With a swift flick of her wrist Awasa unfolded her fan. “Come, girls. Turesobei needs his sword practice.”
All of the girls snickered again and proudly marched off toward the gardens. Burning with shame, Turesobei sighed pitifully, then launched into a run. He was even later now.
* * *
On the practice field, nine boys followed Arms Instructor Kilono as he led them through the second of the three Crane Style fighting routines. The boys breathed deeply and eased smoothly from one pose to the next. The routine's sixteen movements imitated combat techniques, strengthened internal kenja, or life force, and increased balance and flexibility.
Turesobei removed his sandals and folded his outer coat. He knelt at the field's edge and waited for the routine's completion. Once they finished, Kilono ordered the boys into a line and stormed over to Turesobei, who bowed and touched his forehead to the ground in respect of the teacher he had wronged.
Arms Instructor Kilono yelled at Turesobei. “You're late again!”
“I am deeply sorry, master.”
Kilono's eyes narrowed, and his face wrinkled from his second chin to his bald pate. His voice sounded like gravel poured into a wooden bucket. “Let me guess, the library again?”
“Yes, master. I was studying the—”
“I don't care what you were studying! There is a time for reading and a time for martial arts. This is the time for martial arts. You must learn to be aware of how much time has passed, no matter what you're doing.”
“Yes, master. I will try to do better.”
Kilono harrumphed deeply. “I will not tolerate tardiness from you any longer. What lessons do you have next?”
“Riding, master.”
“After that, you will return here and repeat the Crane, Crow, and Sun Staff routines three times each. If you make any mistakes, you will repeat them all.”
“I’m supposed to have dinner with Grandfather Kahenan after riding, master.”
“Dinner is not my concern, and I will speak with Lord Kahenan.”
Turesobei groaned. Grandfather Kahenan would let Kilono have his way then berate Turesobei for not being on time for his evening lesson.
“Now,” ordered Kilono, “get up and join the others who were here on time, whose practice you have needlessly interrupted.”
The other boys feared Kilono's reprimand too much to make a sound, but all of them laughed within. Turesobei could tell from their wide, sparkling eyes. They often laughed at his expense when they thought he wasn't looking. That had always been the way of things. Awasa and her companions had always mocked him, but they did so openly—something the boys couldn’t afford to do to the future high wizard. Turesobei didn't really have any friends; unlike the other kids his age, he didn't really have any free time to spend on socializing.
Martial arts practice didn't enthuse Turesobei, anyway. He wasn't bad at fighting. In fact, he was talented. But he was behind the other boys his age. His wizardry studies denied him more than half the time they spent in martial arts lessons. And Kilono wouldn't let him practice with the younger boys, especially since he was tall for his age.
However, Turesobei did equal his peers in sword fighting, due to his longer reach and because Grandfather Kahenan insisted on him receiving extra sword practice. A wizard had to be able to wield a white-steel blade like Yomifano because only white-steel could slay demons and other spirit creatures.
After the long Crow routine of thirty-two movements to improve concentration and enhance the senses, Kilono directed them in attack and defense maneuvers, staff forms, and grappling. Turesobei took several scuffs and bruises from his more skilled opponents.
Kilono maliciously pointed out his every error, and with each mistake Turesobei lost more focus and did worse on the succeeding drills, earning more criticism. At last they reached sword fighting, but Turesobei was so rattled that he might as well have fought with both hands tied behind his back.
When practice finally ended, Turesobei was exhausted, but he had to rush straight to his riding lessons. And he would have more routines to do for Kilono afterward. Then Grandfather Kahenan would lecture him about his irresponsible behavior and assign him endless spell inscriptions. Worst of all, he feared he would miss dinner altogether.
As he sat in the stables, pulling on his riding boots, Turesobei’s encounter with the strange, little creature from the book came rushing back to him. He had to figure it out as soon as possible. But how in all the seven worlds was he going to get back to the library before it closed?
Chapter Four
With a knotting, rumbling stomach, Turesobei ducked into the kitchen and stole a chunk of bread, a slice of cheese, and a drinking bowl of apple juice. He drank the juice in the kitchen and then crammed down the food as he hurried up the steps within his grandfather's tower. Running late already, he didn’t have time for the library. He would have to either break in late tonight or go there first thing in the morning.
Turesobei stopped on the stair landing and composed himself in front of the sliding door that led into the top floor's single room. The painted scene on the rice paper panels depicted a goshawk taking flight from a mountain forest. The goshawk was the symbol of the Chonda Clan.
Tentatively, Turesobei slid open the door, bowed twice, and stepped into his grandfather's open, circular workroom.
Kahenan sat cross-legged on a cushion in the room's center. His eyes were closed and his face held no expression, though he seemed peaceful and content. Another cushion lay five paces across from him.
Turesobei sat there in imitation and waited to be acknowledged. A cool breeze blew through the open windows. The leaves of the ferns and honeysuckle growing from giant pots rustled. The hanging bamboo chimes thunked and clattered. Scents of earth and leaves, jasmine incense and an early autumn night mingled in the room.
Turesobei stared at his grandfather for several minutes, but the old man didn't budge and Turesobei didn't dare speak.
“He knows I'm here,” Turesobei said to himself, “and he's testing me.”
Frogs began to croak in the lake below, and insects chirped and sang. After what seemed at least an hour, Turesobei grew tired of this game. He could have meditated, but he was exhausted, irritable, and far too distracted by thoughts about the Lu Bei book waiting for him in the library. It was all so difficult to believe and he had so many questions.
Kahenan, of course, wanted him to be patient and reflective. He was probably supposed to think about the mistakes he had made today, but right now he just didn't care about failing his grandfather or any of his other teachers. The only error that concerned him was having made a fool of himself in front of Awasa. Yet again.
If they would just give him some freedom….
Why did he always have to rush about to do everyone else's bidding? No one ever let him arrange his own schedule or do what he wanted for more than a few minutes each day. Even on festivals, he had to take part in boring rituals while other boys his age had time off.
He couldn’t take it anymore. He had to get the book from the library, get some food, and rest. With a deep huff, Turesobei stood. “I've had enough. I’m tired, and I'm hungry. If you're not going to teach me, then I'm going home.”
Lord Kahenan's eyes opened and anger blazed within them. His mouth tightened and his cheeks flushed. Thoroughly stunned by having riled his normally unflappable grandfather, Turesobei immediately sat back down and bowed his head. He cursed himself for being so impulsive.
“Sometimes you are an impudent fool!” Kahenan shouted. “Just because I have allowed you to speak your mind at ease with me, does not mean you are free to be disrespectful.” He closed his eyes, and lines of strain creased his soft face. His chest heaved with labored breaths. “I would wonder what has gotten into you lately, Sobei, except that you are a teenage boy and angst and impertinence need no further excuse.”
“I am sorry, Grandfather.”
Kahenan's calm demeanor returned, though a little spark rem
ained flickering within his eyes, waiting to be stirred again. “Perhaps you are, but I wish you could be sorry about things before you did them.”
His grandfather relaxed and suddenly looked old and fatigued. “I have had a long day of difficult summonings and bindings. I am tired, and I thought that since you had a stressful day as well, that we could sit together and share some quiet meditation time. I see that I was wrong. Apparently you require no centering. Apparently your spirit feeds off insubordination and arrogance.
“Your mother has spoiled you, your father is never here to discipline you, and I am old and too lenient. Nevertheless, I know you have been taught better. No other child would dare to behave in such a way. Your attitude is simply not tolerable.
“You have been given a rare blessing to express yourself and treat your elders almost as equals. But you are taking advantage of this gift. Any other student I would have kicked out of here by now. Permanently.”
Turesobei bowed and touched his head to the reed mats on the floor. “I am deeply sorry, Grandfather.”
“You say that so much these days that I am not sure you mean it anymore. Go eat, get some rest, and come back here at first light to clean the entire workshop. Tomorrow I am going to work you until you know true fatigue in every possible way.”
Turesobei walked to the door. He paused. Angry or not, Grandfather Kahenan always had one more thing to say when Turesobei reached the door. This time was no different.
“I received word from your father. The message came by pigeon this afternoon.”
Chapter Five
Turesobei spun and excitement lifted his downcast features. “He’s still alive!” His father was always in danger. “Will he get home in time for the festival?”
Turesobei’s excitement seemed to lighten Grandfather Kahenan’s mood a little. “He is doing well and riding fast. He should arrive tomorrow evening. But do not rejoice too much. If you do not accomplish all the tasks I set for you tomorrow, you will have little time for seeing him.”
“I swear to do everything you ask.”
“Then see that you get some rest. I am going to have to be harsh with you tomorrow.”
Turesobei stared at his grandfather, debating what he should do about Lu Bei. He really should tell his grandfather, but for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to do so.
“Sobei, what is on your mind?”
“I need to get into the library. I left my spell books there this afternoon. By accident.”
Grandfather Kahenan scowled. “Spell books should not be treated so lightly. If they fell into the wrong hands….”
“That’s why I left them in the library. I figured they were safer there than on the practice field.”
“I suppose….”
“So you will let me in?”
“No. You can get them in the morning. You are not going to be up studying tonight.”
Biting his lip, Turesobei continued to stare at his grandfather.
“Something else on your mind, Sobei?”
“Well, it’s about my kavaru. Why didn’t you take it when your grandfather died?”
“A strange question at this hour. Can it not wait until another time?”
“It’s just….” His mind raced, not wanting to reveal any secrets, and then he remembered: he did have a problem. “I’ve had strange dreams about my kavaru as of late.” Which was true. He’d meant to bring this up weeks ago. Only he wasn’t overly worried—dreams were dreams—and he hadn’t had the chance.
“What kind of dreams?”
“Just…strange. Not quite nightmares, but unsettling. I dream about the kavaru and about people I’ve never met before, but who I know intimately. And, in my dreams at least, I miss them terribly.
“It’s probably nothing, though, right? My memories of the people fade like with any dream.”
Kahenan walked to one of the windows and looked down on the lake. “It was not for me, that stone. Nor for anyone else but you.”
“I know there aren’t that many stones around any longer, but there were enough that I could have chosen. Why was I never given a choice like everyone else?” He’d had his stone since birth.
“The stone suited you. It was obvious. So I went ahead and gave it to you at birth. It is not unknown for a stone to pick a wielder. And I thought growing up with it would make you a better wizard.
“As for your dreams…you will be fine. You spend a lot of time working with the stone, and you are nearly a man. You are bound to have such dreams. You are picking up echoes from past wielders of this kavaru. Do not fret over them.
“Now, is that all?”
“There is one other thing. Do you know if Chonda Lu had a fetch? Not a demon of light or shadow, but a spirit creature of some sort that served him. Perhaps one he would have made himself.”
Kahenan stroked his beard thoughtfully. “No, I do not. Why do you ask?”
“I saw it in a book.”
“Hmm. I have never read anything about it before. Did it describe the creature?”
“Very small with amber skin and batwings.”
“I have never heard of such a creature. But you know, some of those old legends are full of fanciful details. Mind you do not put too much stock in them.”
“Of course, Grandfather.”
“Now away. Tomorrow we work.”
“And see my dad.”
“And see your father,” said Kahenan. “But only if you work hard enough.”
* * *
Having first made sure no one was anywhere within sight, Turesobei sprinted toward the bamboo wall. When he was only six paces from it, he chanted the command phrase for the spell of prodigious leaping and jumped upward. On a good day, he could have cleared a ten-foot wall.
But he was too tired for that. And the wall was higher than he had thought.
Thump!
He slammed into the wall hard, but before he fell, he threw a hand up and caught hold of the top. Aching and probably sporting a few new bruises, he climbed up and then dropped down into the garden of the locked but unguarded Clan Library.
Turesobei crept up to the back door and placed his hand against the lock. Forming the correct intent and the proper runic symbol in his mind, he whispered the spell of unlocking. After a decisive click, he slid the wood paneled door open.
Intoning the spell of the flickering flame summoned a small, hovering sphere of fire. Turesobei set it to a strength no greater than a candle—not bright enough to draw attention and just enough to see where he was going. He could have cast the spell of darksight, but the only version he knew was of little use inside on a moonless night. In response to his spells, a barely noticeable mote of light appeared deep within his kavaru.
Turesobei made his way to the shelf and was relieved that the Head Librarian hadn’t found his books. At a thought, the orange globe floated in closer. Shoving the other books aside, he picked up Lu Bei’s diary.
The runes on the cover began to glow as Turesobei looked at them. His kavaru lit up as well. The book began to feel light and feathery.
“Not now, Lu Bei,” Turesobei whispered. “We’ve got to get home first.” The light began to fade and the book felt solid and heavy again. “And you have some explaining to do, little creature.”
Suddenly the runes flared up again, then the book shivered and burst into a cloud of smoke.
“Master,” a tinny voice croaked from within the cloud. “Watch out!”
At that moment, a withered hand grabbed Turesobei’s shoulder.
Chapter Six
“Explaining to do, indeed,” said a tired voice that Turesobei knew all too well.
As the hand released Turesobei’s shoulder, Lu Bei coalesced from the energy cloud. Arms, claws, and wings flexed, and then—
“Haiyah!” he squeaked, and he zipped past Turesobei.
Grandfather Kahenan instinctively reached up a hand to block the unexpected charge. Lu Bei crashed into Kahenan’s hand, dug his claws in, and bit.
Lu Bei flapped his wings, narrowly missed crashing into a bookcase, and circled to attack again. But even as Turesobei cried for Lu Bei to stop, a deep voice called out:
“Binding of my forefathers, take this demon now!”
Characters written on a bamboo spell strip in Grandfather Kahenan’s other hand flared bright white momentarily and then disappeared.
Lu Bei was not a demon, but the bindings worked nonetheless, since he was a construct of sorcery. Streams of energy flew from the spell strip and wrapped around Lu Bei, physically binding him. Though he couldn’t move his wings anymore, he yet floated, whether by a property of the binding spell or Lu Bei’s nature, Turesobei didn’t know.
“Sobei!” Kahenan roared, clutching his bleeding hand. “What is this thing?”
Turesobei met his grandfather’s eyes and shivered. “A creature from a diary. Or rather it is the diary. It transforms from a book into this. Its name is Lu Bei. It says it was created…well, it says it was created by me. But I think it means it was created with my kavaru. By Chonda Lu himself.”
“How long have you had this book?”
“Since this morning.”
“Where did you find it?”
“When I grabbed up my books in your workshop, it was mixed in with them. I didn’t realize it was there until I reached the library. That was the first I saw it.”
“You would not lie to me?”
“I swear it was with my books.”
“True, true. Master speaks true!” Lu Bei said.
Kahenan pointed a finger at the fetch. “Quiet, you! I will give you time enough to make your case soon.” He turned back to Turesobei. “Why did you not tell me immediately?”
Turesobei shrugged. “I wanted to. I tried to. I just…I don’t know. I was angry and frustrated. And it seemed harmless.”
“Often the most harmful things in a wizard’s life are the ones that look the least harmful. Have I not taught you this?”
Storm Phase Series: Books 1-3 Page 4
