Tara Maya by The Unfinished Song 10 - Sworn

Author:The Unfinished Song 10 - Sworn [Sworn, The Unfinished Song 10 -]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The Unfinished Song#10
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

VIO

Vio was too old to perform in public dances, but that didn’t mean he didn’t train regularly. Compared to other men his age, he had more scars yet also more stamina and flexibility. He worked hard to keep his body as strong and limber as he could, despite the pangs and twangs from old injuries and old bones. Sometimes he practiced with his friend and partner, Danumoro, but today, Vio trained alone. He started with pushups on the stone floor, followed by pull-ups, using a long horseman’s spear laid lengthwise across the kiva, notched in the stone on either side of the room. Then he used a short spear to perform a series of lunges, thrusts, kicks, punches, and rolls. He performed this same routine three times a day, twice in the morning and once in the evening.

He had almost finished his second set for the morning when someone dared to lift the reed curtain across the doorway to the kiva. Turning to see who would dare, Vio bit down on his retort when he recognized Zumo.

“How can I help you, nephew?”

“I wish a word with you, uncle.”

“We have words every time we meet in a Friending Feast, at your father’s house or mine or with any other host.”

“Indeed, uncle.” Zumo cocked his head. He appeared to be waiting for something. After a moment, some musicians who must have been in a nearby kiva started practicing, pounding drums. With the noise to mask his words from outsiders, Zumo continued, “But what I have to say is for your ears alone. And what I hope you can tell me is for my ears alone.”

Curious despite himself, Vio motioned for Zumo to enter. “I’ll finish my routine, then we will talk.”

Vio made Zumo wait while Vio proceeded to throw himself into a flurry of lunges, thrusts and rolls. Vio may have thrown extra energy into the routine to show his nephew that the old man wasn’t dry bones yet. The music from the drums helped him move to the rapid beat. Afterward, Vio dunked his head in an urn of cold water and toweled himself off with a cloth. Only then did he pull out a mat for the two of them to sit. In the other kiva, a beautiful, mournful flute started to play. The flute song softened and slowed the pace of the drumbeat, with perfect timing.

Zumo had waited through the display patiently. “I need your advice, uncle.”

“My advice?” Vio leaned back and crossed his arms skeptically. “Since when have you sought that?”

Zumo lowered his eyes. “I have no one else to turn to. I can’t go to my father. It would put him in danger.”

“But you are happy to put me in danger, is that it?”

“No... I... I’m sorry... I didn’t mean...” Zumo looked flustered. The youngster truly was nervous.

“Spit it out, nephew,” Vio said, taking pity on him. “What’s the danger?”

“An old enemy,” Zumo said. He lowered his voice, although the music in the other kiva would have covered their voices from anyone wandering nearby in the Maze.

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