WEEK FIVE
FIRSTDAY
I arrived at Yue-Sin's house and was ushered in to the weapon's room. Unusually, Yue-Sin was not in sight. I started my usual stretches and warming exercises, but still no Yue-Sin. He had seemed fine when he had left in the morning, kissing me awake as was now routine. Nothing had been said about anything different. I was just about to go out in search of him when I heard the front door open and Yue-Sin's voice order, "Wait here." Yue-Sin came in, closing the door behind him. He embraced me and kissed, pushing his stiff dick into me just below my groin. Even though I was curious as to who was outside my mind was more taken by the thought, "Hadn't his dick used to press into my belly when we embraced?" I looked at him and realised that if I looked straight ahead I was now looking at his forehead, not his nose as I had been accustomed. I reached down and gave his dick a squeeze. "It really never says die!"
"Not when the topic is you, my love," he said softly before breaking the embrace and stepping away. "I have a surprise for you. I have not commented, but your skill with sword has increased immensely. Today I have with me one of the town guards. His name is Po-Li, and he is one of our better swordsmen outside of the nobility and wealthy. I have brought him to spar with you, to let you use some of the skills you have learnt, to feel what it is like to fight against a different style and rhythm than mine." Without waiting he opened the door and ordered, "Enter!"
Po-Li was a tall man. He was slim and moved with grace, like someone dancing. His face was lopsided from a scar that cut though his forehead and cheek. He must have been 8 or 9 years old. He bowed on entering the room, staying down until Yue-Sin gave him permission to rise. "Po-Li, you are here to spar with Lord Cavon. You will be using a wooden sword, like you did when you trained. I do not want you to hold back in any way. If you can land a strike, do so. You will not be punished for being more skilled than the Lord. I only ask that if you do land a strike pull the force so as not to hurt the Lord. I'm sure Lord Cavon will do the same."
He then turned to me. "You have warmed up my Lord? Are you ready to start?"
"I am, Yue-Sin."
"I have already sparred a bit with Po-Li to warm him up, so each take your side. Start!"
Po-Li lunged at me without warning, getting an immediate tap on my upper arm.
"Well, that has started well," I laughed. "If we were in battle Po-Li would be attacking someone else now and I lying on the ground. I bow to you, Po-Li. No matter how many hits I do or don't achieve, you have won for in life I would be dead."
Po-Li appeared rather stunned. Despite Yue-Sin's speech, I suspect he thought he would be punished for such a bold move. Stunned and relieved, then a slow smile lifted his broken lips. "That's if you manage to touch me at all, my Lord!" he boasted.
"We'll see about that!" Equally without warning I lunged at him, but with a desperate move he managed to get his sword in the path of mine. Then began a fierce battle. I managed the next strike, but it was not until I began to see his moves, how one would routinely follow another, that I was able to regularly beat him off and sometimes counter strike. And a lot of those were evaded by the smooth grace of his movements, dodging away from a promised blow leaving it to strike air. Eventually Yue-Sin called a halt.
"Thankyou, Po-Li. You have fought well. You may go."
"One moment," I called before he could turn. "Thankyou, Po-Li. I appreciate your nimbleness and skill."
"May I speak openly, my Lord?"
I nodded.
"How long have you been learning the sword?"
"This is my fifth week."
"I have been practising for more than 2 years. It is my love, my passion. It was to have more time to practice that I applied to join the town guards. And already you are more than my equal. You are formidable, my Lord."
"Not your equal, Po-Li. For I am dead, and you have moved on to others in this battle. The sword does not give a second chance. You read my inexperience and I died. That was the only truth."
"Even so, my Lord, that would not happen if we met again, I am sure."
"Maybe not. Thankyou for your complements, Po-Li."
He bowed low, and left the room.
As Yue-Sin massaged me he said, "You are correct, Cavon, when you say that in real life it is the first blow that counts. That is why I will be introducing you to different swordsmen each session; to improve your experience of how other's fight. I have a reputation, but a lot of that comes from my ability to read what another will do before he does it. I could see that after a short time you were doing the same with Po-Li. You, though, are quite unpredictable. Sometimes a down stroke follows one from the left, sometimes an upstroke, sometimes a jab. Po-Li can dance. He leads his opponent on to make a rash blow, but is not there when the blow lands and then counter attacks while his opponent is off balance. With you he could not pick your feints from your strikes, which is why you hit him so often."
"I did not hit him often."
"I kept count. The score was 36 for you, 15 for Po- Li."
"That many?"
"Yes, that many."
"But it still won't help if I'm dead after the first!"
"That will come with experience, and it will be those who fight you who are dead after the first." By this stage his hands had reached their usual final massage location, my rigid lizlion. "Now, let's see if your sword can beat me on the first strike!" he said as he mounted me and started riding.
Cold, slanting rain made the outside part of the inn unpleasant despite its awning, so I was seated inside awaiting the arrival of Wi-Su. The day was drawing to its close, hurried by the heaviness of the rain-bearing clouds. I was sipping tea, hoping Wi-Su would not be much longer. The inn was crowded and noisy with all its usual habitants forced inside. It would not be easy talking with Wi-Su. To escape I entered my inner world and relived my second day sitting in judgement.
Once again the first case had tested me, teaching me yet more about human nature. It was a case of adultery, with a man, a field worker, having been found by his wife in the bed of a woman, the widow of another field worker who had died in an accident. The wife was suing for divorce. The man freely admitted his wrongdoing. This seemed quite simple, and I prescribed what I believed to be the normal judgement, that the divorce be granted and that the man be required to pay for the support of his ex-wife and children as well as being banned from future marriage. I was in the midst of saying this when the wife spoke quietly to a guard, who put up his hand in a request to interrupt.
Nodding to him, he said, "My Lord, Yo-Liu and her husband ask if they could have a private audience with you."
"Who instituted this request?" I asked.
Yo-Liu put up her hand. "I did, m'Lord."
I had been thinking to deny the request, thinking that the husband, Yo-Lin, was going to protesting paying support, but I reversed this when I realised it was otherwise.
Alone with them I requested, "Speak."
"If I may, m'Lord, I would like to request that my husband not be asked to pay for my support nor receive other punishment."
"Why would you not want support, Yo-Liu?"
"This is complicated, my Lord. We have already discussed this with Lord Srotyr, but did not realise that he was going to be away when we put the plan into action."
"Well, tell me Yo-Liu. I am patient."
"Yes, m'Lord. Yo-Li and I were married by agreement of our parents. They thought they were doing the right thing, as Yo-Lin and I had been friends since we were knee high. But that is what we were, friends. We were like brother and sister, who shared everything except any concept of physical love. The thought of being made husband and wife dismayed us, but being respectful of our parents we did not say anything. Yo-Li had loved another woman from when he entered manhood, and I another man. When we married these two people, denied the one they loved, also married. Not to each other. It so happens that the husband of Ri-Lo, the woman my husband has always loved, was killed in an accident some three seventy-days ago, and the wife of Me-Oh, the man I loved, died in childbirth not long after.
"One thing that has remained is that Yo-Li and I have remained good friends and talk about everything. He has never been unfaithful to me or I to him. Yo-Li suggested though that an opportunity had presented itself for us each to follow our hearts. So we invited both Ri-Lo and Me-Oh to dinner. Naturally everyone thought we were matchmaking. All think we are the happiest of couples. But matchmaking was not on our minds. What we put to Ri-Lo and Me-Oh was to ask if they still loved us, and if so would they marry us if we were divorced. When the answer was positive we looked at how we could do this. We knew we could not be granted divorce without the minimum of a conviction of adultery. I needn't tell you that the punishment for adultery for a woman is death by drowning, so obviously I could not commit the crime. But we are both people who love the One with all our hearts, and neither of us wanted to break his laws and commit adultery anyway. So the option for Yo-Li to sin instead of I was not much better.
"We felt trapped. Until one day Me-Oh had a chance to talk to Lord Srotyr. He asked the Lord if he would be willing to meet with the four of us and see if he could help us. Which he did. And what he suggested was that I would make a charge against Yo-Li, saying I had found him in bed with Ri-Lo, but that when he had heard our case in court he would grant divorce without punishment. We would then be free to marry our beloveds after another three seventy-days. I don't mean any disrespect, m'Lord, but our hearts fell when we saw you at the bench."
"No offence taken, Yo-Liu. I can understand how you must have felt. This is all true, Yo-Li?"
"Yes, m'Lord," he said, speaking for the first time.
"Then I will consider what you have said. Po-Wei, please call in the guard and join me in the Lord's Room." I then retired. When Po-Wei had joined me I said, "That was a very complicated story. It had the ring of truth, but a charge of adultery is a very serious charge. Did Father mention anything to you of this?"
"No my Lord."
"In your experience with Father, is it something he is likely to do?"
"Yes, my Lord. It is very much like Lord Srotyr. He often bends the laws to achieve a greater good. The laws are not binding on those who administer them, as you would know. This can be a very good thing in the hands of good men like Lord Srotyr and yourself. As you can imagine it can also be a very bad thing, as I experienced first hand with Me-Wei, who governed here before Lord Srotyr."
"Thankyou, Po-Wei. Let us rejoin the court."
Knowing that what my heart said was the just thing to do I granted the request of Yo-Liu. The smiles and bows I received were very rewarding. Smiles of good people trying to achieve good for all. I did, however, apply a ruling that Yo-Li was to provide support for his wife and children until the time, if any, that Yo-Liu, remarried. This was happily accepted and was what I suspect would have happened any way. As to who was to have who's children in case of remarriage I made no attempt to resolve. I'm sure that they would already have that well in hand and would do what was best for the children. It surprised me to see Yo-Li and Yo- Liu embrace and kiss after the judgement, but when I re-ran that scene now I could see it was the embrace of brother and sister, not of husband and wife.
Between cases I asked Po-Wei what he thought. He had agreed with my judgement, and had thought that the implementation of temporary support had been an excellent touch. It would not be the first time that the agreement between best friends had fallen apart to the suffering of one or other.
I was on my second cup of tea when Wi-Su entered and all thoughts of the afternoon left my head. He shook his wet coat then peered around the dim room. Not finding what he was after a worried look crossed his face, then settled into a smile when I stood and waved.
"I am late, my Lord. My apologies. I had to inspect a house of a field worker that was leaking. It was the slanted rain and timber that had rotted with age that caused the problem, so I moved the family to an empty house for the night and assigned workers to replace the rotten timber tomorrow. I was worried you would not wait."
"Of course I would wait. I know you would not forget, and any reason for delay would be just. But do you think we can go somewhere else, somewhere quieter?"
"Certainly, my Lord. Where would you like to go?"
"Where ever we can talk peacefully, without interruption."
"Would you care to visit my house, my Lord? It is not luxurious like yours, but you would be welcome."
It suddenly occurred to me that Wi-Su was not a wealthy man. I felt mean to be taking advantage of his hospitality, when he could partake of mine. I had not offered as I thought Mother would join us, and I wanted Wi-Su to myself, but this selfishness did not justify the rudeness I had been contemplating.
"And I thank you for your offer. I would love to visit you in your house. It would not concern me if you lived in the dwelling of a field worker, it would still be a privilege to partake of your hospitality. But today I would like to return the favours you have been showing me of late. You have not let me buy a single drink! So today, on this occasion, I would like you to visit my house, and share the evening meal. Your wife, of course, is also welcome."
"My Lord. You are too generous! I have never entertained the idea of dining at the Lord's house. You do me too great an honour. I humbly feel I cannot accept. My lowly manners will embarrass me, I'm sure. And I am dirty and smelly after a days work. I am in no condition to sit at table with the Lady."
"Wi-Su, come with me." I put on my coat and walked precipitously out the door, leaving him to hustle his way behind. I led him to the empty market place, the awnings of which, on one side, provided protection from the rain. When he had caught up I continued.
"Wi-Su, do not deny me the pleasure of your company. I did not lightly say that I loved you, and I do not believe that your statement was without sincerity either. Join me and my Mother for dinner, please."
"My Lord."
"Cavon," I reminded him.
"Sorry. Cavon, it would hurt me to deny myself the pleasure of your company. If you can tolerate my humble manners I would love to dine with you. But please excuse my wife. She is a simple woman and she would die of shame at her inadequacy if she were to sit at your table. I will tell her I gave the excuse that she had to look after the children so that she will not think that she has lost face. I would have said the same thing to you, for it is truth as we do not have a servant, but I know you would have one of your servants come and take care of them. So please excuse her."
"I accept your apologies for your wife. I do not wish to cause her any embarrassment."
"There still remains the problem of my dishevelled state."
"That, Wi-Su, is not a problem. Bathe before you come. We will wait on you."
"We do not have a bath in the house, Cavon, and the public baths are guarded after dark." Wi-Su was looking at his feet in embarrassment.
"Ah, I apologise for my arrogance. Wi-Su, please do not think I was meaning to insult you. I did not know that you had not been provided with a bath. I assumed that because Yue-Sin had a bath that you would have one also. My thinking, which you praise excessively, was very cloudy. He has a bath for the convenience of those he teaches, not for himself. But there is a solution. Bring some fresh clothes and you can bathe at my home."
"How can I impose so much?"
"No imposition, it is with pleasure that I will share my house."
"I humbly accept your offer. I will hurry and be at your house as soon as possible."
"There is no need to hurry, Wi-Su. I will walk with you and you can take your time." Images of watching him undress to bathe were filling my mind to overflowing. This could not have come together better if I had planned it.
We walked together in uncharacteristic silence. I believe that Wi-Su was very nervous about the invitation, an anxiety that would not be calmed by anything I could think to say. It stilled his normally active mind and tongue. I enjoyed the images I was creating of him bathing so did not mind freedom the silence gave me to contemplate them. On arriving at his house he invited me in. He rapidly introduced me to his wife who he called from the kitchen, explained to her what was happening, and sent her in search of clean clothes. Once supplied I wished her farewell and she bowed blushingly in return. His clothes tucked under his coat to keep dry we tilted ourselves into the rain.
"Why do you think this rain slants so, Wi-Su. There is no wind to push it."
"In truth I don't know, Cavon, but I have noticed that it commonly happens at this time of year."
"That fact I am too young to have noticed. Interesting."
We arrived home and I sent a message to the kitchen that there would be one more to dine, and another to Mother to let her know also. I then began to lead Wi-Su to my bedroom, but before having committed myself realised that this would reveal something about Father and I that should not be revealed. So instead I diverted, taking him to the outside bathhouse that was in the courtyard in the middle of the house. I instructed him to leave his coat on for even though a covered walkway took one from door to door as with this slanting rain it would be of little benefit. Inside I lit a lamp, arranged the bath to fill, indicated soap and towels, then sat and watched. Wi-Su looked around, obviously impressed by the polished wooden benches and scented soaps, but made no move to undress. I indicated the hook where he could hang his coat, which he did, then he sat beside me and did nothing more. After a bit I suddenly realised he was waiting for me to leave so he could undress in privacy. I had become so accustomed to watch men undress in front of me in the short time since I had achieved manhood that I had forgotten that this wasn't a normal custom. Immensely disappointed I stood and bade him a good bath.
"We'll be waiting for you in the sitting room. Enter the house (give your coat to a servant) turn right then right then left." Once outside I put my eye to my secret hole. He had immediately begun to undress. I saw his naked back, smooth and pale, but then decided that what I was doing was improper. If he did not wish for me to see him undressed, then it was in bad taste for me to spy. I met with mother in the sitting room and talked about my day until Wi-Su was ushered in, looking fresh and handsome.
I offered him rice wine and we toasted our upcoming expedition. I asked how the organisation was going, but was interrupted by Mother wishing to know the motive for the trip. This was explained, and she nodded.
Wi-Su then said. "Everything goes smoothly. Four carts will be available and Hu-Wi informs me he has horses sufficient to pull them. With 10 field workers in each cart this will leave two for supplies and tents. On the return trip the field workers can walk and the carts will be used to carry the black substance. I believe that Lord Srotyr is due to return ForDay or FifDay. If he agrees the bulk of the expedition can leave the next day. We will follow on horseback on the fifth day after. It takes about two days without carts. We will arrive to an establish camp and we will be able to immediately commence the collection of the black substance and explore the local area."
"So we may leave as early as SeconDay, next week?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Good. I look forward to it. My first expedition."
Mother smile at my enthusiasm, hand politely hiding her mouth. "Don't forget, Cavon, that Lord Srotyr my have other plans for you when he gets back."
"Yes, we have discussed this," I said. "If he does I will not go. But I'll do my best to talk him around!"
Nothing was said for a while, and Wi-Su started to look restless, as if he might leave. "Mother, would you sing for us?" I asked to remedy the possibility.
"Certainly", she replied. "If you'll join me. Your adult voice is quite rich."
"If you wish," I replied, secretly delighted to sing for Wi-Su. "Wi-Su, do you have any requests?"
"Hm, I'm not a great one for the names of songs. I really can't say, but I'm sure anything you sing would be delightful." This was said looking at Mother, with a glow in his eyes that I had not seen before.
"Mother, how about that song you wrote about a young couple in love, the duet that you sung maybe two seventydays ago?"
"Yes, that was nice. But I haven't played it since. I wrote if for a wedding. Let me get my music."
Something that mother had pioneered was a way to write music on paper. This allowed her to have a very large repertoire of music as she did not have to remember every one. She was gone a while, and during this time I directed a servant to pour more rice wine for Wi-Su. He was stretching out as he normally did after a few cups, revealing his pouch. His clothes though were new and nothing was revealed through their thick material. Finally Mother came back, shaking the paper in front of her.
"I couldn't find it. Yu-To tidied my study and this had been buried at the bottom of a pile or music and paintings. Sorry to have taken so long. Now, Cavon, sit beside me and study the words. Your tune goes like this," and she played an impassioned melody on her harp. I tentatively put the words to it as she repeated the melody, then, on the next attempt, managed it with more confidence. Mother then had a quick practise of her part, then a quick practise of the background harp accompaniment, before we finally launched into a rendition of the song. It was long and complex, telling the story of a couple that wished to marry but whose parents had other ideas. It was a sad story as they eventually married to their parents' wishes, but also happy as, once married, they discovered the wisdom of their parents' choices and they both lived very contended lives, separately. I was reminded of the case I heard in court today and wondered if Father had talked about it with Mother.
Wi-Su applauded enthusiastically as we finished, and we both bowed in acknowledgement.
"Now it is your turn, Wi-Su," I said desperately as he again started making moves to leave. "What will you sing in return?"
"I don't sing very often, my Lord. I am much out of practise."
"I won't accept that. He has a rich, deep voice does he not Mother? His singing must be fit for the King."
"He does have a resonant voice, but if he doesn't want to sing we cannot impose on a guest, Cavon."
"It is not imposition. He is being modest. You will sing, won't you, Wi-Su? You ask him, Mother"
"Wi-Su, will you sing for us? I would enjoy it if you did," Mother asked.
"For you, my Lady, I would do anything." Wi-Su had blushed deeply in response to Mother's question. I think Mother did also, but she had her face down so it was hard to see. "Can you play this, my Lady," and he launched into a few bars of a popular song of some years ago.
"Yes, I know it well."
Mother played the introduction, then Wi-Su launched into the first verse. As he started I remembered it, about a boy who was washed away by a flood, thought dead by his parents, and their joy at finding him alive after searching for days. After the first, I joined him in the choruses, and after a couple more Mother joined in as well. I had not seen Mother so alive and smiling for a long time. It came to me that this was how a real family felt, with the parents shining in each other's eyes, but then felt guilty at the disloyalty to Father.
Mother and I applauded when the song had finished, then Mother surprised me by saying, "Can I entice another from you, Wi-Su? Your voice is very beautiful."
"If you will sing with me, my Lady," replied Wi-Su.
We sang many songs and it was late when Wi-Su was seen to the door. As he turned to bow farewell Mother surprised me again. "Wi-Su, maybe you and your wife will dine with us again tomorrow night. It is very quiet for us with Lord Srotyr away, and I enjoyed our singing."
Wi-Su hesitated, then blurted out, "I would love to, my Lady. But could you excuse my wife. I think she would be very uncomfortable. She has no experience with nobility."
"I don't think it would be proper if you came alone a second time," Mother replied, seemingly reluctantly.
"I will accept for both of us then," Wi-Su said after another pause. "Could you send a servant to instruct her?"
"With pleasure Wi-Su."
"Until tomorrow night," Wi-Su said as the door was closed.
Mother had surprised me. I had watched her closely as the night progressed, as I watched Wi-Su. They both seemed to be glowing. I wondered if Mother could feel for Wi-Su what I felt for him, even though she was married. I had assumed that Mother observed men from a neutral aspect, being a dutiful wife, but her comments about Hi-Tui and now her reaction to Wi-Su made me question this. Initially I felt that she was being disloyal to Father. She was his wife, and owed loyalty. I wondered if I should tell Father. Then I remembered my outburst against Father, engendered by my failure to see things from the eyes of another person. I first looked at myself. I also felt that I was betrothed to Father, but it did not stop me from having relations with all who presented themselves or from falling in love with Wi- Su. And I had the advantage of Father's physical presence in my bed. What did Mother have? She sleeps alone. From the knowledge I gained from Hi-Tui I now knew that women also had sexual desires, but Mother had had no one since she had discovered she was pregnant. More than 6 years! I tried to imagine my life without sex, now I had discovered it. Mother was living this life. Not that I could imagine Mother in any other way.
I made my way slowly to bed, joining the soundly sleeping form of Yue-Sin. His present was comforting, but emphasised my own double standard. I could not condemn Mother. Maybe it was that I was a little jealous of her. Wi-Su didn't glow when he was with me as he did with Mother. His eyes had never left hers as they sang together. I then looked at the stocky form of Yue-Sin in my bed. No, I had no right to be jealous. I had someone in my bed, Mother slept alone and no matter what her feelings for Wi-Su, and his for her, the end result would be the same as for me. Nothing. But I was able to share my nothing. Yue-Sin did not stir as I cuddled up to him, feeling his skin against mine.
SECONDAY
Riding home from a morning of exercises with Hu-Wi I called in at Ba-Nol's workshop. He had been secretive the last few times I had seen him. He seemed to have mounted a guard for my arrival for one of his workmen always called out a greeting as arrived, and when I came in he was always scurrying something out of sight. Today though he was waiting for me, standing proud. In front of him was a sword blade, gleaming on a bed of smooth filsal. He glowed with his desire to show it to me. "It only needs a handle now. Maybe we should wait a bit. You are really growing very fast."
"I may be going on an expedition next week, Ba-Nol. Could the handle be ready then?"
"Yes, of course. When you grow more we can remove this handle and make another. Let me measure your hand, and I can have the sword ready for tomorrow."
"That would be marvellous. I could practice a bit before going away."
Ba-Nol brought out a box containing a number of wooden handgrips. "Try these to see which feels best in your hand."
After trying a number I found one that suited. "This one, Ba-Nol. It seems the most comfortable."
He examined my hand on the grip and said, "It is close to being a bit small." Fishing through the box he came up with another. "Try this. It will give some growing room."
"Its OK. It is not quite as comfortable - I feel my hand is a bit stretched, but I agree, it will give a bit of room for growth."
FORDAY
He was huge. He stood I front of me with a confidence so great that he appear invincible. He was tall and he was muscular. The sword looked like a toy in his hands. When Yue-Sin said "Go" he lifted his sword with a speed that surprised, then started an angulated downward swing that would split me from right shoulder to left waist. But I remembered in time what Yue-Sin had taught. I lifted my sword above my head. With the force behind this downward blow there was no way I had the strength to repel it, but I was able to get my sword under it and direct it a little further to the right. Then when I felt that he was committed to the downward movement I stepped left and pulled my sword away. As I hoped he was unable to suspend the blow and I was able to launch a horizontal left to right swing that grazed his belly and caught him firmly on the arm.
Yue-Sin applauded. "That's the way!" he called out.
Nu-Ty, the name of the magnificent specimen of manhood who I had just beaten, bowed his complements. "Well done, m'Lord.. Yue-Sin told me to strike without pause. I thought you would have no chance. Maybe the wood slowed me a bit, but in truth you reacted like a lizlion striking."
"That sword appears to be a bit small for you, Nu-Ty."
"It is, m'Lord. My normal sword is quite a bit longer. It gives me quite an advantage."
"I could imagine. Shall we continue?"
"As you wish."
I was wet with sweat by the time Yue-Sin called a halt. I had worked much harder than I had with Po-Li. Nu-Ty did not dance. He stood his ground and used strength and dexterity. Every touch followed an exhausting rally. There had not been that many after my first. Eventually though they became more frequent as I fatigued and became unable to withstand the strength of Nu-Ty. I bowed to Nu-Ty. "You are too good. I cannot match you."
Yue-Sin answered. "I would like to remind you of what you said on Firstday. That what counted was the first strike. All else was unimportant. Now you gained the first strike and took off Nu-Ty's sword arm. He would have been yours on the next stroke. How many times he hit you when you were fatigued does not count for much if he is dead. What do you say, Nu-Ty?"
"I agree sir. He struck a clever blow. Though to say for myself, I would not have attempted that blow in battle. It is obvious from the way he stands and holds his sword that he is a master swordsman. The blow from the sky, as I like to call that big hit from above, only is useful against ignorant foot soldiers."
"I accept that Nu-Ty," replied Yue-Sin. Unlike many you have actually seen battle and would be able to use your head. But most lose their concentration in the heat of a melee and resort to the simplest manoeuvres. And when they see someone small and seemingly slight the first reaction is to try to cut them in half."
"I have seen that sir. You are correct. It was seeing my captain, who was a small man, easily despatch a man my size or bigger that made me wary."
"Good. Stay that way and you will live a long time. Not that we see many battles now days. Dismissed!"
The strong fingers of Yue-Sin felt marvellous digging into the seemingly sodden muscles of my shoulders. My arms hung like pieces of curing pork. "I was rather lucky, was I not?"
Yue-Sin paused in his massage. "No, you were not lucky. You reacted with instinct and thought at the same time. I have never seen the like. I have taught you that move, but with me being short I have never given you good practice in it. Yet you executed it smoothly. Your sword came up instinctively to defend yourself, but I could see you calculating the exact moment that he was committed to the blow, the moment to pull out and counter-attack. It was brilliant."
"Thankyou Yue-Sin. Now, if you could start using your hands again. They feel rather brilliant at this moment."
BOOK 2 - CONTINUED
CHAPTER 2
The flier chimed. Bleary eyed, Cavon looked up from the page in front of him and slowly surfaced from the world of his childhood, exchanging unending overcast for unending sunlight. It sharpened even more the already very sharp contrasts between his two lives, this planet of never-ending light. "What is it," he asked irritably.
"You are ten minutes from arrival at island 4389. You asked me to tell you," the flier chided.
"Yes. Thankyou."
"Thanks are not necessary."
"Mmm." Cavon stood and stretched his aching limbs. It surprised him how clear where his memories of his other life, how much he could immerse himself in them. The brilliant light hurt his eyes seemingly reaccustomed to the gloom of NuChin. "When did I last eat?"
"Six hours ago. But don't eat now as the growers on the island have invited you for a meal."
"That's unusual. What are they trying to hide?"
"I couldn't detect any of the common programs to hide data on their computer. It seemed a very nice computer, polite. It told me how lovely it was to speak to me."
"Maybe it hadn't spoken with anyone other than slug brained humans for years."
"Likely. But it spoke sincerely. We had quite a long conversation. 63 milliseconds."
"It must have told you its life history! When did I last sleep?"
"20 hours ago."
"I guess that's what I'm feeling. I better have a stim. Next time remind me remind me to eat and sleep." Even after 10 years he had not adjusted to never having night. And it was made worse by always moving around the planet, so he never was in the same sun phase. Farmers told him that they accustomed to the changing colours of the light to remind them to do things. That all parts of the planet had the same time zone made no difference if you stayed in the same place. You just accustomed yourself to what was local. He never had a local. He didn't have a home. Remembering his childhood home made this grief more complete, made him feel more alone.
"You are having too many stims, Cavon."
"Am I? Who says?" he challenged.
"You. You asked me to remind you if you have had more than 3 in 48 hours."
"Oh. Ok. Look, can you delay this meal 1 hour, and put me out for a 30 minutes stage 4 sleep?"
"They are relieved as they were running late in their preparation," the computer said immediately.
He never accustomed to the instantaneous nature of computers. Other people communicated with their computers directly using their brain implant, he was stuck with words. "They are cooking?"
"Yes."
"Maybe you are right. They must be nice people. Unfold the bed."
"Goodnight."
Cavon awoke. He liked this time coming out of deep sleep. He felt like he was floating, images of his dreams remained solid, but he could talk to them with his conscious mind. Now he was welcoming his father home.
BOOK 1 - CONTINUED
WEEK FIVE - CONTINUED
SIXTHDAY
Something dragged me out of my siesta. A noise? Because of this my eyes were open when Father, wet, dirty and bedraggled, came into the bedroom. I then thought I was dreaming, but the warmth of his breath near my lips changed my mind. "Father!" I cried out.
"Not so loud. It's good to see you!"
"And you," I replied, sitting up so as to embrace him.
"No. No. I am too dirty. I have a bath running. Come and help me."
I followed him into the bathroom, with pleasure watched him undress. I had forgotten how beautiful he was, how powerful was his hairy chest, how heavy his dick and balls. He looked tired though, limbs dragging, pouches under his eyes. "You have arrived home later than you said."
"Yes, I know. I felt like I was walking through honey these last days. Much has happened Cavon. There is much to say." He slipped into the steaming water. "Ahhh. Good."
I rubbed my hand over his furry chest, pleasuring in the sensation, one I had not felt since he left. "I missed you very much, Father."
"And I you. I will explain before your curiosity kills you."
"I can be patient."
"I know you can, my love. Now. I went to help Ti- Lung, as you know. When I arrived I was immediately involved in the social scene of a big town, one near the KingsTown. A feast was held in my honour. There was music and dancing. Next day I was taken to hunt wild pig with a feast to eat the catch at night. It was not until the day after that I had a chance to be alone with Ti-Lung. It was then that he told me the real reason for his inviting me. It was at the bequest of Father, and now that I was here he had to organise for me to meet Father. Ti-Lung is the only person who knows of my true birthright, and Father has often taken advantage of this to get messages through to me. But the Prince is very watchful, and it took all the time I was away for me to manage to meet Father. That is why I was later than I thought I would be, waiting for an opportunity. While I was there I did help Ti-Lung reorganise his field workers, and yes, before you have to ask, we did find some time to remember old days. But the day after I met Father I was on my way home. I rode the first two legs in one day, leaving Trugo to be brought along behind, then rose early this morning and rode hard on yet another horse to be here by this time."
What did the King want to speak with you about?"
"I was shocked to see how Father had aged since I last saw him. He is fragile and weak. And he is clutching at straws. He fears the Prince. Fears that he might organise his death now he has no strength to defend himself. He suspects his ill health might by due to poison, but has been unable to find the source. He requested that I mount an expedition to the place where he found his magic weapon, to see if I could find another, so he could defend himself. But he did not want for anyone in the KingsTown to know of the expedition. I told him of a tunnel that exists far upstream in our valley, which has never been explored. I suspect that it leads to the other side of the mountains, to the Forbidden Lands, near to where the hut I spoke to you about before is located. If we use it we will be able to avoid going near the KingsTown."
"But won't that be dangerous?" I asked.
"Yes. I don't know what nature of beast could be in the tunnel. I have assumed that it was built by the same race that built our permanent roads, but it could be the hole of some giant animal as well. It has been scouted as far as the entrance, and the permanent road goes directly in, so I feel confident that if we find any beasts there they have only taken advantage of what was already there."
"How far away is it?"
"Over a week on horseback."
"That is a long way!"
"Yes, it will be a true adventure."
"Father, I told Wi-Su that I would ask for permission for him to mount an expedition to where the black substance used to surface the Square is found."
"Why does he wish to go there?"
I explained about the damage to the surface caused by the cleaning, about my idea to mix broken stone with the black substance to make a stronger compound, and the need to collect more black substance to test this theory. "I had thought to go with him, but with this new expedition I guess that won't be possible."
"If Wi-Su wishes to mount an expedition I'm sure he already has it planned, so it will not take long to get it underway. I will have many things to do here before I can think to leave in search of a magic weapon, and the location of the black substance is on the way to the tunnel. I can see not reason why you cannot go, and I would meet you on the commencement of the Search so you could join me. I will miss you though."
Now I felt torn. The desire to remain with Father was enormous. I had forgotten the force of the feeling he drew from me. But the desire to be with Wi-Su was large as well. "I won't go then," I found myself saying in reply.
"No, that would not be fair. Wi-Su is a good man and I know he has a lot of respect for you. A few days difference to being with you is not much, and while we are travelling we will be together all day every day. No, go with him. I'll be busy here catching up anyway, and organising, so I won't have much time."
"Thankyou Father. You are clean now, and you look like you should sleep. Would you like me to do anything?"
"No, I think all is underway. Hi-Tui was at the Gate and I have requested him to notify everyone who needs to know I am here. Which includes Yue-Sin, so you needn't worry that he will arrive and find me here."
I just nodded, amazed at how transparent my thoughts were.
"Unless you would prefer Yue-Sin in your bed rather than me."
The tone in his voice frightened me. I shook my head vigorously, then seeing the edge of a smile said, "Father, you are cruel!"
"Just teasing. Now help me up and towel me dry, so I can get that cuddle you offered." When I was in his arms he said, "My you have grown in the short time I was away. Step back and let me look at you. And look at the size of your lizlion! It must be double what it was when I left. I think it is as big as your uncle's already. Let me give it a quick kiss to settle it down before I collapse. Tonight, after I am rested, we can do things better."
BOOK 2 - CONTINUED
CHAPTER 2 - CONTINUED
The flier had settled on the island's landing pad. A servitor animal met him. He did not recognise the type as most islands did not use bonded animals and he had not taken much time to learn all the animals of the 1500 human worlds of the galaxy. It had two arms and two legs, and walked in a slouching, slumped fashion. It indicated with one arm for him to follow. He followed a sandy track through XTC bushes. Like most islands all possible land was cultivated to produce the fruit. Hot sand burned his feet making him realise he had forgotten to put on shoes, but there was no way he could communicate with the servitor animal that he needed to return, only the computer or those in direct contact with the computer could do that, so he picked up his pace between the low leafy bushes pushing the animal faster.
His feet felt on fire by the time the sand gave way to a grassed area, patterned with vegetable gardens and fruit trees. This was unusual. No other island he had been to grew food, relying instead on their synthesiser for all food. No other island was willing to risk their XTC production quota in such a way. In the centre of the grass was a small knob of a structure with a single door. This opened as the servitor animal approached, and it gestured him in. The interior cool was refreshing, especially on his feet which were screaming with pain. The door shut and then opened, seemingly without transition, but he was now looking into a sparsely furnished room where a couple awaited him. The walls were flowing scenes of mountains and gorges.
"Welcome," they chimed in unison. Their galactic was accented in a way he hadn't heard before. They looked almost like twins, with blond hair and blue eyes contrasting with glowing brown skin. They were both stereotypically handsome, in a standard biomod fashion.
"Thankyou," said Cavon, limping in.
"Our computer says that you can only communicate with speech. Please be patient as we are out of practice with speech," the man said.
Cavon nodded.
"My name is Sjorb," he then continued, "and this is my wife Svena"
Svena did a little curtsy-like move then said, "What is wrong with your feet?"
"I forgot to put on shoes. The sand burnt me." He lifted one foot to reveal blisters forming on pressure areas.
"Oh. Quick, come with me. That is terrible." Svena directed Cavon to a door that flicked out of existence as they approached revealing a utilitarian bathroom. Wash/ grooming stall and toilet on one wall, healing chamber on another. Svena directed him into the healing chamber. A minute later the pain had left his feet and an adherent dressing coated the bottom of his feet. The computer said, "That will protect your feet for your return as well."
"We have had our feet modified so we don't have to worry about the sand. It is always hot enough to burn," said Sjorb when Cavon returned. "Now, have a seat and I will get you a drink. What would you like?"
A chair materialised behind him. He thought for a moment while he sat. Rich memories of his early life were in the forefront, and he realised he had not had rice wine since his escape from Nu-Chin. "Do you have rice wine?"
"Rice wine?" Sjorb repeated. His eyes glazed momentarily. "We have a formula for saki, which is a ancient Japanese drink made from rice. Would you like to try that?"
"Japan? Which planet is that?" Cavon asked.
Again Sjorb glazed for an instant. "It is not a planet. It is a country of ancient Earth that was a neighbour of your country of origin, China."
"Oh. OK. Yes please." A servitor animal entered the room carrying a glass. "What type of animal is that?"
"It is based on a chimpanzee, an animal from Earth. I believe it has been modified a lot. It can stand straighter and is more intelligent than the original. Everyone uses mechanoids nowadays, but we like to have living things around, as you may have realised by our garden up top. We treat them well, and they have lots of free time for their own enjoyment and families unlike the servitors of old. We have mechanoids do the more menial tasks."
Svena and Sjorb had also made themselves comfortable and drinks had been brought for them. Svena began. "Our computer says you come from a primeval planet called Nu- Chin. Tell us about it. It must be very different for you here."
Cavon looked at them both. No one before had shown interest in his past. Farmers traditionally looked on the Company as the enemy and looked on him as the Company and were typically politely distant. This warmth and curiosity was new. Like at many other times he felt his lack of capability to communicate directly with computers. Were they hiding something? People of his planet were simple and honest, and if not it was easy to tell. He still hadn't adapted to the degree of sophistication of the people of the rest of the universe, still couldn't read what they were thinking, planning. There was no hurry though. The islands he was to visit were always well forewarned of his inspection, so if they had anything they wanted to hide they had plenty of time to do so before his arrival. His past was always strongly with him since, though even more so now he had started to write about it.