THE MENTOC WAY

  Bodyguards move into stealth, others take up station on their primaries. The emperor and his empress take the lead, the Imps formed up behind them. Tanner with Richard alongside, stand just behind them with the new party arranged around Tanner and Richard. Eunice allows the barrier to drop. The imperial party is presented with a small army arrayed in front of them. Harold and Bree move forward, Harold announces, “You may stand down.” The Grand Masters in front kneel, followed by the Masters, then the rest of the students. “Please rise. You have our thanks for standing ready. You also have our apologies, we did not mean to disrupt your day. There are times when the needs of the Empire take over, today is one of those days.”

  A Grand Master, turning to the students and masters gathered behind, instructs them to leave. The Grand Master in charge, after dismissing everyone, says, “We had expected a student and a test today, but we received an imperial visit, along with a catastrophe with the likelihood of a battle. I must say, Chris, your student so far has not been a disappointment.” A muscular older man of medium height smiles, shaking his head.

  “Manners you old coot, I am Grand Master Rialto of the Menoct Way. The woman to my right is Grand Master Kim Shohan, of the Kawanjanict. Grand Master Kenneth Mason, of the Long Fist style, stands to her right. To my left is the Grand Master of the spear, Benjamin Redstone. To his left is the Grand Master of the bow, James Chapin. The rest of our associates are elsewhere.”

  While introductions are performed, Tanner claps Richard on the shoulder and moves to the front of the Imps. With a bow, Tanner presents his scroll once more. Master Rialto bows and removes the scroll from Tanner’s hands. “Thank you Tanner, you have had an eventful day do you wish to continue? Or should we cancel and do this in two days time.”

  Eunice takes a deep breath, but Master Redstone’s touch and headshake dissuade her. He quietly tells her. “The test has already started. If he agrees to a delay, he fails. If he hesitates at any point, he fails. The Menoct Way is not for the faint of heart. If you love the young man, this may be hard for you to watch.”

  Tanner speaks in a clear voice, “The time of battle is not of our choosing but of circumstance. The Enemy will not grant us mercy, therefore we can not grant it to ourselves. The test will go on.”

  “Who is the young man beside you?”

  “Master, this is Richard Contigo, I have been training him for almost eight weeks, I want you to evaluate his progress and if his path is not suited to the Menoct Way, I would like guidance for him. So his feet are placed on the path best suited to him.”

  “I am agreeable to this. Anything else?”

  “I wish to have my delving party evaluated, nine members.”

  “Do any Grand Masters present object?” After a brief pause, the grand master continues. “I take silence for agreement.”

  Grand Master Redstone grins and says, “Richard, you and the Imps can join me in the keep with the rest of the parents. Tanner’s party can line up at the garden wall. Kim will do the honors?”

  “Happy to, maybe I will gain a student this time.”

  Grand Master Shohan tells the younger group. “It’s very simple. Enter the armory and inspect the weapons. I encourage you to pick them up and handle them, make a few passes see how they work. Upon entering the first area, you'll see a variety of basic weapon types. Swords, axes, hammers, pole arms, long, short, one handed, two handed and the like. When you find one that calls to you, let me know and we can take the basic and move into another area and refine your selection even further. You may find a bow feels right. We’ll take you to other bow types where you may find a long bow feels better in your hands than a recurve bow. Once we get that settled, we can pick out some practice weapons. Consider what feels right, not what you desire. This process uses several types of essence and enchantments to match you up to the best weapon type for you. If you do not have a weapon call to you. Do not despair. It most likely means you are suited for empty hands. Above all, take your time. I did this many years ago. I closed my eyes and walked through.”

  Tanner is led to a room. “Take off your outer garments, leave your small clothes on. Then I will lead you to the gym.” Tanner removes his clothing and walks out to the gym where he is shown a place in the center to meditate. He kneels on the scattered rice over the floor. Ignoring the audience in the seating around the training floor.

  Tanner kneels in meditation, Penny leans to Bree and whispers, “Holy cats, Claire got lucky.” Bree sighs, her eyes on Richard as he moves through his stance forms and basic strikes. Penny continues, “No Eunny is back here drooling I thinks she needs a bib.”

  Bree smiles and turns to her two friends. Eunice pretends to wipe her mouth off. Penny wagging her eyebrows. Bree hugs them both. “Thanks for the laugh, girls inappropriate as it may be.”

  Eunice, sobering, tells them both, “That Grand Master Redstone told me Tanner’s test may be hard to watch for those that love him.”

  “Richard is finished.” Grand Master Rialto motions for Bree and Harold to come down. “His performance has been commendable, considering he has only trained for less than eight weeks. The basic stances, strikes, and blocks are well within his grasp. While he's far from mastering the basics, he'll be well on his way in six months. He is not suited to the Menoct Way, Grand Master Redstone and I both agree. He would be better served by an elven sword form called Kawan Lijcan. It is very elegant. A large, forty-inch blade makes up the sword, whose hilt measures about five hand lengths. The blade is curved and, like all elven blades, it has the chisel point. It is sharp along one side to the hilt, the back of the blade is sharpened from the tip to around two thirds. The interesting thing about this form is the way the sword is used. We have a master on her way now. She will further evaluate him. Questions?”

  Bree answers, “No, questions.”

  While Harold squats to lower himself to Richard’s eye level and asks. “Richard, what do you think? I know you are working hard on this.” Looking up at the grand master, Harold tells him, “He has been practicing in the morning and working with Tanner in the evenings.”

  “I will try if the master is agreeable. Like Tanner says, ‘I see a path I would like to walk,’ I like the challenge. Funny how I hate weapons practice, but this is exciting.”

  Master Rialto nods his head and smiles at Richard. “Not an uncommon reaction. Your weapons practice is most likely boring for you because it is not giving you what you want out of it. This is forcing you to act and think about how you move and how the moves should be applied for maximum effect.” After a look around the room, Grand Master Rialto smiles and says, “Just in time. The others are done with choosing, and Richard, this is Master Lila Cabrin she will give you another evaluation. Sorry I know you put your all into this one,”

  Richard laughs and says, “I have read. ‘The enemy never attacks at a time of our choosing, but in times of our greatest weakness.’ I like that book.” Grand Master Rialto’s booming laughter echoes around the training hall. “That book is one I've read as well. I believe a wise man wrote it.”

  The new master gives a smile and says, “Only because you wrote it. Call me Master Lila, Richard let’s see what we are working with shall we? Follow me, If you would like one or both of your parents with you, I have no objections.”

  “No, they should wait here for Claire and Tanner. Can Aunt Pip-squeak come?”

  Penny jumps from the stands to Richard’s side. “What did you call me young man?” With a sly wink at the others, she follows Richard’s laughter outside. Tanner’s party has taken seats in the stands and all of them, except Connie, are holding on to new weapons.

  Grand Master Rialto announces, “Supplicant it is time.”

  Tanner hops to his feet and bows to his Grand Master, “I thank you for this opportunity.” Tanner flows into the basic stance forms. Each pose features a slow entry, a brief hold, and a smooth transition. At the end of the form, he increases speed, starting over at the beginning. At the third repeat, his movements are almost a blur. Repeating each of the basic moves for his fighting forms three times, each slow to fast. Tanner stops, panting. One student steps forward to present Tanner with a pair of large knives. Tanner immediately begins Knife forms. Once again, three times slow to fast. After performing empty handed, then knives, he repeats everything over again with a pair of heavy bladed short swords. Another student steps forward and exchanges swords for sticks. Three high adapt students step forward with sticks in hand and attack the exhausted young man. Fighting them, Tanner defeats the three in record time. Three more students approach Tanner with sticks in hand and attack. Taking a little longer, Tanner defeats the three high journeymen students. A single low master steps forward and joins the fight. Tanner holds his own against the master. Another low master joins the fight. Now faced off with two low masters, Tanner loses ground and begins taking a beating. Refusing to go down, Tanner gets more aggressive and pushes back against his opponents. Another low master joins the fight. Again Tanner takes blows until he falls. The three low masters help the young man up, clapping his back. They congratulate him for staying in the fight for as long as he did.

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  “Supplicant you have demonstrated the skills needed to become expert. Do you wish to continue?” At this, the Menoct students all inhale and stand straight. Masters around the room come to immediate attention.

  Tanner takes a deep breath and says. “My fight is not yet done.”

  Grand Master Rialto bows and says, “Start again.” Tanner begins the basic stance form. Four mid masters stand around him as he moves and beat on him with sticks.

  Grand Master Redstone calms the Imps and tells them, “He is being tested to become a disciple. It will get more brutal. He passed to become a high journeyman. If he had beat the masters, he would have become a Master himself. This is a test of his commitment to the Menoct Way. Chris does not do this lightly. He has three other disciples, and all went through this, himself, included. The Menoct Way is one of the harshest martial arts we teach. It is what is considered a hard style. From what Chris has told me, Tanner began his training at six years old. Two years earlier than most students, and to his knowledge has never missed a day of practice. Think about that, ten years every single day. The boy is committed. I can not think of a better candidate for discipleship.”

  Tanner’s party looks on in shock as Tanner completes the stance form and moves to the basic strikes, blocks, and parries. The sticks bouncing on Tanner like a drum. Claire and Connie holding hands so tight their fingers are white from lack of blood flow. Looking back at the Imps, Claire sees her mother and father’s faces, both stoic as they watch the beating, their bodies flinch with each hit. Rhys, with his eyes lowered, Tolbur watching with calm assurance that Tanner will pass this test. Penny sitting straight with a proud look for Tanner. Claire looks over at her party. Dylan and Karnna look on with awe. The half-elf twins watch calmly. Mick's arms clenched around his chest, fist tight, but still watching. Milly, both her arms wrapped around Jackson, tears in her eyes. Jackson holding Milly close, also with unshed tears.

  Grand Master Shohan sits behind the two girls and says to them. “You both must watch with pride. Your friend has worked hard for many years for this opportunity. The Menoct Way is not for the faint of heart, but those with the resolve to become disciples are fewer than hen’s teeth. So watch with pride as your friend overcomes his trial.”

  Heartened, Claire and Connie watch Tanner finish with the basics, and receive weapons to start the next part of the test. The masters move off and a new quartet step forward with swords. “The intent here is to cause pain, not injury. He must focus through the pain and perform. The sword welders are high masters they will not cut to deep.”

  “It does not make this easy to watch.” Connie says.

  “Of course not, only the Menoct’s are this insane.”

  Tanner continues with the weapons forms coming to the end. The Menoct warrior students bow to Tanner, Then the masters one by one step before the determined young man and bow to him.

  Grand Master Rialto steps in front of Tanner and gives him a shallow bow. “I welcome my newest Disciple, Tanner Wilson-Alexander.” The grand master removes his robe and kneels in front of Tanner and lays out sticks, swords, and knives. Prostrating himself, he says, “You may take your vengeance with any or all weapons for as long as needed.”

  Tanner also kneels and takes each pair of weapons, throwing them to the side. “There is no vengeance needed, Grandfather.”

  Chris Realalto pulls himself upright and looks into Tanner’s smiling face. Smiling, he reaches out and hugs the bloody young man, kissing both cheeks and his forehead. “I accept Grandson. Let’s get you healed and cleaned up.”

  Tanner stands and turns to the locker room only to find Penny blocking his way, “You were amazing, Tanner I knew you were devoted but damn.” she says grabbing him into a tight hug.

  “Penny stop I am a mess.” “Don’t care, I just watched my little brother accomplish something wonderful.”

  “Love you too pipsqueak.” Tanner says with a laugh.

  Rhys walks up and lays his hands on Tanner for a heal. “That was hard to watch, but congratulations.”

  A beginner student bows and interrupts, “Disciple Alexander your bath is ready.”

  “Oh, thank you. You didn’t have to do that.” The young man bows and walks away.

  Penny says, “Go get clean. I can’t believe you messed up my clothes.”

  Laughing, Tanner walks into the locker room. Stripping out of his clothes and sinking into the hot bath, disturbing the herbs floating on top of the water. Tanner rests, then cleans the blood and sweat. Tanner walks out of the locker room dressed in black pants and a white robe tied with a black and silver belt. Tanner moves to the area the Imps are seated, along with Mrs. Chainbreaker, Master Smith Jhaeros, and two other couples. Taking a seat next to Richard, he asks him, “How did it go? Did she accept you?”

  Richard stands and hugs him tight. “She did, it was so strange I felt like the sword was a part of me. It felt so natural to move with it. The stances are a little different, wider and lower than what you taught me. Master Lila wants to train me three times a week. She even measured me for a practice weapon.”

  Bree leans over her son and smiles. “Tanner, that was hard to watch, but I am proud of you. You showed a tremendous level of commitment. Your disciple robes look good on you.” Harold looks over Bree’s shoulder, “Yes, Tanner, congratulations. You showed remarkable determination for a young man of your age. Well done.” Harold clears his throat, “I want to thank you for talking me into staying.” Richard jumps up and snuggles in between his parents, getting hugs from both.

  Tanner’s party enters the training area Connie empty handed walks to the center she is meet by an adapt both bow and Connie attacks the adapt who defends against her clumsy attacks after a few minutes, time is called and three masters stand along with Grand Master Kenneth Mason, of the Long Fist style. The four motions her over. Karnna, armed with a double-bladed Greataxe, takes Connie's place. A similarly equipped opponent faces her, and they engage in combat until the match is paused. One of the Masters stands and beckons her over. Milly walks in carrying a heavy-bladed short spear. Her opponent steps to her and the two fight until time is called. Two masters stand and beckon her over. Iris walks in with an odd looking bow. The large framed recurve bow has what looks like large knife blades on the front nestled in the upper and lower curves, and several blunted arrows. Three opponents jump up and attack her. Iris fires arrows into the attackers until they get within a few feet of her. She then swings the bow around her and uses it in the melee. Pushing her last opponent and jumping back, she fires two arrows into the last woman’s chest, downing her. Grand Master Chapin stands with a wide smile and beckons her over. Lilli walks out after her sister as she settles into her stance. A master steps forward to face her. They faced off, motionless. Then Lilli attacks with an underhand slash. Her attack is deflected, and a slash is aimed at her arm. Lilli parries the blade and carries herself around into a back kick and lashing out with her sword. Planting her foot, she continues the move into another kick, and sword slash, pushing the man back to make room for another slash with her sword. He signals the match’s end, then signals her departure. They stop in front of an older elf woman and begin talking. Claire walks out holding a sword staff. Grand Master Kim Shohan walks out with a similar weapon and invites her to follow as she moves through a few strikes and blocks. Nodding her head, the grand master claps Claire on the shoulder and talks to her while the two walk off the combat area.

  Tanner leans over to Bree and whispers. “Claire just got accepted by a grand master. Along with Lilli and Iris. The girls have all been accepted for training.”

  Bree puts her arm around him and asks, “A lot has happened today. Are you okay?”

  Tanner leans into her, looking at his friend, “I think so. I need some time to adjust. I need to go over and talk to her, all of this seems awkward I’m not sure why.”

  “You will figure this out. You have many people invested in your well being and all of us will help you.”

  Tanner nods his thanks. As Jackson steps on the mat with a spear. The shaft is as tall as he is, the blade around 12 inches. His opponent walks out and bows.

  Tanner rises and moves to his new aunt. “May I sit?”

  Startled out of her deep thoughts, she looks up and smiles. “I would like that. I sat here away from the others, I didn’t want to intrude.”

  “I can under stand that, I want to tell you I need some time to adjust to this new situation. Much as I would like to just accept everything I need a little time.”

  “I am available any time if you need anything, anything at all. Tutoring, Money or just to talk.”

  “Well I don’t need money, the Empress adopted me into the Alexander House. I am set to go to Darton we just had orientation today for first year. I would like to know more about you though.”

  “Okay, you remember my name I take it?” She asks with a smile.

  Smiling back, Tanner teases her. “I think so it began with an A right?”

  “You inherited your father's sense of humor along with his good looks I see.”

  Tanner’s smile going sad, says, “That is good to know.”

  Looking into Tanner's eyes. She tells him about herself. Tanner finds out he has a cousin, another aunt, his mom’s younger sister, and a grandmother. All have Eldritch affinities. His cousin is in her third year at Darton.

  Claire walks up and says, “Tanner everyone tested we all got accepted. Mick picked a one handed sword and shield. Jackson long spear. Dylan has some kind of metal staff with a head on both ends. I think he called it a battle staff. Are you coming with us back to the palace or do you want to stay and talk?”

  “I am so sorry for holding you and your friends up Tanner. As much as I would like to grab hold of you and never let you go. I know that is impractical. One thing before you go I have your mother and father’s effects in storage would you like them? They can be delivered or I can take them to you.”

  Claire, noticing Tanner’s hesitation, speaks up. “How about have them delivered to the imperial palace attention Prince Tanner Wilson-Alexander. We have a few things that we need to take care of over the next few days. Let us see, today is Firstday, tomorrow we have appointments for most of the day going into Thirday. Tanner can meet back up with you on Fourthday. Tanner is that agreeable?”

  With a head nod, Tanner agrees and asks. “Can we meet for lunch and maybe bring the rest of your, uh my family? I would like to meet them.”

  “I have the perfect spot in mind. It has amazing food and a cozy, private dining room we can use. I’ll set everything up.”

  The small group gathers in front of the outer gate of the combat center. A line of carriages waiting. Bree announces, “Congratulations to all of you on your acceptance. We can all gather at the palace tomorrow at five in the afternoon. Bring any representation you would like, we can sign all the paperwork and then have diner together.”

  “Mother, Connie’s parents and the Rasumun’s are staying at inns in the city can they be housed at the palace for now?”

  “Of course Dear, I should have thought of that.”

  Bree offers palace lodging to both couples until their departure. Both couples accept and climb into a carriage, the Rasumun twins climb in also and the carriage moves out. The Chainbreakers and the Jhaeros climb into separate carriages and leave. Jackson waves and leaps into another carriage. Two carriages left are marked as imperial property. Claire tells everyone that Tanner, Connie, and herself have things they need to discuss in private. As the threesome climb into the carriage they picked, Tanner catches Eunice’s eye and tilts his head at the carriage. Eunice jumps in with them just as the conveyance moves off.