Time to think

(Wilhelm Dragonsong)

I look at her kneeling there and am still shocked for multiple reasons. Luckily, unlike the others I can choose to hide my emotions, a convenient part of the training I went through during my journey to become prime wizard.

I didn’t even know that the Vice master was interested in magic.

I mean there was no sign. She didn’t seem to like the idea of magic swords while we were at the shop and every time a young buck hits on her while obviously possessing or claiming to possess magic, her put downs automatically become much more sharp and critical then if they are just another warrior or a common man.

Then again sometimes dislike and like walk a very fine line…what I thought was mere dislike or even hatred could have actually been jealousy or frustration at her circumstances.

Though it was indeed shocking, the fact that she probably likes magic isn’t what most surprised me. What most surprised me was that brief little thrill I got when she said that almost perfect rendition of those time honored traditional words.

I am most certainly sure that she doesn’t know what those words can mean when said to an individual instead of a group, under the required circumstances and conditions we seem to be meeting in. But I do, and even now it is taking almost all my will power just to stop myself from blushing at the mere fantastic thought that brushed through my mind that she was actually seriously saying those words while meaning them in their true context.

Thinking that I had better answer her before the others also recover and interrupt something I consider almost sacred. I reach and lift her chin. I blink several times when those violet eyes look seriously into mine mostly because of the irony as I did something similar to her a few months ago and now our positions are reversed.

After assuring her attention, once again I help her to her feet and then say.

“First of all could you please tell me your name?”

Her mouth drops open as she realizes that we have never officially introduced ourselves, at least with names involved. I am not that startled by the idea though because, in this world because of the language we speak it is not that uncommon to only know the names of those very close to you, someone you yourself have named or those that challenge you to a duel. Also there is no part of this tradition where one is required to share their identity.

In fact the opposite is encouraged, the policy coming from the olden days where students with optimal backgrounds were in short supply, and there were people possessing criminal pasts who wished to learn from a master. The student would get to learn without any bias or repercussions from their teacher, and the teacher had the right to claim innocence if their student’s past caught up with them in a bad legal way.

However these were modern times and I didn’t want to even consider giving an answer to her if I didn’t even know her name. She recovered a bit quicker than she did from the last shock, and preceded to answer me in a firm clear voice.

“This potential apprentice’s name is Vanessa Swordarm, I am honored to meet you...”

She pauses realizing she doesn’t know the proper protocol for speaking to someone like me…to be honest not even I really know all the proper protocols that would be involved if someone wanted to address me ‘properly’.

Even before I was outed as the ‘hero’ I had, because of my mage rank, family inheritances and numerous adventures, many names and titles already. Wanting to make things simple for her, as I do for most people, I said.

“Just call me Will. Or if you want you could even call me disciple as you usually do”. For some reason after hearing this she blushed.

“Warrior Vanessa” I ignored her blushing and continued “Right now I wasn’t planning to take on any students for quite a while, and there are various things to consider that you might not even know about. So I respectfully request that you give me some time to think about it. If you gaunt me this selfish request I swear upon my honor as a master in my craft that I will get back to you with a reply as soon as I decide on my answer.” hopefully one that we could both live with and without any regrets.

She looked rather confused and a bit disappointed that I didn’t give her an immediate reply, but I was adamant in my decision. Even if I discount the hidden meaning of those words she said and take her intentions at face value as I had planned to do…it still was a most serious thing she was asking.

If she had been admitted to the university and I had been still teaching it would have been simple because there would have been many students and more importantly man other teachers. But she seemed to be requesting one on one teaching, a true master apprentice relationship and there is nothing more potentially complicated than that.

“I respectfully honor your request.” no longer meeting my eyes she turns and walks away and enters the dojo shutting the door behind her.

As if she broke the spell everyone else was under with her actions. There is movement again, about a third of the disciples present start crowding around me. Some seem to want to ingratiate themselves to me with flattery. Others embarrassingly enough seem to truly admire me or at least what they imagine me to be.

The remainder either seem to not know what to think or were warriors that completely against magic users and holding many prejudices in their hearts were probably either trying to think up a way to maintain their illogical biases or were reassessing how they would think of magic users in the future after counting not only my actions but those of the one I defeated in a challenge duel.

The master continued to stand in the location he had been in since the match, and he gave me a grave nod and a tilted smirk. That I translated to mean that we would discuss my full true identity later.

Immediately tiring of the crowds and weary of the ones hanging back I slip and force my way out of the group and sword still in hand, I stand on an exercise bench nearby.

“I have something to say to all of you who witnessed what happened.” I said with a bit of magical enhancement to my voice

They whispered but quieted it down when I began to speak again.

“Most of you may not have noticed but I had casted a magical shield before the fight started. This shield should have prevented any outsiders from knowing what occurred with in.” I patiently wait a few moments as their whispering voices briefly rise and fall again before continuing.

“So we can logically assume that no one knows what happened other than us and that guy” I pointed to the noble man I had recently defeated who was still whimpering in despair and pain on the ground nearby. The whispers continued for a bit longer at this but I soon was able to interrupt.

“However I would like to request that you not spread around rumors of what you saw and heard today. If anyone does come here asking for me, I will deny everything and consider any obvious sources of the leak as my enemy. However anyone who courteously keeps their mouth shut I shall consider my friends…eh…that is all.”

One of the warriors from the anti-magic stance group suddenly spoke up.

“What if we don’t care about your threat and talk to everybody anyway? What happens then?”

I start laughing then holding up a hand in a symbol of wait a moment I finished laughing and said.

“Do you think that anyone you talk too would believe that I” I gestured to my happy appearance and said “am who you claim me to be?”

The anti-magic warrior stepped back his face flushed in embarrassed realization. Several other warriors who seemed part of his group also stepped back.

No they probably wouldn’t believe them if they said anything.

***

Right after that conversation I disguised myself with magic and waited for things to quiet down growing board with the front yard I went in search of better places to wait, and soon found myself taking shelter on the dojo’s rooftop. Leaning back and admiring the stars, I glanced down below and noticed that the master was sitting on his porch relaxing. A porch that could be considered private as it faced his own small enclosed personal peace garden.

Thinking that now was a good a time as any to have that talk he had seemed to want with me, I cross the rooftop as nimbly as a cat then silently jump down using a dash of magic to lightly land in the space next to him. Without turning from facing the garden he addresses me.

“So should I start calling you son i-?”

“DON’T YOU DARE SHAME YOUR DAUGHTER IN SUCH A FASHON I WON’T STAND FOR IT!” I quickly yell to prevent him from finishing his sentence.

He blinks for a few moments shocked at my overreaction then he smirks. Probably amused at seeing my blush, as I am fiercely red at the moment.

“All right, all right, I mean no offense…to be honest if that girl did know what she was talking about I wouldn’t have minded if you had said yes, and that is a compliment I wouldn’t pay most men I can assure you.” He pauses and takes a sip of tea from the small cup he is cradling in his hands.

“Even though I am not technically a warrior?” I ask intrigued and flattered. While distracted by my own curiosity I quickly calm down, and I feel my cheeks cool to a normal temperature.

“Well aren’t you still carrying that sword that I paid for? Doesn’t this mean that you can be considered officially as a Warrior of the beginning rank? I am sure with my daughters ability as an instructor as well as what I have seen of your own determination that you should be able to rise in ranks, which is rare for an adult, so basically you meet the requirements there. ” he glanced at me then looked back over his peace garden while taking another sip of tea.

I too looked out over the garden, as I had nothing to say to that statement, and found myself admiring its serene themed beauty. Half of it was made up of rocks and sands raked in mind calming patterns, the other half was a small glowing koi fish pond, surrounded by lovely flowering plants the majority of which I knew to be local.

I sighed to myself in quiet delight, inspired by the comfortable posture of the master, I allow myself to sink to the ground, taking the meditative form that is the most comfortable sitting posture for me, I use my magic to create a cup filled with my favorite type of tea, and also begin to sip.

“Actually…” I glance at the Master irritated as I had just begun to loose myself in this place’s tranquility

“…the only potential downside preventing you from being completely ideal that I can see, is that you are much older than her but…as you don’t actually look your age and you are probably near immortal such a thing doesn’t really matter.”

“Pfft!” I spit out my tea in shock, then quickly, wanting to change the subject, I ask a question that has been bothering me since the start of our conversation.

“-anyway as she didn’t really mean it, this topic is moot point anyway. But as you seem to know aspects of tradition that not many know these days I have to wonder… how it is that you know?”

I turn to look at him once again, and find him smirking at the sight of my now tea stained clothes, with a small stern glance at my new stain it vanishes and with another quick look at my tea cup and it fills once again with fresh tea. He frowns in slight disappointment then lifts up his almost empty tea cup and raises a single eye brow at me.

Sighing to myself wearily I silently cast a mini endless bounty spell and his tea cup fills with more of what he was originally drinking…a spell that guaranteed bounty, because for as long as the spell lasted naturally (or if I didn’t dispel it in the meantime)it would never empty again.

Taking a much longer sip of tea then he had before, he moaned in satisfaction then set his cup down, on the porch and moved a bit in order to face me.

“Have you ever heard of the name Ronald Swordarm?” He inquired a smirk, but one more mischievous than those seen previously, now back on his face

***

Vocabulary:

Exercise bench: a tilted wooden bench attached to wooden bars…you maybe able to see this worlds equivalent of what I am talking about, next to other wooden exercise equipment usually sitting beside an outdoor playground

Glowing Koi Fish: A lovely decorative fish that was bred for its tendency to glow softly at night, a most beautiful creature that is often considered almost a requirement for a peace garden to have.

Peace Garden: Isn’t it obvious? It is this worlds version of a Zen garden, many dojos tend to have them as “peace”, although it may seem contradictory to some, is a vital element for a Warrior’s cultivation especially after intermediate rank is reached.