Moving Forward

Jemman spent the day with her usual martial arts training and meditation. She worked qi through the meridian in her hands. Rather than the comfortable warmth she had felt the first time a burning sensation began which quickly ran up her arms.

Sweat began pouring from her and the pain quickly became unbearable. Without realising it she began to scream.

Hearing Jemman bawling in pain Jardin raced to her, noticing how wildly she was flinging her arms about. It was tempting for him to laugh at her flailing about but he showed his maturity and claimed her.

"Sit it the lotus position and calm your breathing. The most important thing when cultivating is control. So, stop and breathe. Focus on the qi and will it to slow down and go where you want. Focus on gentle flow and have it recede back to your hands."

Under his confident voice Jemman controlled herself, her breathing and eventually her qi. After almost an hour she looked up and found herself alone. She then smiled and started reviewing the information she had about the Phoenix cultivation and bloodline. She couldn't do anything with it as Jardin had yet to provide some materials. She took time to visualise the process and what she would be going through. It would be an ordeal.

Eventually she decided to have breakfast.

It was while breakfast was being consumed that Jemman's world, well new world, was turned around. Jardin came in with blood dripping from his mouth and a huge, deep gash that went from his jaw to his clavicle.

"Here is what you need my Amair. You can finally begin the journey to the four heavens."

Each word seemed to be dragged from him. He was about to continue when Kraem came charging in.

"Uncle! Uncle!" He screamed.

Before he could continue Jardin cut him short. "Will you act as Omair for Jemman?"

"I will not. She has become the death of you. I will not kill her out of respect for you. But in two years I will prove how foolish this choice of yours is."

With his final breath he gasped at Jemman, "Bless you Only Eight. Go to the Phoenix sect and become who you will."

Pink blood bubbled out of his mouth and he died.

"You killed him. Your stupidity killed him. How could you take his essence, you fool."

Kraem raised his hand and struck her. The slap forced her face violently around.

"You have one hour to leave here. Take what you will, Amair-elect." Kraem's voice dripped with sarcasm. "What's his is yours, but only if you can work out how to take it."

Jemman spent half of the hour burying Jardin. It was clearly her right as Kraem did not stop her, though he looked on hatefully. She spoke words from her original world. When she finished with, "From dust we came and to dust we return" she bowed her head. Then she walked to her room with the small bag of materials that Jardin had died for. She grabbed her training weapons and then went to Jardin's room. The door was locked and she refused to break it. Reluctantly she turned away before deciding to try something. With a small dagger she slit her hand a placed it on the door.

With a light click it slid open and she walked into his room for the first time. Jemman only had three minutes left before she would be forced out by a grief-filled, young wolof. She quickly scanned the room noting a large backpack, a wide-bladed spear and some documents on Jardin's, old, oak desk. She put these in her bag. Opening a draw she found a heavy pouch of money and two jade ornaments. Finally, as she was walking out she saw a short sword resting next to a rustic wooden cupboard.

Tears pouring down her face she left the room of her only friend and mentor. She struggled under the weight of what she carried and even more by the weight of her loss.

Kraem looked on with a hard face. "Train hard Jemman. I will see you in two years and then I will destroy you. I won't be alone, I promise you."