by Unknown
“You seem to be able to hold your own for a bit with the boys.” Landis offered Tulip a drink of water. Mats covered the floor of one of the larger storage rooms of the Temple. Mirrors lined one wall. Landis helped Kaid as he taught the children what he called tumbling and acrobatics.
“I didn’t like having to learn to dance when we first started to drill. But then you told me it was good for balance. You like to dance, don’t you?” Tulip handed the water skin back to Landis.
“Yes, I do.” Landis checked to make sure the skin was sealed and set it down. “Now, tell me what is really bothering you.”
Tulip paused before she spoke. “I want to beat the boys so bad. Just because they are bigger and stronger than us girls, they think they are so much better than us.”
Landis leaned close and spoke quietly into Tulip’s ear. “I want you, Liddea, and Mehrle to meet back here after the evening meal. Don’t let the boys know.”
“But we are supposed to practice juggling and stuff.” Tulip wondered what Lady Landis had in mind.
“You can work on your coordination and dexterity exercises another time. If Kaid or Slag complains, send them my way. I have a bone to pick with them anyway. You all have spent the past moons training every day with no breaks. You need a free day or three each moon’s cycle to do what you wish. I’ve talked to Izlan. She is going see to it that Slag agrees.” Landis stood and clapped her hands loudly to gain everyone’s attention. “That’s enough. Put things away and straighten the mats. Then go bathe and change for dinner. Mehrle, you and Liddea speak to me before you go.”
Tulip smiled. It sure looked to the boys that Mehrle and Liddea were in some kind of trouble, from the stern look Lady Landis gave the two girls. Tulip left, went to her room for fresh clothes, and hurried to the baths. She had not been in the soaking tub long before she was joined by Mehrle and Liddea.
Liddea climbed into the tub and asked, “What’s going on?”
The water sloshed higher as Mehrle climbed in, too. “Lady Landis said you would tell us.”
Tulip leaned forward and gestured for Mehrle and Liddea to come closer. “I hate how the boys use their size to their advantage when we have to wrestle them. They are always horsing around. And I really dislike being held down until I am willing to agree that a boy is better than me. So I told Lady Landis that I really wanted to be the one doing the pinning.”
Liddea leaned closer. “What has that got to do with me? You’re the one who wants to beat the boys, not me.”
Tulip didn’t hide her frustration with Liddea as she spoke. “That is not the important part. I just don’t like being helpless. Do you mean to say you don’t want to learn to defend yourself?”
Mehrle splashed water at both Tulip and Liddea. “Stop it, both of you. Liddea, Tulip is right and you know it. If you don’t pay attention and learn to protect yourself, one day you could find yourself in deep trouble. That goes for all of us. You and I may not be as excited about fighting as Tulip, but we should still learn.”
Tulip was as surprised by Mehrle’s support as she had been by Liddea’s reaction. She excused herself and left the tub.
She hurried through dinner without much exchange with her table mates. Finished with her meal, she took her dishes to the kitchen, washed, rinsed, dried them, and set them in their place of storage. She headed back to the training room, where she was soon joined by Mehrle and Liddea. They sat in silence for a quarter of a mark before the door opened. Landis and Martell entered the room and removed their shoes and hose.
Tulip was amazed at what next occurred.
Landis walked to the middle of the room and turned her back on Martell, who approached her and wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms to her sides. She took her right foot and stomped on his instep. The action brought his head down toward hers, where she butted him in the face with the back of her head and caused him to release her. Landis turned and grabbed Martell’s arm. She rotated her hip into his body and threw Martell face down onto the mat. Landis stepped through his arm, twisting it around her leg, and placed her foot on his neck. She held the pressure for a moment before Martell slapped the mat with his free hand to indicate his surrender.
For the next quarter mark, Martell attempted various holds and attacks that Landis defended against. They finally stopped, bowed to each other, and faced the stunned, speechless girls.
Landis, a little breathless, spoke. “Martell and I are going to teach you to do what I have just done. You are to use what you learn to defend yourself.”
Liddea was the first to speak. “Excuse me, Master Martell, but your nose is bleeding.”
Martell wiped his nose with the back of his hand and looked at it. “It will stop shortly. That head butt came before I was fully prepared for it. You will want to do more damage than this to any attacker. By all rights, her move should have broken my nose. It is important that you learn to control your actions and injure only when you intend to.”
Tulip’s eyes brightened. “Are we allowed to do that to the boys?”
Martell laughed and turned to Landis. “You’re right, this one is a little bloodthirsty. It will be a pleasure to instruct her.”
Landis smiled and shook her head. “Yes, she is. No, Tulip, you do not get to harm the boys. We will help you acquire the knowledge and make sure you are proficient, yet teach you restraint. Mehrle, you want to say something?”
Mehrle lowered the hand she had raised. “We can’t do what you did to Master Martell.”
Landis chuckled. “Actually, a lot of what we showed you, you will be able to do. Size won’t matter. Liddea, Mehrle, we will start with you first. We will switch off amongst you and let whoever is free rest. That way, you all will work with both Martell and me.”
The girls met with Landis and Martell every other evening for the next three quarters of a moon before they were given permission to use what they had been taught. Martell told them they had learned enough restraint. He no longer feared harm by them, because they had learned to rein in their enthusiastic use of the skills they had acquired.
Tulip couldn’t wait for the opportunity to use her new skills. She couldn’t believe it when, instead of her, it was Mehrle who took the boys to task.
***
Mehrle decided enough was enough. Nester had purposefully gone out of his way to trip Zeal, causing him to fall while he was attempting to juggle his sand-filled sacks. She knew this would commence the start of a round of roughhousing, and she or one of the other girls would be the next target. Mehrle looked to Kaid, who, as usual, ignored the rough play.
She placed her practice balls down then cleared her throat loudly. “I have an announcement to make. Nester, Zeal, Fronc, if the three of you wish to continue to decide who the head rooster here is, then do so amongst you. But know this, Liddea, Tulip, and I are not hens for you to boss around. You are not to include us in your childish behavior.”
Nester gave Zeal a hand and helped him to stand. “What are you trying to say, Mehrle? I treat you girls just like I do Fronc and Zeal.”
“Did you ever think that Fronc and Zeal might not desire being treated as one of the girls? We girls sure don’t wish to be treated as one of the boys by either of you in such a fashion.” Mehrle felt someone close and turned her head to see Tulip and Liddea, now standing shoulder to shoulder beside her.
Nester looked to Fronc and Zeal for support. “You guys going to let them push us around? We’re just having fun sometimes, right?”
Zeal picked his juggling sacks off the floor where he had dropped them. “I think Mehrle is right. At times, things do get out of hand. To be honest, I’m tired of all the horseplay.”
Mehrle turned to Fronc. “We’ve heard from Zeal and Nester. What’s your opinion?”
“I don’t think anyone meant any harm. We were just playing.” Mehrle saw that Fronc was uncomfortable with the discussion. He avoided eye contact with her and Nester.
Nester walked up to Mehrle. Mehrle realized that
they stood at the same height.
“So, are you going to make me stop, Mehrle?” He moved in closer.
“No, Nester, I’m not.” She took a step back.
“I didn’t think so.” He smiled and looked back at Zeal and Fronc.
“Liddea is going to. Right, Liddea?” Mehrle nodded. “Take him.”
Liddea stepped between Nester and Mehrle. Nester looked down at her then attempted to push her away. Liddea was already in motion. She ducked under his arm, reached up, inserted two fingers up his nose, and applied pressure inward as she pulled his head toward her. Nester’s yelp was interrupted as Liddea pushed back on his head at the same time she swept his feet out from under him. Her fingers still up his nose, she kept his head from hitting the floor as she dropped down on his chest. Liddea used her knees to pin his arms. Nester had the air knocked out of him and struggled to breathe as Liddea wiped her hand on his shirt.
Mehrle heard someone clapping behind her and turned to see Kaid, who wasn’t smiling.
He stopped applauding and said, “I have waited for you all to realize you need to work together, respect and protect each other. Mehrle is right. It is time for the game you’ve played, to see who can dominate or bully the other, to stop. You, from this point on, will band together. You are no longer individuals but are part of something bigger, the Trade.”
Zeal helped Liddea off Nester. Mehrle gave Nester a hand up.
Fronc joined them as they all gathered around Mehrle and Nester. “I guess we are a brotherhood and sisterhood.”
Nester wiped the blood from his nose and smiled. “No, we are all just family.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Seasons race along and allow no rest. Every chick must leave the nest.
—Book of Seasons by T. A. Feneas
SLAG SAT AT EASE in a chair across the table from Izlan. They were alone together in her workroom. She kept no personal possession in the chamber that he could use to gain insight into her as a person. There were just a few items made by the children scattered about. It amazed him that the head of the Temple always dressed as a laborer and toiled directly alongside people positioned beneath her. He had yet to find someone either able or willing to provide him information regarding Izlan.
“What did you wish to discuss with me, Trade Master?”
“Now that summer is nigh, I have decided to progress the children’s training.” Slag took note of Izlan’s formal posture. She sat with a rigid back, both feet on the ground, and hands held under the table. Out of habit, he had twice looked to see if she had strapped a weapon on the table’s underside but hadn’t discovered one. Izlan always acted as if she was in command in every encounter they had shared together.
Izlan leaned forward toward him. “All of them?”
“Yes, I wish to apprentice the whole. The reports from Kaid and my own observations this past season have convinced me.”
“And this means what?”
Slag saw that Izlan waited for him to continue. “There are Trade secrets that will not be taught to them here in the Temple. The children will learn them from mentors outside your gates. Starting in the morn they will begin training elsewhere. I will not allow you or one of your associates to attend. My apprentices will have one or more escorts with them while they travel about Arlanda and will be returned each day before the evening meal.”
Izlan leaned back in her chair. “I thought perchance this would be the reason for your request for this meeting. I do not seek to learn any of your forbidden knowledge. You have no cause to worry on that point. But the children’s wellbeing does remain my responsibility.”
Slag rose to his feet. “I give you have my word, Matriarch, they will remain well cared for, and you have no need for concern.”
“Thank you, Trade Master. I appreciate your indulging me by allowing my continued involvement as they are training.”
Slag nodded then left. Why did he feel as if he had been dismissed? Izlan was a puzzle he needed to solve. How interesting.
***
Zeal, along with his fellow apprentices, followed Kaid through the door of a warehouse situated near the wharf. Its interior was well lit. The windows were blackened on the inside, and the building was empty of goods. A thick wire crossed the center of the space nine hands above the mat-covered floor. Unoccupied chairs with desks sat in an area on the right. A rack of staffs, padded helms, gloves, and other gear were on the left.
Zeal almost missed seeing the man who silently slid head first down a rope that had suddenly dropped from the rafters. The man twisted in the air and landed quietly on his feet. He was of average height, dressed all in black, his hair bound in a braid down his back, and the lower portion of his face was covered by a mask.
Kaid gathered Zeal and the rest around him. “Children, this is Master Turk, your combat instructor. Turk, let me introduce to you Liddea, Tulip, Mehrle, Fronc, Nester, and Zeal.”
“Thank you, Kaid.” Turk turned to them. “You may address me as Master Turk. First, I shall teach you how to fight with the empty hand. When you are deemed ready, then weapons training will begin. From me you will learn techniques to disable and also to kill, but remember, a life taken can never be brought back.”
Mehrle raised her hand and was given permission to speak. “Won’t knowing how to kill teach us how not to?”
Turk smiled. “Yes, Mehrle, you will find there are two sides to every coin. But never forget that a coin also has an edge. Until now, you have all led a sheltered and protected existence behind the walls of the Temple. It is quite different for those who live outside those walls. I want you to be able to survive, no, dominate the challenges you may face.”
A chill caused by Master Turk’s words coursed through Zeal, yet he was warmed by Mehrle’s. He couldn’t fathom the need to take another’s life. Something trickled down his face, and his nose began to itch. He covered his mouth and sneezed loudly. Zeal tilted his head down so he wouldn’t share the sudden wet explosion with anyone. On the floor, he saw a small amount of dust at his feet.
He looked up toward the rafters. “Master Turk, Kaid, is there someone else here with us?”
Turk clapped his hands twice. A second rope dropped from above, and a petite female descended. Dressed as a cleaning woman, skirt hiked up, her legs were encased in stockings and her hair covered by a scarf.
As she approached, Zeal thought she did not look as threatening as Master Turk.
“My name is Bell. I am not any lady, so you all just call me Bell. Zeal, what gave my presence away?”
Zeal pointed to the floor. “Dust and dirt from above drifted down over me and made me sneeze.”
Bell scrutinized each of them. “It was caused to fall on purpose. Some of you may have some potential after all. Listen up. I am going to instruct you in the Acquiring Skills. But first, you will learn the wire.” She indicated the thick line that transected the space.
***
Zeal enjoyed the burnt caramel twist he had received after cleaning pots as he left Cook’s kitchen through the door that led to the gardens. He found Fronc sitting outside on the steps, waiting for him.
Fronc stood. “Zeal, have you noticed Tulip is having difficulty mastering the wire?”
Zeal looked around to make sure he and Fronc were indeed alone and that no one was listening. “I think Tulip is scared of heights. I tried to talk to her about, it but she told me to go away and leave her alone.”
Fronc stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I’ve talked to the others, and they agree we have to help her. You know what Master Turk told us.”
Zeal spoke just loud enough for Fronc to hear him. “Yeah, he said if one of us fails, then we all do. Anyone come up with a remedy?”
“For some reason, Mehrle said to talk to you.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Zeal realized he had raised his voice. He looked around to see if he had attracted attention. He saw he hadn’t and then spoke again in a more reserved fashion. “Never mind. I have an idea.
Come with me.”
***
Tulip sat on her bed and tried to solve the number problems they had been given. If the assignments became any harder, she knew she would need to ask someone for help. She looked up as Zeal limped into her room.
“Tulip, come quick. Fronc needs help.” Zeal turned and, with obvious difficulty, hurried out of the room.
Tulip set her papers down and chased after him. “What’s wrong with Fronc?”
Zeal stopped and whispered. “Not so loud. If Lady Izlan or one of the mentors finds out, Fronc and I will be in so much trouble.” He continued his brisk hobble.
Tulip followed Zeal to the upper level of the Temple. She saw him grimace in obvious pain, as he climbed the ladder to the attic. He crossed the attic to the partially open door that gave access to the observation area of the roof.
“Fronc is over here.”
Zeal took her to the corner of the Temple that overlooked the woodlands. The roof had a waist wall which formed a small overhang. Tulip looked down and saw Fronc hanging from a cornice, the cobblestone walk three levels below him.
Fronc whined, “Tulip, did Zeal get you? Help me. I can’t hold on much longer.”
Zeal moved beside her. “I am here, Fronc. Tulip, I found a rope in the attic we can use.”
Tulip looked from Fronc to Zeal and then back again. “What can I do?”
Zeal pointed. “Walk out on the flag pole and lower the rope to Fronc then come back to me, and we can pull him up. I’d do it myself, but I twisted my ankle.”
Tulip felt chilled, yet her arm pits had begun sweat. “This is silly. We need to go get an adult.”
She heard panic in Fronc’s voice. “Don’t leave! My hands are slipping.”
Fronc’s fear caused something to splinter inside her; she was determined to help him. “Zeal, give me that rope. You better not let either of us fall.” After he handed her the rope, she took a deep breath, climbed up on the waist wall, and stepped out onto the pole, which gave slightly under her weight. She felt a familiar urge. “You will not fail me, bladder,” she told her body.