Padim

In early centuries, when life was not overly complex, a young village girl who herded goats on mountainsides spent more and more time wandering over ravines and ridges regardless of season, snow or flowerings. She would closely examine any facet of nature she came across whether it was flora or fauna. She learned to follow Big Horn sheep, mountain goats or any animal trail anywhere even up the sharp ridges. She spent long times away from the village.

As she grew older, she spent even days and nights away. It came that her family and village people called her Wayvla, the wanderer in their language (pronounced: wave la). Nothing deterred her, not weather or wild animals or coarse terrain.

She had amazing tales to share when she was home. About places of ice caves with alluring colors, crevasses. encounters with wild wolves she barely escaped more than once. Cuts and bruises and possibly broken bones or contusions. Some marveled that she comes back at all and survives her adventures. But her adventures progressively made her tan skin and muscle tougher and unusually durable even for mountain herders.

She held people's breath at times when she described dangling from high cliff walls by her fingers of hands or one hand and the land far below looking miniature.

When home, she would help with cobbling wood fences or repair the stone or mud huts that made the village. As she grew older, it was noticed she slept very short hours and could be seen at dawn break tending to goats or doing other chores around the grounds. She didn't pay much attention to attire. Being in rugged conditions, she learned only enough about sewing to keep hides and other essentials on her body, which was much the same with other villagers.

For all her wanderings, when she did speak, she spoke with a light flair. Nothing serious despite her varied encounters. She excelled at describing the open vistas and the wide night sky.

She also would intently listen to tales when villagers gathered together, especially when some told of other extraordinary experiences or recounted tales of antiquity. Then she would lay out at night staring at the stars, willing them to present something out of common experience. Did this for many years.

One story stood out in her mind. A mysterious woman who resided in ice caves and is reputed to be exceedingly long lived. For a couple years she tried to pry out any further information about that person or their whereabouts. She got the impression the person was known to abide in an ice cave far to the east it was believed. No one in recent memory knew anything specific how that one lived.

Wayvla vowed to herself that she would search out this person. The chance of a discovery of a lifetime or many lifetimes was alluring. Rather than just run off, she would wait until there is a break in tending goats. Perhaps after birthing and the weather would be not so inclimate. She would have a long ways to travel, perhaps many days or even months. Although she was good at estimating great distances, she could not get her mind to calculate this journey.

Secretly she would set aside small items and food in the corner of her hut to prepare for the journey.

One night when settling for sleep, she decided this would be the time to leave. Most of the attention needed for goats was passing and things would ease up for a short time. The more she thought of it she found the less sleep she would get. She got up at dawn as usual  and people would think she would attend to things. But this time she headed for trails that lead for the high ridges.





A flat plain described the environment a young man alone trod on foot. At a distance, escarpments surrounded the plateau.

Today he was traversing to obtain some pelts from a distant little town which was over the  distant ridges  Behind him he hauled by rope a large, flat pallet upon which pelts would ride. His pallet was not totally impeding as he crossed the land, as in earlier years he tacked on four small wheels to more easily traverse the ground strewn with rocks. He proved himself at times to be an innovator. At times his family approved of his foresights, calling him " little Xeri".

His walking often got him wind burn and so his face particularly appeared dark. He wore leather lined with fur to keep his body protected and warm from the elements. But over time his face and ham hands gradually became leathery. The brow over his eyes seemed to crease due to staring into the weather.

Dark brown hair that was more effusive on the sides behind the ears. He did not stand tall, although his legs and arms seemed a little long. Hence, he was good at striding long distances. He was more of a stout build, the body served as a sturdy base.

 Wedged in the pallet was a large stick, not particularly fashioned but something that he found on the trails. For one thing, it could serve as a defense tool as a club, and other purposes for levering or whacking hides or something. Having the large stick was sufficient for him. Peoples he came in contact with did not invest in projectile weaponry like arrows. So likely any crossed encounters would be up close and he could resort to the stick. Although most contenders would get a look at his ham hands and decide not to cross him.

In his travels he spent the night on the ground. Had uninterrupted view of the sparkly sky. He wondered whether that was the limit of known existence or could there be something  beyond or more than met the eye. At times he would just stare and concentrate, willing for something else to be uncovered.


Soon after this trip things would change. His father died. After the funeral outdoors, that left him to be the head trader of the little village. From being a nobody to an important role for him and his status among the villagers and those he traded with in one day. It brought more responsibility, accountability but also a sudden increase in bargaining and reputation he had not before had the opportunity to exploit.
 
He would no longer be called Xeri but from then on he would hold the full family name, Xeriscu.

He now could appoint some missions for other members to do the work he had done in his youth. His new status brought him several perks. He would be the lead consultations on trading.  He also had a new prominent position in his village and less inhabited outlying areas.

At times he would go out to other locations to do trade and to ensure that the contact with others was sustained.

Eventually even the outside world intruded on the pastoral life style. One grey sky day, a group of horsemen came to the village. People gawked at the mounted steeds so seldom seen in anyone's lifetime.

They mingled at the center of the village. It turned out, after overcoming some language barriers, that the horsemen were recruiting for an upcoming territorial battle and they needed more men.

One of them eyed the village men from his mount. The others monitored the process. The leader chose the son of the village leader, a worksmith, a tanner. It happened that Xeriscu had just walked out of his abode to see what the commotion was all about.

The leader asked questions of those he already chose and learned about Xeriscu's status in the community. He paused but told his men to take him also and round up the others on the spot. They were put on some extra steeds with the strangers grabbing the reins and lead away. Within hours the selected villagers were experiencing sore thighs.

Xeriscu reflected, they were being taken into war? None of his people would know what to do. Wars did not visit the village and his people. They were in no way battle trained.

For at least two days they rode constantly. On a higher steppe they encountered buffeting winds and blowing snow. Soon the village leader's son showed signs of exposure and illness. The leader allowed a long rest on flat lands and ordered Xeriscu and an escort to forage. They found a small herd of tufted gazelles. With bow and arrow, the escort brought down two. Xeriscu tied them and they were dragged back to the group. The tanner prepared a  rough coat of the hide to give to the village leader's son. He soon showed some improvement of health.

As they rode on, Xeriscu noted that the captors did not engage him often. After reflection, he surmised it was due to his skin being darker than theirs since he spent much time outside and have a lot of wind and sunburn, also he guessed his face had a severe countenance. At times, also he had opportunities to grab bare branches or sticks and brandish them about. His captors must assume he had skill. They bivouacked several times along their way.

Several days on, they were intercepted by other horsemen. They sallied in and fought. Mostly with short stone swords and sticks. Xeriscu was knocked off his steed. He got up on the ground and started swinging a stick at the others. He was stockier and short. The intruders could not easily reach him from atop their steeds nor could they knock him over. He swung up at them and unhorsed a couple.

After a couple minutes, the intruders drove wide and looked at Xeriscu then rode off toward some scrubby hills. One of his party had a slash others had bruises.

The leader rode over to Xeriscu and stared down at him for minutes and then rode back to the troupe. He said something Xeriscu could not interpret. One brought a horse to him to ride alone.

As they resumed their journey, Xeriscu noted he rode on the outer perimeter of the group. Was he to be a guard or were they suspicious of him?

When he had a break, at night he would stare into the sparkled sky, willing something to come forth. Anticipating. Otherwise he rode quietly. Paying less and less attention to anyone.

On one stop, they entered a village near the foothills of a distant range. They stayed three days and nights. They were attended to by the villagers. Xeriscu noticed one elder woman kept her eye on him.

As dusk fell, there were sounds he never heard. It was like birds whistling in long, mournful tones even into the night. Made him uneasy.

On the third day, she came to him while he was eating. She spoke but he could not quite understand. She shifted her tone. Spoke again. He bent his ear. He believed he could make out some of the words. They seemed similar to what was spoken in his village. Perhaps some of the people here had traversed from his area some time ago and retained some of the old language.

She seemed to be saying that he had something uncommon. Something unusual. His behavior was not the same as others. She felt something was directing his nature to be different, a different approach and feel. That he would continue in this way and there would be significant changes in the future. He would become something else in the hazy future. Something of note. That he should continue to pay attention to his hunches and the more he did, the stronger he would evolve in the future.

He listened, intrigued. But he felt he needs to pay attention to events before him now and do what must be done to just survive. Entertaining tale, he thought.

She sensed his hesitation. She told him that she sensed this in him and would tell that only to him. She wanted nothing in return except to see him succeed. No ploy, This would only occur to him and only once. Not a chance to throw away, it will be great time before such an opportunity will arise again and will have consequences. It will be a destiny only he can realize.

She went to a burnt out fire. Scooped up some ashes, walked over and smeared the ashes on his forehead, arms and feet. "This will help you when you are on the path.", she said. She murmured some words and produced a twig and rubbed it on his face and hands. It felt like and smelled like mint. Soon its coolness soaked into his skin. She took the twig and tucked into his britches.

She then grabbed some plant from the ground and rubbed in his hands. It stung! "This is what anyone who opposes you will feel. It won't go well with them."

 

He felt he had enough. He rose up and collected a bowl of water and washed off the ash and tried to soak his hands. Without looking again at her, he walked over to his captors and sat down beside them. While sitting, he did notice a different sensation he could not anticipate. He felt a little elevated from his usual demeanor. The leader took a glance at him, spoke to a member but returned to his own preoccupations. They would depart before late afternoon. Head toward the distant ridges.

When they did leave, he noted be was placed even more on the periphery and one of the captors rode always a small distance behind him with his eyes always on him. It made him feel ill at ease.

A day closer to the ridges, well into the foothills an unexpected event happened. They were traveling up a ravine lined with trees and vegetation. Suddenly, there was a wild cry in the air. Heavy beating of the air. A large hawk swept down on the group and attacked the rider behind Xeriscu. It knocked him off the steed and then stooped upon the rider striking his face many times. He was a hapless, bloody mess. Everyone was so surprised they could not coordinate a response. Horses got nervous. Someone fired a bolt at the bird but widely missed. The large hawk then flapped and took off to distant trees.

The rider did not survive. The leader and a couple others silently looked at Xeriscu. The next time they traveled, Xeriscu was trailing the group and was not allowed to come any closer than 100 yards although they kept eyes on him. When they did take a break, Xeriscu stayed about 50 feet away from them.

One time, a member came over. "What kind of business do you think you have talking to the soothsayer type?"

"You mean back there? She walked up to me. I didn't encourage any conversation.", replied Xeriscu.

"You keep your act straight with us. Or you will be sorry you were ever born. No more trysts. Don't even assume any funny notions" The man turned without waiting for a response and left.

They entered a heavily forested ridge. The members had to resort to clearing a pathway and clearing for camps. They gave Xeriscu a broad blade. He was unaccustomed to it because he came from a barren land with few trees.

He was on a slope, slashing. He did not see a large branch hanging above him that was cut by other members. He swung at some brush and jostled around. The branch came loose and fell upon Xeriscu. The thick part hit his head. He bounced twice and then laid still. He was heavily stunned.

Members came over and appraised him. He was still breathing. They hoisted him upon a steed, tied him there and brought him along.

He had virtually no awareness. The only aid they gave him is water to drink if he could or made a wet pack for the swelling on the head. They would get a large, green broadleaf at times and wet it. Someone would put it in his mouth a little and then wash his body. He was feverish.

His mind drifted in and out. He thought he saw monocolored backgrounds. As time went on he thought that he could make out threading on those patterns. At times he thought he heard murmurings but he didn't know if it was he or outside members or coming from somewhere else. He couldn't tell passing time, it was all charcoal grey to his awareness. But a hum persisted.

It seemed to say, "Listen closely, listen closely". To what?

"Do this, do this" Do what? It repeated and he had a vague recollection. Do what? Something to do with that soothsayer? Listen closely, pay attention. Recall what stings and what soothes. A hazy image of a twig being placed somewhere.

He concentrated. It became clear. He wedged open an eye. It was night and he was alone. He incrementally moved an arm to his left waist. Hand settled there. He could not feel. Do it from memory. His hand slid down into his britches. He felt roughness. He made his hand into a claw and dragged upward. At his waist he could discern a twig. Slowly he brought the twig to his head and rested. When he had energy, he put the twig upon where he felt heat and let it rest there. After the pause he tried to press it around the affected area. After a minute he drew the twig down his body and pushed it into his britches. Then he stopped all movement and waited for however long to see what the effect would be. The sky remained dark to his eyes. Humming continued in the back of his head.

His head felt muzzy. He thought he saw the dark turn a little gray. He stared not believing. He finally convinced himself it must be dawn he is viewing.

Soon after, the camp woke and made preparations. They broke without breakfast but he saw they had some kind of meat jerky to chew on their journey. He was tied to a steed again but he got no other attention.

Not much happened. They worked their way to the top of the green ridge and saw sunrise. It made Xeriscu's head pound. They traveled on down the ridge again on to a steppe.

Very slowly the headache left Xeriscu. He could view things more clearly. While enroute, he suddenly snapped his head to the backside. Was he seeing things? He could have swore there was something body length and diaphanous riding beside him on air and it was there awhile. It vanished when he turned his attention to it.

Another day and they were on the far side of the steppe. Suddenly Xeriscu noted ahead was a clearing and they were approaching it. A couple hours later they entered a fortified encampment. Just spiked, protruding logs and layered rock actually constituted its defense perimeter.

They rode into the center. There were hundreds of people milling about. Most wore some garments of armor. He noted some were at the perimeter wall facing outward, probably keeping watch. Their leader dismounted and went directly to a stout, dark haired man. They spoke a while. It seemed they ignored Xeriscu on the horse.

At last the team leader made a head motion toward Xeriscu and uttered something that sounded like "Maunch". The villager leader stole a long look at Xeriscu.

A little later Xeriscu and his group were put to work. Mostly they were tanning hides and making rough clothing and material for camp use. If not engaged in that, then they had to do hard labor of hauling pots and things or fortifying the perimeter wall with more rock that was hauled in. At times the rock was broken down for other purposes like constructing a rock hut or commons area roof. At times the worksmith was employed to sharpen items whether it be rock or of metal nature.

They were frugal about using flame. Limited time to use it for cooking or softening some substance that was like a glue. Sparingly used to help shape metal.

After traveling for days, this activity and being stationary soon seemed to drag out time. Xeriscu seemed to spend more time staring off into the distances or sky. Several times the leader would wander over and smack him on the head. "Maunch!" and gesture toward the chore, saying more words but Xeriscu didn't know them.

One time, Xeriscu got tired of it. He stood up to the leader and raised his fingers to his own chest and said, "Xeriscu" twice. The leader looked at him a moment and then smacked him, "Maunch!" and pointed to the chore.

A day after, Xeriscu got an idea. Perhaps it would change his relation with the leader a little bit. For the next several days he did his chores but kept his attention with what was going on in the camp. He tried to pick up words of conversation here and there. If he could learn enough words, he could eventually be able to converse with the leader. He wanted the leader to know that he also was a leader of his village and he could possibly contribute to activities here from his experiences.

He especially paid attention to those who conversed with the leader. He tried to pick out their words and how they were applied. A little later he tried to converse with a couple of them. It was slow going. At one time one of them went to the leader. Xeriscu hoped for a good result. The leader came forth with the other man, stared at  Xeriscu a long moment. Then he exclaimed, "Maunch!" and smacked Xeriscu so hard he fell to the ground. The leader turned and spoke to the companion. There after, that one avoided talking with Xeriscu.

So much for that approach. Yet Xeriscu continued to pick up pieces of language from what he could overhear. When he felt more proficient, he would try again with the leader but he knew it would be awhile.

A few days later, Xeriscu managed to talk to another apparent regular of that camp. He asked what "Maunch" meant. The other went quite a minute and seemed to think. Then he uttered, "Something like spirit, natural-super, study of something not common or not natural. Potentially unsavory." So now Xeriscu had a clue what the term meant and how it applied to him and his reputation with others. Did it stem soley from his encounter with the alleged soothsayer? He yet could not make sense of that event either. He would see if he could work around that. He did not view his life as 'unsavory' and he would try to convince the others.

One day Xeriscu had an idea. He went and collected a slender branch and shaved it. Then he procured some twine and tied it at each end of the branch. He then procured a spear. He bent the stick so it would bow. He laid the spear against the stick.

He uprighted the stick and pulled the twine back. Some member passed him by and looked curious what he was going about but remained silent. With the spear laid against the side, he let go. The spear fell to the ground. Xeriscu attempted it again and again. Same result. But the idea would not go away. He got a hunch finally and made a notch at the end of the spear and then tried it. The spear wobbled out several feet.

Xeriscu tried several times. When he could make the spear wobble out many feet, he took it by a wall and target practiced. When he felt there was increased accuracy, he strung up a hide and used it for more practice and tried to modify the bow for better performance. He shaved many branches. Modified the bow by adding a tiny platform on it so to rest the spear and steady the aim.

Suddenly one day while he was practicing, the whole camp mobilized, all members gathered with their war gear. Word came that they were to go into battle with their foes. Xeriscu gathered his equipment to join them. He also grabbed his bow and sticks. He was dismayed that he was positioned hinder.

After three days of travel they encountered their foe on a partially open field. They were many ranks deep and had many horsesoldiers. They seemed to wear a primitive armour. Battle ensued without delay. There was much activity as it seemed the foe attempted to encircle them.

Xeriscu saw them aligning to attack from the rear. They broke through and Xeriscu swung and fought as best as he could with one arm, holding onto the large bow with his other hand. It got thick. Soon Xeriscu was unhorsed. It was better, he always fought more comfortably from the ground and was not an easy target.

It looked like it was turning bad for them. Xeriscu saw more and more of the foe. It appeared the crush would succeed. Then Xeriscu spotted someone in the foe's ranks. The person seemed to be attired differently, different colored lapels, finer threading and some layering of attire but almost no battle armaments. 

Xeriscu played a hunch. He dropped his weapons and set his bow to the ground upright and stretched the twine. The person of interest was about three ranks away on horse and closing and did not pay any attention to Xeriscu. He set a modified spear against his bow and tried to aim. He released. The projectile wobbled through the air but did its job. It struck the other person roughly. It skittered up the right arm and tore into the right chest. The other yelled out in pain. The foe turned to look at him. In dismay they gathered him and beat a hasty retreat. They practically melted away from the skirmish. Xeriscu surmised he must have hurt a leader.

Xeriscu had saved them and won the day, the battle even. Minutes later, their captain rode up to Xeriscu, stared at him and said, "Maunch thinks he is clever." Turned his steed and looked after his own people.

Celebration was two days long. Much revelry. A few congratulated Xeriscu including his villagers, but most ignored him. Xeriscu drew his attention to the bon fire. He noted the sparks. A wandering idea came to him.

After the celebration, Xeriscu built his own fire on the ground and casually started throwing items in it and watched.  One day he grew too ambitious with it and made a large sparking and then a whoosh of wind blew which ignited some small fires in the camp.

Suddenly the leader was in his face exclaiming, "Maunch dah!, Maunch dah!" Xeriscu was not certain of the meaning. Others crowded around and started shoving him toward the entrance. Xeriscu walked slowly and gathered some items including his large bow.

"Maunch, this means you are being expelled for all time from us.", one member explained to him. 

As Xeriscu approached the gate, a man in red colored bark skin and a flat hat spoke out to him, "Gaethe thee yonder," Not knowing what he said, Xeriscu said, "What?"

The man sighed and stuck out an arm and said, "Travel in this direction, to the west."

Xeriscu left the compound and its environs.

He traveled on foot alone. It has been quite a while since he traveled by himself as he had when he was with his village. He wondered where it was from here and could he possibly find it. He felt his adventures were finished.

Making his way west proved no easy task. He trodded in forests, slept under trees or in gullies. He felt muddy and scratched up. Often he thought he lost his way as he was not accustomed to traveling in forests. They were dark. He had to find berries and other food just to keep daily energy. Day after day the same, what was that person trying to tell where to go? He encountered nothing of humans or habitats.

One day he thought he was approaching an edge and he could see more of the vista. He made a step and suddenly the ground gave way under him. He tumbled a ways through branches and rocks. He came to a rest on a jagged rock. 

He nearly lost awareness. After a minute, he felt broken up. Legs felt not right, he had bad feeling in the right chest, maybe broke ribs. His throat made odd wheezing sounds and his head whirled. Darkness seemed just one foot away in front of his eyes. He could not focus his vision, even though he knew it was still daylight.

In the middle of nowhere, he could only just lay there and feel pain. He did not keep track of the days and nights, just his condition. There would be no one coming to help. One day he thought it would be the end. He heard rustling. It moved his direction. He thought for sure he would become a meal for something soon. He had no weapon with him, they were scattered somewhere up above where he lay. However, the rustling moved away and he was by himself in the quiet, and with pain. Any way to end it?

After a while, his head felt a little better, he could think through the pain. Now what? It must have taken hours more but the thought filtered in about the twig the soothsayer gave him and put in his trousers. He still had it. Would such a thing be strong enough to help with all of these injuries?

A crow and some bird sounded like they were competing somewhere nearby. Slowly he inched an arm to his waist. He pulled out the twig. He wished for betterment. Then he slowly swept the twig on the sore spots again and again. Some pain lightened up but not all. He held the twig to his nose and breathed in. The headache diminished more.

The right side trouble persisted. He set the twig against it and let it rest there. He also fell into a slumber.

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR AURA?" the dry but full voice blasted him awake. He tried to look around with stiff muscles but detected nothing. It was night. Stars above did not light the forest.

A little bit of rustling, again the voice, "What layeth here?" Xeriscu put away the twig and arched his neck. Still nothing seen but felt closer.

A glow came as if from phosphorous. Something was stepping closer, sniffing. "What are you and what are you doing in our preserve?"

"I am injured, that is what I am." Xeriscu ground his reply through a tight jaw.

"You are a fool if you fell in this forest, that's what you are.", the voice rejoined. "You are not from here. What are you? What is your name?

"I am Xeriscu or some had called me 'maunch'.

"Maunch! Those simpletons from the far east don't understand nothing! Your other name, I have not heard of such, no knowledge of it. Why are you here?"

"I am expelled from those in the east. I was sent this way by a man in red bark colored attire."

"Those people appreciate nothing. So that one is still amongst them. I marvel at his staying power with such poor thinkers. How does he stand it? He will have to come home to us sometime. A long time ago we also were expelled by the same and came here. We also negotiated this forest preserve as a buffer keep them away and no member of theirs should ever tread in it."

"You are lucky I was checking the land. Your aura nevertheless indicates injury. I should try to help you and then figure out just what you are." Xeriscu suddenly saw brush move toward him. No, it was upright. It was covered by leaves and twisty twigs. The phosphorous seemed to emit from the leaves. The skin seemed to look like light brown bark. The face was the same and was thin. The head hair was like a green wreath. The hand looked gnarled and the fingers looked twisted.

Something cool was laid along the length of his body. He started feeling relief very quickly. Soon he was able to stand. His side still felt a stitch but he could breathe comfortably enough.

"We will work on your side more at our abode. You are to follow me to our abode and we will learn more about you. Follow me into the woods now!"

"Such a verdant green!", said Xeriscu. "How is it you knew what to speak to me?"

"When I saw you, I assumed you were from the eastern tribe, your body matches their build. You will see we are developed differently. But your aura is also different, not theirs nor ours. I will have the eastern way spoken to you since you are familiar with it."

"You will see we coinclde with natural ways in all natures, not just the physical. The ones in the east merely exploit nature. We are more highly evolved than they. It is some fortune perhaps that we were expelled. They could not stomach us and we continued to evolve apart from them."

"What do you call those in the east?", asked Xeriscu.

"They are so repulsively primitive that we deign to no longer honor them with any name or title."

"But it is you that is different. You tread a different way.  You fit neither culture. We could evolve you. Somehow you have a little power. If that is not enough, there is a culture that is more evolved. We consider them even surreal."

"While in this area, do not journey out on your own. There is a culture to the far northwest that have power where power corrupts absolutely. They ride black horses and exude very dark manipulations that are very difficult to match. We watch but let them be."

"When we arrive, you will have some difficulty with spoken word, although we aid that with unspoken word or even telepathy. However, our names may be impossible for you to pronounce, so we will produce something to assist with that."

"Would you be so kind as to tell me where you are from?"

Xeriscu said he is probably from the south of here and that he and his people live amongst plateaus, which are mostly barren of lush growth. The people live by trade. Horses are virtually unknown to most villagers.

"I have not heard of such a land. Clearly you are from a different people. If you live simply, then we will have to discover why you harbor some power, or 'magic' as those to the east would term it. Perhaps you follow your power without being aware." 

They strolled through thick vegetation. Xeriscu waded through big leaf flora and noticed quite a few glaucous leaves. He thought to himself that it was so thick even a deer could not leave a pathway.

"A deer is up ahead." His host said. "Were you thinking about a deer? What you think can be prompted to appear in this land." Xeriscu's jaw dropped as he gawked at what he apparently brought about.

Both walked through the lush land for a while more. There were small hills and ridges and all were covered in greenery. Certain trees had strong, wandering branches. "This land has borders. It looks large but it is basically a round forest basin enclosed by higher ridges. Those be our borders, if one starts seeing dwindling flora then they should know they are at the boundary. The black ones lie beyond to the northwest."

After a while, Xeriscu noticed a patch of growth with fruit hanging from tree branches, tubers protruded from the ground. "We grow our foods in its natural way, it's the way of our culture to encourage natural development. We don't farm, like those in the east culture do. We don't manipulate like they do. It is code here that we live in harmony with the land, mutual benefit."

"We are getting close. You will find that we don't live centralized. We live in clusters both on the ground in hut-like structures or in the branches of the trees. It is less stress on the land.", said the host.

"I believe I see structure up ahead in some trees. Looks like wood. I thought you did not exploit nature.", said Xeriscu.

"We don't. What you see as wood walls come from fallen bark from the trees. We collect it and make layered walls from it. We have shaving tools so we can modify the lengths for usefulness."

Xeriscu twisted his head. Did he just see a berry bush move? A moment later his eyes swept skyward as a couple large, slim, vanilla colored birds flew above. They had amazing, long, tapered flight feathers with the colors of purple and bright red. Hard to discern while in flight were the color of their dark eyes. 

'The host said, " Relax here, look around. There is a basket of plucked foods nearby you may eat. I am called for a conference.

A short time later the host came back. "It seems I am to be a tutor to you, and others will also from time to time. I will see if I can help you adjust here."

"How did you come to know more firmly that you have some power?" Xeriscu paused and then recounted on earlier journeys that he briefly encountered a woman who seemed to find something with him and did a couple of things.

The host contemplated a minute and said he had heard of no such woman. Perhaps she is some outlier that is not within their realm of knowing.

"I am leatherine, as you can see by my pigmentation. I am as tough as one can find to come across. Yet, I dare not approach near the boundary of the black ones. They exude such a noxious air that is corrosive. One cannot get close. Wherever they are they spread dissolution. I have heard in olden days that if anyone can eliminate the cotrie it may end them, they would gain huge bounty of favors from others. However, no one has succeeded in all this time and it is assumed it cannot be done. Presently, it is believed they are lead by a cotrie of 26, the rest are secondary or minions to them. The number of leaders fluctuates because they are so inimical to all and even to themselves, they eliminate their leaders. Only the strong survive. Power corrupts absolutely. They could probably rule a larger area if it were not for the fact of their internecine tendencies. It is said their power attained is like a powerful lure and so they subtly entice recruits, or forcibly recruit by kidnapping.

Xeriscu turned them back. "Perhaps there is more than one way to skin a cat." he commented but spoke no more about it.

One day Xeriscu was walking in the preserve. Suddenly he smelled something unusual. He tried to trace it. The odor was very uncommon. It was acrid. He wandered up a hillside. It became easier as the vegetation became sparse and he could see some ground.

"I can smell you." A raspy voice uttered. Xeriscu traced it and there a couple dozen feet up the hillside was the source. Something black colored lay sprawled face down on the ground and was laboriously breathing but in long, slow breaths.

Xeriscu walked over but stood a little distance away and tried to evaluate it. It was disheveled, wrapped in some black long coat or cape and legging. It smelled bad like decaying flesh now that he was close to it. Extremely emaciated. The rib cage stood out. He could see parts of the body that simply was flesh barely covering the bone. The overall body seemed to resemble his rather than his host's.

The raspy voice said, "You think this is a chance encounter? Think again! I can smell your power from afar. You do smell different, but I summoned you."

Xeriscu silently walked around the body. He noted an unhorsed black steed observing them in the woods. He noted three black holes in the back of the speaker's body and they appeared to ooze. "My brethren did this. I escaped them and made it this far. I may or not die. We have special ways to lengthen life." 

 

Xeriscu made to step away. He was not obliged to continue his encounter here.

"I will make you an offer. You help me recover and I will show you things others on this land can only dream about having. No one else but you will attain these talents, no one. Not even my dear brethren. And they were afraid I might resort to those powers some day, and eventually they resorted, unprovoked, to this action against me for the sake of their security."

Xeriscu paused and contemplated.

The black one said, "That's good. Think first. Don't worry, after you attain these, they cannot be removed, no one can remove them. They are yours to use any time you want. No constraint. It could even make this world buckle. It is very old knowledge. It's older than civilization, actually. It was lost a few hundred years due to contentious times. My immediate predecessor rediscovered it in better climes, and in time, I obtained it. It is without question when it used. Nothing may stay it. It is final. Would you benefit from that? All you have to do is simply aid me."

"First, tell me what you are. You have a body similar to ours but your power smells of the culture to the south, which are not the same. You may be star crossed, and so may be your destiny. Were you servile? Intriguing." the black one said.

Xeriscu remained mute. He shuffled his feet.

"Wait!" exclaimed the black one. "You have something to help me. Come closer. I can smell it. It is in your trousers. It's a healing herb, isn't it? Then help me. Pass it over my wounds." Xeriscu brought out the twig and passed it over the body many times. "Aah, power exquisite! It won't cure me, I can tell. But I can get up and about for awhile."

The black, skeletal form rose up on two feet. It was taller than Xeriscu. It exuded an air of command. "Snick!" The black horse shook its head and walked over to them. "Ride with me. We have to leave this vicinity in case my ex-brethren decide to inspect their little task. Leave your silly stick behind. I can supply you with much more effective equipment. I know a cavern we can repair to and hold our own for a while. And I have much to think about my brethren."

Xeriscu's head felt isolated. All he could assimilate was the other one's words. Nothing else came to his mind, so he mounted behind the black one and they darted off along ridges for some time. Sunset came and went. The night air swished beside them and still they rode on.

Xeriscu immediately regretted mounting. The odor of the black one wafted back as they rode. He several times found himself gulping for clean air.

Belatedly, Xeriscu on the back of the steed queried, "What do I call you?"

"Chol. And what do I call you?" Xeriscu tried to explain his background as he had before.

"Tradespeople. No high development compared to us. And you a tanner? I was right about you!"

Xeriscu rejoined that he was not servile nor a tanner but a trader and was leader of the village and had responsibilities.

In low ridges dominated by rock, they finally slowed down. Chol scanned the hillsides. He guided the steed in. The bright stars were giving way to swaths of light blue. Eventually Chol had them enter a low cave entrance. It was pitch black inside. Chol dismounted without a word and clambered about for several minutes.

Presently, a fire illumined the interior. Chol motioned Xeriscu to dismount. He then tended to ignore Xeriscu's presence. The horse stood there ignored. Xeriscu looked again at the mount. It had its eyes closed. Sleeping? Maybe a good idea. He gazed around. The interior was all rock with a few boulders on the floor and outcroppings from the wall. It didn't look like a very deep cave.

Chol continued to be looking for something for some time. Eventually, Xeriscu felt he needed to sit on a ledge. Then a loud exhalation and the words, "Found it!" Chol dragged out a sack. He rummaged in it. Then brought out a small, wood box. He opened it and then said, "This will heal me complete."

Chol worked on something and then slathered some kind of ointment around his body and upended a vial to his mouth. He then laid down and seemed to sleep for hours. Xeriscu seemed to be ignored totally. He sat and abided his time. Trying to examine his surroundings while he sat. Didn't see much other than a low cave with black rock, perhaps obsidian. 

Eventually, Chol stirred and stood up. He busied himself, apparently doing some kind of inventory. He walked deeper into the cave. Too dark to see what he was doing. When he came forward, Xeriscu noticed he had a new set of clothing on but still the same and black outfit. Chol resumed going through items. Time dragged on.

Xeriscu cleared his throat, "Feel hungry at all?"

Chol stopped and regarded him. "I am restored. I am not hungry at all. But I suppose you would be. I have encountered commoners before who have some power but still carry the foibles. First things first."

Chol raised his arms above his head and then thrust them out. Xeriscu felt something move through the air. Chol said, "That will protect us from any prying for our location. Now you may go out of the cave and forage for something to eat. You probably would not find much in these environs."

Chol went back to preoccupying himself. Xeriscu exited the cave and found the sky was blue overhead. He then started scrounging for edible items.

Xeriscu felt fortunate that he had prior experience. He looked and gathered cones, seeds, grass, a few leaves, mushrooms, lichen, wild tubers, roots, bark that could be used for broth. He came across sparse, low shrubs that had purple berries. He assumed them to be edible.

He brought them back in. Chol barely spared a glance at the items. He motioned where they could be placed on a rock shelf. "I have two wine skins, you go back out and some distance over the backside of the cavern you will find a spring. Wonderful water. Bring me four skinsful of the spring water. Don't worry about being detected. I have expanded my spell over a wider area now. No inquisitive being will detect you."

Xeriscu did as was bid. The water seemed refreshing. After days of dry air on his skin, he noticed while scooping the water his forearms didn't appear as dry.

"Have to use resources to live with the body. No doubt your people to the south had taught you many modes of power or magic. Our brethren are much more proactive on utilizing resources both natural and otherwise. We can extend life. With my knowledge, I have understood that power need not be beholden to a corpus. Higher power, just like air, is all around and is not confined to a body. It exists independent of any corpus, like high stratified air. With the right approach, one can exploit it. I tell you this because no one counters me. Xeriscu, don't ever have any thoughts of countering me. It won't go well for anyone. Including my brethren. I joined them voluntarily. We enjoyed each other's power and escapades. But they forgot I voluntarily joined them and so I am not obliged to them. They learned quite a bit from me, and I kept some of my knowledge to myself. But they forgot and thought they could boss me around. Mistake. I tolerated it for a while but gradually asserted myself. Some of them became wary. I never openly confronted them but some were suspicious knowing that I had more powers than they and so they eventually tried to scotch me, as so you came across me. Consequently, they have given me much to think about in the relations as brethren and what is my truer capacity in relation to them, or for that matter with anything else from now on."

Xeriscu said, "Your are so thin. Are all the brethren like that?"

Chol said, "Price to be exchanged for so much power. High energy consumption but the body is never depleted. Enough questions, I am busy now." 

On one foraging, Xeriscu noticed Chol out of the corner of his eyesight. He was holding his hands forward and up against presumably the sky. He retained that position. Chol turned his head to Xeriscu and said, "You want to see? Really see, here?

He lowered his arms and revealed in the air two suspended, transparent bodies became visible to Xeriscu. It looked like they were fried to a crisp.

"Intruders. Two young men sent to find us. This is their reward on my terms. What a waste, two young looking men. Can't guess their age, maybe 2nd decade. What a waste of potential. Filthy coward sacrificing  their future. I know your makings Beomor. You think yourself the boss of the brethren but you have nothing to stand on. Your time will come before long.", Chol sounded rueful. "Resume your foraging."

Chol turned and stalked off toward the cavern.

Xeriscu was impressed with what Chol did. He became thoughtful

Xeriscu continued doing tasks for Chol. He mostly brought raw supplies to the cavern. It was looking improved. It looked like a holdout. New materials were attached to its circumference. Some items like water and certain plants were being stocked inside.

Chol continued to busy himself around the place. A little later, Xeriscu walked up to him outside and said, "You said that if I aid you that after a while you would show me some methods of power. Will that happen?

Chol stood up straight as a rod. He turned and regarded Xeriscu with narrowed eyes. Then he said, "Perhaps you have a point. I do recall it. I first have to prepare this place for survival. I also have to be prepared for my ex-brethren. In case they show. Tell you what, I will have affairs in order in two months. Do not doubt. Then I will begin to repay you."

Chol then flung his arms into the air. Followed by a hawk screech. A flock of birds appeared from over the back of the cave. They landed on the ground and branches. Chol walked over to them and seemed to produce a silent communication for half an hour. At the end, the birds rose and flew off in one direction.

With a short whistle, Chol called back one bird. He walked over to it and attached a note to one of its legs then shooed it off.

With a smirk on his face, Chol shared with Xeriscu. "Yes, that note will be something when it is read. It will impact Beomor. I know the brethren are a contentious lot and that they are not loyal except only to power and what may personally further their delusions. Beomor cannot do any thing about it.  He may gather that his end is nigh. When I go there, there will be no parley, no prisoners, no converts and if any linger, no survivors."

One day a flock of the birds came back to the small trees. Chol conferred with them. He then turned to Xeriscu and told him to watch the grounds and not to go beyond the defense perimeter. "Beomor is indeed having difficulty holding them together since my message arrived. Some are fixing to abandon him." chortled Chol.  Chol then summoned Snick and slung a long sack across the hinds, mounted and tore off toward the horizon.

One afternoon, a week after, Xeriscu was gathering outside the cavern. He felt something of the air impact his ears. He looked around. In the direction Chol went, he saw a black plume rise into the air on the horizon. It must have been only the crest. Then he saw lightening of different colors strike within the plume. This went on for hours off and on. Belatedly, a low roar came. Followed again by a huge, rising, black aura. Within it there were pale shades of green, red and silver bands. Then it became quiet for a long time. Stars came out over the cavern but no further development could be discerned  from the site of the disturbance.

Xeriscu stayed out until the zenith of night. No one came and so he retired to the cavern. Next day Xeriscu scanned the horizon all day. Night came and he retired. For two more days Xeriscu was vigilant. Just before sunset of the following day, Xeriscu espied a dark horse with its neck hanging low, slowly walking. Upon it was a dark form with tattered attire which slumped in the saddle. Xeriscu stood and looked closely as the pair approached. Closer now, Xeriscu could affirm it was Chol and Snick. He strode out to meet them.

As they walked, Chol rasped out, "Beomor is no more, met his match. The cotrie is disbanded. Some had fled, any staying I stomped out. They are no more. I am victor and if I want I can convene my own band. Lead me to my medicine. Maybe afterward there can be a celebration. I will have much to think about."

As Xeriscu lead them to the cavern, he thought, "What a stroke of luck. An unforeseen event that skinned the cat. The whole bunch of the blacks banished, exterminated. Those are the ones that reputedly could not be displaced. Now they are no more, except for one-Chol." 

Months later, Xeriscu was foraging just out of sight of the cavern. Once, when he stood up he noted a cloud at the horizon. It seemed large from where he stood. He remained viewing it. In short time the cloud turned toward him. Time went on and the cloud came closer and looked larger. Approaching Xeriscu, it seemed to fill the vista and block out sight of everything else and it stank. Xeriscu started stepping back, but soon the whole form was in front of him and there was no where he could go.

He just stood there and this cloud roiled mere feet from him for some time. Suddenly Xeriscu felt a communication. No, it was more like a compulsion. His brain felt like something was summoning him to or into the cloud. He felt trepidation, and his body shook and shook. He felt drawn in against his will.

"Who shakes?", another thought entered his mind.

Suddenly, Chol was right beside him. His cadaverous form was rigid, upright. A cold voice, "Pzad, what are you doing here? If you are wise, you would be long gone since the disbanding. Came you to recruit or pry? Be assured the situation here is well in hand and is strong with me in total charge. You know you are not welcome and should depart with all haste if you wish to live. Be far, far away and sure that I will never counter you again or do you wish to end now?"

A brief silence ensued. There was exterior crackling of lightening between them which soon ended. The stinking cloud withdrew from the immediate vicinity and worked its way to a distant horizon and even then was soon no longer visible.

Chol stood still for some time staring at the horizon. Then he turned and stared at Xeriscu for a long moment as if assessing. Then he told Xeriscu to go back to the cavern and rest, that he would join a little later. As Xeriscu departed he overhead Chol say, "No one tests me, no one challenges. That pestilence one I never trusted."

Chol turned toward the cavern. Suddenly his outer garment billowed out. Followed by two bolts that slammed into him. "Death to Chol!" Chol heard two voices. He went down but on the way down he made a sweep with his arm and iridescent red velvet swamped the land and over behind the cavern. Two thin wails rewarded Chol. "That should finish it and them!", Chol rasped. Wearying darkness stole upon him. 

Chol lay on the ground into the night. Later, Xeriscu, feeling most refreshed, came out to look for Chol. He noted a portion of the land and flora looked withered and blackened. When he walked onto that he found small animals and birds dead on the ground. He found him in the dark. Xeriscu hesitated, weighing odds. He went to the cave and brought Snick. Put Chol on the back of the steed and they returned to the cavern. The wounds looked serious and complex. Chol was not conscious and so could not instruct. Xeriscu fumbled for the restoration kit and tried his best at selecting ointments for Chol then set about digging out the bolts.

A few days later Chol opened his eyes. "Seems like I owe you again."

Days after, Chol complained of his skull was fiery inside and nails scrape the skull since the bolts hit. He went back into the cavern a pulled out the little box. He rummaged through it. "I will need buffers. Xeriscu, you go out and bring me the following herbs. They might help."

Xeriscu was at first hesitant. Chol had made efforts for the cavern and surrounding area to be safeguarded. Yet, intrusion did come. Even after winning the power battle, evidently some of the others had survived. The one called Pzad made an intrusion, and then there were the two Chol had suffered from but he vanquished them. So it seems that Chol's protective spell can be breached. Xeriscu wondered  when he would go out again if there could be some other intruder waiting. Then he rationalized that he should not be one to worry. That Chol is in control now more than ever.

When Xeriscu returned, Chol said, "The body needs replenishing due to the assaults. I will now go out and collect special weeds, gourds and gorse and what I need for replenishment. I should not be out long. You take a knife and bring me these following animals, dead. When you come back lay them beside the fire. I will flay them. Now bring me a snake, black spider that lives under big roots, moderate size lizard no longer than your forearm,

Xeriscu did as was bid although it took a while collect the specimens. When he returned Chol was at the fire in the cavern, it was a little smoky and smelled of sage. The plants were already arranged in a half circle around the fire. The carcasses were laid by the fire. The skeletal  Chol motioned him away and he busied himself with the materials.

The fire snapped and popped as Chol submitted the materials to the flames. An interesting odor rose.

With a crackling fire in the dark, Xeriscu was sitting alone one night. Suddenly he was aware of a form beside him. It was Chol. Chol said, "It is about time I see if you want to learn." A chill went down Xeriscu's spine. It was offered with no forewarning. What would it bring?

They talked about Xeriscu's background and experiences. Then Xeriscu sprung a question, "Have you heard about the surreals? What are they like and what nature of magic do they possess?"

Chol paused a long moment. "They are of a different nature. You would not be a match for them. Right now, as I teach you, your skill level would be so far from their strange natures as removed as it is to travel on foot to the most distant horizon. They are not worth your pursuit. I tell you one thing, to be accomplished in these types of skills, you don't let your mind wander to other enticements. If you wander, you likely will be lost. So, don't bring them up as a subject again."

Chol continued, "I am as powerful as anything you need to know. Don't consider others. Don't underestimate me.  I must have you concentrate and concentrate during trances. You have to use trances to draw power and experiences to you. They will not merely come to you. You have to control them, funnel them to you. Then I will have you learn inverting things. You will have to succeed in turning subject matter inside out both in your mind and physically. I will teach details as you progress. You can become more powerful, but for a while the stakes will rise perilously alongside accomplishments."

At one sunset, while sitting for practice at the mouth of the cavern, Xeriscu became aware of a disturbance in his mind. Next thing he knew he was assailed by a diaphanous blackness. It swirled all around. Xeriscu tried to duck and dodge but it was tenacious and dived repeatedly at his body.

Then the diaphanous entity halted in front of the cavern mouth. A whispy voice addressed Xeriscu. "Advanced am I! In my power I really don't have to rely on the presence of body. I can intermingle my self with the elements if I choose! Heed this. And woe to any of lesser capacities. Challenge me not! For no one will be able to match me!"

Then the form simply left. Xeriscu was awed and stunned. He could feel his insides quiver. But he soon thought, "If he can accomplish and acquire such control, then I also should."  

Thereafter, Xeriscu became jumpy at moving shadows whether caused by simple winds or flickering fire shadows.

Xeriscu walked through various terrains by himself for days. One time he came across a high ravine. It was dry and lined with smooth rocks. He spotted a large, protruding boulder a short distance away. He clambered up on it. It offered an unobstructed view looking forward. Xeriscu could see a lot of land and low growths. He also espied an area with tributaries running through it. They lead away from where he stood. Looking closer he saw the tributaries converge in the distance and there was a large area that had thick forest or greenery. Xeriscu contemplated the vista and took a hunch that is the location where he formally spent time and met other peoples. He wanted to reunite with them now that he was essentially free and on his own. Xeriscu used his techniques from when he was a trader to plot a way there. He then got off the boulder and proceeded in that direction.

Xeriscu wandered alone further and further south. Amid a sparse forest, someone hailed him. It was someone from the prior group he was with. Probably a lookout or border guard.

The other called out, " Go no farther. I may recognize you but you smell strange."

Xeriscu stopped in his track and recalled to that one of his time with the black brethren to the north and said they are no more.

"You had a stick. Where is your stick?" Xeriscu said he left it behind at the behest of the black one before mounting his steed.

"Tsk!", the other rejoined. "Probably you did not know why you were asked to discard it. The stick is encased with petrified wood of different elements. It has feldspar that is repulsive to the black ones. They rid you of a natural repellent of theirs you could have used to limit their influence over you. Lucky you survived at all, although two or three of the advanced ones probably could control its influence ."

The other contemplated a moment and then said, "You remain here, don't move. I will go consult with others."

For a whole day Xeriscu bided his time. Next day the other showed up. He conveyed, "The council said they recognize you as being with us before but lost track of you when you crossed over. You cannot proceed further into our land because you have been with the black brethren and your aura smells very different. I told them you said they are no more and you roam free. They said they believe there is of at least one black brethren that remains-you. You are tainted with their aura at least. You will have to relocate some other place. If you want, I am instructed to let you get in contact with the surreal beings. I can give you directions, but you go alone. It is also allowed, being that the black brethren are no more, some things may be conferred upon you, in our own way and time. You will be watched until you are free of our boundaries. I am to provide you with this bag of tubers and squash to nourish you."

Reluctantly Xeriscu turned away with the bag. He wanted to see those he knew again. It seemed like that would not happen. Xeriscu swallowed the desire to demolish the messenger. He trudged through rock strewn lands. Barren except for undergrowth that mostly grew out of the rocks. He could eat some of it to stave off hunger. With mostly open vista, the nights were chilly. To keep warm by himself, he saved energy to walk through the cold nights and slept spare hours in daytime.

He started wondering during his journey just how much time has passed since he left his village. In different cultures and their sense of time, he lost track. He knew it must be some number of years.

Suddenly, as he was walking, almost as if in answer, he felt vertigo and he weaved several steps barely seeing before vision came back to normal. He was bewildered.

"Who were you with?"

"Chol and the black brethren.", Xeriscu replied as if some power compelled him.

"Chol? You mean Chol du Branc? He was in league with us for a long time. Very adept. Had strong leadership skills. In some ways, we learned from him. He had accrued much. But he had an under lying tendency to overlord. Overachieve. We had to let him go. Separated, he is gradually losing some of his skills he had with us and will return to what he had before. And so, he became company with the black brethren? An overly ambitious and reckless collection, never well organized but high in power potency and driven by assortees of motivations. And you too were with them? Your aura and power level testifies to that, which make a mixed review of you we have to sort out."

"Did Chol teach you trances? If he did, he taught you his corrupt trances with improper lacing. We will teach you and teach you anew the proper ways. fulfilling. His ways only exacerbate more obstacles. He did not understand high refinement and universality of our way which is like lifeblood with us. He will never find fulfillment.

"We are the purveyors of OEE&E. There is aught nothing more. Our presence is more than ancient to this world. OEE&E is ultimate, unquestionable. You may make a good candidate. You could be in league with us. We would train you. Responsibilities come with this it cannot be used frivously, but we gauge you as responsible. After training, things will not be the same. It will be permanent. So, are you willing? Would you want this?

Xeriscu walked away and thought about it for awhile, in fact for a whole day. During that time Xeriscu noticed in the sky during the daylight a large, pale orb appeared. He did not know what to make of it. Next day Xeriscu returned to the spot and announced that he was willing.

"Very well, you have to submit to our training. It will take time to complete. Final step will be bestowal. First, you will go through several preliminary stages. Do them as they are assigned to you. Close attention and execution is a must. This may be different to you than what you did in the past. You may not be used to it. You also will be focusing your energy differently and less on extraneous circumstances."

"Throughout your training you will talk little, question little. Quietude and introspection will become your guides. Quietude will help you survive stressful situations over the long time. Resort to these at any time. Introspection develops a carefully and more thorough evaluation.  Then you will get training on trance and how to use it. You need to develop an agile mind."

"For now you will need shelter to start your practice. There is a small building in a small grove of trees not far. It is among big rock terrain. It is abandoned. You make yourself to home there. Live off the grove and land. Instructions will be imparted to you as needed. We will monitor. Now go."

Xeriscu made his way through the terrain and found the building. He made it ready as much as he could. He noted it had a small fireplace. So he would have to gather wood and stockpile it. There was not seen any tool to saw.

While he was foraging, he noticed the pale orb was still in the sky. He made contact with the surreals and asked if they knew anything about that. A response came, "We noticed a great imbalance in a star system. We addressed it by demolishing it. We are Final Resolution. Nothing obtains beyond us. We are Final. Do not be distracted. Work on your development." Xeriscu was awestruck and buckled down on their instructions.

Voice came one evening, "You will start with learning about your motivations and what allows you more control and what inspires lack of control. It is important in this training and lifestyle that one always recognizes stimuli and how one reacts to it and produces what kind of response. It is very important, for there will be endless unexpected and untoward situations that may arise. One must be in control and to be in control, one must understand oneself thoroughly. You will build inner calm and make it prevalent for all occasions. To aid this, you should practice meditation. Just start by following your breath and only concentrate on your breathing in and out. Not long after, then develop effortless breathing. When you have a handle on that, at the end of a breathing session, look about first with your eyes then with your mind. Do this endlessly."

"This is one question Chol could not come up with an answer, 'there is nothing about, only vacuum. Energy may shock an arrangement of microscopic elements to start a physical presence. But there is only nothing, whence came energy?' When your progress is very clear and pristine, you may have a try at the question. We will monitor you, do not fret we will know when you are contemplating this and we will derive your response. Now start your practices."

Xeriscu made time and then settled for the meditation. He sat on the floor. For hours he spent concentrating on his breathing. He was unaccustomed to it, so it took many tries to become comfortable with it over many days.

At sunset, one day, Xeriscu was standing alone near a cove, contemplating. He became aware of another presence. It pressed and seemed heavier than the atmosphere. It seemed to expand. Xeriscu stopped and sensed for a minute.

"Is that you, Chol?"

A rasp, "Did you think you were rid of me?", Chol contemptuously said.

Xeriscu stayed quiet and still but his mind moved. Then he said, "I don't need you."

"Waste of words, poorly chosen. Don't forget I do bidding on my own. You cannot escape. I know all your thoughts and motivations since way back. No escape."

Xeriscu said, "Chol du Branc, you have no hold on me and I am with superiors. I have evolved above your crassness."

"Fool, I have been with this group before and absorbed their techniques. None of their antics will keep me from you. Nothing will, so might as well submit quietly to me now. There is so much more you and I could accomplish."

"Your motives are nothing but crass and egomania. Not a very noble pursuit to follow. I am above such. Now, to not waste your time, kindly leave, former mentor."

Silence, then a hiss,"I am not a former mentor or anything. I am your superior! I have ages of experience in me. You have a lot yet to learn! Now heel!!"

Xeriscu barely took a breath then suddenly his legs folded and he went face down to the ground. Some force held his face in the dirt a short time. When he got on his knees, dirt fell from his mouth and ringed his eyes. Xeriscu gasped for air. "Chol du Branc!!

Immediately Xeriscu was refamiliarized with the ground. Against his will he groveled and inched toward the tormentor as he grabbed for weeds, dirt, anything to stall. Between gritted teeth, he said, "Is this the only way you know how to recruit, o lowly beast?"

Chol flipped a hand. Xeriscu sailed into the sky and rolled facing downward.

"Now you will come along." Chol made a tug motion, and in the air Xeriscu trailed behind Chol as he walked away.

Xeriscu tried to make an utterance. Instantly his throat half closed with little air to pass through. "In the world of magic you forgot already we deal in silence?" His skin turning a darker color, Xeriscu had no choice but to tag along in the air.

Eventually, with dusk settling in, Xeriscu was put to the ground. Immediately some vines whipped around his form and stuffed his mouth. One vine trailed to Chol and with that he had to accompany him into the woods and dark.

Xeriscu's mind burned and burned. He could not think straight. Eventually, it came to him. A simple release, just relax a moment and the body will start slipping its confines and then breathe in and out and the confines will drop. So simple.

Chol turned around. A hissing voice, "You think idiot's tricks will work? On a veteran like me? Double fool!"

Xeriscu thought, "If they are monitoring me, why don't they perceive what is occurring?"

"Because I have them blocked, fool. Do you really persist in underestimating me?"

Xeriscu thought through fatigue of mind, "May be I could call upon higher powers to intervene. Provide me relief. Or am I being ensorcelled?"

"Didn't you learn anything?", Chol broke in, "There is no one being that can be all. Everything depends on conditions and conditioning to become effective. It has to line up all the conditions before anything at all can come to any fruition. Not just simpleton whimsy. I realized that long ago and aged with that reality. Arranged and manipulated for circumstances to develop and come to fore. That is a master. You should have picked up on that by now. I hope all your learnings didn't go to waste. Perhaps wandering has drained your mind and power." He did not address ensorcellment.

Xeriscu wailed aloud, "Stop reading my mind! It is intrusion."

Response was a sinister chuckle.

They trudged into the dark woods under the stars. Xeriscu muttered something about how to be free like nature.

Chol stopped then looked Xeriscu in the eyes. Without saying anything, the vines slid off and Xeriscu levitated. And levitated. Soon he was above the tree tops. Xeriscu yelled down, "It's cold up here!" He elevated more and was more than freezing. 

"Ever wonder how far is it to the stars, nature boy?", queried Chol. Xeriscu almost rocketed toward the stars. It really became freezing. Curvature of the world became evident. Suddenly there was a dark something wheeling around him and batting against him. "At this altitude, we can cover larger parts of the world faster.", Chol said with glee. The scenery whisked by and the cold wind froze Xeriscu.

"Alright! I give!"

Suddenly Xeriscu was freely plummeting back to the ground. His body broke through numerous tree branches only to hit the ground with a solid thud. Blackness quickly closed in.

In a moment Chol was standing beside him looking down, "You just don't learn do you? Well, I am not inclined to assist here. Let's see if you can remember how to heal yourself. Will be seeing you soon and we will resume."

How long before Xeriscu regained awareness, he had no idea, hours?, days? weeks?

When he did regain awareness, he saw black boots. He felt like his back must be broken in three places. "Are you here to kill me?", he wearily asked.

"When and if I decide, you will end. Now get up. I have bidding I want you to do. We have a lot to do ahead."

"I joined with others, not with you."

"You don't know what you are saying. I have an impressive deal for you that they cannot provide. Get your head together and get going.", said Chol.

Achingly, Xeriscu complied and got up. He still felt disoriented. He guessed because he was almost a frozen corpse when he fell is what stopped him from being broken into fragments. Suddenly Chol stepped in and grabbed his head. He felt like there were no other ideas than what Chol wanted. "I think it will be a good idea to mind meld. Then I will know where you are and can command you at will." Xeriscu felt like his thoughts were being funneled into some vacuous place. He was losing his will power.

Then Xeriscu became aware of a scraping sound. It persisted. He focused on it and traced it. Chol stopped and turned his head.

"Who darkens upon my territory?", came an old woman's voice. The scraping arose from the direction of a tree line. Soon an old woman became visible in the grey dawn, dragging a foot and had a sack over her shoulder. Clothing hung loosely about her and was filled with weeds, seeds and tatters.

Chol turned to regard her, "You! You old hag!"

Squinty eyes sought him. "Is that you Chol? Funny to find you here black one.  A bit out of your usual territory isn't it?"

Xeriscu said, "You two know each other?"

"In passing.", said the woman. "He is quite a work! Pretentious. Mostly full of tricks that one. Started with mischief and parlor tricks early on. He may think he is old but he was a whelp when I came across him."

"Perhaps you have indeed been around a bit too long. I might remedy that."

"Are you threatening me, whelp? Perhaps you have been around too long.", she replied. The air took on a hollow sound of blowing wind.

"Do not think of toying with me. I decimated the black brethren by myself. I am unchallenged and will remain so. Nothing matches my arsenal."

"Is that so? You always overestimate yourself.", she replied and walked toward Xeriscu. "Eh! Chol, you smell!! What have you been doing?"

She reached into the bag and brought out something long and put it in Xeriscu's hand.  "Take this, don't let go of it and leave this spot as fast as you can. You have more to fulfill than wasting time with this fool.", she instructed Xeriscu. He started walking quickly toward some knolls.

"Drop that and come back here." ordered Chol.

"Let him be. He doesn't need to associate with you. I said things will not go well with any that impede him. I meant it and that applies to you too.", she said and interposed herself between Chol and Xeriscu's retreating back.

"Prepare! I will have none countering me and my goals.", Chol declared. He loosened up his sleeves, flexed his arms.

"You never could devise final goals. You are such a stinkin', withered, ugly stump!", she retorted. Hollow sound of wind increased. Debris flew about. The sky darkened.

As he proceeded, Xeriscu looked back over his shoulder to the site of the confrontation. He surmised the woman was the same he encountered sometime ago at a small village. She now reached into her bag and drew out several more of the long pieces which he recognized as feldspar as the one she handed him. She laid them out in front of her.

Chol attempted to cast something at her, based on his arm motions, but it failed to reach her or effect her. Chol stopped a second to think

Xeriscu trudged on. He wanted to watch but something in his head told him to leave the area. He kept his hearing tuned to the altercation.

A ways more, and then he heard hollow booms. He did turn and looked back. A mustard colored aura and cloud was rising above the horizon. Suddenly the ground shook. Followed by a fuzzy black aura enveloping the depression. A low boom followed. Then it went quiet.

Xeriscu wondered but turned and walked on. He wandered with no known direction among knolls and small mounds which were almost bare. He had not ever trod here before and did not know the lay of the land. Soon clouds formed and it rained and rained. He trudged through mud. He thought this mist and rain would green up the area.

Unexpectedly, somebody stepped out from a knoll. He wore a simple, brown tunic.He walked up to Xeriscu and paused. He asked Xeriscu if he just came from the site of the commotion. Xeriscu confirmed.

The other bowed at the waist and produced a long, slate-like box. He told Xeriscu the object is meant for him for surviving the battle. He would find it of use. He said the two that were battling had forfeited guardianship of it. Chol and the woman would not be seen again.

Xeriscu walked with the box quite a ways, ruminating in his head what had transpired. Eventually he became curious about the narrow box. He stopped in a small vale and opened it. Inside, it seemed to be several layered, thin leafs with no discernable inscription. His head became filled with a muzziness and felt lightheaded. He had the sensation of airiness and then swooned.

It felt like he swam in an amorphous mist for a long, long time. No way to gauge time passing. At times he vaguely heard something like voices in his proximity.

One time Xeriscu was instructed while in meditation, to relax more and feel the flows of natural courses. Follow them to refined heights and observe what he encountered. Xeriscu tried several times but responded that he didn't notice anything unexpected. He was encouraged to try again and again but with the same result. Later it was imparted to him that they tried to direct him to the special  zenith of experiences of a meta but some candidates may not be predisposed to accomplish such a task. That he should shore up his practices until further contact.

 

"Your lordship, I believe I located the person of whom you search. A powerful one."

"You have told me so before, it didn't pan out." The lord rejoined.

Your worship, I assure you this one is potent. Could very well cause the sun to set in midday."

"Just parlor tricks? It isn't what I am after." The lord said.

"It is reputed this one possesses great powers unchallenged and is unquestioned. Is feared among other magicians in toto, sire."

"Do you wish to drain my fortunes chasing all these recommendations of yours? I favor it not."

"Your lordship, I assure you this one is unabridged, unassailable."

"It had better be, or you will not set foot in this Court again. Bring him."

Months later, the search party located and surprised a man. They simply grabbed him and bound his arms placed him on a horse and took him back over land he did not know. They traveled for days.

The place, a kind of palace, was awash in large, conical torches nearly everywhere. Straight ahead some hundred feet was a wide throne with dragons carved in it, not on. In the large seat an imposing and lavishly attired person with a long mustache leaned forward looking over the one brought to him. After a minute passed, the one in the chair huffed and spoke something. One of the captors near to Xeriscu quietly translated roughly saying that the Emperor did not think there was much to the new guest. Not much constitution, unwashed hair and body. Did they present the right person expected? Then he slid his gaze to Lio, wondering if his courtman made a mistake and brought a wrong person and that he would have to dismiss him from the Court.

Lio from the small assembly spoke, and it was translated to Xeriscu. He assured the Emperor that this is the one noted for unbreachable magic. The Emperor stared again at length. Xeriscu did not blink despite smoke in his eyes from the guttering torches. The Emperor sat back a second. Then his eyes blazed, 'This is the Dragon Throne, who dares stare at it?" Lio immediately apologized and explained the new guest was absent of civil etiquette before the Court. That he would see to it that the new comer would be better prepared in Court etiquette.

The Emperor leaned forward again, scrutinizing and spoke. It was translated that the Emperor found features of Xeriscu that he may have ancestry from this land. He said if Xeriscu is the really the best, that he would be assigned a permanent quarters near the palace. Eventually he would serve at the Emperor's pleasure.

Then the interview was over. A large, suspended gong was struck. People were talking in the Court as they dispersed. Those around Xeriscu lead him to a red and white striped tent where he was to sleep. He would be supplied by others for food, clothing, bathing and personal effects and not to leave until further notice.

Not long after, Xeriscu was at his tent entrance. A fancy man, dressed in layered red with long hemlines and a conical red hat, crossed it and addressed Xeriscu, "I am Wu wei, I command elements, it will be my pleasure to test you before you are given your title."

The next day a man dressed in black shades and tall, black collar crossed his threshold and faced Xeriscu. People kept their distance from that one. He scrutinized him and then said, "I am Mu, I am mega-master of dark arts and that means everything around. You will have to pass me before you take your position. Don't be surprised. Did  you naively assume you would freely gain that post without test and competition? If you want it, you will have a date with me beforehand before ascending." Xeriscu watched as the challenger walked away toward the horizon but was gone from view before he reached it. Just shimmered away out of sight.

Xeriscu had been fighting off Mu's powerful kicks and windmilling arms for over two hours. The outside was a blur. Suffering a hit, Xeriscu noticed heat rise in his chest and head. Xeriscu wanted to find a way out of this predictament. He noticed when Mu swirled with his back to him that part of the back shoulders were briefly exposed. He got Mu situated and when he had his shoulder exposed, Xeriscu reached with one hand and grabbed it beside the neck and squeezed. Mu started sinking down from the grip. Suddenly Mu seemed to turn to smoke and the next instant he was free of the grip and swung to face Xeriscu. "Nobody gets past Mu!", he exclaimed. His pupils turned into dark slits. The small gathering of people made a loud inhale of suspense.

Mu grabbed a sleeve of Xeriscu and planted a foot into Xeriscu's midline. Air whooshed out of Xeriscu, he lost focus. Then Mu made a shove move at Xeriscu. Xeriscu fell back a couple steps and became enveloped into a black environment. Black all around, nothing to sense anywhere. He looked for his foe, anyone, anything but the blackness clung on. Was he done? Defeated? He knew his thoughts still performed, but had no focus. Was this a beyond or what? He noticed he couldn't impact anything but also he was not being impacted either anymore.

What to do, how to get out of this? Xeriscu tried to sense anything outside of the blackness. There had to be dimension and border. There wasn't. He did notice for some reason that some of the blackness felt like it was entering him.

How to get free was the urgent, important thing in his mind. He thought hard. It came to him, once again, that twig. If he was damaged, it seemed that twig always relieved his discomfiture in the past. In the blackness he slid his hand toward his waist. He took it out, concentrated and waved it around in the darkness with slow breaths. In a blink, he was back on the ground. He felt something unusual was inside him. He didn't have time to ascertain what.

Mu was over by the side of the small crowd, talking about his apparent victory. Then he slowly turned and beheld Xeriscu. "Impossible!", he breathed out. He then gathered himself to assail Xeriscu. A voice came.

"It's over. It's over Mu. Struggle no further. The foreigner has successfully emerged from your very best, intact that none other before could. Mu, you are to concede. The other will dictate terms with you and will assume the supreme position."

Mu stood staring with held breath as the other voice spoke, then slowly let out breath and even seemed to deflate as he did so. People were murmuring noisily and some with sounds of awe and approval.

Shortly after, Mu one morning was seen taking a slow walk outside facing away from the compound. In a  glen it was seen a dark field envelope Mu and he was not seen again.

 He had been to before. Therein was a group that harbored Final Resolution. Practitioners. Something odd was going on. Xeriscu resolved to very discretely investigate. Someone or something with unexpected power exuding was in the vicinity. Xeriscu knew of no one with such capacity at that vicinity.

Some of the power level of the unknown proved a little out of those practitioners' norm. Unabtrusively he casually wandered around the premises. He did not want to alert or alarm anyone at least until he ascertained the source of what he was sensing.

Xeriscu, being of highest status, held conference with the occupants to gain more insight.

Xeriscu thought to take a break after four days examining the white phenomena. He dozed against a wall at the ranch house.

Sound of swirling wind entered his semiconscious state. Sounded like voices but not made by humans. "Xeriscu, Pada."

"Pada. that is my secret name. Who knows?"

"We know