Chapter 7 - Part 6

They sparred, jumped, kicked, and discussed philosophy for hours. The halfling woman was old, but tough and fast. She gave him a punch in one session that impacted some part of the web of consciousness within him, sending him reeling as his senses stopped working properly. She taught him about tripping opponents, gauging their actions by their feet and eyes, and she elaborated on disarming techniques. He was eager to learn the stunning punch, but she told him that he had some time yet before he would be able to. In a very short period of time he felt comfortable with her, and was impressed with her philosophy of respect and dedication.

Finally she held her hands up. “Cease!” He stepped back and lowered his arms. “We begin on ‘Attend’ and end on ‘Cease,’” she told him. “When we began the student bowed first. Now that we end, the sensei will bow first – if the sensei is pleased. If the student had displeased or dishonored the sensei, the sensei will not bow, and the student is thus left incomplete as a punishment.” She then bowed. “You have neither displeased nor dishonored me.”

He bowed back. “Is there a ritual phrase at the end of the session?” he asked. “Like at the beginning?”

“You are insightful,” she said. “There is, but not for initiates. When you are more deeply immersed in our order, you may learn them.”

“I doubt Cannith will allow me to immerse in anything,” he said, trying to hold back the bitterness in his voice.

“Your future is not in their hands,” she told him. “The human Du’Bray is too used to the present, he cannot comprehend a different future.” She took out a waterskin and drank some. “I do not end the session because you displease me, only because I am tired, hungry, and thirsty. My old bones have been traveling since midnight. We shall train together no more today, but I intend to train with you for a long time to come.” She fished around in her other pockets. “Ah!” She produced a small sheaf of paper. “Here,” she said, giving it to him. “Writings about my order, as I understand you enjoy reading. We will speak about them at length at our next session.”

“Thank you,” he said. “I will read through them well.” He glanced at the door. “How will you leave? Or do you want to rest here?”

Visha took her traveling cloak off of its peg, and removed a thin metal tube from a hidden pocket. She tapped the tube on the floor in front of the door, producing a soft, yet strong chime. The Iron Orphan saw a visible ripple form from the chime, and the ripple shoved the doors open, pushing them wide apart. Sunlight flooded the room and the guards on the other side stumbled, surprised by the open doors. Visha smiled at Iron Orphan and then left. The Cannith men gaped, and then hurriedly shut the door.

The warforged examined the sheaf of papers, and began to read.