Yu Shei
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There are many that seek enlightenment. But there are none who reach it.
So my Master told me, many times.
There were many things my Master said that I did not understand. But of all of them, I did not understand this. We would meditate together for many hours, in order to seek enlightenment. We sought it together, he and I. And yet – he told me we would never reach it. Why did we seek it?
Perhaps it is easier to start with what I did understand.
I understood my name was Yu Shei, for that was what he named me. I understood when he taught me to cook the rice we ate, to give our bodies sustenance. I understood when he taught me how to read and write.
I understand how much he cared – still cares – for me. And I understand that is why he sent me away. That which he cared for, he could part with. I hope one day to be able to open my hand and let go so easily. But for now – I miss him. With such sadness I write this, for I feel I have lost my only friend.
I have found a place to stay in this small village, while I seek the monastery of Four Winds that my master told me of. The farmer is kind to let me sleep with his animals; they are warm at night and the winds are very cold. In return, I have helped clean out his animals, and he gifted me with some small amount of broth to eat. I do not know what was in it, but I thanked him regardless, and ate it. It was… different to the food I have been used to.
In the night, while the light of my lady Selûne still graced the night, I practiced what my master had taught me. To move as one with grass and the night, to be at peace amongst the moonlight. I practiced my movements for many hours, before finally I felt I had pushed myself far enough, and returned to fall quickly into sleep amongst the warm straw.
That night, dreamed. I dreamed of the past.
_“Do not try to hit me,” Master Shun said, as he took a step back to avoid my clumsy kick. “Let me be hit.”
“I do not understand those words,” I said, though I did not drop my stance.
“There is nobody who does,” said Master Shun, as he made a strike I could not block. “And now I have landed my blow, but not because of that.”
I stumbled backward at the force of the blow, struggling to keep my footing. I had lost, once more, and my master paused, and then dropped his stance. I did likewise, and we bowed – as was always done – before he looked at me and spoke once more. “Meditate by the stream, under Selûne’s light. I wish you to think on what the stream is. And when you think you are ready, return, and we will fight again. And perhaps it shall end differently. Or perhaps not.”
That night, I meditated by the stream. I considered what it was. But it is … hard to put in words. For a moment, I saw the stream, not as water swirling. I saw it was it really was. And at the same time, it was not at all.
I returned, as if in a daze, to the practice area. My master was already waiting. We sparred once more – and at the same time, we didn’t.
A blow was landed.
In the morning, my master gave me a bag of provisions for the journey. My master said he could teach me no more, and that I was to seek entrance to The Four Winds monastery._
This morning, I hope to do so. I will make my master proud.
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Reviewed - XP Pending.
