Sakura
Who hard you? Gara asked, his voice soft and comforting. Yet underlying it I could tell there was an edge to it. A promise of violence when the proper target was laid bare for his wrath.
It was an emotion I could sympathize with.
Yu responded, but Ren cut her off. She wont tell ! And she has the servants who were there under so kind of agreent not to say as well.
Yu suppressed a grin, but I saw it tug at the edges of her mouth all the sa. Youre too angry, my love. If I told you right now, and you went on a rampage, you would never forgive yourself. I will tell you, once you are calr, and able to think.
Can you at least tell us if it was an accident or a purposeful attack? Gara kneeled down and examined her wrapped arm. I felt waves of mana wash over everyone there. It was a mix of a calming, healing power and frustrated anger.
She was attacked.
It was an accident.
Yu and Ren spoke at the sa ti. Ren huffed. My guards said when they ca on scene that both ambassadors were there with their full cadre of guards ready for a fight, and it looked like you had stepped in between them. If they hadnt shown up, they would have finished you off before killing one another and leaving our city in ruins.
Your guards, as brave and loyal as they are, were not there for the incident. I was my love. Trust , please? She took one of his hands in her good one, and held it gently.
Ren lted like butter in the sumr sun. His shoulders sagged, and a tension I hadnt noticed until it was gone, left the surrounding air. Only because the healers say youre going to make a full recovery. And I trust you.
Good. How long until I have full use of my arm, doctor?
The old man with an impressively long, wispy beard, and robes that covered his feet they were so long, stroked his facial hair as he considered his answer. At your cultivation stage, my lady? Two days, if you cycle for fifteen minutes every hour, and apply the ointnt as instructed. The venom mana embedded in the cuts was particularly potent. The ointnt will draw it out, so you will need to wash it off before applying new ointnt. The physical scarring and damage is relatively minor. Your defenses are formidable, my lady, and they did their job well.
Thank you, Saja. My servants will see there are rooms prepared for you and your apprentices for your stay here. Yu gave the old healer an appreciative nod, and the two apprentices began packing up. Before you leave Saja, could you tend to my children?
They are unhard, lady Yu. Gara said, his voice calm but with an edge of defensiveness.
I am sure they are, my old friend. But a mothers worries are constant. Besides, I would like him to do more than check them over. Can you restore them, Saja?
Restore them? Hmmm. I might have sothing for that. I covered a yawn with one hand as the old man rooted around in a bag for sothing. When his hands erged, they held three beans. These are chie reinforced cocoa beans. Normally, I would brew a type of extrely potent tea, then water it down, to assist with early stage cultivator focus and training. However, eating a bean like this raw, after I infuse it with the correct spell and chie formations, will extract the energy and allow your children to feel as if they just woke from a deep slumber.
He went to work on the beans, and after a few pulses of chie and mana in his hands, he held out the black-and-white striped beans for to eat. Take just one, any more and you wont sleep for days. Probably.
I took it in my hand, but I didnt eat it. Not yet. Instead, I looked at Yu, Why?
Yu smiled. Your father and I both missed so of your bouts. Your father didnt get to see any of yours, and I missed Rayces last. So, if you two are anable. We would both like to see what you have learned.
Ren, still scowling, nodded his agreent. I sighed, and popped the pill into my mouth and swallowed, while Gara and the healer did their best to wake Rayce.
Besides. Even if we didnt want to see a match between you two, I would have asked you to take the pills. Ren said, folding his arms. You need to spend this ti consolidating your gains from the last two days. Solidifying the lessons in your body and mind. Not sleeping.
I felt a wash of chie and mana run over my body, and suddenly I felt as I had that morning. Awake, refreshed, and ready to tackle a new day. I bowed towards my parents. That is wise. Then turned and walked to the other side of the yard while Rayce finished waking up.
The healers apprentices were working on the three hounds, infusing them with extra mana to help them wake up. The two smaller hounds growled when touched, and the healers backed off. But the larger one had never really gone to sleep. He accepted the gifts of mana and went to stand by the still drowsy side of my brother. Woofing lightly and putting his head under the boys hand to reassure him.
A few minutes later, Gara stood in the middle of the courtyard, and Rayce with his largest hound stood opposite . This is to first strike. The courtyard has an enchantnt in it, similar to the arena. But its not as potent. The first to land a blow strong enough to activate that enchantnt wins the bout. Understood? I nodded, and Rayce did likewise.
Dont worry sister. Ill not use my spells. I know you havent mastered any yet. A pang of annoyance ran through , but I didnt rise to the bait.
Hes trying to goad into sothing rash. Probably. Or he could just be gloating. He does like to do that. Our parents and their guards had moved to a better position off to one side of the courtyard, so they could see the fight properly. They sat together in chairs, while their guards looked everywhere but towards us. Glowering into the glowing gloom of night for dangers and assassins.
Two daggers were in my hands as he lifted his clawed arm into the air. Begin!
The hound took off to my left. Hes trying to circle around like he did in that last fight, I thought as I infused both daggers with mana. Besides from hitting harder, and more accurately by decreasing wind resistance, the mana would explode upon impact. It wasnt a particularly skilled use of magic, but it was the best I could do at the mont. A lesson taught by the educational enchantnts in the daggers during my morning practice session.
I might have gotten stronger, but I hadnt yet dedicated myself to gaining skill with mana like Rayce had. The fact he wasnt going to use his spells evened the playing field slightly. My stage higher body tilted it back in my direction.
Rayce waited in a boxers stance. His spear sword raised in a defensive stance. As his Hound drew close, I threw both daggers directly at it. The hound dodged by throwing itself towards the center of the courtyard, dodging the first dagger completely. But my second dagger hit its rear hind leg.
And bounce off.
Oh crap.
I drew my third from my hip holster and the other two re-materialized and infused it. But the hound was nearly on top of . It growled low as it crouched in a hunting stance, ready to pounce.
I began circling to the right, careful of my footing. The second my knives were back, the second was in my hand and infused. Good doggy. Stay.
The hound stopped growling at , and looked back at Rayce, its head cocked curiously. What? No. Dont listen to her, this is a practice duel. Youre on my side here! The hound woofed deeply, displeased at the vehence in Rayces voice. Dont hurt her, its practice. Just, just keep her pinned. Lets see if this new trick works. The hound woofed in acknowledgent and turned back to , growling threateningly. A display that was wholly ruined by the fact his tail was wagging like mad, its butt was in the air, and its front legs were flat against the ground in an expression that just shouted lets play!
The fact his tongue was lulling to the side of his jowls did not help the hounds intimidation efforts any.
Sorry puppy, I said, and tossed both daggers directly into his face. They hit squarely and exploded, sending sparks of silver and red in all directions.
When the smoke cleared, the Hound was untouched, but encased in the protective magic of the courtyard. He sat on his hind legs, his head tilted inquisitively towards and woofed displeased. As if to ask, arent we going to play?
In his jaws was one of my daggers. It hadnt returned to its holster. Thats not good.
I heard soone snickering from the sidelines as I turned my attention back to Rayce. Only to find Rayce traveling directly towards at incredible speeds. His feet not touching the ground.
Crap! I dropped low, dodging the sword point. But he brought the spear up, and hit in the face with the haft. I felt sothing crack in my nose, and a spray of blood covered my vision.
My nose broke, and a spray of blood covered my eyes. I felt a hum of energy cover my entire body, and my muscles spasd. I had to fight to keep my legs under , as my hands curled and my entire body felt like it was trying to curl in on itself. The feeling passed as soon as it arrived, and I gasped for breath.
Rayce continued past , unable to fully control his travel, and ca to a stop by bracing himself against one of the house's pillars.
I wiped at the blood covering my eyes, but pain shot through my entire face when I touched anywhere near where I had been hit. I cant see. I was starting to panic. Help!
Soone hit a gong, and as suddenly as the pain ca, it was washed away. The healers hands prodded at my nose, and before I could do anything, I pushed the pieces back where they were ant to be, before coating the area with a thick layer of mana.
Itll heal in a minute or so. Take a deep breath, youre going to be alright young miss.
I am sorry Sakura. It was Garas voice. It was solemn. Your attacks must have used most of the courtyards protections. Ill reinforce them, so this doesnt happen again.
Is she alright? Rayce asked from behind .
She will be. Training accidents happen. Even the best protective enchantnts cant stop every incident. It was Rens voice. You two did well. Sakura, you were right to attempt to get your brother one on one. That way you would have been able to outmaneuver and overwhelm him. His companion, however, did its job well. It pinned you down, allowing Rayce the chance he needed to try out his new technique.
I gave an inaudible sound of ascent, as one of the healers pressed a wet rag over my eyes and wiped the blood away. Several bones in your face are not broken, but they have been bruised as well. That will take longer to heal. Perhaps the rest of the night. The apprentices voice was soft, just for to hear.
And Rayce. Yus voice ca from near where Ren was standing. Your tactic was wise, distracting her so you could attempt sothing new. Sothing that might have a chance at overwhelming your sister. That was, without all of your companions, your only option for victory. And it panned out. Well done. However, the fact your companion got distracted so easily as to allow Sakura to put it out of the fight was a problem. I know they are new, and you havent had a chance to work with them yet. But, being Celestial Hounds ans in their early stages of their developnt, they will lack guile. This is sothing you must teach them to be watchful for.
I got up, healed now, even though my face throbbed with a dull ache. I walked past my parents, who were standing between us, and straight towards Rayce. He flinched when I got within arms reach of him, and I have to admit. I wanted to punch the little jerk right in the face.
But it hadnt been his fault. The courtyard had failed. So I offered him a hand. Good hit. He took it and shook my hand. Then I bent down and petted the hound. The dog still had my knife trapped between its jaws. I need that back, please. He cocked his head, then realizing what I wanted, jumped back and got into the doggy play position again. No puppy. I need that knife back. Rayce, help.
Co on, give my sister her dagger back. The dog shook his head and woofed. It was muffled by the knife in his mouth, but his tail started wagging even harder.
I think you know what youre going to have to do, kids. Yu was entirely too entertained.
What? we both asked in unison.
Chase him!
***
I was splayed on the grass outside our compound, several Guards watching over us from just a few feet away, defeated. I give up.
too. Theyre too fast. Even with my new movent technique. Rayce was panting harder then I was. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my heart.
How did you get a chie technique like that anyway?
Chie? No thats a mana ability. Think of it like a spell, but it reinforces your body. Like what you do, when youre throwing those daggers. How the mana coats your hand, and helps you release at the right mont.
Oh. Im getting a bit confused, then. Whats the difference between a technique, and just like, a spell?
Rayce laughed. Ive asked that question a lot, and people keep telling youll learn more when you advance. But as far as I can tell, its basically that one is internal, and the other is a manipulation of external mana. We call internal mana usage abilities, for so reason, and internal chie use techniques. Theres supposed to be sothing about mapping them onto our ridians later? But no one will answer my questions about it.
So, if a spell is external mana use. Then what is external chie use called?
Uh . . . I had stumped him. A technique I guess?
Well, Ive figured out that mana is infused into sothing, while chie is inscribed into it. And that formations and enchantnts are basically the sa thing. But one is for mana and the other for chie. And they do act differently, and have different thodologies behind them, but the principle is roughly the sa. Sakura had been looking into formation work before she had gotten ill. Trying to find a way to make a chie inscribed water wheel into a formation that would only require peasants to add, or inscribe, their chie onto the wheel once every few years.
Yeah. That sounds about right to .
So, a technique and an ability are roughly the sa thing.
Yeah. Sounds about right again. I havent really figured it out either.
But Yu, I an mother, said that there are techniques that require both mana and chie to operate. So . . . maybe a technique is sothing else?
I dont know. Rayce sighed, and I joined him. Its a lot of information. I guess they have a reason for telling us not to worry about that stuff until later.
I guess. Okay, but now for the real problem. I turned onto my side so I could stare at him, and his infuriating hound, who always seed to be just out of arms reach. How do I get my dagger back?
As swift as lighting, a clawed hand reached down and, gently, took the knife from the hounds mouth. The dog whined. Im sorry buddy. But playti is over. His long neck moved his head to face both of us. Your parents wish to discuss the choosing. Its only a few days away, and there is much to do.
He handed back my knife as I got to my feet. I helped Rayce get up, and soon we were back in the courtyard.
Yu was gone. Ren stood alone in the courtyard. Children. Tell what you know of the choosing.
I kept my mouth firmly shut. I didnt know a thing about it other than what Raif and Yu told . And that was pretty sparse in detail.
It is where Ka choose their next cultivator companion. Rayces response was quick and precise. As if he were saying sothing he had morized a while ago.
Correct. But there is more to it than that. For instance. Did you know your older brother Kajin is the officiator, because Raif is going to be taking part this year? I shook my head no, as did Rayce. Right. Well, theres a lot riding on this years crop of newborn Ka, and there are more than a few older Ka looking for companions. Raif is participating because our little duchy on the edge of civilization needs as much power as we can get. Not ten years from now, but today. Do you understand?
You want us to avoid being selected by the older Ka, so they can go to more experienced cultivators. My voice carried over the courtyard like a lightning bolt through an empty sky. That way, Raif has a higher likelihood of getting selected. And one of our familys most powerful cultivators becos even more powerful.
Ren frowned and nodded. Yes. Normally, I wouldnt interfere in a choosing. But Gara agrees, with the turmoil throughout the Jade Empire, and along our border, we need as much power as possible. Both Gara and I dont even know if there is anything you can do to avoid being selected other than not going. But that isnt an option. Ten years ago, the older Ka laid the largest batch of eggs weve ever seen. And nearly half have survived to this point. An unheard of number. I am sure one of you will be selected. It is also why the entire family, inner and outer, is coming together. Every young cultivator of every stage who even has a chance at partnering with a Ka is participating.
Which gives us a useful opportunity to get to know other family mbers. Rayce said, following along with the conversation. Are you looking for a foster for us?
Rens expression soured. Your mother and I do not want to. But, if things continue as they have the last few months, it would be safer, and better for your progression and growth, if you were to be fostered. We havent made a decision. But it is sothing we are considering. You are both at the right age for it, so it wouldnt raise any eyebrows among the population. But still . . . It is sothing we hope to avoid. The sun will be up soon. Better head to bed. Co tomorrow, Gara will be working with you both on progression.
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