by Jarod Meyer
“Hail brethren, I am a seeker in the great sentinel corps,” the scout stated, politely. He put a hand to his brow and slowly pulled it away, in a customary greeting from a bygone era. He was much older than any of them. As discussed, Katrina bit her tongue and let Parsa do the talking.
“Hey! Cool! An Archonian soldier. I thought about becoming one someday, but we are all still a little too young, I think,” Parsa said.
“Someday perhaps,” the soldier responded, smiling. “But I am actually on business today, young ones. A fellow seeker never checked in yesterday evening, and we are concerned for his safety. Did he by chance come across your little expedition?”
Katrina tried to get a better grip on the cliff in case she had to spring off into action. She held her breath and waited for Parsa to respond.
“No, man we didn’t see anyone, but we heard some commotion last night for sure. We got a bit of a light show too,” he added coolly. He then looked at Katrina and her heart stopped as she tried to play it cool.
“Yeah dude, it was intense,” she sputtered.
Parsa shot her a deathly glance, but he bit his tongue.
“This is dire news. Can you provide me with a bearing? My fellow soldier may be in grave danger,” the sentinel said, concern written plainly on his face.
“It was up north, bro, towards the peak,” Parsa said, pointing.
The sentinel didn’t delay and shot off in the direction given. The group exchanged glances and without even a second thought launched into the air. The rest of their trip was short. If that sentinel found his friend tired up then he would definitely be able to point out Katrina. Samuel assured her that the soldier hadn’t seen his face, or Parsa’s, but they simply couldn’t risk the scouts doubling back to interrogate them.
Katrina saw Samuel hold up a hand after an hour or so of the most intense travel she’d ever experienced, even as a scout she had never pushed herself that hard. They finally reached their destination. They now had to continue their little deceit, and try to blend in as they entered the city of Shambhala.
They landed on the outskirts, to avoid being seen in flight. After another hour they came through a pass into a lush, green valley. Large gold and crimson structures jutted up amongst the trees. It was early morning when they finally arrived. A slight breeze rustled the treetops, sending cherry blossoms floating through the sky. A flock of unusual looking white birds flew in an elegant pattern to the south of the valley, like they were putting on a performance.
“Welcome to Shambhala, friends,” Samuel said, softly, with a hint of a smile. It was evident to Katrina that this place meant a great deal to him.
“What can you tell us about this place, Samuel? Are there any special cultures that we should know about? Or things that may offend the locals?” Parsa asked.
“Just respect the silence of other’s. Very few people here use audible forms of communication. This place is first and foremost a monastery. Not necessarily a religious place, but most definitely a place to find enlightenment. You will find monks of all types. Jain, Vaishnava, Shaolin, Christian. But you will also find simple souls, who wish only to find their inner peace. Many places in Archonia covet the joys and pleasures of the mortal world, but here, you will find tranquility.”
The only thing Katrina could hear was the soft breathing of her companion Samuel and the gentle trickle of a stream that was running adjacent to the path they were following. The valley itself was relatively small, for Archonian standards, but blissfully peaceful.
“Sam, are there enough people here for us to hide, or are we going to stick out?” she asked.
“This may be the best place to hide, simply because there is little to no interaction. I doubt that anyone will take notice of us,” he replied.
“Will there be sentinels stationed out here?” Parsa asked with concern.
“No more than anywhere else,” Samuel responded.
“So, where do we go from here?” Katrina asked as they began to see the signs of dwellings and small structures along the edge of the settlement.
“I used to come here much in my youth, long before I became a Guardian. I stayed in a temple not far from here. I’m sure the master will still be able to find me a place,” Samuel offered with confidence. “I will just ask you to remain silent. These people can say a lot simply with body language and facial expressions.”
Katrina didn’t particularly enjoy the unknown. She was trying to blend in and hide with people she knew nothing about, but tried to stifle this uncomfortable feeling. She took note that Parsa looked uncomfortable as well.
The buildings started to get larger. The groups of people grew larger as well. Many meditating, or engaging in synchronized martial arts practice. One man sat by himself, playing a gentle tune on a lute.
Not a single person gave the slightest indication that they even noticed their arrival, which Katrina took as a good sign. The ultimate test came as they made their way past a pair of sentinels, standing watch over a particularly large monastery.
She pretended not to notice them, and in return, the two men didn’t pay them any mind. They seemed to be in the clear for the time being.
Katrina felt some of her anxiety melt away. She exhaled and took a fresh breath of the mountain air. She could smell incense mixed with fresh cut grass.
She spotted a man trimming a shrubbery with a small pair of scissors. Each snip was delicate and purposeful. Katrina couldn’t imagine having the patience this would take. Her life was one of speed. Her mind wandered a little more until she nearly ran into Samuel, who had stopped ahead of her.
He’d stopped to bow. She looked over his shoulder to see a man with a clean shaven head that shimmered in the sun. His eyes were thoughtful and his posture impeccable. He bowed slightly in return and then extended a hand towards a building behind him, as if to welcome them. Katrina waited for Samuel to introduce them, but not a word was spoken, so she followed quietly.
They entered through a dark wooden doorway, decorated with round golden seals. The entrance hall was dimly lit and most everything was made from wood. Katrina realized that everyone in this building was wearing orange robes, some of them with a splash of red or white. Their heads were all cleanly shaven as well. Most of the people they encountered had their eyes to the ground. One man walked right past them, his eyes closed. He even stopped to avoid a collision with another robed monk.
They passed through an open aired courtyard, where more monks raked stones and cleaned the ponds. But soon they moved back into dimly lit halls, the light supplied by candles giving off the scent of lemon and parsley. The monk ushered them through a door carved with an inlay of a chubby man with the most peculiar smile.
The man who met them at the front door turned and took his leave without as much as a sound. Parsa pushed the door open gently, its hinges making no sound as it swung inwards. Samuel followed, and then Katrina. The room was small and plain. Four meditation mats laid against one wall, while four small tables with one drawer and a candle burning, sat opposite. “This is quaint,” Katrina said, sarcastically, as she swung the door closed behind her.
“This is home. If this is not glamorous enough for you, please feel free to find other accommodations,” Samuel said, walking over and claiming a meditation mat.
Parsa, who seemed weary of travel, did the same. Katrina still had many questions for their new friend. She grabbed one of the remaining mats off the floor. It was flimsy, but weighted, like it was filled with some sort of gelatin She flopped it on the floor opposite Parsa and slid down against the wall with a thud. Parsa, who was sitting with his eyes closed already, let them flutter open.
“Can I help you, young Guardian?” he asked.
“You sure can, back on the road and then on the mountain you seemed pretty talented at lying,” she said, directly.
Samuel lifted one eyelid and turned his head slightly, also waiting for an answer. Parsa gave a great sigh, “Acting, young lady, I was acting. I used to study
the performing arts at the University of Ovaria.”
“So you have obtained extensive training in acting. Then decided to join the most militant group in Archonia?” she asked.
“Each has had its uses. The ability to adapt and change my appearance and tone helps me blend in amongst potential enemies. And the Guardian training is for fighting my way out of any situation should my cover be blown,” he finished.
“You’re a spy?” Samuel blurted out in his southern drawl.
“Precisely. Achilles himself commissioned my training.”
“Are you a Myrmidon?” Katrina asked.
“…was a Myrmidon,” Parsa corrected. “I’m afraid that being in commander Achilles personal guard is simply too conspicuous a title for a spy in training. I was dismissed honorably, replaced by a stronger Guardian, and then began my training.”
“Who exactly is there to spy on in Archonia?” Samuel asked.
“I should think that after your friend William discovered that one of the Grand Justicars was keeping secrets from the Synod it would be obvious. Though not nearly as prominent a secret as that Adjudicator was keeping, there are many people and many secrets in Archonia. I suspect my final task would have been to keep tabs on the comings and goings of the Synod or there delegates.”
“You weren’t on mission when we fled the city?” Katrina inquired.
“I would still be in deep cover at the capitol if that were the case. But enough questions. I am weary and must take my meditation.”
Katrina moved her own mat back to where she had found it. His answers definitely surprised her. She didn’t necessarily like that he was well versed in lying. After all, this was heavily frowned upon in Archonia. But she decided to let it go.
He had done well by her and Samuel, and they were safe for the time being. Instead, her mind went to the valley with the crystal tower where she saw her fellow guardian being taken off to as a prisoner. Guilt hit her as she remembered that she had done nothing. She took off her hiking boots and tried to get more comfortable.
* * *
Her meditation was wrought with the same guilt and anxiety. It centered heavily on William and the night they spent together. When her consciousness was rested she roused awake. The others were still deep in their meditations. To take her mind off of her anxieties she decided to explore the valley. She exited quietly, and unbearably slowly, but knew that moving at her normal pace would draw too much of the wrong kind of attention.
The hiking boots that she projected in the mountains disappeared during her deep meditation. She could feel the cool wood on her feet the surface polished and finished so it felt like marble. Her gaze fell upon her dust-covered clothes.
It would feel so good to bathe right now, she thought.
As she walked around a corridor she came across another woman, staring out the window. She appeared to be of oriental descent. Katrina walked slowly past, to see if she could perhaps catch her attention, but the woman didn’t seem to notice. Struggling to mask her impatience, Katrina approached slowly and tapped her on the shoulder.
The woman turned with a kind smile, but said nothing.
“Hello,” Katrina said. The woman simply held a finger to her lips, as if the hush her.
“Oh shoot, sorry…….” But stopped short, slapping a hand over her mouth.
The woman waited for Katrina to continue. She sighed in exasperation as she tried to think of how else to ask her question. Finally, she lifted her dirty shirt and pointed at it. The dark haired woman nodded slightly and then began to walk down the corridor.
Katrina followed, surprised but pleased that the message got through. She soon found herself in a bathhouse. It seemed to be for women only, which made Katrina sigh with relief.
Steam rose from a pool of water in the center, as well as from fountainheads on the walls. One could bathe while standing if they wanted. She often heard William refer to this as a shower, she wasn’t partial to it herself. It felt as though she was being drowned.
There were a couple other women bathing, their bodies soft and supple compared to hers. Katrina hoped that they wouldn’t stare, fighting a moment of self-consciousness about her muscular physique.
Katrina slipped out of her clothes and into the hot pool of water in the center. The stones at the bottom were dark, while flower petals floated on the surface. It almost looked as though it was a natural spring. The water felt amazing and she sat in it for a while, wondering what she would do with all of her free time now. She wanted desperately to help her fellow guardians that were captured, but she didn’t have the strength or the numbers to do anything but get herself captured.
Then it dawned on her. There were other things she could do, like train to get stronger and learn new techniques to give her an edge in combat. She wondered if she could teach herself to sense other people’s energy. Perhaps there was someone here in Shambhala that could teach her. She also had very little training in formal martial arts. Most of her Guardian training was the Archonian fighting style, which focused far more on speed and power than technique.
Excited that she’d figured out what to do, Katrina quickly scrubbed her body down with a sponge and exited the pool. Towels and clothing were stacked nearby. She dried off and picked up a folded garment. It was a sleeved orange wrap that tied in the rear. It was baggy, allowing freedom of movement. She slipped on a pair of burnt-orange trousers last.
Soon she found her way out of the monastery, walking right past the woman who had showed her the bathhouse. The woman was standing motionless, staring out yet another window. Katrina shook her head, but continued on.
The sun now blazed overhead, lighting up the valley with beautiful, vivid colors. After only a short search she found what she was looking for in a nearby field. Twenty people moved fluidly from pose to pose in perfect synchronization. Katrina approached the group, watching the positions for many minutes. Some of the moves appeared fairly simple, but the combinations and sequences became difficult to remember. After a while she sat cross-legged in the grass.
She watched, unnoticed for nearly an hour, until finally, the group stood and bowed. A heartbeat later, they scattered. All but one woman, who stood motionless in the field, staring right at Katrina. Finally, the woman motioned for her to approach.
Katrina got up and bowed. The woman reciprocated, before pointing two fingers, one at each of her eyes, then lunging into a pose. Katrina moved next to her, facing the same direction, and mimicked the movement.
Whoosh - the woman moved to a different pose. It was faster and stronger than she’d realized, and she followed suit. The woman went through ten poses, before she repeated them. They repeated them countless times, until Katrina could begin to do them on her own. Then the woman stopped. Katrina stopped too, but the woman shook her head and motioned with a finger in a circle that she should continue.
Katrina did as was bid. This wasn’t a strenuous exercise compared to Guardian training, but she soon discovered that it was because she was doing it wrong. The strange woman began to assess her poses, making minor adjustments with the touch of a hand. This continued for another two cycles, and when she was satisfied with Katrina’s form she slapped her own belly to show that it was strong, and Katrina engaged her abdomen. The woman then began to push back against Katrina’s poses, like she was the other person in a dance. This caused Katrina to flex and engage with each new pose. The woman was strong.
Katrina didn’t want to expose how strong she really was, so she held back, but quickly understood the message her new teacher was trying to relay. After a couple more rotations through the poses she was fully engaging her body in the movements and holds, perspiration now forming on her skin. Another hour of repetition and the woman finally held up a hand, motioning her to stop.
Katrina was in a full sweat and breathing heavily, but smiled broadly. She bowed, her instructor following suit. Then the woman pointed at the sun and then at the ground. Katrina thought for a moment, and realized she was say
ing “same time, same place tomorrow,” or at least she got the feeling that this is what was meant.
Katrina began to understand how the body and face alone could convey everything that you needed to know. Out of sheer politeness and old habits Katrina felt compelled to introduce herself. She put two hands on her chest and said, “Kat.”
The woman smiled and said, “Talisha.”
They both nodded and then Talisha took her leave. Katrina sprawled onto the grass and wiped her brow. She didn’t perspire much anymore, even in her Guardian training, so she found the experience thoroughly satisfying.
She watched the clouds pass overhead, her thoughts straying to William. She was also satisfied the last time they were together. She thought of his strong arms, holding her tight, and the thrusting motion of his hips as he entered her.
She blew out a huge breathe of frustration then and slammed the ground with a fist.
You’re an idiot, she thought. Why did you let him leave?
She wondered if she would ever see him again. Had it been a mistake to open herself up to him like that?
Then a thought struck her. She heard of Archonians who could sense another person from any distance, as long as they were familiar with that person’s Aura. Katrina trained with William every day for over an Archonian year, and they were lovers. She was willing to bet that she could find a way to sense where he was.
She jumped to her feet, doubting that she would find anyone here who could teach her how to sense another’s life force. But she knew where she could find help. She headed to the center of the valley and found a directory etched into the stone. It was a fully detailed map of Shambhala. She quickly found a symbol showing her where she was, and then she was able to retrace her steps and figure out where she had practiced martial arts. Then again back to the building that was her temporary home.
Her building was called The Shaolin Temple, while the field was known as The Field of the Grasshopper. She looked over the map for a little while longer, trying to find places of interest.