by Paul Heisel
“An interesting trick,” Jerr said. He stepped backwards, nearly touching Owori. “But I must tell you, I can sense heat.”
The icy fist came with great velocity, and had Owori not been in a defensive position, she would have taken the blow. She couldn’t maintain her magic and fight fluidly, so she dropped her chi and struck back, kicking as she had done with Tasha. Jerr tried to block the invisible blow, but he took it full force. Her foot never landed, but as before, the blow hit him squarely in the chest, a solid kick but not worthy of injury. He absorbed the light attack and took a step back. Jerr stared at Owori and made no offensive move. He scowled and grabbed his robe.
“Don’t ever hold back,” he snarled. “You can fight harder than that.”
“Don’t hold back? Not even among allies?” she asked.
Jerr laughed. “Who said we were allies?” He donned his robe and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind.
The chair was convenient so Owori sat down and took a deep breath. This was confusing. Jerr seemed angry, as if mad with the world, and was completely unreasonable. There was part of him that was intriguing, his strength. Despite the anger and negativity, she felt a connection with him, but she wasn’t sure where it came from. She needed time to think things through. She wondered how many tests there were, for she was getting weary. It had to be the late afternoon, a short few hours from suppertime, and it would be difficult to maintain the same pace all day. If the next person was just as angry as Jerr, she would probably run out of energy and patience. Yet she had to get through this.
#
It was about an hour later that the next person came. It was another man, older than Jerr, and probably his opposite in Owori’s estimation. He was rail thin and smiled a lot, laughing and joking. He made fun of Jerr and his frost abilities, saying his only use was for celebrations to keep the drinks cold. He had a snake tattoo, like Kara’s, and joked that no one was creative enough to come up with different snake designs so they used the same one over and over. He thought the 'artist' should go back to school and learn a bit more.
His name was Ash, and he made light of his name inadvertently being related to his magic ability. He was like Kara, a master of fire, and he gave Owori a wonderful demonstration of how his magic could be used. Fireballs came to his hands, flames licking but not consuming his skin, that he could toss like a ball. He could also make the floor burst into flames, or an opponent burst into flames if he were desperate. He could also fight with fire on his fists, so any blow struck would do copious damage. He also admitted he was proficient at lighting campfires and torches alike.
He and Owori spoke about the magic and what she could do. It was intriguing to him that she could vanish, and when she demonstrated it, he went about trying to find her. After a few moments of searching, he admitted to the empty room that he wouldn’t be able to find her if she had the ability to continue moving around. They talked briefly about her joining his group to study, and she told him that she would consider it. There was a rumble in her stomach when he left.
The tests thus far had been wide ranging, a variety of questions, physical tests, fighting, and demonstrations. She was trying to piece it all together, putting all the information in perspective and determining what it said about her. In their position, she would see her as having magic and patience. She was also resourceful and could think under pressure. These were all good things, she thought, although she wasn’t sure what Jerr’s evaluation would say about her.
Her older woman escort came and took her to the bath houses where she could wash. She took advantage of it, marveling at the whole experience. Inside the bath house, water came in from sluices above to the large wooden tubs. The water was heated from a source above the bathing area, and salts were added to the tubs to suit one’s preference. She scrubbed, enjoying the hot water and rose smelling salts. The old woman attended to her and brought her fresh clothes and a plain brown robe. Shortly after the bath, she dined by herself and was sent back to the room she had been tested in. They had cleared and cleaned the room, except for the two chairs. Owori, refreshed from the bath and supper, sat down. She wondered, how many more tests could there be?
A knock came at the door and through it came a woman. She was about the same height as Owori and she glided across the floor. Her golden robe flowed behind her, barely sweeping the floor. Her blond hair was long and straight, flowing to one side and across her shoulder. Blue eyes were bright and her oval face was glowing and flawless. Owori stood as she entered. The golden robe was removed and put on a chair. Beneath she wore loose fitting black pants and a tight halter top. Unlike Tasha, this top accentuated her chest and slender waist. She was tone, fit, and looked to be in top physical condition. Across her shoulder and down her arm was the tattoo of what appeared to be a white tiger. The halter top hid parts of the tiger, yet this tattoo went across her midriff, to her side, and looked to finish somewhere on her back. It was rather large.
“Hello,” the woman said. “How are you faring?”
“I’m doing well.” Owori bowed.
“My name is Pearl.” She did the same, bowing in kind.
“I’m Owori. Well met.”
“Well met.” Pearl took the chair and spun it around. She sat down and rested her arms and chin on the back of the chair. “Please, sit down and relax.”
Owori spun her chair around and did the same. She was facing Pearl and felt giddy. “Are we going to fight?”
Pearl laughed. “No, not at all. I’m sure you are well-instructed in the martial arts, as you have come from Waskhal. What I’m interested in is your magic.”
“Good. I’ve grown weary of this.”
“Most do,” Pearl said. “Few make it to the fourth interview. You should feel honored to have made it this far.”
Owori thought about it for a moment and it became clear to her that each of the interviewers were the leaders of the groups. Tasha, Jerr, Ash, and Pearl were the four leaders and the process was meant to find who would be best suited to teach a potential monk. She guessed there was an order; a priority of sorts that told her Pearl had the top students. She wondered, though, would she be able to choose which group to train with as Tasha had said, or would they assign her a group? She didn’t know. But rather than tell Pearl her guesses, she didn’t have anything to lose by asking a few questions.
“What can you tell me about the groups who train here?” Owori asked.
Pearl smiled. “There are four, as you may have deduced. We first divided monks by type of ability, putting those who could manifest fire with those who could do the same. We found that didn’t work well, as there were those who could barely light a fire or those like Ash who could burn down an entire building. What we do is figure the ability of each monk, then place them with the correct group. A talented woman such as you would be too much for Tasha to teach, in my opinion. Plus, you would learn nothing from her.”
“Are you saying she has weaker talents?” Owori asked.
“No, don’t get me wrong, the four of us have enough power to handle anyone in our groups. Tasha has strength, but is conservative when using it. Jerr is reckless, out of control, but has the most creative and loyal people learning with him. Ash is more measured, more balanced than any of us.”
“And you?”
“I’m a more spiritual, if you know what I mean. My monks meditate to renew themselves. We study our magic and teach each other to find the power deep within. It takes patience.”
Owori yawned and stretched her arms. She folded them back over the chair and put her chin back down. “Why did you choose a white tiger? Is there significance?”
Sitting up, Pearl flashed a smile and laughed. It was more of a titter than a roaring laugh. Owori noticed she seemed to glow, emanating a presence that was not only comforting, but assuring. The thought of the men that she must mesmerize came and went quickly. Owori jolted out of her trance.
“You don’t pick the tattoo, the tattoo picks you,” Pearl s
aid. “Few understand that.”
“I was told it’s an indicator of your devotion to magic.”
“More or less. The truth is the tattoo serves three purposes. One is to mark you, so all will know you have magic and the power to save or to destroy. Many fights can be avoided, believe me, by having one of us present. The second is to measure your strength. The type of animal and the size of the tattoo measures the power you possess.”
Pearl stood up and flung her hair to her back. In one smooth motion, she removed her top. The white tiger was now complete – it went from her arm, shoulder, across her breasts, down the left side of her body, and continued to the back. Pearl twirled. The tail snaked down across her back and disappeared beneath the black fighting pants.
“And the third purpose?”
“That you must learn on your own,” she said. Pearl put the halter top back on and sat down in the chair. “I see you have tattoos on your hands.”
Owori put forth her unfinished tattoos. The red was faded.
“I don’t know what they mean or where they came from. They were put on me when I was a small child. I don’t remember and my parents didn’t tell me what they are. They never really had the chance…”
“They’re unfamiliar to me,” Pearl said as she took Owori’s hands and squeezed them.
“What is the significance of the animals?” Owori asked.
Pearl continued to hold Owori’s hands. She pulled them to her face and caressed her cheeks with them. “So rough,” Pearl said.
The opposite was what Owori was thinking. So soft. Pearl’s skin was so soft and supple, and she was warm. Not feverish, but warm. She pulled her hands away and put her chin on them and the chair.
“The animals indicate strength,” Pearl said. “Snakes and serpents are the lowest, tigers and the like are the most powerful. Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying, snakes, like Kara can be powerful. Remember, the tattoo picks you.”
“How long did it take to create your tattoo?”
Pearl sighed. “You are full of questions. I’m not the one to answer that question.”
“Would Kara know?”
“Perhaps. Owori, there are things you should discover on your own. Asking questions only gives you the perspective of the person you’re asking. If you want to find out more about the tattoos, then work towards earning yours and you’ll find out all you need to know when you receive it.”
It made her nervous that so much was unknown, secret. Now she was more curious, and she wondered what animal would be given to her? Would she be powerful and have a tiger like Pearl and Tasha? Or would she have a snake, like Kara and Ash? Or a cobra, as Jerr did?
“I want to learn more about my magic,” Owori said. “Can you teach me?”
“Any one of us can teach you.”
“What if I want you to teach me?”
“I would consider it. I would need to know more about you, what you can do, and a few other things. It could take a while. You may have to study under one of the other three before coming to my group.”
“Why?”
“I teach the Elites. We’re advanced in our application and study of magic. To reach a high enough awareness, you may have to study with Ash, Tasha, or Jerr for months, even years, before having the ability to join us. Remember, we are spiritual in our approach. Not many grasp that concept.”
This was part of the test. She had just been told she couldn’t train with Pearl until a requirement was fulfilled. There was a way around it, she knew it, a way to advance her position. The desire inside pushed her and she knew what she had to do. Owori stood up and blinked. She watched Pearl closely, gauging her reaction. There was a hint of a smile.
“How long can you maintain this?” Pearl asked as she stood.
“A long time,” Owori answered.
Pearl turned toward the voice. “You have already impressed me, there’s no need to imply that you could have hurt me or attacked me by moving around the room. I know that.”
Owori became visible.
“Come here,” Pearl said as showed her to the middle of the room and made her sit down. They sat face to face, legs crossed and knees touching. Owori could smell flowers and a sweet spiciness on Pearl, presumably from the baths. Pearl grabbed her hands and gently held them. “I want you to close your eyes and take deep, deep breaths. Focus your mind on your chi, grab it, and expand it.”
Owori nodded. “Caleth, my master, taught me how to do this.”
“Good. Then you know the basics of deep meditation. What I want to determine is if you can use your magic in a particular way. When you feel that you have reached your limit, I want you to stand up. Then and only then, will I tell you what to do.”
Time slipped away as they meditated, the minutes stretching into an hour. The world around them was lost. Owori felt completely relaxed. The magic, her magic, flowed inside and expanded to every part of her being. It integrated with her as she concentrated. Thoughts of everything else drifted away, the world becoming insignificant. The only thing that existed was her and her magic. Finally she stood up. Pearl stood with her and grabbed her hands once again, putting Owori’s palms together and raising them to chest level.
“I want you to imagine a shield, a blanket covering you. It’s invisible, but impenetrable. Nothing can harm you. Now, keep your eyes closed. I will return in a moment.”
Owori did so. She was concentrating so hard she didn’t hear Pearl return.
“Open your eyes,” Pearl said.
Across the room was Pearl. Her long hair was splayed across her shoulders, with wisps of it out of place. She changed positions and with quick flicks, threw things in rapid succession at Owori. There was no time for Owori to panic and before she realized what was happening, the first dagger deflected away. The others slipped harmlessly past her, bouncing off the invisible magic shield. The daggers clattered on the wooden floor and became still. Owori lowered her hands, and the magic drained away. Her heart was pounding now.
“You have a great gift,” Pearl said. She twirled her hair and tied it back with a ribbon.
“I didn’t know I could do that. I can’t explain…”
“I would consider making an exception to have you train and learn with the Elites,” Pearl said, interrupting. She dismissed the accomplishment with a wave of her hand. “It’ll be difficult for you. Our methods require an appreciable amount of danger – much more than you faced today, or faced just now.”
“I would be willing to take that risk,” Owori said. “I’m determined to do this. I want to learn.”
“Very well. I’ll make my recommendation to Kara that you study with the Elites. Had you not been this advanced, I would have suggested you study with the Zephyrs, Ash’s group.”
“Not Tasha’s or Jerr’s?”
“No,” Pearl said flatly. “The Orchids, Tasha’s group would be no challenge for you. You would be able to learn a little from Tasha, but your fellow monks wouldn’t be able to help you. With the Elites, your companions will bring out all aspects of your magic. You will learn from me, and you will also learn from them.”
“And Jerr?”
“I would have no qualms putting you with Jerr, except for the fact he has been acting strange lately.” Pearl paused, weighing her words. She crossed her arms. “He’s drifted from our collective teaching and has become a…nuisance…to our normal operations. Kara is monitoring him and his students. There could be problems in the future and I don’t want you to become caught up in it. I’ll see what the other leaders have to say and we’ll proceed from there.” Pearl grabbed her robe and tied it tight with a sash. The golden robe glinted in the light.
“I think I understand.” She felt a pang of apprehension and was reminded of her mission. Could this be part of the underlying problem in Bora? Perhaps it wasn’t Kara directly, but Jerr. Could he be responsible for the Grand Master’s suspicions? A secret within a secret?
“Owori, when we speak, it’s between us and must be kept in co
nfidence. You have magic I admire. But with that comes great responsibility and discretion.”
Owori felt pride welling inside. In Pearl she saw a great leader, one as proficient and admirable as Caleth. She was strong and knowledgeable, and had natural ability to lead. “I’m honored.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, yes?” Pearl asked.
“Certainly,” Owori answered. She started to say something additional, but stopped. Questions could wait. There was no sense in keeping Pearl longer.
“Something else you want to ask?”
“It can wait, I’m just curious.”
“I have some time. What would you like to know?”
“What magic do you possess?”
Pearl smiled. She lifted her hand and pointed it toward one of the chairs. There was a crackle in the air. A forked bolt of lightning, blue and purple, shot from her hand and shattered the chair into myriad splinters. There was a whiff of a peculiar smell, one that reminded Owori of a storm. Bluish smoke from the smoldering wood drifted in the room, partially filling it. Owori waved the smoke away as she kicked the chair fragments from her feet. She knew Pearl had used only a fraction of her magic.
“Impressive,” Owori said.
“Very well,” Pearl said, ignoring the compliment. “Tomorrow we’ll begin your training. I’ll have a guide take you to quarters in the Elite area. You will be fitted for clothing and receive a golden robe, which you will need to wear always. Your guide will go over the rules.”
“Thank you,” Owori said.
“You’re welcome.”
“If I change my mind, will I be allowed to study with a different group?”
“Of course,” Pearl said. “If at any time you feel it’s too much for you, by all means, find the group that’s best suited for you. I’m curious, do you have doubts?”
