The Roots of Command
3rd of December 2006 A.D.
As soon as you draw the black steel sword Daniel's eyes go wide. It's not the Sword and it's not your sword, on account of that being performing the task of information gatherer and general intermediary, but it is just as clearly a weapon of power, more than a tool of war, a thing with its own history and tales to tell. Oh yes, you know well the look in your brother's eyes from all the times you had seen it looking back out of the mirror. Still understanding does not mean letting him off easy: "Once you finish your training if this is appropriate to your style you can use this," You shrug with deliberate nonchalance. "Plus if I give it to you now you wouldn't be able to do this..." A wedge of air forged into a blade screams across the sale to shatter one of the practice targets. "Be a real waste."
Olivia at least hides her amusement behind her hand, Lydia does no such thing, though Daniel's surly expression turns around abruptly when his girlfriend hugs him around the shoulder and whispers into his ear. "I'm sure you will do great."
That theory is put to the test that evening, or what would be evening back home. The closest thing to a day in the Five Cities is the shift, which Olivia had first taken to mean 'work shift' and been understandably upset by, though in the full meaning is a shift in one's self. It is broadly taught not just by the Covenant, but as part of most common philosophies of the world that the 'one who labors' is apart from 'the one who sleeps ' who is apart from 'the one who prays' and so on. Fifty two modalities of life are recognized most everywhere, with maybe a dozen more having local acceptance. Most people of course do not spend the equivalent of eight hours and twenty minutes only engaged in commerce or entirely dedicated to ritual bating to open new endeavors.
But there is one exception. In the City of Law among towers buttressed like fortresses and tunnels still doubling as shelter was born a tradition which some sorcerers disdain to count among themselves, though not in hearing of its practitioners. the Five-fold Hollowing Style. Many an ancient battles had been won and lost upon the fulcrum of this ancient art and while the Wars of Unification are a thing of the past the use of such empowered warriors has never slacked, mostly in dealing with the tribes of the Forest and the Wastes, their powers impervious for it is born from within, of understanding one's self and one's place in the world...
"They are the same are they not?" Usum asks as you step onto the platform from the small inner city train.
"All born of the same essence, in some small way all capable of embodying it."
"Not embody, follow in the footsteps," you correct him
The conversation is cut short by a man grey skinned with eyes black as drops of tar and garbed in armor of brass bows to you so deeply his bald head almost touches the floor. "I am honored to be of service to you and to your kin Majesty, I am Integrity Thrice Sworn. it would be an honor to offer my services to you and those who follow you."
Daniel straightens up instinctively at the tone, not that he was slouched before, but now one could use his spine as s plumb bob. "Sir I am ready, eager to learn."
Turns out the first step on the road to learning martial arts is not a punch nor a kick, not even a headbut, it is mediation upon bonds of fellowship to harden the officer's resolve based upon the bonds of fellowship and duty.
You lay a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "I had to learn how to brew tea."
By the time you get home that night your brother is more relaxed than you had seen him in a while, the tension invisible until it was gone. Now at last he has a way forward that isn't a gamble in the dark.
What next?
[] Lydia speaking to the priests of the City of Endings about Death in the Beyond
[] The White Council delegation arrives, but to Harry's not so well hidden dismay
[] Write in
OOC: Not the most inspired vote, but it is late and this was a good stopping point narratively