Chapter 25: A Friendly Family Fight

Chapter 25: A Friendly Family Fight

Sakura

Who harmed you? Gamera asked, his voice soft and comforting. Yet underlying it I could tell there was an edge to it. A promise of violence when the proper target was laid bare for his wrath.

It was an emotion I could sympathize with.

Yu responded, but Ren cut her off. She wont tell me! And she has the servants who were there under some kind of agreement not to say as well.

Yu suppressed a grin, but I saw it tug at the edges of her mouth all the same. Youre too angry, my love. If I told you right now, and you went on a rampage, you would never forgive yourself. I will tell you, once you are calmer, and able to think.

Can you at least tell us if it was an accident or a purposeful attack? Gamera kneeled down and examined her wrapped arm. I felt waves of mana wash over everyone there. It was a mix of a calming, healing power and frustrated anger.

She was attacked.

It was an accident.

Yu and Ren spoke at the same time. Ren huffed. My guards said when they came on scene that both ambassadors were there with their full cadre of guards ready for a fight, and it looked like you had stepped in between them. If they hadnt shown up, they would have finished you off before killing one another and leaving our city in ruins.

Your guards, as brave and loyal as they are, were not there for the incident. I was my love. Trust me, please? She took one of his hands in her good one, and held it gently.

Ren melted like butter in the summer sun. His shoulders sagged, and a tension I hadnt noticed until it was gone, left the surrounding air. Only because the healers say youre going to make a full recovery. And I trust you.

Good. How long until I have full use of my arm, doctor?

The old man with an impressively long, wispy beard, and robes that covered his feet they were so long, stroked his facial hair as he considered his answer. At your cultivation stage, my lady? Two days, if you cycle for fifteen minutes every hour, and apply the ointment as instructed. The venom mana embedded in the cuts was particularly potent. The ointment will draw it out, so you will need to wash it off before applying new ointment. The physical scarring and damage is relatively minor. Your defenses are formidable, my lady, and they did their job well.

Thank you, Saja. My servants will see there are rooms prepared for you and your apprentices for your stay here. Yu gave the old healer an appreciative nod, and the two apprentices began packing up. Before you leave Saja, could you tend to my children?

They are unharmed, lady Yu. Gamera said, his voice calm but with an edge of defensiveness.

I am sure they are, my old friend. But a mothers worries are constant. Besides, I would like him to do more than check them over. Can you restore them, Saja?

Restore them? Hmmm. I might have something for that. I covered a yawn with one hand as the old man rooted around in a bag for something. When his hands emerged, they held three beans. These are chie reinforced cocoa beans. Normally, I would brew a type of extremely potent tea, then water it down, to assist with early stage cultivator focus and training. However, eating a bean like this raw, after I infuse it with the correct spell and chie formations, will extract the energy and allow your children to feel as if they just woke from a deep slumber.

He went to work on the beans, and after a few pulses of chie and mana in his hands, he held out the black-and-white striped beans for me to eat. Take just one, any more and you wont sleep for days. Probably.

I took it in my hand, but I didnt eat it. Not yet. Instead, I looked at Yu, Why?

Yu smiled. Your father and I both missed some of your bouts. Your father didnt get to see any of yours, and I missed Rayces last. So, if you two are amenable. We would both like to see what you have learned.

Ren, still scowling, nodded his agreement. I sighed, and popped the pill into my mouth and swallowed, while Gamera and the healer did their best to wake Rayce.

Besides. Even if we didnt want to see a match between you two, I would have asked you to take the pills. Ren said, folding his arms. You need to spend this time consolidating your gains from the last two days. Solidifying the lessons in your body and mind. Not sleeping.

I felt a wash of chie and mana run over my body, and suddenly I felt as I had that morning. Awake, refreshed, and ready to tackle a new day. I bowed towards my parents. That is wise. Then turned and walked to the other side of the yard while Rayce finished waking up.

The healers apprentices were working on the three hounds, infusing them with extra mana to help them wake up. The two smaller hounds growled when touched, and the healers backed off. But the larger one had never really gone to sleep. He accepted the gifts of mana and went to stand by the still drowsy side of my brother. Woofing lightly and putting his head under the boys hand to reassure him.

A few minutes later, Gamera stood in the middle of the courtyard, and Rayce with his largest hound stood opposite me. This is to first strike. The courtyard has an enchantment in it, similar to the arena. But its not as potent. The first to land a blow strong enough to activate that enchantment wins the bout. Understood? I nodded, and Rayce did likewise.

Dont worry sister. Ill not use my spells. I know you havent mastered any yet. A pang of annoyance ran through me, but I didnt rise to the bait.

Hes trying to goad me into something rash. Probably. Or he could just be gloating. He does like to do that. Our parents and their guards had moved to a better position off to one side of the courtyard, so they could see the fight properly. They sat together in chairs, while their guards looked everywhere but towards us. Glowering into the glowing gloom of night for dangers and assassins.

Two daggers were in my hands as he lifted his clawed arm into the air. Begin!

What? we both asked in unison.

Chase him!

***

I was splayed on the grass outside our compound, several Guards watching over us from just a few feet away, defeated. I give up.

Me too. Theyre too fast. Even with my new movement technique. Rayce was panting harder then I was. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my heart.

How did you get a chie technique like that anyway?

Chie? No thats a mana ability. Think of it like a spell, but it reinforces your body. Like what you do, when youre throwing those daggers. How the mana coats your hand, and helps you release at the right moment.

Oh. Im getting a bit confused, then. Whats the difference between a technique, and just like, a spell?

Rayce laughed. Ive asked that question a lot, and people keep telling me youll learn more when you advance. But as far as I can tell, its basically that one is internal, and the other is a manipulation of external mana. We call internal mana usage abilities, for some reason, and internal chie use techniques. Theres supposed to be something about mapping them onto our meridians later? But no one will answer my questions about it.

So, if a spell is external mana use. Then what is external chie use called?

Uh . . . I had stumped him. A technique I guess?

Well, Ive figured out that mana is infused into something, while chie is inscribed into it. And that formations and enchantments are basically the same thing. But one is for mana and the other for chie. And they do act differently, and have different methodologies behind them, but the principle is roughly the same. Sakura had been looking into formation work before she had gotten ill. Trying to find a way to make a chie inscribed water wheel into a formation that would only require peasants to add, or inscribe, their chie onto the wheel once every few years.

Yeah. That sounds about right to me.

So, a technique and an ability are roughly the same thing.

Yeah. Sounds about right again. I havent really figured it out either.

But Yu, I mean mother, said that there are techniques that require both mana and chie to operate. So . . . maybe a technique is something else?

I dont know. Rayce sighed, and I joined him. Its a lot of information. I guess they have a reason for telling us not to worry about that stuff until later.

I guess. Okay, but now for the real problem. I turned onto my side so I could stare at him, and his infuriating hound, who always seemed to be just out of arms reach. How do I get my dagger back?

As swift as lighting, a clawed hand reached down and, gently, took the knife from the hounds mouth. The dog whined. Im sorry buddy. But playtime is over. His long neck moved his head to face both of us. Your parents wish to discuss the choosing. Its only a few days away, and there is much to do.

He handed me back my knife as I got to my feet. I helped Rayce get up, and soon we were back in the courtyard.

Yu was gone. Ren stood alone in the courtyard. Children. Tell me what you know of the choosing.

I kept my mouth firmly shut. I didnt know a thing about it other than what Raif and Yu told me. And that was pretty sparse in detail.

It is where Kame choose their next cultivator companion. Rayces response was quick and precise. As if he were saying something he had memorized a while ago.

Correct. But there is more to it than that. For instance. Did you know your older brother Kajin is the officiator, because Raif is going to be taking part this year? I shook my head no, as did Rayce. Right. Well, theres a lot riding on this years crop of newborn Kame, and there are more than a few older Kame looking for companions. Raif is participating because our little duchy on the edge of civilization needs as much power as we can get. Not ten years from now, but today. Do you understand?

You want us to avoid being selected by the older Kame, so they can go to more experienced cultivators. My voice carried over the courtyard like a lightning bolt through an empty sky. That way, Raif has a higher likelihood of getting selected. And one of our familys most powerful cultivators becomes even more powerful.

Ren frowned and nodded. Yes. Normally, I wouldnt interfere in a choosing. But Gamera agrees, with the turmoil throughout the Jade Empire, and along our border, we need as much power as possible. Both Gamera and I dont even know if there is anything you can do to avoid being selected other than not going. But that isnt an option. Ten years ago, the older Kame laid the largest batch of eggs weve ever seen. And nearly half have survived to this point. An unheard of number. I am sure one of you will be selected. It is also why the entire family, inner and outer, is coming together. Every young cultivator of every stage who even has a chance at partnering with a Kame is participating.

Which gives us a useful opportunity to get to know other family members. Rayce said, following along with the conversation. Are you looking for a foster for us?

Rens expression soured. Your mother and I do not want to. But, if things continue as they have the last few months, it would be safer, and better for your progression and growth, if you were to be fostered. We havent made a decision. But it is something we are considering. You are both at the right age for it, so it wouldnt raise any eyebrows among the population. But still . . . It is something we hope to avoid. The sun will be up soon. Better head to bed. Come tomorrow, Gamera will be working with you both on progression.