Redemption Song

by Henry A. Burns

  “Good evening, Germy,” Kasumi replied. She sat down on the porch floor and leaned her head against Jeremy’s legs. She sat there silently and apparently contentedly while Jeremy finished his cigarette and carefully stubbed it out. Kasumi smiled when she felt Jeremy’s hand rest lightly on her head. “Have you spoken to Mei tonight?” she asked.

  “Not yet,” Jeremy replied quietly. “Did you want to sing for her?”

  Kasumi hesitated for a moment. “I will always sing for her,” she replied. “But, with your permission, I’d like to speak to her first.”

  Jeremy looked down at the little alien leaning against his legs. “I’m never sure if you’re humoring me or truly believe I speak to Mei,” he said quietly.

  Kasumi’s crest fluttered, and she chirped a laugh. “In all honesty, I wonder the same,” she said. “Yet a part of me truly wants to believe you speak with Mei,” she said. “It’s surprisingly comforting.”

  “It is,” agreed Jeremy. “You have my permission.”

  “Thank you.” Kasumi straightened and covered her eyes for a moment. “Good evening, Mei Lin Blunt,” she began. “I who was once called Small Snow Flower but am now Kasumi greet you.” The forest responded to her words silently. “I have been having a dream almost every night. It’s a most unusual dream, as it does not repeat, but is instead more like a story.”

  Kasumi paused. “Among the Rynn there are stories of a princess who loses all because she is spoiled and privileged. In my dreams, I am the princess.” Her crest fluttered. “In my dreams, I have two companions, a figure made of mist and one who is faceless. I have learned who they are, and I am most content with my companions.”

  Kasumi looked over her shoulder at Jeremy before returning her attention to the night. “But I realized tonight that there is a third companion, a wise teacher who, in my dreams, is an old monk.” Kasumi made to cover her eyes and then checked her motions and bowed instead. “Thank you for allowing me to learn from your mate, Jeremy, who I call Germy.” A gentle breeze sprung up and caressed Kasumi’s face. Kasumi smiled.

  Kasumi’s days took on a new focus. The mornings were still the same qigong exercises followed by strength and endurance training, but now the afternoons had Mel teaching Kasumi what Jeremy kept referring to as the family sword form. Kasumi wasn’t too sure what that meant and had asked Mel.

  “It’s called the family sword form because it’s exactly that: a form that only members of the Blunt family are permitted to learn,” Mel had replied. “Mei Lin’s grandfather taught Gramps. Gramps taught me, and I’m teaching you, Sister.” Kasumi spent the rest of that afternoon singing as she trained.

  The form turned out to be amazingly complex, but as she learned it, she began to discern a meaning to the moves. It was a sequence that contained an odd series of foot moves that Mel called chicken-walking that triggered her growing understanding. “I don’t understand this move,” Kasumi had complained.

  Mel had laughed and led Kasumi outside. It had rained the previous night, and the ground was muddy in spots. Mel pointed to an especially muddy spot of ground. “Do that sequence right there,” she commanded. It was the third repetition that brought realization. “It’s for fighting in mud!” Kasumi exclaimed in excitement.

  “Exactly,” Mel replied. “The entire form is designed to teach you how to react and respond to different terrains as well as attacks.”

  As each day followed, Kasumi learned more of the form and gained insight after insight. She became so entranced with the form and the knowledge it gave her that she’d continue practicing long after the training sessions had ended. An amused Mel would sometimes have to physically remove her from the salon to get her to eat and rest.

  In the evenings, she’d sit with Jeremy on the porch and wait for him to finish his evening cigarette before she’d sing for Mei Lin. Every night, she’d sleep wrapped in Mel’s arms.

  It seemed like a perfect life, but instead of being contented, Kasumi found herself growing more and more impatient to face Sun-Warmed Boulder.

  The princess looked at the chasm and smiled. “It’s nothing,” she declared in contempt. Her companions looked at her.

  “It’s endless,” the mist protested. “And I could never reach the bottom.” The faceless companion said nothing. “You do not agree?” the mist asked.

  The faceless one looked at the chasm. “Nothing is endless,” she said. “Not even space and time.”

  “Exactly,” agreed the princess. “What do you call something that is, that cannot be?” she asked. “A lie,” she said, answering her own question. She looked at the chasm again. She pointed. “That,” she declared. “Is a lie.”

  Without another word, the princess took a running start and … leaped into the void. She barely heard the scream from the mist before her feet touched down. She turned. “See?” she said in triumph. “It was but an illusion.” To the princess’s eyes, her companions were no more than a few pedin away.

  A moment later, the faceless one joined the princess on the other side of the chasm. Mist, however, seemed unable to cross the divide. “Close your eyes,” ordered the princess. “Trust me.”

  The mist trembled and then closed her eyes. She rose slowly into the air.

  “Follow my voice,” the princess said.

  The mist slowly crossed the chasm.

  “That’s right. You are almost there,” the princess said in encouragement. “Almost, almost.”

  She reached out, and her fingers met the outstretched hand of the mist-like being.

  “Take my hand.”

  Insubstantial fingers wrapped desperately around the solid flesh of the princess. The princess pulled the mist to her side.

  “You are there, my friend.”

  Kasumi opened her eyes to find herself back in the cabin, with Mel a warm and comforting presence beside her. “When is an obstacle an illusion?” she whispered.

  Mel stirred. “The dream again?” she asked. Kasumi nodded. “Did you make it across the chasm?” she asked. Kasumi nodded again. “Then you should already know the answer,” she said and smiled. “An obstacle is an illusion when belief overrides reality. In other words, when you believe you can’t, you can’t.”

  Kasumi’s crest fluttered. “Does the reverse hold true?” she asked.

  “To quote one of Gramps’ favorite philosophers, ‘The best way to move a mountain is one stone at a time,’” Mel said. “The secret, Kasumi, is to break down an impossible task into possible steps.”

  “You followed me across the chasm,” Kasumi said after a moment. “You did not question; you just followed.” She chirped a quiet laugh. “It was Mist who required some convincing.”

  “That’s because I know Kasumi,” Mel answered, “while Morning Mist has only met Small Snow Flower.”

  9

  FOREST CABIN CLAN

  Kasumi went through the Blunt family form. It had been almost two Earth months since she had begun learning it. She must have gone through the form hundreds of times. She must have questioned each move an equal number of times—questions that both Mel and Jeremy would force her to answer herself. It was a sometimes painful and frustrating method of learning, but she found that the lesson, once learned, stuck.

  The form itself was unlike anything she had ever learned before. Controlled chaos was how Jeremy once described it, and Kasumi could only agree. It was wild yet constrained. Ordered and disordered. At times, Kasumi felt as if she were performing some strange and savage dance. It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.

  With a final salute and bow, she closed the form. She held her pose and waited patiently for Jeremy’s critique.

  “Tell me why you wish to fight Sun-Warmed Boulder,” Jeremy asked.

  Kasumi blinked and turned toward her friend and teacher. “Why?” she asked.

  “Yes. Why?” Jeremy replied in serious tones. “
Think and tell me why.”

  Kasumi blinked again. The usual reasons surged through her thoughts: to get revenge for the deaths of Gnarled Root and Dancing Water, to reclaim her ship, to avenge her humiliation. All were true, and yet none of them seemed complete. “How odd,” she chirped.

  “Why?” repeated Jeremy in a demanding bark.

  “Why is it odd, or why do I wish to fight Rocky?” Kasumi replied. She bowed. “Forgive me,” she said. Jeremy waved a negating hand and waited. “I have no real answer, save, ‘I must.’ When I think of Rocky in command of my ship, I feel like the floor is tilted,” she said in a confused voice.

  “Go on,” Jeremy ordered.

  “My father gave me that ship. It was given, not earned,” Kasumi continued. “But Rocky stole it. I may not have earned the ship, but I cared enough to try to earn it, and he stole my chance to …” She paused in thought. “ … to become me.”

  “Do you wish revenge for the deaths of Gnarled Root and Dancing Waters?” Jeremy asked in a soft voice.

  “That is what is odd,” Kasumi replied. “I loved Gnarled Root and Dancing Waters, but revenge will not bring them back.”

  “Then why?” Jeremy asked again.

  “Because … because unless I do, unless I try, I am incomplete, unfinished,” Kasumi replied. “I must try. Whether I live or die, I must try.”

  “Don’t you fear death?” Jeremy asked in the same soft voice.

  “I think I fear this feeling of unbalance more than death,” Kasumi said. “Isn’t that strange?” she asked in a voice of wonder.

  “Call your ship, Kasumi Blunt,” Jeremy ordered.

  Kasumi’s crest flattened and then rose to its fullest. “You do me too much honor,” Kasumi said and bowed. “Grandfather.”

  The following evening, Kasumi knelt in front of the Blunt family altar and placed a bowl-shaped object on the floor. She chirped a command, and a glowing orb appeared above the bowl’s depression. A face, a Rynn face, appeared in the glowing orb. The Rynn’s crest fluttered in shock. “Small Snow Flower!”

  “Tell that offal eater that we have unfinished business,” she snapped. “Dawn. Two sun walks from now. Be there or be branded the coward he is.” She chirped another command, and the globe vanished.

  Kasumi sat back. “It is done,” she chirped.

  “I liked it,” Mel said in approving tones. “Short and sweet.” She placed a restraining hand on Kasumi’s shoulder when the little alien began to stand. “We’re not done here,” she said.

  “Not done?” Kasumi asked in a confused chirp.

  “Not done,” Jeremy Blunt said firmly. Kasumi looked over to see her friend and mentor standing in the doorway. Kasumi blinked. The aged Earth being was wearing an outfit the likes of which she had never seen before. It was yellow-red in color and consisted of a hip-length tunic over drawstring pants. To her additional surprise, Jeremy had shaved his head. “Germy?”

  Jeremy raised a hand. “Mei Lin Blunt,” he said. “Prepare your sister.”

  “Mei Lin?” Kasumi looked at Mel. “Mei Lin?” she repeated.

  “I was named after my grandmother,” Mel said quietly. “I called myself Melanie or Mel, but my given name is Mei Lin.” She stood. “Come, Sister.” She pulled Kasumi to her feet. “You will be the first who Gramps has brought into this family,” she said seriously. “Think on that.”

  Kasumi trembled for a moment and then covered her eyes. “I come.”

  Mel led Kasumi to a small room, almost a closet, behind a sliding door. The room was empty except for a stack of fabric the same color as what Jeremy was wearing. It was not only the color that was the same. Mel lifted a stack and offered it to Kasumi. It was a tunic and leggings outfit almost identical to what Jeremy was wearing. “Put that on,” Mel ordered.

  Kasumi put on the clothes in a near daze, and she didn’t realize that Mel was changing into a similar outfit until she was nearly dressed. It was a very confused Kasumi who returned to the salon.

  Jeremy stood in front of the altar with his arms crossed. He nodded in approval. “Now you look like a proper disciple.” He pointed toward a spot. “Stand there.” He waited until Kasumi stood in the spot indicated and Mel took up a position next to her. He turned to the altar. He raised his arms and slowly clapped his hands together. Two sharp claps.

  “Greetings, honored ancestors,” he intoned. “Forgive me for not speaking to you in far too long.” He bowed. “I had lost faith,” he said. “I present to you she who restored my faith.” He clapped his hands together again. “Honored ancestors, I present to you, Kasumi Blunt.” He turned to Kasumi.

  Kasumi’s crest fluttered almost uncontrollably. She hesitantly raised her own hands and clapped them together. Thee sound was deafening in the quiet room. “Greetings, honored ancestors.”

  Jeremy nodded in approval. He returned his attention to the altar. “She comes from the stars and will one day return to the stars, but before she does, she has one last trial ahead of her,” he intoned. “I beg you, watch over her, give her your strength, and give her your courage. She is a true daughter of our clan, honorable and faithful.”

  Jeremy leaned down and removed something that had been placed in front of the altar. In her confusion, she had not noticed it. Jeremy straightened and turned toward Kasumi. He extended his arms and offered her the object.

  “Mei Lin’s blade,” Kasumi gasped. “I … I cannot …”

  “I spoke with Mei Lin last night and asked her permission.” Jeremy’s expression softened. “I got the distinct impression she approved.”

  Kasumi slowly reached for the blade. “Both hands,” Mel whispered. Kasumi nodded and took the blade in both hands.

  “May I speak?” Kasumi whispered.

  Jeremy smiled and nodded.

  Kasumi faced the altar. “Among the Rynn, being made a member of a clan is not something that can be taken lightly. It is a statement of allegiance. It is a statement of identity. I, who was once Small Snow Flower of the Hot Springs Clan, am now Kasumi Blunt of the …” She paused, and then a smile appeared on her face. “The Forest Cabin Clan.” She looked at Jeremy. He paused to consider and then nodded approvingly. “On my honor as a member of this clan, I will not disgrace this blade.” She bowed.

  Dawn broke and lit the clearing with a soft glow. The sky was still sprinkled with stars, but their lights quickly faded with the rising sun. Three people stood silently at the edge of the clearing. All three were wearing yellow-red outfits: a tunic and drawstring pants. One of the waiting trio, the shortest, had a sheathed sword slung across her shoulders.

  “He comes,” said Kasumi and pointed.

  A bright pinpoint of light moved against the sky and slowly grew larger and larger until it resolved into a teardrop shape. From a distance, it could have almost been mistaken for a military helicopter until one realized that it had no rotors.

  “Is that your ship?” Mel asked in awed tones.

  “Shuttle,” Kasumi replied in a distracted voice. “One of four.”

  The shuttle landed with a roar, and the watchers were buffeted by a blast of displaced air. The wind died down, and for a long minute all that could be heard was a slowly fading hum. The silence that followed seemed forbidding. There was another humming as a large hatchway opened. Again there was silence, and then a half dozen figures appeared in the hatchway. One figure was significantly larger than the rest.

  “Let me guess—that’s Rocky,” Mel said. “Why, the boy is taller than me.”

  “By Rynn standards, he’s a giant,” Kasumi replied. She set her shoulders and started walking toward the ship. Jeremy and Mel followed in flanking positions. When she was at most twenty paces from the ship, she stopped. “So, offal eater, you finally showed,” she sneered.

  “What are those animals doing here?” Sun-Warmed Boulder said in disgust, indicating Jeremy and Mel with a sweep of
a hand. He made a quick hand sign, and two of the flanking Rynn moved forward. “Get rid of them.”

  The two chosen Rynn quickly moved toward Jeremy and Mel. They had closed half the distance when both Rynn squawked in pain and stumbled to their knees. They each had a circular blade embedded in their thigh, and pink Rynn blood began to stain their clothes and drip onto the green grass of the clearing.

  “They’re no fun. They fell right over,” Mel said in amused tones. “I’d get that looked at,” she called out to them. Chirps and twitters sounded as her words were translated by Kasumi’s Torque.

  “Enough,” Kasumi snapped. “These are my witnesses. As is my right.” To Sun-Warmed Boulder, she said, “We have unfinished business, you and I.”

  Sun-Warmed Boulder gave Jeremy and Mel a dismissive look and leaped to the ground. He landed easily. “As you wish,” he said. “I am impressed you lived as long as you have, Small Snow Flower.”

  “Small Snow Flower is dead,” Kasumi replied coldly. “You killed her when you took her ship and stranded her here. It is Kasumi Blunt of the Forest Cabin Clan who stands before you.”

  “A meaningless name,” Sun-Warmed Boulder sneered. “Appropriate for a meaningless child.” He reached out, and one of the flanking Rynn placed a sheathed blade in his hand. In a slow and deliberately menacing fashion, he unsheathed the blade.

  “Duelist’s blade,” Jeremy commented impassively. “He relies on speed and accuracy.” He added, “He has great regard for his own skill and contempt for others.” Jeremy slowly smiled. “Teach him respect.”

  “Yes, tai si fu,” Kasumi replied. She reached behind and slowly drew her own blade—Mei Lin’s blade. She smiled as Sun-Warmed Boulder’s crest twitched.

  “A pretty blade,” Sun-Warmed Boulder said. “I may keep it as a trophy.”

  Kasumi nodded. “In truth, it is a beautiful weapon. Created by a master.” She started to move the blade in a slow figure eight. “But I am not the owner,” she said. “Not yet.”