and the light started to fade. Slowly the box closed as the statues closed their eyes and their hum faded. Maeko was dressed exactly like Brother Sugnar now. The Gong sounded one last time. The Dragonmonks opened their eyes and let their humming fade away with the last vibrations of the gong. They all rose and Brother Sugnar stepped forward.
“Welcome, Maeko the Truthful, Monk of the Manyfists.” Her brothers and sisters repeated in unison, “Welcome, Maeko the Truthful.” That night they celebrated the rebirth of Maeko, the first one in over fifty years to become a master in the Way of the Manyfists. The festivities were happy and joyful, but in her heart Maeko felt her time at the Ten Dragons Monastery was coming to an end. She knew she would have to find a new road to walk down. It didn’t sadden her or frightened her. It was simply part of the Way of the Manyfists, and it felt right.
The next morning Brother Sugnar asked Maeko to come with him to the library. Sister Niru and Brother Kalerac had already sat down there. Maeko got comfortable in her favorite armchair and looked at her most beloved friends. She was well aware of the reason she was brought here, but waited patiently for Brother Sugnar to start talking. “Maeko, I have nothing left to teach you. You have taken all of my lessons to heart and made them part of your being. I have always respected you, but I’m afraid the time has come where our paths diverge.” Brother Kalerac and Sister Niru had serious expressions on their faces. Maeko smiled at them, “I agree Brother Sugnar, and I have studied the Way of the Manyfists extensively. It is time I go my own way, and teach others what you have taught me.” Brother Kalerac and Sister Niru sighed in relief. Maeko turned to Brother Kalerac. “Brother, worry not because you will be with me always. I have seen you age, yet you are still as beautiful to me as the day we met. I know on that damned day when Jarod’s father died, a piece of you died with him. Do not flatter me by doing the same when I turn the page to a new chapter of my life. I ask you to rejoice as this new page will be filled with stories like the ones you taught me to read and write. For that I am deeply grateful, as well as for your everlasting and unwavering good mood.” She noticed Brother Kalerac’s lower lip trembling and tears welling up in his eyes. He looked at her, and through the tears she saw that same joy and lust for life she cherished so much in him.
“And you Sister Niru, who was there for me in my darkest hour. Not only were you my sister, but in a way also my mother and best friend. You were there for me when I needed you most. Not once did you let me down, teaching me that friendship and loyalty are something no living soul can do without. You have inspired me and continue to do so. Know that when I am in a faraway place, that shall be my lesson to all who choose to follow me.” Sister Niru couldn’t stay seated any longer. She flung her arms around Maeko‘s neck, quickly followed by Brother Kalerac and Brother Sugnar. They held each other tight when Maeko started talking to Brother Sugnar. “My mentor, my father, there is nothing I can say to describe the gratitude I feel for you. I do not only carry you in my heart, you carry part of my heart in you. No matter how much time and distance is between us, we can never be untwined. You have been everything a child could wish for in a father. I love you deeply.”
The next couple of days Maeko prepared for her departure. She said her goodbyes, tied up loose ends and made sure to share a thought with each end every one of her brothers and sisters. On her last night in the monastery she sat in the library for one last time. “How I am going to miss this place”, she thought as she gazed into the dancing flames of the central fireplace. Her eyes looked at the bookcases, the paintings on the wall, the floor and ceiling. “I will always remember this as my home, as the place where I was…raised.” Brother Sugnar walked in and sat down next to Maeko. “I thought I’d find you here on your last night”, he kindly said. “So what are your plans for tomorrow and every day after that?” Maeko gazed into the fire again reviewing her decision, then nodded as if confirming what she was thinking. She turned to Brother Sugnar. “I will go to the Templars of the Arcane for a while, they have an extensive library.” She paused. “I want to learn more about the Emerald Reach, and what lies beyond its green fields and rugged mountains. The world is at my feet, and all I have to do is take a step to discover what is unknown to me. I will find a place to make new friends and create new bonds, and I look forward to it. And once I have found a place I wish to call home, I will pass on the Way of the Manyfists to all those who are willing to learn what I have learned.” Brother Sugnar felt intensely proud of his former pupil. “I know you will find that place, I can feel it in my heart and my spirit. And they have never lied to me.” They sat in silence enjoying each other’s presence for one last time.
It was already past midnight when Brother Sugnar stood up to get some sleep. Maeko asked him to wait. “There is one more loose end I need to tie up”, she said. Brother Sugnar looked at her wondering what that might be. Maeko took a scroll from under her robe. “Do you recognize this?”, she asked. Brother Sugnar walked over to her and nodded, “I do dear, I do to well. It’s the scroll your father left when he placed you in my care. Countless times I have cursed its existence, but I could never find the heart to destroy it, because I felt it contained your truth.” Maeko took his hand and placed it on the scroll together with her own. “Can you find the heart to destroy it together with me?”, she asked. Brother Sugnar was surprised, but in a second understood what she meant. Maeko continued, “It has served its purpose, I don’t think either of us needs it any longer, because we both know the truth.” Brother Sugnar nodded. Together they slowly moved the scroll over the fire. “It is time to let go of the past, and look to the future.” They simultaneously let go of the twenty-eight year old parchment and watched the fire consume it until no trace of it was left. They put their arms around each other and walked up to the bedrooms, their tread lighter than a feather. “And so the chapter ends”, Maeko thought as she closed the bedroom door behind her.
Maeko left very early in the morning, it was still dark. She had said all there was to say and decided to leave before her brothers and sisters would wake up. She crossed the training grounds and walked up to the great gate. She turned around and looked at the monastery one last time. She knew every nook and cranny of this place, still she was awed by the beauty of it, especially in the light of the moon. She looked to her right, to the shed where she was placed by her parents almost twenty-eight years ago. She walked to the narrow path, turned around one last time and gave her brothers and sisters a last formal greeting. “And now off to my future”, she whispered to herself and turned the corner down to the northwestern passage.
Maeko spent almost five weeks with the Templars of the Arcane, though she made sure not to get acquainted with any of its members. Most of her time was spent on the second floor of the tower, where they had an extensive library. She read a lot about the Emerald Reach and its history. Most of it was nice to know, but none of it seemed to really give her an idea of what was to be found outside of her homeland. There was a story that seemed promising, about an ancient portal leading to a faraway place called Harata, but it offered no real clues as to where this portal might be. She was about to give up hope when her eye caught a small tome with silver lettering on its spine. “Trade routes of the eight Realms, The Emerald routes”, she read out loud. She opened the book and a folded piece of paper fell out. She picked up the paper and carefully unfolded it. It was a large piece of parchment, worn by time. She couldn‘t believe her eyes. It was a map of an enormous land, divided into eight different regions. She quickly found the Emerald Reach, then looked at the other places. They all had interesting and enticing names, but one caught her attention, an area called Paradise Lost. It was situated to the northwest of the Emerald Reach.
She started reading the book and discovered that ages ago an overland trade route stretched from the Emerald Reach, leading west along the northernmost border of a region called Midreach. From there the route continued northwest crossing the forests of Tweenwood, and finally reached Paradise Lost. There was also a trade route to Paradise Lost by boat ending in the continent’s most northern parts. The book gave an insight into the amounts of emeralds that were transported to each of the regions, and mentioned a place in Paradise Lost called Spirehold. Maeko was amazed when she found out that over eighty percent of the exported emeralds from Fer were send to this place. She decided to look for more books about this Paradise Lost, and she found one. The book was called ‘Paradise Lost, the Pillars of Creation’. A particular part of this book described the origin of civilization and the birth of good and evil.
The Pillars of Creation
From eternal darkness the Gods created the Ancient Dwarves and the Race of Creators. At the same time they also created angels and demons to serve as the guardians of their creation. Both angels and demons attempted to gain the favor of the Gods. The angels held dominion over the Creator Race and gifted them with Sapphires of Souls to power their constructs. The Demons ruled over the Ancient Dwarves and gifted them with Sapphires of Souls too, to power their pillars.
One of the Gods did not approve of this. The souls of mortals were supposed to ascend to heaven or descend into the Abyss, and not to be stored inside a Sapphire of Souls to be used as a power source merely for the purpose of fueling a competition between the angels and the demons. The other Gods ignored this blasphemy, but this one God stepped forward and tried to force the angels and demons to end their strife.
The angels and demons envied the Gods who were superior in all ways, and their lust for power was no match for this one God’s will. In an unholy alliance the angels and demons created a special Sapphire of Souls and captured in it the soul of the one God who opposed them. In doing so they created the Oracle, imprisoned by a riddle of knowledge. The other Gods witnessed this and dared not intervene fearing for their own freedom.
This led to the Gods abandoning this part of the world and the angels and demons took it upon themselves to govern its fate and its people. The creator Race and the Ancient Dwarves kept using the Sapphires of Souls. With help of the angels and demons they added ever more souls to their sapphires feeding their lust for power and expansion.
The Creator Race, through their constructs, brought law into the world. At the same time the Pillars of Power from the Ancient Dwarves brought chaos into the world. This inevitably led to the rise of civilization. But as law and chaos are opposites, the world could not exist the way the angels and demons had planned it. The opposites of law and chaos led to strife, segregation and disagreement among mortal men and ultimately gave birth to the concept of good and evil.
~
What aroused Maeko’s interest specifically was that Gods apparently had abandoned this land, and she figured that was why it was called Paradise Lost. “A land without Gods, I wonder how that works”, she thought. Maeko did not worship any deity, but was well aware of the influence the Gods had on the inhabitants of the Emerald Reach. The second thing that had caught Maeko’s attention was the part about souls being trapped inside a sapphire. She found it hard to believe this was possible, but remembered Sirisar telling her that her mind had built a cage around her soul when she was being drained by the Mindstalker. “A godless land and a great injustice, what better place than that for me to start a monastery of my own”, she thought.
Maeko walked down to the room where she had first met Sirisar. There were only two apprentices in the room who were busy creating some sort of potion. Their work had spread a pungent smell throughout the room and Maeko felt compelled to hold her breath. “Sirisar?”, she asked while trying not to breathe in. “He is on the rooftop”, one of the apprentices answered. Maeko turned around and quickly closed the door behind, gulping in a breath of fresh air. She made her way to the top of the tower which was decent exercise considering the amount of steps that lead to the top. She opened the door that led to the rooftop terrace of the tower. “You should check out this view”, Sirisar said without even having seen who was behind him.
Maeko stood next to him, gazing into the distance. Beneath them a sea of green leaves formed by the treetops of the Darkwood Forest, beyond that the green hills and the Mirianir mountains. Sirisar pointed at a white mountain top far beyond the Mirianir mountains. “Do you know what that is?”, he asked. Maeko took a wild guess, “One of Mount Drassa’s snow covered peaks.” Sirisar laughed, “It’s called the Frozen North, though that is actually not quite true, it’s just the mountain tops that are frozen. It’s what lies beyond Mount Drassa.” Maeko was awed as she tried to imagine the distance between them and that tiny white triangle on the horizon. Sirisar looked at Maeko, “So you have made up your mind?” Maeko kept staring into the distance, “I have”, she replied, “Paradise Lost is where I will go.” They stood in awe for a while watching the sun set over the Emerald Reach, which was a spectacular sight from atop the tower. They walked down the stairs and sat down in the library. Sirisar noticed the small book about the emerald trade routes on the table. “How do you plan to travel to this place, you are aware that the trade routes in this book no longer exist?” Maeko hadn’t thought about that. “What do you suggest?”, she asked Sirisar, “I was hoping to travel by boat. I have never done that before. But then again, who would be crazy enough to sail that far just for me?” Sirisar stood up and started pacing the room. Suddenly he stopped, “Aha, yes. That should work. I will be right back.” He raced off, leaving Maeko guessing as to what he had planned for her. More than twenty minutes passed before Sirisar came back waving his hand in front of his face while coughing. “Those bloody students of mine.” Maeko laughed as she realized the living room must still be smelling pretty nasty. Sirisar sat down again placing a strange metal cube on the table, then took the old map from the small book. He spread it out on the table, lifting his hands over the parchment. A series of strange sounds passed Sirisar’s lips and slowly the map turned black as night. Then a few bright dots appeared on the map. Sirisar stopped his incantation and the map regained its original color, while the bright dots remained visible as black markings. Sirisar pointed at a black marking on the east coast of the Emerald Reach and looked at Maeko. “Have you ever heard of the shadow sailor?” Maeko shook her head. “I haven’t.” Sirisar sighed, “Well, let’s just say he is like a normal sailor, except he does not sail the normal seas.” Maeko looked confused while Sirisar continued. “Are you familiar with the planes of existence that weave the fabric of reality?” Maeko shook her head again, “I’m sorry, I have never heard of any of this.” Sirisar put his hand on Maeko’s arm. He gave her a very serious look. “Do you trust me Maeko? Do you trust my willingness to help you reach your goal?” Maeko thought about this for a moment. “I do”, she answered. “Very well, then hear me out and accept what I am going to say as truth, even though I can’t explain it to you. The Shadow Sailor sails the sea of shadows. This sea is located on another plane of existence as ours, the Shadow Plane. Time behaves differently there, it moves faster.” Maeko remembered her fight with the two Iron Brotherhood soldiers, where time appeared to slow down. “Without going further into detail, the bottom line is, the Shadow Sailor can take you where you need to go in the blink of an eye.” Maeko didn’t exactly understand what Sirisar was saying, but decided to accept it as truth like he had asked. Sirisar turned his attention back to the map. “The markings on the map, the black dots, are places where our plane and the Shadow Plane intersect.” He pointed at the marking on the coast of Paradise Lost. “Take this map to the Shadow Sailor and he will know the way. All you need beside this map is payment for the journey.” Maeko looked worried, “I haven’t got much gold I’m afraid.” Sirisar laughed. “Gold is worthless to the Shadow Sailor. You need a soul to offer as payment.” Maeko was startled, “I’m not going to sacrifice anyone just to reach my goal, that is appalling.” Sirisar calmed her down. “You don’t have sacrifice anyone, don’t worry. Actually you provided just the right thing to me that can serve as payment. You remember how I used my powers to cure you of the Mindstalker?” “How could I forget”, Maeko replied, “But how will this help me acquire payment for the Shadow Sailor?” Sirisar clapped his hands, “You really have no idea. My spell didn’t destroy the Mindstalker. It only turned his attention to something even more interesting than your life force.” He pointed at the metal cube on the table. “The Mindstalker is inside of that cube.” Maeko held her hand up as if wanting to push away the cube. “Don’t worry, it can’t escape the prison I put around it.” Maeko calmed down, “Are you telling me that thing has a soul.” Sirisar nodded, “Yes, it is perfect as payment for the Shadow Sailor. And I doubt you will have any problems with this cube disappearing from this plane entirely.” Maeko looked at Sirisar in gratitude, “I sure don’t.” Sirisar stood up from his chair, “It’s settled then. You will take the map and the cube to the Shadow Sailor and travel to Paradise Lost sailing the Sea of Shadows.” Sirisar looked very pleased with himself. “Travel to the village of Wheaton, just south of it lies the Old Jetty, an abandoned dock. The Shadow Sailor will reveal himself to any who are willing to sail with him“. Maeko simply nodded, trying to hide her anxiety about this endeavor.
Maeko said her goodbyes to Sirisar early the next morning, and wandered off into the Darkwood Forest. Her hike to Wheaton would take two days, which passed without incident. In her mind she had already left the Emerald Reach, so she went straight to the abandoned pier Sirisar had told her about. She stood on the docks looking out to sea, and took the map and metal cube out of her backpack. “I seek passage to Paradise Lost, who will take me?”, she said doubting anything would happen. But then the air before her started to shimmer, dark waving strands slowly started to form the outline of a ship. A dark, slender figure appeared on the pier, its body a transparent shadow. Blue eyes lit up in his otherwise formless face. A hollow voice spoke to Maeko. “Hail the dead.” Maeko shivered, “That doesn’t sound inviting”, she thought. The Shadow Sailor stretched out his long thin arm, opening his hand to receive payment. Maeko felt a light pull on the map and cube. She gathered her courage and stepped towards the dark figure. She could feel cold radiating from this entity. “Can you take me to Paradise Lost?”, she asked while placing the map and cube in the Shadow Sailor‘s hand. The hand closed and the Shadow Sailor gestured her to walk the shadowy plank leading to the ship’s deck. Maeko walked aboard placing her trust in Sirisar’s wisdom. The plank and Shadow Sailor disappeared, then the Shadow Sailor reappeared at the helm. Maeko did not feel any breath of air, but still the ship started to move. The sea beneath them and the sky above started fading to black as the ship picked up speed and turned north, at least it felt like north to Maeko. Within minutes all light had disappeared, and they were moving through intense darkness. Maeko felt her head growing weary and decided to rest for a while. She didn’t feel unsafe or threatened in any way, and realized there was no turning back. She fell asleep while leaning against the ship’s single mast.
Warm sea water washed over Maeko’s feet and woke her from a deep slumber. She blinked at the bright sun that was burning high in the sky straight above her. She felt soft sand underneath her hands as she pushed herself upright. Another wave approached and she quickly jumped up, grabbing her backpack and stepping back before the wave could hit her. She looked around trying to determine where she was. The beach stretched out as far as the eye could see in both directions, and the blue water of the sea was unlike anything she had ever seen in the Emerald Reach. She noticed tall branchless trees, which had very large feather shaped leaves in their tops. Strange brown ball shaped objects hung underneath them. She turned her attention from the beach and sea towards the land behind her. A mixture of these strange trees, sandy terrain and unfamiliar vegetation stretched out before her. The only other thing she saw were two mountains in the distance, and a faint shimmer in between them. “The sun is burning like mad, I need to find some shade or I will be fried alive”, Maeko thought. In the shimmering heat she noticed a structure of sorts, and decided to go for it. It was an abandoned wooden shack that was once used by fishermen. There were some nets still hanging from the walls. The heat and humidity were extreme, so Maeko decided to wait until the evening and just rest in the shade this shack offered her. The sea breeze blowing through cracks in the hut’s walls thankfully brought some relief from the heat and Maeko managed to use one of the old nets as a hammock.
At last the sun was setting, its waning strength making the heat much more bearable. Maeko looked towards the two mountains again, and could clearly see a reflection between them, where earlier there was only a shimmer. “There has got to be something there made by people, I had best get moving”, she said to herself. She walked all night, praising the full moon that made travelling a lot easier. She was surprised by the cold the night brought, but still preferred that over the heat of day. By sunrise Maeko found herself looking at a green valley dotted with farms. It wasn‘t long before she found wagon tracks and a road leading her further into the farmlands. “I need to rest, my legs are hurting like mad. Travelling through sand is so exhausting”, she thought. There was a haystack further up ahead that looked really inviting. It was right beside the road at an intersection. “Just a few hours of sleep, then I will find someone to talk to.”
She made herself comfortable in the hay and quickly fell asleep. A few hours later the sound of hooves woke her and a man wearing strange yellow and blue clothing was looking down at her from atop his horse. His face was tanned by the sun and he carried a large halberd. “Good morning, everything alright here lady”, he informed with a friendly smile on his face. Maeko stretched, looked up at the man and nodded. He looked at Maeko’s strange outfit. “You are not from around here I see, may I ask what brings you to Paradise?” Maeko jumped up, “You mean Paradise Lost I hope?”, she asked. The man laughed, “That was a long time ago, this kingdom is now simply known as Paradise”, he said while gesturing at his surroundings. Maeko couldn’t suppress a small cheer of joy. She remembered the man’s question. “I’m here to… I’m going to… Let’s just say I’m on an adventure.” Maeko didn’t want to reveal her plan of starting a monastery just yet. The man laughed, “Well that’s perfect. Can you read?” Maeko nodded. “Here you go then.” He tossed a scroll to Maeko who caught it in a reflex, then turned his horse and moved off further into the farmlands. “Good luck and welcome to Paradise!”, he shouted while turning the corner, leaving a trail of dust. Maeko curiously opened the scroll and read its message.
~
By royal decree King Khalid el Abdhul has called for aid in a matter of the utmost importance concerning the welfare of the kingdom. Those willing to serve under the king’s name are charged to report to the Swift Foot inn at the commoners district of the Jewel of the North. Further instructions will be given upon reporting to the Kings guard in aforementioned establishment. Travel expenses for those that answer will be compensated.In name of his Royal Highness, King Khalid el Abdhul
Shin, head of household.
~
Maeko did not ponder her next move for long. “This is as good a way to get to know this place as any, and I can’t pass up on an opportunity to use my skills for the greater good.” She grabbed her backpack and decided to ask one of the farmers where this Jewel of the North was located. “I actually made it, thank you Sirisar”, she whispered as she stepped towards her future filled with joy and excitement. “Apparently sometimes the future is simply tossed right at you from the back of a horse.”
