by A. H. Shinn
Kellie clenched her jaw. Why isn’t he listening to me? It’s gone. I proved it when the archer was shooting arrows at me.
“It is time,” he said.
“For what?”
“Your training.”
“You’re going to train me after I told you that I lost the Emotive Chi?”
Desta shook his head as he closed his eyes. “You do not need it for this lesson. Are you ready?” He tapped his foot.
“Yes, I am, but—”
He scurried up a large tree and disappeared between the leaves. Kellie waited, but he did not climb back down.
She walked toward the trunk and was about to call out his name when a pinecone came flying out. It smacked her on the nose. Then another flew at her and grazed her cheek.
Kellie shrunk down onto the ground with her arms over her head. “What are you doing?” she yelled.
“Is that what you would do under an attack? Cower underneath your skinny arms?”
Kellie settled her shoulders and looked up. Desta stood at the end of a thick branch.
She didn’t want to bring up not having the Emotive Chi again. But with it, she could have deflected the cones.
“What am I supposed to do?”
The mongoose rolled his eyes to the side. “Not what you were doing,” he muttered.
She stood and stared blankly at him.
“Mongoose-style kung fu,” he announced. “That is what you will learn today. Mulin taught you the power of her tiger paw, and Zurich taught you how to evade and hit as if you had wings. I will show you what to do when something fast is coming at you and your whole body cannot move out of the way. Say it is a fist or a weapon, such as an arrow, you must dodge.”
Kellie’s mouth opened. As she was about to speak, Desta said, “Yes. I watched the nun shoot arrows at you. I did not know why at the time.”
“And you let her try to kill me?” Kellie threw her hands in the air. “I know! I know! You can’t get directly involved.”
“She was not trying to kill you…I think,” said Desta. “They were merely testing you.”
“Desta,” pleaded Kellie, feeling the guilt wash over her again. “I lost it. I lost Hagos’s Emotive Chi.”
“It is not his anymore. It chose you.”
“All right, but it’s gone now. I can’t do it anymore. Any of it. Zurich and Mulin wasted their time helping me to control the energy. Tell them I’m sorry.”
Desta smiled. “The way they described how you used your chi was like poetry. You are gifted, and if they believe in you, I believe in you.”
“Please…I’m sorry, but I don’t have it anymore.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.”
“You do.”
“You’re not listening to me,” said Kellie, frustrated. “I don’t have any chi left!”
Desta started laughing again and this time he snorted as he inhaled. It also looked as if he was going to fall off the branch.
“Even if you didn’t carry the Emotive Chi,” he said after he was done guffawing, “you still have yours. Everyone has chi. It is impossible to lose it. Even Hagos still has his chi. He just does not have the privilege of representing the Emotive Chi.”
“So, all that I was able to do in Spring Meadows…moving things with my chi…was me?”
“The Emotive Chi gives you the extra umph. But yes.”
Kellie didn’t fully understand what he was saying. She knew that chi was energy that flows through the body and that hers couldn’t just disappear, but since she had left China, her abilities were different.
“Now back to work,” he said. “Catch!” He tossed three cones at Kellie. She caught the first two and dropped the third one.
“Okay,” she said halfheartedly, picking up the last cone. “So what am I supposed to do with these?”
“Throw them at me.”
Kellie shrugged her shoulders and chucked one at him. It passed his right side about a foot away.
“Thankfully we are not training you to be a baseball pitcher,” he said. “Please, aim it at my head.”
Baseball, thought Kellie. She put down a cone and held the other like a ball. Jake had taught Jory and her how to throw a baseball one Saturday afternoon, and she recalled the lesson. She stepped back with her right foot, pulled back her right arm, and flung the pinecone.
The cone went straight for Desta’s snout, and Kellie cringed as she waited for it to smack him on his little face.
Just as the cone was an inch from his pointed nose, he moved his head out of the way. His body stayed put, and his feet remained planted. The pinecone smacked the trunk behind him and bounced to the ground.
Kellie yelled, “That was terrific!”
Desta took a bow and proclaimed proudly, “Mongoose kung fu.”
He told her to gather more cones and to throw them at him as fast as she could. Her aim was off at times, but he escaped each blow by turning his upper body from right to left. Kellie tried to get him, but to no avail. His contortions left her ammunition clunking onto the dirt.
“Now your turn,” said Desta. He disappeared and reappeared with a few acorns. “Don’t underestimate these nuts,” he warned.
He began throwing them surprisingly hard and fast at Kellie. She awkwardly dodged the acorns, flinging her head from side to side.
“Move at the waist,” he instructed.
As she watched a nut fly toward the bridge of her nose, she twisted her body. She stepped to the side and felt something roll under her shoe. Her foot skidded across the ground, and she fell onto her shoulder.
“Do you require medical attention?” shouted the mongoose, still standing on the tree branch.
“No, I’m okay,” said Kellie as she got up and dusted off her pants.
“Then let us continue and not waste time.”
“You definitely are a mystical animal,” muttered Kellie.
She remembered when Mulin and Zurich had taught her in the white field in Spring Meadows. They’d pushed her in her training, and later, she had understood why. They’d prepared her for the battle with Hagos.
“Did you say something?” he asked.
“No. No.”
“Follow me,” he said. He turned around and moved his upper body from left to right, over and over again.
Kellie mimicked him and found that it was much harder than it looked.
He jumped off the tree. “Keep doing it,” he instructed. He scampered over and stood on her left foot. “Stop moving this one.”
“This hurts my back,” said Kellie.
“You whine too much,” he said as he climbed up the back of her leg. “Twist here more.” He tapped at her waist as he went up to her left shoulder. “Keep me balanced and continue until I say stop.” After a few minutes, he jumped onto her other shoulder.
Desta’s weight grew heavy, and Kellie’s back and legs were tiring. She had just begun learning some mongoose kung fu from Master Chen, and although it was a style that would seem like a good fit for her body type and size, the movements were difficult.
“You can cease now,” Desta said as he jumped to the ground.
Kellie straightened and rubbed her back.
The mongoose climbed onto the same tree branch that protruded out toward Kellie. He had acorns back in his hands. “Ready?”
“I think so…”
“Be more confident in yourself,” he commanded.
“Okay…I’m ready!” she said as her hands went up in a fighting position.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Getting ready.”
“You won’t need hands for this. Just do what you were doing.” He raised an acorn and blasted one at Kellie’s face.
Wit
h her feet firmly planted on the ground, she crooked her upper body to the left, and the nut flew by her face.
With a huge grin, Desta said, “They were right. You do learn fast.”
Kellie looked over her shoulder as she headed back to the village. Desta was already gone.
She had spent a few hours learning the way of the mongoose, and although her lower back was sore, she had a bright smile on her face.
Kellie wished she could have spent more time with Desta. She had many questions. Who were the other three animals who were part of the Family of Chi? Would she see Mulin and Zurich again? Do they have family reunions?
As she exited the forest and neared the open space, she heard a commotion. She ran toward the community. Some of the tents were damaged, and men sat moaning with their hands over their heads as the women scurried around in distress.
A girl holding her mother’s hand let go and ran toward her.
“Kellie! Kellie!” Lia rushed up to her.
“What happened?” asked Kellie.
“It was those ladies again. They came back! They were looking for you!”
“The nuns? What did they do?” She scanned the area. The place looked worse than after the monsoon had hit.
“They said they knew we lied. They know you were here.”
Sarna, looking both relieved and upset, strode up to them. “Where were you? I was worried those terrible women would find you.”
“I was in the forest…”
“Thank goodness for that,” said Sarna. “The nuns figured out that you couldn’t have gone where I led them. Apparently they have a tracker who followed your trail to this area.”
Kellie stared at the homes with pain in her heart. “I’m sorry they did this because of me. I’ll leave right away.”
Sarna looked really upset now. “You are not going anywhere. The rain will be back tonight, and it’s almost sundown. And we are not going to let those women scare us. They are a disgrace to their names, threatening us like that. And see that?” she said, pointing to the men. “They attacked them!”
Lia touched her mother’s hand. “Don’t be angry.”
Sarna’s tense shoulders relaxed, and she smiled at her daughter.
Kellie bit her lower lip. “Being here will cause more trouble to your people. I can’t let that happen. You’ve already done so much for me.”
“I told them they were wrong,” said Sarna. “They searched everywhere and could not find you. It was lucky you weren’t here.” With a furrowed brow, she asked, “Why were you in the forest?”
“Everyone was taking a break, so I went in there for some alone time.”
“Well, it was perfect timing. I told them that even if you were nearby, you never came here.”
“Did they believe you?” asked Kellie.
“It doesn’t matter. You have nothing to worry about. We aren’t afraid of them.”
“Thank you for protecting me,” Kellie choked out with a lump in the back of her throat. She had just made the villagers an enemy of the ruthless Druk nuns.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Decision
It would be dark soon, and repairs on the tents had to be done. But the men, who were usually responsible for the physical labor, were incapacitated from the attacks.
Sarna took the initiative and began stabilizing the structures. She showed some of the women how to hammer down the ropes while the others provided first aid to the injured.
Lia retrieved the washcloths and bandages while the older children put away small, loose items and picked up debris. There were a few elderly people in the community, and they went around making sure everyone had their last meal of the day.
It was heartwarming to see how the people worked together after a calamity, and Kellie assisted wherever she could. She gathered the animals into the stable, helped Sarna yank up the last remaining fallen tents, counted the number of children, and ensured they were back with their parents.
With everyone working quickly and efficiently, everything that needed to be done was completed just in time. Raindrops started to come down as the families disappeared into their respective shelters. Sarna hurried Lia and Kellie into theirs as she made one last check of the area.
Inside the tent, Lia played by the lamp with her doll. Sarna shook the dust off her shoes as she entered, and then closed the opening. After changing into dry clothes, she cozied up next to her daughter.
“Thank you for all your help,” she said to Kellie.
“I should be thanking you and everyone else. I brought problems here, and all of you have been nothing but kind to me. I thought after what the Druk nuns did, I wouldn’t be welcomed anymore, but it was the other way around. I’m treated like I’m one of you, even though I don’t understand what anyone is saying to me…”
Sarna laughed. “The people like you. And they have generous hearts. It’s difficult to find this sense of community in a big city. That’s why I wanted to bring Lia here for a little while. I thought it was going to be difficult for her to adjust, but she adapted quickly. It was actually me who had a hard time settling.”
“I like it here,” Lia said as she yawned. Her eyelids slid over her dark brown eyes as she pulled her doll closer.
“Although, it would be nice to have buildings like the ones the nuns live in,” said Sarna.
“You’ve been there?” asked Kellie.
“Yes,” she said. “Once. When I came here, I visited their monastery and asked for their assistance in improving our structures. They are very skilled women, and I thought they could help us construct better homes. I knew their reputation of being highly disciplined and rigid, but I wasn’t aware how callous they were. They turned me away.”
“I wouldn’t expect them to be the friendly neighbors,” Kellie said.
“It must have been terrifying being held there.” Sarna lowered her voice as Lia breathed slowly and loudly in her sleep.
Tashi pointing an arrow at Kellie immediately came to mind.
Sarna had a confused expression. “Why you? Why are they so interested in you?”
Although Kellie preferred not to discuss it, Sarna had taken her in and deserved an answer.
“They think I’m their long-awaited Teacher and have something to pass on to them.”
“Does it have to do with martial arts? You are very good. And a great teacher. I watched you instruct the kids.”
“Yeah…but they’re already well trained, and I don’t have much more to offer them…”
“But there must have been a reason for them to think you do. Although they have never been friendly, they haven’t been aggressive like this before…What could make them think you could be their Teacher?”
“I—uh—am not sure.” Kellie wished she could open up to Sarna, but telling her how she moved matter with her chi would have opened up a host of sacred information.
“Well, uh, their founder foresaw a new leader with a special energy. She drew a picture symbolizing the Teacher, and the nuns have it tattooed on their backs. Besides having a special energy, this person is from the forest, which I was found in. They think she might’ve been abandoned…which I was…or orphaned.”
Sarna was quiet for a moment. Then she asked, “What is the tattoo of?”
“It’s a half circle that sits on something that looks like a palm. They think it represents some grand power I’m supposed to help them achieve in kung fu.”
“You must be tired,” said Sarna as her voice cracked. “If the sun is up tomorrow morning, a couple of the men will guide you to the road. Get a good night’s sleep for your big day ahead.”
“Okay, good night,” said Kellie, ecstatic about the news.
The abrupt change in Sarna’s mannerism didn’t go unnoticed, though, and Kellie hoped she didn’t scare her with the information. Nevertheless, she felt the smile
on her face and didn’t think she was going to be able to fall asleep.
A rooster crowed. Kellie flicked open her eyes and found herself still in the dark. She was wide awake, ready to find out if she would be able to leave today.
Movement came from Sarna and Lia. The rooster had awakened them as well, but they didn’t seem ready to get up.
The tent began to glow with dawn’s first light. Kellie rose from the mat, tied back her hair, and put on her shoes. She quietly exited the tent, eager to see what the sky looked like. The rain during the night had been moderate and so had the wind. She had expected it to pick up, but Mother Nature was sympathetic, and the monsoon they’d expected hadn’t arrived.
There were some clouds in the sky, but it was mostly clear. I’m going home today, she thought, unable to contain her wide grin. A few ladies acknowledged Kellie, and she darted her hand up to wave at them. But I’m going to really miss these people.
Kellie sat on a bench, waiting for the rest of the villagers to start their day and wondering who her guide would be. Most of the men had scrapes and bruises, though none had sustained serious injuries. They were lucky. Perhaps it was a warning.
Her face grew hot. How dare the nuns march into this peaceful community and harm the people and damage their homes?
A little, gentle hand fell on her shoulder, and Kellie immediately cooled down.
“Mommy said you’re leaving today,” Lia said despondently. “Do you really have to go? Can’t you stay a little longer?”
“I would love to spend more time with you, Lia, really I would. But it’s time for me to go home.”
“Your dads must miss you.”
Kellie smiled. “Yeah, I’m sure they’re waiting to hear from me.”
“You promised to write to me,” reminded Lia.
“I reinforce that promise,” said Kellie. She crossed her heart and then lightly tapped the young girl’s nose with her forefinger.
Giggling, Lia said, “I’m going to start writing your letter right now, so when you get home, you’ll get it,” and she ran off in search of stationary.
The people began their morning as usual, although today it seemed as if they were going to do some building. Perhaps more repairs were needed from the destruction the day before. Men and women gathered hammers, sticks, axes, rope, knives, and spears, and laid them out on the ground.