Sean Russell - The initiate brother

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BookInformation :

Genre:Fantasy

Author:Sean Russell

Name: TheInitiate Brother

Series:Book one of a Duology

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The Initiate Brother

By Sean Russell

The practice ofcondemning messengers, the Supreme Master thought, had not developed withoutreason. The old man looked down at the scroll he had received from the FloatingCity that very morning and he shook hishead. A lifetime of dedication and effort and still he received messages likethis. It seemed a great injustice.

Brother Hutto, thePrimate of the FloatingCity, wrote that BotahistBrothers were being accosted on their travels by criminals and ruffians:accosted by the people of the Empire!

The Supreme Master slowlybegan to roll the mulberry paper scroll. The attacks were not the trueproblemone would have to search a lifetime to find someone more able todefend himself than a Brother of the Faithit was what these attacks saidabout the situation in the Empire and the attitude of the new Emperor. This wasthe Supreme Masters real concern.

He set the scroll on thecorner of his writing table. Brother Hutto had written that several of theserobbers had been injured recently, but this did not seem to be a deterrent. Ifanything, the attacks were increasing. The old monk reached for the scroll as ifto read it again, but stopped himself. There could be no doubt of what it said.

If only the Emperor wouldturn his attention to the roads! That would be an indication that this newdynasty was capable of something more than ambition.

The Supreme Master took adeep calming breath. Emperors, he reminded himself, come and go; the Faith

is eternal. It wasimportant to keep the proper perspective.

Of course, Brother Huttohad recommended that a display might be appropriate. It was an oldsolution but one that had not been employed for many years. The Supreme Masterlifted the scroll again and hefted it as though it were Brother Huttossuggestion he weighed. Perhaps a Brother of the Faith should enter the Emperors kick boxing tournamentduring the River Festival.

Yes, the Supreme Masterthought, he would allow a monk to enter, but not a senior Brother; no, thatwould not have the desired affect. He would allow a junior Initiate tocompetethe smallest, youngest looking Initiate that could be found. Thatwould be a message neither Emperor nor subjects could mistake, a message tospread down all the roads of the Empire!

Fortunately, it appearedthat finding the boy would not be difficult. The Supreme Master felt satisfiedwith this idea. Not only would it fit his purpose, but there was historicalprecedent for such an act. The Lord Botahara himself had first been a warriorand, in his time, had entered the Emperors tournamentthough theother fighters would not compete against him.

Lord Botahara had crossedthe cobbled courtyard to the fighting ring and the cobbles had broken under his feet. The story was no longer believed bythe population at large, such was their lack of faith, but the old monk knew itto be true. The Supreme Master himself could Well, it was wrong to beproud of ones accomplishmentsafter all, what were they comparedto the Enlightened Ones and he had overcome pride altogether.

Addressing the problem inBrother Huttos letter had been the first difficulty of the day.Difficulty two had just disembarked at the monasterys wharf. SisterMorima; Botahist nun, acquaintance of forty years (could it be that many?),would grace him with her presence as soon as she finished her bath. Days likethis were sent to try him! The Supreme Master had always hated surprise visits.That was one of the many beauties of the monastery

on the island. There werealmost no visitors at all, let alone any coming unannounced.

His mind drifted back tothe report from Brother Hutto. What was that ass of an Emperor upto now? The old fool had lived on past all predictions. It happened sometimes,and not always to everyones advantage. The only benefit of thisEmperors long life was that he did not leave a mere child to follow him,which invariably meant succession struggles. But then, the heir was no prizeeither, and not friendly to the Botahist Order. Well, the Brotherhood had plansand plans could be adapted to changing situations, just as one adaptedones strategy at the g board. Botahara taught patience as aprincipal virtue and the Supreme Master adhered to the principal virtueswhenever possible.

The old monk let his eyesdrift over the design set into the opposite wall in polished woods. Such aperfect patternabstracted from the blossom of the Septfoil, one of theninety-four healing herbs. Seven petals within a septilateral, within a circle,the design intersected by the seven lines of power. So simple. So complete. Thework of Botahara was a constant source of joy to him.

I am a fortunate man, hethought, and then realized that someone was approaching down the hallway.Sister Morima.

There came a tap on theframe of the shoji.

Pleaseenter, the Master said, his voice the model of quiet dignity.

The shoji slid aside,revealing the great bulk of the Botahist nun. She was dressed in a long,unpatterned kimono, in a most unbecoming shade of yellow, gathered at the waistwith the purple sash of the Botahist Orders. Her hair was cut short like aboys, offering no softness to relieve the square line of her jaw. Shewas, the Supreme Master noted, tanned like a peasant.

Sister Morima. Weare honored that you would come so far out of your way to visit us. Herose from his cushion and bowed formally. The nun returned the bow, though onlyequally.

The honor is mine,Brother Nodaku. To visit the mon-

astery of your sect is a privilege granted to so few shestopped, as if at a loss for words.

As he had plannedearlier, the Supreme Master moved his writing table aside, but the nun did notapologize for interrupting. He offered her his cushion and took a second onefrom a wall closet.

I bring yougreetings and wishes of long health from Sister Saeja, Sister Morimasaid as the Supreme Master seated himself opposite her.

And how is SisterSaeja? Well, no doubt? Brother Huttos report had mentioned thatthe head of the nuns Order had recently returned from her annualpilgrimage to Monarta, the place of Lord Botaharas birth, and the oldnun was slowing down noticeably.

She is as constantas the river and as supple as the willow wand, Brother Nodaku, a continualinspiration to us all.

He always found this ployof hersusing his common namedisconcerting, as though the InitiateNodaku had suddenly been caught impersonating the head of the Order.

That is good news,Sister. Do you have other news you can share? We are so isolated here!

She flashed an amusedsmile. Ive just returned from the island of the barbarian,Brother. Im sure your news is more recent than mine. The SupremeMaster remained silent, but the nun offered nothing more.

Lifting an ivory hammerthat sat before a polished bronze gong, the monk asked, Cha?

Thank you, yes,Brother, and some food, if it is not too much of an imposition. She bitoff the last words.

The Supreme Master almostlaughed as he tapped the gong. He knew the nuns weakness.