Nigkala Tales Pt. 16: Riders of the storm

"How did you get here so fast? Last time I looked, you were only about halfway around the lake."

"Remember I told you I was also An's priestess? Well, a sky priestess can in effect teleport by transforming briefly into lightning. Boom, here I am."

He looked stunned, and then started laughing. When he calmed down, he said, "I should have seen it. Your desire to compete pushes you to reveal more and more. I suspect you could take out more than a squad of palace guards."

"I have no wish to ever need to, but yeah, I can be competitive. It was my childhood desire to be the strongest warrior I knew, and I worked all my life to become that. So when I meet one stronger, I work harder. But there will be a price to pay."

"Oh? And that is?"

"I don't know how wiped I'll be when I release these summoned powers. Let's get back to your place before I release them."

"Good idea."

"I'll get dressed on the way." We stopped briefly to allow me to dress, and then I dismissed the table. When we got nearer, I went behind him, telling him I was hiding the glow from his staff's sight while I could. At fifty feet away, I asked him to stop, so I could release An's power. I would look normal, but if I collapsed, I wouldn't be far from rest. He nodded, so I released the lightning. I felt a twinge of weakness, but it did not seem much. I signaled him to continue.

When I was about to sit, I released the weight and hardness, leaving the endurance. Again, I felt twinges of weakness. I waited until I had drunk some and ate a little before I released the last. A huge wave of weakness hit, but I did my best to hide it, but he noticed.

"I overdid it, and feel a bit weak. I'm sure it will pass."

"Let me know."

We ate in silence. The food restored my energy enough, that when the meal ended, I was merely tired as though from a good workout. After dinner, we relaxed by a fireplace, and we discussed our sparring, and picked it apart. While at times I was embarrassed at the brutal accuracy of his observations, it just made me want to do better. It had been dark for an hour when we finished. He put out the fire, and in the starlight, he led the way to the bedrooms.

At my bedroom, he stopped and said, "Get a good night's rest."

"Wait. You have suffered all day seeing my naked body. Come join me for sex and relieve your tensions."

"But you were so weakened."

"As I said, and thought, it has passed. I am merely tired, as though from a good exercise session. My husband and I would often have sex after. Other muscles are used, after all. Ones that are not so tired." I undressed and tossed my clothes on a chair, and then turned away and walked to my bed, walking very provocatively. Lying down on my back, I called, "Come," and opened my legs wide. It was enough. He followed. Once again, I summoned strength and durability, we had sex. He needed no encouragement this time. However, we chose to sleep once we came.

When I woke, he was gone. I dressed in the other outfit, and folded yesterday's. I went to where we ate, and I found a servant there.

"My lady, the Master has business elsewhere, and bids you eat. Please sit." I did. Shortly, I was served, and ate.

I got up and said, "When the Master asks, please inform him I am outside practicing with the hill."

"My lady?"

"He has asked me to learn how to enter or climb the hill."

"Ah, I see. He shall be informed."

"Thank you." I then left and followed the path until I felt myself pass through the hill. I had been at it for half an hour when I saw someone come. As he came near, he seemed to be looking for something. Finally, he stopped looking, and came to me.

"Young lady, do you know where Lord Hugeng's residence is? I was told to come to this hill, but I don't see it."

"Ancient, one, his place is hidden by an illusion. May I take a message? I can go past the illusion."

"There is no illusion here."

"Permit me to show you." I fixed my mind on the path of reality, and walked backwards. I felt the illusion rise up and when it got to my waist, I said, "See?" I then walked back to him.

"Most distressing. My task is with a lady staying with him."

"Are you a teacher of language?"

"Yes, why?"

"I think you are here to teach me. I am Becky Sue Tate, and Lord Hugeng was told to see to my learning the language properly. Apparently, the one who taught me did not know the proper forms, leaving my speech uncouth."

"You are right. I am here to teach you. But how do I enter?"

Summoning a stone bench behind him, I said, "I don't know. Please, sit, and I shall go and see if I can find out."

"Where shall I sit?"

"Turn around."

"That wasn't here a moment ago."

"Much here is not ordinary. Please relax while I go."

"Very well." He sat.

I entered the hill, and once fully inside the illusion, I rushed to the building and entered. Quickly, I located someone, and asked, "Has the Master returned yet?"

"No, my lady."

"We have a visitor, who does not know how to enter. Can we bring suitable furniture for him or somehow bring him within?"

"Is he expected?"

"Yes, he is a teacher here for me."

"I see. Then all you need to do is hold his hand and will that both enter."

"Thank you. Please set a place for us for the teaching, and also refreshments. He is an ancient one. Oh, and also lead us, as I don't know where you would normally do this."

"Yes, my lady. It shall be done."

"Thank you." I then rushed out, but slowed as the illusion began to reach my head.

I walked out stately, and said, "I am new here, and still learning its ways. I have been instructed how to bring another in. Will you please hold my hand?"

He stood, and took my offered hand. I then concentrated on both of us entering. Slowly, not just for him, I walked forward, making sure we both entered.

"I can feel something resisting my footsteps."

"I do as well. I am still learning how to pass this illusion. Please, keep walking." When I felt the illusion clear my head, I stopped and released his hand.

"Behold, what the illusion hides, is revealed."

"It is larger than I expected."

"Let us go in. A place has been prepared." We walked side by side and were met.

The servant bowed, and said, "Please follow me." We did, and he led us to a room I had not yet been in. There he invited us to sit, and asked if we would like some refreshment.

The ancient one said, "Some tea, please. The journey was longer than expected."

"Gladly, ancient one." The servant looked at me.

"Tea, or water, please. I would accompany the ancient one in the enjoyment of drink."

"Yes, lady." He turned and left. I waited for the ancient one to sit, and then sat near him. We waited in silence.

Soon, tea came, for us both. Also, a small bell. The servant then left the pot with us and left. I followed the old man, and slowly sipped my tea. I did not speak, respecting his silence. Finally, he put his empty cup down and spoke.

"Young lady, it is clear you are not Chinese, yet you speak our language, uncouth as it is. The young do not appreciate the finer points. It is clear you are a wise student, for you have waited for me to speak. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Master Shen. You will address me as Master during your lessons. At other times, you will address me as Master Shen, or ancient one. I am an exacting teacher, and I demand your hard work. If we are to complete your teaching in less than five years, it will be only if you work hard." At the mention of the time, my eyes got big, but I quickly resumed my peaceful expression.

"I see you expected it would be easy, like the languages of the outsiders. The words you spoke show you barely have scratched the surface. Our language has eons of history and complexity. No other language comes close. During your lessons, you will use the words I have taught you in preference to the ones you know now. When I have felt you have mastered sufficient basic words, I will require you to use only those words and no others. I also recommend you use the words I have taught you when not in my lessons. Understood?"

"Yes, Master."

"Come, sit beside me, to my right. I have much to show you, that you need to learn."

I got up and sat beside him. As I did, I opened my mind to his thoughts. I did not reach for them, as I feared he might notice, but if his thoughts leaked as most people's did, then I should get a better understanding of what he says and shows me.

"Listen well. This is the symbol for...." So the lesson began. As I did for memorizing a script, I memorized what he said and showed me. Ten minutes later, he quizzed me, and I was able to show that I had learned by rote what he had done so far. He continued like this for nearly two hours when we were interrupted.

"Master Shen, Please forgive me. Unexpected business called me away."

"Such is the duty of a lord, Lord Hugeng."

"I see that you have met your student."

"Indeed. For such a young person, she shows great attention, and listens well."

"And you, Becky Sue? Have you been learning?"

I replied slowly, as I had to remember the words I needed, and had to try composing my sentence with only them. "Yes, Lord Hugeng. My work has gifted me the skill to learn fast."

Master Shen said, "Well done, young lady. You said only the words we have used, but you are not ready to make good sentences yet."

"Yes, Master."

"Hmm, she has the wisdom to know her limits."

"Master Shen, don't count on it lasting long. She seems dedicated to going past limits, and I would expect her to try." I just grinned. "See. She is a trickster. She obeys as she will, but when she doesn't look out."

"You think she will rebel against me?"

"Against you? Probably not. Against limits you set, surely, but not until she thinks she is ready."

"I see. Then I will ensure she will not think she is ready until she truly is."

"I wish you luck. Can I get you anything? Is this setting suitable? If you need anything, just ask me or my staff."

"My luggage is still by the temple. Please have someone get it."

"I shall. Anything else?"

"Not at this time."

"Very well, I shall see you at lunch." He turned and left. My lessons resumed.

The lessons continued for another hour, at which point we broke for lunch. Master Shen and Lord Hugeng spoke animatedly with each other. I was not left out of the conversation, but with such a limited set of words, I had to think hard to say anything. Master Shen often winced, but said nothing then.

Back at lessons, he said, "You made numerous grammatical errors, but it is to be expected as you do not yet know enough to talk intelligibly."

I just replied, "Forgive me."

"We shall see how well you do when you have learned the basic words."

"Yes, Master."

Back to the grindstone, he taught me words, and quizzed me on the words I just learned. We broke again for dinner. The only respite he gave then, was to say we would resume my lessons after breakfast. Dinner was much like lunch, and I said little. After dinner, we adjourned and talked near a fireplace. Seeing this looked like it would go on for a while, I asked Lord Hugeng if I might resume my illusion versus reality practice. He nodded, so I got up, bowed to both of them, and departed.

I was surprised when he came out only a few minutes later. He said, "Master Shen is impressed by your memory and stamina. It seems most students have trouble maintaining an attentive mind that long."

I could not think of any words to explain, so I used some 'forbidden' words, and said, "Actors need to memorize scripts, and I am known as one who does it quite well. Combat takes endurance to learn, and you have seen my skill there. Will we spar tonight?"

"I had thought to start teaching you of the Tao."

"I have been sitting nearly still all day. I need to move. The walking is nice, but not enough. Can you teach while you spar?"

"Hmm, I suppose it is worth trying. How much time is left of your hour?"

"About five minutes. I don't usually wear a watch, and I turned my phone off as there is no reception here." I smiled.

He gave a belly laugh. "I don't think your people have invented a technological way to connect here. I shall sit and watch. Speaking of sitting, where did this bench come from?"

"As I suspect you know, I summoned it. When Master Shen arrived, he looked lost, as he did not see your place. I offered the seat, so he could sit while I went in to find you. You were not about, but one of the staff clued me into how I could bring him in."

"Well, I think you made a good impression on him. Oh, I almost forgot. Cloth and other supplies arrived. Skip practicing on the hill, and instead make some clothes. When you have sufficient, resume practice."

"Okay." A few minutes later, I stopped and said, "Today's practice is done. Sparring with Tao?"

"Yes."

"Will we need light?"

"Hmm. No, fighting in the dark is always interesting."

"Let me guess. You see in the dark."

"Got it in one."

Dryly, I said, "Oh joy." He laughed.

We headed away for a bit, and then he said to leave my clothes here. I summoned a table, and undressed. We walked a bit farther. I kept track of where I was and where the table was with my rock sense. I also summoned my earth augmentations. I noticed he was now a dragon.

He stopped and said, "Summon your daggers. And we shall begin." Well, I did, but I also summoned the lightning nerves. I later found the glow was enough to see where I stepped.

"I am ready." He nodded, and attacked. I responded, by attacking back. What I did not expect was for him to begin a discourse on the Tao. I did my best to study and listen. Like Master Shen, I opened my mind to study Hugeng's. Unexpectedly, I got hints as to his attacks. I tried to ignore that part and only pay attention to the Tao he was explaining. As it got dark, I augmented my failing vision with my spirit sense. This let me track him even when it got fully dark. I could tell he was quite focused, but I could not get enough detail to sense the position of his limbs. Still, I knew when he struck, as I would see the sudden change in his spirit. He called it about an hour after dark, and resumed human form.

We returned, and I invited him into my bed. He chose to accept, by saying, "Try to be quiet. I don't wish to disturb Master Shen's sleep." I had already released the lightning, but I released all but what I had last night. I felt a little weak, but I knew I would be okay. Again, after we came, he went to sleep. I released the summoned powers, and barely felt anything. Then I remembered that Inanna indicated I, too, gained a little power through sex. With the power of the dragon seed, apparently, that helps a lot. I went to sleep, intending to get up by dawn.

In the dawn's light, I got dressed, leaving him in my bed. First, I went out to look for broken and cut scales. I brought them back, and found him gone. I then went and sought out the staff to learn where the supplies were. I brought them to my room, and began working on some working clothes. Because I kept it to a simple shirt and long skirt, I actually had one outfit ready when breakfast was announced. I changed into it.

When Hugeng saw me, he said, "That was fast."

"Also simple. Pants take longer."

After breakfast, Master Shen and I went back to the lesson room. There, he started with a review of yesterday. He would point to a symbol and ask its meaning. When I answered the first twelve perfectly, he looked at me a few moments, and then started pointing further down, skipping symbols, or he would go back to one he skipped. Again, he stopped after a bit, and got out the five other pages we covered, and started pointing almost at random across all six pages. It was clear he didn't expect this, but he was stubborn enough that he did all of them. That took nearly an hour.

He sat back and contemplated me for over five minutes. Then he said, "How. What magic did you use? I sensed none, yet you got them all correct."

"My work requires that I remember great amounts quickly. I am very good at my work. The magic is merely experience and training."

"LORD HUGENG. COME HERE!"

A few seconds later, he came. "Yes, Master Shen."

"She claims she used no magic to learn all this." He pointed to the pages. "This is not possible."

"I told you she pushes limits. She is used to doing this, so mere memorization is easy for her."

"You mean it is possible?"

"Yes, Master Shen."

Turning to me, Master Shen said, "You, young lady, have challenged me in a way no student has ever challenged me. You will find I will not be defeated."

I replied, smiling, "Yes, Master Shen, I shall strive to defeat you in this learning." Hugeng stifled a laugh.

Glaring at Hugeng, he said, "Your challenge has been accepted. Prepare for hard work."

Still smiling, I said, "Thank you, Master Shen."

Hugeng left, and Master Shen started the next page of words. Today, he skipped the quiz every ten minutes or so, instead only asking if I was following. At dinner, he told me the morning would prove more difficult still. I just said thanks.

After dinner, I asked Hugeng if we could skip tonight's sparring, as I need more clothes. I suggested he could teach me as I made clothes. He said he would speak with the Master for a while, and then join me. I went, and began making pants in the Chinese style, and had them halfway done before he arrived. I don't think he expected me to invite him in immediately, as I was naked. I just continued working, and occasionally put them on to check them in the mirror I had summoned in the morning. He also saw I was making two pairs at the same time.

"Nice mirror."

I could tell what he was asking, so I said, "Clothes need a full length mirror. I'll need another to check my backside later."

He began his lessons on the Tao. I listened, even as I worked on the pants. When he saw I had finished both pairs, he called the lesson. Still naked, I lay in bed and asked, "Still want a workout? I'm ready." He answered by getting naked. I caused the lights to blow out, and we began our sexual workout. We went for three, as we had not tired ourselves out with sparring.

In the morning, I went swimming at dawn, and enjoyed the peace and quiet. I also tried to sense its spiritual self. It took a while, as it was subtle, and spread out, but it was in total, quite powerful. I meditated, and tried to get in tune with it, as I felt being in tune with nature would be a great way to relax. When I finally did, I suddenly realized it was aware of me. Not as a person, but as a spirit. The lake was not sentient, but more like an animal. A little bit later, I began to sense the fish, turtles, and others in and about the lake. Suddenly, I was the lake. I felt the underground streams that fed me, and the outflow off to one side a few feet down. I looked closer at the human body, floating on the surface, and I saw where my extended use of power was chafing the chi lines. I also saw how the nerves were being stressed by the lightning. I thought about how to repair the damage when the lake itself drew the body beneath the surface.

I got very worried about breathing, but apparently the lake supported it, as the body did not react, and its heart beat steadily. It was drawn to the deepest part, where spiritual energy from the ground below fed the lake, and the chi coming from the sun above came through the water like a lens. The streams also fed this chi, and all these streams focused on the body.

I saw the air leave the lungs, replaced by water. Somehow, the lungs changed, or the water did something. Either way, I felt the water seep into the blood, and it was sent throughout the body. When every blood vessel had some chi-filled lake water in it, the lake acted. It sent its own chi into the body and healed the chafing and stress. As its chi exited, it took with it spiritual debris and clogging, leaving the chi pathways pristine. The largest amount of such was in its brain. I sensed how the strain of memorizing was affecting it, but somehow I knew that by cleansing the chi pathways, it was also healing the body physically. When the lake was finished, the body was returned to the surface. Then the lake put its kidneys in overdrive. The water left the blood by the kidneys, even as the water in the lungs went into the blood. As the lungs emptied, air came in. when all the lake water had left the body, it began to breathe normally.