Chapter 82

Chapter 82

No. Arms crossed, Adujan shakes her head as we walk towards the stream, Shana adorably tilting her head for Adujan to scratch. Zabu simply follows behind, making me feel a little lonely. Why can't he just love me?

A little flustered, I ask, "What? Why not? I didn't think she'd refuse, she's been so agreeable lately, the thought never even crossed my mind.

I'm not comfortable doing that. Why can't you just wait? She pouts at me, trying to look stern, but failing spectacularly, looking adorably irate.

Come on, I'm not asking for a lot here, just the tip. I have no one else to ask, please just do this for me? I'm sure you'll enjoy it, and even if you don't, it'll be over in a second.

That ends the adorable look, her face going dark. What kind of person do you think I am, to believe that I would enjoy doing that for you?

Shrugging helplessly, I give her my best pleading eyes, trying to entice her. An amazing, helpful, kind, charitable person?

Rain. Her eyes lock with mine, staring at me with confidence. I am not going to cut off your finger, just so you can test your ideas about healing. It is insane.

These people and their lack of scientific curiosity. What's so insane about it? I just want to know if I can reattach my finger. How else am I supposed to find out? Reasoning with her, I ask, Look, the worst thing that happens is the tip of my finger can't be reattached and I have to regrow it. It would be good practice for healing my arm.

I said no, Rain. Stop asking.

Giving up on her, I throw my hand into the air in frustration. My stump raises as well, making me feel more than a little foolish. Fine, if you won't help me, I'll just throw my sword in the air and hold my finger out, and hope it cuts cleanly. Are you happy? This is what you've reduced me to. Actually, if I can pull it off, it would be pretty awesome. I can Guide and Hone, it'll just take a little practice, good timing, and just a tiny bit of luck.

Don't be an idiot or I'll beat your crippled ass into the dirt and take your sword away. Either wait until tonight to ask Tokta, or just go ask him now.

You don't understand. Making a face at the thought, I shudder dramatically for her to see. He hates questions, and he hates being disturbed, and you're telling me to disturb him with a question? For a man whose profession is to heal injuries, he does not shy away from causing them. He probably thinks of it as job security. Even if that weren't the case, what if he decides to answer my questions? The man makes everything sound boring. Memories of my crash course on Sentinel regulations and etiquette flow through my mind, listening to his nasal voice drone on about everything that was written on the paper in front of me, a slow torture that could have been avoided with a few minutes of reading. There is no way I'm going to visit him before I at least skim through the book on anatomy, because he is bound to ask me questions and lecture me if my progress is found lacking. He is a firm believer in pain as a motivator, not shying away from smacking fingers and heads.

Well, I'm not going to cut off your finger, and you shouldn't do it either, that's asinine.

Bah. I don't see what the big deal is, it's just a centimeter off my pinky finger, above the first joint. I won't even notice it missing.

Fixing me with a smug look, Adujan motions back towards the camp. You're right. It's nothing much, and I'm being unreasonable. You should ask Alsantset to help you, I'm sure she'll be much more accommodating. In fact, let us go find her right now.

A knot forms in my throat and I force my panic down. Ah, no, no, that won't be necessary. I wouldn't want to bother her, she's so busy with... leading, and... other things. Quickly herding her along, I continue our trek down to the stream, away from prying ears and eyes. Alsantset would do worse than Tokta: she'd guilt me, it's almost an art form with her.

You should not allow her to speak to us like that, brother. It would do her good to learn who is in control. Other me chimes in, atrociously misogynistic and prideful.

Pulling out a piece of fruit from my pocket, I munch away as we walk, using it to avoid accidentally speaking out loud, fending off Zabu's grasping paws as I mentally chat with my unwanted passenger. Stupid animal, only ever friendly when I have food. Quiet you. She's my friend, and I don't need to 'control' her, she's fine as is. And what did I say about talking to me? Don't do it unless we're alone or you have something important to say. I feed Zabu the remainder of my snack, smiling as he brings it over to Shana.Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

Sensing other me withdraw, I can't help but picture him sulking in his comfy chair, roughly petting his hare. We did some testing after some practice, I managed to keep the backdrop around after mentally leaving. He can't make any changes and the hare doesn't move, but it beats hanging around in nothing, and the place is pretty comfy. It's just one room and the courtyard, but I'm waiting to see if there is any issues with what I'm doing now, like fatigue or headaches, before I try to improve it. It's not like I can go up to Akanai and tell her about the voice in my head that hears voices in his head. At best, she'll just look at me funny, and I'd rather not think about what the worst case scenario is. All I'm saying is, I haven't met any senile old people, and with how fatalistic and proud everyone is, I can't imagine them all being in a nice padded house with people to care for them.

Reaching the stream, I begin stretching, getting ready for my performance of the forms while Adujan gets comfortable, leaning against a curled up Shana, the two of them looking sweet and adorable together. Zabu runs upstream, looking to hunt something without diving into the water, unwilling to go for a swim without his pack.

Another beautiful morning view greets me as I look out over the forest, the sun only just rising, still hidden behind the trees, the morning dew still wet on the grass, dripping down from the leaves around me. A nice, private area where I can practice unseen and alone, except for Adujan. Although I don't need as much help anymore, she still insists on following me around, likely because she doesn't really have anything else to do. I mean, Sumila is working as an aide, Huu is on sentry duty, and I don't actually think she has any other friends. I'm not sure if it was Alsantset or Akanai who demoted her to babysitting duties, but she's been surprisingly tolerant about helping me, minus a few sarcastic complaints and depreciating jokes.

After a few minutes of ignoring her barbs and taunts, I feel well enough to return to practicing, although I am unable to recreate the magic that other me was able to do, my body feeling rigid and clumsy, my head still dizzy from my brief bout of motion sickness.

A whistle sounds out, the camp greeting and I return the countersign as a Sentinel emerges from the trees on the other side of the stream, one of the sentries, I assume. Following him is a stooped figure, along with a good 20-odd soldier types, looking ferocious and unhappy, as well as small group of people, dressed in the distinct robes of the Disciplinary Corps. You there, this is Lieutenant General Du Min Gyu and his escorts, as well as a Justicar and his court staff. Guide them to the Senior Captain.

A quick salute, and the Sentinel turns around and whistles, his quin emerging from the trees to take him back to his post. Quickly standing, I run down to the side of the stream and give a one handed salute, Adujan following suit, wondering all the while why someone so high ranked was here with a Justicar. I hope Akanai didn't piss anyone off lately. There is a narrow path through the river, about half a kilometer down, I can lead you there.

No need. The stooped figure, presumably Du Min Gyu, is an elderly man with a long, gray beard, unkempt and wild, wearing plain, dark-green robes, his wrinkled face half-hidden beneath his conical, straw hat. With an uneven gait, signs of a pained hip, he ambles down to the streams edge. Flicking his sleeves, he takes a single step at the streams edge, his body seeming to float as the single step moves him slowly across the 8 meters of the stream. From the moment he lifted his foot to placing it down on the other side of the stream, it seemed as if he were simply taking a normal step, nothing out of place at all, the world shifting beneath him so that he can reach the other side.

Now that is an entrance.

Disappointingly, his retinue are far more mundane in their crossing, a number of them leaping the distance, landing with a thud, but the majority of them simply jump into the stream and wade across, despite my warnings of carnivorous fish. The Justicar's enforcers go a step further, jumping into the stream and allowing the Justicar to stride across their shoulders like stepping stones, not allowing a single drop of water to reach the hem of his robes, his masked face looking rigid and imposing.

Leading the way up the hill, we advance slowly in silence, Du Min Gyu moving with difficulty once again, huffing as he slowly makes his way up the somewhat steep incline. Whistling to get Zabu's attention, I wave some fruit at him and he barrels over towards me, eager for the treat. Signaling him to crouch, I turn to the old man and motion for him to sit, a kind smile on my face. Might I offer my mount to carry you up the hill? I'm sure your journey here was not easy. This deep into the forest, they would have had to abandon their horses several days ago.

Ignoring my gesture with a proud harrumph, he continues his way up the hill as his retinue collectively try to murder me with their gazes. Even Adujan glares at me, leaning in to whisper, Why would you insult a Lieutenant General, you idiot?

I wasn't insulting him! My hushed reply is tinged with mild panic. How was that an insult? He looks tired, I offered him some help. The man just floated across a river, why would I want to insult someone that can do that? I want to know how he does that!"

Shaking her head at me, she walks off, continuing to lead the way. I need to make things right. Hurrying over to walk beside the Lieutenant General, I give him my most winning smile and a small bow. Fuck, that shows weakness, I shouldn't have done that. I hope that I have not caused offense, I meant no insult. I'm just an ill-mannered bumpkin, unwise in the ways of the world. Please accept my sincere apologies. I cannot have more people angry at me, there are way too many people I have to avoid already.

Stopping in his tracks, he studies me closely with a surprisingly clear and sharp gaze, his countenance unreadable. His face is remarkably intimidating, despite the multitude of wrinkles and rough skin hanging from his chiseled jaw line. How old are you, boy?

Shit. It takes longer than I like to answer him as I count out the years I've been here. Umm.... 17. Yea 17. Well that was convincing.

Staring at me for a few seconds longer, just enough to make me start to squirm, he finally breaks the tension. I will accept your offer to ride this... creature. He doesn't look too thrilled, but in his defense, Zabu isn't the most... visually appealing roosequin around.

Master... One of his soldiers begins to speak, but stops short at a thick, raised eyebrow from Du Min Gyu, white and bushy, as if well combed and oiled. What's with these old people and their super long eyebrows? Why would he comb his eyebrows, but not his beard?

There is no harm, the boy has offered and I give face in accepting. His weathered face breaks into a smile. Besides, I'm tired of walking.

I like this guy. He can laugh at himself, doesn't take everything so seriously.

We make quick time up to the camp, the old man sitting side saddle on Zabu's back, and I lead them directly to Alsantset, where I let Adujan make the introductions, not sure of protocol and worried about accidentally insulting someone once again. Alsantset looks the old man up and down for only a moment before curtly asking, And what, pray tell, is an esteemed Lieutenant General out here for? It isn't to take command, or else you would have more soldiers. This is a personal visit?

Indeed. He strokes his beard with his twisted, aged fingers. I am here to collect my disciple, Brigadier Cho Jin Kai.

Ah...

Fuck.

Poor old guy, he came all this way and his disciple is dead.

I hope he doesn't blame us for that.