Nigkala Tales Pt. 16: Riders of the storm

I didn't fall asleep, but perhaps something like it, but only for a few minutes. Suddenly, a thought charged in me: breakfast. I was foggy, but I just stood up and started walking back. It was only after I had walked several feet, that I realized I was on the surface of the lake. Worried that I might sink at any moment, I just walked faster. I made it to land without incident. I hurried to dress and return. Somehow, as long as I floated in the lake, I was still early for breakfast. So I just sat down and waited, wondering what had happened.

Lord Hugeng noticed I seemed different, but not how. Master Shen did not notice. I entered the conversation a bit more, as talking using only the allowed words seemed to come faster. When Master Shen began the lesson, he changed it up by giving me a stack of paper, a brush, and ink. Having done some calligraphy in my jewelry making, I knew how to use the brush and ink, so I picked it up and said I was ready. He told me to write each word as he said it. I dipped the brush in the ink and waited. He spoke a word from yesterday, and I wrote it. I used very fine lines with my delicate touch, and the word was about the same size as it was on his paper. He watched my strokes in amazement, but said nothing. He then said another, and I wrote it just below the first. As I finished each word, he said another. I added a new column as needed. When I ran out of paper, I started on the next page. He only had six pages, and I managed to use only six and a half. He took my papers up, and carefully examined each word. I don't know how I knew, but I knew that each was perfect.

"This is impossible. Wait here."

I nodded, as he got up and left. He returned with Lord Hugeng. He showed him the papers I had written. "Is this magic? Are there supernatural goings-on here? How can this perfection be?"

Hugeng said strange things, and made unusual gestures. Then he said, "Her spirit is pure. There is no foreign influence here. Nor is there any sign of magic. Even if there was magic involved, I have never heard of magic that could do this." He said some more things, and made gestures. "Becky Sue, are you under any influence, divine manipulation, or any other thing that can explain this?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"Can you explain this?"

"My best guess is that this morning my thoughts are very clear. My body relaxed, and my spirit is at peace. Therefore, I can focus on the task with almost no effort."

"Lord Hugeng?"

"She speaks what she believes. I see nothing else that might explain it."

"What should be done?"

"Teach her. When I said she would surprise you, I was more right than I knew. Master Shen, I know not how long this will last, but use it well. Push her hard, and fast. As she is now, she can easily take it."

"Yes, Lord. As you command."

"I'll get out of your way." With that, he left.

"What of you?"

"Master Shen?"

"Enough wasting time. Tell me when it starts to get hard. Back to work." He started with the next page, but as he went, he began to speed up. We went through ten pages by lunch. After lunch, we did twenty.

At dinner, Hugeng asked, "How long did the clarity last?"

Master Shen replied, "I don't know. We covered in a day, nearly two weeks' worth for any other student. I can still sense that clarity."

"Becky Sue? How about you?"

"As Master Shen said, the clarity is still there. I know it is impossible, yet I have lived to see the impossible happen time and again. I feel fine." With so many more words, I was able to speak better, at least as far as words are concerned.

After dinner, I asked for sparring and Tao, to take advantage of my clarity. I would work on clothing while he talked with Master Shen. Hugeng came by twenty minutes later; we went outside. We began as normal, but as we got serious, he noticed my movement was flowing and more graceful. He called the sparring a bit early.

"Tonight, you are too good. You have managed to get quite a few scales cut. At your lessons today, you were too good. When I examined you, your spirit was too clean, and stronger than before. Do you have any idea what might be behind this?"

When he said my spirit was too clean, I knew what happened. "It was the lake. I wished to sense its power, as you indicated it was weak yet vast. As I studied it, I meditated to clear my mind and think only of the lake. Suddenly, my mind shifted, and I was the lake. It is aware, like an animal, and it took notice of me. As I watched, and guided its attention, I saw how my body was acting under the strain I have placed on it these last few days. Then the lake took over, and drew me below, where the chi from the source streams met the chi from the earth below, and the chi of the sun above met. Water filled my body, even to the tiniest blood vessel. When it was ready, its chi entered me, and cleaned out my chi pathways, healing my body in the process. It took with it what I can only describe as stuff that impedes or blocks chi. It then restored me to the surface, and the lake water exited my body. Shortly after a thought awoke me, and confused, I began walking to shore, on the surface of the lake. When I realized what was happening, I hurried, and made it to land before the surface failed me."

"This lake is far older than me. I had heard legends from ancient times of the power of the lake, but you made this come to pass. It also explains how your spirit was too pure, and how your chi was stronger. I, too, have meditated as you have, but while I was aware that it was aware, I never connected more than that. Can you think of any reason why that might be?"

"The only thing that comes to mind is Inanna. I have on a number of occasions, allowed her control of my mind and body, to achieve some purpose. I am also able to sort of read minds. I can get an idea of what another is thinking, and sometimes more. So, perhaps I achieved harmony with the lake better than you were able, and my mind was more amenable to another's thoughts."

"This is dangerous information. If others learn of it, they may try to use you, or worse, take it from you. Don't mention it to anyone."

"Even if I say nothing, Inanna will know, or soon learn. She is curious, and likes me. She will sense the change in me, and ask. I will not deny her."

"Some gods may be safe, and as you serve her already, she may be an acceptable risk. Let us go back; I have much to think about."

"Wait a bit, while I collect the scales." I closed my eyes, and searched for the little glows, and as I spotted each, I caused a tiny but strong wind to blow them to my open hands. Two minutes later, they were all in my hands.

"Again, you surprise me. Wind?"

"Sky priestess." I smiled. "Shall we? I am sure you are looking forward to the sex."

He just turned and started walking. I hustled and walked beside him. He followed me into my room, and we began quietly. Even as he penetrated me, and played with my breasts, I visualized his body to see the greatest damage I had done. I then envisioned it being healthy, and used Inanna's healing power. He didn't notice. After he fell asleep, I examined my own body, and saw where it was stressed or damaged, and applied healing. When I finished, I went to sleep. In the morning, I completed two shirts before breakfast.

The whole next week was much the same. The clarity seemed to be lasting, and my closet came to have sufficient working clothes. I also had a new pair of moccasins that I wore everywhere. Master Shen continued the fast pace of teaching, and began with grammar and structure. Each day, I would learn a bunch of words, but also learn the rules of saying them. The Tao I was learning took far longer, as we sparred while he taught me. But he began to engage me to see that I understood it. Hugeng and I learned that I could walk on the lake at will, but I fell through any other water.

With sufficient clothing made, I returned to practicing the illusion reality pathway, only to find it had become effortless. When I told Hugeng, he chuckled, and said, "It figures. Then you no longer need to practice that." I chose to resume my practice of a morning swim, so I went swimming at dawn, and returned in time for breakfast. I noticed that the ritual cleansing seemed more like a hello, and when I swam deep, I could feel some of the lake's chi flow through me.

As the days became weeks, and weeks became months, I began to realize that I no longer felt weak when I dropped my augmentations after sparring. I also noticed that the augmentations seemed to be a bit more powerful. The Tao teachings were coming together with other things, and Hugeng began teaching me how to sense life. This coalesced with Inanna's sexual sense, and what I had done with it to enable me to sense more than just life. I could also sense emotion, desire, and other drives. My telepathic skills also improved so that I could read thoughts with far greater accuracy.

It was a little less than a year later, when Master Shen left. Hugeng and I saw him off. He parted, saying, "Your speech is now worthy to be heard in the palace. Although I hate losing a challenge from a student, know that I have never encountered a student as gifted as you."

"Thank you for the honor, Master Shen." We parted, I think, as friends.

When we returned to his house, he asked me into his small library. "Here is a book for you. It is copied from the original. Keep it as a gift."

Looking at it, I said, "It is the Journey into the West!"

"Yes. You have earned it, and I am sure you will treasure it. Now that your language lessons are over, we can go at a slower pace. There is yet more of the Tao to teach you. I am no teacher, like Master Shen, but I have taught others, and you are an exceptional student."

"Thank you, for the book, and more."

"My lessons will be here, as much of the wisdom I have to teach you is written in these tomes." With that, we began a new phase of teaching. It was more conversational, and we spoke here in the mornings. In the afternoon, we sparred, but without weapons. He suggested I augment my puny human nails into powerful claws. I did, and within a day, I found a good balance. My nails were the same shape and size, but they worked as though they were as tough as titanium. We found out by accident, I could punch through one of his scales. I could not easily cut with it, as it wasn't very sharp. We tried to cut a scale. Eventually, with great effort, I did. From then on, I was careful to not hurt him with my nails accidentally.

A few months later, we were summoned to the palace, to again report to the same administrator. It went much the same, except he questioned me at length about my battle prowess. When he finished, he said, "As unbelievable as it seems, you have truly learned our tongue flawlessly. Now let me introduce you to a mighty lord who has asked about you."

He rose, and from behind him, in the darkness, rose another I had barely noticed. He seemed far more regal, and he suddenly exuded raw power. The administrator then turned to the new person, and said, "Lord Monkey, this is the woman you inquired about. She portrays you in a production of the Journey into the West."

In a rather deep voice, the reply came, "You portray me? You are female. Have you humans forgotten the difference between male and female?"

I sensed a true curiosity, and desire to hear me, so I replied, "Lord Monkey, this retelling is not a true and accurate telling. Rather, it is the base to inspire a tale that shows much sexual activity. As I am a powerful female, and enjoy sex, I was chosen to portray you, but as a female. The story is deemed an allegory that uses comedy to help illustrate the human condition at the time it was written. The production I am in has chosen to add sex, and is less concerned with the allegory. I have often portrayed powerful warriors who enjoy lots of sex. Those who watch enjoy the violence and sex portrayed."

"So it is base entertainment?"

"Often. But sometimes, it rises far above, and is deemed worthy of being honored through the years. This production is not aiming for worthiness, but for the generation of wealth."

"And you are a powerful warrior?"

"Among my people, yes. Here, I do not know. Lord Hugeng could answer better than I."

"Lord Hugeng?"

"Lord Monkey, she is a priest, and the powers she commands, and the skill she has, makes her a fearsome warrior."

"She uses her power on others?"

"She can, but it is upon herself, that she usually directs the power."

"How long can she sustain her power?"

"At least three hours. That is as long as we usually spar."

"How does she fare against you?"

"We are friends, and she does not wish to harm me. But if we were enemies out to kill each other, it could go either way. If her opponent thinks here merely human, he will be in trouble. If her opponent assumes all she has is strength and speed, he will be in trouble. She is a cunning and experienced warrior, no mere novice."

"I see. Becky Sue, will you spar with me?"

"... Yes, Lord Monkey." I was taken aback.

"Come with me then. You too, Lord Hugeng."

I don't remember the trip, but we were suddenly in a vast rocky valley.

"This place is big enough for a good fight. Whenever you are ready, Becky Sue."

I turned to Lord Hugeng, and said, "Will you hold my clothes?" He nodded. I turned to Monkey, and said, "My clothes cannot stand the stress of combat. Lord Hugeng will hold them. The lack of clothing will not affect my fighting." I then undressed and handed everything to Hugeng.

Summoning all the augmentations I usually did, I also summoned a blunted metal sword, and a small metal shield. "My sword is not sharp, as I do not wish to harm you. It should still hurt if I hit hard, and I am sure you will know what it would have cut if it was sharp. I am ready as soon as Lord Hugeng steps away."

Hugeng immediately stepped away, and I began my attack. I knew Monkey was deemed skilled, so I only did small testing moves to begin before going into more serious attacks. I did not, however, pull my punches, and swung as hard as I could, and as fast. Monkey, in the meantime, used his staff to block everything, as well as swat at me. I used my shield to block, but the hits were hard.

We sparred for nearly an hour, as I tried every attack, bluff, and other idea I had to get through Monkey's defense. Having exhausted all I knew, I leapt back and shouted, "Hold, I yield." Monkey aborted his attack.

"Why have you quit so soon?"

"I have used all of my skill with sword and shield, and am unable to succeed. Going longer will not change this, but will make me tired. I do not see this changing with any other weapon I know. Might we resume unarmed? That uses different skills."

Monkey backed off and put his weapon away. "Proceed."

I dismissed my weapon and shield, but invoked the pseudo claws I used on Hugeng. I then attacked. As expected, I did not get through his defenses, but I did succeed in tossing him about the field a bit. However, I was tossed about more. Again, I tried the five styles I had mastered, as well as a number of dirty tricks. I also used some of the showy jumps to move about the field, but to no avail. Again, after about two hours, I leaped back, and called, "Hold, I yield."

"Have you run out of tricks?"

"Yes, Lord Monkey."

"Then this match is over. Lord Hugeng is right. On a bad day, such as he, would lose. You are indeed a mighty warrior, and a pleasure to spar with. Few mortals have pushed me to defend as you have. Some is your sheer strength and weight. Some is your skill. I shall remember you.

"Lord Hugeng, I see your teaching in her skill. Tell me about it."

"Lord Monkey, I did not train her. I did, however, spar with her most days for nearly a year. She is observant and likely picked up much from me."

"Becky Sue, to learn without being taught is true wisdom. Treasure it. I must go now." He clapped, and Lord Hugeng and I were back at the palace, but Monkey was elsewhere. Hugeng quickly handed me my clothes, and I dressed.

"Becky Sue, it appears you now have a reputation here. No doubt Monkey will tell of your match. The Administrator will certainly mention you going off with Monkey to spar. You may in the future meet another who wishes to test your skill. The longer you stay in the heavenly realm, the more likely such will happen. Let us return to my home, and prepare for your departure."

I agreed, and we returned to his home. When we got there, he asked, "Please draw several pictures of me in dragon form, using brush and ink. Draw me ready to fight, as though we were going to spar."

"Okay, but to what purpose?"

"I want to give you a special tattoo. When I choose the picture, you will make another, but with special ink. I will then transfer it to your body. It will offer some minor enhancements."

"Thank you."

"I have been thinking about this for a while, but with Monkey's testing, I am sure of it."

I went and collected supplies, and began creating several different drawings. I drew heavily on my jewelry skill to draw, and the clarity I was experiencing was certainly aiding me, by letting me remember exactly how he looked as he was about to pounce on me. I briefly saw him go into my room to get something, but I didn't see what it was. I made nearly two dozen images before I had decided I had enough. Some were in monochrome; others used two or more colors. I put down my tools and waited, with the area laid out on the table.

An hour later, Hugeng joined me. He carried a brush, ink, and some sort of fancy paper. He saw the art and exclaimed, "Much better than I expected." He then picked up each one and examined it. Finally, he picked up three and laid the others aside in a pile. Handing them to me, he said, "These are the best. Which suits you best?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tattoos are personal, so the selection should resonate with you."

"Tattoos are also a problem for actors because they may not fit with the scene."

"It can go anywhere, so where will it be least seen?"

"I am often naked, so all of me is seen. But the close-ups will be of my breasts, vagina, and butt. Often my arms and legs are bare, and also my back. My hands and face are also in many close-ups. I think that leaves my feet."

"Would a shin be a good place?"

"I think so. The lower, the better. How big will it be?"

"I think six inches high would be good."

"Very well. Am I to use that ink?"

"Yes, it is magical, and will respond to your desire somewhat, so you can change the color."

I took the three he selected, and I cleared my mind as I did for the lake. I then looked at each of the three, to see which was most him, yet also me. Suddenly, I knew, and put the others down on the pile. The last one I placed in front of me. I then took the new brush and ink, and imagining I saw his true colors, I duplicated the drawing. When I had finished, I could feel it needed more, so going on instinct, I continued until I felt it was complete. I lay the brush down to the side and looked.

I saw subtle lines that were not in the earlier one, and the colors were more intense all over. In fact, it almost seemed alive. I showed it to Hugeng.

"This has far more detail, yet it is in harmony. The colors are realistic, and they even seem to convey my aura. You indeed continue to surprise me. Okay, let me have a leg."

I lifted my right leg. He removed my shoe, and performed a minor spell, leaving my shin and foot perfectly clean. He then placed the special drawing directly on my leg, just above my shin. Speaking a few strange words, I saw the drawing slide down the paper and onto my skin. It seemed to wiggle a bit before settling into place. He then spoke a few more words, holding his hand directly over it.

"All done."

"You mentioned minor enhancements?"