This story is incomplete. I intend it to convey varrious kinds of love. I provide it for comment and you may find it intertaining even if it is incomplete. I work several stories at once, when I run out of ideas on one, I work on another. If you want to make suggestions I'm open to attempting to run with them. I haven't spent a lot of time formating the html here, but I have done alot of editing trying to fix syntax and story flow. Positive and Negative comments are appricated.
As Peiter walked through the woods he considering the life he was leaving behind. The farm and his family was all he knew, and he felt some trepidation because he was leaving it and passing into the unknown.
Shortly after he entered the forest near the farm he came upon a small camp in which two women were sitting by the fire one was cooking and the other was tending the fire. Both women were tall and strong, much like his mother. One had a bow across her back the other a large sword. They were dressed in brown shifts of a finely made cloth with orange cross hatching along the hems and sleeves.
The one with the bow had a wide yellow woven belt drawn tight around her middle, accentuating her figure. Her hair was a starting bright copper color which went well with her brown shift; it was bound up behind her head and held by a leather strap, with a wooden pin. Her eyes were bright with the reflected light from the fire. She was quite beautiful and moved with a confident grace as she stirred the pot heating over the fire.
The other women had a narrow leather belt hung over her shoulder, down between her breasts and down to a leather strap that circled below her breasts. The belt held the scabbard for her sword across her back diagonally, the pommel of her sword extended above her left shoulder so she could draw it in her right hand over her shoulder. This belt arrangement accentuated her bust line and the overall effect was quite fetching, discounting the presence of the sword at the ready. Her hair was blond almost white, quite long and bound with silver metal bands draped down in front on her right side so as not to interfere with the sword at her back. Her eyes were orange in the firelight with black eyebrows. She also was quite beautiful and her movements radiated a sense of skill and mastery; a warrior.
Behind them on the ground were their sleeping mats and blankets. Near one mat was a backpack with a quiver of arrows, near the other was a long sack designed to be slung over the back along the sword’s scabbard, allowing the wearer quick access to the sword. Behind the mats was a dense tall thicket offering good protection.
As he approached the camp the impression was that of two women warriors making camp for the night, confident in the preparations of their camp for their safety and comfort. He felt that his presence might be an intrusion, and that maybe he should go around them and not bother them. On the other hand their beauty was mesmerizing and he thought he would regret not talking with them and learning what he could about the country outside of his home forest. He stood in the trees in indecision.
The woman tending the fire with the sword didn’t look up from what she was doing but she spoke, “You might as well approach the fire as we do not intend you harm, presuming you are likewise inclined.”
He startled and gave a chagrined smile. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to intrude; it's just such a surprise coming to your camp. Whatever you are cooking smells wonderful.” He also thought but didn’t say “Especially a camp with two exceptionally beautiful women.” He walked into the camp and took off his pack and set it down and then sat cross legged on the ground opposite them across the fire. “If you’ll pardon me, my name is Peiter. While I don’t have any food as delightful as what you’re cooking, I can contribute some wine and cheese from our farm.”
The woman cooking looked up and gave him a smile. “We have plenty to feed you and we would appreciate some of your wine and cheese as we have been eating stew for many days now. I am Vivian, and my friend with the big knife is Katelyn. Pleased to meet you. What brings you into these woods off your farm?”
Peiter opened his pack and pulled out a small wheel of cheese and a wine skin and handed them to Vivian. “I’m leaving home on a journey of discovery I suppose. I’ve lived my whole life on the farm with my parents, brother and sister; and I thought I should try to learn some more about the world. What of you? Are you sisters? Though you look quite different, your dresses are made from the same sort of cloth.”
Katelyn looked up from the fire at Peiter. Now that he was closer she could see the sharply defined muscles of his arms and shoulders, his broad tapering back and strong legs. When he stood outside of the camp she guessed him to be well over six feet tall. He carried himself like he was familiar with the hard labor of a farm life, but with smooth cat like movements of a man trained beyond those rigors. He wore short leather pants that ended mid-thigh, and a homespun cotton shirt open at the front like a vest, with short sleeves dyed a light green. His hair was black and his skin was fair, making his close shaved stubble show in sharp contrast. His eyes were dark brown almost black. His face was open and handsome. Quite attractive she thought.
“Vivian and I live together in the village of Hertzgal. We have similar taste in clothes. Our village is a couple of days travel from here.” Katelyn gave him a friendly smile. She stared at him briefly thought, what is it about him, I feel like I’ve seen him before. “Have you been to Hertzgal before?”
Peiter smiled and shook his head, “No I haven’t, this is the first time I’ve left the farm on my own. Is Hertzgal a large town? I’ve never heard of it before.”
Katelyn blushed slightly, “No we’re not a large town, we are a town of about two hundred women. The town is in an isolated valley.”
Peiter looked intrigued, “Only women; no men? What about children?”
Katelyn shook her head, “No children.”
Peiter’s face registered his surprise, “That sounds unusual, what happened? Are you all members of some kind of religious order?”
Katelyn shook her head again, “No we’re not nuns. We lost most of our men to the war, and then we lost the rest during the pillaging following the war. The children were kidnapped by the pillagers and were all killed, when we refused to submit to them.”
Peiter looked horrified, “That sounds terrible! I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Katelyn smiled sadly, “It was a long time ago. We’ve learned to live with the loss.”
Peiter looked closely at Katelyn and thought she’s really beautiful. “So are men excluded from your village? Can I visit it?” Peiter was intrigued by the idea of a village of women, how do they live? He and his brother and father had always done the cores on the farm requiring hard labor, heavy lifting, killing and butchering the animals, dirty jobs, while his mother and sister mainly did things requiring skill and fine attention to detail like cooking, cleaning, making clothes, managing money, planning outings, deciding when to harvest, and when to plant. He had great respect for the roles of his mother and sister.
“Please pardon my ignorance, but on our farm my father, brother and I mainly did the hard labor jobs, while my mother and sister did the jobs requiring skill. It seemed to me anyway that we were all well suited to our roles, in fact my sister would often tease me with tasks she found trivial, that I found either immensely difficult, or even incomprehensible. In a village of only women, how do you divide the work?” Peiter asked his face open and honest.
Katelyn bridled a bit and asked, “You think women are ill suited to hard labor?”
Peiter looked a little surprised at the harshness of her response, but answered honestly, “No that’s not what I mean, in fact there were times when my sister helped me with my chores, and rather well, it just she didn’t seem to like it; but when it was my turn to help her with her chores, I was generally quite inept, even useless. It seems to me that her time was better spent doing things that I couldn’t do well. For example we once had to build a fence, my brother, my father and I dug the post holes, split the rails, drilled the peg holes, and assembled the fence. While my mother and sister told us where the holes should be dug, and took care of making sure the fence fulfilled the need which may mother and father had determined. I think my mother and sister could have built the fence themselves but that would have left us idle, a waste of resources, and it would have taken them longer because the five of us worked together. We divided the labor according to our strengths.”
“Do you think all women are like your mother and sister? That all men are like your father and brother?” Katelyn found his naiveté charming, and to be honest slightly insulting.
“Well, I can’t lay claim to a very wide experience of men and women in general, but it seems to me that in general men are larger and stronger than women on the average, and seem to be better suited to certain tasks. As another example when my brother, father and I did something on the farm we often made it a competition. Who could throw the most bales of hay, who could harvest the most corn? It made the rather tedious things we had to do on the farm more enjoyable. My father would offer prizes, such a day of light labor, or being allowed to sleep in, or maybe he would ask mother to cook a pie if we managed to get the job done faster. I never saw my mother and sister engage in this sort of thing, they tended to work together or work on complementary tasks, like if they were to make a pie my sister would make the filling and mother would make the pie shell. How is it in your village? Do you work together like my mother and sister?” Peiter was really curious, he could understand how it might be but it seemed like life could be better with some men to help them. “Why do you choose to live without men?”
Katelyn thought about what he said and she could see how her experience was limited just as his was. In a sense he was right, the women of the village tended to divide the labor according to their strengths but they also tended to work together rather than compete. “It isn’t a matter of choice really; it’s more of a historical thing. Since the loss of all our men and children no men have moved into our village. Some women have left us, but our village is pretty isolated and what few men visit us are usually merchants, or bandits. The merchants go back to their homes and families, and the bandits usually get killed when they underestimate our strength.”
Pieter nodded, “Is someone in charge? How do you organize the defense of the village?”
Katelyn answered, “We have our mother superior, she helped organize the village after the war, and she healed us. We have two Dojos in the village that train fighters, my teacher the sword master Valeria, runs one Dojo and the other Dojo is run by our fist master Sheena, she trains fighters in unarmed techniques.
“Can I travel with you? I’d like to visit your village it sounds like it’s very different from our farm.” Peiter looked hopeful. “Plus I can probably help with the more mundane tasks like chopping wood, tending crops, fixing things, like I could help you carry the deer carcass you have over there. I have a strong back and you probably aren’t looking forward to the job anyway, you could catch another and I’d help you with that as well.”
Vivian spoke up then, “Sure Peiter come and visit us. I for one would be happy to have you carry those pesky things, and if we could catch another we would be well received when we return. Do you hunt?”
Peiter looked pleased, “Yes I have hunted with my father but he had a bow, and had trained my sister and made her a bow. He trained me in unarmed fighting and my mother and he trained me in sword fighting. I didn’t take a sword when I left. I’m an ace at tracking though, and I’ve caught a few deer barehanded as well so I would be glad to help you hunt another.”
When Peiter mentioned he’d trained with a sword Katelyn looked interested. “You know the sword as well? Perhaps you should meet my teacher. What kind of sword did you train with? Did you train in a particular style?”
“My mother and father trained me with the sword as they trained my brother. She never mentioned a style when she trained me, but the sword she trained me with was like yours but maybe six inches longer than yours, and not curved, it was straight, it was sharpened on both sides, and it had a long straight handle. I learned to wield it two handed and with her shorter sword she trained me in one handed techniques. When my mother gave her long sword to my brother she explained to me that he needed the sword because he didn’t have my skill with unarmed fighting, and that the sword fit him better, my brother is about four inches shorter than me. So when I left she gave me a hunting knife made by my father, and told me that I could have her sword when she was ready to pass it on to me. She made me promise to come back to retrieve it. She seemed pleased with my skill with the sword.” Peiter explained.
Katelyn stood up and pulled her sword and scabbard off her back, “Here, try this blade, show me what she taught you.” She held it out for him.
Peiter took the sword and pulled it part way out of the scabbard, and then drew a deep breath. “Katelyn, it’s beautiful. My mother told me of swords like this.” He pulled it out of the scabbard and went through a quick sequence of moves. The balance and feel of the sword were breath taking. “This is a wondrous sword. It is beautiful to look at, to hold, and it moves through the kata like a breeze. I hope I’m worthy of a sword like this one day. You must be very skilled to have won such a treasure.” Peiter looked at her in wonder.
“I’ll tell you about the sword later, let’s try some cuts. I’ll toss some twigs into the air and you cut them.” Katelyn proposed. She started breaking off some twigs each about six inches long. “We’ll start with one, then two and so on see how many you can cut before they hit the ground.” She stood back to give him room and got ready to toss the first twig.
“Ah, I love this game. My mother taught it to me.” Peiter stood and held the sword in a high brace position, his back foot planted firmly, and his front foot up on his toe. “I’m ready throw the first one.”
Katelyn smiled and tossed the first twig in a high arc, Peiter snapped the sword through its middle at eye level, the sword making a whisper as it cut the air, and a small snap as it split the stick. He was back in the high brace position; it was over in an instant.
Katelyn startled at his cut, and then got a big smile. “Oh that was good. Your mother must be an excellent teacher. Let’s try two.” She held a twig one in each hand, she tossed one to his right and the other to his left, this time she didn’t arc them as high.
Peiter made one cut splitting both twigs before they hit the ground. “Katy this sword is magnificent, it moves without effort.”
Katelyn was even more pleased with his second cut. “You say your mother taught you this game? What was the most you ever cut at the same time?”
“With one sword, the most I ever split was five, the sixth one I hit but didn’t cut. This sword is so good maybe I can do seven. Why don’t you throw seven? Let see if I can improve my record.” Peiter moved the sword so it was directed straighter rather than slanted down in the high brace.
Katelyn moved in front of him about ten feet away, got a sly smile on her face and took eight twigs in her hands. “Ready?” she asked.
“Yes.” Peiter was looking down at her knees the fire was slightly to the right out of his direct sight path.
Katelyn tossed the eight twigs, four from each hand to his left and right.
Peiter made three cuts. You could hear the snap as the twigs broke, and the sword changed direction. “Oh you devil you tricked me, but your sword came through. I cut them all. That just like my mother would do she was always trying to catch me by surprise.” Peiter picked up the scabbard and flipped the sword into it with a single fast motion. “A treasure Katelyn, I’m jealous.” He handed it back to her.
Katelyn was shocked but covered it well with a smile. The most she had ever done was six. He was quite fast very well trained. “Peiter that was excellent you are quite good with a sword. I really would like you to meet my teacher now; she would be very pleased to see you do that again.”
Peiter was a little embarrassed but pleased and said, “Well, I’d be happy to try, but I don’t know if I can do it again.”
Vivian was clapping, “Did your father teach you to use the bow as well?”
Peiter looked a little worried, “Yes he taught me the basics, but he spent most of his time teaching my sister. She is a wonder with a bow. My dad made her bow, when she turned fifteen. She can shoot nuts from our walnut tree at sixty paces. I can hit an apple maybe on a good day at sixty paces, and only if I used my dad’s bow.”
Vivian cracked a big smile and clapped her knees, “Oh you’re a darling, so modest. You get the bow tomorrow. I can’t wait. We're going to catch another deer for sure now.”
Peiter looked surprised, “Is that good? My sister and my dad are way better than me with a bow.”
Vivian got up and walked over and patted him on the shoulder. “Hun, I could hit an apple at forty paces on a good day. It would be a stroke of luck at sixty paces. Sixty is good, my teacher could do it with her long bow at sixty. Your sister must be amazing.”
“That’s what my dad said. She was the hunter of our family. I would track them, and she would catch them.” Peiter looked kind of wistful and smiled. “Some of my best memories are from hunting with my sister.”
Katelyn sat looking at him and thinking, my god he’s attractive, so fresh and kind. “So you can track one and then catch it for us. It will help a lot to bring back an extra deer.” Katelyn took a bowl out of her bag, “Do you have a bowl? Let’s eat.”
Peiter rummaged around in his pack and pulled out a wooden bowl. “My sister made this for me, when I told her I was planning a trip. I never would have thought to bring a bowl.” He handed it to Vivian and she loaded up his bowl and handed it back. “That’s what I mean about the difference between men and women; she knew I’d need a bowl.” He pulled out his hunting knife and picked up a branch and whittled a spoon real fast.
Katelyn looked at Vivian and smiled, he was so charming. He needed a spoon so he carved one on the spot. Katelyn fished a spoon out of her bag, and Vivian used the spoon she was cooking with. She remembered the cheese and broke off a piece and handed the wheel to Katelyn and she took a piece and handed the remaining part to Peiter.
“Try the wine, my dad makes it and is quite proud of it.” Peiter said.
Vivian took the wine bag and expertly shot a stream into her mouth. “It’s delightful Peiter. So you grew grapes on your farm?” She handed the bag to Katelyn. Katelyn tried it and found it good too.
“Yes, I cared for the grapes and my dad showed me how to make wine from them. The wine in the bag is from his older stock. I have another with some of the wine I made. It’s not as good as daddies, but he said I was getting there and in a few more years I would be making it as good as he does.” Peiter took a long squirt. “We have three vineyards on our farm, one on the top of a hill that gets good light, one on the north slope of the same hill that gets less light and a little more water, and then one near the house that gets plenty of water and a fair amount of light. The three locations produce grapes that taste different and we mix them to get the wine you taste now.” Peiter handed the bag back to Katelyn. “Do you have grapes near your home?”
Katelyn was thinking this man is a polymath of useful skills and handsome too. “There are some vineyards on some of the nearby abandoned farms. Their owners were killed by the pillagers. You said you trained for unarmed fighting too. Did your mom tell you what style it was?”
“Actually my mom and my dad trained me. They didn’t tell me about style, though my dad trained at the silent fist dojo and my mother at the flowing water dojo. I think that’s how my dad met my mom. They sparred once and one thing led to another as she says. My dad taught me about power and blows, my mom mainly taught about throws, holds and defense. My sister was quite good at throws too. We would practice for hours I rarely could throw her though she could throw me frequently. She is shorter and faster than me and my mom said my higher center of gravity was a handicap in sparing with her. On rare occasions I could grab her and lift her off the ground, but she called that cheating, my mom agreed with her, but my dad did not. Vivian this stew is terrific. That’s another thing about women, my sister and mother could cook. Everything I made tasted like dirt. My mom said I couldn’t follow a recipe to save my life.” Peiter held out his bowl for more. “But my dad could cook. My mother said he was the only man she ever met that could cook. She used to joke that was why she married him. My dad used to say he married her because she was the only women that could pin him face down on the grass. My mom is pretty good at holds too. Katelyn, how long have you been training with a sword?”
Katelyn was really starting to like him. He was so open and nice. “I started when I was fifteen, shortly after my father and brother were killed in the war. So I guess maybe eight years. What about you?”
Peiter smiled, “You must have a natural talent for the sword. My dad started training me at six with a wooden stick. He didn’t let me touch a real sword until I was twelve. I suppose maybe 16 years all totaled.”
Katelyn looked at Vivian and shook her head and smiled. “You must be quite good after so much training.”
Peiter laughed, “Or maybe I’m quite poor, because I needed so much training! I was better than my brother, and I can hold my own against my dad for the last two years. My mother though, she could beat me sparing any time she put her mind to it. Most of the time my mother just tried to trick me with funny moves, and quick complex footwork, so I could catch her out of position, usually. We had this game we played. We called it tapping tips. You hold a wooden sword in each hand and you alternate tapping the tip of your sword against the tip of your partner’s sword. The idea is to keep the tapping even. You start out slow and speed it up alternating hands, and trading defense with offense after each pair of taps. For example if I started on offense I would have to tap my opponent’s sword tip with my right sword, and then my left. Then I would go on defense, and block the swords of my partner. Half an hour of that and you couldn’t hold your arms up let alone hold a sword.”
Katelyn looked interested. “You’ll have to teach me, it sounds like fun. Did you ever have to use your training, like a real battle?”
Peiter looked unhappy, “Yes, though most of the time when we would have a bandit or robber visit us my mom or my dad would scare them away.”
“What do you mean? Scare them how?” Katelyn asked.
“Well I remember one bandit who wore a woven leather necklace. He was acting kind of pushy. My dad pulled out his hunting knife swiped it across his neck severing his necklace, and then snapping it back in its scabbard so quickly that the bandit didn’t realize what had happened until his necklace hit the ground. He just turned around and ran away. Another time a robber was in our house and my mother caught him, she threw a knife and pinned his pants between his legs to a wall. She had another knife at the ready so he dropped what he was carrying and pulled the knife from his pants using two fingers to make sure she didn’t pin another part of him to the wall, and then he left running as well. My dad had a good laugh over that one.” Peiter had a half smile on his face.
Katelyn laughed at that, “I see what you mean. That would probably scare most anyone. But what about you did you every have to defend yourself?”
Pieter looked uncomfortable, “Well, I was working on the vines near the house one day. I was using a long knife to cut grape bundles and filling the basket I used to carry them to the barn. When I came out from behind the trellis there was a bandit and he saw the knife and pulled his sword he was swinging his sword at me so I instinctively deflected his sword hand with my left hand and stuck the knife in his eye. He died instantly. I was fourteen and I still remember the look of surprise on his face. I couldn’t sleep for a week after that. My mom and dad said they were proud of me, that I had acted correctly and saved my life. I just wish I’d had the forethought to drop the knife I probably could have knocked him out and not killed him.” Peiter looked unhappy, and regretful. “If only he had hesitated, I could have tripped him, or rolled away.”
Katelyn looked at him, not so naïve after all, “Your parents are right. You have no idea how good he was with the sword.”
Peiter shrugged and smiled weakly, “I know, that’s what my dad said. I just wish I hadn’t had to do that. Did you ever have to do something like that?”
It was Katelyn’s turn to look uncomfortable, “Yes, I was in my third year of training with the sword. One of the pillagers that had killed two women came back to our village, and had a woman by her hair and was threatening to cut her throat. She bent double, pulling her head down, and I saw my chance and drew my sword and decapitated him. Blood spewed everywhere; on me on his victim it was horrendous. I saw his head roll away. I dropped my sword and fell to my knees and covered my face. The woman thanked me for saving her, and someone came and helped me up and handed me my sword. I wandered back to my room. The mother superior came to my room and ordered me to strip and take a bath; she took my bloody clothes and had them burned. I had nightmares for a month after that.”
Vivian chimed in, “Enough with the war stories. Let’s talk about nice things. So you told us about your sister, what about your brother? Did he have any special talent?”
Peiter smiled and said, “You mean besides being aggravating? He is an absolute wizard with animals. He has a pet owl he calls Archimedes. He trained him to hoot when he hears his name. He trained our cat to fetch things. I mean a cat. How do you get a cat to even notice you let alone train it? He trained our cow to follow him around, and then he could order her to go to her stall and she would do it. He is the only one that can ride our horse. He caught the horse, rode it bare back, and then with a saddle. If I put the saddle on the horse, he would twitch it off before I could thread the belly strap. If I didn’t leave off he would try to bite me.”
Vivian clapped her hands, “What an amazing family you have Peiter. In the village is a woman named Carl she’s like that with animals. She has a dog that is the size of a small pony. She’s trained him to fetch things and he’s really smart. She can tell him to go fetch a bucket, zip he’s off and back with a bucket. She can tell him to go fetch Katelyn, and zip he’ll find her, then grab her by the wrist and haul her back. You don’t resist when he’s got you, he just tightens his mouth a little as if to say, ‘Now you don’t want to go there do you, just come along with me now’. Isn’t that true Katy?”
Katelyn looked pissed, “Boy don’t I know it. She had him fetch me once while I was taking a bath. He fetched me naked clear across the village, I was so pissed. Carl apologized, but she had a good laugh at my expense as did other people.” Katelyn looked pointedly at Vivian.
Peiter clamped down on a laugh, “My, why that’s really embarrassing. Did she have him fetch your clothes after that?”
Vivian slapped her thigh and laughed, “Oh, Peiter you’re a prince that would have been so right, you should have seen her she was red as strawberries she was so embarrassed, but no Carl gave her a robe to wear back to her bath.”
Katelyn looked daggers at Peiter, “You just wait till it happens to you.”
Peiter looked kind of interested, “Oh I don’t know, hauled through a town full of beautiful women naked sounds like a fantasy dream to me.”
Katelyn blushed at the thought and Vivian noticed, “Oh look you’ve embarrassed her again. Good for you.”
Katelyn looked at Vivian, “You wait Vivy I’m going to set you up and get Carl to help. See how you like being hauled naked across town.”
Peiter looked interested, “Can I watch sounds like fun?”
Vivian shook her head, “Sorry Katy, Brutus and I have this agreement, he doesn’t grab my wrist and I keep feeding him meat scraps. Though I can give you a private consult Peiter should you wish to see me naked.”
Peiter blushed and Vivian noticed, “Oh look now I’ve embarrassed him, we’re on a roll here. Sorry you all probably can’t embarrass me, I just too jaded.”
Peiter smiled at that, “OOO, a challenge, I’ve played this game with my sister, and there is one thing that never fails.” Peter stood up walked over to Vivian and pulled her to her feet and kissed her hard on her lips.
That did it. She blushed; Peiter did too.
Katelyn laughed, “Look a double, oh this is priceless. Can I try?” Katelyn stood and walked over to Peiter.
Peiter smiled, “It's not often I get to kiss two absolutely gorgeous women, and on the day I met them. You can kiss me any time you like Katelyn.” He took her in his arms and kissed her softly holding her close, enjoying it. She blushed but cooperated.
Vivian looked interested but couldn’t resist, “Oh look you did it again, she's blushing.”
After about a minute Peiter stopped, looked in her eyes and whispered. “That was really nice.” He let her go and she stepped back a little flustered but trying to cover it. She walked back to her seat on the other side of the fire, and sat with a soft smile on her face.
Vivian was looking back and forth at them, “OOO, that looked good, how was it Katy?”
Katelyn blushed again, “I’ll never tell, lay off Vivy; OK?” She gave her a look.
Vivian got it, “Ok, Ok I’ll be good.” But she kept looking back and forth between them trying to figure out what just happened. It looked to her that more than a kiss happened.
Katelyn took the opportunity to take another drink of wine and went back to eating her stew.
They finished their meal and Peiter jumped up, “Give me your bowls and stuff. I’ll go rinse them in the stream. It’s only fair you cooked.” He held out his hands and accepted their bowls and spoons and went off toward the stream. It was getting dark the sun had set and the light levels were falling fast.
Vivian was studying Katelyn’s face, and started to smile. “He’s really a cutie isn’t he? You ok Hun?”
Katelyn took a deep breath stared into the fire, “I forgot how attractive men could be. He's so much like my dad and brother were, but intensified. I think I could fall for him big time Vivy.”
Vivian shook her head slightly, “You’ve already fallen, Katy. That kiss sealed your doom. Go for him, Hun. He’s one in a million. My husband, may he rest in peace, said most men have shit for brains, and want only one thing from a women. Peiter is special, he reminds me of my husband, so alive and loving. God I miss him.” Vivian was looking at the fire with a sad smile on her face.
“You think he likes me?” Katelyn asked quietly.
“He likes everything I think, but I think he likes you yes. That kiss floored him too I think.” Vivian said.
Katelyn just sighed and smiled at Vivian.
Peiter came back carrying the dishes, he handed them back. “Here you go.” He sat down and looked at them in the warm light of the fire. They looked stunning. He was glad he’d taken the dishes away it took him a bit to regain his composure. “Well if you don’t mind I’ll turn in now, we’ll need to get up early to catch a deer tomorrow. Vivian can show me how to work her bow.” Peiter opened his pack and took out a square mat about 3 by 3 feet. He set it down a bit further from the fire turned his back to the fire and sat in the middle crossing his legs in the lotus position he had his hunting knife in his lap. “Don’t mind me if you need to strip or anything I’ll not peek.” He took a couple of deep breathes and entered susupti.
Vivian looked at Katelyn, “He sleeps sitting up? This guy is a barrel of surprises.” Katelyn walked around in front of him and waved her hand in front of his face.
“I guess so.” Katelyn went over to her sleeping mat, pulled her shift off folded it, put it in her bag, and laid down pulling her blanket up to cover her. She looked at Peiter’s back illuminated by the fire. She thought “He’s handsome from the back too.”
Vivian did the same and looked at his back too. “Close your eyes Katy, you’ll never get to sleep looking at his back like that.” Vivian rolled over and faced the thicket.
Katelyn watched him for a bit, he was very still, only his slow breathing raising his shoulders slightly. She counted seconds, two breaths per minute. Very slow he must be sleeping very deeply. She didn’t notice when she fell asleep.
The sun was just peaking over the horizon, and the forest was still dark, when Katelyn opened her eyes. Peiter was sitting facing her he had a small pot on the fire and a couple of small bags in from of him. He gave her a big smile, “Good morning. Want some tea? I’ve got dried meat, dried fruit and…” he popped out two oranges and an apple and started to juggle them, “… two oranges and an apple fresh off the farm.” He caught the oranges in his hands and managed to land the apple on the top of his head, and then he rolled his head to the side and dropped the apple in his hand.
It was delightful and goofy Katelyn laughed and sat up holding on to her blanket because she was mostly naked. “You’re such a clown and a juggler too.”
Vivian sat up and didn’t pay attention to her blanket; she had no top on and some light weight shorts. She didn’t notice it at first so Peiters eyes got big as he smiled at her. “Oh right I forgot boys present. Turn around, son, and let us get dressed.”
Peiter turned around but looked over his shoulder trying to peek but couldn’t really turn his head far enough. He was just kidding around.
“What was that about not peeking? You just look straight ahead.” Vivian said as she rummaged in her pack found her shift and put it on. Katelyn did the same. “All clear you can peek now.” Vivian was pulling on her deerskin shoes as was Katelyn. “Did you say oranges? It’s too cold up here for oranges where’d you get those?”
“We grow them on our farm; we have one tree in the middle of the house. The house was built around the tree, we keep it warm in the winter and we get maybe 30 oranges a year from it. My mom brought it up from down south and she and my dad managed to make it thrive in spite of the cold climate. We have to eat these soon before they go bad so one for you and one for Katelyn.” He handed one to each of them. “… And a half of an apple for each.” He took hold of the apple and twisted it suddenly breaking it into two halves, giving one to each.
Katelyn looked surprised at the trick. “How’d you do that? I’ve never seen anyone break an apple.”
Peiter got a big smile on his face, “Trade secret. Oh, I might as well tell you. My dad taught me when he was teaching me about hitting with explosive force, that breaks things like boards, bricks, rocks, pots, you know breakable things. Part of the trick is not to squeeze the apple too much the other part is the rapid twist. It takes a bit of practice but it’s not too hard once you get the feel for it.”
“What about the juggling?” Katelyn asked, taking a bite out of the apple. It was sweet and crunchy, perfect.
“That I started to learn once when my sister was sick. She got something and was sick in bed and bored but too weak to do anything. I started clowning around and got her to laugh when I tried to juggle some apples, my mom watched me and laughed too. I kept it up for a long time and kept her distracted from being sick. I’d ask her to suggest some feat, like juggling and catching on my head my shoulders, elbow, knees, feet, back, and hands. I got pretty good, I could juggle five apples and not drop one for several minutes. When she got better we did some juggling together, we started with fruit, tossing fruit between us, we got so we could keep about eight apples in the air. Then my sister tried tossing knives. That was a little tricky because you had to catch the handles, and you could only do that if your partner tossed them with a spin. Then it devolved into a game for us, I’d walk into a room and she would toss something at me, say a cup. I’d turn around and toss it back, just like we were juggling. She would add an apple, back and forth. I would add a knife. Then a rock, and so on until we would miss and start laughing and dropping things. My brother and my dad would start clapping out of phase trying to make us miss a catch and my mother would be telling us to watch out for her cups, or knives or something. We almost never broke anything. Every once in a while my mom would snatch something out of the air. She was really good at throwing and catching things like knives. It was great fun.” Peiter was looking kind of wistful.
Katelyn looked surprised and then she asked, “So you know how to throw knives?”
Peiter nodded, “Yes that was one of my mom’s specialties. She could hit anything within about twenty paces with anything. Knives, rocks, fruit, pots, you name it if you can throw it, she could use it as a weapon. She taught me as much as I could learn, but I don’t have her fine control.”
Peiter took some dried meat from his bag. “You want some dried meat? We made jerky from the meat to preserve it.” He handed a piece to Katelyn. “Be careful, it’s a little spicy.”
Katelyn took a small bite and smiled, “It tastes wonderful.”
“Give me your bowls and I make you some tea.” Peiter offered.
Katelyn and Vivian passed over their bowls, and he put some powered tea into them and then poured some water from the small pot on the fire into each and stirred it with a spoon he had carved for the purpose. “This tea is from plants grown by my sister. We used it to help us with our meditation to keep from falling asleep. My mom taught us breathing control and meditation as part of learning the sword and the bow. She said it was important to be calm no matter what was happening around you.”
Katelyn took a sip it was bitter, but had a nice aroma. She finished her apple and started peeling her orange. Peiter held out his hand for a piece of orange peel and then twisted it over her cup of tea adding the scent of oranges to its rich aroma. Then he ate the rest of the peel.
“The peels from oranges this ripe, are not very bitter and are quite good for you.” Peiter said. He accepted the peels from Vivian and Katelyn and ate them.
They ate their oranges and then drank their tea and they finished their breakfast. “We should get cracking and catch the deer. Vivian can you show me your bow?”
Vivian handed her bow over and the quiver of arrows. He looked at the bow pulled it. Then he examined the arrows. “Good draw maybe forty five pounds; the arrows are a little short, and stiff. Maybe I can fix them.” He took out his knife and started shaving down the shafts. “Arrows need to bend when they are fired from the bow to get good accuracy. If the Fletching hits the bow your arrows will fly erratically because it’s hard to control.” He rapidly saved down four arrows. “That should be enough.”
“So if you all are ready let’s start tracking.” Vivian and Katelyn put their bowls away and Peiter tied the legs together of the deer they had already. It was small about seventy pounds, he didn’t have any problem slinging the rope up over a branch of the tree, and he pulled it up high. He picked up the arrows and strapped them to his forearm with a leather tie. He picked up the bow. “Now stay on the trial and don’t step on leaves or twigs. Keep your ears open. Deer make soft snorting noises to clear their noses when they are trying to scent you. Listen for that. If we are down wind we’ll catch them by surprise.”
They walked along in silence for about twenty minutes, then Peiter looked down, and softly said, “Tracks follow but very quiet. Shallow breaths.” Peiter moved in absolute silence looking at the ground periodically and then scanning around. He waved them down, and pointed. A buck and a doe. Peiter nocked an arrow and let fly striking the buck behind its shoulder. It staggered, and Peiter let fly two more arrows back to back dropping the buck, the doe ran off. Then he rushed up to the buck and cut its throat, blood spraying on the ground. Peiter tied a rope around its hind legs and then tossed one end over a branch and pulled it up, draining the blood out through the gash in its neck. Then he expertly opened its belly and removed its internal organs. When he was done, he sewed up the opening with some string from his pack. “That will lighten the load. He tied the legs together and ran a rope through them and shouldered it up. Peiter started walking back to camp. When he got there he lowered the other deer and opened it and took out its internal organs, and sewed it closed. He had a doe at fifty five pounds and a buck at one hundred pounds; he tied their legs together and made them ready to carry. “Hope your home isn’t too far.”
“Oh we’re very close; maybe a day. We should arrive tomorrow morning.” Vivian said. “Are you going to be able to carry both?”
“Oh this weight is not too bad. My dad used to make me carry my brother around on my back for training and he’d have to carry me, so a heavy pack is not a big problem for me. Also it’s bad tactics to encumber us all. You ladies can run defense of our little band because we’ll probably be attracting large predators, and two legged ones on our walk back. Here’s your bow and the arrows, Vivian. My mother always made sure that at least two of us were armed and ready on our outings this extra weight will slow me down.”
He poured the remainder of his tea into the fire dousing it, and then heaped dirt on the coals. “Water skins ladies? I’ll go fill them and the empty wine skin.”
Katelyn and Vivian were looking a bit surprised at him, so organized. “What’s up Peiter?” They handed their water skins to him.
“Oh sorry, it’s kind of a habit. When we went on our trips, my parents drilled us mercilessly on these sorts of things. I was in charge of breaking camp usually. My mom was the generalissimo on our trips, she gave the orders. When she was ready to leave she’d say break camp, which would put me in charge and I would organize the others and take care of it. I assumed we needed to get the deer back and dressed so the meat doesn’t spoil.” Peiter apologized, and then he left to fill the skins. When he got to the stream he rinsed out their water skins, pulled out a small cloth and filtered the water as he refilled them and then topped them off with a bit of wine from his wine skin.
While he was at the stream, Vivian and Katelyn packed up the sleeping gear and got ready to leave.
“Katy this guy is a marvel. I sure would like to visit his parents sometime they’ve got to be amazing. He so capable, his parents seemed to have covered all the bases.” Vivian was shaking her head. “You just say the word girl and I’ll take him off your hands, no trouble.” She teased.
Katelyn fed it back to her, “You keep your distance he’s all mine.” She cracked a smile. “Boy you are so right about his parents they have got to be amazing.”
When Peiter came back from the stream he gave back their water skins, put on his pack and then strapped on his water skin, and got ready to shoulder the deer. “Ready to go, ladies? Who’s in charge of the trip back?”
Vivian looked at Katelyn and raised an eyebrow at her then pointed to him with her chin. Katelyn gave a small nod and Vivian said, “You take charge son, it will be a new experience for us.”
Peiter looked kind of surprised and then got a little bashful, “Okay, but speak up I’m open to suggestions.”
Vivian gave a sigh and walked over to him, “You’re a prince Peiter, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Let’s get going.” Peiter blushed. Her kiss surprised him. “Leave off with the blushing will you. We need to get back. Now Katelyn, give him a quick kiss and let’s get this show on the road.”
Katelyn walked over to him, she started to give him a quick kiss on the cheek but as she got close she hugged him and sighed and kissed him on the lips. He pulled her close and kissed her back. Then when the kiss ended he didn’t let her go but whispered in her ear, “I’ve wanted to kiss you all morning.”
Vivian broke in, “Come on now, break it up. There’s time for that at our next camp.”
He reluctantly let her go, she leaned close to his ear and said, “Me too.”
He got a big smile on his face and as she stepped back he gave her a quick twirl holding her waist. Then he gave a little dance picked up the deer and said, “You two lead I’ll follow, keep an eye out for trouble.” He got a sly grin on his face, “Besides I get a better view walking behind you two lovelies.” He bowed slightly indicating they should start, “Also I have no idea where we’re going.”
Vivian led off, “Flatterer, watch who you flirt with, I’m more than you can handle. Save it for Katelyn, she’s more your type anyway.” Plus you’re both up the creek without a paddle she thought.
Katelyn followed her still a little high from the kiss, a smile on her face. Peiter shouldered the deer and then tramped behind.
They walked for about three hours and were coming up to a small clearing in the woods. There was a man standing in the middle.
Peiter looked a bit concerned, “Ladies, I’m afraid we’re going to have to deal with them, they’ve been following us for about an hour, you saw them Vivy. I saw you tense up a while back. I think there are five of them, the other four are hiding; two archers are up in the trees and two swords are behind the leader in the trees.”
Katelyn spoke softly, “The leader has a sword behind his back I saw the scabbard between his legs briefly.”
They walked up to the leader and Peiter lowered the deer to the ground. Vivian spoke to the leader, “What do we have here; a fellow traveler?”
The leader gave her a smile mixed liberally with a sneer. “Oh I don’t think I’m any fellow of yours. I think we’ll relieve you of your nice deer there, maybe your packs too.” He started to raise his hand to signal the archers.
Peiter spoke up. “Now don’t get hasty, hold off with the signal. We know about the archers in the trees and your two friends in the trees. You’ve been following us and we think it’s time to come to an agreement hopefully without bloodshed.”
The leader looked surprised but then decided to proceed. “I think not, we’ll talk after.” He completed the signal. The archers let fly and he reached behind his back for his sword.
Peiter moved with lightning speed and caught two arrows one that was directed at his back and the other at Katelyn one in each hand. He threw them at the leader, then spun and caught two more arrows. Katelyn drew her sword over her shoulder and swung and stopped her blade at the leader's neck. Vivian had an arrow nocked and drawn pointing it at his face. The two arrows Peiter threw were sticking out of his legs.
“I think we’ll talk now.” Vivian said.
The leader dropped his sword which he hadn’t managed to draw completely, and pulled the arrows out of his legs.
“Well, I suppose we will.” He fell to his knees and covered the holes in his legs stopping the bleeding.
“We aren’t in a generous mood now, so why don’t you call off your men and go where ever you go far away from us, and we’ll let you live. Alternatively we can kill you all and reduce the vermin population slightly, starting with you I might add, what do you say?” Vivian said, and then added, “I haven’t killed anyone today, so I’m inclined to just kill you all so think fast.”
“We agree, you can go, men let them go and come here and help me.” The leader was in a bit of pain.
Katelyn didn’t pull back her sword until the archers dropped from the trees and the two lurkers came forward. She reached down and picked up the leader's sword it was still in the scabbard. “Just so you think twice about attacking others I’ll relieve you of this. Consider yourself lucky that your head is still attached where it should be.” She tossed it to Peiter, who caught it and slung it over his back.
“Yes well thank you for that, can you just leave? No need to do anything else, we have learned our lesson for today.” He was anxious to get them away from him.
The two archers were looking at Peiter in awe and the two lurkers were getting bandages out of their packs. Vivian nodded her head, “Okay, now go far away, if we catch sight of you again it will mean your death.” She relaxed her draw on her bow but kept the arrow ready and they walked away from them. Peiter had re-shouldered the deer and followed behind them.
After a bit Vivian returned the arrow to her quiver and put her bow on her pack. “Where’d you learn to catch arrows Peiter? I’ve never seen that trick before.”
Peiter looked kind of embarrassed and bashful, “Oh, my sister taught me kind of. You remember I told you she was a wizard with a bow? Well she started this game once. She’d shoot things out of my hands or shoot arrows near my feet trying to surprise me. The first time she did it I was so surprised I rolled away and stood looking for her, but she’d hidden herself so well I couldn’t see her. She thought that was so funny that she started doing it all the time. Then one time I just snatched the arrow out of the air. It was lucky, and she had shot it from a long distance so I got a good view so I just grabbed for it. I was pretty surprised, and so was she. So the game began she’d fire an arrow at me, at first to miss, but later when I got really good, she’d just shoot at me. My mom and dad thought it was a stupid game but they thought it was a useful skill so they didn’t order us to stop. Those crumby archers have weak bows and over fletched arrows, I could catch them in my sleep.”
Katelyn asked, “What about throwing the arrows? I’ve never seen that one either.”
“Oh that was partly my mom, and partly the arrow catching game. My mom taught me to throw things, knives, rocks, you know, and I started throwing the arrows back to my sister. It took a bit of practice you have to hold the arrows near the end, parallel to your arm and then snap your arm and wrist in the direction you want to throw them. Can’t get much force from them but they’ll fly maybe fifty paces with practice” Peiter explained.
Vivian was shaking her head in wonder again, “Man it’s a good thing you’re on our side. For such a nice boy you sure know how to deal out death.”
Peiter looked horrified, “No, no, you don’t understand. I hate killing. I’m a pacifist by nature. I don’t deal in death, I deal in life. Sometimes the only way to preserve life is to be strong. Like with the bandits. I could have killed them all; it would have been quicker and a lot less risky. When you saw them following us Vivian, I had seen them about a half an hour earlier. It was clear that they were bandits from the beginning. They gathered behind us, discussed what they thought of our strengths. I hoped they would just leave us alone, because of your bow, Katelyn’s sword and my size, but they decided to ambush us and kept following looking for the proper place. They obviously know this area well because they ran ahead of us and set up in the clearing. When they were following I could have called a halt, tracked and killed them all, maybe borrowed your sword Katelyn. But I thought maybe when they stopped us I could talk them out of it. So when they finally stopped us and left us no choice we had to defend ourselves. Now I could have killed the archers either with their own arrows or with the knives I carry, and then killed the lurkers hand to hand while you killed the leader Katelyn, and thank you for not doing that. Still we had the opportunity to end it without death; to try to talk them out of it. So I just caught the arrows and gave the leader a reason not to draw his sword. I was really pleased he saw reason, and his followers didn’t rush in. I was tempted to kill the leader because it’s pretty clear he’s the one binding the others to this bad path, but it isn’t my place to judge just to defend. You see? I learn these things so I don’t have to kill. If I didn’t know how to catch arrows I would have had to kill the archers. Nobody needs to fear me; I want life, not death.” He was intense hoping they’d understand.
Katelyn thought she saw a hole in his argument, “Tell that to the deer, Hun.” She said.
Peiter looked at her, “No, you still don’t understand. I killed the deer and let his mate go. I could have killed her too. Look at his head, twelve points; he had maybe two more years, less if a predator found him. People need food, your family sent you to hunt, or you hunt for your family out of love it is the wheel of life, life gives life for more life. We eat the deer and I thank his spirit for the gift of his life. It is the way of the hunter. I have lived the way of the farmer, taking life from the sun, the rain and the plants thanking the spirit of the plants for the gift of life. Life is all around us everywhere there is a balance, when I die my body goes back to the earth to feed the worms and the plants. It’s all wondrous beautiful.” He was waving his hands around. He ran over to Katelyn took her hands and danced around swinging her around. “Just like you, a wonder of beauty.”
Vivian was smiling he’s so beautiful so alive look at him dancing in love.
Katelyn was teary eyed and getting dizzy, “Peiter chill out, we get it, we get it.”
He stopped and hugged her. “See I try to be strong, because I love so much.” He whispered in her ear, “And I love you.” He let her go.
Katelyn stood there shocked, and a tear ran down her face. See looked at Vivian.
Vivian saw the tear, “I told you, Hun. One in a million and he loves you. I’d be jealous but how can you be around him.”
Peiter heard her, “I love you too, but different. You could have killed the bandit leader and you didn’t; why?”
Vivian looked introspective, “Well, two reasons really one is that he was on his knees with arrow holes in his legs and no sword; kind of a low blow to kill him, the other is I realized you didn’t want it to happen that way. You could have put those arrows in his heart and killed him and you didn’t. I was kind of curious to see how you’d handle it. Though I kind of agree with you, we probably should have killed him it’s just I hate killing too, I’ve seen too much of it.”
Peiter looked interested, “I sense a story there, but let’s stop for lunch, there’s a nice pond here and the stream. I don’t think those bandits will be bothering anyone else today so we can relax mostly.”
Peiter fished in his pack and pulled out a group of poles strapped together and started assembling a fishing pole. “Maybe I can catch some lunch.” He got the pole together and tied a line to the end and pulled a hook out of the handle then went over near a tree pulled out a large clump of grass and was rewarded with a few worms. “I thought I’d find you here.” He put one on his hook and sat down on a high bank near the pond and lowered the hook and worm into the water. “Come on you two get a fire going, I’m feeling lucky.”
Vivian started chuckling and started collecting some big rocks from the bank of the pond to make a fireplace. Katelyn started gathering leaves and twigs, and a few branches. When she had enough she pulled out her flint and steel, took some dry moss and got a flame going and transferred it to the fireplace which Vivian had loaded up with a teepee of twigs leaves and branches. The fire started and they built it up with larger dry wood getting it ready.
While they were building the fire, Peiter had already pulled a big trout from the water, “Thought you could hide in that deep pool didn’t you?” He said and he put his knife through the fish head killing it and set it down on the grass. He lowered his line back in the water. “Let see if your brother will come out to play too.” Peiter froze holding the line still watching the tip of the pole. It started to twitch, “Come now stop the nibbling, it’s a worm, go for it.” The pole end dipped sharply and he pulled up and was rewarded with violent shaking of the tip and pulled up another trout. “Ha! What did I tell you? My luck is holding! I meet two beautiful women; survive a vicious attack from a band of marauders, and now two fish in less than five minutes. They probably just wanted to meet you too.” He killed the second one and then gutted them throwing the entrails back into the water. “Here guys lunch, sorry about the death of your two friends but you know the girls got to eat, and so do I.”
Vivian and Katelyn were cracking up over his comedy routine. “Oh boy Peiter don’t you ever do anything normal? How about the occasional frown? All this mirth is there an end to it?”
Peiter set his pole down near his pack and walked around the pond to find some clay, then he wrapped the fish in clay and brought them back to the fire set them down in the fire and went back to the pond to wash his hands. “Hold on they’ll be ready in a minute, saw something be right back.” He trotted off around the pond. Then he came back holding something behind his back.
He had a bashful smile on his face and pulled two lilies from behind his back, “A flower for the flowers.” He handed one to each of them.
Katelyn looked touched. Vivian looked happy, “Oh a romantic fool too. You are a piece of work Peiter. You ever feel down?”
Peiter sat down and poked at the fish pots cooking on the fire, the clay had hardened in the fire. He put on a big frown fingered the corners of his mouth to try to amplify his frown, “You don’t like the flower?”
Katelyn reached out and touched his face, “I like it a lot; it was a very thoughtful gesture, thank you.”
His face brightened up with a big smile, “Thought so, knew you’d like it. I’ll answer your question Vivy, sure I feel down sometimes, but like I told the fish, my luck has been fantastic these last few days. I met you, and Katelyn, fell in love, caught a buck, a twelve pointer at that, survived an attack, got a gift of a new sword, caught some fish, had a scintillating conversation with two outstanding beautiful women, gave them some flowers, and now I’m going to have a delightful lunch with the same. How could a guy feel down after all that?”
Katelyn and Vivian both felt flattered and smiled at him, “Well when you put it that way, I guess you have a right to be perky.” Vivian said. “Stick with it, son, it’s contagious.”
Peiter pulled the fishes from the fire, slid over a big leaf he’d prepared for the occasion, cracked open the fishes and skinned them, putting the flesh on the leaf, and tossed the bones into the water. “Get your bowls it’s time for a treat.” They passed over their bowls and he got some salt from his pack dusted the fish slightly and then sprinkled some red powder on. “A little spice for the spicy company.” He laughed.
Katelyn took a bite it was delicious. “I thought you said you couldn’t cook?”
Peiter smiled, “Hey, I didn’t cook you did. You started the fire. The spice and salt are my sister’s concoctions she taught me this, with great pains she would tell you.”
Vivian liked it too, “What’s in the spices?”
Peiter looked confused, “I don’t know, there’s a red one, comes from a chili plant, a brown one, comes from a small green plant, some kind of spiky seed things, some peppercorns, all I get to do is run the mortar and pestle when she makes this stuff. She says I’m good at destroying food, I think she means grinding it up in this case. She had me make up a batch when I was leaving because she knew I liked it.”
Peiter pulled out his water bottle and took a squirt. Vivian and Katelyn did the same and startled a bit. “Hey this tastes funny, what did you put in the water?”
Peiter smiled, “Oh just a little wine, it helps kill the bugs in the water keeps it fresh. Hey, I got some more wine, this time it’s my vintage want to try it?” He didn’t wait for an answer fished around in his pack and pulled out a wine skin and tossed it to Katelyn.
He nodded to her, “Try it what do you think?”
She took a squirt and got a surprised look on her face. “That didn’t come from grapes totally it’s delightful what is it?” She handed the skin to Vivian.
Vivian took a squirt, she rolled it around in her mouth. “Grapes, some apple, some pepper, maybe a pear flavor, something from a hot spicy chili?”
Peiter looked pleased, “Do you like it? My dad said it was unique but he wouldn’t say if he liked it.”
Katelyn took it back from Vivian, tried some more. “Yes it’s really good I like it, but maybe as a desert wine.”
Peiter looked happy cracked a big smile, “That’s what my mom said, she kept a bottle that she’d take little cups from every once in a while, she had me make several bottles for storage, said it improved with age. You keep it Katelyn.”
Katelyn looked happy and put the skin in her bag. They finished their lunch and Peiter was looking at the pond kind of wistful.
“It’s going to get hot. Why don’t we set camp here? We can go for a swim.” Peiter asked.
Katelyn and Vivian looked interested and then Vivian nodded. “Sure why not.”
Peiter stood up “Bowls ladies, you cooked, I clean, let me go rinse them.” He held out his hands. They handed them over. He went down to the pond and washed them out and came back and handed the bowls and spoons back. Then he put his away and pulled off his shirt and pants, and stood naked facing the pond, “I hope you all aren’t offended, the best swimming is in your skin. I’ll be good so don’t worry and I’ll try to keep the staring to a minimum.” He said looking over his shoulder. He took a couple of long strides and dove into the pond.
Vivian was floored, “Girl did you see that? He’s got muscles everywhere not an ounce of fat.”
Katelyn was speechless, and then bashful. Vivian looked at her, “Now don’t you chicken out on me. You’ll regret it until you die if you do.” Vivian stripped off her shift and untied her cotton briefs and took them off and walked to the water and dove in.
Katelyn nodded her head and stripped and dove in too.
They lazed around and then Peiter started to splash them, and they splashed him back, and then Katelyn tried to duck him, and he grabbed her and pulled her under and kissed her real quick and let her go.
Katelyn came up red faced, and a little out of breath.
Vivian noticed and said, “Hey you promised to be good.”
Peiter had a big grin, “I’m always good, just sometimes I’m really good. Right Katy?”
Katelyn smiled, “Right, except when you’re bad.”
Peiter moved toward Vivian, “Maybe Vivian can appreciate my goodness.”
Vivian stood up straight it was too shallow so her breasts came out of the water. “Keep your distance, I’m a virgin … Oh shit …” she noticed her breasts were out of the water and lowered herself quickly. “Save that for Katelyn.”
Peiter was stopped dead by that maneuver and then rallied. “Okay I guess I’ll have to stick with bad then.” He turned to Katelyn, “Unless the lady says no.”
“The lady says she is getting cold. So let’s get out and dry off.” She stood up and she walked over to the shore and lay down on the grass. “Are you coming out?”
Vivian ducked under and came up adjusting her hair back, “My word girl I didn’t think you had it in you.” Vivian stood up laid down on the grass next to her. “Come on Peiter.” She called.
Peiter got wide eyed but he didn’t stop he followed them. Fortunately the cold water had protected him from total embarrassment mostly. He sat down next to Katelyn got an eye full and laid down next to her.
There was a slight wind so the cooling effect gave Katelyn goose bumps.
Peiter looked over, “Are you cold?”
Katelyn looked at him, “Yes a bit.”
Peiter took her in his arms held her close, “Try to stay objective now, I’m just trying to warm you up.”
Vivian snorted at that one. “Come on now, you can come up with a better line than that.”
Peiter got embarrassed but forged ahead, “Actually I was talking to myself. It’s hard to stay objective in this situation. But a lady in need after all got to try to help.”
Vivian got up on her elbow. “Shit son this is not the best time for objectivity, go ahead and kiss her if you like, I could look away.”
Peiter looked at Katelyn and said, “You okay with that, Hun?”
Katelyn gave him a soft smile, “Like you said to me, you can kiss me anytime.”
So he kissed her. It was a good one she felt like she was melting in his arms. He didn’t stop. He ran his hand down her side and pulled her tight against him. He felt warm and she was feeling like she wanted more so she pulled him on top of her and spread her legs under him. He was hard now ready.
He stopped the kiss, “If you want to stop, now would be a good time to speak up.” He said softly.
Katelyn wrapped her legs around him, “No stopping, stopping is not permitted.”
So he pushed into her and felt her maidenhead. He pushed faster and she tensed as he broke through but then she hugged him. “No stop. Keep going.” She gasped.
He began to move pressing deeper with each push she was squirming and arching her back curling her toes. He was getting close and she was there.
She gave a little scream and tensed up all over, arching her back, curling her toes, and digging her fingers into the grass.
He pushed hard and started to release, his butt tightening, big exhale, quick inhale, once, twice, again, again, and he collapsed on top of her with a big long exhale, and then he tried to roll off of her but she grabbed him. “No stay.”
So he kissed her; little shocks were still passing through her body her toes curling with each one. He could feel her tensing around him.
Finally she stopped and he broke the kiss and she said. “Nothing like I imagined, so much better.” She was out of breath.
He rolled off of her and she let him this time. Then he noticed Vivian watching them. “Hey you said you’d look away!” He smiled because he didn’t really care.
“Now if you think back I said I could look away, not that I would.” Vivian smiled back at him.
He could feel himself getting hard again looking at Vivian her nipples were sticking out breathing a little fast, hand on her hair. He realized she was ready.
“So if I can ask a kind of personal question, tell me to stuff it if you like. Vivy are you and Katy lovers, I mean physically intimate?” He asked.
“OOO, bold question. I’ll give you the bold answer, Yes” Vivian said with a smile. “I told her men were a totally different feeling I guess she understands that now. Don’t you Katy my love?”
“Yes Vivy, you are so right. Much more intense but not so long lived.” She was smiling at her.
Peiter got a crafty look on his face, “Well seeing as it’s all in the family as it were, I was wondering Katy, if we might take care of Vivy seeing as she didn’t look away, like she said she could have, and seeing as she looks smoking hot right now, what do you say? Should we? Could we? Please?”
Katelyn had to laugh, “Sure why not.” She grabbed Vivian and kissed her hard, while Peiter grabbed her from behind running his hands over her and kissing her on the neck. Vivian just relaxed and let it happen. Peiter was hard and ready again so he lifted her leg and pushed inside her and started moving while he held on with one hand on her tummy the other on her breast.
“Oh that’s the ticket, I haven’t had a man for so long, I was beginning to forget how good it felt” Vivian started squirming between them. Katelyn pushed her hand down between her legs and started rubbing her, while Peiter worked from behind. “Ah a new dimension that feels good Katy, don’t stop.” She started trembling and moving faster she grabbed Katelyn around her neck and kissed her hard and then she broke the kiss and arched her back holding on tight to Katelyn, “Yes that’s it oh, Jack that’s it.” She continued to shake and squirm and Peiter pushed into her as far as he could and let loose.
“Oh so good, good, good …” He kept saying good for each wave as he filled her. She was clamping and un-clamping around him as he finished she was still going Katelyn was still stroking her. She took deep breaths arched deeply pressing back against Peiter and then she fainted, relaxing all over.
After a few seconds she awakened and trembled all over and then held still. “That was good better than I remember.”
Peiter was calming down and kissed her on the neck. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder no doubt. Who’s Jack?”
Vivian leaned back into his arms. “He’s my dead husband.” She sighed.
“So that’s what you meant about too much death.” Peiter said rubbing her side. “How do you know he died?”
Vivian sighed again, “It’s been years, and he didn’t come back from the war. I guess I just gave up hoping. I tried to find out but no one keeps track of the losers of a war.”
Peiter rolled away and went and washed up in the pond. “Come on ladies clean up and get dressed I want to try something.” Peiter got dressed and sat down in the lotus position near the fireplace. The fire had gone out. While he was waiting he took out the sword that Katelyn took from the bandit and looked it over. It was of pretty good quality not very clean or sharp but he could fix that. He took out his sharpening stone and a rag and started working on it. Vivian and Katelyn cleaned up and got dressed and sat near him watching him work. They were fascinated watching his lavish attention on the blade he cleaned it and began to sharpen it and then he slid it gently back into its scabbard. His face was calm with a slight smile. He looked up at Katelyn and she saw tears in his eyes.
Katelyn was surprised and touched, “It’s just a sword, Hun, tell me why?”
He looked at her and gave her a shaky smile and reached out his hand and took hers. “I’ll have to explain this kind of carefully so you’ll understand, and believe me because what I’m about to tell you will be kind of hard to accept. You may have wondered why my mom and dad clearly not born to farming had a farm out in an isolated wood. Two master level martial artists grubbing in the dirt on a farm. Don’t get me wrong they loved farming; it’s just not the kind of life that they would have elected normally. They would have had a Dojo and a group of dedicated students, to pass on their skills to a larger group than just their immediate family. But when my father married my mother he, oh how can I explain this it’s going to sound unbelievable just try to suspend your disbelief for a while OK?” Peiter looked at them begging for understanding.
“Go ahead son, I’ve seen some pretty unbelievable things in my life, enough to know that I don’t know what is possible or not.” Vivian said and patted his hand. He grabbed her hand and held it.
“Thanks hold on to that thought. So I guess I’ll say my father had a dream, it’s not quite right but it gets the idea across. He dreamt that he and his new wife would have children that were special. They would be so special that if they had them in a normal community they would be branded as supernatural. My father can see the future possibilities in this dreaming and he could see that if he didn’t isolate his family that they would very likely be killed. On the other hand he found that if he lived in isolation his children could grow up and do a lot of good for the world and his life would be happy and fruitful. So he told his wife to be, this was before he married her, what their choices were and the outcomes of those choices. He explained they could marry and not have children; that was a safe but lonely path. They could marry and have children and live in a village, that was a path of pain and death, or they could go live in isolation on a farm, marry, and have children and happiness. Finally he told her they could not marry go their separate ways, and live as martial artists carrying on the schools of their respective teachers. After much soul searching and talking with their teachers, they decided to pick the path of love. This was a difficult choice for them because they loved their teachers almost if not more than the loved each other. In the end it was their teachers who decided for them they sent them to live together on the farm. So you know some of my family, my brother and sister and how special they are, and you know some about me how I seem larger than life as you said. Well my father told me one day that it was time for me to think about leaving the farm. He explained I would find a life of happiness and love, and deep fulfillment if I left the farm, and if I stayed I would live out my life much like it was now. For a time I resisted the idea I didn’t want to leave home.
I loved my family I was so happy. But my mother and father kept after me telling me I could have so much more. After a while I just got curious, how could I be happier? So finally I agreed to leave, I was sure I could just go back if it didn’t work out. Every one of my family gave me gifts, love and encouragement to help ease the pain of my leaving. I went to my mother and father and I asked them if I could have a sword to take with me, and my father told me that I didn’t need one, that I would receive a sword as a gift of love at the right time. So that’s why the sword means so much to me. It was a gift from someone I love.
Peiter smiled at Katelyn and a tear rolled down his face. “It may seem like a trivial thing to you but it means a lot to me. My father told me it would happen and it happened, you saw my need and you filled it. It means so much to me that you gave it to me. I love you.” He stopped because he couldn’t talk anymore for a moment.
Katelyn took his hand and smiled softly at him, “I’m glad you like it, in spite of its base origins.”
He took a deep breath and wiped his face. “Anyway, now I’m going to tell you some more about me. Why I’m special,” Peiter got a sly grin on his face, “I know I have the good looks, the hot body, the winning smile, all around loveable, women fall at my feet, and I’m modest and truthful, and did I say good looking, oh and a real blast in bed, did I say modest?”
They started to crack up, “Get on with it already.” Vivian said.
He stopped and said, “Well, my special talent is healing. I can heal just about any injury short of death. Most healing at least with people is healing mental damage. Physical things are pretty easy, give me six weeks and I can fix just about any physical problem. The mental problems are harder. Partly because people come to love their mental problems; they don’t want to be cured. So I have to walk a fine line when I approach mental problems.”
Katelyn looked skeptical, “Hun, what do you mean mental problems? People are what they are. Are you saying you can change them, mentally?”
Peiter looked pleased, “You understand the problem partly. Yes I can change people. Like the bandit we met, I could work on him and turn him into a useful productive citizen. The problem is should I do that. How can I judge what changes are right. When do I step over the line and start playing god? Also when it comes to changes there’s the “Be careful what you wish for” problem. You may think you want to change but what you want may be a special kind of hell. So in general I don’t make mental changes. Like my brother’s horse, I could have made it love me, but is that the right thing to do?”
Katelyn looked kind of troubled, “So you’re saying you could make me love you, even if I started out hating you?”
Peiter nodded, “Now you understand the full weight of this talent I could surround myself with love, created by me. It would be a special kind of hell, never to know true love. To never feel loved.”
Katelyn still looked troubled, “But how do you know you can do it? If as you say you don’t do it because of the risk, how do you know you can?”
Peiter nodded, “Yes that’s very perceptive. I’ll give you a flip answer and then then I try to answer you for real. How do you know you can’t fly? You could jump off a cliff and find you could fly. Yes there’s a lot of evidence that human flight is not possible, dead people at the bottom of the cliffs, that sort of thing. I know I can do it because I can see how it would be done. But a better answer is I’ve tried it on animals and I can see it work. Here I’ll demonstrate, you hear that song bird?” Peiter put his hands in his lap and grew still. Shortly a bird flew down around him and landed on his head. He opened his eyes and put his finger out and the bird landed on his finger. “See the bird I’ve removed its fear of humans it curious about us and came to visit. Go ahead you can touch it.” He extended his hand out and Katelyn held out her finger and the bird flew and landed on her finger. It tilted its head left and right looking at her with each eye. “The problem is that this change will probably result in the bird’s death. Also she has a family to feed and needs to be rooting for food for them, so the change affects more than just this bird.” He closed his eyes and the bird got agitated and flew away. “Hopefully I managed to put her back to normal. With humans it would be much more dangerous. I could make someone hate, or love and once changed I might not be able to return them to their original state. No, that’s not strong enough, people are always changing I could never put them back to what they were, I could just make another change, like with the bird, I tried to put her back the way she was, but she will remember her experience sitting on our fingers and looking at us, she will feel a loss because she can’t do that anymore. Do you understand it’s better to leave people alone most of the time.”
Katelyn persisted, “Have you ever made a change to a human?”
Peiter smiled, “A fair question, the answer is yes. Once a man came to our farm and he had a problem with rage. He had a physical problem with his brain that caused him to go into fits of rage. His life was hell, he was a strong man and had a very strong will so he managed to control his rage and not hurt anyone but he lived in continuous fear that one day he would lose control and hurt someone. My mother tried to help him with meditation but that didn’t work. I was ten years old at the time and I told my mother that his problem was that his brain was broken. She didn’t listen at first but after some time I told her I thought I could fix it. So my mom and dad brought him into our house and told me to explain to him what I could see. So I told him what I saw, how his rage would progress, and how he was feeling now. Then I explained he had some brain damage that I could fix it would take about a week and then his rage would be gone. He was very pleased to hear that and asked me to start right away. So my parents let him sleep on the floor in my room and I worked on him and eventually cured him of his brain damage.
But that was only part of the problem. His long fight with his rage had left him with a very tight control of his emotions. He couldn’t relax. The rage was gone but the fear of it and the associated suppression of his emotions left him crippled. So we went to my parents again, and I explained to them what the problem was. He helped because he understood it very well. After we finished my mother asked me if I could help him, and I sat there for about twenty minutes feeling out his mind trying to find a solution. He was a very complex man, his emotional control came from many places in his mind. I tentatively said I thought I could do something but it would take time. I tried to explain the complexity of the problem I was faced with to them and him. They discussed it and in the end he decided to let me try. Well to make a long story short it took me a year to fix him, and what resulted was more of a construction of him and me. I would discuss a problem and possible solutions and he would choose. He was happy with the solution in the end, but it left me wondering if it was even possible to help people in general in this way.”
Katelyn noticed something in all this, “Peiter, I think you are saying you can read minds. Is that true?”
Peiter gave her a weak smile, “Yes, but it’s like making changes, it’s a two edged thing. I don’t do it most of the time. Let me give you an example close to home. Suppose when I met you I read your mind and saw you were attracted to me. So I act on this, and modify my behavior to be the sort of man you want. So then you fall in love with something unreal. See it’s like making changes a special kind of hell.”
Katelyn smiled at him, “Well no need to worry there I never could have imagined a man like you.”
Vivian spoke up, “Boy that’s the truth. You are a special kind of strange that is for sure.”
Peiter looked pained but resigned, “Yes it’s a real problem but I have a rule, just be here now and let god handle the big things. It’s helped me remain sane mostly. So you see Vivy my whole life is not mirth I do have my down times.”
Peiter took a deep breath, “But we're getting off topic I was trying to explain what I wanted to do about Jack, Vivy’s ex presumed to be dead husband. There’s one thing I’ve learned reading people that have passed through our farm, and that is married people have this connection, it doesn’t matter how far apart they are, they are connected at some deep level. When one of them dies the connection changes it’s like there is a bunch of lines flowing forward and backward in time. When one spouse dies no more lines go forward, they just go back. I can examine your mind Vivy and find your husband. I can tell you if he’s alive or not. But as with all of my so called gifts, the question is should I?
Before I do this if you agree, I need to tell you something my father told me. I asked my father about his ability to tell the future and if he could tell when he was going to die. He looked at me and said, “Son knowing the future like that would be hell. Think about it. You would know that in ten days, you were going to die, then nine, wouldn’t you just give up? Knowledge carries a great burden. Uncertainty can be a big blessing. Don’t ever take away someone’s uncertainty you would kill them as effectively as you could with a sword.”
“So Vivy, I can give you this gift or curse you with this gift may be. I can even help you find your husband if he still lives, but it may not be a good thing. I also can help you forget should you wish it. But as I said be careful what you wish for.” Peiter said.
Vivian sat back and just stared at him. “OOO, you are a devil. How can I decide this? I suppose it’s better not to know … hum … I think I have a solution, you say you love me right?”
Peiter smiled, “Yes I do, you are beautiful in many ways, and your aura is like a smooth lake clear and inviting. Your smile is open and friendly. You don’t judge. Your love is freely given. In a way Katelyn and you are very similar. But she is beautiful in other ways, her aura is like looking at the sun, bright and warm, turbulent and enticing. Her smile is bashful and blinding. She loves fiercely and freely.”
Vivian looked surprised, “I’ve never been described so succinctly before, and so accurately, Katelyn too it must be part of your gift. Anyway here’s what I want you to do. I’m going to hoist you on your own petard as it were. You do your examination of me, and then you tell me what love dictates.”
Peiter smiled, “Very good leave the outcome uncertain. You realize that I very likely won’t tell you anything at all.”
Vivian smiled, “Yes I can live with that.”
Peiter took her hands and closed his eyes and sat very still. Katelyn watched him closely she noticed he wasn’t breathing. A minute went by, then another, and another. She started to get worried. “Vivian he’s not breathing.”
Vivian pulled her hands out of his, “Peiter stop come back.” She reached out and shook his shoulder. He took a deep breath, and opened his eyes. Tears ran down his face.
He took another deep breath and sobbed, “Oh Vivy, so much pain, how did you survive?” He was crying he pulled her close and sobbed on her shoulder. “I’m so sorry it’s always intense when I go into people that deeply. So much death. Your mother, your father, oh Vivy.” He was still crying. “I know, I know your pain, it makes you strong. Vivy he’s dead. I saw it he died instantly no pain. It was an explosion it killed him and your brother at the same time. His love oh I wish I could have known him, what a loss.” He was still crying.
She held him close, “Sorry son I didn’t know you would feel it. If I knew I would have refused.” She patted him on the back. Come now it’s the past be here now, in our love.” He stopped sobbing and looked at her.
“Thank you for letting me know you in this way. You’re so strong. Such strength to survive what you’ve been through. Sorry I’ll be okay give me a few minutes.” He sat back and closed his eyes.
Katelyn looked at Vivian, “So that’s why you don’t talk about your past.”
Vivian shrugged her shoulders, “Yes that’s why. My past is pain. It is better left there.”
Katelyn touched her arm, “I love you Vivy.”
Vivian looked at her with a soft smile, “I know Katy; I love you too. I loved them all …”
Peiter opened his eyes and smiled. “I’m back mostly it will take me a few days to process that so pardon me if I get weepy every once in a while.”
Katelyn looked at him, “Can you do that with me? Could you find my dad and brother?”
Peiter looked unhappy, “Katy my love I could but I won’t. Let me explain. Part of loving you is getting to know you, to be uncertain to be myself I can’t know you that way it would change what we have. If I could look inside you and find your dad and brother without losing my uncertainty I would do it but I can’t. I could read Vivian because my love for her is different it is admiration, respect, with a lot of physical attraction. My sojourn in her mind has strengthened those things. With you my love is bashful, respectful, physical, soul wrenching, admiring, hopeful, expanding, exploring, unplumbed, and uncertain, it goes on and on. I want to be with you forever. I just can’t risk changing it. I’m sorry.”
Katelyn smiled and hugged him close, “I love you too. I don’t want you to change. Your father is a very wise man; knowledge does carry a great burden.”
“So what should we do? Break camp and trudge a bit closer to home?” Katelyn asked.
“No I have a better idea, why don’t we do some Kata together and I can get to know my new sword, and see you in action?” Peiter suggested, “We could cut some wooden swords and tap spar after. What do you think?”
Katelyn was intrigued, “Tap spar?”
“We don’t have sparing armor so tap sparing is you go through the motions but strike without force. That way no one gets hurt, though it is a bit harder to do as you have to stop short of hitting your opponent, and then lightly tap the target. Kind of like you did to the bandits neck.” He jumped up. “Get your sword let’s do it. Vivy you want to learn? I can cut you a wooden sword.”
Vivian stepped back and sat down near the fireplace, “No I’ll watch.”
Katelyn had her sword in hand and stood facing Peiter but about ten feet apart. They both bowed to each other and then knelt placed their swords horizontally in front of them and bowed to touch their heads to the middle of the scabbard. Next they picked up the sword and tied it behind their backs with the pommel extending above the left shoulder.
Next they drew and stood and did an overhand strike a side strike a spinning back strike then turned and sheathed their swords by holding the scabbard riding the blade down along their fingers and back down into the scabbard. They stood facing bowed and drew striking fast left right over spin sheath, then bow.
The cycle repeated with the movements getting more complex and each kata longer than the last after about an hour they finished, both were sweating.
“Very smooth moves Katelyn, I was right you have a talent for the sword.” Peiter was pleased with the kata. “Let’s try the tap sparing.” He walked over to the tree and examined the branches he pulled his sword and struck a branch from the tree, and then another.
Katelyn watched and startled when he made the cuts. “Peiter; you cut those branches almost without effort. I’ve never seen anything like that, they must be three inches thick.”
He pulled out his hunting knife and expertly started whittling down the branches, cutting off the extra branches, making a grip, making two wooden swords about twenty seven inches long. He finished and threw one to Katelyn. “My dad taught me those cuts. You have to learn how to rotate your joints and explode with force at the right point to drive the blade fast and true. It took me about four months to learn that cut. Many blows from my father’s stick training my muscles.”
“Okay here are the rules, we start, bow, and then any moves are allowed. You may strike your opponent’s sword as hard as you like, you may not strike your opponent. If you get through their guard you may touch them with the sword; a tap. If you hit your opponent you lose. Each tap is a point, ten points ends the match. Do you understand?” Peiter stood holding his wooden sword in his right hand. Katelyn stood about ten feet away holding her wooden sword in her right hand.
“Yes I understand, hit you lose, tap you win.” Katelyn nodded. “I’m ready.”
Peiter stood facing her, “Okay bow and begin.” He bowed and went to a high brace making small jumping steps toward her. She held her sword horizontally pointed at him.
They approached and then cut striking their swords together. As Peiter pulled back Katelyn swung low and tapped his leg.
“Ah, the lady is tricky so careful retreating.” He made a faint low and then tapped her head.
“Come on Katelyn get mad get even.” He faked low and went high again she blocked. She drove forward toward his center, trying to tap, he spun and her sword missed he tapped her thigh.
She lowered her center and bent her knees swinging for his ankles then switching up to tap the inside of his thigh.
They were starting to sweat heavily and they were making more complex moves swords striking no points; they had each other’s measure now.
Peiter tossed the sword and caught it in his other hand. He started back at her.
“Peiter you can fight left handed; Oh boy.” Katelyn became more defensive looking for an opening. She fell to the side and tapped his back. Then rolled up to her feet, and ducked under his tap to her head. She kept low trying to offer a small target and take advantage of his size. He did a front flip as he flipped over her he tapped her head. Then he rotated landing behind her facing her back. He tapped her back. He flipped back to the front; she blocked the tap to her head and tapped his chest as he landed.
“You can’t fall back if your feet aren’t touching the ground.” She laughed and they continued. Cut block spin, cut. Disengage, attack, block, and dodge. It went on for several minutes, trading points.
Finally she laughed, and thought one point and I win nine to nine. She swung her sword and lightly tossed it at him the end touched his stomach. “I win.”
He smiled, “A rule beater blow. I’ll concede. You are good Katy. I must say that was bracing and I’m done in, time for a dip.” He grabbed her and jumped into the pond.
She screamed and laughed. “Well I guess our clothes needed washing anyway.” She pulled off her dress and shorts and tossed them to shore, Peiter did the same and then ducked under and grabbed her feet tripping her and then he grabbed her head and kissed her. She relaxed and kissed back he let her go and popped back up. She popped up next to him. She slipped up to him and kissed him again lingering in his embrace. “Each time I kiss you it’s like the first time, sparks fly.” She whispered.
“If you could see your aura, you wouldn’t joke sparks do fly god you’re beautiful.” He was getting excited again. “Come on let’s get out and take care of our clothes.” He let her go and walked out of the pool picked up her dress and pants and his shirt and pants. He tossed hers to her while he started shaking the water off his leather pants, and began wringing the water out of his shirt. He laid them both on top of a bush and went over to Katelyn and helped her wring the water out of her dress.
“You got any spare clothes? It’s going to take a few hours for these to dry.” Peiter said looking at her enjoying the view. “I suppose we can find a way to kill some time until then if you like.” He reached out and ran his hand down her side and grabbed her ass lightly.
Vivian was still watching from the sidelines and chimed in, “Hey you two leave off. It’s time for dinner come and get it.” Vivian had restarted the fire and prepared dinner while they had been horsing around.
Katelyn laughed, “Saved by the clock. Sorry Hun, I’m really tired it would be no good anyway.”
Peiter smiled, “You sell yourself short Hun, a good cuddle can be very refreshing even therapeutic.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. “It’s going to be hard to eat dressed like this; very distracting.” He pointed out. “I got a spare shirt almost serve as a dress for you, a bit short though.”
Katelyn smiled, “Thanks I’ll take it. I’ve got some spare shorts so I’m set, what about you?”
“Oh no problem, I got a bolt of cloth and a belt.” He went to his pack and got his spare shirt and threw it to her, and then pulled out a belt and cloth and in no time he looked like an Indian brave, a change of color and a feather was all that was lacking.
Katelyn was dressed in his spare shirt and wearing her spare shorts with a leather strap for a belt. Peiter looked over at her, shook his head, she looked even better, stunning. He walked over to her put his hand under her chin and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Nothing can block your radiant beauty; you look wonderful in my spare shirt.”
Vivian was getting impatient “Come on now none of that, the stew is hot, I’ve got hot water for tea, let’s get this show on the road.”
Peiter and Katelyn walked over to the fire, Katelyn sat down and Peiter went over to Vivian, got on his knees and leaned close, “Thanks for cooking dinner mom.”
Katelyn laughed. Vivian faked umbrage, “Hey, I’m too young to be your mother, plus I would have drowned you at birth.”
Peiter laughed, “Too true, and hot too.” He kissed her on her cheek and pinched her butt.
Vivian slapped his hand away but had a smile on her face, “Keep that up and I’ll send you to bed without dinner.”
Peiter went to his pack and got the tea, his bowl and the carved spoon and came back, he poured some tea into the hot water and shifted it away from the fire and sat back.
Peiter tapped one of the rocks with his spoon, “Before we eat I have a kind of prayer. It was customary in my family to take turns speaking about something before each meal. I have an offering for this meal. With your permission Vivy?”
Vivian looked intrigued, “It sounds like a very beautiful tradition son. Please offer up.”
Peiter sat back and closed his eyes. “I remember Cleo. She was born in the summer a blond haired blue eyed beauty. Her father held her and cried as her mother slept from the effort of birthing. She grew strong and wild, a joy to her parents, a terror to the town. She lived and left her mark on all that loved her. She died too soon, but I remember her still.” Tears were running down his face.
Vivian had a tear running down her face, “Thank you Peiter I remember her too, like it was yesterday.”
Katelyn looked at Vivian, “Who was she?”
Vivian looked at her. “She was my daughter, Hun.”
Katelyn looked at Peiter he was still crying, “Tell us about her, what was her favorite color?”
Vivian sat back and gave a trembling smile, “She loved the blue sky, and the flowers. She had a pet cat she called killer because she caught little things and ate them. She had a dolly she called Poly.”
Peiter spoke up, “She was a demanding baby, sucked her mother raw, but gave the best smiles. She refused to wear shoes. She was hell on her clothes, stains and rips. She told stories to her dolly. She ordered her parents around. She gave the best hugs. I remember Cleo."
Vivian was looking down now another tear ran down her face. “Thank you. It helps to know you remember her too.”
Peiter looked at her, “I’m sorry to do this to you Vivy, but it’s a healing thing, I need it as much as you, a quick cry and a sympathetic friend.” He sat up straight and wiped the tears from his face. “Let’s eat.”
So they started to eat and Peiter started to sing one of Cleo’s songs. Soft nonsensical rhymes.
Vivian listened intrigued, “How can you know that song Peiter, I can’t remember it.”
Peiter looked at her, “You do remember it, and you block it out. I sing it to help let go of the pain. I don’t have your strength. This pain will kill me if I don’t let it go.”
Vivian looked concerned, “Will you be alright? I never wanted to harm you. You should have warned me!”
Peiter looked happy, “Oh Vivy, don’t regret it. I’ll be ok. It’s you that needs healing. You need to let go of the pain, be weak a little at a time, like remembering Cleo. When you feel like it; talk to us we love you and will listen.”
Peiter started picking up things and juggling them. He tossed a rock, his hunting knife, his bowl with stew in it, and his spoon. He would stop catching everything and take a bite of stew and then start again. It was breath taking, and funny. He would fake missing a catch, but then catch another way, on his elbow, on his shoulder, on his knee. He let his knife land point down in the grass, like a catch, and just kept up the sequence, the knife sticking in the grass on each rotation. The sorrow from the prayer drifted away replaced by laughter and amusement.
Katelyn looked at Vivian she was smiling now watching his antics. A healer for sure she thought she looked at his face, he was studying Vivian as she watched his juggling. Doing his best to erase the pain of Cleo’s death.
After a while the meal was finished and he stopped and gathered up all the cooking tools, bowls and spoons and went to clean them in the pond. Katelyn went with him.
Katelyn stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “That was a good thing you did, thank you.” She kissed him on his bare shoulder.
Peiter smiled at her, “She is so strong I can’t believe she lived through all that without going insane with grief. Every one of her family died; many times in front of her. She lost her brother and husband to the war, and then spent years hoping for their return.”
Katelyn looked at him, “Can’t you just take the pain away?”
Peiter looked at her and smiled, “No, to do that would be wrong. It’s hard to explain but it’s like she has earned her pain. It is a part of her; it makes her strong. The only thing that I can do is share it a little and maybe ease it. If I tried to erase her pain, I would erase her strength and she would probably go insane. Its like I tried to explain before, making changes is a risky business; making changes to people you love is even more risky. Love is a terrible guide in this sort of thing. You know the saying, “No good deed goes unpunished?” That applies here. If I tried to fix her I think it would kill her, and probably me too.”
Katelyn persisted, “So how can we help her?”
Peiter leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “You can help her by loving her and being yourself. Don’t try to help just let her be. If she talks to you, listen, but don’t try to pull it out of her, she will resist. I have started her down the path by remembering Cleo, but I can’t do any more because she will close up; her strength will assert itself. This is really important you need to curb you concern it will rankle her and she will try to hide from us to spare us pain. Be happy being you and try to treat her same as always. After some time we should go back to my farm, I think I can help her there some more, but she has to let go of Jack some before I can. In the meantime I will need to lean on you to help me recover from her pain. I will tell you some of her past and cry a bit. You will have to agree to keep everything I tell you a secret, unless she tells you about it. This is really important she would feel violated if she thought you knew some of these dark things from her past.”
Katelyn looked at him in wonder, “Ok I’ll do my best. You are so wonderful I’m glad I met you. I love you.” She put her head on his shoulder. He finished up cleaning and they went back to camp.
Peiter sat down and looked at Vivian she looked recovered so he said, “Vivy, I’m sorry I broke down during dinner I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. Please forgive me.”
Vivian smiled at him, “I should apologize to you son. Also don’t think you’re fooling me that was the healer in you talking; partly. Thank you for remembering Cleo I will consider your advice and see if I can be weak a little.”
Peiter smiled brightly at her, “Well if you ladies don’t mind I need to meditate a bit before I sleep this emotional seesaw I’ve climbed on is making me tired.” He got his pack and pulled out his meditation mat and sat with his back to the fire. He took two deep breaths and became still. He was wearing only his breach clout so his back was displayed to the girls for their enjoyment.
Vivian was trying her best not to stare Katelyn was not even trying. Vivian got her bedroll out and set it up so her head was pointed at Peiter’s back so she couldn’t see him. Katelyn hesitated and then put her bedroll next to him so her head was near his seat.
Vivian chuckled and said “You’re not going to be alone long if you do that.”
Katelyn said, “How do you sleep with a man that sleeps sitting up? Damn inconvenient that.”
Vivian didn’t buy it, “Oh I’m sure nature will find a way, good night and try to keep the screams to a minimum.”
Katelyn lay down on top of her bedroll, “Good night Vivy, if you get lonely come and join us. I love you.”
Vivian lay down and started remembering, thinking about the good things that happened in her life. She thought about Peiter and how he loves too much. About Katelyn who has known so little love. How her lost loves had been taken. Maybe he was right maybe she could let the pain go a little at a time. She thought about Cleo, he was so right she used to suck her tits raw. She did give the best hugs. She could remember the good things. She felt warm in her bedroll and happier than she’d felt in a long time. She drifted off feeling right about the world.
After about an hour of meditation Peiter opened his eyes and felt the heat radiating from Katelyn’s body next to him on the ground he smiled and studied her as she dosed the moon light filling the camp reflecting off the pond, the high pitched chirping of the tree frogs. He thought about his love and how he felt so close to her, so he reached out and took her hand feeling the pulse of her life, looking at her aura as it swirled streaks of fire bands of green, a light blue glow so beautiful. She shivered in the night air. She fell asleep outside the blanket of her bed roll. He didn’t feel the cold; his mother had taught him the Tumo, a meditation on the inner fire. He lay down next to her enfolding her in his arms pressing his front to her back, and entered Tumo. She sighed as the warmth enfolded her and they slept.
As the sun rose she opened her eyes and felt the warmth of Peiter’s body pressed against her. The dew had fallen and the grass was glistening but she didn’t feel any dew or cold in his arms. She turned to face him and her motion awakened him. He opened his eyes and smiled his good morning smile. The sun light was reflecting off her hair giving her a halo. He leaned back and just looked at her basking in the angelic apparition of her face. She looked at him and reached out to touch him, he felt hot like he had a fever. She smiled and said, “You’re hot.”
He laughed, “Well yes I know I’m hot, but I’m modest about it. But you are beautiful like an angel.”
“No you don’t understand you’re hot like you have a fever.” She touched the back of her hand to his forehead.
“Oh no it’s not a fever, it’s the Tomo; the meditation on the inner fire. You were cold so I held you and did the Tomo, it is very restful.” He smiled and continued to stare in her eyes.
She lay back down and looked uncertainly at him, “Another skill of yours?”
“No not of mine, it is a yoga meditation, one of the six. Anyone can learn if they try.” He said. “It is a breathing technique and a visualization of the mantric symbols; it results in an inner heat which I gave to you to keep you warm.”
“So you can sleep in a bed too; not sitting up all the time.” She smiled at him teasing a little.
“Sure I can sleep anywhere, in any position. Sitting is good because I can meditate and then sleep. It is easier to breath properly. It is a good defensive position you can hear better and see better than lying down. I can think of some advantages to lying down as well.” He kissed her on the nose. He looked in her eyes and whispered, “Good morning, I love you.”
She gave him a sunny smile, “Ditto”.
He pulled her close and kissed her and her stomach growled. “Ha, food first. You look good in my shirt want to keep it?” He jumped up and went to where his leather pants were draped over the bush. They were dry with a thin coating of dew on the outside. He undid his breach clout and slipped them on. Then he picked up his shirt which was damp from the morning dew and put it on. He stepped into his sandals and tied the straps around his calf.
Katelyn went over to her dress that was slightly damp from the dew, skinned off Peiter’s shirt and slipped her dress on. It was chilly and woke her up completely. She had an idea, “Hey hot stuff come over here and lend me some more body heat this dress is cold.”
Peiter trotted over to her and stood behind her pulling her tight against him. “How’s that, oh spicy one. I’ll heat you up just wait.” He started rubbing her belly working his way up.
Before he reached her breasts she bumped him with her butt and he let her go. “Remember food first.”
He wined, “Ah spoil sport.” But he went over to the fire place and stirred the coals and put some more wood on the fire. The he went to the pond and half-filled the pot with water and then got a bag from his pack and poured oat meal into the water. He pulled out another bag it contained blue berries and dumped them in the pot with the oat meal. “That is the last of the oatmeal and berries so we better get there today.” He put the remainder of his cheese wheel down next to the fire on the grass.
He went over to where Vivian was still sleeping and rubbed his hands together until they were hot and then laid his hand on her neck. “Wake up beautiful breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.”
She opened her eyes and smiled and felt the warmth of his hand and turned and kissed his palm. “What a nice wakeup call, thank you.” She stood up wearing only her cotton shorts bent over her pack pulled out her dress and slipped it on.
Peiter stood smiling his heart had skipped a beat. “Oh Vivy, for that show I’ll wake you every day.”
Vivian pulled her deer hide shoes on, walked over to Peiter and put her hand on his neck. “All you’ve got to do is ask.”
He followed her back to the fire, Katelyn was stirring the oats. “Vivy oatmeal with blueberries farm boy has come through again.”
Vivian looked at him with a happy grin, “I thought you said you couldn’t cook?”
Peiter raised his hands, “I’m not cooking the hottie over there is. Left to me we’d have oatmeal toast with blue berry carbon chunks. I just dumped the ingredients in the pot.”
Katelyn laughed, “Sure Hun. Vivy golden boy showed me a new talent.”
Vivian was intrigued, “Well I didn’t hear any screams last night, so it’s not be one of his obvious talents. What is it?”
Katelyn smiled, “Oh, don’t blame him, I fell asleep. No he’s hot. Now before you make the obvious joke I mean he can actually generate heat, something about Tomo yoga. You heard of that?”
Vivian was impressed. “You do Tomo? Where’d you learn that?”
Peiter filled their bowls from the pot and passed them out, “My mom and dad taught us yoga as part of learning the sword and the way of the fist as my dad called it. She knows some pretty esoteric meditations, and when my healing talent started to show, they gave me Tomo to help me with the noise. All life has thought forms and radiates a kind of surface noise, a sort of leakage from the mind. When my talent started I couldn’t block it out. The Tomo helped me block out this leakage as I got older I found that cold or heat didn’t bother me, my mom read to me from one of her books that this was an effect of the Tomo. I also found I could give this heat to another; this might be part of my talent I don’t know though it may be that the Tomo just makes me hot. Katelyn said it felt like I had a fever. I could teach you, it’s a matter of breathing, visualizations and practice.”
Vivian nodded, “So that’s why you don’t have a bed roll, you don’t need blankets. You sleep sitting up because of your yoga practice.”
Peiter nodded, “Yes, Sleeping sitting up eases right breathing, laying down makes it harder to breath correctly. Are we going to make it back to the village today?”
Vivian nodded “Yes we should arrive shortly after noon. Let’s finish up and get moving.” They ate their oatmeal, and Peiter made some tea and they drank that. Peiter insisted on doing the dishes as Katelyn cooked, as he said. It just wasn’t worth it to argue so they let him. They packed up and Peiter shouldered the deer and they were off.
After several hours the stopped for lunch. Vivian heated some stew, and they got ready to eat. Peiter looked withdrawn so they ate quietly. Vivian looked a little concerned, but didn’t speak up. When they finished eating Peiter took the dishes over to the stream near by for cleaning. Vivian looked at Katelyn “Katy honey go with him find out what’s bothering him, he’s not himself.”
“Oh, Vivy you noticed it too? Ok I’ll go see.” Katelyn followed him to the stream he was kneeling washing the bowls when she walked up. He looked up and tears where running down his face. Katelyn was surprised and sat down on a rock near him, “Oh Pieter, what’s the matter?”
He brushed the tears from his face and gave a weak smile, “Oh Katy, her mother, she …” He couldn’t go on.
Katelyn reach out and took his hand, “Tell me hun, let it go.”
He squared his shoulders and spoke, “Vivy’s mother was killed in a rock fall. She was coming home from collecting mushrooms. She had a keen understanding of natural food sources and often went into the woods to collect food. When she didn’t return for lunch, her father became worried and sent Vivy to look for her. She was sixteen years old, and had gone with her mother many times so she knew where to look. As she looked she called to her, and after some time she found her partially buried, her lower body was crushed. She ran to her, but there was nothing she could do. Her mother told her to be strong and take care of her father and brother. When Vivy started to cry, her mother smiled at her and told her she loved her and that she shouldn’t let her father and brother see her cry, that it will be hard enough for them without having to worry about her too. Her mother promised to look out for her and be with her, and then she reached out her hand gripping Vivy’s hand … Oh Katy she died, holding Vivy’s hand she felt her grip relax and …” His face contorted in pain.
Kately gripped his hand. “Did she do as her mother asked? Did she not cry in front of her father and brother?”
Pieter knodded, “She released her hand and closed her mother’s eyes and then she cried, but as she cried she understood what her mother told her that she should not let her brother and father see it because it would make them feel worse. She ran back to her father and without speaking she ran up to him and hugged him tight. She whispered in his ear, ‘Papa I found mama, she said to tell you she will always love you and be with you. Oh papa, she’s dead.’ He hugged her tightly and spoke softly, ‘I knew this was going to happen, I’ve always known that one day the gods would claim her. Oh Vivian take me to her.’ So Vivy took her father to her and he sat down on the ground near her, took her hand and said, ‘So my love you have gone on ahead as we knew you would.’ He brushed the dirt from her face and kissed her cheek, and then looked up, ‘Get your brother Vivian, I’ll need help moving her.’ So Vivy went and got her brother and they dug her out of the rock fall. Her father picked her up and asked them to follow and he led them to a place in the woods near a stream, a small clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a open grave, wild flowers grew all around, and butterflies were fluttering around. He set her mother in the grave and silently began to cover her. Vivy and her brother tried to help, but her father said no, that they should sit and enjoy the beauty of the clearing. When he finished he sat on a stone bench near the grave. He told them that their mother had selected this location for her grave because she new she would die in the woods. He told them not to be sad because this is they way of life, that all things die, and that some day he would die and join her. He told them that they had dug the grave and made the stone bench in preparation for this day. Then he stood up and went to her brother and hugged him, and then he hugged her. He said ‘Let’s go home and eat dinner.’”
Katelyn had a tear running down her face, and she stood and Pieter stood. They hugged each other. “Oh Pieter, its so sad but beautiful too.” They both washed their faces in the stream and finished washing dishes. Then Peiter took Katelyn in his arms and kissed her and said, “Katy, I love you, now and forever.” They went back to Vivian hand in hand.
Vivian was sitting on a log and as they walked up she stood and asked, “Feeling better?”
Pieter walked up to her and hugged her, but didn’t speak. Then he stepped back and Katelyn hugged her and said “Vivy we love you.”
Vivian looked confused, “I love you too. What brought this on?”
Pieter smiled coyly. “Well I was washing dishes and Katy asked me how I was feeling, and we started to talk. We got on the subject of how we felt about each other. Then we talked about how we felt about you and well…” He blushed.
Vivian smiled and shook her head, “I see well lets get moving, I want to get back before dark.”
After a while they came to a farm. The farm house was burned to the ground and they found a man kneeling in front of two graves. He was thin unshaven, hair a mess. Peiter signaled the ladies to hang back and he took off his pack and walked casually over to the man and knelt beside him. He held out his hand and the man gripped it and they talked, and then Peiter hugged him, stood up and held out his hand, the man took it and Peiter lead him back to where the girls stood. When he released his hand the man knelt again sitting back on his feet he stared at the ground his hands laying in his lap.
“This is James; his wife, Corin and his daughter Amelia died, he buried them and is waiting to die. As near as I can tell his wife died of snake bite and his daughter of sickness. He burned down his farm house because he didn’t need it anymore, and it reminded him of them too much.” Peiter put his hand on James’ head as he spoke. “Vivian, Katelyn, I can’t explain it but there is something about this man some sort of talent that I can’t let die. His grief is so strong that I can’t feel much more of him but something tells me I should save him, and heal him if possible. I would like to bring him with us to your village, if you think that is possible.”
Vivian knelt in front of him and tilted up his face by putting her palm under his chin. He looked at her and she stared in his eyes. For several seconds she held that position searching his face and then she smiled and patted him on the hand and let him go. “Peiter you can bring him to the village, maybe the mother superior can help you heal him. All I see in his eyes is pain.”
“Thank you Vivian, now the problem is he will have to be led. Someone will have to hold his hand and guide him down the path. I’ve calmed him enough that he won’t fight us but if you let go of his hand he will kneel like he is now.” Peiter explained.
Vivian reached down and took his hand. “Come James we will take you to our healer.”
He followed her as she held his hand and they continued down the path to the village. As they came to the village women came out of the houses and greeted Vivian and Katelyn. Some asked to be introduced to Peiter and James, but James stood looking at the ground unresponsive. Vivian walked to the center of town where there was a bell hung, and an old woman stood dressed in black with silver hair about five feet tall and slimly built.
Vivian released James’ hand and he knelt. Peiter set down the deer and took off his pack.
“Mother, this Peiter, he is a man from a nearby farm, a few days away. He is on a trip of discovery and would like to stay with us for a time. The kneeling man is James, he is a farmer from just outside of the village whose wife and child died. He is a broken man and in need of healing.” Vivian indicated who she was talking about with her hand as she explained.
The mother superior stood in front of Peiter and Peiter knelt so his eyes were slightly below hers. She put her hand to the side of his head and looked into his eyes. Peiter’s expression changed from diffident respect to open delight as she inspected him. She smiled at him and stoked his cheek. “Welcome home Peiter, I have been expecting you.”
Katelyn and Vivian were surprised to hear that and looked at Peiter with question marks.
The mother superior walked over to James and raised his head with her palm under his chin, she stared into his eyes and his face changed from blank to surprised, while her face changed to a look of compassion and concern. She stroked the side of his face with her hand and released his chin. He looked down at his hands again. “I have met James before when he sold his crops in the village. I am saddened by the news of the death of Corin and little Amelia. He needs food and a bath; I will take him to the infirmary. Peiter you will join me there tomorrow. Vivian you and Katelyn will see to Peiter’s needs,” She smiled at that, “welcome home I’m glad you returned to us safely.” She took James hand and led him into the building just off the square.
Katelyn walked over to Peiter, “We live a few turns away from the square lets go drop off the deer at the butcher and go home.”
Peiter picked up his pack and the deer, and the walked down a wider street to another square which was the market district of the village, they carried the deer into a small store which displayed some meat products, and were met by a large woman wrapped in a bloody apron.
“Ah you have returned, and with a fine catch of deer, and a fine young man. Welcome home Vivy and Katy welcome home. Please introduce me”, she put out her hand and said, “I’m Marti the local butcher and meat product purveyor, you look like a strong young man you can help me if you have an inclination.”
Peiter’s eyes were glittering with mirth she was so forward her aura a wide swath of green with brown stripes, an earth mother. “I’m Peiter, Marti pleased to meet you.” He shook her hand and gave her his winning smile.
“Oh such a strong hand well suited to the butchers trade, if you be needing a job I be needing an apprentice or even some piece work you come by. Such a fine smile and so handsome too. You are lucky to have found him my lovelies. Oh and such a fine catch of deer, a doe and a grandfather buck, and already dressed. No doubt Peiter’s work. Stitched close to avoid the spoil. Very fine work very fine. You get a discount Peiter, anything you need you just asked Marti I will provide.” She walked over to the deer and picked them up like they weighed nothing and carried them into the back. They could hear her singing as she worked.
Peiter was in heaven such a character so strong. “She is delightful. Oh my father was so right I can’t wait to meet some more people.” He ran lightly over to Katelyn and hugged her.
Vivian was laughing and Katelyn was having trouble breathing from the hug, “Ease up Peiter, chill out we haven’t made it home yet.”
Peiter came down a notch but was still excited, “Oh take me to your home, I’m so curious.”
So they left and walked down some twisty streets and came to a house with a white fence and a large almond tree shading the front yard, which contained many wild flowers and a bench facing the street. The house was small maybe four rooms, with a porch raised slightly above the yard and a door with a large thorny wreath and two glazed windows beside the door. Peiter ran up to the yard and vaulted the low fence and sat down on the bench in the yard. He was acting like a small boy excited by the new places. “Wild flowers and such a beautiful little house it’s delightful.”
Vivian and Katelyn were delighted by his excitement and wondering how long this was going to last he was almost bursting with joy it radiated from him in waves. A bird from the tree landed on his shoulder as he sat on the bench. He smiled at the bird, “Oh she loves you both, she says you haven’t filled her bird feeder recently and the bird bath can use more water and her chicks are hungry do you have any worms?” Peiter looked around and then spied a planter which he shifted uncovering several large worms which the bird preceded to grab one and fly up into the tree.
Katelyn sat down on the bench next to him; he had run back after shifting the planter and took his hand, “You can understand her? She speaks to you?”
Peiter had a big smile, “No, she doesn’t have words, she has pictures and feelings and thoughts it’s hard to explain, she likes your hair and your eyes, and she likes Vivian because she fills the bird seed and the bird bath, and she likes her hands, and the way she smells. Oh Katelyn I feel so much love coming from everywhere, let’s go in I want to meet your cat. What do you call her? She misses you. You have been gone too long.” Peiter jumped up.
Vivian was smiling he was adorable, if a bit frenetic. She went to the door and unlocked it and went inside with her pack and opened the windows, and then went to the back of the house and opened the window at the back. The house had four rooms, two bed rooms a kitchen and a sitting room, but it was open with low walls demarking the rooms. It smelled fresh with a hint of pepper and wood. Peiter came in and sat at the small table and looked around taking it all in. As he sat a medium sized yellow cat with white stripes jumped up on the table and lay down in front of Peiter. Peiter looked at her and looked at Katelyn, “Ooo, she’s being bad sitting on the table she knows it and is punishing you for leaving her alone so long.” He put out his finger and she rubbed her face against it. “She wants milk and she wants you to hold her.”
Katelyn picked her up and she started to purr. “You really can understand her. Yes she knows sitting on the table is forbidden. She is so contrary sometimes; it doesn’t surprise me she jumped up on the table to meet you. Her name is Selene. I found her on a moon light walk, she followed me home. We have no milk but I’ll see if I can get some.” The cat stopped purring and Katelyn set her down on the floor. She walked over to Peiter, he slid back from the table, she jumped up on his lap and circled a few times and laid down. She started to purr.
Peiter looked at her and smiled, “She likes me; I have a good lap for sitting. She gives me permission to pet her.” Peiter petted her carefully and scratched her lightly behind the ear, and then offered a finger to her to rub her face against. She gave in to the temptation and rubbed her face against his finger. “She thinks you are the best human she has ever owned, and is proud that you managed to bring a proper lap for her comfort. Oh Katelyn she is wonderful just like her human. You understand that you can’t own a cat the cat owns you. Her aura is fierce and brilliant just like yours.”
Katelyn sat in a chair opposite to him and took his hand, “Are you OK? You act like you are overloaded.”
Peiter smiled at her, “You are right of course, it’s all the people I haven’t been near so many people before. Katelyn your village is saturated with love, it comes from everywhere out of all the houses from the animals, from the plants, from the buildings. It’s wonderful and painful to me. I’m going to have to meditate soon or I’ll lose myself but it’s so wonderful it’s hard to let it go.”
Katelyn squeezed his hand “Painful?”
Peiter nodded his head, “Yes, I don’t know if I can put this into words, there is much pain probably because of the war and the killing, but the pain is like the basis for the love. You all have shared this really painful tragedy, and it binds you together. You love each other so much because of the pain you all share. It is a good thing very beautiful. It was what the reverend mother showed me. She opened her heart to me slightly and let me feel the love she feels for all of you. She saw into my soul and she welcomed me home because she knows that this was what I was looking for. My father told me I could have so much more, this is part of it.”
Katelyn put her hand on the side of his head and he leaned into her hand, “She said she expected you?”
“Yes, I think she has part of my father’s talent. She knew that I was coming or someone like me. Katelyn she is dying, each year she gets weaker, it is old age and she is worried for you all. She wants me to take her place. She didn’t tell me this but I can feel it. She will live maybe two or three more years.” Peiter looked sad.
“Can’t you do anything for her?” Katelyn asked.
“Yes I probably can extend her life. She could do it herself her talent parallels mine to some degree. But I know she won’t do it nor will she let me do it. It is the wheel of life Katy, she needs to pass on to the next plane of existence, she just wants her loved ones cared for, to know she has done all she can before she passes on. Oh Katelyn she is like a saint so pure so much love, it’s like looking into the sun. I’m sorry I going the have to rest now.” He looked at Selene, “Please my master I must go and rest.” Selene stood and gave him a purr and jumped down on the floor.
Katelyn took his hand and brought him to her room. “You can rest here. Do you need anything?”
Peiter looked at her, “Just a hug and a kiss.”
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight and then looked up into his eyes. He kissed her and she melted into him; his strong arms holding her. She felt her mind opening to him. A rush of love and pain filled her as she tried to hold him to shelter him She succeeded slightly. She felt him sigh and he pulled back. “I love you, the words seem so weak but it’s the only way I can tell you. I love you.” He put his head on her shoulder. He whispered into her ear. “I love you.” He was shaking, then she felt him falling. So she grabbed him tight and lowered him to the bed. His eyes were closed. She lifted his legs up, put her hand on his chest and felt his heart beating.
“Vivy help me! He fainted. Oh Vivy please!” She was frantic. Is he ok? Why did he faint?
Vivian ran into her room, “Stand back let me see him.” She touched his chest and felt his heart beating strong. She open one of his eyes, they were rolled back only the whites showing. She put her ear to his mouth strong even breaths. “Go to the reverend mother tell her what happened.”
Katelyn ran out of the house and ran to the infirmary; the reverend mother was sitting next to a bed on which James lay, sleeping. “Oh mother, help he fainted, Oh please.” Katelyn begged.
She stood up and came to Katelyn and took her hands, “Tell me what happened.”
Katelyn was so flustered she couldn’t speak, she just shook her head. The reverend mother put her hand on the side of her head, “Be calm child he will be alright. Just tell me what happened.”
She started talking. Telling her how he was acting overloaded, how he felt all the love and pain, that she was dying, and he needed to meditate. He kissed her and told her he loved her and then he fainted. So she laid him on the bed and Vivian said I should come and tell you so I ran…
“Come child lets go see him. He probably needs to sleep and that is what he’s doing. Let’s go see.” She let go of her hand and took her arm and they walked back to her house.
When they entered the house she walked directly to Katelyn’s room. Vivian was there sitting in a chair holding his hand watching him. She stood up and the mother superior sat, took his hand and put her other hand on his forehead. She shook her head and mumbled “tsk, tsk, such openness, so foolish, but he is young and strong,” She froze, he took a deep breath, arched his back slightly and his eyes popped open. He looked at her and smiled weakly, “Sorry; I waited too long. I need to meditate to block out the pain; the love.”
The reverend mother smiled at him, “Yes that could be a solution, but perhaps I can teach you an easier path. Enter into my mind son, and take the measure of my love.” He looked at her and closed his eyes, his face transformed into a look of awe and then bliss. He opened his eyes, and just stared speechless. She patted him on the forehead. “We have much to learn, you and I, before I go. For now sleep you are safe from the pain now.” He closed his eyes and sighed as he went to sleep instantly.
“Katelyn come here child, you must watch over him, he is fine now. He will sleep but if you see him getting too excited, overloaded as you put it, then you will take him in your arms and kiss him he will understand and it will calm him. He doesn’t understand yet that you and he are joined. That junction is a conduit for these sensations that are overloading him. When you kiss him his love for you will shield him from the sensations. For now you are to sleep with him, hold him close, you’re touch will anchor him in his love for you while he rests. It is a good thing that you love him too as there is no way to separate you now. He told you that he couldn’t plum you mind because he was worried it would ruin your love for him, but he didn’t realize that your mind and your love made the connection and his mind is filled with your love and his love. For now you will come with him in the morning so we can help James, and at the same time we will try to help him and you.” She released her hand.
The reverend mother went to Vivian, “Vivian I see he has already begun his work and has started you back. Vivian you will need to help them both. Trust your feelings and guide them as best you can. He is absolutely full of love for her, and for you. If either of you were hurt it would probably break him. Try to give him your strength and tell him of your pain. It will help him understand how to protect himself from the feelings washing over him, drowning him. He had such an isolated life on the farm that he has no defenses, his mind is open receptive and he loves too much. He needs your strength.” She stopped talking to her and mumbled, “I will not lose him, he has so much to give, so young, so strong, he will be the one.” She walked out of the house mumbling.
Katelyn had stripped and was on the bed next to him holding him close. Vivian went to the closet and got a blanket and put it over them, Katelyn was almost asleep but mumbled, “Thanks Vivy.”
Vivian looked at them their heads close. Katelyn’s head lay on his shoulder her arms holding him, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Be well, son.” She ran her hand over Katelyn’s cheek and turned and went to her bed and lay down. As she lay she pondered the reverend mother’s words. She wondered about the cryptic “started you back.” What does she mean? How can she tell him of my pain? It was just not an objective thing, something she could put into words. She thought about every one she had loved and how they all had left her, they all had died. It wasn’t that they meant to leave it’s just what happened. How did she feel? She felt nothing. It was like that part of her life had been ripped from her. She could barely remember their faces. It offended her that she couldn’t remember. They were important to her; she should be able to remember them. Her thoughts went around and round and she fell asleep.
After some time, Peiter opened his eyes and looked at Katelyn, so close and warm. He felt a need to sit up and think about all that had happened so he softly disengaged from her arms and got off the bed. “Sleep my love, I’ll be back, he whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek. Her lips pursed as his kissed her and she mumbled, “Supposed to hold you …”. He took off his clothes as he was hot from being close to her, and leaned down stroking her cheek, and then he tip toed out into the back yard.
In the back yard, he found the privy so he went and relieved himself. When he came out, he walked across the yard where there was a bench surrounded by flowers, against a corner between two larger buildings that demarked the property. The moon lit the small garden and reflected off the water in the bird bath. He went to the bird bath and removed the leaves floating and submerged in the water, making it usable again, and he sat on the bench naked enjoying the cool moon light and considered what he had seen in the reverend mother’s mind. He used meditation to suppress the noise from the minds that surrounded him; in effect he stood beside and let the noise pass through him and out of him. The reverend mother filled his mind with love, leaving no room for anything else. It was a saturation of bliss; the noise was lost in the bright light of this feeling. It was very effective and much easier he thought. The noise passed through him in his meditation on the Tomo, but it left a track, he knew that the noise had passed him. The bliss was like bright sunlight reflecting off the sand, no shadows could form there was only the light.
As he sat considering these things he saw Vivian come out dressed in a light robe she went to the privy and when she came out she saw him sitting on the bench and she drifted over to him. The sight of her struck a chord in his mind and he remembered a part of her past he had seen when he plumbed her mind. He remembered the robe the cool night, and Jack sitting on the bench the moon light reflecting off the bird bath. It was their last night together. She sat next to him and took his hand but didn’t speak. There was a strange duality he remember being her and sitting on the bench and he could see her sitting next to him, beautiful, ethereal in the moon light. She didn’t speak she just held his hand. He felt he had to share with her this connection with her past so he leaned close and said, “I remember Jack,” in a soft whisper.
She looked at him and her face went through a wild cycle of expressions as the waves of memory flooded into her and she tightened her hand gripping his with desperate strength.
He continued to whisper to her. “It was fall and the war was not going well, and the prince had sent men demanding that the village provide all the able bodied men and boys to the service of their country. He knew that this would be your last night together for some time if not forever. He spoke of the life of your first child, how she had died, and how he had held you as he and you cried in each-other’s arms and how you resolved to have another right away. He taught you to be strong and soldier on in spite of the pain. He held you close and told you to be strong now, that distance could not separate you. I remember his smell, the sawdust on his clothes. I remember the baby bassinet he presented you when you told him you were pregnant. How he looked when he held your baby in his arms. I remember the feeling of his face, rough against your neck. I remember his face, his lop-sided smile, his brown eyes, the wrinkles around his mouth and eyes when he smiled. I remember his sorrow for his anger when life pushed him too hard. The way his face would light up when he saw you. How he searched for you in town just to give you a kiss. The flowers he brought on your birthday. I remember the way he made love to you on your wedding night. How he jumped in front of you when the bandit shot the arrow and how he kidded you that it was all a mistake. I remember the scars on his hands, from the wood working tools of his trade. I remember how he built this house in secret and presented it to you on your anniversary. His love is what protects you from the pain. His strength lives on in you.” Peiter stopped as the memories filled him and he released the pain of Jack’s loss. He took Vivian in his arms and she wrapped her legs around him sitting on the bench. He ran his hands from her shoulders down to her waist just like Jack did on that fateful night. She pushed close and took him inside of her, shaking and crying as the memories flooded over her. He held her close and stroked her back and kissed her throat.
Waves of sorrow, happiness, pleasure and pain racked her as they made love. He kissed her on her lips and she felt his mind in hers as she clenched down on him feeling him inside of her. She felt her mind open to him and she could feel his love resonating with her love for Jack and him, She could feel him remembering Jack just as she remembered him now, a life of love and togetherness. Through his mind she could see the connections she had to him and their past together. She saw his death and how his last thought was sorrow and love as he realized he would not be coming back to her. His last words were “Be strong…” as his life flared away. She could see their whole life together like a painting of breath taking beauty and how this could never be taken away from her, this connection was eternal. As she saw this she felt Peiter’s mind filling with a glowing bliss and her mind was carried along every bit of her pain of loss of him being obliterated as pleasure and bliss washed over them. She lost touch with her body and time stopped. After an unknown time she came back to herself and felt him going soft insider her, tears running down his face and her’s, smiles as they looked into each other’s eyes. He kissed her quickly on her lips and said, “Vivy, I remember Jack.” It was all he needed to say they understood each other completely; she smiled and said, “I remember Jack, Peiter. Thank you for giving him back to me.”
Peiter looked at Vivian and gave her a secret smile, “Come with me. I need to tell Katy something and you should be there.” He helped Vivian extricate herself from his lap as her position was a bit awkward and he stood next to her and took her hand and they walked back into the house and to Katelyn who was sitting on the bed the blanket thrown back awake.
“I thought you were taking kind of long to pee.” She patted the bed beside her and Vivian sat down next to her and Peiter sat down on her other side. She took Peiter’s hand and kissed Vivian. “I don’t know what to say that wouldn’t sound awkward or crass expect I love you both.”
Vivian took her hand and smiled at her. She started to speak but just couldn’t find the words. She looked at Peiter and he smiled and put his hand on Katelyn’s tummy and said “Hun, Up until now I was not sure but our joining that afternoon near the pond has created a life. It grows inside of you, you are pregnant.”
She looked surprised, and then disbelieving, “How do you know? I don’t feel any different and it’s so soon.”
Vivian put her hand over his, “He knows. It’s part of his talent he can feel the life inside of you.”
Katelyn looked happy and worried, “It feels … I don’t know … I just can’t believe it.”
Peiter looked at her and said, “Look into my eyes and open your mind, I’ll show you.”
Katelyn looked at Vivian and then back at Peiter, “I thought you couldn’t or wouldn’t join your mind to mine because you were worried about changing something.”
Peiter looked apologetic, “I … god this is embarrassing … I was wrong about that. As it turns out I didn’t understand what had happened when we fell in love. I was afraid that I would screw up; that my talent would ruin what I desperately wanted. But when I gave you my heart and you gave me yours, the connection was made. Nothing could change that connection. Our minds are now so completely mixed together that there is no way we could ever be separated. You are like me in this you have this talent of being able to enter minds, you block it but when you gave me your heart you opened your mind to me and … oh I can’t figure out how to say it. It’s like we became one person does that make sense to you?”
Katelyn smiled at him, “I understand what you are saying and I felt it too. But how can it be that I’m pregnant? No that’s not the right question of course it’s possible, but how can you be sure?”
Peiter said “Look into my eyes I’ll show you, and teach you.” She looked into his eyes and felt her mind open to him and could see him like a ball of light next to her, she could feel/see herself like a ball of light as well. She felt his thought touch her, there were no words but it was as if he said “I’m here. Let me teach you.” His ball of light approached hers and touched hers. A flood of feelings of understanding of love, and memories washed over her. She could think what did he feel like as a little boy, and memories would appear, she thought does he love me, and she filled with love, hope, desire, respect, it went on and on, it was like he was part of her, and then she could feel him as he felt her, like looking into mirrors reflecting each other on and on. It was overwhelming, beautiful, frightening, mesmerizing, attractive, she felt like she could lose herself. She felt him remembering how his talent worked and he plunged into her body showing her the life; the small spark inside her. His mind indicated she should touch it. Words were not needed thoughts didn’t need words. It was like he tried to explain about the bird in front of her house. Non-verbal but communication happened. She touched the spark and felt its raw energy, and it became agitated fearful, she radiated love calmness, it stabilized and grew brighter. She felt his mind redirect and pass out of her body into Vivian. It swept up to the bright sphere of Vivian’s life energy and he touched her. She felt Vivian’s life, her pain, her soul. It was all so intense and beautiful, she wanted to go on but she wanted to stop it was too much. She felt him break the connection they separated but there was a remaining connection weak but perceptible like they would never be total separate beings again. She felt him shutter his life energy and indicated she should do the same. She felt almost normal again back inside her own body, but there was this under current this connection still tugging at her. She opened her eyes and all three of them had smiles on their faces.
Peiter leaned forward and kissed her, “Now you know why the words “I love you” are so inadequate.”
She looked at Vivian, and she touched her on the cheek, “Vivy, you will never lose us we are yours now and forever.”
Vivian looked at her and realized, it was true, that her fear and pain was a thing of the past. She tried to speak but couldn’t think of what to say, anything to add, she felt like the smile on her face would never stop, she opened her mouth and said “Oh.”
Peiter and Katelyn both understood and laughed, “She’s back the return trip is over.” Peiter touched her hand. “Now I can sleep you will protect me.”
Peiter tried to lie out on the bed pushing Vivian and Katelyn near the edge. Vivian grabbed his feet and pinned him down while Katelyn straddled him and tried to tickle him.
“You’re not getting any more sleep tonight my love, we are going to wear you out.” Katelyn said, and laid flat on top of him flattening her breasts on his chest as she kissed him hard. Vivian was stroking him and Katelyn lifted up and Vivian guided him into her as she sat back down. Vivian went around to his head and gave him a kiss and then straddled his chest and started kissing Katelyn. Peiter took hold of Vivian’s waist and pulled her back so he could lick her and started in with enthusiasm.
Vivian trembled and broke her kiss with Katelyn, “OOO, Katy, I think I’ve discovered another one of his talents.” Peiter pinched her butt as he worked his tongue up into her. “OOO, that’s nice, but Katy you got to watch out for the pinchers on this animal.”
Peiter was having a great time Vivy and Katy were getting close he could feel them both starting to tremble. He felt himself starting to lose control. Katy pressed herself down hard on him and clamped down as waves of pleasure broke over her. She put her head on Vivy’s shoulder and wrapped her arms around her as wave after wave crashed over her, she could feel Vivian trembling and jerking at the same time. Then she felt Peiter fill her and she almost fainted but Vivian was holding her up. She started to come down with little aftershocks shaking her. She felt Vivian continuing to shake as Peiter continued to work on her. Several minutes passed like this Peiter was staying hard inside Katy who was holding up Vivian as she shook and she finally pulled herself against Katy dragging herself out of reach of Peiter’s tongue. He stroked her back as she came down in Katy’s arms.
The girls dismounted and laid down beside him partly on top of him as the narrow bed was not made for three. Peiter put his arms around them as they put their heads on his chest. They kissed each other and then kissed him on the cheeks.
They all felt a little sleepy, Peiter spoke up, “Just a short nap ladies, I expect you to make good on your threat to wear me out.” They all started laughing and the girls snuggled up against him.
Vivian ran her finger around his nipple, “Be careful what you wish for sonny.”
Peiter kissed her on the top of her head. “I’ve got nothing left to wish for, all my dreams have come true. Well nearly all of them.”
Katelyn kissed his chest, “Oh what remains?”
Peiter stroked her back, “Holding my baby in my arms, and seeing her mother feed her. I can die a complete man after that.”
Katelyn snuggled him, and looked a Vivian who was smiling. “That sweet, I’m looking forward to that too.”
Vivian looked at Katelyn with a smile on her face, “Remember that when you’re holding the little devil in your arms and your tits feel like they’ve treated with sandpaper.”
Katelyn laughed, “Anything else I have to look forward to?”
Vivian smiled, “Well, there’s flat feet, feeling like a whale, not being able to pee, the occasional bout of nausea, shitting a watermelon, and then feeling like an empty sack. That just about covers it I think.”
Katelyn looked a little horrified, Peiter was listening with interest. “So you’d do this again after knowing that?”
Vivian smiled at her and kissed Peiter’s nipple, “In a heartbeat honey.”
They closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep. After several hours of rest Katelyn open her eyes and started stroking Peiter, and he got hard and opened his eyes, turned to face her, slipped inside her and they made love while Vivian cuddled up against his back and stroked his neck and back. After a while Katelyn felt a pleasurable glow wash over her in cycles getting stronger every minute. Peiter’s movements became more urgent and then he pressed deep into her and tensed as he filled her. She finally felt the glow flare and then she was back in Peiter’s mind feeling her body but from his perspective and then swapping back to hers, and then feeling both. Then his mind touched hers deeply and they became a single consciousness, like two drops of water merging. They drifted off to sleep.
When the sun rose on the next morning Peiter woke up sandwiched between Vivian and Katelyn, his eyes opened and at the same time Katelyn’s opened. He felt like he was in both places, looking at himself and looking at her. No it was like he was her and him, it was confusing he moved his hand and she moved her hand the same way.
He started to talk and she spoke at the same time, surprise registering at the same time on both their faces. “What? Who?”
It was like he had two bodies, but one consciousness, one actor. He could remember his past from his perspective and at the same time he could remember her past from her perspective. He touched her and he could feel the touch in her body and his hand at the same time. He tried to sit up, but they both executed the same motions and the ended up pushing Vivian off the bed.
Vivian woke up when she hit the floor, “Hey, what’s going on? You could have warned me for heaven’s sake.” She got up as Peiter fell off the bed and landed where she was. He was trying to sit up and Katelyn was tracking his movements.
They both spoke at the same time, “Vivy I’m stuck, I can’t tell which I am. What where? Ohhh.”
Vivian looked at them totally confused. “Stop moving, you’re going to hurt yourself.” They relaxed laying back both of them in the same position. “Now what do you mean, what’s wrong?”
The both spoke in unison, “I have two bodies, I can’t tell which I am! I am Katelyn and Peiter but not separately, I’m both but there’s only one.”
Vivian pinched Peiter on the shoulder, they both turned to look at her, and said “Ouch I felt that.” Then they both moved and rubbed the spot where Vivian had pinched, but in Katelyn’s case she rubbed her own shoulder.
Vivian was beginning to find this amusing but also a little frightening. “You both felt that?”
The spoke together again, “No you don’t understand, we’re both here, but there is only one of us. It like we formed one person from two. When you pinched the me that is Peiter; I felt it, but there is only me. When I try to move both bodies respond. When I talk; both talk.”
Vivian was a bit perplexed, “Who am I talking to, Peiter or Katelyn?”
They spoke together, “I’m both, I remember being Peiter and I remember being Katelyn.”
Vivian got an idea, “Hey when I want to move my hand I can move it without moving my other hand, maybe if I hold Peiter down, you can figure out how to move Katelyn without moving Peiter.”
They spoke together again, “Ok let’s try it.”
Vivian sat on Peiter’s legs and held his wrists down to the floor. “Ok try to move Katelyn only.”
Peiter jerked around in her grasp at the same time Katelyn sat up and put her legs over the edge of the bed. She stood up and then they both said, “I’m beginning to see how to do this, let me walk over to the other side of the house.” Katelyn walked across the house, when she got about ten feet away, they felt themselves separate, and Peiter could think independently of Katelyn so he spoke up. “That did it we’re back to normal.”
Vivian let him go and sat on the bed, “What happened? Some kind of mix-up?”
Peiter shook his head and stayed lying on the floor, “I think this is what happens when two people with this talent get too close, too intimate, our minds joined and we became a single consciousness. Now that she is far away from me I can block her out and think separately. Katelyn come back I think I understand how to prevent this.”
Katelyn came back into the room and sat down on the bed next to Vivian. “So Peiter, that’s taking oneness a little too far don’t you think? Are we going to have this problem every time?”
Peiter looked at her and gave her a weak smile, “No I don’t think it will happen again. I’m surprised how strong your mind is, I wonder why you never knew you had this talent. What we have to do in future is just concentrate on being ourselves and not let the sensations felt by the other break in and mix things up. We have to enjoy ourselves, while staying focused on ourselves. Last night we were tired and open, when we made love we just relaxed and our minds merged.”
Katelyn looked out the window, “It’s getting late we need to get moving and go see the reverend mother at the infirmary. She wanted to see us this morning.”
Peiter jumped up off the floor, and Katelyn jumped at the same time. “Careful we’re not totally isolated I felt you jump there.”
Peiter was putting on his clothes, “Should we eat something before we go?”
Katelyn got the point and got dressed too, “No I think we need to get there, she gets up pretty early and is expecting us, so let’s go now. Vivy, do you want to come along?”
Vivian waved them off, “No I’m going to clean up the house and get some food for later. I won’t expect you back until dinner time.”
They left and made their way through the twisty streets to the infirmary. As they entered they found the reverend mother sitting in a chair next to James’ bed. He was sleeping. She stood up and signaled them to follow her. She took them outside of the infirmary to a small open garden behind the building and sat down on one of the benches and indicated they should sit too.
She looked at them studying their faces as they set on the bench holding hands. “So you look better Peiter, not feeling so excited now?” She was getting a soft smile on her face.
Peiter replied, “No I can resist the feelings now, Vivian helped me and Katelyn and I had a bit of an accident which also helped.”
The reverend mother nodded her head, “Just so. A little closeness can be a good thing, but like all good things there are limits. How is Vivian?”
Peiter smiled, “I think she is back now, nearly healed. I remembered Jack with her.”
The reverend mother smiled and put her hand on Peiter’s. “Thank you son, you have such a big heart.” She tilted her head and then looked at them both, “Skipped breakfast, not a good idea, especially for you Katelyn, come lets go in and talk I have some cakes and tea.”
Katelyn look a little surprised, “What do you mean especially for me mother?”
Mother took her arm as they walked in. “Why because of the baby my dear.” She said it like it was common knowledge.
Katelyn was a little miffed, “How do you know about that? How is it I’m the last one to find out about these things? I’m not even sure it’s true. She looked at Peiter, I know what I saw but I don’t know for sure what it means.”
The mother patted her arm, “Oh it’s not too hard to tell seeing you together. It doesn’t take much to guess at the possibility, a man has a way of looking at a woman, that he knows is carrying his child, and I trust Peiter’s judgment in this. Also there is the fact that he’s broadcasting the fact he’s so happy and excited, you have a smile on your face that says you know, in spite of what you say, and finally for people like Peiter and I, and soon you, we can see the glow in your aura.” She smiled at her and hugged her arm. “In a few weeks you will absolutely radiate it to everyone the least bit sensitive.”
Peiter spoke up from behind them, “I know, when my mother had my sister I could tell right away. She got more beautiful, and her aura became more intense and bigger. I’m looking forward to that. She’s already breath taking; she’ll look like a goddess.”
Katelyn, “I hope it goes as well for me, I didn’t like the report Vivy gave on what I had to look forward to.”
The reverend mother laughed at that, “Oh dear, you’ll enjoy it more than the small discomforts you will experience. Peiter is right nothing is more beautiful than a woman with a child. Even you will be amazed. Also as your sight develops you will be able to feel your baby’s life grow in your love, not many woman are so privileged.”
Katelyn was curious, “Mother did you ever have a child?” She sat down at the desk in the office and the mother superior served her tea with cream, and some sweet cakes.
“No child, I was a nun, sent to the convent by my family because of my talents. They thought I was touched by god, or by some devil. My parents saw it as the only way to protect me from the witch hunters. A nun could not be a witch or so they reasoned. I never had the privilege of marriage and a family. I have learned all I know second hand about that sort of life.
We need to speak about James. He has given up and wishes to die. His daughter Amelia died of the flu and then his wife Corin died in agony from a snake bite. These blows have broken his spirit. I have been unable to break through his depression. I am hoping Peiter with your greater talent can bring him back from death. He is a very talented man and can live a rewarding life. Also I think there is something special about him; I feel he has a purpose and that his death will impact more than himself. The few times I have gotten through to him his aura was like that of a whirl wind, large forceful shining with a force beyond that of most men I have touched. I would call him a child of the air, but I don’t know if such a thing even exists, I’ve only read about them.” The reverend mother spoke all this while looking at her hands and then she looked up and she had a sad expression on her face, but as she saw the big smile on Peiter’s face she looked confused. “What is it son? Do you see a way to help him?”
Peiter jumped up and started pacing, “You say his aura was like the wind, fast rotating transparent with bright stars, and streaks like a whirl wind or a tornado? Mother I have seen this before, my sister’s aura is like that. She can move like the wind, her arrows always fly to the mark. My mother says she rides them to her target. I have seen her move faster than sight, as though she were in two places at once. My father warned me of a man like this. I need to bring him home to the farm I think he is destined for my sister.”
Katelyn looked at him with questions, “How can you know that Peiter?”
Peiter just looked at her and shrugged, “I don’t know it, I feel it, it seems right to me. I knew when I saw him that there was something special about him, and now mother superior describes his aura and it is exactly like my sister’s. It is just like when I look at Vivian I see the waters of a placid lake and when I see my brother I see the earth strong and ready for the rain, ready for new life. It is though they have been made for each other. I can’t explain why I feel this.”
The mother superior looked at Peiter and stood and placed her palm on his forehead. She stood silent and then lowered her hand. “Peiter I see what you see, I think you are right. You need to take them to your farm and see what happens. But how may this be done? He is not fit for travel.” She sat back behind her desk.
Peiter looked at her, “I can give him the lesson I learned from Vivian. It will make him fit enough to travel and when I get him to the farm; we will see if he can be healed.” Peiter, Katelyn and the mother superior went out where James was resting. Peiter walked up and sat in the chair next to his bed and he took his hand.
James looked at him and he got a hopeful expression on his face, “Have you come to help me die? Please I can’t go on I need to join my Corin.”
Peiter looked deep in his eyes and James slumped back on the bed, his face contorting in pain and then breaking out in joy. He oscillated back and forth for several minutes. Then he open his eyes and started to cry, Peiter leaned close to him and whispered “James, rest in the sure knowledge of their happiness. Be strong as they remember you and you remember them, hold on to her love and remember, as I remember with you.”
James looked at him with hope and desperation, “I remember them, but they are gone. What do I do? I’m so alone.”
Peiter signaled to Katelyn, “James you are not alone we are here and we love you please stay with us and be well.” Katelyn took his other hand, smiled at him and stroked his face, “Be strong James and remember her love and our love, and Peiter and Katelyn plunged into his mind and showed him their love.
James stared at them and he called out, “Oh I love you Corin, I will do as you asked, as you breathed your last breath. Maybe love can find me as it has them.” He fell back on the bed unconscious.
Peiter placed his hands on James’ chest and they began to glow as he healed the damage of weeks of no food and little water. Peiter’s strength faded as he pushed it into James, restoring him and then he sat back exhausted white faced.
Peiter spoke “I’ve brought him back as far as I can today. I’ll come back tomorrow. Make sure he eats and drinks plenty of water. Do not let him leave the infirmary, while I believe the depression is under control he could relapse, and he is strong enough now to kill himself.”
The mother superior put her hand on Peiter’s shoulder, “Thank you son, I will watch over him. Now go with Katelyn and eat. Try to relax.”
Peiter stood and looked at her, “mother we need to talk let’s go back to your office”. Katelyn and the reverend mother helped him up and steadied him as they walked back to the office. He dropped into a chair and Katelyn picked up a cake broke off a piece and started feeding it to him. He smiled at her and kissed her hand and let her feed him. After he’d eaten two cakes his color started to return and he looked at the reverend mother and asked, “Mother, why are there no men in the village?”
The reverend mother looked at him in silence and then looked at her hands, “I couldn’t heal them. It is my greatest failure. I have held the women of this village together with love, and the love is based on a lie. The lie is that there is something glorious in their living through the death of their families. When men came to visit they couldn’t understand the love because it is based on a lie, and so they leave.”
Peiter looked at her and felt the sadness flowing from her, “And you hope that I can find a solution where you have not.”
She looked up and there were tears in her eyes, “You are young and strong, and you have Katelyn, you can succeed and save them where I could not.”
Peiter looked down embarrassed by her tears, “I can try reverend mother but you know the lie will die with you I do not have your skill.”
She looked at him defiant, “Then we will find a solution before I die. I will not let them down.”
Peiter shook his head and then stood up, “We will try. I will see you tomorrow.” He took Katelyn’s arm and they left the infirmary.
Katelyn was silent while they walked considering what he said and what the mother superior said. “What can we do Peiter? I don’t understand; what is the lie?”
Peiter said, “Katelyn let’s find some food and I’ll try to explain.” So she led him to a small inn and ordered soup, pasta and wine and they sat and ate in silence while Peiter considered how to explain what the problem was. He looked worried and sighed several times but couldn’t start.
Finally Katelyn couldn’t stand it anymore so she asked, “Peiter you might as well start talking about something. It won’t get easier looking for a kind way to explain it.”
Peiter sighed and started, “Katelyn, you were fifteen I think you said when the village was attacked right?”
Katelyn smiled and said, “Yes that’s right, my brother and father left the year before and my mother and I were living together.”
Peiter continued, “I’ll skip quickly over the bad events, essentially all of the children, all of the men, and many of the women were killed by the plunderers, and they were killed or driven away by the prince’s knights. That left you, the other women and the reverend mother to fend for yourselves. Your mother was one of the women killed.”
“Yes that’s right.” Katelyn said.
Peiter looked at her and asked, “What was it like on those first few days after the knights left?”
Katelyn looked a little troubled, “I don’t totally remember, but it was not pleasant. Several women killed themselves; most just sat around. We were in shock; we didn’t know what to do.”
Peiter got a sad smile on his faced, “And then the reverend mother began to organized things, am I right?”
Katelyn smiled, “Yes, She started moving women together so no one was alone. She organized the removal and burning of all the bodies. She was like a whirl wind ordering people around giving us purpose.”
Peiter smile faded and his sadness increased, “It was then that she decided to make the change. She decided to make sure that no one else died, she began to infuse the community with love, and she changed you all so you all loved each other. It is what I felt when I first came here, an ocean of love. You found Vivian and fell in love with her am I right? You were just fifteen and she was twenty two. She was strong and you where suicidal because you had lost everyone you loved. Your mother was killed in front of you and you couldn’t face it.”
Katelyn looked at him with a sad smile, “You’re right Vivian saved me.”
Peiter shook his head, “No Hun, as strong as Vivian was, she could not have saved herself let alone you. The reverend mother did it to all of you. She forced you all to fall in love, both individually and as a group. Each woman was paired with another of like mind, the stronger with the weaker. You can probably see the pattern now that I’ve explained it to you.”
Katelyn thought briefly, and nodded, “Yes I see it. It is as you say the strong were paired with the weak. In many cases we became lovers, though not all. But she saved us all wasn’t that worth it?”
Peiter looked uncomfortable, “I can’t say if she saved you all, she postponed the problem, put it on hold. When she dies the change will begin to unravel, and …”
Katelyn looked sad, “So you’re saying the deaths will happen anyway?”
Peiter looked sad, “Yes some will. Some will be like us, they will have moved on. Vivian is back as the mother said, she means back from the compulsion back from the lie.”
Katelyn looked at him, “So she wants you to take over for her, to prevent the deaths, if necessary continue the lie.”
Peiter shook his head, “No I think she realizes that I can’t do what she does. I don’t have her talent for projecting a compulsion over so many people. I could change them one at a time, but that would mean playing god, which I will not do, as we already discussed. Essentially she has played god and prevented a horrible disaster. I don’t see how we can save them all. How many women are there? Two hundred? We have maybe two years. Ten a month. You see the problem?”
Katelyn looked horrified, “So what can we do, just let it happen?”
Peiter looked troubled, “No I agree with her, we have to find a solution. There is one solution but it is not a good one.”
Katelyn looked the question. “?”
Peiter said, “We don’t let her die, we extend her life.”
Katelyn couldn’t see the down side, “Why is that not a good solution?”
Peiter looked sad, “She is old Hun, tired. She is ready to die. But she can’t die. So we extend her life and she preserves the village. Some women die in accidents, some get saved like you and Vivian, but new women come. Victims of attacks, rapes, any number of bad things. The population of the village does not drop, so she is trapped. Eventually she goes insane. I leave it to you to figure out where that ends. It isn’t fair to her and it is an affront to nature she must die to go on to the next plane of existence.”
Peiter looked at her, “There is another solution.”
Again she looked her question “?”
Peiter said, “We burn down the village, make everybody leave.”
Katelyn looked horrified, “Where would they all go?”
Peiter looked at her, “To other villages, to farms, bandits get them; they get murdered, and so on. It probably would be better than letting the reverend mother die.”
Katelyn slumped down. “So what do we do?”
Peiter took her hand and smiled at her and lifted her hand and kissed it. “Be strong my love we are not beaten yet. We take James and Vivian to our farm. That takes care of them and buys us four more soldiers in this battle. I speak to my father and see if he can give me some advice. He may have an insight into the possible futures. I speak to my mother. We marry off as many women as we can, which means finding eligible men, that we would be happy marrying your sisters to. Maybe we can build up a nucleus of normality in the village and prevent the disaster. I don’t know. Maybe her intervention is part of the plan of the gods to save the village. Maybe what she did was not wrong. Who am I to judge?”
Katelyn smiled at him and hugged him. “Your right, and so is she. We are young and strong we will find a way.”
Peiter jumped up and grabbed her hands and swung her around. “That’s my love. Be fierce and destroy the opposition. We will give our lives in service of life.” He stopped and hugged her close, “I love you.” He whispered in her ear and he kissed her.
His dancing and hugging and kissing caught the attention of the other women in the inn and some clapped. Peiter bowed in acknowledgement. So they left hand in hand. Katelyn signed for the meal spending some of their credit with the butcher.
Peiter watched as she signed the book of the inn keeper. “What is that Hon?”
She took his arm and escorted him from the inn while she explained. “We don’t use money. When we gave the deer to the butcher, she noted a credit in her book. We can draw against that credit to get what we need from the other merchants in the village.”
Peiter looked interested, “How do you set the rates?”
Katelyn explained, “I set my prices when I buy the meal. When we gave the deer to the butcher she gave us 80% credit in the meat. So when I bought the meal I sold some deer meat credit and haggled the trade rate with the inn keeper. I wrote in her book, half pound of deer meat for our meal, she agreed and I signed her book. She can trade that credit at another store or go to the butcher and get the meat. Each time you trade you set the price of the credits you have in your book. As you trade the recipient signs your book indicating that the credit has been taken, and you sign their book indicating the credit has been tendered.”
Peiter thought it was a beautiful system. “No money and no taxes. Beautiful. I see how I might cheat the system though.”
Katelyn smiled, “Sure you can cheat, but eventually you get found out and news travels fast. Also we are an extended family so cheating is pretty rare.”
Peiter looked around, “So where to now my love? Some place fun I hope.”
Katelyn smiled, “Well I thought we’d go see my sword master, the teacher I learned the sword from.”
Peiter got excited, “Oh that sounds wonderful lead on.”
So they walked through twisty alleys until they came to a white washed building, with a rock garden beside it, neatly raked with several stones of different shapes and two benches. Peiter ran over to the fence and looked at the garden, “Oh look I’ve read about this. We need to come back and sit and contemplate the skill of the gardener. But first let’s go in and meet your teacher.”
So they went in and Katelyn directed Peiter to kneel in the middle of the practice yard while she went to get her teacher. Moments later a small woman in a white robe tied with a black belt came out and walked to where Peiter was kneeling and she knelt and bowed to him. Peiter bowed back and sat calmly looking at her while she studied his face, and she took one of his hands and examined it and then let it drop. She didn’t speak she just stood up and walked back into the Dojo and came out holding a wooden sword. She knelt in front of Peiter placed the sword before him and bowed. Peiter bowed and picked up the sword but remained kneeling. She stood and walked to the side and finally spoke, “You may begin son.”
Peiter stood slipped the wooden sword into his belt and then he bowed briefly to the four corners of the Dojo then he knelt and drew the sword performing his first kata, the overhead cut. Then he returned to the rest position and repeated the first kata and added the second a cut to the side. He repeated this procedure adding a cut each time, a total of twenty times. He was sweating but not breathing too hard when he bowed the last time.
He knelt idle waiting for her to comment. “Very good son now repeated it backward removing a cut each time, but faster.”
He did as requested doubling his speed, repeating each sequence in reverse order removing a cut from the beginning each time until he made one cut and then bowed. He was sweating profusely now and breathing a little hard at the end. The sword master walked away and came back with another wooden sword. She walked over to Peiter knelt placed the sword in front of him and bowed, and then went back to the side. “Again, faster with both swords.”
He stood and slipped the other sword in his belt, and he knelt and did the first kata, overhand cut with the right hand side cut with the left. Again he went through a sequence of twenty steps adding a cut each time. He bowed and stopped breathing hard. She let him rest and walked over to him and felt his pulse in his neck. She kept her hand on his neck until his breathing calmed and then she went back to the side and said, “Ok do the last sequence as fast as you can.”
He executed the last sequence at lightning speed. Katelyn gasped she’d never seen anyone move that fast. He completed the last cut and did a back flip, landed, bowed and knelt.
The teacher smiled, walked over to him patted him on the cheek. “Very nice son, try to control your bravado in future it could get you killed. Katelyn says you wanted to demonstrate the lightning strike, something about 8 twigs?”
Peiter looked horrified, “Oh she said that did she, well actually I think what I told her was I would be happy to try that I wasn’t sure I could do it again.”
The teacher smiled at his humility but wasn’t buying it, “Oh so you are willing to try. We shall see about that.” She signaled a student who was lurking in the background. “Bring my backup sword Sandra.”
Peiter looked worried, “Your sword Sensei?”
She had a wicked smile on her face, “Yes my sword, you will not disgrace my sword by trying to cut the twigs, you will do it you understand.”
Peiter looked really worried, “Yes Sensei, I will do as you tell me.”
Sandra came and bowed to her teacher and handed her the sword. She looked at it with a smile of love and then she threw it to Peiter.
Peiter was caught by surprise but managed to catch it without disgracing himself.
“You will start with the sword sheathed, and you will return it at the end of the cut, do you understand?”
Peiter gulped and nodded, “Yes Sensei.”
He stood in the middle of the yard and slipped the sword through his belt and tied the straps. He put his hand on the pommel and stood looking out and down.
The teacher put out her hand and one of the students gave her eight 6 inch long sticks of bamboo each the diameter of a pencil. “Katelyn you will do the honors.”
Katelyn took the eight sticks and held four in each hand. She walked in front of Peiter and stood waiting.
The teacher smiled and said, “Get on with it Katelyn.”
Katelyn tossed the sticks and Peiter moved faster than the eye could follow. All eight sticks where cut in half, they fell in a ring around him Peiter was standing with the sword sheathed like he hadn’t moved.
The students standing in the shadows all gasped, even Katelyn stood wide eyed. This was supernatural speed, she had never seen anyone make a cut that fast in her life. Even the demonstrations of the Sensei palled in comparison.
He came down and looked around him surprised at his success. Then he pulled the sword out of his belt and knelt holding it in front of him. “Sensei I have never held a sword like this in my life. I thank you for giving me this chance to wield it. I will never forget it.”
The teacher walked out and stood in front of him. She did not take the sword back. “Son thank you for that cut, I apologize for treating you the way I have. I could tell from your first kata that there is very little I can teach you. It was a pleasure watching you move even with the wooden swords. The sword you hold is the first sword given to me by my teacher. It is not my best sword but it has some sentimental value to me and I want you to have it. Your demonstration has reminded me of my teacher and the love I felt for him when he ordered me to leave the Dojo as his disciple. As my teacher told me so I tell you. This sword is alive with the teaching passed down to us from our teachers and their teachers before them. As you carry my sword, so I enjoin you to teach another and pass this sword to them. Keep this sword alive and protect its honor with your life. I give you this in return for accepting this sword from me. Whatever you think I can teach you I will do my best; as the two of you now carry my swords, so both of you are my disciples. Do not let our skills die pass them on. Now if you please I would like to serve you tea in the tea garden behind the Dojo, please meet me in the tea house when you are ready, Katelyn can show you the way.” She walked back into the Dojo disappearing from view.
Peiter sat there in shock. Not moving holding the sword out in front of him turning it this way and that trying to determine if it was real or if he was dreaming. Katelyn walked up to him and picked up the severed bamboo sticks. Each was cut in the middle the bamboo split like it had been cut by a razor. She opened her purse and dropped the twigs inside. Then she reached down to Peiter and pulled him up. She stood looking at him with a soft loving smile.
He looked into her eyes and then grabbed her and hugged her close and spun whirling her feet off the ground. “Oh Katelyn, I am so blessed. I love you.” He said it loud so all could hear, and some were standing with big smiles.
Katelyn was out of breath from the hug but managed to say, “Chill out Peiter, I won’t have you overloading again on me.”
Peiter laughed at that, stopped and then kissed her. “Not much chance of that with you this close to me. Your love protects me now.” He whispered in her ear.
Some of the students came out and asked to be introduced to him. He shook their hands and gave each a sunny smile. One of the older women patted his shoulder, and said, “Nice to see a young couple in love again. That’s one of the things missing from this village.”
After a while they drifted to the back of the Dojo, and Katelyn showed him to the tea garden. She helped him undress and dress in the kimono, the largest one just barely fit him. He took off his shoes and declined the sandals saying he preferred to go bare foot. They walked in the tea garden hand in hand enjoying the plants washing in the fountain and then they came to the tea house and had to bow as they entered. They walked with their heads low as they made it to the fire place and sat down as the Sensei prepared the tea and handed it to them. Peiter was relaxed grateful for her service so he reached out and took her hand and kissed it. “Thank you for serving us tea in this garden of delights.”
She smiled and ran her hand down the side of his face. “Son, it is always a pleasure to serve guests who appreciate this beautiful garden. I feel privileged to have access to it and you give me the excuse to perform for your pleasure.”
She sat back and smiled at them, “Katelyn I’m happy for you, you have done well in finding him. Peiter she is dear to my heart as are you please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you in the coming crisis.”
Peiter looked surprised and pleased, “So you see the problem too. While the reverend mother has pinned her hopes on us, we are not sure how many we can save. If you have any suggestions we would appreciate them.”
She folded her hands in her lap and smiled. “Son we are not in as bad shape as you might think. Most of my students are safe from the effects of the reverend mother. The discipline of the sword protects them. The master of the fist and her students have similar protection from the compulsion. That means nearly sixty women are protected. I’d say maybe half of the remaining women are now immune to the compulsion, so we have about seventy women at risk. If you can organize some men to marry say half of them in the next two years, the influx of babies will probably take care of bringing the village back to normal.”
Peiter was looking at his hands, “So we need to find around forty men, who would make suitable husbands for our sisters.”
When Peiter said that the sword master smiled, “So now we are sisters, a refreshing sentiment son, I am proud to call you brother. Welcome to the family.” She patted him on the arm.
Peiter looked up and smiled “Thank you Sensei, I’m proud to call you sister.”
The Sensei looked at Katelyn, “Katelyn can you leave us alone for a moment, I need to speak to Peiter about a personal matter.” She took Katelyn hand and gave it a lite squeeze.
Katelyn smiled at her and gave Peiter a quick kiss on the cheek, “I’ll wait for you by the fountain.” She left ducking low through the door.
Peiter sat looking at her, “A personal matter? Sensei I should warn you that anything you tell me will be known to Katelyn, we are joined mind to mind, all she has to do is look and she will know.”
She got interested, “You mean she can read your thoughts?”
Peiter smiled, “Yes, but it goes farther than that. We are one at some fundamental level I don’t have to think about it, anything I know she can know she just has to look.”
She thought about what he said and commented, “So if I confessed my undying love for you, she would know? That sounds kind of awkward. Even I can appreciate a fine ass like yours, but to have it known would just ruin my inscrutable teacher image. If my students knew half the things I thought about them … oh that just wouldn’t do. I suppose it helps that you’re in love but … son you both have my sympathy. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about; it’s not a personal question as in me personal, its one for you.”
She smiled at him and got a twinkle in her eye, “Son what are your plans for you and Katelyn, have you asked her yet?”
Peiter got a happy smile, “Oh that personal. No I haven’t had a chance and I need to speak to Vivian before I ask her. Of course she knows I’m going to ask, and of course I know she’s going to say yes, except in a fit of mischief anyway.”
She smiled, “If I might suggest, when you get married do it publicly. Have the reverend mother officiate. Also you should do it sooner than later. You will be able to cope with the others easier if you’re obviously taken.”
Peiter’s face went blank, “What do you mean taken?”
The Sensei smiled at his naiveté, “Son this is a village of women. You are a handsome man and your personality is open and loving, quite charming actually. Being married will give you a plausible excuse when they hit on you, and they will whether you are married or not count on it. I know my sisters and very few of them prefer women exclusively. In fact that suggests another possible solution should you wish to consider it?” The Sensei got a wicked look on her face, very out of character.
Peiter looked slightly troubled, “I think I’ve missed something important, what are your thoughts?”
She became openly amused, and laughed, “Son you could marry them all, or just get as many pregnant as possible. A woman with a baby will be totally protected from the crisis of spirit heading our way. Problem with this path is they will get a bit possessive and would probably create a different sort of crisis with you in the middle. Katelyn might kill you too.”
Peiter looked horrified, “Katelyn would definitely kill me. Shit why did you have to tell me this, she’ll see it in my mind for sure. God she’s going to have a field day with this idea, Vivian will too. I’m a dead man.”
The Sensei sat back and laughed, “Oh to be young again, Peiter thank you I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. Yes son you are definitely a dead man.”
Peiter tried to look pissed off, but couldn’t quite pull it off, so he just smiled, “Oh well I guess I’ll have to take my lumps. I’m still happy with what I’m getting.”
The Sensei was still laughing, “Oh go to her. Go talk to the fist master she might have some good ideas.” She waved him off.
Peiter looked down playing it up like he was going to his funeral and then leaned over and kissed her on the lips, quickly “I love you Sensei, thank you for the sword.” He bent low and went out the door.
Peiter found Katelyn waiting at the fountain, she was curious about what they talked about but doing her best not to ask. Peiter thought to divert her from the marriage question so he drug out the red herring. He smiled at her, “She had this idea that I could just get as many of our sisters pregnant as possible, and that would solve the problem. Can you imagine that? I would be caught between who knows how many women. I’d be a dead man for sure. You and Vivy would probably castrate me.”
Katelyn looked surprised and the started laughing, “Oh that’s rich. I think you should try it, what fun. It would start a really big cat fight. Poor dear. God Vivy will love this idea. Let’s go home and tell her right now.” She was laughing so hard she was having trouble walking down the garden path. She grabbed Peiter’s arm and hugged it; looked at him and started laughing again. “Oh your expression is priceless.”
Peiter had a pained expression on his face, “Oh have a heart, please!” Then he tried to brush the idea aside, “Sensei said we should go see the fist master. She thought she might have some useful ideas.”
Katelyn tried hard to stop laughing and mostly succeeded. “Ok, Hun. Let’s go maybe she has another great idea.” She almost started laughing but covered it up with a snort. She led him through the twisty streets.
Peiter was getting lost as they went through so many turns, he had to ask, “Katy, how do you find your way in this maze?”
Katelyn was still having difficulty talking but managed to calm down enough to answer his question, “I don’t have to think about it, I look at the house or building and I know that the Dojo of the fist master is behind and to the left of the house in front of us, which is Kathleen and Sahara’s house. So I walk to the left around their house. I find most places that way.”
Peiter was interested it seemed different than what he would do. “So every place is in a relation like left, right, in front, or in back and it’s a chain of relations that finds the destination? If I asked you to draw a map of the city, you couldn’t tell me precisely where a house or building was, but you could give instructions as to how to get there, is that right?”
Katelyn looked at him with a question marks, “Yes, why? How would you do it?”
Peiter answered, “Well for me each place is like a location on a map, so I would do it by knowing that the Dojo was say 200 paces to the west of the sword master’s Dojo. So that Kathleen and Sahara’s house would be half way between but to the south.”
Katelyn looked a little puzzled, “But then you’d need to know north and south all the time, how do you do that?”
Peiter looked surprised, “You can look at the sky, find the sun, or the stars at night.”
Katelyn persisted, “But what if it’s cloudy? What if you can’t see the sky?”
Peiter still didn’t see the problem, “I don’t know I just know.”
She didn’t believe him, “Let’s try something. Close your eyes. Now point north.”
Peiter did as she requested.
Kathleen took his hand and explained, “Now I’ll lead you around maybe in circles and well see if you can find north.” She lead him on toward their destination put went around a few houses twice and took a few extra turns. All the time Peiter kept his eyes shut. “Okay Hun, which way is north?”
Peiter pointed, and Kathleen looked around briefly and then said, “Yes that’s right. Uncanny. So if you know about where you are you can find any place, without landmarks that must be useful. Can you tell how far we are too?”
Peiter kept his eyes shut and thought briefly, “Seems to me we are about 200 steps to the west and a little north of the sword master’s Dojo.”
Katelyn thought about it, “I suppose that’s right, it’s hard for me to tell. So you can’t really get lost?”
Peiter thought about it, “Well I know where I am, but if I had to tell someone how to get from one place to another, like in this village, I couldn’t. I could tell you that home is that way,” He pointed, “About 500 paces, but I’d have to wander a bit to find the path. Fortunately the village alleys are mostly open.”
They came around a corner and there was another building similar to the sword master’s Dojo, but surrounded by a dense thicket of bamboo. They went through the gate into the practice yard. Several students were practicing, kata and sparing. The master sat cross legged on a slightly elevated platform watching as her students practiced. All wore brown training robes with various color belts. Peiter handed Katelyn his sword and signaled her to wait on the side and he walked up to the platform bowed and knelt with his hands on his legs. The students stopped and moved to the side as the master stood and walked up to him. She was of medium build, mouse brown hair, nothing unusual basically medium, but she moved with smoothness and grace that made it clear that she was not to be trifled with. She walked around Peiter and then came to the front of him. He sat calmly during this examination.
She stopped and stood for several seconds waiting, when Peiter did not speak, she smiled and spoke up “What brings a handsome young man to the likes of me?”
Peiter looked up and said, “I come to learn, my father is a disciple of the silent fist school and has taught me, and so I ask to be tested so that I might learn from you.”
The teacher smile remained and she replied, “The silent fist is a worthy school. May I know your father’s name?”
Peiter looked uncomfortable, “Sensei he has enjoined me not to speak of his name, though if pressed he gave me an answer to give do you ask for it?”
She considered and nodded, “No for now I will test you and see without his name.”
Peiter looked relieved, “Thank you Sensei.”
She went back to the platform and sat down, “Please son, show me your kata.”
Peiter stood and bowed and the began a sequence of moves fluid and graceful, as time passed the moves became more complex, pushes, sweeps blows, fast, slow, rolling, jumping, kicking, hitting. No repetition in the movements. There were blows with the fingers, palms, wrists elbows, head, shoulders, feet, knees, heal, toes, every part of him was clearly a weapon. After about five minutes he finished and bowed and knelt.
The reaction of the students was telling, they were clearly impressed, some had neutral expressions some had smiles, some looks of admiration. All were watching and looking for the Sensei to pass judgment.
She had a smile on her face, “Very pleasant, you have been trained well son. Many of your kata are not of the silent fist school; you have training in another school as well. May I know your other teacher?”
Peiter looked up and said, “My mother taught me as well, she is a disciple of the living water school.”
The Sensei looked at him, “So, I believe she will have enjoined you as well to refuse to give her name, so I will know what they said to give if you were pressed.”
Peiter looked down, and said, “Sensei, he enjoined me to demand that you accept that he is a disciple of the inner school, that he has mastered the five fists, and that he is known in the inner school as the fist of sublime destiny. My mother is a disciple of the inner school, a master of the formless flow, she is known as the waters of the penetrating void.”
The Sensei’s face froze as she considered his reply. She sat for five minutes considering. Her students were fidgeting and whispering while they waited. Her face remained frozen like she was rigid with control. “So they did not die as we all assumed. That means you must also have a name tell me what is your name?”
Peiter looked up and said, “I am known as the fist of resplendent nature and the waters of the restoring rain. I wield the fist of life and the waters of restoration.”
She stood up and stood in front of him. “One more test then. Samantha stand here, she pointed to Peiter’s left, “Karen stand here.” She pointed to Peiter’s right. She looked over to where Katelyn was standing, “Katelyn, if you would, go cut a six inch diameter stalk of bamboo about seven feet long please.”
Katelyn left the Dojo and using Peiter’s sword cut a large stalk, and trimmed it to seven feet and brought it back. She walked to where the Sensei was and stood waiting. The Sensei took the stalk from her and gave one end to Karen and the other to Samantha. “Now I want you to hold the bamboo in your open palm, you will suspend it at four feet, but you will not grip it, you will just keep it in place and relax as much as possible.” The two women did as instructed.
She turned to Peiter, “So son, I will see the fist of the void, break the bamboo.”
Peiter looked at her in surprise, and then shook his head, “Sensei, I am sorry but I must refuse.”
The students were surprised and several gasps where heard.
The Sensei walked to her platform and sat down, crossed her hands in her lap and looked at him, “You refuse my request in front of my students, in my Dojo?”
Peiter looked determined and calm. “Sensei, When my father gave me my name in the inner school he instructed me to never reveal by word or deed the techniques of the inner school except if forced in an act of defense, or to preserve life.”
She considered and then said, “I could have my students attack you. You would be forced to defend yourself.”
Peiter smiled, “Yes you could do that but I would not resist. I wield the fist of life. Defending myself in this venue would likely result in the death of many of your skilled students. I will not take the life of an innocent whose only act is obedience. In fact you know this and I can see the love your students carry for you. You would not risk their lives for a demonstration of abilities better not revealed. So if this is your test, I sit and await your decision.”
She sat considering and she stood up and walked over to him and made a fist and struck him, knocking him back head over heels ten feet. He picked himself up came back and knelt in front of her and closed his eyes putting his hands in his lap.
She smiled and sat back down. “So son, I’m beginning to believe you. I leave it to you. Break the stick and be done with the test.”
Peiter opened his eyes and smiled, “But Sensei, you already broke the stick.”
No one had been paying attention to the bamboo stick, but as he spoke Karen and Samantha turned their attention back to the stick, it split half way between them and fell; the two parts falling from their palms.
The Sensei got a really big smile on her face then, and said “You are a devil, I am happy to call you brother.” She stood up came over to him pulled him to his feet and hugged him. She let him lose and then said “Come sit beside me, you too Katelyn tell me what you want. You others get back to your practice.”
The students went back to practicing and you could hear the occasional whisper, “How did she do that?” or “How did he do that?”
The Sensei patted him on the leg and said, “A nice solution my son, no one will think twice about it now, a double sleight of hand. So what is it you want?”
Peiter sat in the lotus position and smiled at her. “I think you are aware that the reverend mother has pinned her hopes on Katelyn and I in the coming crisis. I was wondering if you can offer any suggestions.” He went on to explain all that he had discussed with the sword master, leaving out the last suggestion as impractical, and embarrassing.
Katelyn got a big smile on her face, “Oh Sensei he’s leaving out the best one.”
Peiter looked pained and the Sensei patted him on the leg, “Katelyn, I’m sure my illustrious college got her jollies out of torturing him with that, for someone that loves him you should be more considerate. Though I must say it would be fun to watch, have a heart girl.”
Peiter gave Katelyn an ‘I told you so’ stare, “Thank you Sensei. I know I’m nearly irresistible and a real stud but there are limits.”
The Sensei smiled, “You know maybe I should ask you to prove it, I’m still fertile, not that old yet.”
Peiter blushed and looked at Katelyn begging for a bale out. Katelyn smiled, “See I told you it was a good idea.”
Peiter shook himself, and then smiled, “Well ladies I suppose I’m at your service, whatever you decide.”
The Sensei smiled and kissed him on the cheek, “Be at ease son, I would never be so cruel; especially not with your fiancé holding a sword. I think your summary is good; we can try to recruit more women into the two schools, maybe start a militia. I don’t know where we might find single men of that number that would qualify, except maybe from your father and mother’s old schools. Maybe we can send some of the women out as merchants to other villages. They could sell some of our wares, and advertise our village as full of nubile marriageable beauties. We could lose a few women, and pick up a few men that way. Lastly I think you should ask your mother and father to move to the village, I would love to have them teach in my Dojo. They’ll be safe here, and so will your brothers and sisters if you have any. The reverend mother will see to that and when she’s gone you’ll be so entrenched no one will be willing to pursue a witch hunt. Finally we have some true witches living here as we’ve been sympathetic to their plight since the war you might go and talk with their leader, her name is Esmeralda.”
Peiter looked really pleased with the suggestions, “Oh it would be wonderful if they would move here. Yes these are all great suggestions, thank you Sensei.”
“Now go see Esmeralda, she’s a very reasonable person you’ll like her.” The Sensei said. “Peiter can you leave us alone for a bit?” The Sensei patted him on the arm.
Peiter smiled and stood up, “I’ll meet you out front.” He walked over toward the door but got waylaid by a couple of students; they wanted him to teach them some of his Katas.
The Sensei watched him for a few moments as he guided them through the movements. “He is such a gifted man, Katelyn, you are very lucky.” She took Katelyn’s hand. “Honey, I thought I’d warn you and ask you to consider something. Esmeralda will quite likely demand that Peiter impregnate all of the witches in their coven, there is a total of seven. I want you to consider encouraging him to do that. His talent must be preserved and the witches know how to protect themselves. You will have to help him through it. He talks big but he loves you so much that it will be impossible for him unless you actively help him do it. You should also do your part and have as many children as you can by him. You think you can do that?”
Katelyn reached out and held the Sensei’s hand, “I’m not the jealous type. I agree with you and I’ll help him as much as possible. The witches won’t be possessive so I don’t see a big problem and I know he’ll do as I say, because he loves me. Sensei he can serve you should you wish it. I know you were joking but you lost your husband and Peiter loves you.”
She smiled and leaned forward and kissed her. “Thank you; you’re sweet. No I don’t need children I have my students, and I can look forward to a new batch of young ones when the babies start popping out. You know when you two succeed in turning this village around, it is going to be a fantastic place to live, men and women living in love with each other, and their neighbors, children everywhere, Peiter as mayor I can’t wait.”
Katelyn brightened, “Oh you make it sound wonderful.”
The Sensei put her hand on her tummy, “Have you picked out a name for her?”
Katelyn smiled, “So you can tell too? No we haven’t, though I’m partial to Cleo, Vivy’s daughter was named Cleo. If a boy I think Jack. You think I got a girl?”
She smiled and said, “All babies are girls until proven otherwise. At least that’s what I think. Why don’t you go see Esmeralda? Maybe warn Peiter what’s going to happen. Esmeralda will see this as an opportunity to advance her coven. Talk to her she can explain.”
Katelyn hugged her quickly and followed Peiter. He was talking to the students still when she walked up.
Peiter was addressing a tall heavy girl, “You need to practice your form before you add the power as a missed punch can cause significant injury. Also meditation …” He stopped as Katelyn walked up and took her hand, “ … is good for learning to remain calm. Watch your peers and judge how they perform the kata and try to emulate what they do right, and discard what they do wrong. The observation will help you in sparring as well.”
One of the smaller girls standing next to her spoke up, “Sensei can you show us the one inch punch again.”
Peiter smiled at her, “Ellen, call me Peiter, there is only one Sensei in this Dojo, and I’m just a visitor. Sure I’ll show you. Put out your hands and lock your elbows, brace yourself as I don’t want to hurt you. Now this punch is part of the iron fist school, you relax your muscles and position your arm so …” Peiter demonstrated placing his hand in contact with the girls hands which she held out in front of her like she was going to catch a small ball. “… note the alignment of the fist and the bones in my wrist. Now you punch by tightening the muscles in your arm, shoulder, back, and stomach, the total travel is quite short but the force is quite high. Just remember that you punch through the target not at the surface. So are you ready?” Peiter put his fingers out and positioned his hand the length of the first joint of his finger from the girl’s hands. He stood ready and looked at her.
Ellen put her foot behind her and braced and then said, “Okay now.”
Peiter made a short snapping motion; the movement was subtitle but quick. Ellen jerked and was driven back two feet, sliding on the sandy ground of the Dojo. She winced and shook her hands like they’d been burned. She relaxed and said, “That’s amazing, it stings but the hit is remarkably powerful with such a small motion. Thank you for the demonstration ah … Peiter.”
Peiter gave her a sunny smile, “Be sure to wear gloves when you practice this, as you learn it the blows can be painful and hard on your knuckles.” Peiter put out his hand and shook Ellen’s hand. He turned to Katelyn and said, “Ready to go?” As he asked he shook hands with the larger girl and bowed to them.
Katelyn took his arm and they walked out of the Dojo. Katelyn squeezed his arm and said “Hun let’s find a bench I need to speak to you about Esmeralda.” The walked a little further and came to a small park, with a bench, a tree and a flower bed. In the middle was a stand with a bust on it and a date. They sat down and Peiter took her hand and smiled in encouragement. “What about her?”
“The sensei thinks that Esmeralda will make an unusual request, something that might be difficult to accept. She said we should consider it as she will not make the request lightly.” Katelyn was finding it a bit hard to tell him, so she tried to start at it indirectly.
Peiter looked at her and gave her a quizzical look, “Hon, this isn’t like you. Your aura is dark like you’re afraid to talk to me, don’t be that way. Be fierce I love you, nothing you could say or do will change that.” Then he made a face and he stuck out his tongue and started clowning around.
Katelyn got exasperated, “Hey quit clowning, I’m serious.”
He looked at her and some of the brightness was back, but still not normal. He calmed his face and looked at her hands, “Should I frown.” He put on a sad face and looked at her and could see that he was still irritating her. “Oh Katy, life is too short for serious. Be open, be happy, be fierce, I don’t ever want to be serious with you, at least not where you can’t speak your mind. You think I don’t know what Esmeralda is going to ask? Hun I have met witches before. What do you think makes a witch?” He held her hands and gave her his happiest smile, joy and jokes flowing from his face. “Come on kid me, you had fun with the sword master’s suggestion have fun with his.”
Katelyn looked at him and gave in; so much love so much life. “Okay mister you asked for it, she’s going to ask you to give her coven babies, seven women. What do you think about that; hot stud?”
He looked at her aura it was back; bright as ever. So time to play on, he threw up a look of surprise and horror, “You’re joking!” he said.
Katelyn fell for it, “No I’m not.” She was smiling now.
“Oh the horror, I think I’m offended.” He jumped up and started stamping around; putting on a show. Then he sat down and took her hands, “Sorry I can’t do it, I won’t try to fool you.” He smiled at her and then said, “You didn’t answer my question, what do you think makes a witch?”
She thought about it, “I don’t know, special powers? Knowledge of the occult?”
He brushed the hair from her face, and looked into her eyes, “Power is what makes a witch. The pursuit of power, be it occult, a knowledge of plants, or just knowledge it is the desire for power that makes a witch. Witches give up much for the power they hold.”
She looked at him and thought, “So how does that explain what they want from you?”
He smiled and said, “They want my power. If I give them children then they have a chance of controlling my power, through their daughters. Do you think I should give them that chance?”
Katelyn looked into his eyes and then looked away. He put his hand to her face and turned it back to his, “Be strong my love be fierce, answer honestly. Should I give them that chance?”
She looked deep into his eyes and could see his resolve like a wall of steel she never saw this side of him before, till now it was bubbles and life, but now she saw power and a certain knowledge of strength an indomitable will. “I … don’t know.” He held her facing him and his face softened, the wall melted and love poured from his eyes.
He kissed her lips, “So you see what I could be if I followed their path. My father showed me this when I had mastered the outer school of the way of the fist. I thought I was really something. I could beat the crap out of any opponent. I was a force to be reckoned with. He stoked this feeling in me and fed my ego and he squashed me with an iron fist. Feeding me power but holding me down. I came to hate him. I decided I would kill him and take his power. I believed his power was something I could take from him, and he fostered that belief in me. I attacked him and he squashed me like a bug. This happened several times, I got stronger, and then I’d attack him, and he would beat me senseless. Then one day I decided I was going to win no matter what that I would die rather than lose. So I prepared and I attacked him. This time he did not hold back, I had never known such power such iron will, he beat me, but he didn’t let me lose consciousness, he egged me on, dragging me up to higher and higher levels of effort, and then knocking me down, without apparent effort like I was an inconsequential nat. After a pretty brutal fall something broke in my spirit, or maybe I should say I realized what he was trying to tell me. That power, skill, dominance was a dead end. It was like trying to hold back the void. I lay in pain and he came and sat beside me and took my hand and said, “This is the way of power son, it consumes you and you become what you hate. You can choose this path, in time you could probably find the strength to beat me, and then you would have to find another adversary, and so on. Eventually you would turn on yourself, you would hate yourself and yearn for death, but your power would deny you. So son, do you choose the path of power, or do you choose the path of life?” He left me there and I dragged myself home and I threw myself in bed. My mother came to me and gave me food but wouldn’t talk to me, nor did I care. As I got well I began to realize my father was right I didn’t want power I wanted love, I wanted life. So I went to him, he was sitting outside the house sharpening a knife on the grinding wheel and I sat down near him and I said, “I choose life father.” He looked at me and searched my face and then he put down the knife took me in his arms and said “Welcome home son, I’ve missed you.” I cried in his arms while he rocked me and held me close. My mother came out and kissed me on the cheek and said, “I have my boy again, thank you for coming back to me son.” This was my initiation into the inner school of the way of the fist.
Peiter looked at Katelyn, she was awed by his story and he smiled and then stuck out his tongue and stood up and took her hands and started to dance around. “Oh Katy, life is so wonderful and I love you. They have given this up for the meager coin called power. I pity them, and I love them. Let’s see if we can save them.” He pulled her to her feet and held her close and did a whirl and then let her go. “I’m embarrassed to say I don’t know where she lives, lead on.”
So Katelyn took his arm and they walked to Esmeralda’s house. They came to a large house with a large garden filled with medicinal plants, and vines. The house was painted dark red with black trim. As they approached the house a tall willowy woman came out of the house. She was dressed in white and wore her black hair long behind her head bound with a ring of thorns. Her dress was open at the top showing her cleavage and she wore a silver chain with a multifaceted crystal the size of a plum around her neck. She wore copper, silver, and gold bracelets and was bare footed. The top of her head was covered by a complex network of gold filigree like a skull cap, holding her hair in place. Her complexion was white, her hands were long and graceful, her lips were red almost black, her eyes were grey without a hint of color. She was beautiful, like a winter day, sharp, breathtaking and cold. She was smiling slightly as she watched them approach her house.
Peiter walked up to the gate and he waved his hand and it opened, and they walked into her yard. Her gray eyes sparked as the gate closed behind him. Peiter walked right up to her and she held out her hand and said, “So we finally meet. You are welcome in our … home.”
Peiter shook her hand softly and said “Shall we go in and meet the others?”
She signaled that they should precede her into the house so Peiter and Katelyn walked through the door. It was dark inside, lit by a small number of candles; there was a large wooden chair and two normal looking chairs near a small octagonal table. Peiter took it in and went and sat down in the large wooden chair and pulled one of the normal chairs close and indicated Katelyn should sit next to him. Esmeralda sat in the remaining chair and someone closed the door. Sitting in chairs around the rather large room were the members of her coven. Each one dressed differently, but uniformly without color, except for the gold and silver jewelry they wore.
Katelyn’s eyes acclimated to the low light and she could see the women were all beautiful but cold. She saw they were unhappy with Peiter’s choice of chair, he was sitting in her chair, but they were tolerant as he was a guest.
Peiter smiled, but his smile was ice, Katelyn could feel the steel in him again. “Thank you for meeting with us. Shall we have some light so we can get better acquainted?” Peiter’s eyes flared white briefly and a collection of white sparks funneled up out of the center of the table and spread out near the ceiling giving a bright cold radiance throughout the room. The women all turned toward him and in the new light Katelyn could see all of them were smiling, ice radiating from each.
Peiter’s smile grew larger and he let a little life show from his face. “So ladies, introduce yourselves let us find our measures shall we.”
One at a time they walked up and gave their names, and Peiter gave them a smile full of life and love a warm glow bathing each in turn causing them to look away, in the warm light from Peiter’s face they appeared like paste, their ice turning to dust. Peiter thanked each one for their name, and they retired to their chairs at the edge of the room. Then he looked at Esmeralda and said, “A charming group I must say, so shall we get down to bargaining? What is your pleasure?”
Esmeralda stood pulled her chair opposite him across the table and sat down again. “I think first I shall take your measure if you permit me.”
Peiter’s smile never wavered, “As you wish we are at your service.”
Esmeralda’s eyes flared and the lights Peiter had created flared and fell going dark as they fell. A wild electrical fire radiated from a shell surrounding Esmeralda and started expanding into the room. As it grew the other women in the room were similarly enclosed and their radiance grew and merged with hers. When the radiance approached Peiter and Katelyn it halted. Peiter was surrounded by an elliptical field of multicolored lights swirling around him like butterflies, colorfull like the petals of wild flowers. Katelyn was surrounded by bands of fire and light spinning whirling holding back the cold radiance.
Peiter laughed it was his happy loving laugh, “Oh such strength can only be rewarded with love,” and he flared brightly emitting colored beams of light and warm sun light, butterfly shapes flew out from him and balls of color, while Katelyn flared yellow like the bright sun on a warm spring day. Twisting and mixing with Peiter’s colors, completely quenching the white cold light. The women all appeared like specters in the colorful display, monochrome, flat lifeless. After about a minute the colors faded leaving a warm orange glowing light without an apparent source.
Peiter looked at Esmeralda the orange light making her look warm almost human, partially banishing the icy visage she presented previously. “So are you satisfied, shall we bargain?”
Esmeralda smiled weakly, “Yes I suppose we shall. What do you propose?”
Peiter smiled and said, “I will agree on one condition.”
Esmeralda’s eyes flared with icy desire. “Name it.”
Peiter’s smile grew wider, “My condition is this; you all must accept my love.”
Esmeralda’s eyes contracted and she considered, “That’s it? No other condition?”
Peiter’s smile became icy, “That’s it. But I owe it to you to warn you, be careful what you wish for.”
Esmeralda radiated victory, “Oh we understand the risks; we accept your terms.”
Peiter looked at Katelyn, “So my dear it comes to this, will you join me?”
Katelyn looked at him and smiled, “Now and forever my love.”
Peiter opened his mind to Katelyn and they merged into one being again, and then they removed their clothing and sat on the floor. All the other women removed their clothing and stood naked, the bright orange light banishing their greyness, making them appear alive. Each one in turn walked over to Katelyn and Peiter and sat facing Peiter and he pulled them close entering them and Katelyn hugged them from behind. When Katelyn got a firm grip, the woman arched her back like she was struck by electricity and Katelyn and Peiter hugged her close and filled her with love. It was over in seconds. When the joining was complete the woman would stand and go to her dress put it back on and sit in her chair; her face introspective, her skin flushed. When it came to Esmeralda she sat in Peiter’s arms and he smiled. His expression changed to compassion and love, “Esmeralda I owe it to you to give you fair warning. You have lived your life in the purity of power, without violence. You have enjoyed your limited life in an intellectual way as you have acquired power. You have not fallen into the trap that most who seek power fall into, you have sought power without using it to dominate. The gift I am about to give you will expand your power in ways you can’t even imagine, but you will discover how your life has been barren meaningless as you join me in a life of service to life. You will give and you will love more than you can imagine. When you accept my gift it will also be a curse. You will never be able to go back to the purity you once knew, you will become entangled in love and the messy dirty, glorious shackles of love will bind you there. The child I give you and have given the others will take your heart out and fill you with love. You can’t even begin to understand how strong these forces are as you have denied yourself this in your pursuit of power. So I offer you the chance to turn away.” Peiter’s face was open filled with love and compassion, as he stroked her face. He lay his head on her solder and said softly, “I love you Esmere, and I remember they day you gave up on love. The day your family died as the fire burned your house down. I remember the little girl found by the old woman, they said she was a witch, and she took you in and nursed you back to life, but not to health. You buried yourself in your studies and you found solace there because it drove away the memories. I offer you my love, Esmere, unconditionally. I give you this without force. I will give you the child you want, and you may choose to withhold yourself from my love and remain partially intact. The child will be strong and you will need an iron resolve or you will succumb and love will have you without my intervention.” Peiter raised his head up and stared into her eyes.
She stared back and finally said, “You are right, my life is barren, I choose life. Give me your child and your love I accept.”
Peiter pulled her close and kissed her and a brilliant multicolored burst of fluttering patches of light exploded from their joining and filled the room, her mind opened to his and she felt her pain being burned away. When she came back to her senses she stood, and put on her dress, while Peiter and Katelyn dressed. Katelyn and Peiter broke their merging and Katelyn stood looking at Esmeralda in the dim light from the candles in the room.
Peiter went over to the windows and raised the blinds and opened the windows and then opened the door and light flooded into the room and where grey willowy women had been now stood normal looking and variable women. Blond hair blue eyes, red hair green eyes, multihued clothes, each woman wore a crystal pendant, which previously had been clear but now were multicolored each one matching the eyes of the warier. They were looking at each other surprised by what they saw in each other.
Esmeralda stood before them, tall and strongly built; black hair with a white streak, brilliant blue eyes wearing a green dress. Her crystal pendent flashed multihued and changing in the bright sun light. A soft welcoming smile on her face.
Katelyn looked at Peiter, “How?” she asked, the transformation seemed miraculous.
Peiter smiled at Esmeralda took her hand and she spoke, her voice soft, deep, earthy a pleasure to hear, “What you see now is our true forms, before you saw the form projected through our aura of power a reflection of the purity of unnatural strength we all held. Now our lives have joined yours in the service of life, our powers are transformed and amplified as you said. We will assist you any way we can in the coming crisis.”
While they were talking Peiter was walking around the room and giving each woman ah hug and good bye kiss. He came back to Esmeralda and stood next to her and Katelyn saw they were nearly the same height. Both appeared strong and powerful, like they were cast from the same mold. Peiter looked in her eyes and cracked a big smile. Katelyn was becoming sensitive to auras and could see the multi colored bands of light and the spots like butterflies surrounding both of them. He took her in his arms and they stood eye to eye and he kissed her. “Oh Esmere, you have so much ahead of you, so many new and beautiful things to experience. You have started on a great adventure, a new child to love and guide into a happy beautiful world.”
She hugged Peiter and raised a dark eye brow and looked at Katelyn. “Is he always like this?”
Katelyn cracked up and said, “Afraid so Hun.”
Peiter grabbed her waist and spun around dancing her and then he let her go and grabbed Katelyn and spun her around, while he was laughing, happiness radiating from his face, his aura awash with multi colored butterflies. He danced them out the door.
Esmeralda shook her head, “Keep him safe dear.” She called out the door.
Katelyn was getting dizzy, “Peiter chill out, I’m getting dizzy.”
He stopped and kissed her quickly on the lips. “Oh Katy, she has so much life to experience, she gave up so much and now she has it back. I’m almost jealous.”
Katelyn was a little confused, “Jealous? What do you mean?”
Peiter calmed down a bit, “When we grow up in a loving family, like you and I did, we take for granted the little things, the smile of your mother, a beautiful flower, all the beauty that surrounds us.” Peiter spied a wild flower growing in a tuft of grass. He squatted down and pointed at it. “Here you see, it’s beautiful so delicate and colorful. To us its common place. But to her it’s new. Her life till now has been colorless and empty. But now suddenly she is a powerful grown woman, whose mind has opened to all the life and color that she has blocked out because of her power. It’s as if you or I were transported to heaven in an instant. Her baby will grow within her and she will feel her love and love her. She will hold her in her arms, and her smile will steal her heart. She will see a sunset for the first time. She will hear the tree frogs and appreciate their singing for the first time. Do you see?” He had to stop the emotion striking him mute.
Katelyn looked at him and understood. He was like that everything was new and beautiful to him. She stood up and pulled him to his feet, “Come on lover boy, let’s get back to Vivian before you pop.” She pinched his butt and he jumped and then yelled, “I’ll race you home Katy.” As he ran off in the right direction but not taking the easy route. She smiled, and started running down a different path heading for home. As she passed women turned and some asked, “Hey where’s the fire?” She would smile and say, “No fire, foot race.” Some women would laugh and yell “Go girl”.
She made the last turning to the house and was opening the gate when Peiter came around the corner and dove over the fence and rolled and landed back on his feet. “Ha beat you.” She calmly walked by him giving him the sexy walk, and ran her finger up his arm and up under his chin. As she passed he grabbed her and whispered in her ear. “Ha, another rule beater.”
Vivian opened the front door and said, “Dinner is served love birds.”
They went inside and sat down at the table which was laid out with food and wine. Vivian sat down and Peiter raised his hand, “If you don’t mind I’ll give the prayer again.” Vivian and Katelyn nodded. “I remember the day we met, I turned around a tree and spied a camp fire. The sun was low in the sky making the woods dark, the light from the fire illuminating the two women as they cooked their evening meal. I was struck dumb by their beauty. The aura of one like the placid waters of a mountain lake filled with love, the other a whirl wind of fiery love. It was the end of day but the beginning of the happiest day of my life. I remember the day we met.” He leaned forward and offered them his hands, looking at them in the candle light with a happy smile. They looked at him and the both reached out and took his hands.
The scene was interrupted by a loud growl from his stomach, and they all laughed. Vivian started serving the food. “So how did your day go?” she asked.
Peiter got a big smile and looked at Katelyn, she had a big smile too, and then they just started laughing.
Vivian looked nonplused, “Hey come on, that’s not fair, let me in on the joke!”
Peiter tried to stifle himself, with some success, “Oh Vivy, it’s not a joke; it’s just so much happened how can we explain? Okay I’ll run it down fast leaving out most of the juicy bits and you can ask. Let’s see we woke up and pushed you out of bed, you were there for that part. Next we went to visit the reverend mother, found out about our pending doom. Next we went to see Katy’s sword teacher, I got another sword. Then we went to see the fist master, and I got punched and broke a stick. Then we went to see Esmeralda, and how can I put this … got to know her and her friends really well. Then I raced Katy home and she beat me, but she cheated.”
Katelyn was laughing throughout until the last bit, “Hey I won fair and square buster, you pulled up on the last bit.” She had an indignant look on her face but then she cracked up, “Got to know her did you?” Then she just started laughing again.
He looked put upon, “Hey you helped. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
That just got Katelyn laughing more, “Hey bud you’re the one that did all the work, I was just providing moral support.” She was laughing even harder, “Or immoral support maybe.”
They started eating, but with difficulty because of the laughing.
Vivian ate slowly considering the narration and looking from one to the other. “Well my day sounds boring in comparison. Did I hear something about pending doom? You’re joking right?”
Her question was like a bucket of ice water, they both stopped laughing. Katelyn looked worried, and Peiter looked unhappy. He spoke up, “No unfortunately we’re not joking.”
Vivian waited, then “So, I’m all ears, what doom?”
Peiter looked at Katelyn and she nodded, and he explained and Vivian’s expression changed from slight amusement to real concern, and then as he continued with the suggestions he got, she started to relax a bit.
She sat for a bit and then, “So we have two years?”
He nodded, “Maybe three if we’re lucky. It hard to say what will happen the closer she gets to the end. Plus none of this is certain.”
Vivian looked a bit happier, “So what do we do next?”
Peiter looked a bit excited, “We go visit my parents. You have to come too. We need to take James as well.”
Vivian smiled, “So another field trip. Okay I’m up for that. Plus meeting your parents will be a thrill I’m sure. Okay when should we go?”
Peiter smiled, “Only one thing to do first and then we can go.”
Katelyn was surprised to hear that, “Hey what?”
Peiter looked at Vivian, “Ah Vivy I need to ask you something, I know your way too young to be Katy’s mother but you’re all she’s got, and I know you love her too, but would it be all right if we got married?”
Katelyn looked surprised, and then smiled.
Vivian got a big smile, “So going to make an honest woman out of her are you?”
Peiter looked slightly confused, “Honest? No I just want to nail her down before some other lug comes along. Plus if we’re married when I get home my mom won’t kill me when she finds out about the baby. If you’re a proper parent you’d want me to do good by her, and then there’s this other problem.”
Vivian raised an eyebrow still smiling, “What problem?”
Peiter looked down and blushed, “I love her.” He looked at Katelyn and said, “I wanted to ask you after that first kiss, but I didn’t get the nerve until now. Will you marry me Katy?”
She walked over to him and put her arms around him and said, “Why should I?”
Peiter face broke out in surprise, and then he pushed her away and started stamping around, “I knew you were going to do this, I told the sword master when she asked me, I just knew it.”
Katelyn was smiling, “What did she ask you?”
Peiter looked at her he was pissed, “She asked me if I’d asked you to marry me yet. She suggested that it would be a good idea to get married to protect me from the other women in this village. I told her I hadn’t because I needed to talk to Vivy but the real reason is I was afraid.”
Katelyn was still smiling, “What about Vivy? Doesn’t she mean something to you?”
Peiter was still angry and desperate, “You know my plans for Vivy, don’t try to distract me. What do I have to do? You know I love you and I know you love me. Please don’t do this to me.”
Vivian spoke up, “Katelyn stop it.”
Katelyn wasn’t through yet, “What about all those other women?”
Vivian looked surprised, “What other women?”
Peiter looked hurt, angry, and desperate now, “You know that was just part of the job. Hell you were merged with me when we did it.”
Katelyn looked at Vivian, “He impregnated Esmeralda and her coven, seven women.”
Vivian was shocked, “Seven in one day, that’s got to be a record.”
Katelyn kept on, “My teacher suggested he take care of maybe forty more, might help with the coming crisis, she thought.”
Peiter spoke up he was getting louder, “She was JOKING! Katy please!”
Vivian startled and then started to laugh, “Oh that’s rich. It would probably get him killed though.”
Katelyn decided it was time, “Peiter, why should we get married? You said we love each other, and I love you it’s true. I’ve got your baby, I’m happy. Why should we bother?”
Peiter looked at her, calming a bit but still flustered. “Marriage is about commitment. I told you I want to be with you forever. Love is all well and good and I’ll never stop loving you, but marriage is something more, it means that I’m yours and your mine, and we will follow our path together until we die and onward if I can manage it. All I want is to love you, and give you the best life within my power to give you. Nothing else is more important to me. This village can go to hell, if it means not being married to you. And I’m sorry Vivy, I love you like a sister, well maybe more than a sister, but if I have to give you up then so be it. I want to marry you, Katy, have a family, to be with you, to argue with you, to make up, to hold your hand, to feed you chicken soup when you’re sick, to rub your feet when your belly hangs over your belt, to make love to you, to help raise our children, to defend you from attack, I WANT TO BE YOUR HUSBAND!” At this point he was yelling into her face, leaning down staring into her eyes.
Katelyn was smiling and she kissed him quick on the lips, “Okay sport, you got me, now and forever.”
His face opened up, and smiles poured out. He lost control of his powers and brilliant butterflies were streaming from him racing around passing out of the walls, bright balls of light flashing bouncing away on the floor. He grabbed her and kissed her and a brilliant cocoon of multicolored stripes and spots with streaks of fire and sparks wrapped around them as they kissed.
Vivian stood amazed, squinting at the light. She felt happy just looking at them.
After about two minutes the kiss ended, and he looked into her eyes and said, “Now and forever.”
The light faded a bit as he sat down and cradled her in his lap.
Vivian sat back down, she had started back when he got angry getting ready to pull them apart. It occurred to her that well … she spoke, “Katy, just as a point of advice, don’t ever make him angry, I think maybe it might be hard on the innocent by standers.”
Katelyn chuckled, “You’re probably right.”
Then Vivian remembered, “Hey what was that about plans for me?”
Peiter looked sheepish, “It’s a secret I can’t tell you.”
Vivian looked frustrated, “Come on now son, I just gave you my only daughter you owe me.”
Peiter shook his head, “No. If I’m wrong then so be it. If I’m right it will ruin the surprise, and I know you you’re just as stubborn as your spiritual daughter here,” he slapped Katelyn’s butt, “That you’d ruin it to spite me.”
Katelyn gave Peiter a quick kiss on the cheek. “Vivy, he’s right he can’t tell you.”
Vivian wined, “Ah come on Katy, haven’t I been you’re lover for these past five years, doesn’t that mean something?”
Katelyn looked over at her, “Vivy it’s because I love you that I can’t tell you, you’re just going to have to wait. I promise you the wait will be worth it.”
Vivian couldn’t let go, “Hypothetically speaking here, how long do I have to wait?”
Peiter got a big smile, “You sound like a child.” He looked at Katelyn, “Maybe a week, ten days tops. If we get going back to my father’s farm it could be sooner.”
Vivian spoke up, “Why don’t you skip this marriage ceremony thing and just call it a done deal. We could leave tomorrow morning.”
Peiter looked at Katelyn, “Well it’s kind of customary to have a ceremony, seal the deal as it were.”
Katelyn smiled and said, “Hey Hun, I got an idea, Vivy could marry us now. I could give you your sword, Vivy what could he give me? You know, we don’t have time for rings and golden boy didn’t pack one, right?” Peiter nodded and shrugged.
Vivy grabbed her finger and pulled off her wedding band, “Hun, its traditional for a girl to get her mother’s wedding band, take mine; I want you to have it.”
Katelyn looked touched, “But Vivy, it’s all you have from Jack.”
Vivy looked touched too but said, “No Hun, Peiter showed me I have my memories, and they are the best memories a woman could hope for, I don’t need it anymore. You take it.” She handed it to Katelyn.
Katelyn dumped herself off Peiter’s lap, “Hold on let me get the sword,” She went off to her room and came back with the sword she gave him. She handed the ring and the sword back to Vivian. “Ok Vivy, chop, chop, do the deed, hitch us up.”
Vivian pushed the table aside and pulled over a rug, “Kneel here facing each other.”
Peiter and Katelyn knelt facing each other and they held hands.
Vivian stood in front of them. “Okay” she handed the sword to Katelyn, “Repeat after me, Peiter with this sword I thee wed, now and forever.”
Katelyn repeated the words and handed the sword to Peiter.
Vivian handed the ring to Peiter, he stuck the sword in his belt and accepted the ring. “Repeat after me, Katelyn, with this ring I thee wed, now and forever.”
Peiter repeated the words and put the ring on her finger.
Vivian put her hands on their heads. “Then before god and devil I pronounce you Husband and Wife. So kiss now, it’s required.”
Peiter held the hand with the ring, and encircled her waist with his other arm and kissed her. It went on and on, and then he fell sideways pulling her down onto the floor and continued kissing her.
Vivian spoke up, “No, No that’s not right, go to bedroom, make love in bedroom!” She bent down and tried to pull them apart.
Katelyn broke her kiss and looked in Peiter’s eyes and glanced at Vivy, and nodded to Peiter. At the same time they grabbed her and pulled her down between them and started kissing her.
Katelyn spoke up, “Vivy, my new husband and I are going to wear you out, and the only place big enough for that is here on the dining room floor.” The started pulling off her clothes and their clothes while Vivy just laughed.
“Hey, that’s not what’s supposed to happen here, you’re supposed to take your new wife to bed, screw her lights out and make her pregnant.” Vivy was laughing because they were tickling her now.
“Sorry Vivy, been there, done that.” Katelyn said.
Vivian was having trouble thinking, “Oh yea, well I guess I’ll just have to take my lumps then.” She grabbed Katelyn and started kissing her hard.
They made love, over and over, until they all couldn’t keep their eyes open. They fell asleep laying partly on top of Peiter. His body heat kept them warm through the night.
Vivian woke up and her movements woke up Peiter and Katelyn. She scratched an itch on her butt. “Shit this rug has fleas. I can’t believe we did this, utterly shameless the both of you.” She waved her finger at them, and then smiled. She leaned in and kissed Katelyn, “Happy Hun?”
Katelyn lay her head on Peiter’s chest and snuggled him, “Yes, mom.”
Vivian snorted and slapped her lightly on the cheek, “What about you son, happy?”
Peiter stroked Vivian’s ass and said, “Yes, mom.”
Vivian punched him in the stomach, “How can you call me mom, after what we did last night, and stroking my ass, you some kind of pervert? Something you’re not telling us about your family life back on the farm?”
Peiter double up slightly because of the punch and then laughed, “Okay, Okay, you win I guess you’re just going to have to be my mistress until I can find you a replacement.”
Katelyn started laughing at the inside joke; a bit harder than it warranted.
Vivian looked at her, “Hey what?”
Katelyn shook her head, and gasped, “Sorry just felling goofy.”
Vivian got a big smile, “Probably just morning sickness Hun.” They untangled themselves and sat naked on the rug in the middle of the dining room. “You know Hun, you’ve only known him for five days, might have wanted to wait a bit and find out if he had any bad habits like biting toe nails.”
Peiter lifted his leg, and bent it and put his toe in his mouth.
Vivian was surprised, “Shit look at that, I didn’t think it could be done. What’d I tell you?”
Peiter laughed and grabbed Katelyn’s foot, “Rather bite her toes.” He pulled her toes up to his mouth tipping her over in the process, and then started nibbling on her toes and foot. She is ticklish so she started to squirm.”
Katelyn started to wine, “Stop, Stop I’m ticklish, Oh please I’ll give you anything stop!”
Peiter stopped, “Sorry Hun, You already gave me what I wanted. He took another nibble and then let her go.”
Vivian stood up, “See just like my Jack said. Men want just one thing.”
Peiter looked offended, “Hey I didn’t say that, I meant something else entirely.”
Vivian slapped him lightly on the top of the head, “So what did you mean, you lush.”
Peiter looked bashfully at Katelyn, “To be her husband, my wife.”
Katelyn ran her hand down the side of his face, “To be his wife, my husband.” She leaned over to him and kissed him.
Vivian started messing around in the kitchen, “Hey stop that, you’re getting it wrong again, you’ve got to go on a long trip get completely tired and dusty, to the point that you just want to sleep, before you can start your honeymoon.”
Peiter stood up and helped Katelyn up, “Well we took care of dusty, let’s go in back and wash off while mom cooks Hun.” He went to the back door of the house opened it and bowed Katelyn out the door, as she passed he slapped her butt lightly and followed her out to the back of the house.
Vivian yelled after them, “Just a bath now, and bring me back some water from the well.”
Peiter went to the well and tossed the bucket down and cranked it up again. Katelyn pulled a couple of rags off the clothes line and followed him.
Peiter set the bucket down and looked around, and then got ready to do something.
Katelyn walked up and said, “Hey what’s up you’re looking crafty.”
Peiter signaled her to stand close. “My parents warned me against doing things like this but I figure you’d like some warm water rather than icy water from a well, so.”
Peiter rubbed his hands together and they started to glow softly. He plunged them into the bucket and the water hissed as his hands stopped glowing.
Katelyn was surprised to say the least, “Peiter, until now I’ve seen you do some amazing things but most of them were explainable. That stuff at Esmeralda’s could have been pure mind candy, just lights in a bottle, but this you’ve heated up a gallon of water with your hands, that’s got to be supernatural.
Peiter looked at her, “Hon, there’s no such thing as supernatural. Vivy had it right, there’s what you know and there’s what you don’t know.” He dipped a rag in the water and got it wet and then started washing her off.
Katelyn wasn’t buying it, “But your hand was red hot, and it cooled in the water. Nobody’s hand could get that hot and not burn up.”
Peiter smiled, “You’re right nobodies hand could get red hot, and neither did mine. What you saw was the glow of my aura. I rubbed my hands together to help me focus the energy not to heat them up. Here let me show you.” He stopped and then his hand started to glow again. His hand was touching her and she felt warmth but it wasn’t burning hot. His hand dimmed and he went back to washing her off the rag was pleasantly warm, from the warm water.
“But if your hand wasn’t hot then why did the water hiss and get hot?” Katelyn was still sure he was fooling her.
Peiter paid special attention to her breast and then smiled, “Oh … uh.”
Katelyn put her hand under his chin tilted his head up to her face, “Come on golden boy you were explaining about heating the water.”
Peiter trembled slightly and then blushed, “Sorry have to stay focused, I heated the water with my aura not my hand. The energy comes from my body I burn fat, or muscle turn it into energy in my aura, focus it on the water, and viola, hot water. It’s a thing I learned from my mother and father. It’s part of the training of the inner schools of the way of the silent fist, and the way of the living water. We learn how to convert energy into our aura and it allows us to perform martial feats like braking big sticks without apparent effort, with our minds. The Sensei of the fist knows this. She also knew I could break the stick with the fist of the void, just sitting there, but that I wouldn’t do it if I knew how. She is of the inner school I can see it in her aura. So I resorted to the trick. She hit me, and I broke the stick while no one was looking at it. It was part of the test to see if I was clever enough to break the stick without revealing anything. The other part of the test was when she hit me. That blow would have crippled a person who didn’t have knowledge of the inner school of the living water.” While he was talking he finished washing off Katelyn and started working on himself.
Katelyn shook her head, took the cloth and dipped it in the bucket and started washing him off. “So I could learn how to do this stuff?”
Peiter ran his hand down her back and stroked her butt. “Ah … um, Yes you could learn it but if you think real hard you can pull it out of my mind. Alternatively we could merge I could go through some of the inner school katas and you’d have it in a few hours.”
Peiter was losing focus as she washed his back and his butt, “Hum, that feels nice.”
Katelyn pinched him, “Focus Hun, Vivian is cooking breakfast.”
Peiter shivered again, “Hun, there’s a problem teaching you all this stuff real fast though.”
Katelyn was working on his legs, “What’s that?”
Peiter reached down and pulled her up into his arms, “Stop I can’t talk while you’re doing that. The problem is your body has to be trained so your reflexes are right, otherwise the powers will hurt you big time. You could break a bone; sever a leg, all kinds of nasty things. Training your body takes time, and training your mind to use the powers responsibly takes more time.”
Katelyn sighed, “Nothing is ever easy. How long did it take you to learn?”
Peiter smiled and shook his head, “About ten years. But don’t lose heart, I think I could teach you everything in about a year, I’m a really good teacher.” He stroked her butt briefly. “Ah … and you’re a mighty fine student.” He kissed her. “Sorry, focus. Your connection with my mind will eliminate a lot of problems, but the body training is not pleasant, an intensive form of training will be pretty painful. So seeing as you’re somewhat busy in the body area.” He stroked her belly lightly. “We’ll have to put that on hold for a bit. Oh … Ah lets go back before I lose it and rape you.”
She took his hand and put it between her legs, “Rape sounds good.”
Vivian spoke up then, “Where’s my water, pick it up you two.”
Katelyn kissed him and said, “Saved again.”
Peiter let her go and dumped the bucket of water over his head, “Well that helps a little.” He dropped the bucket down the well, refilled it and cranked it back up. He carried it over to Katelyn and took her hand and the walked back into the house. “Here’s your water mom.” He handed her the bucket.
Peiter and Katelyn went and picked up their clothes and put them on.
Katelyn sat down and started, “Vivy, my esteemed husband showed me another trick.”
Peiter jumped up and put a hand over her mouth, he put his mouth near her ear, “Ixnay on the ickstray”
Vivian looked over her shoulder, “Iay eakspay igpay atinlay ootay, upidstay.”
Katelyn pulled his hand down, “She can keep a secret. Golden boy can heat water with his aura.”
Vivian turned around and put a salad on the table. “Sounds useful. Where does the energy come from?”
Peiter sat down, “From my body, fat or muscle.”
Vivian sat down, “So that’s why you’re so low fat and delectable, you can burn it as required. I’ll bet you can do some hot tricks with a sword with a skill like pumping up your aura.”
He looked at Katelyn, “That’s why we have rules, only members of the inner schools are supposed to know this stuff. Vivys smart enough to put two and two together. Vivy you’ve got to keep this stuff dark, tell no-one. The chance for abuse is really high. You’re right, it’s part of why I have so little body fat, I use it to do martial arts tricks as Katelyn calls them.”
Vivian served up the oatmeal and fruit. “Son, I won’t tell, but you’re naïve if you think that your secrets aren’t widely known. Evil people have a way of finding out how to hold and use power. This is no different.”
Peiter was eating some salad, “Yes, but the big reason is so you don’t get people thinking your some kind of super being or devil. They tend to want to kill you when that happens.”
Vivian stopped, “Good point that. I’ll be careful. I suppose your witch friends use that trick too.”
Peiter smiled, “Beautiful and smart. Yes, that’s why I can do a lot of their tricks. My mom’s a bit of a master at witchy tricks. In fact my whole family has this talent, but It’s something that anyone can learn, though certain tricks take some special gifts.”
Vivy smiled, “Like filling my house full of colorful butterflies.” She pointed her spoon at him.
Peiter blushed, “Well, yes but that’s more of a byproduct than a witches trick.”
Vivy waved her spoon at him, “She's a good kisser?”
Peiter blushed a deeper red and a blue blotch of light fluttered around and faded, “Oh she’s the best, every kiss is better than the last.”
Vivy smiled at him, “Oh you’re so cute, I could just eat you up. So what sort of tricks can you do with your aura besides heating water?”
Peiter looked introspective, “I suppose it’s more of a matter of whether you have enough energy to do the trick. I don’t think there is any limit. You can do anything.”
Vivian set down her spoon, “Anything? Come now that can’t be true.”
Peiter looked at her, “Vivy I’ve seen things that I can’t explain any other way. If you can imagine it and get enough energy together, you can do it. I not sure about the energy part either; it seems to me the more talented a person is the less energy she needs to do things.”
Vivian looked at him, “Anyone can learn?”
Peiter nodded, “Yes but it’s a matter of talent too, it's like speaking a foreign language, some people can do it others can’t. If you’re a complete idiot, you still can learn some part of the language it’s just harder for you, takes more energy, see?”
Katelyn was listening, “So you have to find your sweet spot and then you can do bigger tricks.”
Peiter smiled, “That’s it. Take you; your aura reminds me of lightning and fire. I’ll bet you can make lightning and fire quite easily.”
Katelyn turned her chair to him, “You can teach me?”
Peiter got troubled, “Yes, but you have to be careful. It’s like playing with fire you can get burned. Lightning is pretty safe if you don’t push too hard, let’s try that.” He looked at Katelyn, “open your mind and relax.”
Katelyn sat back, closed her eyes, and suddenly she felt Peiter in her mind, he did something and she felt like she could do this, make lightning. She opened her eyes and raised her hand and little sparks started dancing on the tips of her fingers. “Ooo it tickles.”
Peiter smiled at her, “Yes that’s when they’re small, if you make a big one, then it will hurt or burn. Also don’t do it too long it can tire you out, if you waste too much energy you can die.”
Katelyn startled and stopped making sparks. “Die?”
Peiter nodded, “Yes the really big tricks as you call them can use all the energy you have and leave none for living, so you die. Small stuff like you were doing you could do for hours. A really big lightning bolt, like one that would kill someone, could kill you depending on your energy reserves and your skill. Let me give you a small lesson. Try a bigger bolt. Like a punch but hit me, like you would if you wanted to make me notice, sting a little.”
Katelyn pulled her hand back and the made a punching motion at Peiter. A big spark jumped from her hand to Peiter’s shoulder. He winced and the started rubbing his shoulder.
Katelyn shook her hand, “Ow, damn that hurt.”
Peiter looked at her, “How do you feel? Besides the stinging in your hand.”
Katelyn stopped shaking her hand and massaged her fingers, “I feel like I just lifted a big weight and put it down.” She shook her head.
Peiter smiled, “Well, remind me to keep out of range when you’re angry. You have a talent for lightning. I have a bit more practice and that little bolt you just did would leave me feeling like I ran around the block. So you see, big effects have big consequences on you as well. I prefer martial art tricks because they take less energy. Like breaking that big stick, I could do that all day. Blasting it apart with lightning I could do once, and I’d have to lie down for a while to get my strength back. So Hun, if you need to defend yourself; stick to your sword.”
Vivian watched all this with avid interest. “So what do you think I can do?”
Peiter looked at her, “Vivy I don’t know, what I see when I look at you is like a calm lake filled with love. Maybe you’re a healer. When we get to the farm maybe my mom can tell you. Well that’s enough horsing around, let’s get moving. Pack up your stuff we’ll go pick up James and head out.
Peiter grabbed the plates and other food stuff and took it outside and cleaned it off with water from the well. He stacked everything carefully on the shelves and then went to find Katelyn. He found her and she had his pack and his swords. He took them and they met Vivian in the dining room she had her pack and bow, so she locked the back door, closed the windows, and they went into the yard. As they turned away from the door Selene walked up and started rubbing against Peiter’s legs. Peiter bent down picked her up and laid her down on top of his pack. She licked the back of his neck and he shivered. “Hey don’t do that it tickles.”
Katelyn poked Vivian, “Vivy, take note, back of the neck tickles.”
Vivian smiled sweetly, “Noted, dear.”
Peiter missed that exchange, looked at Katelyn, “Hun, she wants to come and supervise, you Okay with that?”
Katelyn said, “Peiter she’s a cat, doesn’t much matter what I think.”
Vivian spoke up, “We got food for her?”
Peiter waved that away, “That’s not a problem we can provide, and she has some talent in that area.”
So they trudged off toward the exit of the village. When they passed people some commented, “Peiter you know you have a cat on you pack?”
He would smile and say, “She’s in charge, I’m just her human.” They’d all laugh, thinking he was joking, when actually he was serious. They stopped at the infirmary and went in to get James. He was sitting on a chair with a pack beside him and the reverend mother stood beside him with her hand on his shoulder.
James stood up and put out his hand to Peiter, “Thanks for your help.”
Peiter ignored his hand and hugged him and slapped him on the back. “Good to see you up and about James. It’s a nice walk to my father’s farm. Should be a nice change of pace for you.”
James turned to the reverend mother and she put her hand on the side of his face. “Be well son.”
James stepped close and hugged her, “I’ll try mother.” He stood back and Peiter stepped up to her.
They looked at each other for several seconds then Peiter knelt in front of her and looked at her. “Mother there is hope, we have a plan.”
She smiled at him, “I know son, I spoke to Esmeralda she explained.”
Peiter smiled, “I hope I haven’t offended you. I granted her wish. Of course she had no idea what she was getting herself into.”
The reverend mother cracked a really big smile, “Oh son, I haven’t laughed so hard since I can remember. She was very frank told me the whole story. It was a masterful stroke. Even she admires you for it. She sends her love and reminds you of your duty to her family.”
Peiter looked down, and smiled, and then looked up and saw the twinkle in her eye. “Oh mother I am so blessed.”
She ran her hand down the side of his face, “As am I son. Hurry back, and bring your father and mother for a visit even if they can’t stay. You know you have a passenger?”
He reached up and petted Selene. “Yes, she has given me permission to bare her with us. She does not want to be left alone again. She likes you mother, she says you smell good.”
The reverend mother looked at him smiling at the cat. “Such a heart, you make we wish I was seventy years younger keep well my son.”
Peiter stood up, “Mother I’m pretty sure they’ll come, we should be back in two weeks.”
They turned to leave and reverend mother watched them go.
Vivian went over to James and took his hand and he smiled at her and they walked on ahead.
Katelyn walked up beside Peiter and took his hand and they walked along for a bit, then she asked, “What duty did she mean Hun?”
Peiter smiled, “Jealous Hun?”
Katelyn punched him lightly on the arm, “No, curious.”
Peiter smiled, “She wants me to be present at the births. It’s her way of taking revenge on me for the trick I pulled.”
Katelyn looked confused, “How so?”
Peiter just shook his head, and they walked on for a while. Then he spoke up his voice unsteady, “She knows I will lose my heart to them.”
Katelyn hugged his arm to her side, “I know Hun. I’ve known all along it couldn’t happen any other way.”
Peiter looked at her tears where running down his face, “Her love is cruel. I am racked, Oh Katelyn I love you.”
They walked on, and the tears streamed down his face, “They will be near, you can always visit them, help raise them.” Katelyn said.
Peiter stopped and hugged her tight, “My love, My wife, I am so lucky.”
Katelyn held him tight and Vivian yelled back to them, “Pick it up you two, I want to make it to the pond before dark.”
Katelyn let him go and they ran hand in hand after Vivian, Selene gave a meow in protest of the rough ride. So Peiter started making long steps, and evened out the ride. It looked very comical like a silly walk. As they caught up with Vivian, he went back to his normal walk. “Woof that’s hard work.” Peiter said.
Katelyn laughed, “Teach you to be a horse for a cat, you silly goose.”
They came up to the pond, where the ring of stones from their fire remained. Peiter gave Selene a hand down and then took off his pack and reseated his swords.
It was just after 2 o’clock and hot. Peiter took off his shirt and leather pants, got out his breach clout and put it on. Then he bowed to the pond, and started his katas.
Vivian, James, and Katelyn setup the camp. Katelyn fished his spare shirt out of her pack, skinned off her dress and put on his shirt. She sat in the shade and watched him train. His body covered in sweat from the heat and the workout.
Vivian sat down next to her. “Quite the show.”
Katelyn took her hand, “Vivy, I can’t believe how I feel. Every time I look at him, I …” she couldn’t go on. Vivy sat there holding her hand she put her arm around her, and they just watched as he did his kata.
Vivian hugged her and asked, “Is that normal sword training, Hun?”
Katelyn snorted, “Normal? Nothing is normal about him. Vivy my kata has fifteen cuts, and takes maybe an hour to complete. He is on his fortieth cut, and he’s doing it four times faster than I can. Last time I saw him do a kata he stopped after twenty cuts, did it backward, then forward again with two swords, and then he did the last kata of twenty cuts, faster than I’ve ever seen anyone move, kata, sparing, dueling or in battle. Then he did a back flip saluted and bowed. Vivy I have never seen a swordsman like him. He says his mother is better. Imagine my disbelief.”
Peiter started doing flips and two handed cuts. His swords were snapping through the air you could hear the pops they made, like whips cracking. He ran up the trunk of a tree and hung upside down from a branch making cuts with his swords. He dropped down flipping and landing on his feet. He finally knelt and bowed to the pond, and then sat breathing hard. He put his swords down in front of him and crossed his legs and started meditating. The sweat on his body boiled off and you could see the heat waves rippling around him.
Katelyn pulled the bed roll off her pack and took the blanket down to the pond and soaked it in water and then walked back to Peiter and draped it over him. His eyes popped open and he smiled. “Hi beautiful; fancy meeting you here. Thanks for the water.”
She sat down on the grass a little ways from him as the heat pouring off him was intense. “You feeling better?”
He smiled weakly, “Yes, some. You are right of course, it’s not like I’ll never see them again.”
Katelyn smiled at him, “Quite the workout.”
He moved around a bit, “Yes, it was kind of building up, needed to work out the kinks.”
Katelyn just shook her head, “You do that often? I mean the explosion of energy. I’ve never seen kata like that.”
He shifted the blanket so it covered his head. “Oh maybe once a month. I have to work hard to get my muscles to ache a bit. It’s partly an addiction my mother told me. She says that my body adapts to the exercise and makes me feel better. The more I do the more I need to do. She says this will last until my late thirties and then I will start to slow down some. The kata are a mix of my father’s and my mother’s and some improvisation of my own. I have about forty that are standard, and the rest are fluid.”
While they talked, the blanket had almost dried off from the heat radiating from his body. She looked at him and said, “Hun, I’d really like to kiss you but you’re on fire. Can you turn down the heat some?”
He stood up and threw the blanket on the grass. “Hold that thought I’ll be right back.” He dove into the pond and swam around a bit and the came out. He undid his belt took off his breach clout and lay down on the grass, “Ok should be safe now.”
She came over sat down next to him and kissed him his skin was cool but dry and she felt like fireworks were going off inside her. He slid his hands up under her shirt dress and covered her breast and stroked her back. She pulled her mouth away and said, “Oui, I going to burst, each kiss is better than the last.”
He pulled her on top and took hold of the waist of her cotton pants, she reached down untied the draw string, and he pulled them down and she wiggled out of them. She sat on top of him and took him inside and raised her arms. He skinned off her shirt dress, and she flattened herself on his chest. He made small movements and they started to kiss. She gripped his head and he held her waist sliding her up and down slightly. Little spots of color started fluttering around them as the kiss went on. He began stroking her back and she started nibbling his lip. She was starting to tremble and little flames started racing around the surface of her skin. They both felt warmth and excitement building as their auras grew brighter, and the bands of color and flames grew. Little sparks started racing around her skin and bright color spots danced around them like a whirl wind spinning leaves. They both felt a wave of intense pleasure break over them, and they jerked as electricity ran through them, waves of color, flame and heat poured out of them, the grass wilted and became brown near them. Finally she collapsed on top of him and he wrapped his arms around her as they came back down, slowly recovering.
Katelyn rolled off him and sat up and noticed the brown grass in a ring around them. She ran her hand over it breaking the brittle leaves. She shook her head, “Hun, we’re going to have to learn to control this, we’ll burn down the house.”
Peiter sat up and looked at the grass a bit surprised. “Well I know you’re pretty hot, but this puts a whole new spin on hot. Did you feel that blast of electricity at the end?”
Katelyn gave a weak smile, “Yes, pretty intense wasn’t it. This is going to be a problem.”
Peiter smiled at her, “Not to worry my love, I’m sure with more practice we can get it right.”
Katelyn laughed, “Next time we’ll probably burn down the forest.”
Vivian spoke up over on the other side of the camp fire, “If you’re done scaring us to death could you get dressed and come eat.”
Katelyn made eye contact with Peiter, put her hand over her mouth and said, “Oh we forgot about them.”
Peiter just shrugged, “They’ve both been married, they’ll understand.”
Katelyn waved her hand around, “Understand this? I don’t understand this.”
Peiter got his breach clout and belted it back on while Katelyn put on her clothes, then he took her hand and they went back up to the fire place.
Vivian was on the other side, sitting with James, and both of them looked shocked by what had just happened. “If you don’t mind could you sit on the other side of the fire? I don’t want to get caught in any blow back should you catch fire or something.”
Peiter sat down with Katelyn on the pond side of the fire. “Sorry about the pyrotechnics, we let things get a bit out of hand there.”
Vivian shook her head, “You think? I’ll say. If the two of you keep that up we’ll all get burned as witches.”
Peiter looked at his hands, “Yes your right. Sorry. I think there’s a way to prevent that sort of thing in future.”
Vivian looked only partly relieved, “Well until you’re absolutely sure, could you sleep down by the pond? That way I can roll your smoking remains into the water should you lose it completely.”
James was sitting silently but his eyes were as big as plates. Finally he got the nerve to ask, “What are you?”
Peiter looked concerned, “James we’re people just like you. We just have some unusual talents and training that allows us to do things like you just saw. You may not realize it but you have some pretty special talents too, they’re just untrained.”
James calmed down a little, “You mean I can make lights, lightning, and fire like you do?”
Peiter relaxed a bit, his concerned expression softened, “Well yes I suppose you could, but your special talents are not the same as ours. Your talent is speed. You can move faster than the wind. I can teach you a part of it, but you will need to get help from my mother and sister to learn it all.”
James looked doubtful, “How do you know I have a talent at all?”
Peiter smiled, “I can demonstrate it easily enough.” Peiter pulled out his hunting knife and cut off a little twig. He held it out to Katelyn. “Put out your fingers like this, and try to catch the twig when I let it go.” Peiter held the twig between her fingers with about one inch above her fingers. “Ready?” She nodded. He waited a bit and then let the twig go she missed it. He stood up and went to Vivian, “Ok Vivy you try, and James I haven’t pre-arranged this with them, it’s a fair test, right Vivy? You’re going to try your hardest to catch the twig.”
Vivian got a determined look on her face, “Sure it looks easy enough.”
Peiter smiled, “Looks can be deceiving, ready?” Vivian nodded. Peiter waited a bit pulled the twig away.
Vivian spoke up, “Hey that cheating.”
Peiter still had a smile on his face, “Just testing, I want to be sure you give it your best. Ready?” She nodded, he released the stick and she missed.
Vivian spoke up again, “Hey give me another try, I almost got it.”
Peiter shook his head, “Okay but I’m telling you it’s harder than it looks.” He held out the stick, waited a bit and let it go, she missed. Peiter turned to James, “Okay you try, what I want you to do is focus on the stick and when you see it move grab it.” Peiter held out the stick. “Concentrate now, when you see it move grab it. Ready?” James nodded. Peiter waited a bit and then let the twig go. James caught it.
He looked up and smiled uncertainly. “But anybody could do this.”
Peiter said, “No it takes a special person to do this. This is a measure of reaction time. Katelyn and Vivian have more normal reaction times.”
James looked at him, “Can you do it?”
Peiter smiled, “Yes but I use a trick to do it, it’s not a fair test for me.”
James looked interested, “What do you mean a trick?”
Peiter just shook his head, “It’s hard to explain, and this isn’t about me it’s about you. If I tried that on a room full of people, none except you could do it; well that is you, and my sister.”
James smiled, “So it’s because of your sister you know about this?”
Peiter touched his leg, “Partly, but mostly I can tell you can do this because of your aura. Every living thing has an aura. It’s part of being alive. It comes from their life energy and is part of their being. I can see aura’s, most people can’t or won’t because they don’t believe. Katelyn’s aura is fiery with streaks of lightning. Vivian’s is like a pool of calm water, blue and inviting. Mine is all splotchy and colorful. When Katelyn and I made love, our aura’s got brighter so you could see them. That’s where all the color and fire came from. In your case your aura is clear and whirling like a powerful air current. It swirls around you with little spots of brightness, sparkling like stars on a winter night. Part of my talent in seeing auras is being able to read them. Katelyn’s aura feels fierce and fiery, turbulent and honest, loving and open. Vivian’s is cool and inviting, deep and honest, loving and strong. Yours is large and swift, heroic and naive, humorous and loving. So because I can see your aura and understand it partially I know you are special.”
James was looking at his hands, “This is why you saved me.”
Peiter nodded, “Yes it’s because I see you are special, and also I have a feeling that you are important somehow, that you have a purpose, and the time for your death was not back on your farm. So let me show you one more thing. If you’ll allow me I will teach you to move like the wind.”
James looked up uncertainly, “What do you mean, like the wind?”
Peiter explained, “You can move from one place to another faster than the eye can follow, at least I think you can. I can do it but it takes me a great deal of energy. You can do it without thought it is a natural part of your being. Here let me show you.”
Peiter stood up and walked a small distance away from camp. “Okay here I am over here maybe sixty paces away, now …” Peiter disappeared from where he was standing and reappeared near the camp fire. “… I’m back at the fire.” Katelyn, and Vivian startled and fell back, while James looked interested. “Now before you say anything, Katelyn what did you see?”
Katelyn looked confused, “I saw you over there and then you were here at the camp fire.”
Peiter looked at her, “You didn’t see me move, right? Vivian you saw it that way too didn’t you?” Vivian nodded. “James what did you see?”
James looked at Vivian, “You didn’t see him move? I saw him. He ran fast but I saw him travel from over there to here.”
Peiter sat down, “Ho that takes it out of me. Now James, if you will allow I’ll show you how to do it.”
James nodded, “Go ahead.”
Peiter closed his eyes and James got a surprised look on his face, and then he closed his eyes. James spoke up, “I can see how you do it. You use your aura to move it’s strange, beautiful.”
Peiter gave a small huff, “Oh I’m getting tired now. James you try it now.”
James stood up got an odd expression on his face, and then pop he was over where Peiter had been standing, then pop he was back at the fire. “Oh that feels wonderful.” He sat down; he had a big smile on his face. “I don’t feel the least bit tired. You say it comes naturally to me.”
Peiter smiled, “Yes that’s why, for you it feels wonderful, for me it feels like I just carried a big weight from one side of the camp to the other. I feel strained and tired.”
Vivian spoke up, “Peiter do all people have these talents, as you call them.”
Peiter looked uncertain, “Yes I think they do it’s a matter of finding out what their talent is. Like for you I don’t know what you can do, but it’s something big. Your aura is strong. My mother will know.”
Vivian smiled, “So my aura has something to do with the surprise you have planned for me.”
Peiter looked at her, “You are very clever putting that together. Yes it does indeed.”
Vivian gave him a seductive look, “Sure I can’t persuade you to give me another hint?”
Peiter gave her a wicked smile back, “Sorry hot stuff, no can say.”
Vivian shook her head in frustration, “Damn, I feel like a little girl waiting for my birthday gift.”
Katelyn patted her arm, “Oh Vivy it’s so worth it too, you’re just going to love it.”
Peiter fell back laughing, “Oh, Katy that’s so true.”
James looked at Vivian, “What’s going on?”
Vivian stuck out her tongue at Peiter, “Golden boy has promised me a surprise when we get to his farm, but he’s being a jerk about it and won’t give me any hints.”
James looked at Peiter and Katelyn, they both were cracking up. “But how can it be a surprise if he tells you what it is?”
Katelyn spoke up, “That’s right James, It’s a surprise and we’re not telling. Oh and you got one too, we have a surprise for both of you, don’t we Hun?”
Peiter nodded his head, “Yep, both of you get big surprises. One you’re just going to love.” After he said that, he and Katelyn both fell back laughing.
Vivian was looking at James, with a thoughtful expression, “I think that’s another hint, but I can’t figure out what it means. You got any ideas?”
James looked at them laughing, “I have no idea, but I don’t want to ruin any surprise they might cook up, it’s bound to be really nice.”
That got Peiter and Katelyn laughing again, “Oh really nice, yes, yes.”
Vivian shrugged, “Well we’re not going to get anywhere with this. Do you cook? Want to help with dinner.”
James shook his head, “No I don’t cook, my wife …” He stopped.
Vivian touched his arm, “Sorry James, Peiter why don’t you catch some fish?”
Peiter looked up saw James’ expression, “James, let me teach you how to fish, you ever been fishing?” He went over to his pack and pulled out his fishing pole and put it together. “All you need is a hook, the pole and line are pretty easy to come by, and worms are almost always at hand.” Peiter went closer to the water pulled up some grass and was rewarded with a few worms. He put one worm on the hook. “See how you do it? It’s a bit hard on the worm but hey we got to eat. Part of catching fish; is knowing where they live. Now this pond is deep and fed by a stream which has trout. Trout prefer deep moving water when they’re hanging out in a pond, so we look for a deep pool with good access from the bank.” He led James away around the pond.
Vivian was working on the wood in the fire place, she got a tee pee of twigs and leaves setup and a small pile of dry branches. “Hey hot stuff; think you can get this fire going?”
Katelyn came over to her, “You think I should try it?”
Vivian smiled, “Hun, you aren’t going to learn if you don’t try, just make it a small try.”
Katelyn sat down and picked up a small branch, she looked at it and her hand got surrounded by flame and the flame ran out to the end of the branch and it started to burn. She dropped it into the fire pit and the fire started up. “Ow, it’s a bit hot didn’t quite burn myself. I wonder how you do this without getting burned.”
Vivian patted her leg, “Ask Peiter he probably can give you some pointers. Good for you Hun you did it.”
James and Peiter came back carrying four fish. Peiter spoke up, “James is a natural fisherman. He can feel the smallest bite. If you’ll pardon me I’ll go wrap the fish.” Peiter went off to wrap the fish in clay. He left James holding the pole.
James laid the pole down and sat down, “There’s so much I don’t know about the world. I’ve been a farmer all my life, he’s quite knowledgeable about so many things.”
Vivian smiled, “That’s our golden boy, a surprise a minute around him.”
Peiter came back to camp with the fish wrapped his hands dirty, he set a small portion of fish down on the grass that he did not wrap up in clay. Then he went down to the pond washed his hands and disappeared around the pond. He came back hiding something behind his back.
He walked up to Vivian and Katelyn, they noticed him, Vivian smiled, “A prince bearing gifts Hun.”
He pulled his hands from behind his back and he was holding two dead mice by the tails. Katelyn and Vivian startled. He looked surprised, “Oh sorry those are for Selene. He set them down and reached behind his back and pulled out two beautiful marigolds brilliant yellow, “flowers for the flowers.” He diffidently handed one to each.
Katelyn smiled, “Oh you’re such a card, thank you for the flower.”
Peiter looked pleased, “James, take my advice, you can’t go wrong with flowers.”
James smiled, “Yes I see.” He looked at Vivian, “Is he always like this?”
Vivian patted Peiter on the leg, “Yes that’s our golden boy.”
Peiter sat down and began boning the small piece of fish he held back, and then he skinned the two mice, and threw the skins in the fire. “Cats will eat all of a mouse, but the skin and fur is not good eating I think so let’s see how our master likes my offering.” Peiter sat still and closed his eyes. After about a minute Selene dropped down from a tree and came walking over to him her tail high. He presented the fish and mice to her, and she dug into the fish. Peiter looked up, “She likes it.” She picked up one mouse and ran off into the tall grass. “She says to keep the other one for myself.”
James looked at him smiling and shook his head.
Peiter looked at the fish and the clay was hard so he pulled them out of the fire and cracked them open and pulled off the meat. He sprinkled on his special spices and then passed his bowl full of fish to Vivian. “You divide it up.”
Vivian pulled out a wine skin, and some cheese, and they sat back and had a good dinner. When they were done Peiter demanded their bowls and spoons, and water skins, and then went off to the pond.
James shook his head again, “That boys going to give men a bad rep.”
Vivian laughed, “Yep, that’s our golden boy. A girl’s best friend; right Katy?”
Katelyn was looking love struck, “Oh yes.”
Peiter came back and handed back the bowls, spoons and water skins, which were full, and then sat down.
James picked up the fishing pole, “Here you are son.”
Peiter looked over and said, “No you keep it. You’re a natural and you need a pole. I’ll make another one.”
James looked touched. “Why thank you.” He looked at Vivian, “Golden boy indeed.”
Vivian cracked a big smile, “I told you. Now listen newlyweds sleep by the pond, grownups here out of ear shot, chop chop now.”
Katelyn smiled and laughed, “Ok Mom.” She went to her pack and got her bed roll. Peiter got his meditation mat, and they went down closer to the pond. James and Vivian laid out their sleeping rolls and Vivian looked at James. “James if you need some company, I’m here. No pressure, just offering.”
James looked at her, and then got a sad look on his face, “Sorry Vivy, it’s too soon.”
Vivian walked over to him, and gave him a hug. “Okay, be well James.”
James pulled off his shirt and pants and got into his bed roll. Vivian did the same and after some time she could hear James sobbing. She got out of her bed roll and went over to his, pulled it back and he looked up tears running down his face. She crawled into his bed roll and wrapped her arms around him. He continued to sob as he hugged her to him. “Oh Vivy she’s gone, what am I going to do?” Vivian just stroked his head and said, “Cry Hun, Cry” He continued to shake as the pain washed over him.
Vivian stroked his back and flet he getting hard against her leg. She hugged him close and rolled him on top of her and spread her legs. “James I here for you, relax your body remembers.” She felt him move as he trust into her. She felt his strong farmers body responding to her need as she tried to comfort him. “James, don’t hold back please I need you.”
James raised himself up on his arms as he trust hard into her. He felt her soft under him and her arms and legs hugging him tight. He felt his feeling of loss increase as her body reminded him of his wife, but at the same time he felt pleasure as he felt his release building.
Vivian pushed down with her feet and grabbed him and tried to pull him deeper inside her, “Oh James now honey, give me your love.” She felt her release take her as she tensed all over.
James pushed hard against her as he filled her with his love. He felt his the loss and the pleasure mixing as he cried and pushed deep with in her. “Of Vivy she gone I …”
Vivian relaxed as she started to come back down, she stroked James’ back and kissed him on his neck holding him on top of her, his gasps for breath strong in her ear. She felt him pulsing as he filled her, his heart beating strong. “Sleep James,” she stroked him as he relaxed, “Sleep honey, relax.” She felt his breathing slow and she felt him softening as he fell asleep. Vivian closed her eyes and wispered, “I remember you Jack” and then she drifted off to sleep.
Down by the pond Peiter set down his meditation mat and helped Katelyn unroll her bed roll. Katelyn got undressed and crawled into her bed roll. Peiter sat on his meditation mat and stoked her face. Katelyn gave him a woebegone look and asked, “Are you going to sleep there?”
Peiter smiled, “Such a look, I could kid you a bit, but oh Katy I love you. You give me that look girl and you can ask me anything and I will do it. I’m just going to meditate a bit, dust out the old attic and then jump in to the sack with you and cuddle. I have it on great authority that a good cuddle with your new wife gives the best dreams.”
Katelyn laughed, “Who told you that my husband?” She liked the taste of husband as she said it.
Peiter laughed, “Believe it or not my dad told me. You up for a bed time story? It has a really happy ending.”
Katelyn smiled she was a little sleepy but she nodded, “Sure Hun, happy endings are the best.”
Peiter sat near her in the lotus, and took her hand. “This is the story of my parents wedding day. My dad had just come back from his teacher after a long discussion about his future with the Dojo and my mom. His teacher had listened and then ordered him to leave the Dojo and marry my mom. He was not totally happy with this turn of events, but he obeyed and collected his belongings and went down the road to my mom’s teacher’s Dojo. As he got close to the Dojo he found her sitting on the bench in front of the Dojo with tears running down her face. He walked up to her sat down and took her hand.”
So my father looked at her and said, “So Helen, you have been tossed out as well.”
My mother nodded, “Arcos my love, the Sensei said it was our fate, we must marry and live alone out on some dusty farm.”
My father hugged her, “I can think of worse fates then to spend a life with you, though I’d hoped to stay with my teacher, he is getting old. He said that he had met with your teacher and discussed the options and they were agreed our path lay away from them.”
So they sat waiting for the impulse to go and my mother looked at my father and said, “Shouldn’t we get married?”
My father smiled and took her hand and said, “It is not our path to be married in a church or to admit publicly who we are or even that we know each other. My teacher commanded that we disappear out of the ken of all who know of us. So this is my promise to you, when we reach the place where we are to live, there I will marry you before the gods.” So he picked up his pack offered my mother his hand, she picked up her pack and they left heading off into the woods.
So they wandered and they would come to a place and my father would discuss it with my mother and there was always something wrong. My father told me that it was during the wandering that he came to love my mother without reservation. He understood that his teacher was right that this was the path he should follow.
But my mother was not of like mind. She loved him, but she couldn’t let go of her past, she missed her teacher and the life she had in the Dojo. After a lot of thought my father decided he should let her go or at least give her the chance to go back. He thought about how that might be accomplished and he realized that the only way she could go back is if he was dead. So he came up with the idea that he would attack her and she would kill him. It would free her of her love for him, and release her to return to her teacher.
So when they came to the valley where our farm now stands he presented it to her and she found fault with it like all the other times. So he sat down tied a white bandana around his head, took off his shirt and shoes, threw his pack aside and his sword and he looked at her and he said, “Defend yourself for I shall surely kill you.” He attacked her. At first she thought he was joking but he knocked the sword from her hand, so she threw off her pack and they fought. He an adept of the inner school of the silent fist, and she an adept of the inner school of the living waters, he said he was going to find out which school was superior. As they fought he told her of his love for her and how marriage was a commitment, and how she was afraid or unwilling to commit to marrying him. As he talked she became angry as she felt he was wrong, but he reviewed the history of their wandering and gave very good arguments for the suitability of each location she had rejected. Finally he told her of his plan, that he would attack her and she would kill him and she could go back. This plan made her extremely angry and she fought back with a strength that my father says was beyond belief. Eventually she had him pinned face down on the grass and she yelled at him. How could he do this to her, what about the commitment he spoke about, what about their love? As she held him face down on the ground he relaxed and said, “Helen I love you more than my life. I have given you my life and I commit my life or my death to you in service of your happiness. Choose. Will you marry me?”
She sat back letting him go and she looked at him and she realized he was right, she was afraid to commit. She realized that everything he said to her was from his heart that his commitment to her was absolute, that he would die if that was what she required. At that moment my mother completed falling in love with my father, so she answered, “Yes.”
So my father pulled the chain that was around his neck and freed the two rings he wore there and he knelt in front of my mother and he put on the larger ring. “Helen, with this ring I marry you before the gods, devils, and every man.” He held the other ring in palm of his hand and she took it and she put it on and said, “Arcos, with this ring I marry you. I don’t care about gods, devils, or any other man. I am yours now and forever.”
So they went down to the stream and washed themselves and then setup camp. My father tells me the first night in her arms was the best. They made love, and cuddled. His dreams where of blue skies, the family he would have, the love he would have, the bright future ahead of him.
Katelyn was almost asleep, “Oh Hun that is a wonderful story, hurry up my love pleasant dreams wait.”
Peiter stroked her face until she was asleep, and then he took his seat and began his meditation. After about an hour he came back pulled back the cover of her bed roll laid down beside her and took her in his arms and heaved a sigh of contentment, his hand over her heart could feel the pulse of her life and he thought again about how lucky he was and he went to sleep.
When the sun came up the next day, he awoke his arm around his wife, he felt warm at the thought that he could call her his wife. He was on his back and her head was on his shoulder. Curled up on the center of his stomach was Selene she had joined them in the night. He smiled at her as it occurred to him he was effectively pinned to this spot, unless he wanted to wake them. So he lay admiring the view of his wife’s back and legs, and the wonderful feeling of her breasts pressed against his chest and side. He could feel her heart beating when he stilled his breath. He felt her move and she lifted her head so he could see her face. Her face was slightly red where it had pressed against him. She smiled and her eyes cleared as the sleep left her. “Good dreams my husband?”
He stroked her back but held still not wanting to disturb Selene. He spoke softly, “Best dreams of my life. Be careful we have company.” He tried to point with his chin but the movement disturbed her and Selene woke up lifted her head and purred and then stood up and stretched. As she stretched she extended her claws impaling Peiter’s stomach. He tried not to move but said, “Ow, Ow, have mercy my master, Ow.” Selene raised her tail and tromped off and Peiter rubbed his stomach. “Savaged by a cat, not the most auspicious way to start a morning.”
Katelyn laughed and bit him lightly on the neck. “Two can play that game” she said.
Peiter laughed, “Savaged by my wife too.” He made to pinch her butt, but she was wise to that move and rolled away. He jumped up and grabbed her and ran to the pond and jumped in. He came up and then she did her hair covering her face. “Nothing like a morning dip to get the juices pumping.”
She pulled her hair out of her face, “I’ll get your juices pumping mister.” She grabbed him wrapping her legs around him, so he fell back and dragged them both under. He grabbed her butt and held her tight against him and then just lay back and waited. He watched her face with a wicked smile. She struggled trying to get free and then she realized that he wasn’t going to let go and he wasn’t going back to the surface. So she grabbed his head and kissed him, and as he released his hold she broke free and surfaced taking a deep breath, and he popped up just out of reach, not wanting to tempt fate.
She gave him a glare, “Shit Peiter how long can you hold your breath?”
Peiter gave her a smile, “Quite a while actually. It’s a yoga thing, and I know a trick or two on how to extend on that. Maybe a day. I’ve read about some yogini being buried for weeks and surviving so maybe I could do better.”
Katelyn calmed down a bit, “That could be useful, great way to hide.”
He approached her with his arms out, “I have other useful skills you might appreciate. I think I can teach you the breath holding trick, and there’s not much chance of starting the pond on fire.”
Katelyn let him embrace her and she pulled his belt off and he tossed his breach clout and belt out of the pond. He took her in his arms and she felt his mind fill hers as he fell back into the pond. They made love underwater it was not as intense as the last time but quite memorable all the same. It felt a little odd not breathing but it was very peaceful under water.
When they surfaced, he had a contented smile on his face, and he looked at her, “Breath Hun.” He said.
She took a breath, he was right she had been holding her breath so long she forgot to breath. They walked out of the water and dressed. It was time for breakfast.
Katelyn looked over behind the fire place and saw Vivian and James asleep and put her hand on Peiter’s arm, “Hun, keep quite they’re sleeping” she whispered. So they sat near the fire place and Katelyn built up a collection of twigs and leaves. She held her hand near the pile and flames sprouted up. She snatched her hand away and didn’t get burned. Peiter looked surprised and happy and faked clapping not making a sound for fear of waking the others. Peiter took a pot and filled it with water and placed it near the fire for tea while Katelyn opened her pack and pulled out some bacon and sliced off strips and hung them on sticks to cook. Then she took out a loaf of bread sprinkled water on it and laid it near the fire to heat. She took out a cheese wheel and Peiter provided some dry fruit. He threw a dried pear into the tea water and they sat back.
The crackling of the fire and the smell of cooking bacon woke them up and they got dressed and came to the fire. James was looking calm almost happy. Vivian was a little embarrassed that they caught her sleeping with James but was trying to bull through. Peiter was smiling a twinkle in his eye. When no one was looking their way; Peiter leaned over and whispered to Vivian, “Thanks Hun; a healer indeed. He looks much better.” She smiled and relaxed he always knew the right thing to say.
Katelyn was busying herself putting bacon in their bowls with cheese and bread, while Peiter threw the tea into the pot and they sat back to eat their breakfast.
While they were eating Katelyn said, “Vivy, golden boy showed me a new trick. Holding my breath.”
Vivian just smiled, “Hun, I got news for you anybody can do that.”
Katelyn shook her head, “For an hour?”
Vivian looked surprised and then said, “I see, so that’s why the forest didn’t catch fire last night. Good trick that. How was it?”
Peiter got a little red and looked at James, “Women! No sense of decorum, can’t a man have some privacy.”
James looked at him, “Son, I’ve never met a women who couldn’t discuss the most intimate things at any time, with another woman. You’re just going to make it worse if you get embarrassed that encourages them.”
Katelyn ignored him, “It was nice, but a little hard to hold on.”
Peiter did his best and didn’t blush but he put his hands over his ears, “Get it over with; let me know when you’re done.”
Katelyn pulled his hands down, “Okay I’ll stop. Tell you later Vivy. So how far to the farm from here?”
Peiter pointed, “The farm’s that way about ten thousand paces maybe ten miles. If we make good time we should get there about sun down. We might meet up with my sister or brother before we get there they tend to roam about.”
Vivian got interested, “What do they look like?”
Peiter touched his hand to his chin, “Well my brother is a bit shorter then I am, heaver build, brown hair, brown eyes. You’ll know him because he looks like he grew out of the ground, very solid looking. He typically wears leather pants like mine and a bear skin shirt that hangs open in the front. He usually carries a wooden sword, though sometimes he brings his real sword. His name is Jason.”
“My sister is short about five feet two, flaxen blond hair; she has the most amazing dark violet eyes. You’ll know her because she keeps moving and appears to float as she walks very smooth moves. She typically wears buck skin pants over her knees, and a light cotton shirt with a buck skin vest. She always has her bow and arrows. Her name is Elizabeth, though we call her Liz.”
“Shall we get moving?” Peiter asked. He held out his hands for bowls, spoons and water skins. The others took care of packing up and putting out the fire. Peiter put on his pack and sat down waited briefly and Selene trotted up and jumped on top of his pack. “If we may proceed my master.” He said and scratched her ear, and stood up and they were off.
Peiter and Katelyn led the way. Katelyn asked him quietly, “Peiter what about James and Vivy? You think they're becoming an item?”
Peiter looked at her, “Who knows ask her.”
Katelyn persisted, “But wouldn’t that upset the surprise a bit?”
Peiter shook his head, “Katy, there no way I can guess, but their auras don’t mesh like I know my brother and my sisters will. Let me ask you a question, this will kind of explain what I mean. How did you feel when you saw me?”
Katelyn thought back, “Surprised, attracted, I don’t know it’s kind of lost in what happened after.”
Peiter smiled, “Well you both were out in the woods alone so it’s probably a bit hard for you to tell. To me you looked breath taking, larger than life, the picture of you is burned into my memory I’ll never forget it. In contrast Vivian was just startlingly beautiful and attractive. When I got closer to you it felt like a force was pulling me to you. I wanted to hold you and kiss you from the very first time I saw you. When finally I did kiss you I knew you were the one, no need to look further.”
Katelyn considered, “I felt that too, when you kissed me. Vivy said I had fallen for you.”
Peiter touched her face, “Well after the fact mind you, at the time I was too star struck to notice, I looked at your aura and I noticed how it pulled at me. Even now I can feel it. When our auras touch like they are now they get brighter, stronger more intense. I could see the same effect in my mother and father. It like we were made for each other. When I touch Vivy I feel attraction and I love her. When I touch you I feel something stronger, like something in me is completed by you. I feel love but it’s more it’s hard to put into words because it’s so … far reaching? It’s like every part of me connects to every part of you. This feeling is irresistible. Now if I’m right about Vivy and James, it won’t matter what they have together it well be lost in what they will have with Jason and Liz. I still love Vivy. How do you feel about her?”
Katelyn thought for a second, “Yes I think I see what you mean, I still love her and I like making love with her but with you it’s … you’re right it’s hard to say it.”
Selene on Peiter’s back pack hissed and Peiter stopped dead in his tracks took a quick look around and then closed his eyes feeling his surroundings. “Bandits.” He said. Vivian and James caught up with them and Peiter opened his eyes.
Vivian was tense and walked up, “What is it Peiter, I feel something.”
Peiter looked at her, “Bandits, it’s our old friends but there are more of them, I feel ten.”
Vivian considered, “Run?”
Peiter looked doubtful, “Maybe but they are all around us and closing. They’ve planed this well, they kept their distance until we walked into the trap.”
Vivian continued, “We could break through and then run, should only have a few to fight if we do it quick. Peiter, I know you don’t want to kill but we may have no choice.”
Peiter considered, “No I think we’ll try conversation again. I feel three archers, two cross bows, five swords. Let’s start with a trick.” Peiter looked around and walked over to a tree. “Vivian you get in this tree with James. When you think the time is right fire an arrow at the leader’s eyes. James if they see you, you run like I showed you. If you keep moving they won’t be able to touch you. Katelyn you and I will meet them here on the ground.” Peiter helped Vivian and James into the large tree and James climbed up high out of sight Vivian put her quiver on her back and they all stashed their packs passing them up to James high in the tree, Selene climbed the tree and sat on a branch near James.
Peiter positioned his two swords and tightened the straps. Katelyn loosened her sword in the scabbard and got ready. Katelyn had an idea, “Peiter I can’t catch arrows like you how are we going to do this?”
Peiter smiled, “Oh but you can if we’re merged, so open your mind.”
Katelyn smiled and felt the surge as his mind came into hers and then they melted together. They stood back to back near the base of the tree holding Vivian and James and waited.
After some time a man walked up, it was the leader of the band that attacked them before. He had a hole in each pants leg a bandage visible through the hole. “Fancy meeting you again. Where are the others?”
Peiter stood looking slightly down giving his visual field the widest view; the man stopped ten paces away from them. “Oh I don’t think it was an accident. You seem determined to get killed.”
The man sneered at them, “Oh I don’t think your fancy martial arts ticks can save you this time.”
Peiter smiled, “Oh I think they will. You see I know you brought ten friends with you, three archers, two with cross bows and five swords. Some of the swords look skilled but they have no chance against me and my wife. The archers are useless, cross bows don’t fire fast enough and I can cut arrows out of the air faster than you can fire them. So again you made the mistake of approaching us even though you carry a new sword I can cut you down before any of your friends can help you. Do you want to test it?”
The leader considered and thought “What if I test you? If you can survive we’ll let you go?”
Peiter smiled, “Let me demonstrate for your new friends first. Suppose I tell you that an arrow is about to hit your eye. What do you say to that?” As he spoke Vivian loosed an arrow and Peiter ran up to him and caught it inches from his face. “Lucky for you I caught this one. What about the next?”
Katelyn ran up with him and was protecting Peiter’s back. The leader reached for his sword and Peiter drew and cut his belt and sheathed his sword in an eye blink. The leader’s sword fell to the ground. The cross bows fired and Peiter drew both swords and knocked the bolts out of the air. The archers let fly and Katelyn caught two arrows and Peiter knocked the third from the air. Katelyn threw the two arrows and they stuck in the trunk of the tree containing Vivian and James. Peiter turned and slashed five times the leaders shirt fell from his body and two large patches of hair fell from his head. He was uncut. Peiter sheathed his swords.
“Please reconsider we mean you no harm, but we will kill you all if you push us too hard.”
Vivian loosed another arrow this time at the heart of the bandit. Peiter caught the arrow an inch from the leader’s chest. The leader rolled away and yelled “attack all of you.”
Five more arrows flew at them Peiter caught two dodged one, Katelyn drew and cut two more from the air. The first swordsman ran up with his sword ready for an overhead cut, Peiter did not draw his sword he turned so the cut missed him, grabbed his arm, took the sword and threw it so it stuck in the tree out of reach and then threw the man against another tree knocking him unconscious. More arrows Katelyn cut three from the air and Peiter caught one and threw it back. It hit one of the archers in the arm stopping him. The forth arrow stuck through Peiter shirt not hitting him. The next two swordsmen attacked Peiter he stepped aside and they crashed into each other. He took their swords and threw them into the tree, and hit them with his elbows knocking them out. The remaining two swordsmen approached carefully swords at the ready. Katelyn cut down four more arrows. The first swordsman made a cut and Peiter drew and struck his sword a prodigious blow, snapping the man’s sword in half and cutting off his index finger. The man grabbed his hand to staunch the blood. The other attacker Peiter deflected his sword and then struck with his other sword knocking it from his hand, is stuck in a nearby tree. Peiter then threw the man against the same tree and he fell unconscious. Katelyn grabbed a couple of arrows out of the ground and threw them. Two more archers down one with an arrow in his leg the other with an arrow in his arm. The other two archers fired and Katelyn stepped out of the path of the arrows, and one struck the ground the other hit the bleeding man in the calf. He fell, still holding his hand. The leader ran up with his sword drawn Peiter sheathed his swords and the leader struck at him. Peiter dodged and threw the leader. He recovered and renewed his attack, he struck and Peiter threw him. This repeated several more times; each landing was taking its toll on the leader. As the man ran up one more time clearly tired and desperate Peiter grabbed his sword hand and took his sword, and knocked him to his knees. Peiter got ready to cut off his head and stopped. Two more arrows flew and Katelyn knocked them down.
Peiter looked at him, “I have to admire your courage to attack me after all this takes a special kind of stupid. Time for a choice, death or you give up crime forever.” Peiter held the sword at ready.
The leader looked at him and sneered. “I’ll just lie, what do you think about that?”
Peiter smiled a sad smile, “First I’ll know, and second I can just maim you and let you suffer. Consider I could have killed you, why do you think I didn’t?”
The leader looked at him and thought, he can’t kill me he doesn’t have it in him. “You didn’t kill me because you can’t, you won’t murder someone because they don’t have the skill to kill you.”
Peiter looked at him and smiled, “Ah a good judge of character too.” He lowered his sword. “You’re right I won’t kill you because I won’t judge you. But I can love you.” So Peiter put his hands on the sides of the leaders head and filled his mind with love, he tore into his mind and found the little boy abandoned on the docks and picked him up and loved him with all his heart. When he lowered his hands the leader stood up looked at him and said, “I pity you. All that love will only bring you pain. But you’ve won I will give up crime and go back to the docks.” He walked away his head down.
Peiter looked to where the remaining archers were hiding. “See to your comrades, I give you the same choice, give up crime or die, not today but you will die soon.” Vivian dropped from the tree, and caught the packs as James dropped them, and then James dropped from the tree, followed by Selene. Peiter went around the area and collected all the swords, knocking the ones from the tree with a branch and then he collected the scabbards ran a rope through them and tied them to his pack. He collected the arrows that remained unbroken and broke them in half and helped the others with their packs. He held out his arm to Selene and she jumped up and climbed to his pack and laid down and they were off. As they walked away from the camp he released Katelyn’s mind and she came up and took his hand.
Katelyn looked at him, “Hun, you seemed troubled by something.”
Peiter looked at her and said, “He’s right you know.”
Katelyn looked a little confused, “What do you mean, about love and pain?”
Peiter nodded, “Yes, the more I love the more it hurts.”
Katelyn still looked confused, “How?”
Peiter smiled, “I’ll give you an easy example first. I looked into his mind and I saw the boy he was and how he was beaten and abandoned on the dock and my heart breaks for the cruelty of it. I love him, but it hurts me because he can’t love, his life is a ruin of lovelessness.”
Katelyn understood this, “You have another harder example?”
Peiter smiled a sad smile, “I love you and it hurts me.”
She looked at him surprised, “How?”
Peiter sighed, “I love you and I want to make you happy in every possible way. But I know that I can’t make you happy, that only you can make you happy. It hurts me to be so powerless.”
Katelyn hugged his arm, “But you do make me happy.”
Peiter shook his head, “You want me to love you and I do and you get what you want and it makes you happy. You make you happy. Here’s another example. I love you and I realize that if I were to die, or get hurt, it would hurt you. I’m totally powerless to prevent it. One day it will happen, hopefully I will outlive you so I don’t hurt you in this way but the odds are against it. Women outlive their husbands typically. So I know that somewhere in the future I’m going to hurt you and it pains me.”
Katelyn shook her head, “It is the wheel of life as you said.”
Peiter nodded, “Yes of course but the pain is there all the same.”
Katelyn thought about it, “I think he got it wrong. He said, ‘all that love will only bring you pain’. That’s wrong it doesn’t only bring you pain, there is also joy.”
Peiter thought about that and smiled, “Ah Katy, you’re right there is also joy my love. It is that, that makes him wrong. Also it is wrong to focus on the pain, when there is so much joy.” Peiter took her hands and began dancing around with her spinning and pulling her. Little splotches of color danced around them as the joy poured out of him.
Vivian looked at them ahead on the trail and shook her head, “James, you see he’s getting excited again and the love is pouring out.”
James looked at him dancing and the colorful splotches racing around. “It’s beautiful.”
Vivian nodded, “Yes it is, that’s our golden boy.” She yelled at him, “Peiter calm down your making butterflies again.”
Peiter stopped dancing, kissed Katelyn briefly causing a big blast of butterflies, and then he stopped. The butterflies faded. “Sorry Mom” He yelled back.
It was nearing noon and they stopped for a quick lunch, Peiter handed out dried fruit and they had some of the wine he gave to Katelyn, and some bread and they walked on. As the sun made its way lower in the sky the forest got darker. Peiter suddenly made a snatch and caught an arrow in front of his face. He got a big smile and turned to Katelyn, “Liz! It’s Liz.”
He stopped and a woman dressed in buck skin, with blond hair and Violet eyes walked out of the trees. Peiter tossed the arrow back to her and she caught it and returned it to her quiver. He waited until she was closer than trotted over being careful to not disturb Selene too much, grabbed her and hugged her picking her up off the ground. He set her down carefully and took her hand and brought her back to Katelyn.
He presented her, “Katelyn this is my sister Elizabeth, Liz. Liz this is my wife Katelyn.”
When he said wife, Liz raised her black eyebrows and looked at him, “Oh, Piety your wife? Not even gone a month and married already. I’m so jealous.” She turned to Katelyn, “Oh you have to tell me everything, what’s it like being married? I’m so excited mom’s going to cry for sure. You’re so beautiful. Oh I got some great stories for you; he’ll absolutely die of embarrassment.” She turned back to Peiter, “Hey bro, you got a cat on your back.” She turned back to Katelyn, “That must be your cat. She’s beautiful. What’s her name? Can I hold her? Can I call you Katy?”
Peiter stuck out his arm and Selene used it to jump into Liz’s arms. “Liz, this is Selene she’s my master, she says she likes your eyes.”
Liz held Selene carefully, “Oh so soft and she’s purring. Good taste too I love her. She looked in Selene’s eyes and asked politely, “Can I be your human?”
Peiter translated, “She says you are permitted to carry her.”
Liz’s face lit up, “Oh good, here you can ride my neck.” She draped Selene around her neck the hood of her buck skin vest providing support in the back. “Piety, introduce me to the others, another beauty and a handsome man. Is he single? Oh I hope so.”
Katelyn was amazed and charmed so much energy so nice. Much like Peiter.
Peiter indicated Vivian, “Liz this is Vivian, she’s Katelyn’s mother I suppose.”
Liz looked at Peiter, “Oh don’t be silly, she’s too young to be Katelyn’s mother. Doesn’t look anything like her. Lover maybe. Oh sorry shouldn’t say that in front of men, they don’t understand. Vivian can I call you Vivy? Hey you must be single now that Piety married Katy, you need a lover? So beautiful too. Oh you need to teach me, I want to be beautiful like you and Katy. Oh I know, you need to meet my other brother, he’s a real dream, like Piety, you could be my sister too. Piety introduce me to the man he’s so handsome. He’s not yours is he Vivy?”
Peiter indicated James, “Liz this is James, He’s traveling with us.”
Liz went to him and put out her hand, “Hi I’m Elizabeth, but you can call me Liz. Pleased to meet you.”
James shook her hand, when they touched he got a started expression, and then he blushed slightly. “I’m James, pleased to meet you Elizabeth.”
Liz looked at him and it was like calm settled over her, “OOO, Nice eyes, good hand shake, must have worked on a farm, so strong. Great aura just like me.” She looked at Peiter, “Oh bro, such a devil. Just like you. Thank you bro.” She looked back at James, “So sad, needs healing. Mama will fix you up.” She hugged him and then kissed him on the lips, then she shook. “OOO, good kiss, you hurry up get well, can’t wait forever now.” She flowed over to Peiter. “I’ll get Jason we’ll meet at our special place Ok bro?” She reached up and petted Selene, “you want to go with me we’ll be going fast or stay with Piety? I’ll catch you some birds. Good eating.”
Peiter looked at her, “She says she’ll go with you Liz. Take care of my master now.”
Liz gave him a big smile, “Oh she’s so smart. I stuff her so full she’ll tweet the next time you see her.”
Vivian was looking at her like she was considering something, and she smiled, then she looked at Peiter. Peiter was watching her and he blushed at her smile.
Liz looked at Vivian, “Oh figured him out did you. Good for you. Sorry to spoil the surprise bro. Got to go. Hold on Selly where going to move.” She vanished like the wind. An echo drifted back from the forest, “Tonight bro, at sunset.”
Peiter changed course slightly and started to lead the party into a denser part of the woods. They were walking in a line so they could talk. “So Vivy what did you think? Isn’t she wonderful?” Peiter asked.
Vivian considered, “Peiter I couldn’t guess what she would be like, you’re so different from any other man I’ve met. But she’s just right I see so much of you in her, but she’s so much wilder. She is beautiful too. You say she’s a master martial artist too. I can’t believe it she seems so nice.”
Peiter laughed, “Oh she’s nice, but she can throw you across the room too. What do you think Katy?”
Katelyn was holding Peiter’s hand, “Piety? It fits you. I feel like a tornado blew through. But I agree with Vivy she’s just what your sister would be, smart, beautiful, deadly, and loving.”
Peiter smiled, “To true, and a pain in the ass, and deadly with a bow. So James what do you think?”
James looked a little confused, but not unhappy, “She’s very beautiful, attractive; I’m not sure what I think it was over so fast.”
Peiter slapped him on the back lightly, “That’s Liz; everything happens double time with her. You have to pay close attention.”
Vivian gave Peiter a quick jab, “So you’re going to fix me up with your brother are you?”
Peiter blushed, “Something like that. Vivy give him a chance OK? You really like him I’m sure.”
Vivian smiled, “What’s he like? If he’s like you two, he must be a wild one.”
Peiter laughed, “Oh he’s wild alright, but not the way you mean. My brother is hard to describe. A force of nature comes closest. He’s like a tree very deep roots, strong branches, soaring high above. He is a part of the forest and the forest is part of him. These similes don’t tell you much until you meet him. Sorry.”
Vivian looked intrigued, “What is this special place your sister mentioned?”
Peiter blushed deep red at the question. “It’s a place where my sister, my brother and I can be ourselves. It is very special to us. She is right that we should meet there it is the best possible place.”
Katelyn squeezed his hand. “Can you explain, Hun?”
Peiter looked at her with an almost begging expression, “You have seen my sister and can guess at her talents, and you know me, my brother has his special talents as well. In our special place we relax our control and let our talents have free reign. It is a holy place for us. It is a place of renewal and worship. I think the three of you will enjoy it and you will understand us better. You three are the only ones that we have ever brought to this place. You are very special to us.”
James spoke up, “Peiter, me? How am I special to you?”
Peiter looked at Katelyn, Vivian, and then back to James, “Well seeing as Vivy has figured it out and you will shortly if you think about it, I intend to heal you both there, and I believe you will marry my sister and Vivian will marry my brother. It is in your auras I can see that you are intended, fated, destined? I can’t say. When I look at Vivian I see my brother, a force of nature, a depth of love and understanding, a placid lake. When I look at you I see a whirl wind of power, heroic, chaotic, loving, just like I see in my sister. How did you feel when she kissed you?”
James looked introspective, “I felt like I was home, that my Corin had returned to me.”
Peiter said, “I don’t begin to understand how the gods have worked in your case, but your Corin must have been much like my sister. Or maybe the gods needed you to help Corin and Amelia with their lives. How can we explain the death of a loved one like that? How can we give it purpose, meaning? It is beyond our ken. What I do know is the three of you, Vivy, Katy, and you James are powerhouses of talent. The reverend mother described you as a son of the sky. My sister is a daughter of the wind. My Katy is a scion of fire and lightning. I am a giver of life, of renewal. Vivy is the deep pool of nature the basis of creation, my brother is the earth and life climbing to the skys. The six of us somehow have a destiny or a purpose for life, we will serve life. My father told me about this he said I would find you.”
Katelyn looked in awe and love at Peiter. “How will we know what is needed?”
Peiter looked at her, “We will know. It is like when I read Vivy and she enjoined me to do what love dictated. We will know because we will know what life requires. We will give life for life. I know that this sounds mystical but it’s not like that, every time I have come to a deciding point my path has always been clear, unambiguous. It was like Esmeralda and her coven, it was clear what life required and we did it Katelyn you and I. Please no more questions just relax and enjoy the ride. My mother told me that one of the most important lessons of the masters is that the past is gone and that the future is illusion, that there is only the now.”
While he was talking they had come to a very dense part of the forest, giant trees extending high above them closely spaced. Ahead was a narrow triangular opening large enough to admit one person, a weak trail led up to the opening.
Peiter stopped them and said, “Before we go in I need to explain because you will not understand what you see and feel. Inside there, the life of the forest spills out of the branches and the earth. I’ve discussed this with my brother and sister and we believe that there is intelligence here, but it is very different from ours. It will touch you and you will feel some of its power. The important thing is to try to relax and be open, and do not be afraid. I personally don’t believe in magic, or the supernatural, but this place boarders on it. Love and Joy are strong in this place. This place healed me after a particularly dark part of my life.”
He bowed them through, and they walked through the opening single file with Peiter in the rear. The walk way was boarded by trees that leaned in making a vaulted ceiling like a short tunnel that opened into a clearing. As they exited into the clearing they could see that it was like a cave with a very high ceiling the walls were made of wood and branches tightly woven. The sky was obscured by leaves and tree branches. It should have been dark but it wasn’t. The clearing was lit by a pervasive non directional light.
As they exited into the clearing, each person’s aura became visible. Vivian’s aura was a deep blue with darker blue waves slowing spinning around her. Peiter’s aura was multi colored bands like ribbons crossing and twisting. Katelyn’s aura was round bright blobs with lightning coming out of them with an orange overcast of flame rippling around like she was standing in a large flame. James’ aura was like the air was ripped by strong wind currents distorting what you could see, horizontal spinning streaks of distortion. Their auras did not obscure them they were dim and ethereal just perceptible. They walked to the center of the clearing and Liz and Jason were sitting on the ground with their packs stood to one side. Selene was resting on their packs, her aura was bright like flames but no sparks. Liz’s aura was exactly like James’ horizontal distortions of the air being whipped around her like there was a strong wind. Jason’s aura was a brilliant green, with vertical twisting stripes of red, brown, orange and black.
Peiter walked over to his brother and as he distanced himself from Katelyn his aura dimmed. He hugged him and said, “Let me introduce you to my friends.”
Jason stood about four inches shorter than Peiter, about six feet two inches, but he was stocky, larger stronger frame, wider. His muscles were large like those of a body builder. It was as Peiter said; looking at him you felt his strength like a current radiating from his body. He gave the impression of being deeply bonded to the ground like he grew out of the spot he was standing on. When he moved there was grace in the smooth natural movements. When he was still it was like a mountain.
Peiter looked proud and indicated Katelyn, “This is Katelyn, my wife.”
Jason smiled, “Liz told me you were beautiful but the reality is astounding. It is a pleasure to meet you.” As he shook her hand Katelyn felt her hand engulfed in strength; with a small effort his hand could crush hers. She felt a pleasant normal strong handshake.
Peiter indicated James, “This is James.”
Jason walked over to him and looked at him, “So similar, but stronger I think. Liz told me but again the reality is so much more. It is a great pleasure to meet you. He shook his hand.”
Peiter indicated Vivian and said, “This is Vivian.”
As Jason approached her his aura and hers brightened and their aura’s movement increased speed. They began to pulsate, growing larger and then fading. As he got closer their pulsations phase locked and they beat together. He offered his hand but as she stepped up to take it they both realized that it was going to be a kiss and he took her into his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck and they kissed. As they kissed their auras strengthened to the point that it was obscuring them from view; the colors of their auras, green and orange twisting with the blue, not mixing but occupying the same space. As they separated the kiss over; she stood back holding his hand. Jason tried to speak, “Ah … I’m sorry words fail me.”
Vivian looked at Peiter, “You were right. I didn’t believe you but you were right.” She looked at Jason. “Did you know?”
Jason shook his head, “Liz warned me but I thought she was exaggerating. Marry me?”
Vivian smiled, “Soon? Now?”
Jason’s smile got even brighter, “Done, wife”.
Vivian’s smile rivaled his, “Love you husband.”
Liz started jumping around and ran up to James, as she approached him their auras sped up their rotation and began pulsing. When she touched him they both lifted off the ground as they kissed and started spinning slowly opposite to the rotation of their auras. They slowly fell back to earth. She leaned back from the kiss. “Ask me!”
James’ smile was open and happy, he looked at Peiter and Peiter nodded to him. “Peiter when you took me from my farm I was sure I was going to die. My Corin was gone I had no reason to live. As you brought me back from death, I began to believe I could live, but without a heart, mine had died with her. Now holding Elizibeth in my arms, she has given me her heart and I have a new heart where there was none. I can’t possibly every repay you for your kindness and healing. I am whole again.”
Liz interrupted him, “Ask me!”
James looked at her, “Patience my love.”
Liz interrupted again, “I don’t have any, ask them, now ask me!”
Jason and Peiter were laughing, “James, she’s right ask her!” They said it together.
James smile got broader and his eyes crinkled in mirth, “Okay, will you?”
Liz interrupted again, “No! Do it properly.”
James laughed, “Okay, if you please Elizabeth will you consent to be my wife?”
Liz smiled and put her head on his shoulder, “Yes I will marry you.” She raised her head, “Now? They did it.”
James hugged her tighter, “Okay now, wife.”
Liz heaved a big sigh, “Oh I love you, husband.” She only stayed still for three seconds. “Can we start the honeymoon now?”
All of them including James started laughing. James slapped her butt, “Later, sorry but we have to wait until we get back to your farm, I speak to your parents, get their blessing and then you can show me your room and we can start Ok?”
James looked troubled, “This has got to be a world’s record courtship. Liz I know nothing about you. How old are you?”
Liz smiled, “Old enough, but my age is nineteen, three years younger than Piety. How old are you?”
James heaved a small sigh of relief, “Well at least your father won’t murder me. I’m twenty four; hot stuff.”
James let her go, “Hey I just thought of something.” He went over to his pack fished around and pulled out a leather pouch. Inside were two rings he took them out. He came back to Liz his aura brightening he handed her a ring.
Liz looked at it and at him, “I can’t it was hers. You still love her you always will.”
James took the ring from her, “Liz, she would want this. It is right. You will have a part of her and I will love you both. When we make our first child, if it’s a girl we’ll call her Amelia after the one I lost. You will give her back to me.” He put the ring on her finger. Then he handed the other ring to her and she put it on his finger. Then he kissed her.
Liz thought briefly, “OOO, babies I can’t wait.” She looked at Katelyn and could see the bright spot in her aura. “Piety’s got a head start we need to get moving bud.”
That did it they all started laughing again, and this time Liz joined in.
Through all of this Vivian sat holding Jason’s hand feeling the strong pulse of his life as it resonated with hers. She thought about babies and her heart skipped a beat. She looked up at him and felt desire flare inside her, and when he looked in her eyes she could see the rolling desire, a deep seated passion. She was tempted to grab him now. But as she felt the passion she also felt the life in this place and she looked and small balls of light were forming on the tips of the leaves and falling to the ground. It was beautiful. She gasped and the others looked and saw the lights drifting down. As they reached the ground they swirled around and went to each couples aura, wrapped around them and swirled around following the streaming patterns of their auras. As the number of bright spots grew large, they all felt a presence a feeling of joy and expectations. The feelings grew very strong and each couple embraced. Liz and James lifted in the air and their bodies disappeared into their auras of streaming swaths of light twisting around and around. Peiter and Katelyn disappeared into a ball of orange light with colored bands, radial lightning bolts and colorful butterflies swirling. Jason and Vivian’s auras intensified into vertical green band of light with branches drooping down like a tree, with a dense blue mist and blue drops dripping down from the branches into a pool that surrounded the base. The bright specks of light begin moving through their auras and around streaming as part of the auras and inside them. In this state they all could feel the mind assessing them understanding them. Overlaying these was feelings of joy and a desire for growth. It felt like they were rooted in the depths of the earth, and they could feel the music of the spheres raining on them from the heavens. After a time the bright spots sank into the soil and were gone, and they sat embracing unknowing as the joy filtered back into the earth. They came to their senses slowly like waking from a refreshing sleep.
When Katelyn was able to talk again she asked, “What was that? Did we touch god?”
Peiter shook his head, “We think what we felt was the life of the planet. The planet is alive and part of all the life upon it. We can’t be certain but we think that every living thing has a place in the life we just felt.”
Katelyn shook her head, “I see what you mean supernatural, if there is anything supernatural that was it. Should we press on to your farm now?”
Peiter looked to Jason, “What is the time Jason? We can’t ever be sure when we are in here how much time has passed.”
Jason stood and raised his hands slightly and turned to the west. “The sun is setting we have time to get home. We should leave.”
So they picked up their packs and put them on, Selene rode on Liz’s neck and they walked out heading north to the farm house. As they walked the sun set and they came to the house as the stars were starting to shine, they went in and Helen and Arcos where sitting like they had been waiting for them. They filed in and sat. Peiter sat on the floor holding Katelyn between his legs his hands spread over her tummy. Vivian and Jason sat on the couch holding hands. James and Liz sat on dining table chairs side by side holding hands. They sat in silence while his parents studied them. Finally his father spoke up. “So son I see you found them and you brought them home to us.”
Peiter introduced Katelyn, “Father this is Katelyn my wife.”
Then Jason spoke up, “Father this is Vivian my wife.”
Then Liz spoke up, “Father this is James, my husband.”
James spoke up, “Sir I wish to apologize for our haste but she insisted. By rights I should have asked you for her hand.”
Arcos cracked a big smile, “I’m surprised you made it home unscathed. I’m sure my little Liz was difficult. She can be quite impatient. Think nothing of it; if she’ll have you that’s good enough for me, you have my sympathy.” He got a twinkle in his eye.
Liz squealed, “Daddy! Stop it; don’t scare him away.”
Helen spoke up, “Have you all eaten?”
Peiter spoke up, “We ate a lite lunch at noon.”
Helen said, “Well then dinner is ready we were expecting you. Arcos could you get some wine?”
Arcos stood and went down in the basement and picked out four bottles of wine and came back up and uncorked one. While that was going on Vivian and Katelyn followed Helen into the kitchen to help, while Liz took the opportunity to kick Jason off the couch so she could sit in James’ lap. Selene had curled up near the fire in an empty wood basket.
Peiter went out and came back with a bowl of milk and set it down near Selene, “Here you are my master; a nice bowl of fresh milk for your approval.”
Selene jumped out of the basket and began to lap up the milk; purring between gulps.
Katelyn came out of the kitchen, “Your mom threw me out. Says there’s too many in the kitchen. Oh thanks Hun, she’s probably going to be your cat soon.”
Peiter gave Selene a quick stroke. “No she says I don’t have the proper smell for a cat person. I think she is aware of your aura she says you have something; I can’t get that, needed by a proper human to own. Maybe it’s because you’re a woman it’s hard to tell.”
Liz spoke up from the couch, “Piety you didn’t tell them the news, I’m going to tell on you can I?”
Peiter laughed, “Sure Liz; be my guest.”
Liz got excited jumped off Jason’s lap; She ran into the kitchen, “Mama Piety’s got a baby. You’re going to be a grandma.”
Arcos looked at Peiter, “This is true son?”
Peiter looked proud, worried, excited, “Yes dad. You’re going to be a grandfather.”
Arcos looked pleased with that.
Jason put in, “Hey dad; quick work what.”
Arcos looked over at Katelyn, “When son?”
Peiter looked at him, “I’ve only been sure for about a week, so probably this winter.”
Arcos smiled, “Quick work indeed you’ve only been gone a month. It took us a year to get Jason.”
Peiter just smiled, “Beginner’s luck I guess.”
Helen came out of the kitchen carrying some bowls of food.
Arcos called out, “So grandma ready for the pitter patter of little feet again?”
Helen smiled, “Sure this is the best way to get a baby, let someone else do all the work. Sorry Katelyn.”
Liz chimed in, “Hey I’m going to have twins just you wait and see.”
Helen walked over to Katelyn and put her hand on her tummy. Her faced clouded then cleared, “Hum I see. Been married a week you say?”
Katelyn blushed, “Actually just a few days.”
Peiter popped up, “Hey mom lay off; I married her didn’t I? It just took me a while to get up the nerve to ask her.”
Helen smiled, “I wasn’t being critical just wondering.”
Liz chimed in, “OOO Piety bad boy; jumped the gun did you? Not like me, I’m a virgin on my wedding night.”
Peiter blushed, “Hey lay off. You’re just as bad. If James hadn’t been such an upstanding gentleman you’d be standing in my shoes.”
Liz didn’t care, “Hey I’m not criticizing I’m jealous.”
Peiter threw up his hands, “Will everybody lay off, it’s a happy thing.”
Arcos spoke up, “Yes son it is good news, and I’m happy for you and proud. It’s a real adventure.”
Peiter walked over to Katelyn and hugged her from behind. “Yes, you have been a real adventure.” He whispered in her ear and kissed her neck.
Vivian came out of the kitchen carrying more food. She set it on the table and looked at Helen. Helen spoke up, “Ok cuddle up close there’s not much room at the table so we’re going to share plates.” James sat down and Jason and Peiter sat on either side of him trying to crowd out Liz.
Liz grabbed Peiter’s collar and tossed him into the center of the room without apparent effort, and sat down next to James. Peiter stood back up and dusted himself off theatrically. “Well sis I see you haven’t lost your touch.”
Liz snugged up to James, “Bet on it brother.”
Helen shook her head, “Well I hope we’re ready to eat now that the seating has been worked out.” They all sat down and Helen raised her hand, “As we have new family members, you all might not be familiar with our customs. Before each meal one of us speaks about a topic of their choice. Who wants to speak?”
Peiter stood up and said, “If you don’t mind I thought I’d offer you all a song. He turned and directed his song to Katelyn.”
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were gifts you gave
to the dark and the endless skies
My love
The first time ever I kissed your mouth
I felt the earth move in my hands
Like the trembling heart of a captive bird
That was then at my command
My love
The first time ever I lay with you
I felt your heart so close to mine
And I knew our joy would fill the earth
And last til the end of time
My love
The first time ever I saw your face
Your face
Your face
Your face
He sang the last line as almost a whisper and he touched Katelyn’s face and he gave her a bashful smile and sat down next to her. Katelyn sat speechless for several seconds and then, “Oh, you sing.”
Arcos sat with a twinkle in his eye, “Thank you son.”
Liz was sitting holding James’ hand and she sighed, “Oh Piety you’re the best.”
So they dug into to their food and finished dinner.
As the meal ended, Peiter and Jason collected the plates and carried them into the kitchen.
Liz sat near James and was talking with him.
Helen spoke up, “Elizabeth!”
Liz stood up and ran into the kitchen, “Sorry mom.”
Noise of a minor water fight came from the kitchen and then Liz, Jason, and Peiter came out quietly all of them had wet splotches on their clothes. They each went to their respective spouses.
Katelyn looked at Vivian, Vivian looked at James, and James looked at Katelyn, and then they broke up laughing. Katelyn finally looked at Helen, “Mother Helen, how did you survive? They are absolutely the wildest, craziest, zany children I’ve ever met.”
She walked over to Arcos and took his hand, “Yes you’re right and I wouldn’t change them a jot. Though I was hoping for a little more adult behavior now that they’re all finally married, but I suppose I’ll have to wait for the children to show up.”
Peiter looked at Liz, “Sis you want to do a song with me?”
Liz looked excited, “Oh Yes, Piety, Yes, You know the one.”
Peiter stood and Liz came and stood next to him. Peiter started. As they sang they acted the parts. Liz’s voice was high and beautiful a good counterpoint to Peiter’s strong tenor. Peiter sang the part of a fool and Liz the part of a shrew.
There's a hole in the bucket,
Dear Liza, dear Liza
There's a hole in the bucket,
Dear Liza, there's a hole.
Then fix it, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
Then fix it, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, fix it.
With what shall I fix it,
Dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I fix it,
Dear Liza, with what?
With a straw, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
With a straw, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, with a straw.
But the straw is too long,
Dear Liza, dear Liza
But the straw is too long,
Dear Liza, too long
Then cut it, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
Then cut it, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, cut it.
With what shall I cut it,
Dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I cut it,
Dear Liza, with what?
With an axe, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
With an axe, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, an axe.
The axe is too dull,
Dear Liza, dear Liza
The axe is too dull,
Dear Liza, too dull
Then sharpen it, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
Then sharpen it, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, sharpen it.
With what shall I sharpen it,
Dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I sharpen it,
Dear Liza, with what?
With a stone, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
With a stone, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, a stone.
The stone is too dry,
Dear Liza, dear Liza
The stone is too dry,
Dear Liza, too dry
Then wet it, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
Then wet it, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, wet it.
With what shall I wet it,
Dear Liza, dear Liza?
With what shall I wet it,
Dear Liza, with what?
With water, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
With water, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, with water.
How shall I get it,
Dear Liza, dear Liza,
How shall I get it,
Dear Liza, how shall I?
In the bucket, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, dear Henry
In the bucket, dear Henry,
Dear Henry, in the bucket.
There's a hole in the bucket.
Dear Liza, dear Liza
There's a hole in the bucket,
Dear Liza, there's a hole.
Throughout the song they hammed it up with exaggerated expressions and movements. When they finished Peiter grabbed Liz and spun around in a little dance and then set her down.
Vivian and Katelyn clapped for the performance and James’ had a wistful smile. Peiter and Liz sat down and Liz said, “Jasy, you do one.” Jason blushed but he stood up and turned to Vivian and started to sing, his voice a rich deep base.
Beautiful dreamer,
Wake unto me
Starlight and dewdrops
Are awaiting thee
Sounds of the rude world
Heard in the day
Led by the moonlight
Have all passed away
Beautiful dreamer,
Queen of my song
List' while I woo thee
With soft melody
Gone are the cares of
Life's busy throng
Beautiful dreamer
Awake unto me
Beautiful dreamer,
Awake unto me
Vivian stood up and hugged him.
Arcos smiled, “That was a good choice son, it’s time for bed. Breakfast will be late so sleep in.” He stood and he took Helen’s hand and they went to their room.
Liz stood up and pulled James to his feet, and led him off to her room. Peiter grabbed Katelyn and picked her up and carried her to his room; leaving Jason and Vivian alone in the front room of the house. Jason took Vivian’s hand and said, “My love let’s take a walk in the moonlight I’d like to show you something.”
Vivian was still coming down from the song so she just smiled and let him guide her out the door. They walked for about ten minutes and they came to a cave, the entrance was blocked by a large stone. Jason took Vivian in his arms and said, “Vivian my love it is time I showed you my heart. What I’m about to show you is a part of me and I think a part of you as well. Peiter has a deep intuition about these sorts of things, and I trust his judgment. No one knows about this part of me. My mother and father suspect, Peiter knows that I carry this secret but he loves me and understands why I have not shared this. Liz bless her soul loves me and understands that I am different but she doesn’t care I am her Jasy, her older brother. I love you Vivian, do not be afraid as we start down this path together.”
He released her took a step back and looked deep in her eyes, he took off his clothes and then helped her take off hers. He smiled at her and said, “I love you.” He looked in her eyes and it appeared to Vivian that a curtain was withdrawn from his inner eyes, and a palpable feeling of strength poured out of his eyes, and he grew. He grew to be seven feet tall and as he grew his muscles writhed and grew and before her stood a giant, strength radiating from him. He walked over to the stone over the entrance to the cave and picked it up and set it down, unblocking the opening.
Vivian stood in awe as he walked back to her she felt pulled by a force of attraction.
He smiled at her, “Don’t be afraid my love.”
She looked at him and said with a shaky voice. “Oh, Jason you are so beautiful it’s like you’re a god standing before me.”
He reached out his hand and took hers gently, his hand engulfing hers like a father holding hands with his young daughter. He led her into the cave. Inside the cave was a bright fire and what looked like a blacksmith’s forge. He stopped in the middle of the cave and turned to Vivian. “Join me my love, and he took her into his arms.
It felt to her like her body had been dipped in molten metal that did not burn. She felt her body growing she grew to be six and a half feet tall; as she grew she became more muscular and she felt her spirit grow strong, coarse and elemental.
She looked into his eyes and saw lust. A strong demanding desire to take and she felt the same growing in her. She felt his hands grab her and pull her hard into his clutches, and she grabbed him wrapping her legs around him. She mounted him and felt a raging fire in her body demanding satisfaction from him, and she saw his face and felt his thrust as he took satisfaction in the joining. They’re bodies and they’re hands gripping colliding taking as passion and lust wracked them. This hellish joining continued as they wrestled exchanging dominance one upon the other. They screamed and yelled demanding taking and finally obtaining; so they fell unconscious to the ground sweat covered sated.
After some time Vivian came back to her senses, and turned to look at Jason, she looked and noticed she had returned to her normal size. Her body felt like it had been beaten with clubs. She groaned and turned and spied Jason. He had returned to his normal size and was groaning as he turned to look at her. She reached out to him and when they touched she felt a wave of healing and warmth wash over her, and she saw the bruises fade on her body and Jason’s.
Jason smiled weakly and said, “That my love is a part of what we are. We are part of that which takes. Within us is the life that takes life and demands life from life. It is strong elemental and cruel. But we have another aspect.” He took her into his arms and she felt the healing warmth increase as their auras resonated. “This is the part of life that gives, life giving life to life.”
He kissed her and she felt her spirit open as she felt their bodies join and she felt herself give. Holding him close feeling the heat, she felt him giving to her, pleasure, love, life flowing around her and him, and as they gave their passion soared. She felt new life come into being inside her as they gave of their lives, to a new life. She felt like an ocean of water feeding its life to the soil, he felt like the earth receiving the waters of life and giving it to the plants and animals giving life to life. They lost touch with time and consciousness.
Back at the house Liz and Jason sat on the bed in her room she felt hot closed in uncomfortable. James noticed her discomfort and asked, “What troubles you my love?”
Liz stood up and said, “James lets go outside the cool night air will help me.” So she took his hand and they walked out into the night. After a short walk Jason took her into his arms and kissed her. She smiled and pushed him away. She spun around lifting slightly off the ground and said, “Catch me my love.” Then she ran off moving faster than the normal eye could follow and then stopped her arms out enticing. James laughed and gave chase moving fast. When he was near her he tried to embrace her again but in an instant she was gone, a soft laugh in her wake, “Oh not as easy as that my love.” She stopped again standing with her arms out as James started to run to her, she ran and he realized that this was a game. He had to catch her to have her. So they ran, faster and faster, Jason always lagging behind, Liz laughing and enticing. At each turn he sped up trying to catch up. After some time they were moving faster than the wind, and crossing over land and regions unknown to them. The chase continued, and Jason realized that she was courting him, and testing him. Did he want her enough; could he release his spirit and catch her? With that realization he threw all caution away and he gave himself to speed. As he did that his body dissolved and he over took Liz and surrounded her with his spirit spinning around her, she felt his speed, her body dissolved, her spirit joined his and they flew off toward the west, racing the sun. They lost track of time, as their spirits raced twisting and turning around each other, until they came to a sandy beach; the sun was high in the sky. Jason wound around Liz and they reintegrated lying on the sand. As they lay in the sand they made love and rested and made love again. Then they lay naked holding each other and Jason asked, “Lilly my love, how do you feel?”
Liz cuddled against him, “Lilly?"
Jason stroked her back and lay silently for a time and then explained, “Liz seems so sort and sibilant, I look at you and I see a beautiful flower, and I love your smell, so I think Lilly is quite appropriate it fits you.”
Liz smiled, “Oh that’s sweet. I feel happy, a little tired and happy.” So they lay quiet in each other’s arms the heat of the day falling as the sun set.
Jason sat up slowly and looked around, “Lilly my love, do you have any idea where we are?”
Liz laughed, “James, it doesn’t matter, we’re here together.”
James smiled at the thought, “You argue persuasively but we should get back some time. It seems to me some knowledge of which direction to go might be useful.”
Liz sat up and noticed the sun for the first time and dressed, recovering her clothes and shaking out the sand. “Oh James, it doesn’t matter, we’re here, there is only here.”
James redressed and smiled and held her hand, “I don’t understand.”
Liz smiled, “So did we have a nice run? We ran far and fast. You caught me in the end.”
James remembered their race, “Yes, It was wonderful.”
Liz continued, “Oh James, there is no far, there is no fast, distance is illusion, or maybe distance is a path you can travel if you wish.”
James shook his head and smiled at her, “I don’t understand aren’t we in this place, with the sun still up, while back at the farm it is night, we must be far from home.”
Liz turned and said, “Come my love and I’ll show you the meaning of speed, or the lie if you will.” She turned and she and Jason took a step, and it was dark and they we standing just outside of the door to the farm. “You see? All places are here.”
As they completed the step Jason’s perception expanded and he could see, a step this way and he would be back at the beach, a step that way and he would be back in the village. There was no distance, all places were the same. Jason looked and he could see directions to step that led to every place he’d ever been. He looked at Liz and said, “Can we step to places we haven’t been?”
Liz turned to him and said, “I don’t know. I don’t see how to do it. I’ve been a lot of places, some are not particularly nice. A step at random seems to me to be dangerous. I learned the first time I discovered this that it doesn’t matter where I am, what really matters is who I’m with.” She led him back into the house and they went to her room and the undressed and lay down on her bed.
Jason gave her a kiss and continued with his questions, “How do we know which step leads where?”
Liz considered and then said, “I don’t totally understand this but we can step to any place we have been with a thought. We can also step to any place where we know someone, if we know them well enough. Like when Peiter was in the village, where I’ve never been before, I could feel which step would take me to him.”
Jason thought about this for a while, “This sounds like a big responsibility. We could step into your brother’s room?”
Liz looked at him, “Sure, but I won’t because I love him. When I figured out I could do this I spoke to my father about it because I was curious if he could do it as well. He sat me down and explained how with power comes responsibility. Like now you and I could get a bucket of ice water, and step into Piety’s room and blast him while he was making love. Sounds like fun right?”
Jason looked troubled, “Well actually no, I wouldn’t do that to anyone I liked.”
Liz smiled, “But if I do that he finds out I can do it, and it changes how he relates to me. Maybe he doesn’t like me.”
Jason was beginning to understand, “But you could use this to steal.”
Liz shook her head, “Well I suppose if you managed to go somewhere you wanted to steal from, you could step to that location when no one was around and steal. I can see some problems with that. Also well if you think about it; got anything you’d like to steal?”
Jason thought about it, “Well nothing that I can think of now.”
Liz nodded, “Just so. I’ve got everything I want. Loving family, new hubby, maybe a baby on the way, nice bow, plenty of arrows, good clothes, so what do I want to steal? But the kicker is what my father told me. He said that every action creates changes, and ill-considered action causes changes that may not be pleasant. Like the practical joke I do it, and things change.”
Jason got up on his elbow and looked her in her eyes, “But you could say that about any action. It doesn’t matter if it’s a result of some kind of unusual power.”
Liz nodded, “That’s right, but having a power like this, or skill in a martial art, or with a bow, comes with responsibility. The powers and the skills just allow me to make bigger changes, or bigger mistakes.”
Jason lay back and thought about it some more, “Okay my love. So you think you might be pregnant?”
Liz smiled, “Oh it’s possible it’s the right time for me, we can ask Piety in the morning he can tell.”
Jason started rubbing her waist, “Well you know seeing as we’re here in your bed and we’re conveniently naked, we could try to make sure we get a positive reading tomorrow morning, if you like.”
Liz laughed and grabbed him, “Hey, if it’s not positive it won’t be for lack of trying.”
Peiter set Katelyn down on the bed and then lay next to her. “Tired Hun?”
Katelyn shook her head, “No.” She snuggled up against him feeling his warmth.
Peiter stroked her hair, “So what do you think of them; my family?”
Katelyn played around with the ties on his shirt, undoing them. “I think there all terrific. Liz is so pretty and energetic, Jason so strong, your mom and dad are amazing. It feels like home.”
Peiter smiled happy, “Yes its home. It’s tempting to just stay isn’t it?”
Katelyn lifted her head looked in his eyes, “Yes, can we stay for a few days at least?”
Peiter smiled, “Oh sure Hun, I need to talk to dad anyway and then we need to plan our next move. No hurry.”
Katelyn lay back and sighed, “Good. I miss my parents.”
Peiter stroked her hair and held her. “I feel restless you want to go for a walk?”
Katelyn sat up and Peiter bounded off the bed, took her hand and they stepped out of the house into the soft moonlight. As they walked the night was cool and Katelyn shivered.
Peiter stopped, “Cold Hun?”
Katelyn smiled, “A little, can you teach me your yoga trick?”
Peiter smiled and took her hands, “Oh Katelyn you have no need of such things. Look in your heart feel the fire. You figured out how to start the camp fire. Be fierce feel the fire.” Peiter started a quick little dance teasing encouraging, pulling her around. She smiled and opened her mind and felt the fire. Her skin started to flicker with light like flames were dancing on her skin. She felt warm and happy.
Peiter smiled and began to laugh, and he began spinning around and pulling her with her hands dancing smiling laughing. “Oh my love, you are so beautiful. The fire and the lights in your aura, it just fills me with awe and love, I just have to dance and laugh. I’m so happy and full of life and love for you.” The butterflies were starting to appear bright shapes, red, blue, green, yellow, all the colors spinning and dancing around them and he smiled and laughed.
Katelyn felt the warmth and electricity radiating from her and dancing around them and Peiter’s smile and laughter filled her and she began to laugh and dance with him. He threw her and caught her, he let go of one hand and pulled her like the child’s game of crack the whip. All the time bright butterflies of light, balls of fire and electricity dancing with and around them and then he began to sing:
You make me crazy
You make me sing
You make me laugh
I wish for wings
You make me love
You make me smile
You make me scream
For miles and miles
You make me dance
You make me swing
You make me want
To give you things
You give me hope
You give me fire
You give me love
I’m filled with desire
You make me crazy
You make me sing
You make me laugh
I wish for wings
Peiter smiled, “Sing it with me my love.” A Katelyn started to sing along. They danced and sang and laughed. After a while he slowed down and stopped and hugged her close. He leaned back and looked into her eyes, “Oh love, I feel like I could laugh and hold you forever.” He held her hand and they went back into their room and closed the door. The occasional butterfly would fly out of the wall and disappeare.
The sun came up and the door to the house opened and admitted Jason and Vivian, they tip toed quietly to Jason’s room and lay on the bed holding each other. Jason smiled, “Let’s try to get some sleep; breakfast will be at noon so we have plenty of time to rest.” Vivian snuggled into the curve of his arm and said, “Suits me love.” She closed her eyes and the both were asleep in moments.
Time passed and the house warmed, Helen came out with Arcos behind her. She tip toed into each room and checked and all were asleep. She smiled, “Still sleeping, just as you expected. Come my love let’s start cooking. You cut the ham I’ll start the bread and eggs.”
They wandered into the kitchen and soon the smell of fresh bread, bacon, eggs, and butter filled the house. As each couple woke up they came out to the dining room to a table laden with food, fruit, eggs, bacon, ham, bread, butter, jams and jellies, milk, and tea.
They loaded up plates and sat around the room James and Liz sat next to each other on the couch, Jason and Vivian sat near the table, and Katelyn and Peiter sat on the floor near the fire place sharing a plate laden with food. Arcos sat in his chair eating from a plate, and Helen sat in her rocker eating.
Arcos looked at them all, “So I presume you all got a little rest last night.”
Peiter and James blushed and a colorful butterfly circled Peiter and disappeared. The others just smiled slightly.
Arcos laughed, “I see it’s mostly true at least, so son what else can I do for you?”
Peiter explained the problem with the village and the various things he had done and the suggestions made. He glossed over the part with Esmeralda and just said he had elicited their help, blushing slightly. When he was done, he looked at his father and waited.
Arcos sat thinking and Helen smiled slightly. He finally spoke up, “I see you haven’t told us the complete story, but I’ll let you keep it to yourself. Never knew a witch to give something for free, your mother included, but what would you have me do? What would you like to do?”
Peiter and Katelyn had finished eating and Peiter said, “I’d like you all to come live with us in the village. Jason can live with us in Vivian’s house; there are several suitable empty houses in the village. The sword master and the fist master both seem to know you and would like you to teach in their Dojos. Jason and Liz would both find new challenges in the village, new things to learn. Also I was wondering if your old masters could provide some eligible men for the marriageable women in the village.” Peiter took Katelyn’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “On a personal note I’d like mother act as midwife to our baby, and I’m sure you will enjoy being near your grandchildren.”
Arcos looked amused, and glanced at Helen, “Can you imagine showing up at our old Dojos, and trying to explain why forty men should come live in the village and get married?”
Peiter smiled at the thought, “Oh I thought about that and I think I have a ruse that will work. We’ll have to tell your teachers the truth, but what I suggest is we tell the men we’re creating a militia to protect the village, and then we house them scattered around the village in the empty homes. Then we just let nature take its course. After a few marriages, the women will figure it out I’m sure but the men will probably remain ignorant. I thought that a bunch of men who spent most of their lives training in martial arts, protecting a village full of women there’d almost be no way they could resist the inevitable. Especially after the women figure out that it open season catch as catch can.”
Helen started laughing. Arcos smiled, “Very devious son; that will work fine.” He looked at Helen, “Can you image Estefan caught in this trap my love? Your remember him how he used to say he was dedicated to the way of the ‘true’ martial artist? You remember him?”
Helen smiled, “Oh yes, this is rich. The more dedicated he is the longer he will suffer. This alone would be reason enough. Peiter is it ok if I bring some women from my old Dojo? There were some there I’d like to hoist as well. Some of them were absolutely insufferable when your father and I we’re courting.”
Peiter smiled, “Sure the more the merrier.” Katelyn poked him in the ribs. “Oh sorry bad pun.”
Vivian gave a loud laugh. “It will also be fun to see some of our sister’s fall into this trap. Some of them were spouting nonsense about the village being so much better since we kicked out the men.”
Peiter shook his head, “Vivian, give them a break; that’s the reverend mothers compulsion speaking through them. Also if they truly think that, they are not at risk.”
Vivian was getting excited with this idea, “Katelyn, think about Leona and Sandra the twins from hell. We come back married, pregnant. Then a bunch of men show up and maybe we can find a couple willing to torture them with our help.”
Katelyn lit up, “Vivy that’s a right noble idea. We’d be doing them a favor.”
Peiter looked concerned, “Keep in mind we’re trying to stabilize the village not start cat fights.”
Katelyn pressed her hand over his, “Oh Hun, it will only help if those two fall. They are so pious and insufferable; they are caught tight in the reverend mother’s web.”
Liz startled like a really big idea just hit her, “Ladies think about it, a match making service.”
Vivian caught it first, “Oh liz, that’s brilliant we can interview the victims, oh sorry customers and find the best matches, oh this is going to be a blast. Send them out on a few dud dates, and then hit them with a winner, they’ll drop like flies. Piety you can help matching up auras.”
Helen liked that one, “Oh that is good, nothing disrespectful, just and honest clean service to our former brothers and your new sisters. Yes this has potential.”
Arcos was shaking his head, “Son you have convinced the distaff branch of the family, James, Jason; what do you say?”
Jason spoke up first, “I could be the blacksmith. It will be nice having some new kind of work to do. Plus, well living with Vivy and having mother nearby to help deliver the baby sounds like a win to me.”
James smiled, “All I know is farming but maybe Jason will take me as an apprentice.”
Jason brightened, “Absolutely, I need all kinds of help. I haven’t perfected my sword steel and we’ll need to collect raw materials.”
Peiter looked at his dad, “So dad what do you say?”
Arcos looked around, “I can see some issues, we have a farm here, a cow, a horse, our vineyard.”
Peiter smiled, “You could move into a farm right outside of the village, there are three that are empty. Jason, James, and I can help you get it going again. We can transplant the vines, and bring the cow and the horse. Or you could live in the village and operate the farm. Or we can sell the cow and the horse, or find them a home on one of the remaining farms.”
Helen put her hand on Arcos’ arm. “What do you see my love, where should be go?”
Arcos sat back and closed his eyes. Everyone became quiet. After about an hour he opened his eyes. “Well, I’ve followed many paths and most of the good ones say we should go live in the village. Many things are obscured, but that is the way of the sight. Also Peiter is right the best path for our children and grandchildren is in the village. So I say we go.”
Peiter gave a whoop, and a bunch of butterflies raced around the room, so everyone had a laugh.
Vivian said, “That’s our golden boy.”
Arcos smiled, “Indeed daughter, we’ll begin preparations today.”
Liz spoke up, “Hey that reminds me. Now that the weighty things are out of the way; I was wondering if I could prevail on Piety to give us a reading, James and me.”
Peiter smiled and said, “Sure sis.” He walked over sat down next to her and put his hand on her tummy. He froze and held still for about a minute. “Sis, it’s really too soon. I see the potential all you have to do is wait. Chances are pretty good the answer is yes.” Liz gave a breathy, “Yes!” to the answer.
Vivian popped up, “Care to give me the once over too?”
Peiter sat down next to her and repeated the exam. “Vivy I don’t know how this is possible but in your case the answer is a definite yes. There is life and it is strong.”
Vivian smiled, “Thought so. It felt right. Can you tell the gender?”
Peiter smiled, “Oh no, it’s way too early for that. Maybe in ten twelve weeks then I can.”
Vivian patted his hand, “Thanks Hun.”
They all started talking discussing the things that needed to be done. Helen looked around the house selecting what to bring, Liz helping her. Vivian and Jason left the house; off to take care of his smithy. James discussed with Arcos how to transplant his vines, and which farm tools to bring.
Peiter took Katelyn’s hand and led her outside, “Hun, I think we should leave tomorrow. I’m uncomfortable about the village.”
Katelyn looked worried, “Have you spoken to your dad? Peiter do you have your father’s sight?”
Peiter shook his head, “I don’t know but I’ll go talk to him.” He let her hand go, and went back in the house. He found his dad sitting in his chair talking to James. He walked over and sat down on the floor near him.
Arcos looked at him and saw the look of concern on his face and turned to James, “James have Liz show you where the tools are, and have a look at the vines behind the house.”
James stood up and ran his hand over Peiter’s shoulder as he walked off.
Arcos patted the chair beside his. “Have a seat son, what’s troubling you?”
Peiter sat down, and studied his feet, not quite sure how to begin. “Daddy I have this bad feeling about the village. Katelyn asked if I have your sight. Could it be the future that troubles me?”
Arcos took his hand and closed his eyes. Then he opened them and looked at Peiter, “Son I can’t see the village it is obscured to me. But it’s quite possible you have my talent, it developed late for me too. Can you learn it from me? You have the healer’s gift like your mother, perhaps we can see your village together?”
Peiter took his dads hand and opened his mind, and he felt his dad guiding him. He could see the village and men outside it, armed men. Then there was a blank and he could see himself fighting, and then there was only darkness. He could see many parallel paths all that lead to the village led to darkness. If he stayed home, he couldn’t see anything beyond a few days, but it wasn’t darkness, it was like many overlapping images all blurred. He opened his eyes and looked at his father.
Peiter looked even more worried now. “What does it mean?”
Arcos smiled and shook his head, “Peiter our sight doesn’t work that way, we must provide the meaning. What we can see are the possibilities. The darkness may be your death. It may be something else, like something has obscured your view. Clearly armed men might attack the village. Also clearly that path leads to you fighting them. The other pathways are obscured by the complexity of many widely disparate outcomes. With many hours of study you might be able to unravel those paths, but these other ones come undone unless you leave now.”
Arcos stood and called out “Elizabeth, bring James.”
Several seconds passed and Liz and James stepped into the room out of thin air. Liz spoke, “You called daddy?”
Arcos looked at James, “James you and Elizabeth must go to the village scout for bandits.”
Liz flickered slightly and she had her bow and arrows. “Yes daddy do you have a location? Where should we look?”
Arcos considered, “East of the entrance to the village. Be careful they are armed. Do not alert them to your presence.”
Liz took James’ hand and said, “James, let’s step to the infirmary no one but the reverend mother should be there and she will understand.” They vanished.
Peiter startled and looked at his father, “They can reach the village quickly?”
Arcos smiled, “They are already there son. For Elizabeth and James distance has no meaning.”
Peiter considered, “Can they take us there?”
Arcos shook his head, “I don’t know. Will see when they return. Get your brother and your wives we need to plan.”
Peiter ran out the door and signaled Katelyn, “Hun, did you see where Jason and Vivian went?”
Katelyn spoke, “No my love they were gone when we came out remember. What did you find out about the village?”
Peiter looked concerned, “I think it’s going to be attacked.”
Katelyn looked worried. “How soon?”
Peiter shrugged his shoulders, “Soon, less than two days.”
Katelyn really looked worried now, “We can’t get back in time.”
Peiter took her hand, “There may be a way. James and Liz can travel there instantly; maybe they can carry us there. Daddy sent them to scout the bandits, we can find out when they return.”
Katelyn looked only partially happy with the news, “But Peiter if we appear out of thin air, that’s going to create a big problem.”
Peiter nodded his head, “Yes but I was thinking they could deliver us outside the village and we could walk in like we just got there. We need to find out what James and Liz can do, I didn’t know about this talent until seconds ago. Let’s track down Vivian and James, father wants us back at the house.”
Peiter looked around and then spotted two foot print pairs in the dust and he took Katelyn’s hand and walked off into the woods.
Katelyn got an idea, “Hun, let’s merge, our four eyes tracking should be better.”
Peiter nodded and he opened his mind and they were one. He sent his Katelyn part out ahead while he carefully followed the signs. She came to the cave and called “Vivy are you there?” and Vivian came out carrying some tools.
Vivian looked back, “Hey I thought this was a secret.”
Katelyn ran up to her as Peiter entered the clearing near the cave, “We tracked you. We need to get back to the house, the village is going to be attacked.” Peiter released their union and took Katelyn’s hand.
Vivian ran back into the cave and they could hear her talking.
Katelyn moved to follow her, but Peiter restrained her, “No Hun, this is a special place we should not intrude.”
Katelyn stopped and looked at him, “What do you mean?”
Peiter looked slightly uncomfortable, “There are things my brother has not shown me about himself. I think he is protecting me or he is embarrassed about it. I have never pried. I know this place exists because I’ve felt it in him, but I never tried to find it because he never offered to tell me about it.”
Jason came out of the cave with Vivian, he looked a little surprised to see Peiter, but tried to hide it.
Peiter spoke up, “Vivian told you? The village is in danger we need to get back to the house.”
Jason looked over his shoulder at the boulder as he considered if he should close the cave and then Vivian turned his face to her and spoke, “Jason, He’ll understand go ahead.”
Jason turned to Peiter, “Piety what I’m about to do is something I have kept from you because, well partly because I’m embarrassed about it and partly because it can be kind of frightening I think. There is a part of me that is strong, cruel, a taker of life. I keep it in check. Vivian has a part of her that is like this but she is different it’s submerged under her essential goodness. We both have a giving part and that’s the part you see right now. Please try not to be afraid I love you all and would never harm you.”
Jason turned to face the cave and he grew and went over to the stone and picked it up and covered the entrance to the cave. When he turned to face them Peiter jumped slightly when he made eye contact and then he smiled. “Jacy I understand, and I love you. I knew it was something like this because I could feel your strength and the fire inside you.”
Jason knelt next to him and lightly hugged him. “Sorry I didn’t show you this a long time ago. I just didn’t want to scare you.”
He stood up and Peiter looked at him, “Actually your kind of beautiful it’s like looking at a mountain, or a forest fire from a long distance, very elemental attractive in a way”.
Katelyn looked at him and said, “Jason, it goes beyond beautiful, very sexy.” She blushed, bright red, “Sorry.”
Jason shrank and his old form stood before them. Vivian smiled, “Oh too true very sexy.”
Jason shook his head obviously uncomfortable, “Yes, sexual, dominating, cruel, a taker of life. It’s not something I’m proud of.”
Peiter smiled and hugged him, “Jacy we all have this to some degree, the giver and the taker. You have so much strength it’s just amplified in you. It is not something to be ashamed of. You should not separate yourself like that. Glory in what you are; be a taker and a giver.”
Jason looked at him and smiled weakly, “Yes I see that, but I have this thing which if I free it could cause great harm. But enough of this lets get moving father is waiting.” He grabbed Vivian’s hand and they all ran back to the house.
They all trouped into the house, and looked to Arcos. Peiter asked, “Have you heard anything?”
Arcos nodded, “Yes, Liz popped in and said they know where they are, they’re going to check them out and come right back.”
They sat down and Helen passed around mugs of tea, “Drink these it will help calm you.”
The sat and waited for about five minutes and the door opened and James and Liz walked in.
They sat down on the couch which was left vacant for them. “We found them. Ten men all carrying swords, no ranged weapons that we could see, no throwing knives visible. They appear to be living off the land, no packs. They don’t look real skilled, swords poorly tied, scabbards scuffed, poorly made pommels, and some evidence of rust. I’d say bandits and poor ones at that. Very bad camp, no guards posted in an un-defensible location. We could take them pretty easily if you want to make a preemptive attack.”
Peiter looked uncomfortable, “Any chance we could just scare them away?”
Liz looked doubtful, “I don’t think so. They really don’t have anywhere to go and no supplies to speak of.”
Peiter looked hard at Liz, “Could we just hire them and send them off on some wild goose case?”
Liz really looked doubtful, “No they aren’t like that bro, these guys need food, probably want to rape a few women, maybe kill a few. I don’t think we can scare them away without killing some of them. Plus James is untrained, and there’s ten of them.”
Peiter asked the big question, “Can you get me and Katelyn there ahead of them? What about Vivian and Jason, the five of use might be able to scare them off what do you think?”
Liz shook her head, “Piety, James and I can carry you and Katelyn there but it will be a really big strain on us. We will get there and we will be out of commission. Whatever you want to do about these guys, it’s going to have to be Katelyn and you that do it.”
Peiter looked unhappy, “Daddy any ideas?”
Arcos sat there thought for a while, “I’m sorry but all we can do is send you and then Vivian and Jason can follow on foot. They probably can get there in a day but by then the event will be over for good or ill. It’s probably a good idea for them to follow as we can’t see beyond the initial part of the conflict.”
Katelyn looked at Peiter and then at Arcos, “You’re not telling us something, what is it?”
Peiter looked uncomfortable, “Daddy and I can’t see past the initial stage of the fight everything is black after that.”
Katelyn looked at him, “Peiter, tell me what is it?”
Peiter looked even more uncomfortable, “Katy I don’t know. We don’t see meanings just images.”
Arcos raised his voice slightly, “Son, she is your wife she has a right to know the worst.”
Peiter turned to him, “Daddy we don’t know. You said it yourself.”
Katelyn looked at him, “You could be killed.”
Peiter turned to her, “That is always a risk in battle. All we see is darkness and we can only see for several days. I take that to mean I’m still going to be alive, but we just don’t know. But we have to try, we can’t see what will happen if we don’t go. There is sure to be some deaths, I can’t stand by and let that happen.” Peiter went to her and took her hand, “The future is uncertain, what we see is only a possibility, not a certainty. I just know in my heart that the outcome will be very bad if we don’t try. I know you Katy, you can’t sit by either we have to try.”
Arcos spoke up, “He is right. What we see is not cast in stone. He is also right that we have to try, life must serve life, we cannot be who we are and let innocents die. Jason you and Vivian collect what you need and go, and go quickly. James and Elizabeth collect what you need and prepare.”
Jason went to his room and got Vivian’s pack and bow and arrows, and his sword. They ran out the door.
Arcos put his hand on Katelyn’s shoulder and his other hand on Peiter’s shoulder, “Children hear me, be strong do your best to avoid bloodshed. Peiter I know you’re reluctant to kill. Hear me son, when the first one draws his sword you will kill them all as quickly as you can we can’t take the chance of any of them surviving especially if you die.”
Peiter protested, “Daddy I don’t have to kill them, I could just hurt them enough so they can’t fight.”
Arcos tighten his grip on his shoulder, “Son, I will not have my grandchild born without her daddy to hold her. You owe it to her and to your wife, no chances, kill them. I have trained you well and we have talked about this many times. You will not let them harm your unborn child in this way do you hear me?”
Peiter looked down, “Yes daddy I will do my best.”
Arcos looked to Katelyn, “Daughter, I won’t tell you to look out for him, I know you will but you be careful no matter what I want to meet my granddaughter.”
Katelyn smiled at him, “You have seen a granddaughter? He could be a grandson.”
Arcos smiled at her, “I thought all women knew this, babies are girls until proven otherwise.”
Katelyn laughed, “That what the fist master said.”
Arcos smiled, “Yes I think I know who she is. She taught me this truth. Now go and please live through this.” He let their shoulders go.
Peiter went back to his room and got their packs and swords. As he came out James and Liz showed up, James had his pack on his back and Liz had her bow and arrows.
Liz looked at Peiter, “Piety we talked it over and we’re going to step to the infirmary. You can arrange for the reverend mother to take care of us and then you and Katy can go take care of these miscreants. I’ll carry Katy as she’s lighter James will carry you. You put your arm around our waist and we step. We’ll be very tired when we get there so be prepared to help us into a bed. Are you ready?”
Katelyn went to Liz and wrapped her arm around her waist and took hold of her belt with her other hand. Peiter did the same with James. Liz spoke up, “Ok here we go, she turned and stepped.”
They were in darkness, and Peiter and Katelyn hugged James and Liz as they slumped. Liz gasped, “Oh”, and her head fell forward, and she was unconscious. James took a deep breath, “Oh, that was bad”, and he sagged and Peiter carried him to a bed and laid him on it, while Katelyn did the same with Liz. The reverend mother walked in carrying a tray with soup and cakes, and juice. She set it down and took some juice to Liz. Propped her up and Liz opened her eyes and drank as the reverend mother held the cup. After a few gulps, she hoarsely said, “Go.”
The reverend mother spoke up, “I have them go take care of whatever brought you.”
Katelyn and Peiter set down their packs and arranged their swords, and walked out.
They headed for the gate and arrived just as the men showed up. The gate guards were talking with them as they stood close together. Katelyn touched Peiter’s arm, “Very sloppy.”
As they walked up the leader looked and saw them and their swords and the purposeful stride and signaled his men, they spread out slightly and tried to enter the village but the guards blocked them. Peiter walked up as one of the guards raised her voice, “You may not enter here armed like that. Put down your swords or leave.”
Peiter walked up to the leader, “Can we help you?” He spoke calmly with an assurance of strength. The leader stepped up to him and said, “Yes pretty boy you can drop those swords and go somewhere else.”
Peiter smiled, “No this is my home, and I think you have worn out your welcome why don’t you leave and we can avoid any unpleasantness.”
The leader sneered at him, “Sony boy I see four women and you, against ten of us. Do you think you can take us all?”
Peiter looked him in the eye, “Yes I do. Your swords are rusty, you haven’t eaten much recently you all look dusty and tired. I think I can cut most of you down before you draw your weapons. I certainly will kill you all if any of you try.”
A flicker of doubt passed across his face, but then he moved his hand toward his sword.
Peiter put his hand on his own sword, and spoke loudly, “Please don’t force me to kill you, just go.”
The leader put his hand on the pommel of his sword and Peiter drew his swords instantly and stood ready. The leader stopped.
Peiter looked at him with a soft smile on his face, “Please reconsider, choose life, go.”
One of the men in the back coughed slightly and the leader made his choice, he started to draw and Peiter cut his head off. At the same time he yelled, “Run you fools or I will surely kill you.” He cut down another, then another. They all started to draw and Peiter cut down another, then another. Katelyn drew her sword and held it at the ready, one of them tried to flank Peiter and she cut him down. One bandit held a club and he swung it at Peiter and Peiter eviscerated him and decapitated the one next to him the club hit Peiter in the head and he dropped unconscious, Katelyn stood ready the remaining two men looked at her and ran. She dropped her sword and went to Peiter’s side she turned him over and there was a bloody mark on his forehead. She put her hand to his neck and felt his pulse it was there weak but he was alive. She picked him up and carried him to the infirmary and laid him down on the bed and then fell down the strain of carrying him finally taking its toll. She whispered weakly, “mother, help him”. The reverend mother left the side of James’ bed and went to Katelyn and helped her into the bed next to Peiter. As she was doing this the three guard women ran in carrying Katelyn’s sword and Peiter’s swords their clothes were spattered with blood.
The reverend mother looked at Katelyn, she had blood on her blouse, and Peiter was covered in blood.
She took the swords and put them with their packs, “Go clean up the bodies, burry them outside the walls. Then go change clothes, and close the gates. We’ll consider what to do after you’re done. Go and get the sword master and the fist master I want to speak to them.
She went to Peiter and put her hand on his head and a look of concern crossed her face. A woman came in carrying clean sheets, a basket and a bucket of water. The reverend mother took a pair of scissors from the table and started cutting Peiter’s clothes off, and dropping the pieces in the basket, and then washing the blood from his body. When she was done she rolled him on his side and cut the bloody sheet from the cot, and put a clean one in its place then she cleaned his back and side and rolled him back the other way and repeated the procedure, changing the sheets and then she covered him and then gently washed his head injury. Then she tore some sheets and bound his head covering the injury.
Then she went to Katelyn she was weak but conscious. She spoke softly, “Is he Ok?”
The reverend mother waved the woman who brought the sheets over, “Go boil a lot of willow bark in water and bring it to me make it strong as you can.”
She sat Katelyn up and took off her clothes and then covered her with a sheet. “He’s alive and is strong. I can’t tell if he’s Ok. The injury is severe it is too soon to tell.”
Katelyn looked worried, “Mother we had no choice.”
The reverend mother pulled a chair up to her bed. “Child I know. He would not have had it any other way. You need to relax and sleep. You have strained yourself severely by carrying him here. You are in for some painful days which I will do my best to get you through. Be assured I will do all I can to save him.”
She lay back and the tears started to fall, “Oh mother we knew that this might happen, but we came anyway. We couldn’t let it happen again. He has the sight mother, he saw only darkness, he can’t die, oh please he can’t die.”
The reverend mother stroked forehead, “sleep child, sleep”. The reverend mother sat repeating over and over to her and eventually she fell asleep. While she was sleeping the woman she sent to boil the willow bark came back. The reverened mother went to a cupboard, opened a small bottle of brown oil and mixed it with the thick willow bark soup. She then pulled the sheets back from Katelyn and began massaging it into her skin, instructing the her assistant to help her. When they were done she put the mixture aside.
She went back to Peiter and rested her hand on his head. Her expression grew strained and then she slowly grew white and tired. She stood and lay down on the bed next to Katelyn and went to sleep. Her assistant walked around all the beds and touched their necks checking them and then she pulled up a chair next to the reverend mother and took her hand and sat watching.
After some time the fist master and the sword master walked in and the assistant shooed them into the other room to talk.
The sword master started, “What happened?”
The assistant explained, “We were attacked, Katelyn and Peiter killed most of the attackers, and Peiter was injured, a blow to the head. Katelyn carried him back from the gate by herself and has strained herself severely but is not in any danger. We have two others in our care, the sister of Peiter and the farmer James. They showed up with Katelyn and Peiter and are suffering from severe exhaustion though I don’t understand why. They have been fed and are resting and should be fine in the morning. The reverend mother spent some time healing Peiter and is exhausted as a result she is resting and should be better in the morning though she is old and it will be several days before she is recovered.”
The fist master looked troubled “How is Peiter, will he recover?”
The assistant looked worried, “I can’t be sure, these kinds of injuries can be difficult to heal. Katelyn mumbled something about seeing only darkness. It may be his life is not threatened but he may not regain consciousness. We can only do our best to keep him alive while he recovers.”
The sword master spoke again, “Who attacked?”
The assistant shook her head, “I don’t know there were three on guard, they were spattered with blood, Peiter was covered in blood, not his own. Katelyn said he killed them. Mother sent them to bury the bodies, you can probably get the details from them. Now that’s all I know come back after nine tomorrow most should be up and about. You can get more from them.”
The sword master signaled one of her students, “Get their swords and clean them, and return them to their packs when you’re done.” The student ran off to comply.
The fist master looked at the sword master, “We have been remiss, Send three of your best, and I’ll send three of mine, they will guard the burial and then assume responsibility for the gate.”
The sword master nodded and walked off, the fist master walked back into the infirmary and put her hand on Peiter’s chest. “Be well my son, come back to us.” She shook her head and walked off to her duties.
The next morning at nine the assistant was serving them breakfast in bed, she instructed them, “You will all rest today. You may not leave your beds except to go to the privy. Do understand? That includes you mother, but the reverend mother was still asleep and made no comment.”
Liz sat up, “Can I at least sit up and talk?”
The assistant looked pained, “Yes you can if you like, though I imagine Katelyn is not going to want to do that.”
Katelyn was in pain and couldn’t sit up, so she spoke, “Liz please; Peiter was hurt check him please.”
Liz jumped out of bed, and looked around and spied Peiter, “Oh no.” she gasped. “I get mom.” She ran out the door and when she got into the deserted hall she vanished.
Within minutes Vivian and Jason ran in and Jason spied Peiter and went to him. He saw the bandage and then looked at Katelyn and could see her pain. “Katelyn what happened? Are you alright? How’s Piety?”
Katelyn winced as she sat up and the assistant ran over to her, “Now lay down, he can come talk to you.”
Katelyn waved her off and stood and Jason came over to her and picked her up and carried her over by Peiter he signaled Vivian to drag a cot near him, and he set her down carefully and propped her up with pillows against the wall and then covered her as best he could with a sheet. She looked at Peiter and tears started to roll down her face. Jason just sat holding her hand waiting. Vivian put her hand on his shoulder so he stood up, Vivian took his place and she took her hand.
Vivian touched her face, “Katy, honey, tell us what happened.”
Katelyn sniffed and tried to talk but just sobbed and then she tried to sit up straighter and she winced. The pain helped, “Oww, Oh Vivy they were at the gate, Peiter warned them over and over that he would kill them, and then the leader drew and Peiter killed him, they attacked I killed one that tried to flank Peiter, Peiter killed six more the last one had a club and hit Peiter as he died. Oh Vivy, he’s hurt bad.”
Jason made a growling sound, “So two ran off?”
Katelyn nodded weakly, “When Peiter fell I faced them ready to kill them and they ran away.”
Jason started walking to the door. Vivian looked at him and said, “Jason wait take James, James go with him. Jason send James when you’ve found them, let us know it’s done.”
Jason nodded and James followed him out the door.
At that moment Liz showed up with her mother and she crumpled to the ground unconscious. Helen picked her up and carried her into the room. She saw Vivian and spoke up, “Vivian help me with Elizabeth.” Vivian stood and ran to her and helped her put Liz back to bed. Helen looked around and spied the assistant who was standing confused and frustrated by all the activity. “You there get some juice. What is your name?”
“My name is Eleanor mam, who are you?” She was getting a little confused.
“My name is Helen, these are my children. Who is the elderly lady?” Helen looked at the reverend mother.
Eleanor spoke trying to get control of herself, “That’s our reverend mother, she over extended herself healing Peiter.”
Helen nodded pulled a chair over to her bed and sat down. She laid her hand on her forehead.
Eleanor spoke up worried, “Hey now what are you doing?”
Helen didn’t look up, “Eleanor I’m a healer, now be silent child let me help her.”
She sat holding her hand on her head and then she heaved a big sigh, and the reverend mother opened her eyes, and smiled weakly. “You must be Peiter’s mother, he favors you.”
Helen smiled at her, “You risk a lot mother, but thank you.”
She nodded, “As you say, help him he is beyond my skill.”
Helen looked at Eleanor, “You made a nice breakfast child, feed it to her. She is very weak. She must eat it all, even if it takes all day. You will see to her whatever she needs. Ignore the rest I will see to them.”
Eleanor propped her up and set the tray in front of her and began to feed her, and give her juice. Helen put her hand on Eleanor’s shoulder and Eleanor smiled, “Thank you, oh thank you.”
Helen went to Peiter and pulled a chair over to him. She sat down, “Vivian feed some Juice to Liz and some breakfast, and then see that brown messy salve in the bowl, smear it on Katelyn, she’s torn many muscles. Where’s Jason and James?”
Vivian was feeding Liz the juice, “They went to take care of some loose ends.”
Helen looked at Katelyn, “Honey I won’t lie to you, he’ll live, but it will be a slow recovery. When he’s recovered part way we can help him as he heals himself. But you have to be strong and get well. He’s going to need all our strength.”
Katelyn nodded, “Oh mother as long as he’ll be Ok I’m ready to give whatever he needs. How …” She stopped, and swallowed hard, trying not to cry again, “How long?”
Helen put her hand on his head, “Three maybe four months dear.”
Katelyn nodded and then sighed, “Ok. Mother, help me; I want to hold his hand. Ok?”
Helen slid her cot close to his and then rearranged the pillows so she could lay back and she put his hand in hers. “Feel his pulse Hun, hold on he’ll be alright.”
Katelyn nodded and tears rolled down her face again, “Thank you mother.”
Helen sat, her hand glowed slightly where it rested on Peiter’s head. She sat back after a while and called Vivian weakly, “Vivian, honey, bring me some juice and food now.” Vivian brought a tray over, and started feeding juice to Helen. The reverend mother smiled at her, “Thank you I hoped you would come.”
Helen smiled still weak, “Arcos said this is all part of the plan, he says he can see the broad strokes but not the fine details.”
The reverend mother’s eyes widened slightly, “So you are that Helen, Wife of Arcos. So we come full circle. That explains a lot. Now I understand how such a treasure could come to be. You should be proud of what you have accomplished in him.”
Helen smiled, “You give me too much credit. He is a miracle wrought by the gods.”
The reverend mother smiled, “Oh I envy you to have known him so long.”
Helen laughed, “Oh you wouldn’t say that if you were standing in my shoes, he has been a difficult child, though these last few years have made up for the rest.”
James walked in from the hall, looked around, “Oh mother good to see you so soon.” James went to Liz who was sound asleep. “I see; she has gone and tired herself out again.” He sat down and took her hand.
Vivian spoke up while handing Helen a cake. “James, what about Jason?”
James sat silent looking at the floor, “Ah … Jason.”
Vivian smiled slightly, “James I know it was shocking I have a good idea what happened. Just say it.”
James shuddered, “He tore them apart. He warned me that it was going to happen and told me to look the other way, but I wanted to see, to see them punished for what they did to Katelyn and Peiter. I shouldn’t have looked, but in a way I’m glad I did. Such strength who would have thought that such strength could exist in a mortal frame.”
Helen grimaced at the news, “James is he Ok? This is his worst nightmare that this would happen.”
James looked up, “He’s Okay. When he was done while he was still enlarged I went to him and I looked him in the face and I said, ‘Thank you I wish I could have done that.’ I’m sorry but they were the lowest of the low. We tracked them to their hideout where there were several bodies, mutilated rotting. When we saw that, he warned me and he changed; he grew. They attacked him, and their swords just broke they couldn’t cut him.” Jason looked down and swallowed. He looked up at Helen, “And then he tore them apart slowly. I sure it was quite painful. I sorry but it pleased me that they suffered. When he was back to normal we hugged each other and we heaped the bodies of their victims, and them, into a pile and burned them. He told me to come back here. He’s gone to see Arcos and to give him the news.”
Helen looked with concern at James, “James, are you OK?”
James sighed, “Yes, what we saw, it was justice nothing less. If he could have revived them to kill them again I would have cheered him on. They deserve to suffer for an eternity. Their victims and I can rest after what we did. Vivian he said you would understand.”
Vivian had a grim look on her face a look of steel. “James I understand too well. Did you talk to him about it does he understand?”
James looked at her, “Yes. He told me about the part that takes and the part that gives. I told him that the part that takes is part of the whole and that there is justice and taking their lives was part of the wheel of life, that life must take back when life is perverted like they were. He told me to make sure that you understood. He wanted you to know he accepts what Peiter said now, that he is a giver and a taker.”
Vivian relaxed, and smiled. “James you are a wise man, thank you.”
James shook his head, “No I’m not that wise, I’m sorry but I was very angry and talking about it is making me angry again, can we forget about this, those men do not deserve to be remembered.”
Vivian smiled, “Yes you are right. James can you bring Arcos here? How are you feeling? I’m sure he’s worried.”
James stroked Liz. “Sure I can do that. I’m getting better at it anyway.”
Helen roused, “James no, bring Jason, I need his strength explain to Arcos, that Vivian and Jason can help me heal him. He’ll understand. You can go back tomorrow after you’ve rested, and get him.”
James nodded, “Yes I understand, if strength can heal him, Jason is the one to provide it. I’ll get him.”
James looked at Eleanor, and she noticed, “It’s Okay young man, I think I understand how special you all are, you can go ahead and disappear, I won’t be frightened.”
Jason smiled at her, “Well reverend mother; I think we have another ally in the fight.” He walked over to Eleanor and put his hand on her shoulder, “Welcome to the family Eleanor. I’m happy to call you sister.” He stepped away from her and disappeared. Eleanor didn’t even blink she turned back to the reverend mother and the reverend mother patted her on her hand. Eleanor raised an eyebrow at the reverend mother and said, “Mother when you’re better I’m expecting a good explanation of that, for now I’ll be content just being a part of this mad house.”
The reverend mother smiled at her, “Ok child I owe you that. But as James said I’m happy to call you sister as well. You are no longer my assistant you are my sister.”
Eleanor smiled a happy smile, “Well sister eat up, and let’s get you better.”
Liz woke up and stifled a big yawn, Vivian noticed and went over and gave her another cake, “Here my little bird, eat up.”
She took a bite, “I heard James’ voice, where did he go?”
Vivian smiled, “He went to get Jason, so he’ll be joining you in bed real soon.”
Liz looked sleepy, “Tell him to be gentile, I need my beauty sleep.” She faded and was asleep.
Helen smiled, “Married life is doing her good.”
Vivian snorted softly, “Ha, couple more cakes, and a cup of tea and she’ll be her old self.”
Helen just shook her head, “Yes I know, but we can enjoy it while it lasts.”
There was a soft scuffle and James and Jason popped into the room, James staggered slightly. “Here’s Jason, excuse me but I’ll just lie down.”
Vivian jumped up, “Not yet lover boy, down this juice and eat this cake, and then you can join your wife in sleepy land.” She handed him a cup and a cake and stood close ready to catch him if he toppled. James finished his snack and lifted the covers on Liz’s cot and climbed in. She opened her eyes briefly and grabbed him and hugged him close and faded out again. They were both asleep. Vivian straightened the covers and went over to Jason.
Vivian hugged him, “Thanks for taking care of the loose ends. James explained no need to rehash it. James asked if we could just forget about it, so let’s Ok?”
Jason nodded, “Ok, James was a little unclear about the angle here, mama what can I do?”
Helen smiled she was almost recovered, “Well I think the three of us can use the strength of the two of you to almost completely heal Peiter. It will do Katelyn a world of good, and you two will have to sleep for a day or two. The most important part will be getting him so he can eat and drink on his own again. Then he’ll be able to heal himself with Katelyn’s help. If you’re ready I’d like to do it right away because he needs water and food.”
Jason looked at Eleanor, “Mama what about Eleanor, we don’t want to frighten her out of a year of growth.”
Eleanor just laughed, “I think I’m pretty much past the scared out of my wits stage, on to totally numb. Plus James called me sister so just tell me what you need, and I’ll do my best.”
Helen smiled, “Hold that thought Eleanor, because we need your help. You haven’t seen any thing yet, even I haven’t seen this. I am kind of interested actually. But first Vivian, take the glop in the bowl and smear it on Katelyn, she needs a refill, Jason you help her turn her over. Try to hurt her as little as possible. She’s in a lot of pain. Then you do your thing and I do mine then you drink some juice with me and we all go to sleep. Then if we’re lucky Peiter wakes up with us tomorrow. Oh we need to make sure that Katelyn is in contact with him, holding his hand is good enough.”
Eleanor spoke up, “Just put her on the same cot with him just like the other two. She’ll rest easier and he’ll wake up in a familiar place.”
Helen smiled, “Yes excellent idea. When you’re done put her with Peiter.”
Jason looked at Vivian, “Vivy I think we can handle her a lot better larger, I can hold her and you can grease her up, and then I can put her next to Peiter simple. Very little movement for her much less pain.”
Helen nodded, “Yes that’s good too, plus I can get a good look at you two. Let’s do it.”
Helen went over to sit by the reverend mother and Eleanor. “Hold on to your hats ladies this is going to be a real trip.” Helen took their hands, “Ok children lets go.”
Jason took Vivian’s hand, and they sat holding hands, and Jason grew, and Vivian followed. Helen smiled, the reverend mother smiled a bit wider. Eleanor gasped; her eyes wide with shock. Jason drew the covers off Katelyn, who was looking in awe at them. Jason slipped his hand behind her back and his other hand under her legs and picked her up like a baby. Vivian smeared the brown goo over her body, and as she rubbed it in Katelyn relaxed as the pain killers had their effect. Then Vivian skinned back the covers on Peiter’s cot and Jason laid Katelyn down beside him she snuggled up to him and sighed. Jason covered them and then looked to Helen. “Ok mama, what’s next?”
Helen pried her hands out of Eleanor’s, and then went over by Peiter’s head. “You two are absolutely the most beautiful things in this form; so strong, so elemental. Now I’m going to kneel by the end of Peiter’s cot and put my hands on his head. You two each put a hand on my shoulders; I’ll draw on your strength and heal Peiter.” She did it and they did as requested. She touched him and her hands glowed bright orange and Peiter’s head glowed as well. She held that position for ten minutes and then she lowered her hands and Jason and Vivian shrank to normal. Eleanor stood and gave them each some juice and then some cakes, they managed to eat them and then Jason and Vivian laid down on a cot and kissed and went to sleep. Helen stripped and lay down on a cot and Eleanor covered her up and kissed her on her forehead. “That was the most. Sleep now.”
Eleanor sat back down by the reverend mother, “Such love, it makes me proud to know them.”
The reverend mother nodded. “Yes and to think they had to hide all these years because of our stupidity. Come on my dear climb up on this cot with me we can sleep together and imagine we are like them.”
Eleanor smiled and her chin quivered, “Mother don’t kid me like that I love you too much.”
The reverend mother smiled at her, “Oh child I know how you feel. I’m not joking. I think the love they know is beyond what we can feel, but as I told you I’m proud to call you sister. I’ve loved you for years.”
When the sun rose, and Liz woke up first. She woke in the warm embrace of James, carefully extracted herself and stood looking around at all the sleeping people. She tip toed over to Peiter and Katelyn and looked at him, his head wrapped in bandages. She touch his face lightly and then she saw the tray with a few cakes left on it and took one as she walked out of the room. She wandered down the hall and came to an open room in which a young women her age was sitting reading an old dusty book.
She looked up and smiled at her. “Oh hello, you’re one of our new guests can I help you? My name is Catrin.”
Liz smiled back, “Hello I’m Liz, where can I go to get cleaned up?”
Catrin walked out into the hall, “That door leads to the privy out back, you will pass some bowls and pitchers with water and soap, or if you like I can draw you a bath.” She noticed the half eaten cake in her hand, “I can get you breakfast if you like as well.”
Liz smile broadened, “Oh you’re so nice I like you. Can you start cooking for them all? They will be awake soon, I’m an early riser.”
Catrin smiled and curtsied, “Oh, it’s my job but thank you for the complement. I’ll alert the cooks, they have been preparing; so breakfast should be ready in a few minutes. Will you eat in the infirmary or should we prepare the dining room?”
Liz considered, “I think we should eat in the dining room the infirmary is so dark.”
Cartrin curtsied again, “As you wish, the dining room is one door down from the infirmary.” She walked away toward the kitchen.
Liz went out the door to the room with the bowls and water, washed her face and went back to the infirmary. Most everyone was awake. She went to James and hugged him from behind and he smiled and pressed her hand against him. “I wondered where you went.”
Jason and Vivian were sitting on their cot holding hands, while Helen went to Katelyn and Peiter who were both still asleep. She touched Katelyn and she opened her eyes, smiled and she sat up wincing slightly but able to move. She looked at Peiter his eyes were closed and the bandage was still in place so she started to tear up her face full of pain. Helen saw this and spoke up, “Katelyn be strong, he is almost healed, removed the bandage.”
Katelyn untied the bandage and uncoiled it and the horrible wound was gone. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully. Her expression changed to hopeful. “He’s sleeping?”
Helen put her hand on his head, “Yes, we’ll wake him shortly, but you need to be strong, I have taken him as far back to health as I can, with the help of Jason and Vivian. There is damage that remains. We must help him to heal himself, only he has the skill for the next step.”
Katelyn was stroking his face and smiling. “Oh mother!” she couldn’t speak.
Helen looked at Katelyn she was naked and the sheet had fallen down when she sat up. Her skin stained with the brown salve. “Liz; find her clothes and organize a bath, hot water.”
Liz jumped up, “Yes mama, I found a nice girl she can help”, and she ran off to get it ready.
The reverend mother sat up and Eleanor was sitting in a chair next to her cot. Helen walked over to her and took her hand. “Mother you need more rest; take it easy today.”
The reverend mother stood and adjusted her clothes, “Of course I will try.”
Helen looked at Eleanor and made a slight gesture. Eleanor nodded, “She is stubborn but I’ll do what I can.” The reverend mother left with Eleanor in tow.
Helen went to Katelyn, “You need to be careful for the next week. No lifting of anything. Try to move around, walk wave your arms, keep your blood moving. Do not sit too long in one place. If it hurts stop. If it hurts too much let me know.” Katelyn stood up and Helen wrapped her in a sheet. While they were speaking Liz came back carrying her clothes. “Now daughter go get cleaned up and when you come back we’ll wake Peiter.”
Liz spoke up, “Katy if you’ll follow me I’ll take you to your bath.” Liz and Katelyn walked to the door. Liz stopped, “Mama, breakfast will be ready next door.” They left to Katelyn’s bath.
Vivian and Jason sat quietly on their cot. Vivian was studying Helen and she stood up and went to her and hugged her. “Thank you for your strength mother.” She whispered. Helen patted her on her back and Vivian let her go.
Helen sat down and looked at Peiter sleeping, with a look of concern on her face.
Shortly Liz and Katelyn came back and Helen stood. “Katelyn, lets wake him.”
Katelyn walked over to him and stroked his face, “Wake my love.”
Peiter stirred and sat up and smiled at Katelyn and looked around and held his hand out to her. He sat on the edge of the cot, with a soft smile on his face. Katelyn took his hand and spoke softly to him, “How do you feel, love?”
Peiter smiled and raised his hand to her face, but sat quietly not speaking.
Helen touched his face and he turned to her and smiled, and she looked in his eyes. “Katelyn can you open your mind to him? See if you can.”
Katelyn touched his face and he turned to her and he smiled again, she looked into his eyes and opened her mind, like she did when they merged, but the merger didn’t happen she could feel his mind open and loving calm. Katelyn spoke, “Mother he has no words. He can’t speak. I feel him and his thoughts but there are no words.”
Peiter sat stroking her face with a loving smile on his face. She caught his hand and he gripped it tightly.
Katelyn closed her mind and gripped his hand back.
Helen touched her leg, “What do you mean, he cannot speak, or he cannot understand us?”
Katelyn looked at her, “Both. He has no words, he can’t understand us nor can he speak. I feel his love and concern, he is there just wordless.”
Helen sighed, “Yes that is what I felt. Come let’s go eat.” Katelyn helped him dress and they went to the dining room holding hands, she sat him down at the table, she got him some food and sat down next to him. He smiled and picked up her empty plate, and handed it to her smiling. He touched her face and then touched her tummy. She went and got her food and she sat down next to him. He smiled and picked up a bite and began to eat. Katelyn sat watching him. After two bites he stopped and forked a bite of food off her plate and moved to feed it to her. She smiled, laughed and ate it, “Oh mother he’s worried about me.”
Helen smiled, “Well he should be Katelyn, do as he says eat.”
Everyone sat down and began to eat and the talked about inconsequential things enjoying the meal. When they finished Peiter stood up and collected the plates and returned them to the table near the food and sat back down. He took Katelyn’s hand, pressed it to his chest, put his other hand on her chest, and then he looked in her eyes and smiled. A small blotch of color popped up and circled around and disappeared.
Katelyn smiled, “He says he loves me. Oh mother he’s still there just no words. How do we help him?”
Helen sat looking at him, “Katelyn, I don’t know. I can’t feel his injury we will have to wait and see.”
Katelyn looked worried and he saw her frown. He touched her face and shook his head. Then he touched his mouth, shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
She looked at him, “He knows he can’t speak. Do you understand my love?”
He smiled and touched his ears, shook his head again and shrugged.
She looked at him and frowned, “He can’t hear?”
Helen stood and walked behind him, clapped her hands loud near his ear. He jumped a little, smiled, touched his ear and nodded.
Helen stepped out and came back with a book and gave it to him. He opened it, ran his hand over the page, touched his head and shook his head. Helen sat down next to him and set down some ink, a quill and some paper. He touched the quill, the paper, his head; he shook his head and shrugged his shoulders again.
Helen touched her mouth and sang a little song no words just notes.
Peiter smiled and sung it back to her. He could make sounds. Peiter jumped up and pulled Katelyn to her feet and he sang a song no words just notes and danced with her, as he sang it he smiled and butterflies started dancing with him. He kissed her and a big blast of butterflies popped up and then faded.
Katelyn laughed and a tear ran down her face, “He sang that song to me a few days ago.”
Peiter saw the tear and wiped it from her face and put his hand on her chest shook his head.
Katelyn smiled a shaky smile and looked at Helen, “He doesn’t want me to be sad.”
He pulled her hand toward the door, and he signaled the others to follow. When he got outside he pointed at the sun, he spun around once and pointed at the sun. He put his hand on his cheek pointed at the sun, then he pantomimed waking, then he pointed at the sun, swung around, and pantomimed sleeping. Then he touched the index finger of his hand to his thumb of his left hand and then quickly through the rest of his fingers and then around again over his fingers. Then he touched his mouth and he got very a concentrated look on his face and said, “Katy” and then he smiled broadly and danced a bit. He ran over to Katelyn frowned and then use his fingers to adjust his face into a smile, then he touched her face and tried to adjust it into a smile.
Vivian spoke up, “I think I understand he’s saying to wait ten days and he’ll be able to talk. He wants you to be happy.”
Katelyn laughed, at his antics, “Even now, hurt and speechless, he is so alive. Oh how I love him.” She grabbed him and hugged him as tight as she could. He hugged her and struggled to speak, “Katy … happy … love.” He relaxed his hold on her and she let him go.
He ran over to Vivian and dragged her over next to Jason; he took her hand and put it in Jason’s. Then he went to his mother stood her opposite Vivian facing her. Then he drew a line on the ground from Vivian to his mother. The he drew a circle on the ground next to his mother and drew a line to her and another to Jason. Then he ran over to Liz and James pushed them away and then ran back to the circle near his mother. He touched the circle and ran back to Liz and James and pushed them away again.
Vivian looked at him, “He wants you to get Arcos, but why both of you?”
He ran back to where Liz and James were standing drew a line, and then divided it in half. Then he drew a line to the first half to Liz, and then a line for the second half to James. He pantomimed being tired.
Helen caught it, “He wants you to split the trip, so you won’t be as tired.”
Liz stepped up to him and hugged him and nodded. She took James’ hand and they stepped and were gone. About a minute passed and then Peiter started pacing back and forth, then stopping and spreading his hands.
Katelyn laughed, “He’s wondering what’s taking so long.”
The waited another five minutes and then James stepped in with Arcos, and then Liz stepped in. Liz and James looked tired but not crippled. James spoke up, “Well that is a little more tolerable, still kind of tiring though.”
Peiter ran over to his father and hugged him. Then he took a step back and danced a little.
Arcos looked at him and smiled. He looked at Helen, “So he survived.”
Helen walked over and took his hand. Peiter touched his mother’s mouth and then touched his father’s ear. Helen gave a soft laugh, “This is actually quite fun. He wants me to explain what happened.”
Arcos looked at Peiter and then at Helen, “What’s going on? Why is he acting that way?”
Helen looked at him with a slightly sad expression, “My love he’s injured and he cannot speak or understand our speech. He’s been communicating by all kinds of tricks, and pantomimes and doing quite well I might add. Katelyn has touched his mind and says he has no words, his language skills are missing. He indicated it would be ten days before he can speak again.”
Arcos smiled and took Peiter’s hand and then shrugged his shoulders. “Well, he is a clever boy, and it’s only ten days.”
As he said that Peiter smiled and the shrugged his shoulders as well. Arcos looked at him, “Are you sure he can’t understand us?”
Helen smiled at him, “Yes I’m sure. As you say he is clever, he watches our faces and our body language. It’s not verbal but he can guess his meanings. Let’s go in and sit down, Liz and James can eat some cakes and recharge.”
They sat down and then Peiter got an idea and ran back to the infirmary and came back with his swords, and he did a quick sword kata, and then a fist kata. He slipped his swords into his belt and held his hand out to Katelyn. He touched his mouth and shook his head and then touched Katelyn’s mouth. He took her hand and pulled her towards the door. Then he turned and put his hands out and pushed them down, he pointed at them around the room and then gave the two handed push down gesture again. Then he took Katelyn’s hand and left with her.
Arcos looked around, smiled and asked, “Did anyone get that?”
Vivian spoke up, “I think he wants to get the fist master and the sword master. He needs Katelyn to speak for him. The last one is a little tough maybe he wants us to stay here?”
Helen took Arcos hand, “Katelyn is right, he is so alive, in spite of his injuries he is managing to pursue his plan to save village. I’m proud of our son.”
Peiter went toward the sword master’s Dojo with Katelyn in tow, he was rushing along. Katelyn freed her hand and stopped and stood a little out of breath. Peiter turned back and tried to retake her hand and she pulled it back and then she stepped up, put her arm through his arm and took a slow step. He tried to step faster and she shook her head, and hauled him back. He laughed as he caught her meaning and he took a calm step and she nodded. They walked the remaining way to the Dojo. When they entered many of the students greeted them, and Peiter beamed with a big smile. They walked over to where the sword master was sitting and Peiter bowed to her and sat down. The sword master greeted him and Peiter just smiled and touched his ear and shook his head.
The sword master spoke to Katelyn, “Good to see you both in one piece. Peiter’s acting odd is everything alright?”
Katelyn smiled at her, “Sensei, Everything is good considering. Peiter had a bad knock in the head. He can’t speak or understand what we say. Other than that he appears to be ok.”
The Sensei’s face changed to a look of concern, and Peiter reached out and touched her hand and shook his head while he smiled. She took his hand. “Katelyn, will he recover?”
Katelyn sighed, “Yes, he has assured me in ten days he will speak again. I don’t totally believe it yet.” She looked unhappy and Peiter touched her chest and shook his head, then he signaled with his hand twice.
The Sensei watched this and smiled. “He understands us?”
Katelyn forced a smile, “No he’s keying off our faces. He understands how we feel from our expression.”
Peiter looked at her and then hummed a tune and tapped her on her chest. He shook his head.
The Sensei saw this and had to laugh, “Oh he is delightful, what was that song?”
Katelyn smiled this time with sincerity, “Oh he sang it to me. It’s a love song.”
The Sensei smiled, “Oh it sounds delightful. Sing it to him.”
Katelyn got really red faced and looked around “Now Sensei?”
The Sensei smiled at her, “Yes now, I know what I’m about, sing it.” Then she raised her voice, “Students be quite and attend.” The practice in the yard stopped and the students walked over to the platform on which the Sensei was sitting with Peiter and Katelyn. Peiter looked around with interest.
Katelyn was terrified, “Sensei I can’t it’s a love song, in front of all of these?”
The Sensei smiled at her, “Katelyn you will sing it. Get a grip. Look at him. Concentrate and sing it. Focus on his face, exclude us. It is like a battle. Now calm yourself and begin.”
Katelyn looked around; the students were smiling at her, some enjoying her discomfort. She felt their challenge. So she looked at Peiter; his open smiling face; his hand in her hand and she calmed down and she sang.
The first time ever I saw your face
I thought the sun rose in your eyes
And the moon and the stars were gifts you gave
to the dark and the endless skies
My love
…
As she sang looking at him her voice started out weak and then got stronger. When Peiter realized what was happening his face lit up with delight. When she reached the last line, she sang it with all her heart. Peiter clapped and some of the students joined in. The students drifted away to their practice. Most were smiling some were singing the song.
The Sensei had a big smile on her face. “Very good Katelyn.”
Katelyn blushed slightly, “Sensei why?” Peiter touched her face and then her chest. His big smile was threatening to crack his face. He reach out his hand and took the Sensei’s hand and then took Katelyn’s hand and closed his eyes, opened them and a colorful splotch of light flew around him and vanished. His expression got really intense as he forced out the words partially singing them, “Your face.”
The Sensei smiled she had a twinkle in her eye, “Katelyn I love to embarrass you.” Then she laughed and said, “Your performance will be the talk of village, your love will resonate in my students and they will pass it out to the whole village, with the song. It will start the battle to save the village. They will hear it and they will want what you have. Also he spoke. Trust him he knows. If he says he will speak again in ten days, believe it he will.”
Peiter had released their hands while the Sensei was talking. He was watching Katelyn’s face and as she smiled realizing the Sensei was right that he would recover, he touched her face and then her chest.
The Sensei laughed again, “Oh Katelyn he is so delightful look at him, he’s crippled because of his injury but it doesn’t mean a thing. He doesn’t really need to speak. But trust him girl he will.” She sat still briefly admiring Peiter’s smile and then she asked, “So what brings you here?”
Katelyn looked at him a question on her face, “Sensei I don’t know exactly. He signaled that he wanted to do something with you and the fist master. His parents are here at the infirmary he indicated they should wait and then he dragged me here.”
Peiter watched and then stood up and pulled the Sensei’s hand and looked at the gate.
The Sensei stood and put her sword in her belt and “Oh I see, you go get the fist master I’ll meet you there. He wants us to come to meet his parents. Go get the fist master.”
Katelyn stood up, and Peiter touched his mouth and shook his head and pointed. The Sensei touched his face and nodded at him and then pushed him toward the gate lightly. He smiled and took Katelyn’s hand and started off briskly but she pulled him back and put her arm through his again and he laughed and they walked at a more reasonable pace out the door.
The Sensei laughed as she watched them go, “A bundle of energy at least that hasn’t changed.” She signaled one of her students, “I’m off to the infirmary, please go and check with the gate guards, and see to the rotation.”
She walked out of the Dojo.
Katelyn and Peiter made it to the fist master’s Dojo and they walked in and he walked up to the platform where she was sitting and knelt, then bowed. Katelyn imitated him, Kneeling next to him.
The fist master smiled, “Oh good to see you’re alright Peiter.”
Peiter touched his ear and shook his head. Then touched Katelyn’s mouth.
The fist master looked a little surprised but sat waiting.
Katelyn sighed, “He’s alright, but he can’t talk or understand us. He says he’ll be better in ten days.”
The fist master looked confused, “He can’t talk but he says he will be better in ten days.”
Katelyn sighed again, she touched Peiter’s hand signaled with hers twice and pointed at the Sensei.
Peiter smiled and repeated the gesture with his hand, nodded his head, then he got a studied intense expression, “Sensei” he managed, and he smiled brightly again.
The Sensei laughed at his smiling face and clapped her hands, congratulating him on speaking. He blushed slightly and a splotch of color raced around and disappeared.
The Sensei noticed and looked at Katelyn, “OOO what was that? That was beautiful.”
Katelyn laughed, “Oh that’s his I love you thing. He’s been doing that for quite a while now. It’s something about his aura intensifying so you can see it.”
She smiled at Peiter and patted his hand, “I love you too son. So what brings you here?”
Katelyn looked at her, “He wants you to come meet his parents at the infirmary.”
The Sensei stood up and went to Peiter pulled him to his feet. Katelyn stood at the same time. She touched his face and nodded. He smiled and nodded in reply. Then he took Katelyn’s hand and pulled her slightly toward the gate and crooked his arm for her to hold.
The Sensei signaled one of her students, “I’m off to the infirmary with Peiter.”
Peiter noticed her step to the door and he crooked his other arm and offered it to her she took it and Katelyn took the other and they walked from the Dojo.
Peiter was smiling and they walked calmly not rushing. The Sensei spoke, “So I assume the arm holding is your idea.”
Katelyn laughed, “Yes Sensei, he walks kind of fast when he’s on a mission.”
The Sensei smiled, “Yes well good to see his energy is intact. Are you Ok?”
Katelyn sighed, “Just some aches and pains from carrying him back to the infirmary.”
The Sensei nodded her head, “I see, he was hurt.”
Katelyn sighed again, “Sensei can we wait until we’re there, I’m going to only explain this once it will be hard enough reliving it the once.”
Peiter started humming the song again and the Sensei listened. “He seems cheerful enough. How’s he standing up? An injury like this can be pretty depressing.”
Katelyn laughed out loud, “Oh Sensei, I don’t think he has a depressed bone in his body. He doesn’t know the meaning of the word.” It hit her and she laughed harder, “Oh sorry, even before his injury he didn’t know the meaning of the word. Isn’t that right golden boy?” She squeezed his hand and laughed and he looked at her and another colored splotch raced around and disappeared.
The Sensei smiled at the color, “Golden boy?”
Katelyn laughed again, “Vivian calls him that when he’s doing his nice stick.”
The Sensei laughed, “So all the time then?”
Katelyn hugged his arm, “Pretty much, golden boy.”
He laughed and did a little dance step and some more colorful splotches raced around.
The arrived at the infirmary and Peiter hauled them in dragging them through the door. Katelyn laughed, “Hold on Sensei. Don’t let him get away.” They both started laughing. He pulled them down the hall and into the dining room. The sword master was there sitting and Peiter escorted the fist master to a seat, and then went to the head of the table and positioned two chairs sat Katelyn in one and then he sat in the other. He touched her mouth and swept his hand at the others. Then nodded at Katelyn and smiled encouragingly.
Katelyn wasn’t sure what he wanted, but Arcos understood and spoke up, “Katelyn tell us what happened.”
Katelyn sighed and started to explain, “When we got to the gate the men were there pushing their way passed the guards. Peiter told them to leave and the leader asked him if he thought he could take them. He told them with complete certainty that he could and begged them to leave and live. The leader drew and Peiter decapitated him, and proceeded to cut them down, when he reached number six and seven one had a club and hit him, he killed them both.” Katelyn was trembling and her face was white. Peiter made a sound, smiled and then concentrated looking at Katelyn, “Strong” he said. She smiled and the color came back to her face and Peiter laughed. They all smiled at that, “I killed one that tried to flank him and the other two ran off. He was unconscious and I picked him up and carried him to the infirmary.” She sat back and smiled weakly glad that was over. Peiter kissed her and a small blast of colorful butterflies burst out and raced around and disappeared. Everyone laughed at that.
Helen spoke up then, “Hurt herself doing it too. But she’ll be ok in a couple more days if she behaves. So it’s my turn. I healed as much of the damage as I can find, but he’s going to have to heal the rest. The blow damaged his brain and only he can heal it.”
The sword master spoke up, “What happened to the two that ran off?”
Jason spoke up, “They will not trouble us again.”
The sword master nodded. “So Helen it’s good to see you again. I owe you an apology, I’m sorry for my unkind words so long ago.”
Helen brushed it off, “It’s past I forgave you long ago.”
The fist master spoke up, “Arcos you look well, I believe I owe you one as well.”
Arcos smiled, “Leave off the apologies we all regret those days long ago. What happened to our teacher?”
The fist master spoke, “He died about ten years after you left. Stanly took his place.”
Arcos looked surprised, “Quiet Stan, he took over? Who’d have thought it?”
The fist master smiled remembering, “Yes, as our master faded, Stan grew it was quite clear at the end he was the one to take up the mantel. We all came to love him. You’ll be surprised when you meet him.”
Arcos continued, “So Peiter told you of his plan?”
The fist master shook her head, “No but I can see part of what he had in mind.”
Arcos smiled, “He’s very devious my son. He wants to start a militia and stock it up from our former Dojos with eligible men. He will keep his true intent secret, and then house them throughout the village. He thinks that should take care of the largest part of the problem.”
The fist master smiled, “Yes this sounds good to me too. Should I go?”
Arcos shook his head, “No, I think I’ll go, take Jason and Vivian, maybe a couple of your students.”
The fist master’s smile broadened, “Ah very good, I see where Peiter gets it from. I know just the ones to send.”
Helen spoke up, “I can go to my old Dojo as well, take Peiter and Katelyn.” She looked at the sword master, “A few of your girls could come as well. How is our old master?”
The sword master smiled, “He’s still teaching, pushing ninety now. He’s still a devil with his stick.”
Helen brightened, “Oh that’s great news. I’d like to tell him he was right, do him good.”
Arcos smile broadened a bit, “Liz I believe you have something to add.”
Liz looked confused, “What daddy? You mean the match making service?”
Both the sword master and the fist master perked up at that, “Oh very good, yes that is a brilliant idea.”
Arcos smile got wicked, “Never knew a woman that could resist a little match making. So are any new thoughts or should we proceed?”
The fist master spoke up, “Arcos if you’d come teach in my Dojo, we can take on a few more students.”
The sword master spoke too, “Helen same for me, with some help I could take on a few more students. There’s an open house between which I think you’ll like, room enough for Liz and James.”
Throughout all this Peiter sat quietly holding Katelyn’s hand watching faces, as they wrapped up he could see the happiness, so he clapped his hands and a few colorful blotches raced around, everybody laughed. Then he startled and went to Liz, touched her chest, made a claw hand and scratched, and then he pushed her slightly toward the door.
Liz got the point and jumped up, “Oh I forgot about Selene.” She disappeared not thinking that the sword and fist master had never seen this before.
They looked at each other and the sword master spoke up, “I see, Arcos. Our old master never fully explained why you had to leave. This is a part of it.”
Arcos smiled and said, “Yes I suppose you are right. Our masters knew more than they let on when the sent Helen and I away.”
-o-
-Visit the Dojo of the silent fist Stanly the quiet-
Arcos left the house that he and Helen picked out, after letting Liz know he was heading out. He walked a little while and the realized he was lost. A woman was sweeping off her porch so Arcos walked over. “Hello, I’m new here and I’m lost. Can you help me find the fist master’s Dojo?”
The woman came out of her porch and up to the gate on the low fence that surrounded her yard. “Oh, hello Arcos, Vivian told me you were moving into the Cousland house. How’s Peiter doing? My name’s Aimee.”
Arcos smiled, “Hello Aimee, glad to meet you. Peiter is doing as well as could be expected. He’s still not able to speak but it doesn’t slow him down much. A few more days he should be ok. He has about twenty words now but I think he doesn’t really understand them he just understands their effects on people. It takes quite an effort for him to use them. But at least he’s still cheerful. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed.”
“Vivian is a little worried about Katelyn, I hope she’s holding up ok. Anyway you’re very close to the fist master’s Dojo, just go that way, and turn left around the first house and then go right. You’ll see it. It’s surrounded by bamboo hard to miss. We’re all praying for Peiter, he’s really won all our hearts. I hope he gets well soon. Welcome to the village Arcos, it good to have some men around again.” Aimee turned back to her porch and started sweeping again.
Arcos followed her instructions and made it to the fist master’s Dojo. He walked over to the platform and bowed, “Good to see you again. I’m getting ready to leave and I thought I’d come by and pick up the two you want to send along. How are you?”
The fist master stood and went to Arcos and bowed to him, “Good to see you Arcos, yes Marta and Karen have agreed to go with you.”
Two young women walked up both were very beautiful. Arcos smiled, and bowed to them and said, “Hello ladies, I’m Arcos, could you introduce yourselves?”
The taller one bowed and said, “Hello sir, I’m Marta, the Sensei says you will be going to her old Dojo and she asked if I’d like to go along. It sounds like an interesting experience. I hope I can be of some service.” She smiled uncertainly at Arcos not sure how to address him.
Arcos smiled at her, “Be calm Marta, I’m happy to have you. Have you met my son Peiter and his wife Katelyn?”
Marta smiled brightly, “Oh yes sir, Peiter taught us the one inch punch, and Ellen has been showing us how to practice it. Katelyn is very lucky.” She blushed slightly.
Arcos turned to the shorter girl, “So you must be Karen, I’m happy to have you. I’m looking forward to seeing Stanley again. Have you got your packs ready? Do you need anything?”
Karen bowed to him, “Hello sir, yes we are ready to leave. The Sensei gave us a letter for Sensei Stanley. Sir, can you teach us some of the kata Peiter was doing? They looked very interesting.”
Arcos smiled at her, “I probably can. You’ll have to describe them as Peiter uses many; some of which come from my wife’s school. I’m a brother to the Sensei and know the silent fist school very well, I’m not as good with the flowing water kata, but I’m sure I can help you learn.”
Arcos looked at the Sensei and winked, “Thank you for loaning me your students Sensei, I’m sure it will be an educational experience for us all. If you’ll get your packs ladies, we’ll go get Jason and Vivian and depart.”
Marta and Karen left, and Arcos smiled at the Sensei, “Very nice ladies, good choices. Anything I need to know about them?”
The Sensei smiled, “They are both ready to start inner school training, and they both are very dutiful. Oh and they both are smitten by Peiter, though most of my girls are. I suggest telling them some amusing anecdotes about Peiter try to get them to understand he’s not some kind of god. That should make them more receptive when they get to the Dojo.”
Arcos smiled, “I see. Yes that sounds good. Well here they are. Let’s go ladies. Let’s head over to Vivian’s and then we’ll go to the smithy and pick up Jason. Have you met Jason?”
Marta spoke up, “No sir, we haven’t met Jason.”
Arcos smiled at them, “Listen ladies, my name is Arcos. Don’t keep calling me sir. Let’s be friends.”
Karen spoke up, “But sir, the Sensei said you are a teacher in your own right, that you taught Peiter the silent fist. Peiter said he had a name in the inner school. We haven’t even started inner school training yet.”
Arcos nodded, “Yes Karen, that’s true I did teach Peiter. But outside the Dojo you are a woman deserving respect in your own right, and I want to be your friend. I prefer you call me Arcos, and I will call you Karen. I can tell you some funny stories about Peiter when he was a boy. Jason can tell you a few, and I’m sure Vivian can as well. Please Marta and Karen, call me Arcos.”
Marta spoke, “Okay Arcos, but with respect sir we are young enough to be your daughters.”
Arcos smiled, “Yes but I’m not so old I can’t appreciate beautiful women like you two.”
Both of them blushed, Karen spoke up, “Arcos, what would your wife say? Helen is much more beautiful than us.”
Arcos laughed, “Oh Helen would laugh at me, but ladies I’ll tell you a secret. Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate a good looking woman, and Helen would tell you the same we often kid each other about this. She’ll see a nice looking man and jab me in the ribs and say, “Huba Huba!” Or I’ll see a fine looking woman, or she will and she’ll point her out to me. Come now ladies be calm be happy and call me Arcos.”
They both laughed, “Okay Arcos, it’s a deal.”
While they were talking they made it to Vivian’s house. Peiter and Katelyn were in the yard sitting on the bench. Peiter jumped up and opened the gate and then bowed waving his hand indicating they should enter. Katelyn stood and waited for Arcos to enter the yard and then she hugged him. “Arcos, Peiter is glad to see you as am I.” She let him go and then smiled at Karen and Marta. “Hi Kerry, Hi Marty, Peiter would like to hug you if you don’t mind, he can’t speak hello, so he hugs.”
Marta and Karen both blushed, and Peiter smiled and laughed and a colorful butterfly flew around him briefly. He walked up to Marta and bowed to her and then hugged her, and then he did the same to Karen. He then hugged Arcos and went back to Katelyn and took her hand.
Marta had a worried look on her face and looked at Peiter. “Katy is he OK?”
Peiter noticed her expression and laughed and bashed his chest and then shook his finger at her scolding her.
Marta laughed, “Oh Katy, he’s so cute. He’s telling me his fine.”
Peiter noticed the laugh and the signaled with his hand, and then bashed his chest again.
Katelyn smiled and took his hand, “Yes he’s doing fine. Please don’t be worried, he hates it when people worry on the account of him. By the time you’re back he should be back to normal.”
While they were talking Vivian came out of the house with her pack and her bow and arrows. “Arcos I’m ready, let’s go get Jason. Hi Kerry, Hi Marty.” She smiled at Peiter, “Now you be good golden boy we’ll be back in a few days.” Vivian shook her finger at him and smiled.
Peiter laughed and a bunch of colorful butterflies flew around him, and he nodded.
Marty looked surprised, “Vivy what was that? That’s beautiful.”
Vivian laughed, “Oh that’s golden boy being happy. Peiter can make his aura bright enough for us to see, and since he can’t talk, that’s how he laughs and says I love you. Peiter told me anybody can do it they just need to believe and try. I haven’t managed it but Katy can do it some.”
Marty smiled, “Really can you teach me?”
Vivian smiled, “I can’t but Jason or Arcos probably can, let’s go get Jason.”
So they left and Peiter waved at them and sat down on the bench with Katelyn again.
After a few minutes they got to the smithy, where Jason was showing James how to hammer two red hot pieces of metal together.
“James, you first put one piece in the flux, that cleans off the oxide and then you lay the other piece over it and start hammering. Now when you hammer, don’t use your arm to drive the hammer down on the piece. Hold the hammer loosely and let it fall. If you use force and grip the hammer tightly you’ll tire yourself out, and it won’t make the pieces fuse any faster. Slow and careful and you get a good result. If you rush it, the joint will become brittle and it will break.” Jason demonstrated raising the hammer and letting if fall repeatedly. “Your effort is in raising the hammer; you guide it as it falls. Now practice this and work on folding the metal like I showed you while we’re gone.” Jason gave the hammer to James.
Jason smiled at Vivian, “High beautiful, Hi papa, introduce me to the beauties.” Jason walked over to Marta and put out his hand, “Hi I’m Jason.”
Marta was a bit intimidated by his size but she took his hand, “Hi Jason, I’m Marta but you can call me Marty if you like.”
Jason gave her a sunny smile, “Hi Marty, I’m Jacy, or sometimes stupid, take your pick I answer to both.”
Vivian laughed, “Marty don’t mind him, he’s just flirting with you. Jason say hello to Karen.”
Marta laughed, “Oh he’s just like Peiter all bubbly.”
Jason stuck his hand out to Karen, “Don’t mind Vivy, she’s just jealous, You can call me Jacy or meat head that works too.”
Arcos laughed, “Jason cut it out, I told them you had some interesting stories to tell them about Peiter.”
Jason laughed, “Oh I do. I remember the time he tried to raid a vulture’s nest.”
Vivian laughed, “You’re kidding. He didn’t try that did he?”
Jason put on his pack and tied his sword over his shoulder. “Yes, I happened to mention seeing a vulture’s nest and that it might be a good place to score some feathers for arrows.”
They started walking toward the gate. Vivian laughed, “Jason, you set him up. How old was he?”
Jason smiled, “Well he was 13 and he didn’t know much about vultures. So I figured why not, nothing like a little on the job training.”
Marty looked confused, “What? I don’t get it?”
Jason smiled, “Marty what do vultures eat?”
Marty answered, “Why dead things I guess.”
Jason nodded, “That’s right, and vulture chicks are fed by vulture adults, pardon me but they vomit what they have eaten into the chicks beak. Well vulture chicks have this really unfortunate reflex when they are taken by surprise.”
Marty looked worried, “They vomit?”
Jason laughed, “Yep, good guess. So Peiter figures he’s going to score some quick feathers, thanks to my not so subtle hint, but he doesn’t consider the possibility that a vulture’s nest might not be empty. Oh and just to be clear, vultures don’t really make nests, they use any out of the way place our unoccupied nest they can find, so a knowledgeable naturalist would have smelled a rat when I said it was a vulture’s nest. The nest in question was actually an unused eagle’s nest, which for the purposes of this training exercise was near the top of a tall tree. So Peiter being the determined lad, climbs to the top of this tree, no mean feat that. He sticks his head up, and surprise, two vulture chicks. Well the chicks know what they should do, and they do it all over Peiter. Well I guess you can imagine that he had a change of heart and climbed back down.”
Vivian was cracking up, “Did he get the feathers?”
Jason laughed, “Actually he did, after his educational experience, he had the balls to grab some feathers, this is not a good idea as vultures have sharp beaks but hey, he didn’t know that. Fortunately for him the eagles who built the nest left some choice feathers behind so his trip wasn’t a total loss. Anyway later that day I noticed his hair was wet and he was wearing a new shirt, so I calmly ask him how his feather gathering turned out. Well he blushes and says he got some feathers but he didn’t think he would try that again. So I smile, and say, Oh so the nest was occupied was it? So now you know about vultures, they vomit to lighten the load when predators attack so they can fly faster.”
Vivian smiled, “Oh, I think I would have said that from a distance if I were you.”
Jason laughed, “Vivy where were you when I needed you? You are so right. He figured out I set him up and he picked up some rocks and started pelting me with them. Mother was training him to throw stuff and he was actually quite good at it, I had to make a strategic withdrawal real fast.”
Vivian really started laughing, “You turned around and ran like hell!”
Jason was laughing too, “That right, and he came after me hell bent for leather. I managed to escape with only a few welts, Mom and Dad grounded me for a week after that little episode.”
Marty and Kerry were cracking up at this point. Kerry asked, “So did you ever try to fool him again?”
Jason smiled, “Sure, but Peiter is smart he always checked with mom or dad, or did some reading before he jumped at one of my suggestions after that.”
Marty looked confused, “But Jason, he’s your brother, why would you treat him like that?”
Jason smiled, “Oh Marty, Peiter was just so trusting and he really got mad when he figured out I tricked him, it was just too easy. Didn’t you have some brothers and sisters?”
Marty looked kind of sad, “I had a brother, but he was much older than me. He always looked out for me and tried to protect me from harm.”
Vivian took Jason’s hand, “Marty, My Jack said he was special hon. He said he was the kindest man he ever met. But boys will be boys.”
Arcos was nodding his head, “Marty all my children played around like that. They would trick each other, and throw things at each other all the time. It’s part of growing up. When you have children you’ll see it too. Helen and I did our best to keep anyone from being hurt, and in some cases they taught each other important lessons. They all loved each other, but that didn’t mean they were always nice to each other. I remember just last week they had a water fight while washing dishes.” Arcos looked sternly at Jason.
Jason looked a little guilty, “Well Peiter dropped a dish, and when he leaned over to pick it up, Liz just happened to empty a cup of water on his back so it ran down into his pants, and he thought I did it so he grabbed a wet cloth and threw it at me, so …”
Vivian interrupted, “When they came out of the kitchen they were all covered in water spots and had wet hair, but they tried to play like nothing happened it was really funny. I just cracked up. They are all supposed to be adults, but when they get together they all go nuts.”
Karen spoke up, “Marty, my sister and I are like that. When we get together we are normal for a little while but then it’s like we’re teen agers again, we start giggling and teasing each other.”
Marty still looked sad, “I just miss him I guess.”
Jason looked touched, “Marty, if you like I can be your bother. You need anything, you just ask me Ok?”
Vivian hugged Jason’s arm and kissed him on the cheek. “Maybe I should start calling you golden boy hun.”
Jason looked at her, “Oh no, Peiter has that job, you just stick with meat head, it’s closer to the truth anyway.”
Marty laughed, “Vivy you don’t call him that, surely!”
Vivian smiled and slapped Jason on the face lightly, “Hon, one thing you got to get used to around Peiter, Jason and Liz. They’re all comedians and hopeless flirts. But meat head is one of the nicer things I’ve called him. He can be pretty aggravating some times, and he teases me all the time.”
Jason took a step back, “Me? I’m a perfect gentleman, well most of the time, … well at least sometimes; except when I’m being bad, but hey that just me being me.”
Vivian shook her finger at him, “Yes, it’s like Peiter said, you’re always good except when you’re bad, and then you’re really bad. Marty; Peiter is just like him in this. A couple of weeks ago James, Katy, Peiter and I were camping near a pond. Peiter is a hopeless romantic so he sneaks off to pick some flowers for Katy, and he comes back with this bashful smile, while holding something behind his back. Now he’s done this before so we’re ready for the bashful flower handoff, and Peiter pulls a dead mouse from behind his back and offers it to her like it’s a flower. Well needless to say she was surprised, then Peiter startles, like it was a mistake, and says he caught that for Selene, Katy’s cat, and then he pulls the real flower from behind his back and gives it to her. He’s good except when he’s bad.”
Jason laughed, “Oh Vivy that’s a good one. I’m proud of him.”
Vivian took his hand, “See what I mean Marty.”
Marty laughed, “Oh that’s cute; never a dull moment to be sure.”
Jason put his hand out, “Marty, sake you’re absolutely the best, never a dull moment to be sure. Vivy isn’t she the greatest?”
Vivian smiled, “Watch out honey.”
Marty started to take his hand to shake hands with him, “What?” She took ahold of his hand and Jason pulled her close and kissed her on the cheek. She blushed deep red and took a step back.
Vivian laughed and so did Karen, “I warned you hon. Beware of Jacy and Piety, they can’t resist a good gag to save their lives. Making girls blush is a favorite past time of theirs.”
Jason had a big smile, “Marty, don’t listen to her, she taught me this game, and I think Piety and Liz started it.”
Arcos spoke up, “Okay you two leave off; give the poor girl a chance to catch her breath. It time for lunch let’s stop here by the pond and take a short break.” Arcos opened his pack and passed out some dried fruit, bread and cheese.
Jason and Vivian went over to the edge of the pond and took off their shoes and put their feet in the water, and sat holding hands and eating lunch. Arcos sat on a log scanning around guarding the others while they relaxed. Karen and Marty sat under a tree and ate.
Karen spoke quietly, “Marty, isn’t he a dream. I wish I could find a man like him. So alive Vivy is very lucky.”
Marty smiled, “Peiter is so like him, he’s so excited all the time and happy to help, and Katy is so happy you can see it in her face. She’s almost glowing.”
Karen nodded, “Yes, but that’s partly because she pregnant. I heard the Sensei talking with her about baby names the other day.”
Marty looked at her, “So that’s what it is. She looks so beautiful I thought it was all on account of being married to Peiter. No wonder, Vivian also looks really happy too, you think she’s pregnant too?”
Karen smiled, “Probably, what would you do if he was married to you?”
Marty blushed again, “Oh Kerry, you’re such a teaser. You think we’ll ever get married?”
Karen smiled, “Hun, why do you think we’re heading off to this Dojo? Ever wonder why the Sensei sent us along on this trip?”
Marty got a thoughtful expression, “Yes I have wondered about that. The Sensei said we were going to try to hire some of her teacher’s students to help protect the village, and she wanted us to give the letter to her teacher.”
Karen nodded, “Sure, but wouldn’t Arcos be able to take care of that alone, or with Vivian and Jason, why send us?”
Marty looked at her, “She said it would be educational for us. I’m enjoying the trip so far.”
Karen smiled, “Me too but think about it. Why did she send us? Why didn’t she send Lauren or Mattie? They’re better trained. If our training was important they would have been a better choice don’t you think?”
Marty looked troubled, “Yes I suppose your right. So what do you think?”
Karen smiled, “Hun, the Sensei sent us as bait. We’re better looking than Lauren and Mattie.”
Marty looked surprised and then nodded, “You could be right. Why don’t we ask Arcos? Maybe he’ll tell us. If we’re supposed to be bait, it would be a good idea if we knew it. We could try to be better bait.”
Karen nodded, “Okay let’s give it a shot, at the very least we can get another hint.”
Karen and Marty finished their lunch and then went back to where Arcos was sitting, and sat on the log near him. In the meantime, Vivian and Jason had dried their feet off and put their shoes back on.
Arcos smiled at them, “So are we ready to continue?”
Karen spoke up, “Arcos, Marty and I have a question.”
Arcos smiled, “Sure Karen, what do you need?”
Karen got a crafty smile on her face, “Arcos, we were wondering why we are here on this trip with you. Don’t get us wrong we're are glad to make this trip, it’s been fun so far and we think it will be a new experience for us, as we haven’t been out of the village much, but we think you could have accomplished whatever you needed without us. We thought it would be a good idea if we knew what we were supposed to do, so we could do the best job we could.”
Vivian got a big smile, and Jason started smirking, Vivian spoke up, “I warned you Arcos, they’re not stupid. We should tell them what’s going on.”
Arcos smiled, “Yes you did warn me Vivian, and I planned to tell them at camp tonight. So if we can continue, I’ll answer you when we get to camp, can it wait?”
Karen smiled, “Oh it’s not necessary, we’re bait right? We’re supposed to be examples of the beautiful women back at the village to help entice the male students back to the village, right?”
Arcos smiled, “The Sensei told me you’d figure it out. I expected it to take a bit longer but there it is. You’re right, you’re bait.”
Karen nodded, “What I can’t figure out is why. Why do we need them at all? We don’t need additional protection. We’ve got any number of skilled fighters in our Dojo and the sword master’s Dojo, and now that your family is here we don’t really need protection. Hell, we’ve only been attacked four times in the last five years, and nothing really bad has happened. Even though Peiter was hurt, he’ll be Ok everyone keeps saying. It doesn’t add up.”
Arcos smiled at them, “Peiter predicted you’d figure it out before too long, I see he was right. Still the answer will take some time to explain properly.”
Karen nodded, “Okay just one more question and I’ll wait until camp. Vivy you and Katy are pregnant aren’t you.”
Jason smiled, “I told you Vivy, you get more beautiful every day.”
Karen smiled, “Yes, I wondered about that. Vivy and Katy look better with each passing day. It like they’re more alive, brighter I don’t know, I’ve known them for years, but ever since they came back, since they got married I’ve noticed the change. At first I thought it was just, that they we’re happy to be married, but they get better each day. Even though Katy is worried about Peiter, they both look so excited and happy; it had to be something more.”
Arcos smiled at her, “Your teacher said you were ready for the initiation into the inner school and I can see she is right. But can we get moving, just a few more hours and I’ll explain it all I promise.”
Karen looked at Arcos, “Ok, I’ll wait lets go.”
So they started walking toward the town where Arcos’s teacher once lived. After some time they walked up to a clearing in which an ox drawn cart was with a large fat man standing next to it. The man was dressed in a light yellow robe with a necklace of large black beads. He held a staff with a short blade on one end and a metal foot on the other.
He spoke up, “I be hoping that you be not related to my past visitors, please be stating your business.”
Arcos put his hands together and bowed to him slightly, “Hello, sir monk we are just travelers on our way to the silent fist Dojo. May we aid you in some way? My name is Arcos.”
The monk relaxed slightly and lowered his staff so the metal foot rested on the ground. “Gods be with you Arcos, I be saddened to tell you that some bandits tried to attack me, but I be explaining to them that I had nothing to tempt the likes of them. I be thinking they went to get some friends.”
Arcos smiled, “Ah we had heard there were some bandits about. Are you traveling our way, would you like to join us?”
The monk smiled at him, “Surely the way I be traveling does not matter, as the way I travel has no place on this earth. I be glad to have your company and travel by your way for a time. I be named Emanuel, and I travel the path of the lotus. Be you students of the way of the fist?”
Arcos nodded, “I was once a student of the way of the fist. This is my son Jason and his wife Vivian. Here are Karen, and Marta as well, they are students of the way of the fist.” As Arcos mentioned their name each person bowed slightly.
Emanuel walked over to his cart, and put his staff into it. “My companion be injured as she explained to one of the bandits the error of his approach.” He went to the Ox and ran his hand over its head, and then began examining a small cut in her flank. Jason walked toward the Ox in an effort to get a look at the cut. “Son, be taking care, she be hurting and may not allow you near.”
Jason smiled, “Sir monk, she has already consented to my approach, I am skilled with animals may I help her?”
Emanuel looked intensely at Jason, “Ah, I be seeing it now, yes please be helping her if you can. Perhaps your lovely wife be helping her, she be a healer if I be seeing it to rights.”
Jason placed his hand on the ox’s head and the ox sighed, “I have blocked some of the pain, Vivy can you help?”
Vivian walked up and placed her hand on the cut, “Jason it is a deep stab wound, she is bleeding internally. Sir monk, you say I am a healer, but my skill is untrained can you help me?”
Emanuel walked over to her, “Vivian, I be not a healer and cannot be guiding you in this perhaps Jason be guiding you?”
Vivian looked at Jason, “My love can you do as he says? Can you guide me?”
Jason looked at her, “Vivy do you remember how it was when Peiter touched your mind and how you touched mine, open yourself to her and feel the damage you will know what to do.”
Vivian nodded and put her hand over the cut and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath, and relaxed. Her hand started to glow slightly orange and then it stopped and she staggered. Jason stepped to her and held her waist to keep her from falling. “Oh Vivy, you did it the pain is gone.” She opened her eyes and put her arms around Jason’s neck.
Emanuel took some grass from the cart and held it out to the ox and she wrapped her lips around it and pulled it into her mouth and started chewing it. “I be thanking you for your effort on her behalf. It be rare to find a skill such as you be having. I be lucky that your way be finding me here.” He stroked his Ox’s head as she chewed the grass. “Jason if you be so kind, be helping her into the cart so she can rest. We be well served to move along your way, as the bandits no doubt be planning a return.”
Jason walked Vivian over to the cart and picked her up by her waist so her feet could clear the side of the cart, and he set her into the cart which was mostly full off hay and long stalks of green grass. Kerry and Marty started walking on and Jason walked near the cart, Emanuel followed Kerry and Marty, Arcos walked beside him, the ox followed Emanuel so the cart with Vivian followed along, with Jason walking beside the cart.
Arcos spoke up, “Emanuel I have not heard of the path of the lotus. What do you seek?”
Emanuel nodded, “Yes my brothers be not come to this part of the world, I be seeking an end to suffering.”
Arcos smiled, “Whose suffering?”
Emanuel smiled, “All suffering.”
Arcos nodded, “I see. A laudable goal, though it seems to me the method is rather important. You carry a bladed staff, isn’t it an instrument of suffering?”
Emanuel laughed, “No doubt the bandits be thinking so. But my friend and I be suffering less through its use, and the bandits increase in suffering be a many fold decrease in the suffering of others, and it be possible that they may be giving up their evil ways if not by choice, then by death.”
Jason looked with concern at Vivian, “Love, how are you feeling?”
Vivian smiled, “Just a little tired, it is a Peiter said.”
Jason smiled at her, “I’m proud of you my love, you did well.”
Vivian nodded, “Jason, can you see aura’s like Peiter?”
Jason looked a question, “I can see them, but not like Peiter. I see hints of color and motion but they have no meaning for me. Peiter understands the meanings.”
Vivian spoke up, “Emanuel does your friend have a name?”
Emanuel smiled, “I be pleased to call her Dharma, though if she be having a true name she be silent.”
Vivian spoke quietly to Jason, “My love as I healed Dharma, I learned to see her aura and now I can see them somewhat. I see yours and it is like Peiter said green and strong. I see Marty and Kerry’s and they are youthful and happy. I see Arcos, and it is complex and deep. But when I look at Emanuel I see a clear light, smooth without motion like a pool of water. What does it mean?”
Jason smiled, “Hun, I don’t know. When mama taught me the way of the sword she explained that what we see in the aura of another is without meaning that it is for us to learn the meaning through experience by getting to know people. Peiter, because of his talents, developed the ability to see auras very early and has developed an intuitive understanding of what he sees, it is a gift which I don’t share. What do you feel when you look at Emanuel’s aura?”
“I feel like his aura does not match his appearance. His aura feels like is he is old and very wise, but his appearance is almost comical. His ox is similar to him its appearance does not match its aura. I feel like they are both much more than they appear to be.” Vivian look uncertain.
“Vivy why don’t we ask him? I’m sure he can give a good answer.” Jason called to Emanuel, “Sir monk, we are puzzled by your appearance and that of your friend.”
Emanuel slowed his walk and put his hand on his ox’s neck. Vivian noticed their auras brightened.
Emanuel smiled at her, “Oh, how be this so?”
Vivian smiled at him, “Since I helped Dharma I find that I am able to see auras more clearly than before and your auras are at odds with your appearance, it seems to me. I don’t mean to be insulting I just find it odd.”
Emanuel looked at her with some intensity, “I see you be new to your gifts, what you see be a part of our true being. Dharma and I, be knowing each other for many incarnations. Each time we be born, we be finding each other and be continuing on our path. This cycle we be choosing the form you see, as it be suitable to our purpose.”
Vivian nodded, “I see so what I’m seeing is related to your advanced spiritual development.”
Emanuel smiled, “That be true in part. We be kindred spirits and be having many of the same talents and abilities. It be reasonable that our auras be similar.”
Vivian nodded, “Can you help Jason and I along our path?”
Emanuel smiled, “Young you be, and true to your path you be. It be unnecessary for me to be helping you and also it be impossible. You be knowing this already I be thinking.”
Vivian nodded, “Yes, though if you don’t try …”
Emanuel nodded and smiled, “You be looking for a shortening of your path, but your path be short already, it be for you to realize it.”
Vivian smiled and nodded again, “I thought as much, but with respect I believe you and your friend could have healed the injury without my aid.”
Emanuel smiled and nodded to her, “This be our gift to you and Jason. By your kindness you be taking another step on the path, it be our desire to end suffering of all sentient beings.”
Vivian smiled, “So you have helped us, even though it is impossible?”
Emanuel laughed, “We be providing the opportunity but it be for you to be taking the step.”
Jason looked introspective, “We thank you for the opportunity then. But …” Jason stopped.
Emanuel laughed, “Be at ease, be not troubling yourself. If it be easier for you, be considering that you be offering aid, and we be accepting it because it be offered, not because we be needing it.”
They walked on for several more hours and came to an clearing near a small stream. Arcos looked around and decided it was a good location to camp, it had limited access because of the thick undergrowth. He spoke up, “I think we will stop here for the night.”
Dharma walked to a part of the clearing that was open to the forest effectively blocking one access route to the clearing with her cart.
Arcos smiled and nodded. “Jason and Vivian collect some dry wood. Karen and Marta collect some stones for the camp fire. Emanuel will you eat with us?”
Emanuel smiled, “Surely, but I be vegetarian. If this be a problem, I be proving some rice to the meal.”
Arcos nodded, “We have wine and cheese we can share with you if you’re interested.”
Emanuel went to his cart and pulled out a metal pot and a bag of rice. “I be thanking you, I be happy to try your wine and cheese, the rice it may be a bit spicy for your tastes.”
Arcos smiled, “I'm sure it will be suitable, thank you for offering.”
When the fire was going, Arcos asked, “Ladies do you want to cook or shall I?”
Vivian spoke up, “Emanuel should I cook for you, do you have special requirements?”
Emanuel handed his pot and rice to her, “Thank you I be grateful for your hospitality. My only need is that there be only the gift of plants in my meals.”
Arcos sat and Vivian started cooking. “Emanuel, does the way of the lotus prohibit the eating of meat, or is this a personal issue for you.”
Emanuel smiled, “It be a tenant of my path to eliminate suffering. While eating meat be not prohibited, it be logical that by eating meat the demand for meat be increased, and therefore the suffering of animals be increased by my actions. So I be avoiding meat if possible.”
Vivian finished reheating the stew, and bread, and finished cooking the rice. So the all ate. She prepared tea and as they drank, Karen asked, “Arcos can we pick up our conversation, why is it necessary to start a militia?”
Arcos nodded, “Strictly speak it’s not necessary, it is a means to an end. Let me ask you Karen, and Marta, after the war, what happened to the village?”
Karen thought about it then said, “Well we were attacked and there was no one to defend us. Many people died, and we were left with only women in our village.”
Arcos nodded again, “How did you feel?”
Karen looked in the fire, “I was thirteen, and I was afraid. I wonder who would I live with, who would take care of me. My mother, father and my sister were killed. I was alone.”
Arcos asked, “Marta what about you?”
Marta hesitated, “My father, brother were killed in the war and my mother … died. My older sister … she drowned.”
Arcos put his hand on Marta shoulder, “Sorry to bring up bad memories. Your sister took her own life?”
Marta nodded but didn’t speak.
Arcos sighed, “And so it was for many women after the bandits were chased away. Then the reverend mother took control and gave every one purpose. No one else died, right?”
Karen nodded, “Yes, I was placed with Auntie Cindy and Marta went to live with her cousin Marlene.”
Arcos nodded, “Well the long and the short of it was the reverend mother arranged it so everyone had someone to love. But she went a step further, she compelled everyone to fall in love.”
Katelyn was sitting with Peiter enjoying the sunrise. They had finished breakfast and he hauled her out to the garden and sat with her on the bench. It was the ninth day since he was injured and he had recovered a few words. He sat holding her hand and sighed and touched her arm. He put his hand on his chest and then touched her chest and tried hard to speak, “Katy … me …” He shook his head then he sighed and shrugged his shoulders.
Katelyn looked at him and she could see his frustration. She touched his face and smiled at him, “I know, love, and I love you too.”
He looked at her and then he tapped his ear and shook his head and sighed again. He sat staring at her and she could feel his frustration building. After about five minutes more he jumped up and went into the house and came out wearing his two swords and started off to the sword master’s Dojo.
Katelyn called out to him “Peiter what’s the matter”, and then she realized he couldn’t understand so she ran after him.
When he arrived at the Dojo he took off his shirt and began doing his kata. Katelyn walked over to the dais where the sword master sits and sat down watching him do his kata. He was doing them very fast and it looked to her that he was rushing and being sloppy. This made her uncomfortable. He was acting moody, not like him to be moody.
She watched and after about an hour he was not slowing down, he kept on making more complex moves improvising. The sword master came out and sat next to her and watched. She shook her head.
The sword master put her hand on her arm, “Katelyn what’s wrong? He’s acting crazy.”
Katelyn shook her head, “I don’t know. We were sitting on the bench in front of the house. He tried to tell me something but he couldn’t. He was frustrated I think, when I spoke to him he couldn’t understand. He jumped up got his swords and started doing this.” She waved her hand at him.
Her face was loaded with concern. “I’ve never seen him like this. He’s doing his kata but they are sloppy. He’s fighting something, something about his injury. I think he’s going to hurt himself but I don’t know what to do.”
As they were sitting Liz and Helen walked in and sat on the dais next to the sword master. They watched for a few minutes. Then Helen stood up and went into the Dojo hall and shortly came out wearing practice armor and carrying a wooden sword. She walked over to Katelyn and the sword master.
Helen held the sword and mask in one hand and explained, “I need you to make sure everyone stays back. Katelyn you need to stand ready to help me when I call you. He’s out of control, he’s trying to vent his frustrations in the kata and his sloppiness is making it worse. He is so far out of center that everything he does magnifies his frustration.”
Katelyn put her hand on her arm, “Mother, what are you going to do? He is holding naked blades. It is too dangerous to interfere.”
Helen smiled at her, “Katelyn he’s so far out of center he is more of a risk to himself then he will be to me. Just keep everyone back and be ready. I’m going to force him back to his center.”
She put on the helmet and then strode over to Peiter who had completed a kata and was bowing. As she approached him he saw her and stood and bowed to her. She bowed and held the wooden sword in a two hand grip pointed at him. He attacked and she defended and hit his sword aside.
He bowed and then attacked again. She deflected his sword again and hit his arm. He grunted and massaged his arm and looked at her. He bowed acknowledging her victory.
She indicated he should continue with her hand and then re-gripped her sword. He bowed and attacked again, she hit one of his swords out of his hand and it flew across the Dojo. Then she struck his other arm. He stood looking at her while he massaged his arm. Then he nodded and bowed slightly.
She signaled him to come again. He gripped his sword with both hands and they began to circle. He attacked and she defended. The moves were fast and the sound of the metal sword ringing and the clack of the wooden sword as his cuts were deflected came faster and faster. Helen struck his leg and he staggered. Bowed and then they started again.
While this was going on the students had begun drifting into the Dojo and the sword master indicated they should stand behind the dais out of the way. Katelyn had positioned herself near the dais, she was kneeling on one knee waiting for the right moment.
The battle continued and every minute or so Helen would hit him. It was clearly painful each time but each time he nodded and started again. He was sweating and breathing hard. Katelyn noticed his form was improving as the strain of defending himself from Helen and his attacks forced him to center in order to continue.
The students were talking among themselves trying to follow the match; they thought it was a training exercise. Each time Peiter was hit the students would gasp.
Helen started talking loudly calling the cut she was going to make and criticizing his form. She would yell his arm was out of position and she would hit it. Then they would start again and it was his leg. The blows looked painful and Katelyn was worried.
Peiter was yelling like he was trying to speak and failing. He was getting hit more often and each time he nodded and bowed. Finally it looked like he couldn’t go on much longer and Helen struck and knocked his other sword out of his hand. She started hitting him each way he turned. Each time he was hit he yelled like he was trying to speak. Helen dropped the sword and walked over to him pulled off the armored glove, and slapped him. He fell and started to stand. She kicked his feet from under him and slapped him again. He yelled in pain and she slapped him again. He yelled “Stop hitting me” and he dropped to his knees tears were streaming down his face. Helen signaled Katelyn, “Katelyn take his face in your hands and yell at him, what is wrong?”
Katelyn ran out to him and pulled his hands down from his face and yelled at him , “Peiter my love, what is wrong?”
As she did that he startled and then he touched her mouth and he said, “Can’t tell love you.”
He touched her mouth again, “tell again.”
Helen said “Katelyn ask him again, Yell it.”
She held his face, “Peiter my love, what is wrong?” she said it loud almost yelling.
He touched his ear, and he smiled, “I hear … I hear … love you … LOVE YOU …” He yelled and he grabbed her and hugged her. He pushed her back so he could see her face, “Katy hear, speak you, love you.” He was still crying, Helen walked over; he looked at her, “Mama … bad boy … sorry.”
She smiled and ran her hand down his face and looked him in the eye, “Very bad boy, you be good now!”
He nodded, “I hear … I hear … good boy … I hear.”
Katelyn touched his face and he looked at her, “I love you.” She said.
He smiled and nodded, “I hear … speak … love you … sorry bad boy.”
The sword master walked over, and handed him back his swords and took him over in front of the class. “Apologize to the class, say you’re sorry.”
He bowed to them and said, “Sorry … bad boy.” He bowed again.
The class clapped and bowed back to him.
He turned to the sword master, he shook his head, reached for Katelyn, and pointed at the sword master, “tell … tell …”
Katelyn didn’t understand she shook her head, “I don’t understand.”
Peiter pointed at his mother, “Mama”, he pointed at her, “Katy”, he pointed at the sword master, “tell … tell …”
She got it, “Oh, Sensei.”
He listened and said “Oh Sensei sorry bad boy.”
Katelyn and the sword master laughed, and Katelyn touched his face she touched her forehead, “Katy” then she indicated the sword master, “Sensei”.
He smiled and nodded, “Sensei sorry bad boy.” And he bowed.
She laughed and smiled at him, “You be a good boy now!”
He nodded, “good boy … sorry bad boy.”
He stood up and took Katelyn’s hand, and walked over to Liz. He smiled at her then he touched Katelyn, and said “Katy” then he touched Liz, “tell …”.
Liz smiled at him, “Elizabeth Liz”.
He looked surprised and then he shook his head, “Elizabeth Liz?” he shook his head. “Liz” he nodded his head, “Oh Sensei, Elizabeth Liz”.
Liz laughed and nodded, “Liz”.
He touched Liz, “Liz”, then he touched Katelyn, “Katy”, then he touched himself, “tell …”
Katelyn smiled at him, “Peiter”. Then she touched herself, “Katelyn Katy” she touched Liz “Elizabeth Liz” then she touched him “Peiter Piety”.
He smiled nodded then he pointed at himself, “Piety Peiter” He pointed at Liz, “Liz Elizabeth”, then he pointed at his mother, “Mama … tell … ?”
Katelyn nodded, “Helen”.
He smiled nodded his head.
Liz was starting to chuckle, “He’s going to drive us nuts with this you know.”
Katelyn smiled, “Just think of it as practice for the baby.”
Peiter pointed at his sword, “tell …”
Katelyn said “Sword”.
Katelyn and Peiter walked off arm in arm, he pointing at things, and then asking her to tell its name.
Liz walked over to Helen and the Sensei. “How long do you think the naming game will go on mama?”
Helen laughed, “With you children it seemed like it lasted a couple of years. I expect he’ll do better, do you see how he only asks once about something, you kids used to drive me nuts asking about the same thing over and over.”
After a long day of naming Katelyn and Peiter were back sitting on the bench outside the house the sun setting. Katelyn was tired, his appetite for words was insatiable. Finally she wanted to ask him what had set him off in the morning. She asked, “Peiter what was wrong?”
He looked at her and he shook his head. He didn’t understand her question. She smiled at him and she thought, then she pointed at the sun in the west and said “Now” then she pointed to the east “Then”. She then waved her hands around, “Is”, and then she pointed to the east and waved her hands around “was”. He nodded tentatively. She stood up and pantomimed putting swords in her belt stomping off. Then she took his hand and smiled, “bad boy” and she slapped his face lightly. Then she said “tell …” like he had been doing all day. Then she repeated, “What was wrong?”
He nodded and held her hand, “not tell love you, not hear love you.” He touched his fingers counting off eight days, and then he shook himself. He touched his chest and then touched hers, “love you” and gave a sigh, and then he touched his mouth, “ … I love you … tell you …” he smiled brightly then he touched his ear “ hear you … tell” then he concentrated struggling he shook his head and raised his hand he looked in her eyes and she felt loneliness wash over her mind, she gasped and it stopped he smiled, “tell …”.
She shook herself and said “lonely”.
He smiled weakly, “ … lonely … not hear … not tell … lonely”. Then he smiled a big smile, and he touched her face and she felt happiness wash over her and he said “tell …”.
She smiled at him, “happy”.
He smiled back, “… happy … hear … tell … happy”.
He got a concentrated look again and he shook his head, stood up and pressed his hands down then pointed at her, then he smiled, “tell …”.
She thought and said “wait”.
He did the hand press down, and then he said “wait” and then went in the house. He came out with a book and handed it to her. He sat down next to her, and he opened the book touched the page, then he touched her eyes, then her mouth, and finally his ear. He said, “tell…”.
She smiled, “You want me to read to you?”
He smiled and repeated back “You want me to read to you.” He nodded his head.
She looked at the book and it was a book of fairy tales. She opened to the first one and he sat next to her looking at the page his arm through hers and as she started she felt his mind flood into hers. She started reading but didn’t speak the words, and he put his hand on the page. She looked at him and he shook his head, “tell…” and he touched his ear and then touched the page.
She started again, “The Frog King or Iron Heinrich. In olden times …” As she read she could feel his mind following along absorbing the words the images. Every once in a while he would stop her and touch a word on the page. At first he would say “tell…” and she would try to explain what the word meant and he would smile and nod or shake his head and then say “go…” and she would start from where she left off. As time passed and she read more stories laughing at the silliness, Peiter was avidly following along, he would ask questions his language improving, speaking in full sentences.
It started to get dark, too dark to read. He stopped her and touched her face, “Katy my love, I have most of the words I need now. I’m sorry about my outburst this morning. I was so lonely my heart was breaking. It wasn’t enough to just love you and be with you. It was bad not being able to say I love you but the worst was to hear your voice and not understand. I had healed the physical damage to my brain but this block remained, emptiness and I couldn’t find a way to start to understand. I believe I can read the rest of this silly book myself. Now that I have the words, I love you now, and forever.”
She put her head down on his shoulder, “I love you now and forever.” She felt his arm tighten around her waist and she saw a little flash of color flutter by, and she laughed. They sat and watched the stars come out and he sang the first line of the love song, “The first time ever I saw your face …” but then he stopped and his kissed her, and as they kissed she felt his mind fill her with love and joy. He sighed and they sat watching the stars.
Helen, Peiter and Katelyn arrived at the Dojo of her former sword master. As they entered there were about forty students some were doing katas, several sparing, others standing in front of straw dummies practicing their strikes. In the middle of it all was a high back black chair on which was sitting a white haired man, holding a bamboo cane. He was tall and looked very frail, thin as some very old people become. He wore a white robe with a black belt. He looked like a king. Flanking him were two large men both slightly grey, both wearing black robes, with black belts. All three had two swords inserted through their belts. As Helen approached his head turned and he followed her as she walked up and knelt in front of him and bowed her head. Peiter and Katelyn knelt behind her and they all waited.
The old man, clearly the Sensei of the Dojo, studied her and looked over at Katelyn and Peiter. He stood up, and wobbled a little, and his two assistants move to help, but knew better than to touch him they stood ready to catch him, both had expressions of love and worry for their old teacher.
He walked over to Helen and touched her shoulder, he spoke, “It is good to see you again. I had hoped I would live long enough for this day.”
Helen looked up obviously straining to keep from crying. “Sensei, I too had hoped for this day.”
He smiled at her and indicated she should stand. He took her hand and pulled her arm through his arm and leaned on her as they walked over to Peiter and Katelyn. As they got closer he spoke, “Please children look up let me see your faces.”
Peiter took a surreptitious glance at Katelyn and then looked him in the face, Katelyn looked at him as well. Peiter’s expression started out diffident respectful but as he looked into the Sensei’s eyes he smiled and his face lit up. A small colored blotch of light few around his head and disappeared. As Peiter’s smile widened the Sensei smiled a soft loving smile.
The Sensei tightened his grip on Helen’s arm briefly, “This is your son, I see you in his face, and his wife. I see they are both trained as was your Arcos.”
Helen smiled a proud smile. “Yes Sensei. Arcos sends his love. Sensei after all these years I wanted to tell you, you were right, when you sent me away I felt that you were punishing me, but now I know you were right.”
The Sensei patted her arm smiling nodding his head, “Of course child.” He waved his hand at Peiter and Katelyn. “See what you have wrought. This was your destiny child. I see by his bearing that you and Arcos have trained him well. Shall we test him?”
He looked at Peiter, “Tell me your name son, and introduce me to your lovely wife.”
Peiter’s smile looked like it was going to crack his face, “Sensei this is Katelyn, my wife, and I am Peiter.”
Katelyn bowed when Peiter said her name, and she elbowed him to bow. Peiter cringed slightly and then apologized “Sensei, I’m sorry but I can’t look down from your face, with respect sir.”
The Sensei laughed, “Oh such a charmer. How shall I test you? I know you will spar with one of my students. Kendrick you will spar with him, see if you can out point him.” One of the men that stood by the chair bowed and stepped into the center of the practice yard. A student walked over to him and handed him a wooden sword and stood ready with another for Peiter.”
Peiter’s face fell and a look of horror filled it. “Please Sensei.”
The Sensei looked at him, “Speak your mind son.”
Peiter spoke up, “Sensei, please I would rather not have a competition.”
The Sensei smiled, “But is that not the way of the sword, there is always a winner and a loser.”
Peiter nodded, “Yes in battle this is so, but I wield the sword of life, I would rather not reflect negatively on the skills of another, I would prefer that we make this a demonstration of skill, not a contest. We will endeavor to demonstrate our skill.”
The Sensei looked interested, “And how would you do that?”
Peiter smiled, “I suggest that I defend, and he attack. If he is able to touch me he wins.”
The Sensei nodded, “It is clear how he wins, but how does the match end?”
Peiter nodded, “The match ends, when you say so, or when he says so.”
The Sensei spoke, “Then you win if he withdraws.”
Peiter shook his head, “No, because he is untouched. It is a contest where we both win, or I lose.”
The Sensei laughed, “Very clever son, but we will leave it to Kendrick you will judge the winner.”
Kendrick smiled, “Indeed Sensei.”
Peiter walked into the center of the yard and took a wooden sword from a student and stood ready. The Sensei sat in his chair and Katelyn and Helen sat cross legged on the ground on one side of the chair.
Peiter bowed to Kendrick, “You honor me, let us strive to honor our teachers by this demonstration.”
Kendrick smiled and bowed but remained silent.
Peiter got ready and Kendrick attacked and the swords clattered together and they separated. Kendrick’s face reflected some surprise; he didn’t expect his attack to be deflected with such ease. He bowed slightly and attacked again a rapid sequence of high and low blows with a spinning attack. Peiter smiled slightly and Kendrick stood back his face showing some respect now. He began circling and Peiter followed him watching his body moving his sword in a slow snaking motion. Kendrick attacked attempting to drive Peiter’s sword down and then drive in for the touch, Peiter stepped and slid his sword under and deflected the blow above his head. The attacks became more complex and lengthy; Peiter’s expression showing a soft smile.
The students collected in small groups watching the demonstration commenting on the form and gasping as a particularly elaborate attack was deflected. Helen was smiling and Katelyn had a calm expression on her face.
Kendrick was starting to sweat and Peiter switched sword hands and continued his defense. The attacks became faster more complex as they danced swords clattering and sliding. Peiter used his empty hand to deflect Kendrick’s arm, and slid below his attack. Peiter jumped over a low blow which Kendrick switched to an upward slice. Peiter swept the sword aside with a low cut while he was in the air.
The demonstration continued, and Peiter’s smile became broader he was enjoying himself. Kendrick had a matching smile as he attacked and fell back, and attacked again. Peiter stood looking down breathing deeply and he saluted Kendrick with his sword and then dropped it on the ground.
Kendrick’s face reflected a small shock and then his smile grew broader. He bowed and then attacked. Peiter dodged and pulled him aside. Each blow missing him by scant inches. Each attacked deflected and Kendrick passing him in careful falls. He rolled to his feet and attacked with more complex attacks quick attacks Peiter dodged and deflecting each attack driving his energy to the ground.
Finally Kendrick made a rapid overhead cut toward Peiter’s head, Peiter slapped his hands together trapping the sword between his hands and then twisting he took the sword from Kendrick and threw it aside. Kendrick yelled and embraced Peiter and pounded him on the back. “Oh wonderful, excellent!” he yelled. Peiter hugged him both of their faces reflecting their pleasure.
They separated and they bowed to each other and then they faced the Sensei and knelt. Both were breathing deeply as they waited for the Sensei to speak.
The Sensei was smiling as he studied them. He spoke up, “So son, what do you say? Is there a winner?”
Kendrick looked at Peiter and they both smiled. Peiter shrugged.
Kendrick nodded, “Sensei I, I feel honored to have participated in this demonstration. I judge us both winners, Peiter because he was untouchable and me because I had this opportunity to learn from such an excellent opponent.”
The Sensei, nodded, “Indeed; it is a great gift to learn from another.”
Kendrick looked at Peiter and then back at the Sensei, “Sensei, I would be honored to call him brother.”
The Sensei smiled kindly at Kendrick, “Indeed son. Peiter will you join us? As your mother is a sister to us would you join us as a brother?”
Peiter smile grew broader, “Sensei, you honor me I accept.”
Kendrick put out his hand and Peiter shook it.
The Sensei looked at Katelyn, “So daughter shall we test you also?”
Katelyn gave a diffident smile, “Sensei, I would be happy to demonstrate my meager talents, though I am by no means as advanced as those two.” She waved her hand at Peiter and Kendrick.
Peiter smiled at that and shook his head, then he walked over and retrieved the two wooden swords. “Sensei, if I might have two more wooden swords, I believe we can provide another demonstration. This is a game I learned from my mother. We will demonstrate tapping tips.”
The Sensei clapped his hands, “Yes this is one of my favorite training games. Yes please show us your tapping skills.”
A student walked up to Katelyn and handed her two wooden swords. She took off her sword, walked into the training yard opposite Peiter. They faced each other and bowed. Then Peiter raised his swords and Katelyn matched him. They started slow, clack, clack. With each rotation they sped up the exercise. Turning dancing tapping tips. Clack, clack each tap clear they began to turn dancing around each other facing, and back to back, the clacking remaining even. Their expressions relaxed as they danced. Peiter began doing back flips without breaking the rhythm. Katelyn did side aerials tapping inverted. The exercise continued tap, tap, clack, clack facing, back to back turning jumping without missing a beat. They finished and faced the Sensei and bowed. The students who had been watching clapped and Peiter and Katelyn bowed to them.
The Sensei clapped, “Very good, you have practiced together a lot it is clear.”
Peiter smiled and put his arm around Katelyn’s waist, “Yes Sensei, it is very relaxing.”
The Sensei signaled them to follow him into the Dojo house off the court yard.
The removed their shoes as the floor was covered with tatami mats. The Sensei sat behind a low table and signaled a student, “Bring tea.” As they waited he looked at Helen, “So daughter how is it with you now?”
Helen smiled, “Sensei, Arcos and I have been blessed with three wonderful children, and we have lived on a farm near a village which was decimated by the war. We have come to ask your assistance.”
The Sensei smiled, “How can I help?”
Helen looked at Peiter, “Peiter perhaps you can explain.”
Peiter smiled, “Sensei we have an unusual request. We would like to borrow around twenty of your students to form a militia to help us protect the village. Sensei all the men of this village died in the war or in the chaos in the aftermath of the war. The village was saved by our reverend mother she organized the women and bound them together by her love. We believe that when the reverend mother dies, and the compulsion of her love is lifted, the women will remember their loss and many will die.” Peiter looked a little uncomfortable, “Sensei we think a possible solution would be to find husbands for these women.”
The Sensei looked troubled, “So you would divert the attention of my students into having families? How will that serve the honor of my Dojo? How will we preserve the teachings?”
Peiter smiled, “Sensei isn’t it true that the students would benefit from this experience? It would help them mature and it will in no way prevent them from studying the sword. I offer them the chance to become more than a student, to experience the joy of having a family. This joy you have had with your students in this Dojo. I see the love your students have for you.”
The Sensei looked around the room at his two principle students who were standing near the door and considered. “You speak persuasively; I think if we can produce more swordsmen like yourself this would be a good thing. I think our experiment with Arcos and Helen has been successful. Yes I think I will allow it.” The Sensei looked at his two students standing at the door. “Kendrick you will go with him. You will select twenty others to go with you. You will assist Peiter and the sword master of his village in this project.”
Kendrick looked shocked and then ran up to the Sensei and knelt in front of him, “Sensei I don’t want to leave you.” He bowed his head and looked at his feet. “Please Sensei don’t send me away.”
The Sensei stood up and put his hand on Kendrick’s head. “Son, you have learned your lessons well and it is time for you to go. Teach what you have learned. I expect you to visit me from time to time and report on your progress. It is as Peiter says, you are my son and I want you to become the best you can possibly be. Go with my love.” The Sensei walked over to a sword rack which sat behind him and took the longer of the three swords. “Son this is the sword of my teacher. I give it to you and enjoin you to teach and pass it on to your student. You are the twelfth to carry this sword as it has been passed down from master to student. Carry it proudly as you have earned it.”
The Sensei looked at Peiter, “Son I wish you well and hope you will remember my kindness and send some new students back to this Dojo in future. Javier will be the master of this Dojo when I pass.” The other student standing at the door startled and then looked happy.
Peiter stood and bowed to the Sensei, “Thank you for your help. I think we may yet save our village.”
Helen walked over and embraced the Sensei, “I missed you. I know Kendrick will make a fine warrior, and who knows maybe a father too. I’m glad I got to see you again.”
-o-
On the next day the first contingent of men from his father’s teacher arrived, they wore their packs and their dull brown uniforms, each sporting brightly colored belts. Jason was among them and he walked up to Peiter, with Vivian as she was holding his hand. Jason looked for Katelyn but she was not there.
Peiter smiled at him and said “Welcome brother, I see you were successful.”
Jason cracked a big smile, “You’re speaking again. Well that’s a relief. Yes this lot has thrown in with us.”
Peiter looked at him and then at Vivian he got a little uncomfortable. He pulled them aside, “Brother I don’t know how to tell you this but I’m sorry I don’t know your name, or your lovely wife’s name. I am healed by I lost a lot of names in the process.” He blushed and stood waiting.
Jason looked surprised and then laughed, “Oh Peiter don’t be sorry, I so relieved to have you back. My name is Jason, and this is Vivian. Do you remember me? Vivian?”
Peiter sighed, “I remember everything it’s just the names of things are missing. It’s kind of odd actually. I can look at something, I know what it is everything about it but I can’t name it. I’m guessing that your nick name is Jacy and Vivian is Vivy. Right?”
Vivian touched his arm, “Welcome back golden boy.” She lean in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Peiter smiled at that, “Glad to be back hot stuff.”
Jason laughed at that, “Ah, flirting with my wife are we now? I sense a story here.”
Vivian smiled broadly at that, “Remind me to tell you about his wedding night, Hun.”
Peiter blushed deep red at that, “Vivy, no!”
Liz and Katelyn walked up. Liz was checking out the guys. While they were speaking a few of the more forward women from the village had walked up and were talking with them, and the gate guards were talking. The two students from the fist master’s Dojo were each talking to a man.
Liz touched Katelyn’s arm, “Katy looks like we have a good selection here, things are starting off well.” She looked at the two students, “Seems like we have already scored a few hits there.”
Vivian laughed, “Yep, the last few days they been like that. Katelyn you know those two?”
Katelyn smiled, “Sure they’re both real nice. Listen let’s get this show on the road.”
Peiter smiled and said, “Ok Hun, Jason if you’ll introduce me, I can pass them off to Liz and Katy and they can get them assigned to houses.”
Jason walked over near the group with others in tow. He clapped his hands together making a loud pop. “Okay we’re here it’s time to get you signed up, and assigned to houses. We don’t have a barracks here so we’ll be pairing you off and assigning you to houses around the village. Let me start by introducing my brother, he’s kind of the unofficial mayor here, Peiter and his wife Katelyn.” Peiter did a small bow with Katelyn on his arm. “Katelyn and Liz, she’s my sister over there, will be taking care of your housing assignments, and they will explain. For now, just relax and get moved in. You are our guests so if you need anything just ask anyone.” There was a small twitter of laughter, and then Jason continued, “I’ll turn you over to Peiter.”
Peiter smiled broadly, “Thanks Jason, I’m grateful you all have come to help us. As you know, this village is mostly populated by women, and as such we have needed a group of strong men to help protect us from the bandits which roam these parts. After you get signed up and checked in wander around and enjoy the village, there are several inns where you can get food, Jason here is our black smith and he can repair any equipment you might have. We have made arrangement with all the local merchants for your care, just be sure to sign for any services you might use. Now I’ll turn it over to Liz.”
Liz had a big book under her arm and a quill and ink. She stood up on a low wall, “Hello I’ll be assigning you to houses. We will be pairing you off two to a house, so if you’ll pick a partner we can get you assigned. I’ll take your name and your partners name, and will give you the name of the house we are assigning you to. Sorry we don’t have street names and addresses here so you’re going to have to remember your house name, if you get lost just ask anyone and they can direct you. We will be providing maid services so no need to worry about that. I do advise you to not make too much of a mess however as you want to stay on the good side of your maids, they will be helping you find your way around. So let’s begin.” Liz sat on the wall, opened the book and got ready to write. A queue was forming of pairs of men. At the same time women from the village were drifting up and talking among themselves.
The first pair stepped up to Liz, “Give me your name, and I’ll note it here. Start with you, she pointed to the man on the right.”
The man on the right spoke, “My name is Raphael Dohman”, Liz noted his name, height, build, eye color, hair color, and so on in her book, as each man responded. The man on the left spoke, “Hi I’m Ja Lozowski”, Liz wrote fast and looked at them, “Ok you will be staying in the Johnson house, remember that name.” She looked up and spied the collection of women standing around, “Katy conscript a few of them to escort these guys will you.”
Raphael looked at the book which had a lot more writing then their names, “That’s a lot more than our names your writing there.”
Liz smiled at him, “Just some notes to help me connect names with faces.”
Katelyn went over to the group of women, “Rochel can you escort these two to the Johnson home, why don’t you take Tammera with you.” Two women came out of the small crowd. Tammera and Rochel stood waiting, “If you’ll follow them they’ll take you to the house, they can show you where to get a bite to eat as well.”
Liz watched as the led them away, noting the quick once overs and the body language, she wrote down the names, Tammera and Rochel next to Raphael and Ja, and give a quick guess as to interest.
After about a half hour she had finished with the ten pairs of men, and had assigned ten pairs of women to escort them to their houses, she signaled Katelyn. “Katy you made some pretty good choices definite possibilities.”
Peiter, Jason, Vivian and James walked up to Liz and Katelyn. Peiter looked at Liz, “So what do you think? Good idea conscripting the escorts and the maid idea is a stroke of genius.”
Liz nodded, “Yea and we stripped the houses of food, cups, most everything but the furniture. There’s no way they can hide out. They’re going to have to go out to eat and drink in the inns, so they’ll get good exposure. Also this village is a maze of twisty alleys so they’re sure to get lost.”
Peiter nodded, “So we give them a couple of days, and then Jason will start organizing the patrols we’ll make sure they have plenty of spare time.”
James spoke up, “Jason we’ve got some orders in and some repair jobs from the new guys, let’s go and you can start showing me what to do.”
Jason stroked Vivian’s butt, “See you later beautiful. Peiter you should go let dad and the reverend mother know how it went.” Jason and James walked off.
Peiter stood listening to Vivian, Liz and Katelyn discuss the results. Vivian was speaking, “So Liz I see you got their general specs down and we have our initial matches, but how are we going to set this up? We can’t just lay claim to all of them, no way will our sisters stand for that. So how are we going to set this up so we can sell our wares?”
Liz spoke up, “Well here’s the way I figure it. I’ve got the only complete list of houses, and their contents. We let it be known, maybe via the inn keepers that we will share our knowledge for the proper consideration.”
Katelyn was not totally buying it, “But what’s to keep someone from setting up shop in competition. It not a secret that they’re here.”
Liz shook her head, “I don’t think they’ll think of it. They’re going to be too busy trolling to organize.”
Peiter was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with his role in this. “Ladies I think I retire and go find dad. Just make sure you keep the cat fights to a minimum.”
Liz looked up, “You just make sure the next twenty arrive on time and that will be enough to prevent any problems.”
Peiter left heading back to the infirmary. He arrived and found Helen, Arcos and the reverend mother having tea.
As he walked in the reverend mother indicated he sit down and she set out a cup and poured it full of tea. “Peiter, welcome, sit and have some tea.”
Peiter took a sip and leaned back, his father looked at him quizzically. “Son you look unhappy. I assume the men were taken care of alright.”
Peiter gave a troubled smile, “Oh Yes, Liz and Katelyn were very efficient. They’re set up in houses around the village. Liz assures me that if the next twenty arrive on schedule things will go smoothly.”
Arcos looked at him, “Good to hear, so why the long face.”
Peiter looked at him, “They don’t have a chance in hell. I listened to Liz, Vivy, and Katy organizing and well I feel like I’ve betrayed them.”
Arcos laughed, “Oh come now son; they’re grown men, a little naïve but still.”
Peiter was still uncomfortable, “I feel like I’ve denied them their free will.”
Helen and the reverend mother were becoming amused at his discomfort.
Helen spoke up, “Son when you met Katelyn, do you think you had a choice? Could you have walked away?”
Peiter looked at his hands, remembering, “No.”
Helen smiled, “Would you deny them what you have with Katelyn?”
Peiter smiled, “Of course not, if I knew what was going to happen I would have jumped in with both feet.”
Arcos smiled, “Peiter if it bothers you so much, tell them. It won’t matter they will make the same choice you did.”
The reverend mother spoke up, “Son it is the will of god. They are fated to find each other with or without our help. We just use them to enact the cure I sought so long ago; to correct the imbalance.”
Peiter shook his head, “I wish I had your faith.”
The reverend mother shook her head, “Peiter you do. You as much told me yourself. You serve life. Do you think long ago if you had been in my place, you could have let these women die? No you would have found a way. I found a way, maybe not the best way but they are here now and you have come and you will save them. God acted through me and now you. Share what you have with these men, save them, save us, and save me.”
Arcos had a soft smile on his face, “Son do you remember my birthday party so long ago?” Arcos reached into his pocket and took out a stone, he handed it to him. “You gave me this present, a gift of love. You sang me a song. Do you remember the song?”
Peiter looked at the stone, it said I’m sorry on one side, I love you on the other side. Peiter nodded, “Yes, Amazing Grace.” Peiter handed the stone back to him. Peiter looked up he felt tears run down his face.
Arcos smiled at him, “You would have me believe you have no faith?”
Arcos stood up and went to him and hugged him. “Let Katelyn, Vivian and Elizabeth have their fun son. Who knows maybe a little joy will come of it. Relax and be happy. Be our golden boy.”
Peiter smiled and a few colored lights flew around and disappeared.
It was dark when Peiter finally made it to bed. It had been a long day working the grape vines near the house. His father had given him until the end of the week to bring in the remaining grapes as they had reached their prime. He’d been bugging his father to teach him how to make wine since his fourteenth birthday last week. His father promised that the grapes he personally harvested would be used to teach him. His father said the first step was to start with good grapes. It had been a long week harvesting. He wasn’t tall enough to reach the top of the vines on the trellis, so he had to use a box. Leaning forward on top of the box had resulted in a few painful falls. Not only that they had been troubled by bandits that week.
He just finished cutting the grapes from the top of the trellis and he placed the last cluster in the basket. He bent down to pick up the basket, while holding the long razor sharp knife he had been using to cut the grape clusters off the vine. His father said it was important to keep the damage to the vines at a minimum for next year’s crop of grapes. He was holding the knife and one handle of the basket in one hand and the other hand on the other handle of the basket. He walked out from behind the vines and turned the corner and surprised the stranger holding a sword. He dropped the basket in surprise but held on to the knife. So the stranger holding the sword sees the boy holding the long knife and figures it’s best to kill him quick rather than argue over the knife. The stranger begins to swing his sword, and reflex takes over, using his left hand Peiter hits the man’s right arm which is holding the sword deflecting the stranger’s swing behind him, as he steps in thrusting with the knife in his right hand. His right hand is out of position as it is lifting up from dropping the weight of the basket, and his trust to the man’s heart hits in the left eye, sliding home killing the stranger instantly. The stranger falls pulling the knife from his hand, and the stranger’s sword falls to the ground behind his back. His father who had seen the whole thing grabs him from behind and spins him around and hugs him close.
His father reassured him, “Peiter don’t look. You did what you had to son. I’m proud of you. Your training saved your life.”
Peiter relaxed in his father’s arms, “Oh daddy, I killed him. He didn’t give me a chance to stop him.” The horror of what had happened was starting to hit him.
His father held his head and looked in his eyes, “Son you did the right thing. You have no way of knowing what kind of skill he had with that sword. He gave you no choice you had to kill him. Now pick up your grapes and take them into the barn, I’ll take care of the stranger.” His father let him go and bent down to the stranger, shielding the sight from Peiter as he recovered his basket and picked up the spilled grapes. His father pulled the knife from the man’s face and then picked up the body and carried it off behind the house out of view. Peiter carried his basket into the barn and over to the storage bin and placed it on the ground and starting transferring the grape bundles into the storage bin. His father told him to just dump them in but he thought that might bruise the grapes. He wanted his first batch of wine to be perfect. As he finished his father walked in and handed him his knife, cleaned off so there was no sign of blood. Peiter accepted the knife back and his father looked at him with a concerned expression.
“Are you all right son?” His father asked.
“I think so daddy, I just wish I hadn’t done that. Maybe I should have rolled away, or dropped the knife.” Peiter was looking down at the ground shaking his head.
“Son you did exactly the right thing. He gave you no choice. Rolling away would have been very dangerous; he could have killed you with the sword. You had no way to know how skilled he was; deadly force was the only possible response. You remember we discussed this when I started to show you the killing blows as part of the way of the fist. I warned you that the time will come when your only defense will be to kill your opponent.” His father put his hand under his chin and tilted his face up so he looked at him.
“Daddy he was a person; I killed a man. I never thought I’d actually have to do that.” Peiter looked like he was going to cry he was filled with regret.
“Son, the stranger made a bad choice and that killed him. If he’d come upon me with his sword drawn like that I would have killed him as quickly as I could. You reacted to his bad choice, and it was that choice that killed him. It is a thing to regret, but not to dwell on. Now go and finish your harvest of the grapes. Concentrate on your work, and try to forget about this.” His father released his face and ruffled his hair and then pushed him lightly toward the barn door.
All that was two days ago, and Peiter worked hard harvesting grapes and trying to use the work to help him forget. He had finished with no time to spare. The last few bushels had been cut and carried by moon light. Tomorrow they were going to crush the grapes and filter the juice and then transfer it to the wine casks.
As he lay on the bed he considered the cuts and raw parts of his hands. He had laid each grape bundle carefully in the basket before carrying them to the storage bin next to the juicer. The juicer was of special design, his father’s innovation, the grapes were crushed and the juice was drawn off by a slight vacuum, improving the yield of juice. The only problem was the vacuum was developed by operating a bellows by hand, so the next couple of days were going to be hard work. He hoped his hands were up to it.
He was pretty tired when his door opened and his father came into his room. “Peiter? You awake son?”
So he sat up and hid his hands under his blanket. “Yes daddy, I’m still awake.”
His father pulled up a chair and sat down next to his bed. “I’m proud of you son. You finished on time. Not many boys your age could have done it. Let me see your hands.”
Peiter reluctantly presented his hands to his father. He looked them over on both sides and smiled. “I see your hands are torn up by the knife and the vines. Your skin will toughen up with time but for now let’s see if we can heal the worst of your injuries. Helen, come help Peiter with his hands.” He called his mother in.
His mother came in with a small bowl filled with an ointment and she sat in the chair vacated by his father. “So I see your father’s obsession is finding a new fan. It is good to see you take an interest in this son, but you need to take care of your hands, and see me for healing. I know you’re trying hard to not complain or be a burden, it took me a while to train your father to come to me before his hands scared or got infected.” While she was talking she rubbed his hands and he could feel the heat emanating from her hands. Soothing heat, he looked closely it seemed that her hands were glowing slightly. As she rubbed them the scratches healed and the cuts from the knife closed and felt slightly itchy. When she stopped she rubbed in some of the ointment and he felt his hands cool and the ache in his joints faded. She smiled at him, “See just a little work and you’re mostly healed. The ointment will take care of the rest and keep your hands from scaring.” She wiped her hands on her apron, and then ruffled up the hair on his head and smiled at him.
His father put his hand on his shoulder and patted him. “Son we’ll let the grapes sit for a couple of days while they sweeten up a bit more, as it is the week end we’ll go fishing, what do you say?” He was smiling at him.
Peiter was surprised he thought they had to get the grapes juiced as soon as possible. “Daddy that sounds like fun, can we all go?” He wanted Jason and Liz to come too.
His father looked at his mother, looking his question; they rarely needed words between them.
His mother nodded, “Sure it’s getting to be hot, we should all go out to the lake for the week end. Why don’t you get your pack together Peiter, before you sleep, we’ll leave early. I’ll go tell Jason and Liz.” She left the room. Peiter got up and recovered his pack from the corner and put in his fishing pole and water bag. He put his hunting knife on top of his pack, got out his sleeping mat, and an extra blanket and rolled them up and tied them around the bottom of his pack. Then he climbed back into his bed and went to sleep.
His father woke him before the sun came up the next morning. “Son it’s time to go; get your pack.”
Peiter got his pack and carried it out into the front yard, over to the well, where his sister Liz was filling her water skin from a bucket. He walked over and handed her his water skin and she filled his and handed it back to him. Her pack was leaning against the well with her bow and quiver of arrows.
When all the water bags were filled and everyone had their packs on his mother indicated they should start off. Jason and his mother had swords slung over their backs, and his father and Liz had bows and arrows. Peiter just had his hunting knife and his hands, but his father and mother had taught him well he knew his hands were all he needed. Liz led off followed by Jason, and Peiter, then his mother and finally his father took up the rear. The walked off toward the lake.
After about an hour they got to their normal camp site, Peiter went to the camp fire location and cleaned out the debris and repositioned the rocks, making it ready for the fire. Then he set down his pack and extracted his fishing pole. He assembled his pole and connected his fishing line and went off looking for worms. At the same time Liz took out an arrow and tied a light line to it and then began laying the line over her arm, making ready to go bow fishing. Jason’s fishing technique was a bit unusual. He took off his sandals and rolled up his pant legs. He took a string and tied a feather to the end and wrapped a bit of wire around it to weight it. Then he drew his sword and wadded off into the lake near a deep pool.
Peiter used the more traditional technique of fishing pole with hook and worm. He selected a high bank near a deep pool. Dropped in his line and started to wait. It was a little early for the fish so he expected to wait a bit.
Liz went over near a large mat of water pants, looking for fish catching insects near the surface. She would look for tell-tale bubbles or fish jumping, and fire an arrow to catch a fish.
In this contest Jason was usually the first to catch a fish. He would stand in the water and lure a fish up to his feather bait and then cut it with his sword. His skill was uncanny he could call the fish. He said he would feel for them and tell them there was good food on his bait. However he did it the fish would come and he would cut with his sword, or if he was showing off he would grab them with his hands. When he got one he would throw it ashore.
As the sun came up Jason was the first as usual. He made a cut and then reached into the water and came up with a good size fish, and threw it to shore. His cut had killed it so it didn’t flop around.
As the sun came up and shined on the patch of water plants, Liz was the next to catch a fish. She let fly with an arrow, and pulled back another good size fish. She put the fish in a bag she was carrying, which was partly filled with water to keep the fish damp.
Peiter caught the next fish, his pole bent, and he pulled up and had a good size fish on the hook. He grabbed the fish and killed it with his hunting knife and laid it on the grass next to him.
Around noon they each had caught four fish, so they stopped and went back to camp. Peiter collected the fish from the others and went off to clean them, while Jason and Liz went off into the woods to gather fire wood. Liz would spot likely pieces and Jason would cut them up with his sword.
When the wood was gathered and the fish were cleaned, Liz built a small pile of twigs moss and grass in the fire place and then took out a flint and stuck a spark into the moss and blew on it starting up the fire. Jason and Peiter sat breaking branches and cutting up the wood that they had collected. His mother took the fish and boned them and threw the bones in a pot and laid the fish on rock near the fire to cook. Then Liz and her mother started cutting up vegetables and throwing them into the pot with the fish bones. Peiter filled a pot with water and stood it near the fire for tea.
It was pushing noon so they all sat back and pulled out dried meat and cheese from their packs and ate a light lunch. Now that all the chores were done Peiter, Liz and Jason started their exercises. Peiter took off his shirt and pants and got a cloth from his pack and belted it on to make a breach clout, and Jason followed suit. Liz took off her leather vest and pants and pulled a long shirt from her pack which she used as a short shift, with a leather belt. They lined up and started their katas. Peiter routine was based on the silent fist katas of his father and the flowing water katas of his mother. Jason’s routine was mainly sword katas. Liz’s routine was mainly flowing water katas, throws and holds. After about an hour Liz and Peiter began sparing while Jason and his mother began sparing with wooden swords. The clatter of wooden swords and the occasional grunt from Jason, when his mother hit him because he was out of position or made a bad block were heard. Peiter would reach for Liz and she would throw him, or he would catch her and hold her. Peiter was having a hard time as usual because of Liz’s short stature and quickness, but occasionally he would manage to hold her or trip her up. Liz and Peiter’s sparing was based solely on the flowing water skills, when she was done it was Peiter’s turn to practice the silent fist with his father. This sparing was based on blows mainly. They would punch the air near the target as they spared. When his father was satisfied with Peiter’s performance he picked up a blanket and wrapped his hands and had Peiter strike it. Judging the strength of his blows by the shock transmitted to his body. His father knew how to give at just the right instant to avoid injury. While Peiter and his father were practicing Liz hung up a blanket and practiced her bow. She would fire arrows into the blanket from a short distance away. She started slow concentrating on her form, and then built up her speed, firing single double and triple arrows into the blanket. When she was satisfied with the results, she would shift to another position and repeat. Standing, kneeling, over her left shoulder, right shoulder, in every position she would start slow and end fast. After the kata’s and sparing was done, it was time to meditate so they all sat near the lake and meditated. His mother went back to preparing food, and his father watched them walking up and fixing their posture, or commenting on their breathing. When their meditation was done, they were free to do as they pleased. It was about three in the afternoon and getting hot, so Jason, Liz and Peiter stripped and jumped into the lake. They swam around for a bit and then started splashing each other, grabbing and throwing each other, ganging up two on one ducking each other and otherwise horsing around. After a few hours of horsing around they came out of the water and lay on the grass drying off in the sun. It was sunset and time for dinner. The dressed and went back to the fire and sat.
Peiter’s mother broke off pieces of fish and added some soup from the pot and handed out bowls to everyone when all were served his father raised his hand and spoke, “Who will speak for today’s meal?” They looked at each other and Peiter diffidently raised his hand, “Papa I will.”
Arcos smiled at him, “Okay son; speak your mind.”
Peiter looked at them and said, “I want to thank you all for helping me with my wine project and for making this trip to the lake so good. The water fight was a blast, and Liz was in rare form during our katas, and Jason scored the first fish. I wanted to tell you all of my regret for the death of the bandit. I wish I had been able to find a way for him to live. I feel like it was my weakness that caused his death, if I’d been alert I wouldn’t have walked into him and forced his death. Daddy says I did the right thing, and I accept that, but I think there should have been a way to save him.” Peiter stopped he was looking into the fire.
Arcos looked at Peiter with some concern, “Liz what do you have to say about that.”
Liz looked at Peiter and then her father, “Daddy, I’m glad I didn’t have to face him. Piety for what it’s worth, it is regrettable, but you couldn’t have avoided it. We don’t have visitors often and it is a fluke that he had his sword drawn when you found him. It was bad luck and you did what was necessary. I thank you for choosing to live. I would feel really bad if you died, the bandit was already dead the moment he drew his sword; you were just the one that had to do it.”
Arcos nodded, “Jason what do you have to say.”
Jason stood up and went to Peiter and sat next to him and hugged him and then gave him a nuggy. “Piety, you beat me for once, defended our home, I would have killed him just the same as you, but we all know I wouldn’t feel it like you do. You did right. You did what life required. As Liz said he was already dead, he just hadn’t fallen over yet. Forget about it bro.”
Arcos smiled and nodded, “Helen?”
His mother looked at him, “Son, regrets are a part of life. Forgive yourself and move on. It is the wheel of life.”
Arcos nodded, “Son, thank you for telling us about your feelings. For now I forbid you to talk about this again for one year. Do as your mother said and forgive yourself, and know we are all proud of you. You did the right thing. Now eat everybody.”
Peiter looked up from the fire at his father, at his stern but loving face and smiled, “I will try to do as you say.” Then he started to eat while he thought about how one could possibly forgive oneself?
It was my dad’s birthday and we all were wracking our brains to come up with a gift for him. My brother had decided my dad needed a new deer skin coat so he had killed the deer and tanned the hides and got help from my sister and was making him a new coat.
My sister decided that she would make him some arrows, to replace all the ones she had lost over the years while he was teaching her the bow. So I helped to find the wood for the shafts, and she shot the birds, and I collected together all the arrow heads I had accumulated and cleaned them up, some I repaired on the forge and gave them to her.
My mother was going to cook him his favorite supper; which was a treat for us all. She asked me to steal some of his hidden stock of wine, because she didn’t want him to know what she was planning.
I was left with little time and no ideas. I couldn’t think of anything to give him. He had trained me in the way of the fist. His knowledge and strength had saved me from myself, and had given me the best of all gifts, a sense of life and a service to life. I look at my father and mother, I feel their love and I feel my heart fill with happiness. What could I give them that could possibly match that?
So the fateful day came and I still had not come up with a gift, I spoke to my mother and she said I was being silly, that a gift was not necessary. So I went out into the fields and sat next to a stream that ambled through our farm and I started to meditate. I needed to calm my mind and I hoped something would come to me. After several hours I went to the stream and I picked up a stone and put it in my pocket and I went back to the house as the party was about to start. When I got back to the house I pulled out the stone, and took out my hunting knife and carved a message on both sides and put it back into my pocket and went in to the party. My mom was in the kitchen cooking and my brother and sister were in the dining room fighting over some stupid thing I couldn’t tell what. This was how they relaxed they argued. I sat in a chair off to the side and I looked at my father, he was sitting in his chair listening to my brother and sister with a smile on his face, my mother came in and spied him sitting walked over to him and ran her hand over his cheek. It was all that was needed between them. She shook her head at my brother and sister because of their arguing but she didn’t stop them because my father was enjoying them; his children. He looked at me and gave me a smile, and I don’t know how he did it but I just felt loved. Just a smile and my heart was full.
So my mother came out of the kitchen and said it was time for gifts, so then we could eat the meal she had spent over a week preparing. My sister started she went back to her room and got the arrows she had made and explained they were to replace all the ones she lost, she told him I had helped with the arrow heads and shafts. He kissed her on the cheek and thanked her for the gift and set it aside. I was sure that none of those arrows would ever leave his side he would cherish them. Then my brother brought out the deer skin coat. He explained that he had caught the dear and how my sister helped him sew the coat. It was beautiful and a perfect fit. So it was my turn my mother had a look of concern but I smiled at her and I reached into my pocket and pulled out the stone. I looked at him and I said,
“Papa, I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with a suitable gift to give you. I thought about all you have given me, you and mother gave me life, as I child I made your life hell, as a baby I was messy crying pain in the ass, as a toddler I was into everything and trying my best to get myself killed, as a boy I was willful and lazy, and as a young man I was arrogant and disobedient. In spite of that there wasn’t a moment when I didn’t feel loved. Oh I may have said the opposite but I knew at the bottom of my heart that you loved me without reservation. You gave me the best possible gift a love of life and you gave me to the service of life through your training, your discipline, and your encouragement. So as I meditated on this by the stream I realized there is only two gifts I could give you so I combined them and I wrote them on this stone.”
So I handed the stone to him and he looked at it and flipped it over and looked up at me and I saw it was the perfect gift. He handed to stone to my mother and she read it flipped it over and read again. She smiled and took my father’s hand and ran her hand down the side of his face.
My sister asked him, “What does it say daddy?”
He looked at me and said, “Why don’t you tell her?”
I looked at my sister and I said, “On the front side it says, I’m sorry. It’s my way of apologizing for being me. On the other side it says, I love you dad. It’s the only gift I can give for all that I’ve received.” I went over to my dad and I hugged him and he hugged me back strong, He whispered in my ear, “Thank you son.” Then he released me and he took my hand and gave it a squeeze. My mom brushed the hair from my face and ran her hand down my face just like she did with my dad, and I knew that she approved.
So we sat down to eat, my brother and sister looked at me and I knew they thought my gift was good and I felt happy. So when my brother and sister started arguing I jumped in and gave as good as I got, and I saw my father’s face a twinkle in his eye, a soft smile. My mother started to tell us to stop with all the arguing but I touched her hand, she understood, and she relented.
As we ate dinner my mother poured the wine and we all tasted it. It was one of my father’s best vintages. He got a wicked look on his face, “Hum, seems I need to get a better lock on my reserve stock.” I was surprised. I hadn’t encountered any locks when I stole the bottle, in fact it seemed to me when I think about it the bottle was placed conspicuously like he left it there for me to take. I looked at him and he winked at me. He left it unlocked so I could steal it. He knew she would send me. I looked at my mother and she was looking guilty and I started to speak up but my father shook his head slightly and I stopped. He leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Let her be son, let her have her guilt, she knew this would happen, just as I knew she would send you.” He smiled and looked at her, and she finally looked at him and he glanced to the side at me, then back to her and she smiled the gilt fading from her eyes. She gave him a soft slap on the face and then went back into the kitchen for more food. Just a look and she knew she’d been set up.
So we ate the meal and we all felt stuffed and sleepy. We sat around the fire place my father in his chair my mother in hers, knitting quietly. My father said “Sing for us son.” I looked around considering and I stood and sang:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.
I looked at my father and he had a smile on his face and “Son thank you for the gift of your life. I couldn’t ask for a better birthday.”