System Break

Chapter 65: Catch me if you can

Paphyra stared at the ebony shards in front of her and pursed her lips. With an extremely sharp jade knife she began to whittle them down into fine arrows. She hummed as she ran her fingers across the wood and shaped it with qi. Cajoling it to straighten, removing tiny lumps and filling holes.

When she was finished, she smiled at the six fine ebony arrows and she picked them up and carefully placed them into a black quiver hanging on the wall.

She stretched then made her way along the timber path. The building works were in full swing now the master builder had some help. She slid down her favourite tree and walked towards the willow at the centre of the glade.

She sat and said, "The ebony needs time to renew, should I make him a living spear?"

Mother was not visible; Paphyra looked like she was speaking to the tree. The tree vibrated every so slightly and she held out her hand. A slim split appeared up the trunk and a long pole rolled out which she caught adeptly. Then to her surprise another two poles sprung forth. 

She stood and slung the three poles over a shoulder. There were a dark timber and perfectly smooth. Each was seven feet long and as thick as her wrist. She walked back to the tree at the edge of the glade when Nej called to her.

"Master," the gatherer said. "We have the oak for the axes." He held out two gnarled curved branches.

She ran her eyes over them and nodded. "They will do. Bring them up for me."

He followed her back to the workshop and waited for instruction. She nodded to a basked in the corner and he carefully placed them within.

She looked up from her bench. "Nej," she smiled. "Well done. Can you ask Elred for more ebony? And if that is not possible then mountain ash please."

Nej nodded and left without another word.

When she worked on the willow wood, she did not use a knife, planer, or chisel. She used her hand and qi to shape two new spears. She worked all day until she was exhausted, one living wood weapon was taxing three was crazy.

That's when I waltzed in all smiles and blitheness. "How's it going?" I asked.

She peered at me. "I have done what you asked." She picked up a spear shaft and handed it to me. It gripped and hefted it; it was heavy. The wood was fashioned ready for a metal spearhead, with a central tubular hole and flanged top section of the shaft.

I trusted she knew what she was doing an the Dokkalfar could work with this design. "We're leaving tomorrow are the axe handles ready?"

She glared at me. "You are holding a shaft made of sacred wood. Not one, but three were made in a day. Out. The handles will be done when they are done, and you will wait. Now out with you."

I backed out and waved my hands below my waist in a conciliatory gesture. "Okay, and thanks." When I was out the door I said, "I'll check in tomorrow."

"Out!"

I slid down the trees and stowed the spear shafts in my tent. When I exited the dark bear began to run towards me and I ran east. "Keep up if you can lil fella."

He chased me as hard as he could, so I relented and let him get close a few times just before jumping out of reach and laughing.

He chased me until it late in was almost dark, and he didn't tire. I scampered up and tree and looked down at him as he jumped in vain.

"Why are you teasing a mystical beast?" Talila asked from above.

I looked up and saw her with three new guardians. All of them were real, like her and Gisael.

"We're playing chasey - it's not my fault he can't catch me."

"Chasey?"

"Yeah you know. Its like when you chase me around trying to hump me but this time it's with a bear and no sex."

She stifled a laugh but behind her the stares were serious. "There was no sex with us either."

I laughed, "Only because you're too slow."

She chirped a challenge and jumped down. I rolled and escaped her grasp, then I had to scramble away from the bear.

"Get him," she ordered.

Two of the new guardians were female and one male. I leaped to my feet, engaged qi-speed and qi-agility, and dodged their grasping hands. 

I laughed, "If you catch me there's a reward, you can taste the dragon's breath."

None of them knew what that was, except Talila who was a notorious peeping tom.

The game had escalated from a rambunctious baby mystical bear to a group of experienced guardians. They lived in the forest all their lives and specialised in forest craft.

I sped away along the forest flaw, slipping through gaps and jumping creeks and boulders. I cheated and used qi sight; they were trying to encircle me, but they were having too much trouble keeping up.

I kept an easterly direction because if I were to veer then they would close on me. But with qi-speed they were no match in a straight line, even if they had better skills in the forest. I heard their calls and their exasperation.

I climbed and moved and climbed some more; until I had a good height advantage. The Kodiak was left far behind and he began to wander back. I shared my sight with him, and he trotted happily towards the glade.

His thoughts came at me a hundred miles and hour. "Shush," I said. "Watch and be quiet." The baby bear was excitable, but he did listen.

When my lead was extensive, and I was happy with the height I had gained I stopped and put my back to the tree. Then I watched them slyly with qi sight. I could see their four cores bouncing through the trees heading in my general direction. Then they slowed and searched for my trail.

When they finally moved past me, I took off back towards the glade. I poured qi down my legs; it was wasteful but there was no imminent battle, so it was all good. When I laughed loudly, they stopped and began to follow me again.

I raced back to the glade as fast as I could and asked the bear to meet me there. He told me he wasn't allowed to enter the glad after a peeing incident, but he could wait near the edge.

I whooped loudly, dived and rolled into the glade. "Come lil fella, you've been banished long enough."

The bear hesitated.

"Trust me I'm the boss."

He showed me an image of mother.

"Don't worry. She'll do what I ask."

He tentatively entered the glade and I rewarded him with a scratching session. While we waited for Talila and her new guardians I scratched the top of his head, under his chin and his neck.

When they finally arrived, I pointed at them. "Far too slow. Look even this baby bear beat you."

Talila gawked at me. "How?"

I shrugged. "When you become a protector, you'll know."

One of the guardians looked at the dark bear. "He's not allowed in the glade."

I shook my head. "The restriction has been lifted."

Talila laughed and it was a high chirping sound, like a blue jay on speed. I stood and circled the group inspecting them. The women were gorgeous of course and the male was not much different from Ailen.

"I expect better when I return," I said with my best instructor impersonation. "It we're ever invaded with adventurers they will come in numbers. So, your speed and tactics need to be on point."

"What are adventurers?" one of the girls asked.

I shook my head. "Talila? Did you not educate them?"

"I barely know what they are."

I pushed her gently between the breasts. "Go to Ailen. He will explain to you what they are like."

Talila flashed me a smile before they left. "I so wanted to taste the dragon's breath. I am sorry that the Ancient Kodiak wins the prize."

I laughed. "His prize was scratches."

They ran north to find Ailen and as soon as they were almost out of earshot they began chatting furiously. I could only imagine they questions she was fielding.

I looked at the brown bear who was licking himself. He reminded me of a dog. "What will we do with you?"

He sent me a chaotic mess of images. 

"No. You're too young for an adventure. You'll stay here, grow and learn."

The Ancient Kodiak mystical beast whined like a spoiled baby.