Teacher took two fishes off of the rack, placed them on plates, and handed one to Jacko. By the look on his face, he knew he was worried. “Don’t be nervous. Your first test is always the most difficult—not because of your skills, because you have to handle your nerves. Just do your best and even if you fail, you have nothing to be ashamed of, because life is a lesson worth learning, and you’ll discover that the toughest hardships are much more rewarding when you endure them. After you finish, I think you should practice for a bit then get some rest.”
Jacko did as was recommended and trained for the remainder of the evening, while Teacher cleaned up and relaxed under a big redwood tree smoking his pipe. He watched the young student practice and decided that he needed improvement and would teach him the finer points of the technique. After Jacko finished, he sat alone under a tree, meditated, then fell asleep.
The smell of roasted fowl awoke Jacko from his restful slumber. Today is the day, he thought, then smiled, rose, and greeted Teacher.
“Are you hungry?” Teacher asked.
“No, not really.”
“You’d better eat, because you’ll need your energy,” Teacher stated. Jacko nodded in agreement and sat down. “I want you to return here whether you win or lose.”
Jacko nodded, and both men ate in silence.
When the meal was through, Jacko stood up. “Teacher…” Jacko paused. “I wanted to thank you for your hospitality.”
“You’re most welcome. Good luck today, and may the gods be with you.”
Jacko made a fist with his left hand, cupped it with his right, and bowed out of respect and left.
After he disappeared from view, Teacher Ma thought about Jacko’s match and wondered why the Order arranged for him to fight Chow. Chow was two ranks higher and more experienced than he was. Was this an easy contest for Chow, or did the Order think that highly of Jacko’s skills? Ma decided to find out when he returned to the Order.
****
Three men, all around the same age, waited for him in a small clearing as he entered the area. The person on the far left wore yellow and black clothing, the one in the center was dressed in black, and the individual on the right wore green and black clothing.
“Identify yourself,” the man on the right ordered.
“My name is Jacko. Are you Chow Yen?”
“I am,” the person in the center voiced and stepped forward. “So, you’re the one who stands in my way of a promotion,” he added with sarcasm.
“Promotion? I assumed the promotion was for me.”
“Fool, it’s for both of us.” Chow Yen’s arrogance irritated Jacko right away.
The man on the left stepped forward. “Jacko, we are here to judge the match between you and Chow Yen. He has been selected from a group of ten students who are in line for a promotion as well. I will now explain the rules to the both of you.” The judge opened a scroll. “Rule number one: The winner must defeat his or her opposition in non-lethal combat using one, or all of the techniques they were taught from the Order of White Fist. Rule number two: If one or both combatants dishonor their opponent, they will be disqualified. Rule number three: If one or both combatants use a weapon without our permission, they will be disqualified. Rule number four: If one or both combatants do not show mercy to their opponent, they will be disqualified. Rule number five: If you’re disqualified, you will not be allowed to gain a promotion and must wait one year. Rule number six: If you kill your opponent intentionally, not only will you be disqualified, but you will be removed from the Order of White Fist, and a top rated student will engage you in a fight to the death. Do you both understand the rules?”
Jacko and Chow bowed in unison to the judges.
“You may commence whenever you’re ready.”
The judges walked over to the crude seating area, which was comprised of two three-foot stumps, and waited for the match to begin.
Chow Yen faced the judges and bowed. “My name is Chow Yen. My rank is the Hawk, and I am skilled in the Iron Fist technique.”
Jacko followed his lead and bowed towards the judges. “My name is Jacko. My rank is Fledging, and I am skilled in the Three Finger Technique.”
Chow Yen and Jacko faced each other.
“Jacko your failure today will be my gain, so it’s nothing personal. The strong will advance and the weak—well let’s just say they continue that way. Shall we begin?”
“I am ready.” Jacko had only met him a few minutes ago and already despised him.
Chow was the first to display his skills and walked over to a tree and punched several times until the wood cracked. Satisfied, he stepped away. Now it was Jacko’s turn. He walked up to another tree and struck the surface until he made several indents in the bark and walked over to stand next to Chow.
“Very good. Now begin your fight,” one of the judges announced.
Chow screamed to intimidate Jacko and then ran over and threw two punches, intentionally missing his head. The attack threw the less-experienced fighter off balance and exposed his ribs to a punch that hit him with enough force to send him stumbling backward in pain. Chow paused to smile.
“This is going to be easier than I’d imagined.” Chow boasted and attacked again.
Jacko, still wincing in pain, recovered in time to block several attacks, but in doing so, he sacrificed his right arm to a direct strike and was hit with a crushing blow that caused the extremity to vibrate involuntary and blacken right away. Jacko retreated, clutching the wounded limb, unable to move it.
Chow stopped abruptly and watched him. “You’re no match for me!” he barked. “Boy! Go home before you get seriously hurt.” Chow turned his back and folded his arms in disgust.
Jacko grimaced from the pain as he tried to move his arm. Not only was he physically bruised and battered, but his mental state didn’t fare all that better; he was scared. One of the judges got up and started walking over toward Jacko to see if he indeed wanted to forfeit the match and his promotion. Jacko waved him off, clearly indicating that he was prepared to finish the contest.
“Chow Yen, we’re not finished,” he said bravely.
Chow grinned from ear to ear when he unexpectedly heard him utter those words, and as he was turning around, Jacko connected with a combination of attacks. The first attack from his arsenal was a front roundhouse kick that connected with his head, knocking him off balance. Jacko then aggressively advanced and struck him again with the Three Finger Technique in his right side that cracked his ribs.
Chow retreated, gripping his side in obvious pain. “That was dishonorable,” he barked angrily.
“Who asked you to turn your back and declare yourself the winner?” Jacko snapped back at him.
“He’s right,” agreed one of the judges. “Chow, never turn your back until we say the fight is over.”
Chow was enraged and ran after Jacko with such animosity and reckless abandonment the judges assumed the battle would end with someone getting severely injured or killed. He was about to strike what appeared to be a defenseless victim, when Jacko sidestepped him and struck him again in the same side with the Three Finger Technique. Chow’s momentum drove him past him. Jacko followed and struck him again in the side several times, cracking his ribs and sending Chow stumbling to the ground, gasping in pain. His breathing was labored.
“Do you concede?” Jacko asked.
“Never!” Chow cried and slowly stood up, gasping in short breaths.
Both men stared at each other for a couple of minutes before what they knew would be the final melee and attacked. Chow’s injuries slowed him enough that he never hit Jacko again. Instead he was hit several more times with kicks and three-finger strikes, the last of which sent him to the ground. He tried in vain to get up and continue fighting, but eventually staggered and lost consciousness.
After the battle was over, the judges walked over to Jacko.
“Well done, you won even though you weren’t able to use one of your limbs. Very impressive,�
� the judge wearing green and black said. “You’re now promoted to the rank of Sparrow. Return and give this scroll to your Teacher.”
Jacko accepted the parchment. “I have a question for you.”
“What is it, student?” the judge in yellow and black responded.
“Was my attack fair and honorable?”
“Jacko, what is fair? Would an animal wait for its prey to turn around? Remember this: Always be prepared for your contest, never turn your attention away from the contest, and fight honorably. Chow was experienced enough to know that.” The judge looked over at the unconscious Chow. “Well, maybe not. Now go and make our Order proud.”
The judges congratulated him anew and sent him on his way.
****
Jacko returned to the camp shortly after midday and found the Teacher sitting under a tree smoking his pipe.
“Welcome back, my friend. Come join me,” Ma said and took another long puff on his pipe. Jacko did as he was asked and sat next to him. “How did you fare in the contest?”
“I defeated him but injured my arm pretty bad.” Jacko sighed in exhaustion and produced the scroll. “The judges wanted you to have this.”
Teacher accepted the parchment and began studying it. He was halfway through the note when he heard a faint snoring. He paused, looked over and chuckled, then resumed.
Several hours later, Jacko woke up to the pleasant smell of rabbit cooking. He didn’t know how long he’d been asleep and was surprised to find himself lying on a makeshift bed.
“Good, you’re awake,” Teacher said and approached. “I mended your arm, so try not to move it. By tomorrow we’ll know the extent of the injury.”
“Thanks for taking care of me,” Jacko said in appreciation and sat up. His arm was bandaged so tightly he could barely move it.
“No problem, that’s what we do for each other in our Order. We help when needed and without being asked. You may call me Teacher Ma,” he said and proceeded to remove the rabbit from the spit and carved it up. When he was finished, Teacher Ma handed him some food. “I finished reading the letter and wanted to know how you thought you did.”
“Chow was a good fighter. Very arrogant, but a good fighter. I was fortunate to have beaten him.”
“Yes you were, because he’s one of our most promising students. I guess his arrogance finally caught up to him.”
Jacko acknowledged his comments with a nod and a disappointing smile.
“Jacko, I’m not taking anything away from you or your abilities. I admire the fact that even though you were injured, you didn’t give up and fought bravely. You won fairly and honorably, and you deserve this promotion.”
Jacko felt better after hearing his words. “Teacher Ma, I must admit the Iron Fist technique is very impressive.”
“Both the Iron Fist and the Three Finger technique have their strengths and weaknesses. I favor the three-finger style myself because the technique, when used with their finger knives, can have the ability to strike an opponent in a specific area and flip them backward, thus giving you the upper hand in a fight. I recommend that you study a couple of the techniques during your lifetime and master them. I’ve always lived by the motto, ‘It’s better to be a master of a few techniques then to be a student of many.” Jacko nodded. “Plus, our Order doesn’t have enough skilled teachers in any one technique.”
Jacko listened intently to the wise words of Teacher Ma and was pleased that the Order sent him.
After they finished their meal, they walked around the encampment for the better part of the day, which turned out to be a pleasant experience. The temperature was mildly cool, and the smell of the wildflowers put both men in a euphoric state.
“Jacko,” the teacher began, “in a day or so you’ll begin your training, and you must choose what path is right for you.”
“What are my options?”
“I will continue your education in the Three Finger technique and teach you either the Iron Fist or the blocking style.”
“Which one do you recommend?”
“I am not permitted to sway your decision in any shape or form, but I can test your skills when you’re well enough and give you my honest evaluation.”
“I would appreciate that.”
“Good. After you are healed, we’ll begin.”
They returned to camp after their walk, and Jacko prepared a stew made from leftover rabbit and potatoes, while Teacher Ma gathered herbs necessary to make his special tea. A few hours later both men sat and enjoyed their meal. The conversation was light and when they finished, Teacher Ma tended to his wounds again before meditating and going to sleep. Sleep came slowly to Jacko; he was excited about training.
****
In the early morning hours, Teacher Ma awoke to the sound of distress coming from Jacko and raced over to find him unconscious, shaking, and having a high temperature. The first thing he noticed was the wounded arm was puffy and turning a deep color of purple just beyond the bandage. He removed the wrapping and studied the wound intently. The arm was infected, and it was spreading fast. Ma knew that if he didn’t act quickly, Jacko would lose the limb. He grabbed a blade and cut into the infected area, then pushed with the palm of his hand, causing white fluid to flow freely. After the fluid turned to blood, he applied another herbal remedy specifically designed to fight infections and to clot wounds.
It would take the better part of two days before Jacko regained consciousness. As soon as he realized that he was tied up, he panicked and tried to wiggle free from the ropes that bound him to the ground with heavy spikes.
“Try not to move,” Teacher Ma ordered and walked over with a kettle of tea.
“Why am I tied up?”
“For your own protection. “You’ve been very sick with an infection for the past two days.” Teacher Ma poured a cup of tea and lifted Jacko’s head. “Drink this and try not to move. You’re going to need plenty of rest.”
Jacko, still groggy, swallowed the dark foul-smelling liquid and fell asleep a few minutes.
The infection festered throughout the night, obliging Teacher Ma to drain the wound, apply more ointment, and force more dark tea down his throat. It was in the early hours of the morning when the infection subsided, and Jacko’s temperature returned to normal. When he finally woke, Ma untied him from his restraints.
“What happened?” Jacko asked, feeling weak from his ordeal.
“The infection almost claimed you again; you should be fine in the next day or so.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.”
Ma smiled. “You will someday. Now get well because I am getting bored.”
****
Over the next two days, Jacko made a full recovery and was ready for his evaluation. Teacher Ma and Jacko walked to an open area and faced each other.
“I want you to attack me with the Three Finger technique.”
Jacko did as instructed and Ma easily brushed aside his attempt.
“Attack me like you mean it this time,” Ma commanded.
Jacko tried again, and each time Ma blocked them as if they came from a small child.
“Stop!” said Ma. “Either you aren’t trying very hard, or I’m that good. I can’t see the latter because I’m not even trying.”
The truth of the matter was Jacko felt a bond to him, and it was hard for him to strike him with intent.
“Attack me again,” Ma ordered.
Jacko did again, and this time with each block Ma struck him with force. Jacko’s limits were tested again and again until he lost control and attacked with reckless abandonment. Teacher Ma either blocked or sidestepped his attacks and finally stopped his newest student with a wave of his hand. “You were rash with your last attacks and lost control. I could’ve killed you fairly easily if this were a real fight. Never lose control, because it doesn’t serve any purpose. After you regain your composure, we’ll evaluate your blocking skill.”
When he was ready, Teacher Ma attacked him with kicks and punches
. Out of ten movements, Jacko managed to block the first six and ended up on the ground as a result of the others.
“Get up,” Ma instructed.
As soon as Jacko was on his feet, Ma attacked again, this time with more skillful punches and kicks. The flurry of attacks hit Jacko seven out of ten times and sent him sprawling to the ground. Teacher Ma continued with his lesson until he was satisfied.
“We’re done for today. In an hour, I’ll give you my recommendations.”
Jacko slumped to the ground, exhausted.
****
Teacher Ma left and came back an hour later. As soon as Jacko saw him, he stood up.
“Jacko, your Three Finger technique is promising, but requires a lot of work, so I recommend you continue to develop that style. Now as far as your blocking technique, it’s horrible, and desperately needs work. If you expect to survive in any fight, especially against a more skillful fighter, then you need to know how to defend yourself better. I’ll be meditating in a small clearing a few yards to the west; come over when you’ve made your decision.”
Jacko was disappointed about his evaluation. He really didn’t think he was as bad as Teacher Ma said because he won his fight with Chow. After much thought, he decided to learn the blocking technique instead of the Iron Fist. He told Teacher Ma about his decision.
“You made the right choice. I am pleased.”
“Let’s just say you showed me the light,” Jacko said with a smirking smile.
“First, you must understand that this technique is very grueling and broken bones might result from the training. Do you willingly accept, and understand, what I just said?”
“I do.”
“Good.”
“When do we begin?” Jacko asked eagerly.
A Demon's Quest the Beginning of the End the Trilogy Box Set Page 5
