Tearing The Shroud (21 page)

‘Yes, yes I did.’ He smiled.

‘Where did you go?’ He helped her up. ‘One second you were there, and the next I was off on my flight.’

‘Want me to show you?’

‘Please.’

He progressed through the movement slowly, pausing at each step. ‘I tapped your shoulder with my sword, and you stepped forward with your left foot, while trying to push my sword arm across my body. Nice move by the way, that could open someone up to the sword thrust.’

‘Thanks, but it didn’t help this time.’

‘That’s because I trapped your hand on my arm with my left hand, like this.’ He grabbed it, pivoting the wrist so the little finger was upward. ‘Then, when you struck, I pivoted around you.’

Understanding dawned in her eyes. ‘That pulled me off balance.’

‘Exactly.’

‘But how did I end up in the air?’

‘Here’s where it gets fun.’

‘For you.’

He laughed. ‘My rotation unbalanced you then I pulled your arm under and back up. Your body just followed.’ He did the motion slowly, and she felt the point where her own weight carried the maneuver.

‘Clever! I nearly threw myself.’

‘Now you get the idea.’ He smiled.

‘This must take forever to learn.’

‘To have it flow smoothly, yes, but look who’s talking, Miss arrow-through-a-tossed-coin-at-twenty-paces.’

She smiled brightly. ‘We all have our strengths. Speaking of which, your strength is returning wonderfully.’ She patted his chest. ‘Let me see that scar.’

‘You Healers, using any excuse to look at my body.’ He grinned.

‘You caught me.’ She smiled playfully. ‘Now unlace that shirt so I can check you.’ It was remarkable. A smoothed, healthy pink scar had replaced the rough red welt from a few days prior.

‘Undressing me. Right here in public.’

‘I know, I’m shameless. This looks cycles old.’

He shrugged. ‘I’ve always been a fast healer, but this seems fast, even for me.’

‘I’ll consult some texts this evening and speak with the Matriarch. Maybe she can shed some light on the subject. Now, before you started flinging me around, you asked if I knew how something works.’

‘Yes, this mind out of body meditation
Gladys
says I must learn.’

She giggled. ‘Gladys. Yes, I know a bit about it. I mainly use it to promote the healing process. Would you like help with it?’

‘Please. Perhaps after the evening meal?’

‘Perfect,’ she replied and glanced at the sun, which was well on its way to setting. ‘There’s just enough time to get bathed. Meet you in the dining hall?’

‘I’ll count the moments.’ He smiled and kissed her lightly. ‘Yum! Salty. Just the way I like my women.’

She laughed and jogged off.

Coleman watched her muscles work attractively in the tight leather pants as she moved. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Yep, you’ve got the bug.
He grinned and headed for the bathing area provided for men.

Dinner Conversation

The dining hall buzzed with friendly chatter. The large rectangular room had pleasant light yellow walls, hung with intricate tapestries woven in bright colors. They told the story of Berdine, who founded the Order, from her early battles with the Kafla through to her discovery that rosemary honey brought paralysis and death to the wretched creatures. It started at the large fireplace centered opposite the main entrance. As he leaned against the wall searching for Jolie, Coleman recalled his recent conversation with the Matriarch regarding Berdine.

‘She was no hero, really,’ the Matriarch told him.

‘Really? But she founded your Order. Aren’t you taught to revere her?’

‘We do, but not for reasons you might suspect.’ At his questioning look, she continued, ‘Berdine was an ordinary Warrior. Her assignment ended, and she was traveling to her parents’ home. Along the way, she purchased jars of various honeys from a roadside stand as gifts and placed them in her pack. While camping that night, a small group of Kafla came upon her. In her rush to grab her sword, she knocked the pack over, and one of the jars broke on the blade. As she fought, the slightest cut paralyzed them within moments. She should have died in that battle but won with a few thrusts of the blade. The fallen Kafla were dead as stone; rosemary honey was the toxin.’

‘So it was all happenstance?’ Coleman asked.

‘Perhaps, or perhaps the Divine provided for her survival.’ She smiled kindly. ‘The Divine does that, you know. We Maidens believe we’re all like her, just ordinary people who experience occasional flashes of insight from the Divine. Some more than others, admittedly.’

‘That’s an understatement. In my upbringing we revered the Divine. Though that’s still true, until all of...this,’ he waved his hand, ‘I was never aware how much the Divine plays a part of our everyday lives.’

‘And your service with the Warriors of the Oaks?’

He nodded. ‘I battled the Kafla, and knew them to be evil. I thought it service to the Divine, but didn’t consider myself as guided or chosen for something greater.’

She shrugged. ‘We are not chosen. The paths are there for all of us — it is
our
choices that define them.’

‘I suppose this is my moment.’ He gazed at the expanse of valley that stretched from the bench where they sat.

‘It is, Coleman, or one of them at least.’ She chuckled. ‘I have a distinct impression you may have quite a few headed your way.’

He shook his head, still baffled at all this.

She patted his knee and stood. ‘It’s teatime for this old woman. Care to join me?’

‘No, thank you. I’ve a lot to consider.’ He smiled up at her. ‘Your insight really helps, thank you.’

She waved her hand and smiled. ‘It comes with age.’

Jolie leaned against the wall next to him, patiently waiting.

‘How long have you been here?’ he asked.

‘Oh, for some time now.’

‘My apologies, I was lost in thought.’

‘Of course, you have a lot to consider.’ She took his hand and smiled. ‘Shall we eat?’

‘Yes, I’m famished. You really work up an appetite throwing a woman around the yard.’

‘It’s a good thing I’m svelte.’

They sat at a small table near the wall, and a server came by moments later. ‘Here’s some bread; the stew will arrive shortly.’ She set it and a carafe of water on the table.

‘Thank you,’ Coleman said as the woman bustled off.

He looked into Jolie’s eyes and took her hand. ‘And thank you.’

‘For what?’

‘For your patience, among other things; this is a strange moment in life.’

‘Yes, it is. I’m glad I found you, even though the timing’s... difficult,’ she said softly.

He gently squeezed her hand. ‘I’m glad, too. If not I might still be lying in that dugout.’ She brightened at the memory. ‘This time knowing you, loving you, is the best of my life. I cherish it, no matter how short.’

They lost themselves in each other’s eyes.

‘Okay, you two lovebirds, watch your hands. Hot stew coming in.’ The server smiled as she set the steaming, aromatic bowls before them. ‘Don’t let your meal get cold while you make puppy eyes.’ She winked at Jolie and moved to the next table.

Coleman tore off a hunk of bread and offered it to her.

‘Thank you. Care for some water?’

‘Please,’ he said, taking a piece for himself. They ate silently, enjoying the first few bites of the delicious meal.

‘So, this Essence travel,’ Coleman said. ‘Why have I not heard of it before?’

‘Though I’m sure others know of it, our Cloister keeps the practice secretive. Even within the Maidens, only those studying The Traveler and Companion or Healing are taught its ways.’

He nodded. ‘I understand the idea, but how does it work in practice?’

‘Well, relaxation is the key. What’s a comforting color to you?’

‘Hmm?’

‘Think of calmness. What would you give it?’

He looked around for inspiration. ‘Yellow, I suppose, with a touch of orange, like the glow of a camp fire.’

‘Good. So, you lie quietly in a comfortable position, and starting at your toes, imagine that color slowly spreading up, over and through your body. As it moves, let relaxation permeate each muscle. Once it reaches the top of your head, you’re ready to proceed.’

‘Relaxation, I like that.’ He nodded then took a drink.

‘From there, it’s different for everyone. I imagine I’m floating over myself. At least I try. That’s as far as I ever get.’ She grinned, and he saw how she must have looked as a girl.

‘What do more
accomplished
practitioners do from there?’ He bit back a smile.

‘Hey, now!’ She giggled. ‘Most try to envision somewhere they’ve been or a person they want to see; it’s very difficult to go somewhere unfamiliar.’

‘I know I need to understand the process, but do I need to be adept? Won’t the Matriarch just...send me?’

She shook her head. ‘From what I understand, the Matriarch will commune with the Divine and open the path for you, but it’s yours to Travel. Your ability to reach the Companion will determine the outcome.’

Coleman felt his throat constrict. ‘Me? But, I’ve never even done this!’

She grasped his hand. ‘Coleman, the Divine brought you here and it wasn’t without reason. After dinner, let’s go to your room and you can try it. I’ll help if necessary.’

‘Help, how?’

‘I can talk you through the relaxation; it’s commonly done.’ She patted his hand and picked up her bread.

‘I might need it.’ He grinned mischievously. ‘Of course, if it doesn’t work, we could relax in other ways.’

She matched his grin. ‘I guarantee you, that experience will be
anything
but relaxing.’

A Trip

‘Do whatever you need to get comfortable,’ Jolie said as they entered his room.

Coleman cocked an eyebrow. ‘Should I disrobe?’

She looked over appraisingly and waved her hand. ‘No need, I’ve seen it.’

He laughed. ‘I love it when I’m wanted.’

‘Now, get comfortable.’ She lightly shoved him.

He removed his blade, loosened his shirt laces, sat on the bed and took off his boots.

Darkness had fully come while they ate.

‘Do you prefer the window open or shuttered?’ she asked, moving around the room.

‘Closed, please.’

‘Want a candle lit?’

He lay back on the soft bed.

‘Since sleep isn’t the goal, let’s try a candle.’ He started to breathe deeply, calming himself, a familiar technique from his Warrior training. His vision roamed over the ceiling, settling where it would. Light flared onto it as Jolie ignited a taper and doused the lamp. It danced across the ceiling as she walked to the candle near the headboard. She padded back to the chair — it creaked as she settled.

‘Coleman,’ her voice came quietly, ‘is there anyone you would like to see before you Travel to that other land?’

The answer had been weighing heavily on his mind. ‘My parents. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been home. I wonder if they are well.’

‘Once you’re relaxed, try to draw yourself out and cast your thoughts to them. Perhaps it will help.’

‘I’ll try.’

‘Would you like assistance?’

‘I might as well give it a go on my own. Would you mind staying with me? The thought of being here unattended is...unsettling.’

‘I’d be happy to.’

‘Thanks.’

He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, and exhaled in a slow steady stream. He imagined a pleasant campfire warming his feet and envisioned the yellow-orange glow of its embers. The colors carried warmth slowly over his toes and spread to his feet, bringing comfort. They moved gently up his legs, and unrealized tension released from his muscles.

His thighs glowed yellow, encompassing the angry red soreness in the left one. Jolie landed a solid blow there today, which he’d forgotten until this moment. The healing yellow curled into the red, absorbing it. As the red became yellow, the pain dispersed and the calmness moved up his body. His back softened into the mattress while his chest released its tightness from the hard sparring. His shoulders slumped and jaw dropped open; his eyelids became immovable leaden covers. The final swirl covered his head, calming him completely.