Against the Grain [Solo]

[Lu Gavima]

Season of Winter, Day 8, 511 AV

Lu's feet gingerly worked over the steps down from the Amaranthine Gate while his eyes kept a wary watch for any obstacles ahead. Every moment provided training, as he was finding out each day. The challenge for an Acolyte was to find the lesson, especially if there was no Dian to point it out. At the moment, it was a test of both agility and focus, the long winding steps interspersed with over-reaching shrubs and vines.

It had been an hour since his midday meditation, the hours remaining until nightfall his to explore and serve as he saw fit. Each day brought a new destination and its set of lessons. Today had been no different. He had gone to the gate of the City to watch the process of those that had come to stay for the winter among his people and the other foreigners. Since the paths to the City would be treacherous in a matter of weeks, those that would appear might be in his presence for some time. Only Zintila's grace, embodied in the skyglass of the City, protected Lhavit's people from otherwise inhospitable conditions of the winter season.

It had been a quiet day, no new travelers arriving. It wasn't too surprising with the onset of winter. Most of the supplies came through a pulley system, as carts, driven or pushed, would never make it up the road which was primarily foot and Okomo traffic. The Shinya present at the gate spent most of the free time observing and meditating, which Lu took part in as well. As Syna made her slow descent into slumber, one of the seniors present turned to Lu. "Gavima, go down and see to Dian Koat. I will inform your father of your absence." A disciplined bow came and Lu had begun the descent down the winding path to the bottom of the mountain.

Now his calves were complaining. In his hurry to comply with an order, he had completely forgotten his training to stretch his muscles before beginning, checking in with each muscle group to insure pains like he was experiencing would not be a problem. The winds were whipping hard, throwing gravel and dust around, which were hazards in the face of the thousand foot fall one could take any moment on the way up or down. This is why Hachia Koat and his Okomo guided those unfamiliar with the terrain to the Gate in the first place. The glittering structure of Dian Koat's house was already visible by the light of Syna's descent into rest, a guidepost for Lu's mind as his feet and legs pushed on in the face of ill prepared muscles.

Stopping to crouch and regain his wind, he looked out at the coming sunset. He knew it was best to reach Koat's house before Leth was fully awake. It also meant that the hunting parties of Symenestra and Zith would be more active as well. He was one Acolyte, so once his breath was even and his legs were stretched, he was off once more. As his pace picked up and his body was busy with the careful yet hurried pace, his mind began to wander as freely as it could. Hopes and expectations began to flourish, but he quickly silenced them in order to focus.

The twilight of Syna and Leth's brief union made the City above glimmer and glow as it too started to awaken from its daytime quiet state. Lu had made it to the bottom and was resting, sitting on his knees and admiring the view of the Peaks and Lhavit in the time between times. His body moved in measured breaths, slowing his heart to a calmer pace. Lu was sure that Dian Koat was aware of his presence, so he remained quiet until he was welcomed.

[Lu Gavima]

The silence and free time gave way to meditation, as it was the natural state for the Shinya, which made it the place to ascend to as an Acolyte. The open night sky and the city glowing above was more than enough inspiration. Time ceased to be once the eyes closed and inner space was breached. Lu concentrated on his astral body, his mind running over his own body as a template, imagining each and every imperfection and turn of flesh in order to better visualize their astral counterparts.

That is, until he heard a snort of sorts. his eyes opened to see an Okomo grazing in the meadow before him. He was pleasantly surprised to see Koat's friend, while being unpleasantly surprised at his lack of awareness. He began to spring up, but the slightly worn calf that had given him trouble earlier resisted the springing, making the young man wobble briefly. A chuckle from the night caught him by surprise.

" Didn't stretch before heading down? I'm surprised they sent an Acolyte. What can I do for you?"

Dian Koat emerged from the doorway of his home, eyes and smile shining warm like skyglass. Lu bowed to his elder, who returned the formality. " I came to see if I could offer you assistance, Dian Koat. The Shinya at the Gate sent me down." He switched his staff from his dominant right to his left hand, to aid in the support of his tight calf. Koat seemed to take in the presence of the boy and then turned his attention to the Okomo, who was mildly grazing between the two.

"Come in and have some rice. I'll grind you some taka in to ease that muscle of yours."

With the offer and invitation, Lu bowed again and hobbled inside, waiting near the door. " What about the Okomo?" Koat smiled while grinding the thick moss in a mortar. "He'll be fine. You should know that." It was true. He was unaware of what Koat could do besides guide. He was sure the Okomo would be fine. he took a breath and sat with his legs stretched out at the hearth.

"I appreciate your concern, though. As a matter of fact, there is something you can do for me. But first, eat some rice and have some tea."

The eating and drinking passed wordlessly as Lu had been quite hungry from the long trek down. Once all was done, he proceeded to rub his legs as the taka did its magic. Dian Koat lit a small pipe, the smoke lazily trailing into his nose.

" I had sent for a special load of grain two days ago for my Okomo. With winter approaching, I wanted him to grow a thicker coat than normal, in case we found ourselves leading any who were either insane of brave enough to approach Lhavit once the cold season set in. This grain has special properties to allow for a thicker coat. It should have arrived yesterday and the Shinya patrol today made no mention of it, though they did say that there had been an accident at the Tranquil Port. I'd like you to find out what happened to it and expedite its return to me."

[Lu Gavima]

Season of Winter, Day 9, 511 AV

Koat had insisted that Lu wait until morning to head out for two clear reasons. One, wildlife and bandits. Two, it was bitterly cold. Both logical, though the simple decision by an Elder was enough for the younger man. He had slept quietly on a mat in the main room of the skyglass structure for four hours, rising to meditate and stretch for two hours before leaving just before dawn. Dressed and walking out the door, he heard the Guide's voice behind him, causing him to turn and bow. The old man returned the bow, smiling.

" I'll be heading up the mountain today. I will let the others know where you are. If you have any trouble, return here. I don't want your father's ire should you be hurt."

A small smirk appeared in the corner of Lu's mouth. "I appreciate your concern, Dian Koat. I will not dishonor the Shinya or my father with rash action. But I will also defend the people of Lhavit. Such is the way of the Shinya." He bowed, his eyes centered on the older man's. He understood where Koat was going and he would not disappoint. Nor would he cower. He turned and began a brisk pace down the road that all carts followed from the port to the pulleys.

Staff in hand, Lu had covered a few miles, the road widening and the forests on either side growing from the scrub of the foothills to thicker vegetation as the coast loomed. Even if there was a problem, there was a daily patrol of two Shinya that traveled from Lhavit to the port and back each day. Young Givama suspected it was probably little more than a shipping mistake or some other bit of bureaucracy. Service was service, however. Dian Koat was serving best by guiding travelers to Lhavit and the Shinya patrols served best by patrolling for enemies. The mundane task set before him was best served by an Acolyte.

Passing a large bend in the road, Lu could see a large dark shape protruding from the treeline ahead. His eyes and head began to sway, surveying as best as the rising of Syna could allow his senses to absorb. As he approached, it slowly took the shape of a cart, a shape low beneath it as it was pressed against the treeline. Taking his staff in both hands, Lu began to take slow, strategic steps toward the cart and its shape beneath, watching the treeline for ambush. Bandits, Koat had warned.

With the grace of Syna, the sunrise was aiding in the illumination of the shape. It seemed to be a portly man wrapped in sackcloth, huddlking against the ground. Crouching and closing in, Lu could see that the man had taken a vicious beating recently, though he was shivering. He tapped the ground near the man's head with his staff to rouse him, causing him to bolt upright and slam his head into the underside of the cart, soon scrabbling backward asi f Lu were the abuser.

"Don't kill me! I won't tell them where you---" A flash of recognition crossed the man's face and he was quickly crawling toward Lu on hands and knees, his hands rising above his head in a symbol of pleading. "Shi- Shinya! Please help me!" Still wary of an ambush, the acolyte placed his staff on the ground before him, reassuring the beaten with a firm hand on his shoulder. "What happened here? Who are you?" He produced his waterskin, offering it to the man who bowed many times from his stance and drank deeply.

"I am a porter from Lhavit. Me and two other guys were hauling some Okomo feed to Koat yesterday when bandits attacked us. They took the three of us and the grain to a camp they have over the ridge." He moved his head to the southwest and a ridgeline looming above. This was the answer Lu had sought. Now Koat's words were echoing through him. So were the oaths of the Shinya. "Are the others alive?" He helped the man stand on wobbly feet, steadying him as he listened, his senses still scanning the forest behind them.

"They were last night. I snuck out while they slept. They were drunk. I tried to help Po and Wuen but I almost woke them and ran away. I apologize for my cowardice." The man began to break down, tears streaming over his face as he recalled the night he had survived. Lu patted his shoulder firmly. "Go to Dian Koat's house and wait for him. Tell him what happened and tell him to send Shinya." The man looked confused for a moment and nodded, shock raking his features.

"You are not Shinya yourself?"

Lu stood and bowed fully to the injured porter before entering the treeline.

" I am Shinya."

[Lu Gavima]

Only a few steps in and the forest swallowed him. The sounds and depth of the living brambles made the young monk take pause. He had no idea how many of these bandits there were, if they were armed, anything of value. For all he knew, there could be a scout watching his position as he thought about it. He was greatly overstepping his capacity and station as an Acolyte by trying to take on some group of men. If they were willing to steal Okomo grain, they most likely were willing to do much more.

A small sigh left Lu's lips. He would get his chance to fight when he became Shinya. It was now his duty to see that the known survivor made it to Koat's house in one piece. If he died on the side of the road, it would be tragic. IF Lu died in the woods as well....It just wasn't worth the risk. He returned to the meager safety of the open road, taking a moment to pull the cart farther out so it would be clear to the patrolling Shinya. Once this was accomplished, he hurried down the road to escort the victim to the safety of the Guide's home.

His heart sank once he rounded the bend. He could see a body that resembled the man he had left lying face down in the road, two other men crouching over it. They were not Shinya, that much was clear by their attire. Travelers assessing the porter's welfare? That hope withered on the vine once he could see them nonchalantly flip the body and rifle through his clothing. Sadness quickly changed into a quiet rage as Lu's eyebrows dropped. "Thieves! Stand away!" He was within earshot, as they reflexively pulled their hands free and stood, turning to their incoming quarry.

Lu placed himself in a defensive stance, his staff pointed ahead. He looked at the two as they looked at him. One was a mountain of a man, red matted curls falling over an angry face. He held some sort of club in his hand. It was easily two feet long. The other was slightly taller than Lu, stringy dark hair to his shoulders. He held no weapon, but that meant little. They looked at each other and then began laughing. The smaller one said, " It's just a boy. I thought it was one of those real monks for a second. Mur, wipe the floor with him and we can get back to camp."

A cacophony of emotion flooded the Acolyte. Anger at the belief that he was not a 'real' monk. Surprise that they thought it would be so easy. These two feelings were cropped and leashed by discipline, however. This was just the sort of thing his father had explained to him about a real fight, where the opponents were not well intentioned Shinya. Lu watched the great Mur make a scoffing sound and move toward him, his fingers gripping the bludgeon tightly. The monk allowed himself to breathe, focus centering on his opponent as a wordless prayer to Wysar passed through him. Ready or not, be ready.

Mur was accustomed to intimidating people and easily dispatching people, Lu supposed. His gait was easy and casual. He hoped that he could capitalize on the element of surprise. His right foot moved behind him as he set himself for the eventual assault. The bludgeon raised to Mur's mid torso in response, beady eyes and broken teeth grinning. Once he was inside the range of Lu's staff, the club came down with a surprise of its own: speed. Raising the staff to block was successful, though the sheer force of the blow made the monk's palms sting and nearly drop the weapon. Shifting to the right, he swung the leading end of the staff into Mur's left knee, causing a cry of pain and a brief wobble to the giant.

Pain transmuted into anger faster than Lu could catch up, as a shriek of rage brought the club laterally into his left arm, the force bringing him off of his feet and landing in the dust. The pain was immeasurable, unlike anything the boy had experienced prior. The light of day swam like fish in his vision, nausea creeping up into his gullet. He had no time to suffer though, as heavy feet were closing for the kill. He relinquished his weapon and rolled to the side, gripping his arm and avoiding what would have been a fatal blow. He could hear the smaller one laughing. This was not training.

Crawling backward to his feet, he let his arm hang, the throbbing pulse of pain making him light headed. No! He had to keep his head or die. His good arm tightened and its fist turned hard out of sheer instinct into Mur's wrist. Turning to his side, Lu focused and his leg came out straight at an upward angle, catching the beast in the sternum, pushing him back. Lu's feet locked parallel, the pain driving him, the anger cut free from its disciplined bonds by it. Slightly limping and gripping the club with a loose, weakened wrist, Mur came to finish him. A quick combination of kicks to the injured lower joint put him down on it, a spinning backhand to the temple sending the man mountain to the ground.

Heavy breathing and the loss of adrenaline brought tears to sting Lu's eyes. The chaos of the fight and the sickening throb from his arm made him oblivious to the whirring sound of a sling. Its projectile reminded the boy quickly of his frailty as it struck him in the shoulder, sending him down with a thud. Looking at the sky, he thought of his mother and father, of Lhavit, of how he could have handled things better. He could hear Mur cursing and getting up, another pair of footsteps approaching. He closed his eyes, the shock of the injuries making him sleepy.

....

A shadow passed over Lu's blurred vision and he was prepared for the ending. Instead it was a pair of hands, lifting him up and placing him on something wooden. Pushing to regain his vision, his eyes squinted in Syna's stance, seeing the grain cart beneath him. He craned his neck forward to see the robes of Shinya pulling the cart. Relief brought more tears. He rolled his head to the side to see what must have been the other two porters, grim bloodied faces holding the cloth over their friend's face. A friend he should have been there for. He looked for the two thieves. The only trace he saw was blood. Lots of it.
Whatever the consequences of this day, he knew he would never leave someone behind. Never allow the defenseless to be murdered on his watch. Never....

[Legion]

Thread Award Lu Gavima: Skills: Auristics +1, Interrogation +1, Leadership +1, Meditation +2, Observation +3, Staff +4, Strategy +1, Unarmed Combat +3 Lore: Dian Koat, Shinya Occupational Hazards, Combat While Wounded Consequence & Commentary: Lu’s arm is definitely broken. Eloquently written thread. You have a great grasp of transition and dimensional POV. Your portrayal of Lhavit is equally skilled. An enjoyable read. Please feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns.