'Is it true that a Dragoneye gives up his Hua to his dragon?' he finally asked.
Tellon nodded. 'It's true. A Dragoneye uses his life force to control the elemental energy of his dragon, and in doing so gives up some of it to the dragon. But the Staminata slows down the loss of Hua and promotes its flow' He pointed at me. 'Lord Eon?'
I thought of the moment in the bath when the Rat Dragon reared above me and threw me against the wall. And the fireball of energy that had rushed through me.
'Does a dragon always deplete Hua?' I asked hesitantly. 'Can he not give back energy too?'
He shook his head. 'No. Except at communion, of course.'
The answer resonated through me like the toll of a death bell. Did that mean the Rat Dragon had communed with me? Surely that was not possible.
Tellon's finger jabbed the air. 'Next question.'
Dillon leaned forwards. 'Master, is it true that you can kill someone just by disrupting their Hua?'
'I can,' Tellon said calmly
Dillon's eyes widened. 'Do we get to learn how to do it too?'
'No.'
Dillon sat back, disappointed. I looked down at the tiny wood tiles on the floor set in the shape of a plump chrysanthemum, considering my next question. It was risky and needed to be phrased with care.
'I've heard that it's possible for a Dragoneye to take another dragon's power,' I said.
Tellon laughed. 'That rumour does the rounds every year. It's not true — one dragon, one Dragoneye.' Fie beckoned us closer, lowering his voice. 'But there is a legend about harnessing the power of all the dragons. It says that if a Dragoneye kills all of the other Dragoneyes and their apprentices, then the energy of the twelve dragons will funnel though him, giving him the power of a god…just before it rips him apart.'
Dillon gasped. 'Really?'
Tellon laughed and tapped Dillon on the head. 'I wouldn't start plotting the murders of all your colleagues just yet. It is only a story to frighten young apprentices.'
Dillon grinned. I could see him lighten under the master's playfulness.
Tellon clapped once again, marshalling our attention. 'I will now show you the Staminata,' he said. 'It is meditation within movement; very slow, very controlled. The twenty-four postures you will learn, together with the control of your breath, will carry the Hua around your body along the twelve meridians and through the seven power centres.' He ran his hand up from belly to crown, touching each centre lightly 'You will eventually learn how to activate each of the centres to carry Hua to the physical, emotional and spiritual levels where you most need it.'
He stood up. 'Watch.'
His body loosened, weight settling into the ground, his long arms held out in front of him. His eyes seemed to lose their focus yet were still looking at something ahead. Nothing seemed to be happening, and then I realised his hands were gradually rising, the left leading the right.
His body shifted, the weight moving from the left foot to the right. Everything as slow as the sun moving across the sky There was something familiar about it. I squinted, trying to imagine how it would look if each movement was faster. His left arm floated downwards, his body turning with the flow, and it was then I recognised the Rat Dragon Second from the ceremonial sequence. As soon as I made that
connection, I saw each of the animal forms in Tellon's graceful positions. They were not exactly the same, but the essence of each was present. He finished with the pressing motion of the Pig Dragon Third and stood for a moment, the long angles of his face softened.
'So,' he said, his voice deeper, 'Lin and Gan are balanced, the body is energised yet relaxed.
This is called the state of Huan-Lo.' He smiled and his eyes focused back onto us. Apprentice Dillon, tell me what you saw.'
'It was slow,' Dillon said, glancing at me for help. And it was…'
He trailed off. Couldn't he see the forms?
Tellon grunted. 'And you, Lord Eon? Did you observe anything?'
'I saw some of the animal forms from the ceremonial approach sequence.'
Tellon stared at me thoughtfully. 'Well, that is interesting. Most of my students don't see that until they are well into their studies.' He rubbed his hands together again. All right. Stand up and we will make a start.'
For the next two hours we learned the parts of the first posture. I'd smugly assumed that since I already knew the approach sequence it would be easy to slow it down into the Staminata. I was wrong. My movements were too fast, I was holding my breath, the angles of my feet were wrong, one arm was too high, the other too wide, my weight was on the wrong side, or the right side but too heavy Beside me, Dillon was experiencing similar problems, his new shortened temper flashing into moments of stamping frustration.
And then, for one glorious moment, I felt the change of Lin and Gan flow through my body It was a gentle rocking that moved from my crown to my toes as though my whole body was one deep sigh. All the pain and stiffness was gone. And underneath it all was the faint whispering presence, the shadow heartbeat that I could not quite reach. Within the harmony of my slow movements, I knew I could bring that presence into me. I started to draw it closer, but then I thought of the Rat Dragon, of its rearing power. If I reached into my Hua, would he rise again? Hurl me against the wall? As soon as the fear touched my mind, the flow of the form twisted and broke. I was once again stiff and awkward. A cripple.
Despair hollowed me. I had to find my dragon's name soon — I no longer dared even to slip into mind-sight in case the Rat Dragon overwhelmed me. The folio must hold the key to my power. I had to get it back. A tiny barb pierced my certainty: what if the folio held no answers? I pushed the fear down; the folio was my only chance.
Tellon clapped his hands.
All right, that will do for now I could see you had it there for a moment, Lord Eon. A good start. Do not be disheartened because it slipped away.' He gave me an encouraging smile.
'You will probably find that you feel heavy. Try not to make sudden movements.' He patted Dillon's shoulder, walking between us to the door. A valiant attempt, Apprentice. Now, both of you, go and sleep. I have made it clear to Lord Brannon and Lord Ido that you are to rest after our classes.'
Outside, two guides waited to lead us back to our quarters. The Prince's entourage had left and only a lone servant was on the practice sand, raking down the churns. Dillon and I followed our guides through the large deserted square in silence. Halfway across, I grabbed his arm and stopped him.
'I want to get into your hall tonight,' I whispered.
'What?' He tried to pull away but I did not let go.
'I want to go into Lord Ido's library and look for that folio. Will you help me?'
'Why?'
Out of the corner of my eye I saw the guides turning back to us. I raised my hand to stop them.
'The folio is part of the Mirror Dragon treasures.'
I watched Dillon's face change as he made the connection.
'He stole it?'
'Yes. And I've got to get it back.'
Dillon was already shaking his head. 'No. No. I can't help you. He'll hurt me if he finds out.'
'You don't have to come into the library with me. Just let me into the hall and show me where it is.'
'You don't understand.' Dillon rocked on his feet, his hands twisting together. 'It's not only locked. There's this feeling around it that stops you from even getting to the door. It's like every bad thing you've ever felt.'
I let go of his arm. 'I thought you said you weren't his slave? But that was just talk, wasn't it?
You don't have the courage to go against him. You can't even open a gate without his permission.'
'You don't understand what he's like,' he whispered.
I had expected him to come at me with quick fury, not this helpless terror.
'Dillon, I need your help. How many times did I save you from Ranne? How many kickings did I take for you?' It was a low strategy, but I had to get that folio.
'Can you save me again?' he asked bitterly
'What?'
'Ranne got thrown out of the school and Lord Ido has hired him as a guard.'
I stared at him. 'That's awful.'
