Michio set to cutting thequettle. Before long he grew tired and hot from working at such ahigh altitude and had to rest. He realized it would take several daysfor him to acclimate to the thin mountain air and though it wascooler here than in the village below, the sun was closer and moreintense.
Despite fatiguing easily, Michiofound the physical labor relaxing and peaceful compared to the strainof being involved with the interplanetary war. It was easy to forgetthe danger Samrat Condor presented to the free worlds. He slid into ameditative state and focused on seeing the Light of God ineverything: in the beauty of the mountains, in the pureness of theair, and in the colorful wildflowers.
After a few hours, Danjuroapproached Michio and suggested they take a break. They walked to thewell and Danjuro drew up a bucket of water and took a drink. Once histhirst was quenched he handed the bucket to Michio.
The water tasted cool andrefreshing as it slid down Michio’s parched throat.
Danjuro looked across the fieldto the men sparring. “I came here to learn to be a great warrior.First, I did menial labor, tending to the ill-tempered tryworts. ThenI spent years in a dark room, and now this! When will they recognizemy worth?”
Michio followed Danjuro’s gaze.Mazarka had just stepped onto the mat with his opponent. They bowedto one another, then Mazarka attacked. Springing from the ground andslicing through the air, he slammed his foot into his opponent’schest and knocked the man to the ground. The man rolled with the falland leapt back up. He held out his hands ready for the next assault.
Michio continued studying thisform of fighting. It was an art in balance and movement, involvingtotal concentration. “What is this form of fighting called?” heasked.
“Namay. It originated at thisschool. Have you had training in any form of martial arts?”
“Yes, I’ve studied soku sinceI was a child. Where I’m from, it was considered an essential partof one’s education. Mazarka has amazing control of his body andmakes Namay look like a dance. It is a pleasure to watch him.”
“I’m better than either ofthem. If only they would give me a chance. I’m losing my skills andruining my hands working in these fields. It is a waste of my time.”
“Are you ever allowed toworkout?”
“We have workouts in the earlymorning before breakfast. In the evenings, there are sparringmatches. In winter there’s more free time and we spend a lot oftime studying.”
“Why do you stay if you’renot satisfied with the training?”
Danjuro lowered his brows. “Youmust have been told we aren’t allowed to leave once we begintraining. Even if we were allowed to leave, I’d be ashamed toreturn to my family and friends. I told them I would return as agreat warrior.” He stared at the men fighting with an angry glintin his eyes. “Besides, I want a chance to fight Mazarka someday.That thought keeps me going. He is so proud, gloating over those ofus who work in the fields. I will defeat him someday.”
“I must go back to work,”Michio said, not wanting to speak ill about Mazarka or theirtraining.
“Don’t you resent being takenadvantage of? They’re using us as slaves so they can spend theirtime training. You clearly aren’t used to physical labor—yourhands are free of calluses.”
“It is right that we shouldwork for the food we eat.”
“My family is rich. They willgladly pay for my food.”
“If they were merely interestedin raising food, they would use modern equipment. There’s a greaterreason for us to work in the fields. I trust Master Jadock willreveal the lesson behind this experience.”
“If there’s something tolearn, why don’t they just tell us? I resent being forced to work.”
“I understand your feelings. Iresented being put in a dark, locked room immediately upon arrivinghere. I wasn’t prepared to spend years there. My anger, caused bymy fear of failure, hindered my ability to accept the test and Iwasn’t able to master it as quickly. I won’t make that mistakeagain.”
“You were locked in a dark roomimmediately upon arriving?!”
“Yes, I was tired from thejourney and expected a meal and a chance to sleep before starting mytraining.”
“I never heard of such a thing.Usually a student studies for two years before he decides to committo taking the twelve tests. Some choose to leave rather than takethem. The prospect of being locked in a dark room for years isfrightening to a new student. Besides to pass the test, psychicskills are needed and most new students don’t have them. How longwere you there?”
Michio looked across themountain, debating what to say. He did not want to appear to bebragging. “Long enough to learn what was needed,” he said, tryingto avoid a direct answer.
“How long?” Danjuro pressed.
“About an hour.”
“An hour! But that is notpossible!”
“I’ve had a lot of previoustraining and Master Bakka helped me. The lock on the door was only anillusion. We each have different things to learn. Another test may beharder for me than you.”
“What can we learn working inthis field?” Danjuro asked with a new note of respect in his voice.“How to cultivate grain? How to grow food? I came here to be awarrior, not a farmer.”
“What is your true purpose? Toserve life or to be a great fighter?”
“I want to do both.”
“There is more to becoming anAdept than developing warrior skills. If you are already anaccomplished warrior, then perhaps you have other lessons to learn.”
Michio went back to work,pondering this new test. Was it to learn patience and humility or todevelop strength? Or maybe the test was on several levels. Hisconversation with Danjuro disrupted his contemplative mood and hisuneasiness at being separated from Toemeka returned.
Although he didn’t like beinghere when Alandra was in the middle of a war, Michio knew he had tolet go of his worries and fears. They wouldn’t serve him here. Heneeded to focus on the present moment.
6
New Threats
On a large
