The Supreme Master

The Journey

The next morning, Kian awoke with resolve. He went to Ruma’s bedspace and found the older man already drawing on his boots. He was disappointed that he would not get to scare him out of his slumber. No matter, we move, he thought.

They both went to Master Zito’s chambers, knelt in front of the doors, and bowed in farewell. They stood, then walked toward the stables to get a mount each on which they would ride. They met fellow guards along their path, whom they paused to greet and bid goodbye. Their peers wished them well, especially Kian, who was very well-liked.

They led the horses to the main gate and stepped out into the fresh morning air. Kian’s horse, Buma, was a big, tall, and strong-looking stallion, while Ruma’s, Zara, was female, but equally capable of bearing his weight and belongings.

Kian brought out the map from his satchel and gave it to Ruma.

“This shall stay with you, since you can read. Our destination is the location circled with ink. Master says it is about a fourteen-day ride.”

Ruma just stared ahead, then mounted his horse and bit out impatiently, “Get your a*s upon the horse already.”

Kian snorted and mumbled, “Always so cranky.” However, he climbed Buma, and they started to move at a slow pace. Later, they picked up the pace in order to reach the gate of the city by nightfall. They stopped to eat the provisions they had packed, and also drank water from their flasks.

They rested for the night at a cheap inn, then continued on their journey the next day. They kept up this routine, day after day, until they arrived at the borders of Athos.

Kian was very excited throughout, because he had never been this far out. He had met new folk, seen new buildings, and eaten new meals. He was utterly enjoying the experience.

As they rode along the border of Athos, they came upon what seemed like a hut. There was an old woman sitting in front of it. They got down to ask her some questions, for the map had directions to the cursed land, but not to the cave itself.

The woman had her eyes closed, and at first glance, it looked like she was sleeping but when they got closer, about twelve feet from her, a dagger suddenly came flying at them.

Ruma immediately ducked and pulled Kian to the ground with him. Kian was disoriented momentarily, but Ruma quickly stood back up and pulled his sword from its sheath. When they both looked at the woman, her eyes were still closed with her arm stretched out. Was she blind? Kian wondered. How could she have such good aim without her sight?

Still seated, she lowered her arm and finally opened her eyes, but they looked completely white and glassy.

“Swordmasters, why have you come to the borders of Athos?” She rasped out, her voice shaky but firm.

Kian was still peering at her, trying to decipher if she was truly sightless, and before he could blink, she threw another dagger in their direction, this one aimed directly at him. Instinctively, he bent backwards at the waist, and the dagger whizzed past, directly above him, uncomfortably close to his face.

“Woman, will you please cease throwing knives?” He yelled out when he regained his bearing.

The woman calmly stood up and turned her side to them. “Answer my question. And if you must know,” She paused and turned toward Kian, “I cannot see. Not like you, anyway.”

Yes, not shady at all, Kian remarked in his mind.

Ruma quickly sheathed his sword and raised his hands up, attempting to salvage the situation.

“Apologies. We are on an assigned mission to retrieve something in the lands beyond this border. We hope that you will show us the way to where we wish to go.”

The old woman turned sharply toward them. “What mission? No one crosses this side of the border of Athos into those lands. What is it that you seek? You must answer me truthfully if I am to help you.”

Kian decided to do the answering. “Our master asked us to go to a cave in those lands and bring back an ancient sword. It is said to be a legend.” He made it brief and concise.

The woman took five, six steps toward them and looked into Kian’s eyes. It unnerved Kian, because her eyes were truly unsettling. Then they narrowed suddenly.

“Why does he desire the sword?”

“We do not know,” Kian replied. “Mayhap he just wants something supposedly legendary by his side. Though, he said that only the… the… what was it again?… yes, only the Supreme Master can wield it.”

The scary-eyed woman, as Kian had decided to start referring to her in his mind, sighed deeply.

“I will tell you where the cave is, but you must keep the sword if you find it. Not for yourself, but for your seed. I have been awaiting your arrival and have guarded the sword for years. In every generation, a keeper is born. My clan bears the keepers’ responsibility. However, a Supreme Master has not been born in over five centuries.”

She paused before continuing.

“It is Azura’s fortune to hand over the ancient sword to the progenitor of the next Supreme Master.”

Kian rubbed his palms across his face from top to bottom. “You mean the cave, the sword, and the Supreme Master, they are all real?!” He exclaimed.

“And worse, it would be a child of mine? I have not even taken a wife yet!” He continued. “What the hell is happening? Ruma, say something!”

Ruma just rolled his eyes. “Stop. You are being childish.” Then he moved closer to him and whispered, “Also, we do not know how true her words are. Let us just get the directions to the cave, retrieve the sword, and return home.”

Kian nodded twice and faced the old woman, who was turned away again during their interaction.

“We hear you, old one. Can we get directions to the cave now?”

The old woman spoke still, without looking at them. “Ride North until you come upon a small hill. You will need to leave your mounts at the base and walk upwards toward the top of the hill. When you are almost at the top, you will see a turning to the left and to the right. Choose one and pray it is the right one.”

She starts walking back toward her small hut without awaiting a response. When she arrives at the door, she turns slightly to the side and says simply,

“Azura bids you farewell.”