He stepped back to get a better look at the magnificent oak tree. It was amazing, colossal, and bigger than any tree he’d ever seen. The tree’s green leaves fluttered in the gentle breeze and the sound was mesmerizing. Jonas sensed a power, something old and natural. The tree hummed with energy, Jonas could feel it, although he wasn’t sure why.
“Do you like it?” a familiar voice whispered behind him.
Jonas turned towards the soft voice seeing the same female warrior that he saw in his first dream. This time she was wearing fitted black leather breeches and a flowing white blouse that clung to her graceful but strong form. Her feminine attributes were obvious to Jonas, but she also emanated regal power and strength. At her side swung a magnificent long sword and a hunter’s knife. She smiled warmly at Jonas, stepping closer to him. Her long black hair cascaded over her perfect features and her welcoming smile made Jonas feel safe. “Do you like my tree?” the lady asked again.
Jonas snapped out of his trance, answering her with awe. “I do, my lady. It is the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. Who are you?”
“You don’t know?” she asked boldly.
“Are you my goddess, Shyann?” Jonas asked dumfounded.
“Very good, my young warrior. It is good to see you again.” Jonas fell to his knees bowing his head. “Please get up, Jonas. I do not need you to grovel at my feet. I am no queen.”
Jonas lifted his head, slowly standing up. “But you are a god.”
“In a sense, although the words god and goddess were made by men. I may not be exactly what you define me as, but that is a story for another time, my young warrior,” Shyann said. “Do you know why I cured you, why I marked you and why I have helped you along your travels?”
“I do not…my…”
“Just call me Shyann.”
“I do not, Shyann,” Jonas said softy.
“You have a pure soul. Your heart is pure, as Airos told you. Do you know how rare that is?” she asked.
“I don’t,” Jonas replied.
“Extremely rare, almost non-existent. There is evil growing in Kraawn, Jonas. The side of the righteous needs a new hero, someone pure of heart and soul, someone who can’t be corrupted by power and greed, someone like you, Jonas. Do you understand?”
“I think so.”
“You have lived up to all my expectations, and then some. I am glad that you are here with Kiln. He can teach you much. Will you fight this evil with me? Will you serve the forces of good?”
“I have desired this my whole life. I want nothing more than to battle this evil and bring your light to where it is needed.”
“Good. Keep training. Practice with the sword. You will grow stronger and I will grant you more power as your body and mind gain in strength and wisdom. Be ready, for I will call upon you again.”
“I will be ready, Shyann. Thank you for your faith in me.”
“No, Jonas, thank you for yours,” she said smiling. Her body began to glow brightly and Jonas had to bring his hands to his face to shield his eyes.
***
Jonas awoke early in the morning, his eyes wide, his body rested and rejuvenated. He felt like he had slept for a week. He felt more at ease than he had in a long time. Shyann wanted him to serve her, to serve something big, something important; he knew that now. He smiled; his purpose was clear, and it made him happy. He had never had any goals, any real reasons to get up in the morning, but now he did; now he could do something that would help Kraawn. Not only was he healed, but now he could help heal the lands he lived in, and that made him happy.
It was still early, the sun not yet over the mountain peaks, the gray morning quiet as the forest animals slept. Jonas buckled on his sword belt and walked down toward the creek that flowed from the southern end of the pool through a beautiful clearing filled with wild mountain flowers intermingled with large flat rocks.
As Jonas neared the clearing he saw a man, wearing only his breeches, balancing on his head, his knees resting on his elbows. His bare chest was broad and muscled and covered with coarse black hair.
As Jonas got closer he realized that it was Kiln. He sat down on a rock, about twenty paces away, and watched Kiln balance, not moving a muscle, his eyes closed. Jonas couldn’t believe the man’s concentration and balance.
After about a half an hour of standing on his head, suddenly Kiln’s eyes flickered open and he pushed up with his arms so that he was balancing just on his hands. Then in one smooth motion he flipped up to his feet, slowly standing up straight, his posture perfect.
“You have patience, young man, to sit there for so long to watch a man do nothing,” Kiln said casually as he approached Jonas. Kiln walked with the grace and dexterity of one much younger. His shoulders were wide and his arms strong and muscled, his powerful chest tapering to a small waist covered with bands of muscle.
“You knew I was here?” asked Jonas.
“Yes, in that meditative state I can see most things around me.”
“But your eyes were closed.”
“You can see with more than just your eyes,” Kiln said.
“What were you doing, sir?” Jonas asked with interest.
“That is called the Ty’erm. In the Sharneen language it means ‘the position of power’.”
“Who are the Sharneen? I have never heard of them,” asked Jonas.
“They are a foreign people that live far to the east. Their lands border the Sithgarin. They are a nomadic people that live for war and conquest. I spent several winters with them after I left the service of Finarth.”
“What does this Ty’erm do?”
“It is used to sharpen the mind and body. You practice calming the mind and body so that you can focus and see things as they are. Some Sharneen priests use it to get closer to their gods. I found that it works well in combat.”
“How, sir?”
“You like to ask questions, don’t you, boy?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but this interests me. If it helps in combat then I would like to learn it.”
Kiln stared at Jonas as if he were trying to look inside him. After a few seconds of silence he answered Jonas’s question. “In the state of Ty’erm you can control your mind and body, slowing everything down. Your senses are heightened, improving reaction time, strength, and enabling you to react with instinct and not emotion. It is a mental exercise that I’ve practiced for many years. I can now do it at will.”
“Can you teach me this?”
“That depends. You must be mentally strong and very patient. It takes time to master.”
“I see,” Jonas said, pausing and looking back toward the camp in hesitation. “Sir, what did your men say about granting me asylum?” Jonas asked slowly.
“What do you think they said?” Kiln replied, redirecting his question.
Jonas thought about it for a moment before answering. “I think they said yes.”
“Why would you say that?” Kiln asked again.
“Those men would follow you to the front door of the Forsworn. I could see it in their faces; and I think you want me to stay, which means they would agree to it.”
Kiln stared at Jonas for a moment before lifting the edge of his lip in a slight smile. “You are a good judge of men, Jonas. You’re right. We have agreed to take you for the year, but it will not be easy. We work hard, and life here is difficult and dangerous.”
“I am a hard worker, sir, and I will not shy away from danger. You can count on me,” Jonas replied with sincerity.
“I believe that I can. That is why I chose to accept you. Besides, there is something bigger going on here, something bigger than me and my men, something that includes you. I have been secluded for a long time. I think it’s time to come out of hiding.”
“Sir, will you teach me to fight and to master this Ty’erm?”
Kiln looked at Jonas with his cold gray eyes, his face a mask of stone. Jonas wondered what he was thinking. “I will, young man.”
***
Jonas felt like a ball, which had been bouncing around from place to place, from one group to another. The last two years had been a whirlwind of danger, death, sorrow, friendship, and excitement.
He was sorry to see Dagrinal, Graggis, Sal, Jorm, and Prince Baylin go, but he was happy that Piap, now healed, was able to walk on his own. Jonas felt good about healing him, although he still needed much training to master the technique; but it was a start. He tried his healing again on Sal’s ribs and it went a bit faster and it didn’t seem to drain him as much. He could not tell if it was because he was getting better at it, or that Sal’s wounds were not as serious, but either way, it made Jonas feel better that both the men would be walking home more comfortably.
Kiln agreed to take Jonas with him, but Jonas only. They would not take any of Prince Baylin’s men, a subject that caused a brief debate. They did not have room for more men and Kiln felt that the king’s warriors might cause conflict within his group. In the end, Kiln and his men left with only Jonas.
His new comrades led him many miles deeper into the Tundrens, until they entered a small narrow belt of rolling hills that Kiln called Shadow Valley, since most of it fell under the shadows of the tall Tundren peaks. It was beautiful though, the undulating hills of the valley covered with lush green grass and wild flowers. It was here where Kiln raised his cattle.
They meandered through the valley until they neared Kiln’s home. The structures were simple; one large house built of stone and thick lumber sat in the middle of a flat clearing surrounded by four smaller stone and thatch roofed cabins. There was also a large wooden barn and several fenced areas containing sheep, goats, and chickens. It was a farm, similar to farms that Jonas had seen, but as they neared the structures, Jonas noticed some small differences. Each building was built of solid stone and thick rough cut timbers. The support beams that held up the roofs were massive and thick, capable of withstanding deep heavy snows. Also, each window had shutters made of solid wood laced with iron that could be shut from the inside. The doors were all oversized and made of stout thick wood connected with black iron. Kiln and his men had obviously worked very hard over the years to build this farm, and Jonas was impressed. The Tundrens were dangerous and it became apparent to Jonas that these men were ready to confront whatever threat faced them.
There were eight men that lived and worked with Kiln. Kiln’s foreman was an older man, in his late fifties, named Lambeck. Jonas learned that Kiln had met Lambeck many years ago at Numenell and that Kiln had acquired his services as a scout. Lambeck had been in trouble with the law and he took Kiln’s offer with relish, but considering the payment that Kiln offered, he would have taken the job regardless. Lambeck had gotten in a bar brawl in a small village on the outskirts of King Gavinsteal’s lands and accidently killed a young man. He was found guilty by the local magistrate. It turned out that the lady he was courting that night was the daughter of the magistrate, and that the young man who attacked him was the man her father had picked for her to marry. Luckily for Lambeck, the young lady rescued him that night and he fled as fast as he could. That was many years ago and he ran into Kiln soon after, forming a bond of friendship immediately. They had a lot in common when they met. Lambeck was running from the law and Kiln was just running, trying to get away from his previous life. They traveled together and as a team they were unstoppable. Lambeck was a master scout and woodsman and his skill with the bow was unmatched.
There was also Jondris and his younger brother Lark, who were both outlaws from Finarth. They had been arrested for stealing the king’s cattle fifteen years ago, but they escaped into the Tundrens. The king’s knights hunted them for a while but later gave up as the two brothers were forced to hike deeper into the Tundrens, where Kiln found them. Kiln enjoyed the irony of hiring two thieves who stole from the king. They were good men, who had experienced hard times and needed to eat. Kiln would not condemn them for trying to survive.
Diomond was a tall barbarian from the Highlands. He was of the Veor Tribe located in the Highlands southwest of Tarsis. He was cast out from the Veors after he had fought with the battle lord of his tribe. Their rules are harsh and their justice even harsher. Diomond had gotten drunk and tried to bed the battle lord’s sister. She slapped him and in Diomond’s drunken state he hit her back. The battle lord was furious and demanded a bare handed feud fight, which was his right. If you lose a feud fight, then you were banished from the Highlands forever. The battle lord was called the battle lord for a reason; he was the best fighter of the tribe. Diomond lost the fight and left his tribe, never to return, wandering the countryside, until he ran into Kiln ten years ago. Diomond was gigantic, almost seven feet tall, and his long blonde hair framed a weathered tanned face.
The other four were recent additions to the group, all wandering vagrants and displaced farmers that now stood as tall proud men. Kiln gave them purpose and confidence, and he taught them how to fend for themselves. They all loved him as a father and great friend. There was Ballic, Corman, Wil, and Anders. Anders was only twenty one years of age, the youngest and newest addition from Finarth.
Jonas enjoyed his time with these tough mountain men, and Shyann was right, Kiln had a lot to teach him. Jonas continued to thrive on the strenuous activities, and the work on the farm made him think of his mother, which usually brought smiles, but sometimes tears. He spent many hours with Lambeck training with the bow, and with Kiln working with the sword. Lambeck was the most incredible archer he had ever seen. In three seconds he could place three arrows in the same hole at eighty paces. He taught him many techniques on speed, breathing, and how to make proper bows and arrows. Jonas loved it and he learned, as Fil had told him a year ago, that he was a natural. As his strength increased so did his speed, power, and accuracy, and it wasn’t long before he could hit a fleeing rabbit at fifty paces.
Kiln was an anomaly to Jonas. On rare occasions he could be jovial and fun, but most of the time he was cold and seemed to lack emotion, especially when he fought or trained. It was several months before Jonas even touched a sword. They spent the early mornings running through the mountains. Jonas could not keep up with Kiln, which surprised him. Jonas thought he was in great shape and that he would be able to outrun a man who must be in his early fifties. He was mistaken. Kiln moved quickly through the mountain trails, and his powerful legs carried him up the rocky steep terrain like a mountain goat. But Jonas struggled on, keeping within eye sight of the warrior at all times. His legs gained muscle and his strong lungs could keep him running all day. Kiln taught Jonas how to strengthen his arms and legs and how to stay supple and flexible as his muscle mass grew. Kiln would push him until he was exhausted, and it was in this state where he taught him the skills of Ty’erm.
One early morning they ran to the edge of a rock cliff and below them they looked down at Shadow Valley. They had been running for two hours, and Kiln had pushed him hard, running up steep slopes for most of the exercise. Jonas’s legs burned with the exertion as they stopped at the cliff edge, both sweating profusely and sucking in deep intakes of fresh mountain air.
“Well done, Jonas. You have been working hard. Now, let us try Ty’erm again,” suggested Kiln, sitting on the smooth stone.
“Sir, why do we keep practicing Ty’erm when I am exhausted? Wouldn’t it make more sense to try something this difficult when I’m rested?” asked Jonas, sitting down near Kiln.
“Jonas, to achieve the mental state of Ty’erm, you must be able to focus without distraction. When you are exhausted, your brain tries to shut down, which means you are concentrating on less, enabling you to enter the state of Ty’erm more easily.”
“I see,” said Jonas a little frustrated. They had been practicing the mental exercises for two months now and Jonas had seen little progress.
“Jonas, don’t forget that it takes most people many years of practice to enter Ty’erm. You are progressing quickly, much faster than I had anticipated. Now get into position.”
Kiln easily
lifted his body into a handstand, balancing smoothly for several moments with his eyes closed. Jonas too lifted his body with his strong arms, holding the position, his eyes closed, concentrating only on his body. They had been practicing core strength exercises for several months. Kiln showed him various positions that helped stretch, strengthen, and relax the body. Jonas’s balance and strength improved immensely and he could now hold the handstand for a while with little shaking.
Finally, Kiln spoke softly. “Now drop into the position.” Kiln and Jonas both lowered their bodies smoothly until their heads were resting on the ground and their knees dropped to balance on their elbows. “Now, concentrate on your breathing only. Just focus on your breathing until your mind is free.”
Jonas thought of his breathing, each breath coming in and out. He focused on his chest expanding, over and over again. Don’t think of anything else thought Jonas, just breathing in and out. He had gotten this far before but usually his mind began to drift to other things and he could not enter the meditative state. This time he began to feel different. He went inside his body and saw his lungs expand slowly as they filled with air. He saw his blood flow through his arteries and feed his muscles. He concentrated on slowing his heart rate and breathing, so his body could enter the relaxed state needed. He saw his heart beat slowly, pumping blood through the various chambers, and willed it to slow down even more. It did, and his body relaxed, his mind seeing only blackness.
Jonas lost track of time, but eventually he began to see a light, and he followed it. His vision began to clear and he saw himself on the rock ledge, in the tripod position, Kiln next to him. He was assaulted by all the sounds and smells that he didn’t notice before. He felt invigorated and alive. He could hear the ants crawling around the rocks and he could smell the pollen on the bee as it flew overhead. It was an incredible feeling and Jonas didn’t want it to go away.
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