Chapter 18: Preparing to Visit Po
The early bright morning rays of the lesser continent added vivid colour to the surrounding scenery of farmland and vegetation – as far as the eye could see from the hills of the now brick house that Zar and Tar made rest in each night, were trees, shimmering distant lakes and river systems, patches of growing crops, etc. It was another day – far less stressful than the previous, but just as busy. Villagers were making final touches to the acres towhich they reside, to a newcomer the Giath residence would look like well-kept land, far more inviting than it was before.
“I like these new clothes. They are loose and easy to slip on.”
“Yes, they are inspired by my vague memory of our old attire, remember Dear Brother, how our father wore those old, ragged robes? I spiced it up and made it more appealing, they are easy to slip off and put on.” As Lam was stating this, Tar was admiring his more fashionable look. Zar was also trying on the robes that Lam, Pam and the other sisters were knitting all the while they were cooped up in their (also) now brick houses. “We made enough for the entire village since there are yet to be many of us.” Continued Lam.
“Any pregnancies yet? We could do with an increase in our population even if these times are volatile.” Asked Tar.
“No, not yet, our Greaters are just so focused on repairing things and fixing up our land that they have yet the time to actually be put in romantic situations, but soon will come the time.”
“Understood.” Replied Tar.
“Well, you Brothers get ready, we are preparing our new crops to eat, and...” Lam’s mouth started watering uncontrollably at the thought of eating, “OH, excuse my lack of etiquette,” as Lam wiped the saliva trickling down her lip.
“My, you look like a starved mouse, you go ahead Elder Lam, I must converse with brother Zar anyway.”
“Very well, I wonder what sweetcorn taste like?” Lam pondered aloud as she walked in the direction of aromatic vegetables. During which, Zar walked up to Tar and initiated a conversation but upon a slightly different topic as they both looked over the scenery.
“Gee, I hope that they do not eat all the vegetables, we need to save some for our travels to the Ploughing Sect.” Begun Zar.
“I wouldn’t worry, you do not remember the wonderous size of them and the large amount we grew, what an incredible commodity to have.” Replied Tar.
“I suppose that is quite true, to eat the entire stores would take many, many weeks.”
“Very so Zar, very so. Now, you said you wished to speak upon something, what was the matter Dear Brother?”
“That annoying man from yesterday, Peat I think his name to be, he mentioned the Lions and Serpents Sect, do you recall?” Asked Zar.
“Yes, indeed I do – apparently they were the Sect responsible for our destruction - I heard little mention of this from Pa however.”
“It might have been for the best, for then we had no one yet to blame – perhaps this level of hatred would have killed us off quicker.” Replied Zar wisely, continuing with, “well, this Lions and Serpents Sect are going to be an incredible pain in our... Exterior soon.”
“And why would that be Brother Zar?” Replied Tar.
“They plan on pillaging lesser Sects to build an army; this is such that they may invade the Common Lands for its secrets. Written in Pagiaths last notes, he had mentioned that our world is separated into many continents, or lands. He had not given information on the mechanics or geography of this, but in essence, we live in the Lesser Lands, beyond our Lesser Lands is the Common Lands which holds great mysteries and is where our Forefather Giath learnt the secrets of Qi from. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJR6q0WeL7l
There is some sense to be made from the Lions and Serpents sect invasion, for I have given it some thought, they obviously wish to enter the Common Lands in search of power – leading in large numbers to reduce causalities, for what end I have yet to conclude – but sooner than later they will be visiting us hill and mountainous Giaths who live far, far out in the boonies toward the South, in this event they will attempt to take our strongest for their later adventures – it will take some years before they reach us but it is important to know, hence my telling you now.”
“So, the very source of our destruction will visit us to secure personnel for their goals. How paradoxical, asking for help from an enemy.”
“This is what Po had alerted me of, that old man, the one we will be visiting shortly.”
“Ahh, i see.” Replied Tar, “thank you for telling me Brother, I will hold this information to myself since it is yet to be cannon.”
“Good, good. Shall we go make a scene in the Ploughing Sect?” Asked Zar excitedly.
“Yes, let us eat what we once sowed, then we will make our way. Race you down the hil-” Before Tar could finish his sentence, he bolted off with large Qi imbued leaps which allow him to cross large distances rapidly.
“When did you - - - learn THAT?!” Zar asked racing after his Brother with a huff and a puff. Tar gradually getting away from him.
“I - - - figured it out - - - when I couldn’t reach a loose roof tile - - - I wanted to put it back in position!” Tar replied with great difficulty trying his hardest to lose Zar toward the aromatic smell of boiling vegetables. But Zar did not like to lose, Tar was making 2+ meter jumps both in height and length, the further he got away the more Zar thought and thought of how it was possible.
“Oh, I get it!” Thought Zar privately, Zar then released a small amount of Qi from his meridians and allowed it to concentrate around the active muscles, suddenly his leaps were becoming larger and larger and he was catching up to Tar.
“Darn it! You figured it out.” Tar said as he realised his brother was rapidly closing in distance, “how are you already - - - so much faster than me?!” Tar thought aloud. Yet, due to the head start and the preliminary knowledge, Tar made it to the flatter lands where their family was sat in a circle around the usual cook site.
The cook site was positioned somewhat close to the main farmland, bricks floors separated the farmland to the north from the cook site a few 100 meters behind, here there were various newly built apparatus, a furnace and oven, new chairs and tables, chopsticks and other cutlery laid upon the tables, and the chomping and chowing of ravenously hungry Giaths who were enjoying the taste of food they had never had before in their generation.
“My, you Brothers look out of breath, what be the matter?” Zar and Tar were attempting to catch their breath before replying to Pam who was the most modest and proper in eating her food.
“We - - - had a race. WHEW! I WON!” Replied Tar excitedly.
“But only JUST!” Replied Zar. Tar ignored him – yet something else caught the attention of the brothers, an inexplicable sense of terror, as though a bear was protecting its prey, scaring off all potential scavengers.
“You feel it too?” Pam asked, detecting their slight hesitation around the new and improved food hall. “It’s just Lam, she’s eating right now.”
“She emits THAT kind of energy whilst she’s EATING?”
“Yes, Tar, and ought not get to close, otherwise she might eat you too, humuhumu,” as Pam laughed slightly sarcastically, but slightly seriously.” Zar even noticed that many of the eating villagers were of a fair distance from Lam.
“Why has she turned into such a beast?” Asked Tar, there came a growl from the location of Lam.
“Oh, you went and had to say that Tar?” Said Pam, “now you are on her prey-list.
“Ha, you sisters are funny.” Tar said, but very nervously.
“Oh, I am being serious, you must remember Tar, we have not eaten such incredible tasting vegetables in a most long time, this level of appetite and ravenous hunger is to be expected of a being starved of their basic right of enjoying a variety of food.” Pam replied in an educational manner. Zar simply shook his head and got to eating whilst Tar was unsure whether he should sit down anywhere near the food hall, Tar was seriously considering taking a portion of food and eating somewhere else. 189Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYlvD0ND6K
It was so, this was the first time the Giaths had eaten a different food group from grains/tubers, at-least in a very long time, and all were silent and busy chewing, not a peep, not a sound but grinding teeth and incredible enjoyment.
Zar, enjoying the overwhelmingly sweet, Mineral Qi imbued sweetcorn broke the silence, “War is unforgivable, taking the rights of another away from them for profit, or selfish values is simply, simply unforgivable. All are owed their basic rights, food, water, warmth and joy as a basic gift of nature. I know this is meant to be an incredible moment, enjoying new crops, but why should something that ought be normal cause such intense behaviour from our Brothers and Sisters...”
Pam simply nodded her head, delicately picking grape-sized sweetcorn kernels from their cob with great etiquette and professionalism. “Life is cycles brother, our cycle has begun, the Lions and Serpents Sect will also come under their cycle.” Pam pinched the sweetcorn kernel with incredible strength, and it exploded in all directions, perhaps she was holding in an anger that had yet to express itself.
The morning continued, and after breakfast, Zar and Tar readied themselves to leave from the East gate, travel through the foliage, and find a pathway to Ploughing Sect Central, carrying with them a variety of uncooked vegetables to meet firstly, with Po, the oldman.
“You know where he lives right?” Asked Tar.
“Oh yes, I remember most vividly, he lives nicely, his house is perhaps only a little smaller than ours, and given how long it took us to rebuild our house, he must be very wealthy, he sure didn’t look it at his humble little stand when I first met him, a man of mysteries I suppose.”
“I am excited to meet him, but these vegetables are so damn heavy. Already must I use some Qi.”
Zar laughed, but he was secretly happy, happy to see his Brother, Tar, in such incredible physiological and mental condition, walking now, freely upon a path yet to be tread, what was to come? Only time would tell.
End of Chapter 18.
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