ALL NOVEL [35] The Misunderstanding
Tanisha counted her punches out loud while Joha closely monitored her form and breathing. He was extremely particular on the breathing aspect. Maya is breath, became a mantra of sorts as she tried to maintain the same intensity with every punch.
She could feel mana circulate around her body from her core. The maya, on the other hand, remained unmoving to her desire. Anytime she tried to focus too much on moving the maya she would end up messing up her form or breathing. Joha would scold her and correct her form, then she would start all over again.
After strikes came movement training. A major part of the AgniKavach form was defense; avoiding and enduring damage. It was all about how one moved and took advantage of every single opening. This form was the one Joha had used to kill the druid at the riverfront. The movements required quick and deliberate motion, and a level of bodily control Tanisha simply did not have yet.
“I can go again,” Tanisha said between labored breaths.
“Again then. This time move your hips into the motion.” Joha demonstrated with a lunging low step. “Breathe in on the step, let the maya move within you.”
The two continued practicing the basic punches, kicks, stances and breathing well into the night. Joha was adequately impressed with her dedication and the resilience of the wendigo people. While they looked quite like humans with antlers, they were definitely naturally sturdier beings. Joha believed that in physical strength, Tanisha would already be a decent threat to a human twice her size.
“That will be all for tonight,” Joha said with a clap. “Be sure to use the pipe tonight, and try it with the breathing techniques I showed you. I will prepare dinner.”
Tanisha threw her arms up in triumph and fell on her butt from her low fighting stance.
“Oh, thank the Forest Father,” Tanisha stated in a long airy breath.
“Should I carry you back?” Joha asked.
“No, no I will be fine,” Tanisha responded. “I will walk to the camp in a minute.”
Joha chuckled. “See that you do. Dont be out too long, though. We will be arriving at the fort city tomorrow evening. Traveling with such a large group didn’t slow us down as much as I thought it would.”
“Finally out of the wilderness,” Tanisha said. “Oh, I wanted to know where these clothes came from.”
“Helina donated them, but I infused the garments with maya to change their appearance a bit,” The tiger demon stated.
“You can do that with maya?” Tanisha asked.
Joha laughed. “Maybe one day I will show you, but it is not a skill that will help you gain strength.”
“No-no please show me,” Tanisha said excitedly.
“Very well. When we get to maya manipulation we will add it to your training,” Joha stated. “Also, the rakshasa don’t have a similar custom for our horns but I did want to give you this for your antlers.” He held out an orange ribbon.
Tanisha panicked as her heart nearly beat out of her chest. “Wha-what but I already have an accessory and you are my master.” She turned her head so he could see the ribbon and feather. “I-I, I don’t think that would be appropriate, and I am not looking for that right now.”
“Oh, I was told that teachers give their students something for their antlers,” Joha stated.
“Uhh… I think you misheard.” Tanisha’s voice cracked in embarrassment.
The tiger demon was confused. “Oh, did I? What does it mean?”
“If a male gives me a decoration for my tiara then…” Tanisha got quieter. “They want to… court me.”
The tiger demon looked at the ribbon in his hand and withdrew the offering immediately.
He coughed. “Yeah, sorry, I see I did misunderstand.”
“It is okay, I know you didn’t know,” Tanisha giggled in a harmonic melody. “There is a tradition for some apprentices to get a bracelet though. Usually it would be something to show that they are training under a master.”
“Ah, so this would be more appropriate?” The tiger demon opened his palm again and a leather bound bracelet appeared in his hand. “They are loh stones from my homeland.”
Tanisha stood and looked at the gift. It was a braided leather cord with three smooth stones, each of which was a different variety of colors and patterns. She had never seen such colorful stones before.
Tanisha bowed her head. “I would be honored to take such a gift, master.”
Tanisha sat alone in the grassy fields for an hour. With each puff of her maya pipe, wisps of contemplation intertwined with the cool night air, gently caressing her senses. The cool night air was refreshing against her skin. The crescent moon cast down little light but under it’s glow she could see dark wilderness in the distance. The soft sway of the grass somewhat tickled. The merchant camp looked quiet but the refugees were still up and about.
Tanisha opened her Status Menu to see if anything changed.
Status Menu
Name: Tanisha Scalebound
Species: Lernaean-Wendigo
Level: 10
Vitality: 10
Restoration: 4
Constitution: 7
Willpower: 8
Strength: 5
Dexterity: 9
Stamina: 8
Maya: 4
Magic: 24
Magic Regeneration: 25 (+100 from bond)
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“Wait. Maya went up by one. Is it because of all of the training?” Tanisha asked herself as she exhaled blue maya.
The sound of someone walking in the grass snapped Tanisha from her reverie. The vestige of a curvaceous goblin pushing her way through the grass caught Tanisha’s attention. A ball of what looked like glowing water floated above Helina’s outstretched hand.
“There you are,” Helina said. “You’ve been out here for a while, is everything okay?”
Tanisha couldn’t help but be a little apprehensive after her talk with Sabec. However, being suspicious about someone that had shown her nothing but kindness didn’t feel right. She tried to push those feelings to the back of her mind.
“Yeah, just looking up at the stars,” Tanisha responded. “It’s been a crazy few days. Bjorn still hasn’t woken up. The magic test this morning. And the attack on the village. Just seems like just one crazy thing after another.”
Helina sat down next to Tanisha, long tail wrapping around her waist in a goblins equivalent of a reassuring hug.
“Yeah, it has definitely been a trip and a half, this one,” Helina said with a sigh. “Wish it could have been a little happier for you than the shitshow it turned out to be.” She paused for a moment then smiled devilishly. “Well, did you like your gift from Joha?”
“How did you know about that--did you set him up?” Tanisha questioned.
“What, little old me, never,” Helina lied with a laugh. “Wish he would have done it in the camp so I could have seen it. I bet you were panicking, right?”
“That was a cruel joke, Helina,” Tanisha pouted.
Helina laughed even more, “I know, right?” She stood up. “Now come on. You stink, I prepared a bath for us. After you are cleaned up we will retest your magic.”
As Tanisha dried off, Helina used her hydromancy to quickly wash their clothing. The tub and privacy curtains weren’t too far from where Tanisha had been sitting in the field. It took only moments for her new garb to be cleaned and smell fresh. The goblin mother then dried the clothing with her magic just as quickly.
Tanisha could not see the small goblin woman as someone who was secretly trying to do nefarious things to her and Bjorn. She had obviously been in Yuhia long enough to understand Wendigo culture; it had to have been either her or Owen who explained things to Sabec and Joha. They acted more like they wanted her as a daughter than something uncouth.
“Helina, I am sorry I didn’t choose your family when you asked me to join you all,” Tanisha stated. “I just…”
“You don’t have to worry your sweet little head about that, hunny,” Helina said as she handed Tanisha her dried clothing. “You have to carve your own path. You made the choice that you believe to be the best for you. I won’t lie and say I wasn’t sad, but given what we know now about Bjorn, I think the demon is the best choice too. I can get by in a scrap with my magic, but neither me or Owen are warriors.”
“Still, thank you,” Tanisha bowed her head.
“Oh, come on,” Helina said with a sigh. She smacked Tanisha’s butt with a whip-like motion of her tail which caused the unprepared girl to squeal.
“Ouch, what was that for?” Tanisha questioned, rubbing the affected area.
“No reason to be all formal with me,” Helina said with hands on her hips. “I’m not a noble or anything. When we get to the fort city we will have a celebration, all of us. Shame you aren’t old enough to drink yet. So get dressed and let's see those magical affinities.”