Chapter 7.3. Long journey.
Archmage Nellisandra sat cross-legged on the floor of her quarters, idly tossing a small mouse toy for Grim to pounce upon with gusto. The black cat’s tail lashed back and forth, as he swatted it away, ears perked forward in playful concentration.
A knock sounded at the door then – startling them both from their game. Nellisandra sighed and rose smoothly to her feet, long hair cascading down over slim shoulders like a curtain of living silk.
– Enter, – she called out, voice clear and commanding despite its youthful lilt.
The door swung open to reveal one of the guild servants bearing an envelope sealed with wax – clearly urgent dispatches from without. He bowed low before presenting it reverently, towards his mistress’ waiting hands.
– Thank you, – Nellisandra said absently, as she took up that letter, turning it over idly between slender fingers. Her eyes scanned briefly across its surface, but found no external markers to hint at contents within.
The servant withdrew then, after receiving a dismissive nod from his lady, leaving her alone once more amidst familiar comforts of home. For a long moment Nellisandra merely stared down at that envelope – as if weighing some great decision before opening it fully.
At last though, curiosity overcame caution, and she broke the seal with a sharp snap! Paper crinkled softly beneath eager hands.
She read the letter and then showed it to cat-sith. His eyes run through the lines, and cat licked his paw in contemplation.
– Interesting, – finally admitted the cat.
– Indeed. I am invited to train in Cloud Temple in Rakshasar. The most famous martial arts school, in north of our continent. Why do you think is that?
– Do not know. Will you go?
– I do have Staff Master skill. And would like to learn how to fight. But why have they mentioned me?
– Does not letter mention, that an old acquaintance of yours was their student. Any ideas?
– Just one. Our own party leader.
Mage and cat exchanged looks, and Nellisandra nodded.
– I will go.
Month later she arrived at the mountain on top of which Cloud Temple was build. Mountain was so high that its peak was hidden in clouds. There was only one way to reach the temple. Climbing there.
Nellisandra gazed up at the towering mountain peak, its summit lost amidst swirling mists, like some ethereal dream. She shifted her backpack slightly, feeling Grim stir restlessly within – no doubt sensing their mistress’ trepidation.
The path ahead was steep and treacherous, winding precariously upwards through jagged rock formations that seemed to mock mortal attempts at ascension. Nellisandra took a deep breath then, placed one hand upon a rough outcropping for balance as she began her climb.
At first the going was slow but manageable – muscles protesting against sudden exertion, after long months spent in comfort. But gradually, as height increased and air thinned beneath cloud-wreathed heights, Nellisandra found herself struggling with each step upward.
Hands grew raw from grasping sharp stone, fingers cramping painfully around holds that threatened to give way at any moment. Legs burned like fire with effort, knees shaking precariously, close to buckling entirely beneath her weight.
She pressed onward nonetheless, driven by stubborn pride and unwavering determination alike. The cat within Nelliasandra’s pack yowled indignantly, as she stumbled, nearly losing her grip, upon a vital handhold in surprise.
– Quiet! – hissed Nellisandra between gritted teeth, heart hammering wildly against ribcage: – One false move up here…and we’re both done for!
But Grim had no more words to spare to his mistress – simply hunkering down deeper into soft leather folds, with ears flattened back against skull.
Their ascent continued thusly – momentous struggle punctuated by fleeting glimpses of cloud-swept vistas below. At times Nellisandra felt as though she teetered upon very brink itself, balanced between glory and oblivion alike. And then, after what seemed an eternity spent clinging desperately to life, they crested that final ridge atop a world made of mist and mountain.
As Nelliasandra’s eyes adjusted to the misty air, she beheld a sight that stole her breath away. The Cloud Temple stood before her like some ancient relic of an age long past – its walls and roofs carved from stone with exquisite detail.
Sleek dragon figurines perched upon rooftop corners, jaws parted in silent snarls. Ornate columns supported arched gateways, leading into shadowed depths beyond.
In the courtyard below, students trained diligently, beneath watchful eyes of their masters. They moved through forms with grace and precision, born only from endless repetition – fists flying, feet kicking up swirling dust motes.
A tall man with a long braided beard called out instructions in crisp tones, his voice carrying easily across open space. He wore loose black robes, embroidered along hems and sleeves alike with golden thread.
Nearby, a woman clad only in breeches and tunic top demonstrated some complex series of moves, her form lithe yet strong, as she flowed from one position into next without pause.
– Welcome, – said another figure suddenly – startling Nellisandra out of reverie. A slender youth stepped forward to greet them, bowing low, before straightening again with smile upon handsome features: – I am Li Wei. Please come inside. Our master is waiting for you.
Nellisandra followed Li Wei into the temple’s shadowed depths, her eyes widening at the opulence within. Rich tapestries adorned stone walls, their vibrant colors muted by age and smoke. Inlaid wood screens separated rooms beyond – each door painted with intricate designs of dragons or phoenixes alike.
The youth led them to a spacious chamber, where Drokerian awaited, his feline form stretched out upon cushions before low table set with teacups. The rakshasa master rose smoothly at their approach, bowing deeply in greeting, as Nellisandra marveled silently at such an exotic sight.
– Welcome, – he purred – voice smooth yet resonant like music itself: – Please sit and join me for tea.
He gestured gracefully towards empty cushions across table from himself, then resumed his own seat with elegant ease. Li Wei moved to pour steaming liquid into waiting cups, offering Nellisandra one reverently, before retiring quietly against far wall.
The scent of jasmine rose enticingly upon humid air, as Drokerian raised cup to full lips, eyes gleaming gold behind long lashes.
– Your reputation precedes you, – he remarked casually – taking slow sip before continuing further: – It is said that no mage alive possesses such skill with elements as yourself.
He set down teacup then and fixed Nellisandra with piercing gaze.
– This is Grim, – introduced Nellisandra her cat, who got out of the bag: – I received your invitation to train here. My I ask why you send it to me?
– Just a favor to our mutual acquaintance. You can guess yourself who. But since you are here, does that mean that you wish to train here?
– Yes. I wish to improve my skill in unarmed combat and staff mastery.
– As you wish, my lady. Li Wei, please show her around. We will start tomorrow. Feel free to leave whenever you want, if training becomes too difficult. Most do.
– I will not, – stubbornly said mage and, after getting up, bowed to divine rakshasa. Grim followed her master, curiously looking around.
Next day, just as sun rose, she started her training. Grim observed his masters hardships, while catching mice, when he got bored.
Nelly threw herself into training with single-minded focus, her days filled from dawn till dusk with grueling sessions under Drokerian’s watchful eye. The rakshasa master pushed her mercilessly through each new technique, demanding perfection in every strike or parry.
– Again! – he growled as Nelly staggered to her feet – fists raised before sweat-slicked face: – And this time – faster!
She obeyed without hesitation, muscles burning from repeated motions. The staff she wielded felt like an extension of self now, after weeks spent learning its subtle rhythms. But it was not just physical skills that Drokerian sought to impart upon his charge – he drilled her relentlessly on meditation techniques too. Sitting cross-legged for hours on end, Nelly learned to quiet mind and body alike, until even breathing ceased entirely.
– You must find your inner balance, – the master explained, during one such session, voice calm yet firm: – Only then can you hope to control both mana and your life force simultaneously.
As months passed by in flash of sweat and pain, some among Cloud Temple’s ranks began to whisper about Nelly behind closed doors – marveling at her rapid progress under Drokerian’s tutelage. Many who started out alongside her had long since given up, from sheer exhaustion or frustration.
But not this mage! She pushed herself ever harder with each passing day, driven by some unquenchable thirst for knowledge deep within soul itself. And slowly, but surely, she began to master both staff and self in ways that few could match.
Comment (0)