Taek Won Do #2: Chains - TWENTY-ONE

Hare paced the dirt floor. "You're sure they didn't just wake up and....?"

"He tied both o' 'em up," said Morisson.

"Yes," said Robinson, "each man was securely tied with bonds fashioned from his clothes."

"One of them----say the big fellow, Hopalong," suggested Hare, "could have broken free and then untied the other one."

"It is possible," replied Robinson, "though very unlikely."

"Obviously," said Katherine, "you believe something else happened."

"I believe the Utes are nearby."

Hare said, "You should have brought in more guns, and ammunition. Why didn't....?"

"'Cause I'm dumb an' stupid," said the giant, "that's why."

"The horses remain," explained Robinson, "but all weapons and ammunition are gone."

"Which means," said Hare, "that we have two revolvers and a dozen bullets."

"As Smokes already pointed out," said Katherine.

They were all silent for a time. The sound of night rain filled the little shack.

"Will they," Hare asked at last, "attack soon, or wait until morning?"

Robinson turned towards the giant. "What do you think, Mr. Morisson?"

"Ya cain't tell wi' th' Utes," he answered. "Especial these ones who've split from th' tribe. Might wait till sunup, might not."

Hare was surveying the room. "Only this one window," he said, "but there should be a crack or a knothole in some of the other walls. We ought to keep watch in more than one direction." He began a slow circle of the shack. "Yes, there's a slit between boards."

"Yew an' yer woman," asked Morisson, "y'know how t' use them six-shooters?"

"Yes," Katherine answered for both of them. "But shouldn't Mr. Robinson...?"

"He don't use guns. An' I figure, even wi' m' bum shoulder, I should be able t' take care o' a Ute or two with jus' m' bare 'ands."

Robinson stood in a shadowy corner of the room. Slowly the talking faded, leaving only the soft drumming of the rain. Then that too was gone and he was moving back in his mind, back through time until he was again near the Hwarangdo temple.203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLrzUknaTz
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The day was a soft gold, a gentle wind was grazing down autumn fields. Grand Master Kim had his blind eyes turned towards the soft wind. He and young Robinson walked beside a wide stream.

"Dragonfly," said the sightless grand master, " it seems we find ourselves faced with an obstacle - this formidable stream blocking our path. What is the simplest way to cross?"

A few yards ahead of them a narrow wooden bridge spanned the passing waters. "There is a bridge a short distance from us, grand master."

"Ah, but I have heard of this particular bridge," Grand Master Kim began, his tone serious yet tinged with a hint of intrigue. "It is very old, my dear boy, on the verge of collapse. The years have not been kind to its structure."

He paused for a moment, allowing the weight of his words to sink in before continuing. "No, it will not support our weight," he added firmly, emphasizing the potential danger that lay ahead. "Crossing it would be an extremely perilous endeavor."

Robinson studied the stream. "The water is not very deep here, grand master. We can perhaps walk across."

A frown appeared on Grand Master Kim's face. "Dragonfly," he began, his tone low and filled with apprehension. "I must share something with you."

Pausing for a moment to let the gravity of his words sink in, the priest continued, his voice trembling slightly with worry.

"I have heard whispers," he said softly, leaning in closer to emphasize the significance of what he was about to reveal. "Whispers that speak of a hidden fault lurking beneath these seemingly calm waters. A treacherous pit that could spell danger for us both."

Robinson halted, looking upstream and then down. "We cannot cross here at all then, Grand Master. We will have to continue until we come to a safer place."

"No, Dragonfly." Grand Master Kim left the young man's side and stepped onto the bridge. He crossed it to the other side and turned to face Robinson. "Join me," he said, beckoning.

Robinson walked over the bridge. "It did not collapse."

"Dragonfly, I must correct something I told you earlier. I regret any confusion or worry it may have caused you. The bridge we discussed is very sturdy and trustworthy," replied the grand master. "You see, dear boy, sometimes your first answer is indeed the right one, regardless of what others may say. You must trust your judgment and have confidence in your ability to make sound decisions."

"But if you had been right, I would have fallen into the water."

"Perhaps," said Grand Master Kim. "I have something important to share with you today. It is about the concept of finding the shortest way in life."

Robinson's eyes widened with curiosity as he listened intently to Grand Master Kim's words.

"You see, my dear boy," Grand Master Kim continued, "sometimes taking the shortest part can indeed be the best option. It can save us time and energy, allowing us to best reach our goals. Just like when we need to find our way back to the temple quickly or gather food before nightfall."

Robinson nodded in understanding, eager to hear more from his trusted friend.

"But," Grand Master Kim added thoughtfully, "there are always unexpected challenges and dangers lurking in the world."

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Then Robinson was back in the cabin again, hearing all of what was going on around him.

"I can't make out any sign of movement back this way," Hare was saying. He shifted his position some, eye at the crack in the wall boards. "How about you, Katherine?"

His blond wife was stationed at the window. "It's hard to be sure of anything on a night like this," she said. "But I don't see anything, don't hear anything odd."

"Ya won't see nor hear them Injuns,' said the huge Morisson, "less'n they want ya to." He scratched at the skin near his shoulder wound. "All o' a sudden they'll jus' be on top o' us. Then we gotta start in shootin' an' hope fer th' best."

"There must be something we can do," said Hare, "to scare them off. If they charge us...' He shook his head, frowning at the revolver in his hand.

Robinson filled his lungs with air, and slowly expelled it. "Do not," he told them, "use guns yet. Do not do anything."

Katherine asked, "What do you mean?"

"Remain here." Slowly, Robinson crossed to the doorway. "Remain here until I return."

"Whatchoo aimin' t' do?" said Morisson.

"Where are you....?" said Katherine.

Robinson left them. The rain and the darkness surrounded him.

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TWENTY-ONE

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