Beyond the Dragon Walls

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Beyond the Dragon Walls; open:)
Topic Started: Jan 17 2009, 06:14 PM (309 Views)
Tenzin	Jan 17 2009, 06:14 PM Post #1
Tenzin Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 14, 2009	It's been a week since Tenzin was sent out of the Dragon Temple, the monastery that served as his home for 16 years. The young monk lingered outside the walls for a day, and he dared not stay a moment longer for fear the senior monks would find out and reveal his cowardice before the whole Temple. But Tenzin couldn't help it. He never step foot outside the comfort of the high stones walls, setting the Temple into the cliffs of The Steps, a series of minor mounts below Mount Iccarus. Seeing his home from the outside was thrilling...and terrifying. For the past 6 days Tenzin had wandered down the narrow and treacherous paths that wound through the cliffs and valleys, heading down, but in an erratic switchback fashion. He wandered off the cart trail to search for berries on day 4, and became lost in a rock fall. Since then he simply headed in a downwards direction, hoping to come across someone...or a town of some sort. He was hopelessly lost. A gush of wind barreled down the pass and lifted Tenzin's braid off his shoulder. He shivered and pulled his travel cloak closely about his shoulders. The thin fabric did little to warm his body. The young monk had given up wandering for the day and was sitting beneath a low scrubby tree. He'd been trying to meditate for the past hour, but couldn't find his center. All he could think about was how lonely, hungry, tired and cold he was. He hadn't slept properly since leaving the Temple, and the fatigue was weighing heavily upon his mind. He would feel hot one second, and cold the next...sure signs of a fever. Tenzin's eyes opened and he lifted a hand to wipe at some of dirt caked along his cheek. He felt hollow, completely empty and numb. His stomach growled angrily and the young monk slowly climbed to his feet, hands grabbing at the tree for support. The plant groaned in protest and the rocks holding it in place slipped. The ground beneath Tenzin's feet dropped an inch. The monk stared. Had he just hallucinated? Were his wits that far gone? With a loud crack the ground splintered and came apart, dropping out beneath the monk's feet and falling away into a chasm that had up until now been a cave. Tenzin suddenly came alive with adrenaline and he jumped to his left, where the ground was still stable. What had been solid turned to sand and Tenzin's feet searched for support and his hands flung out and grabbed a ledge. When the noise stopped and the dust settled, the monk was left clinging to an edge of a newly formed cliff. The drop was dizzying and went on and on to end at a newly formed pile of jagged rocks. Tenzin swallowed hard and turned his eyes back to the edge to which he clung. His arms strained, but he was too weak to pulled himself up now that his adrenaline was depleted. His breath rasped in his throat and his fingers were burning. He wouldn't be able to hold on for much longer. The young monk closed his eyes and concentrated on his breath and the burning in his fingers. Keep holding on...just holding on...oh Dragon give me strength!



Kryssin	Jan 18 2009, 04:37 AM Post #2
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	Suddenly out of the blinding whiteness of the mountain slopes, an armored gauntlet reached out towards the boy's arm and clasped it firmly. A feminine voice resonated above, which was soon matched with a fair yet strong feminine face. Her long braided white hair swayed loosely over her shoulder as her eyes squinted in defense from the harsh winds. "Grab ahold of my arm lad!" the lady knight Cleira beckoned as she kneeled over the cliff's edge where the land gave way. On her way up the merciless mountain, she arrived just in time to see the youth slip in misfortune. She was confident in the strength of one arm while the other held her securely strapped knapsack. It has been a while since she had traversed up Mount Iccarus, but that did not discourage her from even bearing the chilliest weather on foot. Cleira knew very well the dangers the mountain could hold especially during the winter season, and found it strange to find a traveller alone and barely clothed within its midst. Even her armor did not fare enough against the bone chilling high winds, and so had to wear a thick woolen cloak even over her already bulky vestments.



Tenzin	Jan 18 2009, 08:07 PM Post #3
Tenzin Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 14, 2009	His hold body was shaking with the effort it took to hang onto the cliff edge, and his fingers were growing numb. His travel cloak had fallen open during the action and the frigid wind battered his failing body. Panic and sheer terror were the only emotions keeping him from falling, and his strength was nearly gone. Suddenly, there was pressure on his arm, and a voice broke through the howling wind. Tenzin looked up and managed to open one eye, as the other was frozen shut. The monk's heart leapt to his throat in joy as he thought he could make out a body (which he mistook it for his old teacher Lopsang). He summoned his last bit of strength to swing his free arm up and grasp the savior's arm. Everything was fading fast, his strength, his vision, his consciousness. But inside, he was warm. He could feel the warmth of the fire in the Temple kitchen, and almost could smell the fresh baked bread. Lopsang had come for him, somehow, miraculously. No longer was he lost on this awful mountain and Tenzin at last felt some relief.



Kryssin	Jan 18 2009, 09:19 PM Post #4
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	Cleira finally felt the full weight of the boy as he let go of the cliff and fully hung onto her single arm for life. She clenched her teeth only a little from the weight, but more from the cold as she heaved Tenzin up slowly while using her legs as leverage. She was glad she chose not to bear her arms while going up the mountain and felt there was no need to anyway. Her body did not feel the extra weariness she would have felt if burdening the weight of her usual shield and polearm. The snow under her feet suddenly caused her to slip, dangerously positioning her on her belly. Cleira dared not to let go, even though her arm burned and ached for relief. She swung her free arm and held Tenzin's arm with both hands, realizing that one was not enough. Able to get up on her knees, she hoisted him fully up from the danger of the cliff and held his limp body while backing away from imminent danger. Cleira brushed the snow that accumulated on the boy's face and noticed how close he was to fainting. She also noticed from his hairstyle and garb that he was a monk, which answered most of her questions about his presence. "Don't worry," she said trying to reach his fading consciousness, "Just hold on!" Cleira did not have to think twice as she removed her handmade parka and wrapped it around Tenzin. Her self-sacrificing nature did not allow her to benefit from something he obviously needed most. 'I must get to the Temple quickly. The elders would probably know about this matter' she thought as she scooped up the lad in her arms. The boy was not that heavy, and so she continued walking up the mountain on the desired path, a path that maybe this young monk was not so fortunate to know about. She walked defiantly against the direction of the winds, her armor clinking coldly with each step. Cleira ignored the suffering cries of her skin against the cooling steel of her armor. She forced the warmth of her blood to keep her going and steady until she would arrive at the temple and finally find comfort in warmth. Her face would not allow to show much discomfort, though she squinted whenever a flurry of snow swerved in her way. Every once in a while she checked up on the boyish monk to see if he was still breathing. The hood of her parka was open enough to let her see his face and the puffs of warm air that escaped his nostrils or lips. Cleira would have to hurry, so without fear she forced her legs to run whenever there was a safe stretch to keep her blood pumping and the monk's chances of survival from slipping. What took days for the monk to travel about halfway down the mountain, the lady knight would try to match with just under a day. There was no chance setting up camp in such blasted weather, which made her determined to venture to the Temple as fast as her human feet could take her. Her unfaltering will would not allow any other alternative.



Tenzin	Jan 18 2009, 09:55 PM Post #5
Tenzin Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 14, 2009	Tenzin felt a lifting sensation as his savior lifted him to safety and then distantly felt solid ground. A fog settled about his head and he couldn't concentrate. A voice spoke to him, it was strong, and feminine. He moved his lips in a futile effort to form words, but all that came out was a long sigh and he slipped into unconsciousness. About an hour passed in Cleira's valiant journey before the monk came round, his breath catching in his throat and his heart nearly stopping in terror. It was a long moment before Tenzin was able to slowly make sense of things. He wasn't falling, he wasn't dead, and he was being carried...that explained the jostling and feeling of falling. This was as far as he got before his head spun and he nearly went under again. "W-w-what," he muttered, his voice sounded so small and far away to his ears. He realized this was because his teeth were chattering. His eyes shut and then slowly cracked open. He made out a face above him. His muddled mind slowly deduced that the face did not belong to one of the monks. He had to say something...but his eyes felt so heavy... When the monk came round for the second time, it was because of something urgent. His eyes snapped open and his face was as white as the snow swirling down the steep mountain path. He flung out a hand and it hit something hard...metal?...and a ringing sounded in his ears. He kicked wildly and reached out to the white void beyond the figure holding him. His stomach churned and heaved. Of course, after failing to find food for 2 days, there wasn't much to bring up, so he gagged instead, throat burning and head throbbing.



Kryssin	Jan 19 2009, 12:51 AM Post #6
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	As desperate as she was to reach the Temple before the day's end, something brought her back to realization. The boy was thrashing, and it took some balance and strength for Cleira to hold him still without accidentally dropping him. She kneeled in the middle of the path, supporting his body with her thigh, and used a free hand to feel his forehead. "He is becoming delirious. There is no choice. I must find shelter." She spoke aloud, pushing to keep the ebb of life flow within her despite such grimacing conditions. She kept resisting his struggle as she took a bold turn from the path to find a place accommodating enough from the merciless storm. In the mountains there was likely to be a groove, a hollow in which man or beast could find cover. Wildlife did exist in even the harshest parts of the mountain, so Cleira used that rational to keep her hopes up. After an enduring twenty minutes peering through every slope and jutted rock, she praised the mountain spirits for being able to find an empty cave of reasonable proportions fitting for at least two grown bodies. Cleira rushed in with shivered sigh of relief that the direction of the wind did not blow within the cavern. It was still cold inside, but not having the wind mixed with it was still favorable. She placed him on the farthest end of the cave while she took haste in building a fire. Luckily, she was able to find dry sticks and shrubs untouched by the wet snow outside and did what she could to spark warmth from them. In her knapsack she reached her provisions. It was enough for one to last a few days travel, a precaution she always took when traveling. Cleira had a box of herbal tea, one of the several gifts she was bringing to the Temple, and could not help but open it to make warm tea for the suffering boy. Already his body was probably too cold that she thought it would be better if he didn't consume half-frozen water. She prepared the tea as fast as she could while hearing Tenzin's agonizing moans and groans. Finally she filled a tin cup and went to Tenzin's aid, propping the young one against a large smooth slab of shale and slowly bringing the hot steam of tea to bathe his face. "You must drink," she cooed out of maternal instinct, additionally wiping the stray hairs that hung in front of his face. "I will not allow you to die on me..."



Tenzin	Jan 19 2009, 01:34 AM Post #7
Tenzin Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 14, 2009	Everything felt like it was burning...which was curious since Tenzin knew it was actually quite cold outside. The pain was a distraction from his cramping stomach and throbbing head. He was desperate to make sense of the situation, but thoughts refused to come together in his head and the world without was loud and too bright. Suddenly, the noise stopped, and when Tenzin was able to focus his eyes again he found he was in a cave, and there was the figure again, huddled over a pile of something, perhaps trying to make a fire. The young monk tired to move, but his body refused to cooperate. He'd never felt so sick in his life... His world shifted again, he didn't remember shutting his eyes but when he opened them again he was in a sitting position and there was a steaming mug held out before him. He took in a quick breath of surprise and the tea vapors flooded his system, warming and calming. A gentle hand brushed some matted hairs off his forehead and Tenzin found it within himself to lift his trembling hands to help the cup to his lips and he took a tentative sip. It burned his tongue, but he swallowed anyway and his starved body accepted the liquid. He tried another sip and then dropped his hands. The sleepiness was coming back, but he fought it off, he wanted to examine his savior. She looked like one of the heavenly beings drawn on some of the ancient scriptures, such long beautiful hair and kind eyes. Her clothes seemed to sparkle in the light and made a bell-like sound when she moved. Her voice had a soothing effect...similar to that of the tea. Surely the Dragon had sent her to aid him! He cleared his throat and blinked sleepily. He wanted to say a formal 'thank you' which was spoken as: arigatou-gozaimasu, however what came out sounded more like: "Rigatzaimas". But it was taught in the Way to Respect Others, and Endeavor, so Tenzin tried again. "T-thank you," he rasped. That seemed to come out correctly, so his cracked lips twitched into a half-smile. He would not let sleep take over again quite yet. A shiver shook him and he instinctively pulled his cloak closer about him, noticing now that he wore an additional cloak. Was it hers? "I'm T-T-Tenzin..."



Kryssin	Jan 19 2009, 07:19 PM Post #8
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	"Tenzin," Cleira repeated, keeping the name embedded on her tongue to remember. "I am Lady Cleira, Knight of Shambala." She had understood only a few rudimentary words from the monks' archaic language, a language she was only lucky enough to learn about from her many exchanges with the elders. In reply she returned the formal gesture with the proper expression "Doitashimashite" with the best accent she could muster. She placed the still full boiling cup of tea down near their makeshift campfire to keep it warm, and this time removed a piece of flat-bread from her pack, placing it in the boy's hands. "I would not allow you to talk for you need your rest, but I must digress. Why is a young monk like yourself, a monk of the Dragon Temple alone out here in this severe climate?" The Lady Knight could not make out the sense of it, not knowing much about the Dragon Temple's traditions and their ways. She resisted drinking the tea made for one or her bread, and rather waited for Tenzin to complete his sustenance before she tended to her own.



Tenzin	Jan 19 2009, 09:33 PM Post #9
Tenzin Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 14, 2009	The young monk's green eyes went wide and round when Cleira introduced himself. The person he'd at first mistaken for his old teacher Lopsang was a knight!! He'd heard about knights only through the stories some of the younger monks shared when the senior monks were absent. The stories sounded pretty wild- brave men and woman who wore clothes made out of metal, going out on adventures? Surely this was the stuff of legend! But now the woman's clothing made sense, and Tenzin realized that the images in his head were a far cry from what the real stuff looked like. While the monk was lost in his thoughts, Cleira placed some bread in his hands. He stared at it, and realized he had absolutely no appetite for it...but knew his body was hungry. So he broke off a small bit and put it in his mouth. He chewed slowly, savoring the flavor. The tea, the bread, the fire...he was starting to feel a tiny bit like himself again. Though sleep was pushing heavily on his body, he stubbornly pushed it aside to speak more with the knight. For she was the stuff of legend! And was what more, she knew of his humble home. When she spoke its name his heart lurched in his chest. He missed it so much. Tenzin swallowed and cleared his throat. "I am on a spiritual journey," he said. He looked down at the bread in his hands, his face burning in shame. "I-I must learn more of the world...and master Heavenly Thunder so I can return to the Temple." He spoke plainly, simply, his world was so small he naturally assumed she knew of the difficult move, the most secretive and powerful technique in the Way of the Dragon. Edited by Tenzin, Jan 19 2009, 09:34 PM.



Kryssin	Jan 19 2009, 10:56 PM Post #10
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	Cleira raised her eyebrows as she listened to his tale. "Did Elder Lopsang really send you out for a journey these days?" she descended from her low crouch to a more comfortable sitting position with her legs tucked underneath her. She knew of Lopsang and entitled him as such, being probably the only monk she had exchanged words and items with. "I know I shouldn't question his judgement. After all, you're ways of life are even stricter than mine. But to send such a young one out in this wilderness without provisions or even a warmer coat seems unreasonable." The woman spoke without knowing much about their traditions, yet she understood the dire discipline they needed in order to preserve their ancient and mysterious ways. For that she respected, especially because they were a more peaceful people. Before speaking again she rubbed her hands together and blowed on them to keep them warm while the fire burned faintly beside them. "Pray tell then Tenzin of the Dragon Temple, is this...'Heavenly Thunder' even worth your young life? If so, then that must mean I cannot bring you back to the Temple? For that is where I am heading to, and where I must bring your master's request for my craft. Indeed, this would be a predicament if I must turn back."



Tenzin	Jan 20 2009, 01:06 AM Post #11
Tenzin Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 14, 2009	His eyes snapped up at the sound of his favorite teacher's name. She knew of Lopsang? He found it hard to believe the old monk knew a knight...and never mentioned it! Then again, talk of the world without the Temple was a bit a taboo. He forgot about sleep and the cold at the mention of his home and teachers. "Oh it's very important to master!" Tenzin replied, his enthusiasm bubbling over. He wiped absently at some of the water dribbling down his face, the ice that had collected in his hair was melting rapidly. He paused to cough and gnaw a little more on the bread the knight had given him. He like the pale haired knight immensely. Not only had she saved his life, but she knew of his world. "I can't go back, not until I've gathered more experience," he went on. A flush spread across his cheeks, partly from excitement, partly from the fever. It would be better to die then to return without mastering Heavenly Thunder. It was that simple...and that difficult. He rubbed one eye tiredly. Before he say say another word his eyes closed and his head drooped forward. He didn't dream of falling this time, but of home.



Kryssin	Jan 20 2009, 07:42 AM Post #12
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	Cleira blinked a few times, intrigued by the boy's sudden burst of energy, only to be melted away again by fatigue. "It seems I have overexcited him," the lady smiled solemnly and shook her head, taking what bread was leftover in his hands and laid him horizontally on the floor to sleep more comfortably. She also added her knapsack as a pillow and gently tucked it under his head. "Well I can't just leave him here while I go to the temple, and he won't be able to travel there with me. Just how much more experience must this boy endure?" It was puzzling just thinking about the recent string of events as well as surprising to find interesting company. Cleira was still glad to know she was able to help one in need, and would keep her sworn protective duties in active sentiment. A sudden gust breached their grotto, causing her to shiver . Strangely, she still admired the snow and the cold air as if she belonged with it, and did not mind the winter season. In fact, it was her favorite time of the year. There was not much she could do but stay awake most of the night by keeping the fire fueled, finishing the leftover tea, and keeping watch over her young companion. Cleira would not allow herself a wink of sleep. She knew all too well what dangerous creatures roamed these mountains, and that they were the ones trespassing into their domain. It was best to be prepared, alert, and overall, a true noble self-sacrificing knight. She prayed by whatever gods or spirits that guided the forces of Shambala, that by morning the storm will cease and bring sunshine back their faces once again.



Tenzin	Jan 20 2009, 06:45 PM Post #13
Tenzin Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 14, 2009	Under the valiant knight's watch, Tenzin slept and dreamed. He was standing outside the Dragon Temple, the enormous iron gates were slightly ajar. Tenzin slipped through and walked into a training sessions happening on the front courtyard. In rows of ten the green sash monks worked through 'salute to the moon' in perfect unison. It was quiet except for the shuffle of the feet and a chorus of kiai's (spirited yell) at the appropriate moments. Tenzin was overjoyed to see familiar faces and he rushed forward, not caring if he interrupted the exercises. "Hello hello! I'm back!" he said, catching the sleeve of a young monk named Ren. The monk started, but his eyes were looking beyond Tenzin. Ren shrugged and went back to the form. Tenzin's mouth dropped in surprise. He waved his hand in front of Ren's face, but no reaction. He jumped and yelled, but if was as if he were invisible. In a panic Tenzin rushed into the main Temple and navigated the tight turns to the monk quarters. He could hear the sound of someone crying, somewhere in the distance, and he followed it. He tracked it to a closed door. He reached out for the handle abut before he could grasp the latch the ground gave way beneath his feet. Oh no! Tenzin thought. Not again! His feet kicked at empty air and his hands flung out for something solid. Suddenly a hand shot out of the darkness and grabbed his arm. Tenzin looked up in relief and saw a very young monk, he couldn't have been older than 7, his head had been freshly shaven. "Thank the Dragon!" Tenzin cried. The boy stared down at him, a strange expression on his face. "What are you doing here?" the boy asked. "I've returned!" Tenzin replied. The boy's face suddenly began to age, he went through puberty in seconds, passed his 20s, 30s, and then slowly turned to a wizened, aged face. Tenzin's eye widened in horror. The old man gave him a toothless grin. "Have you completed your quest?" the old man asked, voice quivering like a leaf on the wind. "N-no...I haven't," Tenzin said, suddenly remembering. "Then you cannot be here! Begone!" The old man screeched, and then let go. Tenzin's stomach jumped into his throat as he fell down...down...down... The young monk awoke with a start. The cave came into rapid focus, and he saw Cleira sitting by the fire, her face turned to the cave entrance. It took a few moments for Tenzin to remember where he was, and that what just happened was a dream. But instead of feeling disturbed by the dream...he felt calm and content...as though something had been confirmed. He was lying on his back, so he slowly pushed himself to a siting position. His body felt sore and achy, his throat was dry and his stomach howled at him for sustenance. But before he so much as greeted his savior, he crossed his legs into the lotus position and meditated. For the first time in days he was able to quickly find his center and calm his thoughts enough to control his breathing. Deep within his mind he located his spirit and examined the colors of its aura. His body had been weakened by a fever, but his spirit was still as strong as ever and he would heal swiftly so long as he didn't fall off any more cliffs. When Tenzin came out of meditation (perhaps lasting about 10 minutes) he felt stronger, more relaxed, and finally in control of himself. The flush was gone from his cheeks, the pain of thirst and hunger was dulled, and he barely noticed the soreness in his joints. "Good morning, I hope I haven't inconvenienced you," Tenzin said to the vigilant knight. His eyes were wide open now, and he realized she hadn't slept. "If you care to sleep I do not mind keeping watch," he offered.



Kryssin	Jan 20 2009, 11:16 PM Post #14
The First Lady Knight Posts: 159 Group: Global Mod Member #68 Joined: December 9, 2008	It had been a long night until Cleira's half-weary daze became broken by the sound of Tenzin's voice. Her head turned towards him, letting a trickle of light from the rising dawn streak past her pallid cheeks. The morning twilight mixed with the snowy mist seemed to shroud her in an ethereal air, as if she were only a ghost among mortal men. "No inconvenience at all young sire," she said before she began to stand up and stretch her aches away. From her long observations, the snowstorm considerably died down and the sun had finally peaked from the heavy grey clouds. "Too worried I was since you've been murmuring and tossing in your sleep, but do not worry about me. Our time has come to take advantage of the new day. Behold, the snow has ceased," she looked outside again to confirm her statement. "If you are strong enough, are you determined descending down the mountain once more? Are you sure you won't come back up the mountain with me?" her eyes looked at him with concern.



Tenzin	Jan 21 2009, 01:16 AM Post #15
Tenzin Posts: 50 Group: Members Member #73 Joined: January 14, 2009	She looked tired, and guilt stabbed Tenzin in the chest. Standing there at the mouth of the small cave, she looked ever more like one of the paintings of heavenly beings gracing the ancient scripts. He slowly climbed to his feet and immediately pulled his travel cloak closer about him. He removed Cleira's cloak and folded it carefully. He moved slowly, tentatively, but the ground did not lurch beneath his feet and the world remained in sharp focus. His body had endured plenty of hardships from the strict physical training required by the Way, and recovered quickly. Tenzin bowed deeply before Cleira and handed her back her cloak. "Thank you for saving my life," he said. "...but now I must continue on my journey, I have plenty of places I must see before I return to the Temple." He wished he had some sort of a token to give the kind knight, however a monk's life had no room for trinkets...they were considered luxuries. He looked outside and saw it was morning and the snow had stopped falling...for the moment. It was a fresh day, a good time for a new start.



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