(eng) Michael-Scott Earle by Rose Boy

Author:Rose Boy [Boy, Rose]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Excellent,” Bargen nodded, and I reset my stance. Then the tiger-tattooed monk launched another series of attacks with his fists. They were as hard as rocks, and I’d actually seen the man crush six-inch thick cords of wood with a single blow from the knuckles. It was a tactic he told me he spent his entire life perfecting, and I didn’t have time to learn the method.

But I did have time to learn how to fight.

His fists were a blur of mist, but I predicted their blows before they even emerged from his shoulder or hip. He didn’t hint at their arrival with his body, but I knew my mind enough to understand the limitations of time and the speed at which we observed combat. My hands reached up to parry his strikes without my consciousness working, and my own palms struck back when his defense became thin.

“Excellent,” he repeated, when I contacted his face for the third time. It had been a few months since any of the monks could land a touch upon my body, and Bargen had come to test my abilities.

“Sticks,” he said, and gestured to the three foot lengths of bamboo that lay on the rack near us. Dozens of other monks observed our sparring session, and one of them, Brother Juniper, tossed a pair to each of us. Bargen and I assumed our stances again and he attacked. These weapons were my favorite, since they most reminded me of swords. They spun in my hands like dancing yellow flames, and each of his attacks exposed many opportunities to strike his midsection, his shoulders, and even his head. The Master’s face remained a sea of calm during our sparring match, but this one was shorter than the unarmed session. At last, I managed dozens of strikes against my teacher and he signaled for us to stop.

“Excellent,” he said again, and we stepped apart. The long pole was next on the list and he failed to damage me with that weapon. Then we tested the chain and the spear. Finally, he dropped the last of our weapons and bowed his head.

“I have a question for you, Rose Boy.” He gestured to the padded mat we stood upon, and I slid to my knees.

“Yes, Master?”

“Will you stay here with us? You have learned much in fourteen years, but we have only begun to teach you of the world within yourself.”

“I am grateful for all you have taught me, Master,” I bowed down before him until my head touched the straw mat, “but I have a purpose for the remainder of my life. I will not rest until Raltenor the Conquer is dead.”

“Then I have a gift for you.” He gestured to the gathered monks and two ran forward. Brother Juniper placed a small scroll on the mat between us, and Brother Xite, a canvas backpack. I knew all of the monks and respected their abilities, but Brother Juniper and Xite had shared my small living space for the last fourteen years.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.