The Initiate Brother Duology

by Russell, Sean

  Sutso resisted an urge to open the curtain to assure herself that the Prioress was well. The pretense that the Prioress was stronger than she actually was must be maintained, especially here.

  The Empress had summoned the Sisters the previous evening after the Sisterhood had sent their official blessing to the new sovereign. It was only upon their arrival in the palace that they had learned the Supreme Master, Brother Hutto, and other senior members of the Botahist Brotherhood were to attend the same audience as the Sisters.

  Only the Prioress had taken this information calmly, smiling her beatific smile and closing her eyes as though she would sleep and dream dreams of great peace and beauty. May Botahara walk beside her, Sutso thought.

  Outside the palace wall the barbarian army, or part of it, had lain down their arms and now they waited, watched from a distance by patrols from Lord Shonto’s army. Rumors flew through the city. It was said that Lord Shonto’s Spiritual Advisor, Brother Shuyun, had gone out into the field and defeated the Golden Khan in single combat and the tribes had then battled among themselves, some retreating north, others surrendering. This young Initiate monk had become an even greater object of speculation among the Sisters. Sutso knew the Prioress’ hopes regarding this young man and this worried the Prioress’ secretary. She was concerned with the effect it might have if the Prioress’ hopes were dashed entirely. Desire, Sutso thought, it is as Botahara said. And the Prioress is so much closer to Perfection than any I know.

  The official who led them turned to the right into a hall that ended in a set of double doors. Shonto guards knelt in two rows before the doors and two young Neophyte monks swung incense burners before them.

  The guards and the Neophytes all bowed as the Sisters passed. The official had the doors opened, and gestured for them to enter.

  Beyond the heavy doors was an audience hall of medium size, no doubt, by palace standards, though it was as large as the largest hall of the priory. The entrance to the great room was not at the end opposite the dais, as Sutso expected, but to one side of the hall. Perhaps a dozen senior Brothers knelt in a row directly across from the opened doors and as Sutso entered she saw a single ancient monk sitting to her right, opposite the dais. Brother Nodaku, she thought, the Supreme Master of the Botahist Brotherhood. The identities of the others she could not guess.

  As the official directed them to silk cushions laid out on the polished wooden floor, the Brothers bowed. Sutso returned this gesture and then tapped lightly on the sedan chair that bore her superior.

  “Open my curtains, child,” came the dry voice of Sister Saeja.

  Sutso slid the silk curtains aside and found the Prioress propped up on her pillows. The old woman bowed to the Supreme Master and then his party who all did the same in return. Sutso moved a cushion and knelt close to her superior. The official who had brought them to the hall retreated and the doors were closed behind him. No one spoke—no one showed a sign of the surprise or resentment they felt at being forced into this situation. All waited patiently.

  A door opened to one side of the dais and an official wearing the dragon fan of the Empress’ staff entered. He shuffled quickly to a place directly before the dais and bowed to the assembled followers of Botahara.

  “Supreme Master,” he said with great dignity. “Prioress, Sisters, Brothers: the Major Chancellor of the Empire of Wa.” He bowed again and moved off to one side.

  Sutso watched as an old man with one arm entered. He wore the elaborate ceremonial robes of his station but somehow did not seem to belong in them. Despite his age this man would have looked more at home on horseback. To add truth to this, Sutso noticed that the man’s face showed signs of having recently been exposed to the wind and sun.

  Kamu, Sutso realized. This is the Shonto steward. A capable man by all reports and completely loyal to the Shonto. She wondered how many other key positions in the government were now filled by Shonto retainers. The Yamaku nightmare had come true.

  Kamu bowed to all present and took up a place kneeling just before the dais as his position dictated. He produced a scroll from his empty sleeve and unrolled it with obvious skill against his thigh using his only hand.

  “I regret to say that the Empress will not join us. As you might imagine, the situation in the Empire at the moment requires much of her attention.” It was the closest thing to an apology one received from a sovereign. People of lesser position in the same situation would be expected to apologize for arriving when the Empress had pressing business elsewhere—despite the fact that they had been summoned.

  Kamu consulted the scroll. “The Empress has instructed me to assure you that the attitude of the previous Imperial Family toward the Botahist Orders will not continue. The Empress Shigei is a devout follower of Botahara and, as you know, the Shonto have long employed Spiritual Advisors of the Botahist faith and, until recently, the Empress’ personal secretary was a former Sister. There will be no untoward taxes upon property held by either Order and the Yamaku laws restricting public religious ceremonies will be rescinded.” Kamu lowered the scroll.

  Brother Hutto, the Primate of Yankura, bowed to the Chancellor. “May Botahara smile upon the Empress Shigei and her line. May the Perfect Master walk beside the Daughter of Heaven in these difficult times.”

  Kamu acknowledged this with a half bow.

  Sister Gatsa took her cue. “It was with great joy that we received the news of the investiture of the Empress, Major Chancellor. Botahara has answered our prayers for a sovereign who will protect the followers of the Way. In our prayers we will ask Botahara to bless the Empress Shigei and the reign of the Fanisan House. May we also express our regrets for the Empress’ recent loss. Our prayers will not fail to ask the Perfect Master to look with favor upon the spirit of Lord Shonto Motoru who was a great lord and a friend to the Botahist Orders.” She cast a cold glance toward Brother Hutto as if to say, that is fair speech, Brother.

  Kamu nodded to Gatsa. “Both your blessings and your prayers are welcome in this troubled time. It is the desire of the Empress to make the Empire secure again so that all may travel the roads and canals safely and all may come freely to the temples of your Orders with the blessing of the sovereign. This is the desire of the Empress, though it is a great task and one which cannot be accomplished without the contributions of many.”

  Ah, Sutso thought, they have summoned us to ask for money. She did not smile. This new Imperial family may be easier to deal with than the Sisters had hoped. Money was never given without expectations of return.

  “The Empress has asked Lord Shonto’s Spiritual Advisor, Initiate Brother Shuyun, to speak of the needs of the Empire.”

  Kamu nodded over toward a screen which opened immediately. Sutso’s eyes moved there as did the gaze of everyone in the room. A small monk, almost a boy, entered. If not for his pendant chain she would certainly have mistaken him for a Neophyte. She glanced over at the Prioress, but the old woman did not notice. Her focus was on the young monk, and nothing else. The old woman made a sign to Botahara.

  Sutso turned back in time to see Shuyun complete his bows and kneel before the dais, facing the Supreme Master. She glanced over at the head of the Brotherhood and then back to the boy who sat so calmly across from him. It is impossible to say whose eyes are more ancient, Sutso thought, and she felt the smallest surge of wonder.

  Shuyun gave a half nod to Kamu and then began to speak. His voice was as soft as the wing of a butterfly. “It is a great honor to be here among those who are charged with the protection of the Way. If I may quote the Perfect Master to those who have studied His Words longer than I have lived this life: Lord Botahara said that the beginning of wisdom was compassion. And so I was instructed by my teachers.” He gave a half bow to Brother Sotura who sat with the other senior monks.

  The words Brother Shuyun speaks have been chosen for simplicity, Sutso thought, though not as a child selects from a limited vocabulary but as an artist chooses the simplest lines and yet renders complexit
y.

  “I do not claim to have achieved wisdom, but I am learning compassion and therefore I have made a beginning. Recently Botahara tested my compassion in a manner I would never have expected. It was written in the sacred scrolls that compassion could not be limited to one’s family or to one’s fellow villagers. True compassion would encompass strangers. True compassion would be extended to one’s enemies. Remembering this, I was able to act as Botahara had written. I was able to act compassionately toward the enemies of Wa.” Shuyun looked at each face in turn, holding everyone’s gaze for a second. It was an act of some disrespect from one so young, yet no one seemed to notice.

  Touching his palms together as though he would pray, Shuyun continued. “Among the barbarians outside the gates of the capital the plague has begun to work its terrible destruction. In return for laying down their arms, I promised that we, the followers of Botahara, those who practice compassion, would heal them of this disease.” He let his words hang in the air. “The Empress has asked that you assist me in this endeavor,” he said simply.

  Silence in the hall. And though many looks were exchanged, no one spoke a word. Finally, after a long awkward moment, the Supreme Master deigned to speak.

  “These are not followers of the Way, Brother Shuyun. You have promised much without the consent of the seniors of your Order. Initiate monks do not speak for the Botahist Brotherhood. Even Initiates who have the ear of the Empress. You may have learned something of compassion, but you have certainly forgotten much of humility.”

  Before Shuyun could respond, the Prioress spoke, her voice rasping out into the tension that charged the air. “We will assist you Brother Shuyun, in any way within our power, but the cure for the plague is the guarded secret of the Brotherhood.” She looked over at the Supreme Master, an eyebrow raised.

  He did not respond to her but kept his attention on Shuyun as though the head of the Sisterhood had not spoken. “Brother Shuyun, we would do much to assist the new sovereign. It is our sworn duty to minister to the followers of the Way. But caring for barbarian invaders who have put many followers of the True Path to the sword…. This will not be a popular act of charity among the people of the Empire, let me assure you. The Empress asks much of us.” The ancient monk turned his attention to Kamu, dismissing the Initiate who sat opposite him.

  “Major Chancellor, the Empress understands the ways of the Empire, as do her advisors who have many years of experience in such matters. It is difficult for me to believe that the Council of the Empire expects Botahist Brothers to cure barbarians when so many of our own faith are in need of our ministrations….”

  Sister Sutso did not miss the fact that the Supreme Master let the sentence hang in the air, the implications clear. What coin is the Empress willing to exchange for such a service? And the Sisterhood has nothing to bargain with in this exchange, she thought. Only the Brothers will gain concessions from the Throne and we will sit silently and bear witness to this. What a moment of triumph for the Brothers.

  Kamu did not respond or even acknowledge that he had been spoken to but only looked over to Shuyun.

  “Prioress?” came the soft voice of the Initiate. “Do you mean what you say: in any way within your power?”

  “Yes, Brother Shuyun, but we do not know the secret of the cure.”

  “I know the cure,” Shuyun said simply.

  “I forbid it!” the Supreme Master almost shouted. “I forbid it! You break the laws of the Botahist Order.”

  Shuyun stared at the old man who had gone red with anger.

  “If I act according to the word of Botahara, how is it possible to break the laws of our Order? I act according to the dictates of compassion, Supreme Master.”

  “Where have you learned such arrogance, Shuyun-sum?” Brother Sotura asked quietly. “The well-being of all who follow the Way must be considered here. Do not attempt to make decisions that are beyond your ability. Pride, Brother Shuyun, will hinder you on your path. Please apologize to the Supreme Master and let the Major Chancellor speak.”

  Sister Sutso’s heart sank as she watched Shuyun bow in deference to this monk. But then Sister Saeja spoke. “They do not know who you were in your previous life, Brother Shuyun. It is unheard of that a Brother with your skill so young cannot be identified.” Sutso could hear the controlled excitement in her superior’s voice. “Do you know what this means, Brother?”

  Shuyun turned back to the woman propped up in her sedan chair. “It could mean many things, Prioress Saeja. How quickly can you gather the Sisters to minister to the barbarians?”

  “You will be expelled from our Order,” the Supreme Master said loudly. “Stripped of your sash and pendant.”

  “Immediately, Brother,” Sister Saeja answered quickly. “Some will come this very day. Two hundred will arrive tomorrow. Three hundred more in three days, if you require it.”

  “Expelled from our Order,” the Supreme Master said with finality. “The light of Botahara will be hidden from you.”

  Shuyun nodded. “May Botahara walk beside you, Prioress.” Saying this he lifted the pendant on its gold chain over his head.

  “You will be shunned by all who follow the Way.”

  “Shuyun-sum,” Sotura said, his voice rising. “Think what you do….”

  Sotura watched as Shuyun dropped the pendant and chain into the palm of one hand. The young monk stared at the gold and jade in his hand with a look of deep sadness.

  “You will be cursed by the Perfect Master,” the Supreme Master intoned.

  Shuyun looked up at these last words. With a look of great regret he set the pendant on the floor and the chain slid out of his hand to make a pile beside it.

  “I will be blessed by Botahara,” Shuyun said, and Sutso felt the conviction of these words, saw even the Supreme Master hesitate when he heard them.

  Shuyun rose slowly to his feet so that he stood above all the senior members of his Order. Sotura watched as he did the unthinkable: Shuyun pointed at the Supreme Master.

  “Pray that the compassion of Botahara encompasses you, Brother, for if it does you may yet be returned to the wheel.”

  Brother Sotura was on his feet, lightning quick. Three blindingly fast strides toward the young monk and then suddenly he stepped back off balance for an instant as though he had been struck. Shuyun stood with his hand raised, palm out, yet he had not touched the senior Brother.

  “Forgive me Sotura-sum,” Shuyun said quietly, his voice full of compassion. “Separate yourself from those who have lost the Way. Do you remember the lesson you taught when I was but a child? The butterfly enclosed in your chi strong fist?” Shuyun reached into his sleeve and removed something. When he opened his hand a white blossom lay upon his palm. “Brother Sotura, your Order has lost compassion—the beginnings of wisdom. To find the True Path you must leave them.”

  The Senior Brother stood looking at the blossom in Shuyun’s hand. “You did not touch me…” he said.

  Shuyun nodded once.

  Brother Sotura looked up from the blossom into the eyes of his former student. The chi quan master’s face was deeply troubled.

  Sister Sutso heard a noise to her right and then a thin hand gripped her shoulder. The Prioress stepped out of her chair and came to her knees beside Sutso. The secretary turned and saw the Prioress was crying. The old woman bowed her head to the floor and began to chant the prayer of thanksgiving.

  Shuyun turned at the sound of this and Sutso thought she saw a look of horror cross the Botahist mask. The young monk turned back to his former teacher, holding his gaze for a second, and then almost fled from the hall.

  Sutso looked down at her superior who still bowed her head to the floor, and then she realized that others did the same—both Sisters and Brothers.

  Botahara help me, she thought, have I been in the presence of the Teacher and not known?

  Sixty-four

  THE EMPRESS OF Wa stood alone on a balcony looking north across the small part of her vast Empire that co
uld be seen from the Island Palace. The morning’s rain had let up, leaving the air clear and the sky hung with retreating clouds that twisted slowly in a clearing breeze. The shadows cast by the clouds flowed slowly across the fields and flanks of distant mountains creating an ever changing pattern no artist could hope to capture.

  The barbarian encampment spread in mottled grays and browns across the green grass and came by turns into shadow and light. Outside the protective circle maintained by the Shonto soldiers, people from the capital and surrounding areas had begun to gather. Nishima could see knots of them collecting here and there, staring with fascination toward the encampment. Many brought food, Nishima had been told, and she was surprised to hear this for there was still little enough to be had in the Imperial Capital.

  This sudden generosity did not necessarily indicate a great change in the attitude of the people of Wa toward their invaders: the rumor was spreading that the Shonto Spiritual Advisor, the gifted monk who had defeated the barbarian army, was the Teacher so long awaited. Only the Shonto soldiers and the fear of plague kept the people away from the man they hoped was the one foretold.

  Nishima felt a deep uneasiness when she looked down at the gathering crowds as though they were another force intended to keep her and Shuyun apart.

  For three days now the monk had been away tending to the barbarians and Nishima had grown more and more restive as though each day took him farther away and made his return less likely. She paced across the short balcony to its end, stopped, and looked out again. Forcing herself to give up the futile searching of tiny figures moving through the barbarian encampment, Nishima fixed her gaze on the northeast.

  Kamu had said that the barbarian army that traveled there would begin to raise a dust cloud once the wind dried the land, but there was no sign of this yet nor of Lord Taiki’s pursuing force. This part of the shattered barbarian army had razed a village the previous day though the villagers had fled before the tribesmen descended. Nishima pressed her fingers to her temple. No one was really certain of the purpose of these barbarians, loose upon the land as they were. The suggestion that they made their way toward the Botahist temples on the Mountain of the Pure Spirit still appeared the most likely explanation. Obviously these barbarians could not know that the Brothers would never succumb to force, nor would they be likely to simply offer a cure.