Fan Fiction ❯ Jet ❯ abbot ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter two

Her horse was waiting for her. She greeted it friendly, glad of its company. It was the best horse in the royal stables, a gelding by the name of Christoph. Being a Valkyerie steed, he was from another plane, or dimension of earth. The valkyerie's horses lived in a rip in the wall's that divided their worlds. This rip was an impossibly high cliff surrounded in the bizarre clouds on which the horses feed. She quickly guided Christoph above her conjured storm, scanning with her mind to locate the monastery. It took her some time, she was soaked through by the time they alighted in the monasteries' courtyard. Dismissing part of the rain to clear her view, she was surprised to see a row of white clad monks apparently waiting for her. She dismounted and bade her horse to graze among the clouds. He whinnied and took flight.

The monks silently awaited her at the door. She bowed in the intricate and respectful fashion only ever used upon those above you. They all bowed in return. One come forward, "Lady, I believe you wish to study with us for a time?"

The girl clad in darkness replied, "Yes. Your techniques are very unique."

"Follow me. The abbot will see you shortly."

She followed him under the carved arches into another, covered courtyard. The monastery was made entirely of trees grown to form buildings by forgotten enchantment. Above her the roof mirrored the sky outside, now a seething storm. It was unlike anything Jet had seen before. The extravagant palaces of Von-dein were all silver filigree and black onyx. The walls were made of living trees, their leaves small and delicate. It was like walking in a forest, the storm flashed in the ceiling high above her. She had never seen anything as simple as the smooth, living forest that formed the monastery. She was also unused to the silence. Nothing could be heard save the distant thunder and rustle of leaves. The monk she was following paused at the verge of a raised platform cleared of the bronze leaves that carpeted the rest of the hall. Jet looked around, she could sense a strength nearby. She noticed a shimmering in front of her. Concentrating, she realised it must be the abbot.

The monk was watching her intently. His name was Wan. If she could see the abbot she was half way to being accepted, she appeared to have sensed something. He was impressed, however only one in a thousand passed into the abbot's classes. He watched in amazement as she looked straight at the abbot, she'd seen him already! It had taken him almost an entire day!

The girl spoke, "Excuse me your holiness," she bowed, "I wish to learn your discipline's `fly' technique, it impresses me much."

The abbot smiled. "You are as sighted as is to be expected. However, those wishing to learn the secrets of the monastery must become an initiate, our secrets must be guarded."

"Then I wish to be initiated!" Her stance was aggressive.

The abbot's smile became sad, "Such pride. It is unbecoming. It will not do."

"What do you mean! My pride is well founded!"

"Pride is one of the greatest sins. You must overcome it if you wish to learn with us."

"I am not proud without reason!"

The abbot turned away. "You may leave now I think…I cannot help you." With that the abbot vanished from the room. The girl's eyes flicked towards his chambers. Wan was amazed! How did she know where he was?

He was still staring at her when she vanished into a cloud of deep blue. Wan looked about him. Where did she go! How did a girl, a Vis-Goth girl, have such power? Who was she?

He hurried quickly to the abbot's room.

*****

The abbot was downhearted. He would have liked to teach so powerful a pupil, but she had not even been tested, her pride had stopped her. He moved to his personal altar, the polished gold plague at its centre reflecting the room behind him. He remembered when he had first arrived at the monastery, back then there had been over 10,000 initiated monks, now there were half that number. Less and less elves passed the incitation. He gazed at the golden plague, noticing a faint blue glow in the Centre of the room. Turning around, he saw the princess standing in the centre of his chambers…on the altar of sacrifice. It was a raised platform in the very centre of the monastery, only those bound by a cruel fate could stand upon it. She looked at him, her blue, Vis-Gothic eyes burning into his own of green.

Her beautiful face was turned upwards, her eyes burning, "I am High Priestess Jetixiou-Vek-rai auf Vonizdein du nuit! Heir to the dark throne of Von-dein and Vis-Countess du Blu! It is in my rite to be proud! That is how I have been raised, who would not be?" She looked slightly embarrassed, as if contemplating for the first time that perhaps she was wrong to have such pride.

Smiling at her, the abbot held out his hand to her, "Come down from there, Jetixiou. I think I will let you prove your worth, I'm sure you won't have a problem."

She looked at him curiously, "What do I have to do?"

He smiled, "Simple! You must fight my finest pupil, his name is Reem. He has been training all his life, he has mastered all the Chitze-xan's techniques. You must beat him. The fly technique is only taught to students who are deemed pure enough to control its' power. You must prove yourself."

She seemed relieved, "Is that all!"

The abbot was defensive, "Don't think it's that easy. Your current skills have little to do with it, otherwise, our other completely untrained elves could never have been accepted. It is not what is seems…"

Jet was becoming impatient. She knew that she'd have no difficulty beating the monk, she was after all, highly trained in all the dark martial disciplines. No one she had ever met had come close to her strengths, even her own father. Maybe she should humour the monks a little? She smiled at him. "When would I be tested Great Abbot?"

"Hmm. Tomorrow evening perhaps. Until then, Wan will show you to your room. Wan! Stop eavesdropping behind the door and show Jetixiou-Vek-rai to her room."

Wan the monk blushed deep crimson, his green eyes standing out all the more. He looked shyly at the tall girl, at least a head above his own already tall figure. Her blue eyes held something of pity.

He bowed at the Abbot and apologised to them both. "This way miss." He led the way from the abbot's chambers.

He walked silently and quickly through the great wooded halls and practice rooms of the monks home. Jet looked around in interest. "How many monks train here Wan?"

The monk was startled and stumbled over his own words, "Oh, um, 4025 fully initiated monks and each has a student, some two."

Jet pitied him his shyness. "Do you like it here?"

Wan smiled. "Oh yes. I used to live in the borderlands, my parents and sisters were killed in one of the battles."

"I am sorry." She knew what it was like to lose family in war.

"It is not your fault, I suppose. I would not like to be blamed for all dark elves' casualties."

"Yes. It is a great shame our people hate each other so much." This Wan was nice.

They had arrived at the living quarters. "The rooms are very small, I'm afraid. But we don't spend a lot of time in our rooms so it makes no great difference."

"Well, it's not like I've got a whole lot of luggage!"

"If you are initiated you might have to give up your material possessions anyway." He slid open of the rice paper walls set amongst the trees, revealing a bare small room with a bed, basin, shelf and window. "This will be your room. This dorm is the woman's dorm. At the moment there are only 4 girls at the monastery. Not many girls are interested any more."

"Really? I wonder why not. Chitze-xan was created by a woman wasn't it?"

"Yes. A Solaris princess, Chize-Xan-moi. Her grandson, (he's only 16 would you believe!) is the reigning king."

"Wow! Is she still alive?"

"No, she was killed by a poison arrow."

"Oh."

Wan looked a little uncomfortable. "Well, breakfast is at dawn after the mornings exercises, but you won't have to go to them."

"Thank you Wan. I will see you tomorrow if I pass my test."

"Yes. Good Luck, but I think you'll do fine somehow." With a slight bow Wan left.

After dumping her cloak in a heap on the floor, Jet looked around her tiny room. It would not do. She reached into her vast collection of incantations, selecting a manipulation charm, she let her magic whip out of her fingers. It came is streams of iridescent blue.

In the blue haze, the walls were pushed out to form, in her opinion, a small suite of rooms. Just a dressing chamber, bedroom, parlour and a bathroom. She occupied the rest of her evening decorating her rooms. The walls were black, blue and silver, mirrors and painting hung along them. Inspired by the halls of the monastery, she bewitched the ceiling to show the night stars, as if it were a sheet of glass. Later, when decorating began to bore her, she called her guitar and played that for a while. Eventually she felt mildly tired, retiring to a bed that stretched almost five meters across, and covered herself in black silk and furs.

She there meditated for the next three hours, wondering not for the first time, what it would be like to sleep.

******

The Solaris guard rode hellbent for the capital, he had some business there. Clutched in his arms was an oiled leather pouch. Behind him the girl's witch-storm howled. He found himself thinking of her beauty and strangeness. What she had said about the situation between their peoples made him think that with luck, there might be reconciliation or peace. That is if the young king agreed with her views. Somehow He knew he would. And if she overthrew her father as he was sure her plan.

By dawn he had reached the Great Forest of Light, it was a place holy to his people so he slowed his horses pace. Around him birds sang, leaves blew in patterns across the sky, as if chasing each other and the sun shone brightly. He removed his golden helm, dismounted and walked along enjoying the peace of the forest. Behind him, Otto, his horse followed, chomping sweet grass. He opened the bulging bag at his side and carefully removed a huge, fat cat. It purred and trilled its greeting. Its' eyes blinked sleepily as it climbed up the boys arm, settling around bis shoulders like a gaudy fur scarf. "Hello to you to Till…" he smiled at his beloved pet. In reply Till yawned his fishy-cat breathe in his face. "Ewww.."

Ahead the handsome boy saw the soaring white towers of the Capital. He was warmed by the sight of those gleaming creations, rising up amongst the clouds to meet the sun. It had been months since he'd been home. He remounted Otto, carefully transferred the now sleeping Till into his bag and put on his helm and adjusted his somewhat roughed up appearance. Continuing at a dignified trot the boy became the guard again.

He joined the crowd of elves moving along the road into the city, his golden armour hid hiding golden features and youth. The guards at the gate saluted him, he was a captain after all, and he made his way towards the towering palace of the Light Elven boy-king, Eito Li-Xan-moi.

*****

Dawn was still an hour away when Jetixiou rose from her meditation and slipped silently out of her room to watch the monks practise. Masking her power from the abbot, she slipped amongst the trees and perched on a high branch along the side of the great hall. Below her the monks went about ordinary stretches, then warm up kicks and punches. They then paired of, and to jet's great interest began to practise the `fly' technique she so desired to learn. She spent the next hour studying their ever move and concentrating, managed to make her body float inches above her perch.

At breakfast, Wan sought her out, obviously trying to make her feel welcome. She quite enjoyed his company, and the other girls who sat with her were all very kind, especially since she was a Visgoth. Jet assumed if they knew her identity this might have been different.

She spent the rest of the day training with Wan and one of the girls, Meiling. They were impressed by her strengths and varied techniques. Many of the younger monks and students appeared to spectate . It was mid afternoon however when the Abbot came out.

"Vek-rai! You will have no energy left for your bout if you keep training at that level!"

Jet was confused, she had been purposely slowing her moves so as to go along with the abbot. There was not much else she could do. "When would you have me prove my worth Abbot?"

"You shall fight the mighty Reen in the great hall in a hour."

"I will be there at the appropriate time. Thank you Abbot." She bowed, then continued her training. She would have liked to had been working on the fly technique, so she reached into her source of magic, let it fly out from her soul, and froze the moment. For the next couple of hours she worked on it tirelessly, eventually being able to control her flight with ease. Perhaps, she thought, there was no need to stay here? No. She would stay and prefect it. After an hours meditation she un-froze the moment and said to the abbot, "Perhaps you are right, abbot, I shall regain my strength for my incitation."

With that she moved into the lotus position and meditated for the next hour.

So it was that when she walked into the great hall she was stronger than she had ever been before. The monk she was to fight was a man in the prime of his life, maybe 400? She was by comparison a mere child, she was, however a child who had not meet her match since beating her father at 10 years old.

She took off her cloak, unstrapped her great double sided sword, stripped herself of her mithril mail and braided her long think black hair in a matter of seconds. The monk she was to fight, Reen looked at the abbot pleadingly, "Must I beat up a little girl? She cannot be a day over 30!"The crowds of assembled monks laughed. Jet materialised in the ring, "I am not a little girl and you have no chance of beating me up."

Reen sighed, she and the monk bowed and their bout began. He was upon Jet very quickly, but was unable to get a single punch or kick past her flawless defence. After about five minutes he stopped and circled her, waiting for her to take the offensive. Jet however did not move. The watching monks were enthralled! Their greatest fighter couldn't get past the little girls' defence! The monk grew impatient and began his attack again. This time was the same until Jet reached up, grabbed his arm, and practically growled, "Hit me!"

Reen took up his attack with far more vigour. Jet however was not satisfied. "Stop mocking me! I will not fight you unless you stop going easy on me!" With that, she punched the man 50ft across the ring, with a punch seen only by the strongest fighters and the abbot. The crowd gasped, the monk rose in deep shock. He glared at Jet, "Okay! I'll stop going easy on you!"

He flew up into the false sky above them. Jet smiled. "You will not defeat me using that technique." She focussed her energy and flew up beside him. He and the entire monastery looked up at her in disbelief. "It is impossible! Only the Chitze-xan discipline knows this technique! How are you doing this!?"

The Visgothic princess smiled with the pleasure of hurting the monks' pride. "I learnt it this morning. I sat in on the morning training session."

The monk's face twisted in rage. "You thief! You have stolen one of our most precious techniques! I must now kill you!"

"try."

He flew at her with incredible speed, their bout became so fast that the monks watching could see only parts of it. Jet was not hit once, neither was the monk. She descended to the ring again. As she landed Reen was already attacking. He delivered one mighty punch. Jet did not flinch. "Well done Reen. You have hit me."

Jet stood motionless for a moment. Then she flickered and with a sickening thud Reen hit the blue sky above. He plummeted down, unconscious it seemed, almost to the ground before jet flicked her wrist and he settled gently on the packed dirt of the ring floor.

The heir to the black throne turned to the abbot, "I believe I am the winner?"

The abbot looked at her sadly, "Yes, Jetixiou. You win."

Jet flicked over to where the abbot stood. She looked down at the old shrunken elf, " You will help me prefect the `fly' technique?"

He turned away from her, "Yes, I will teach you."

With that he left. Jet looked around. The monks were staring at her in varying degrees of shock, admiration, fear and anger.

Behind her Reen had been healed. "Girl! What are you? How can one so young have so much power?"

"I am Jetixiou, exiled princess of Von-Dein. Does that answer your question?"

Wan spoke from within the crowd, "You are the heir of the dark dynasty? What on earth are you doing here?"

The girl smiled ironically, "Would you believe I am to kind to belong in my father's court?"

AN: >^x^< ….ermmm in case u can't tell, I suck at making up names…