Tao of the Broken

Chapter Six

Six

            Two more years passed with Sorrel focusing all her energy into her training.  She had wanted to find herself in the sweat of her hard work.  She spent the hours at sunrise every morning mirroring Batur’s every movement.  She would jog with Eiji on the outskirts of the town at midmorning and return home to spar with Batur if he was available.  If he was busy with work or claimed weariness of age he would assign her routines and she would perform them alone or under his watchful supervision.

            He hadn’t been lying when he had told her he wouldn’t go easy on her.  When she had first begun to work with him she had stumbled or fallen often, if she was within reach he would strike at her legs or back.  He told her she must always be mindful of her surroundings, an enemy looked for openings and would choose an easy kill over a drawn out fight.  The slower she had improved the more bruises she would wake up with in the mornings to follow.  Whenever she wanted to give up because her muscles ached Batur was there, reminding her why she wanted to be strong.  The pain would subside if she continued to push her body.

            The work had gradually become easier.  When she would stumble or miss a step and Batur would swing, she could often dodge the blow or sidestep it easily.  The first time she had done it he had smiled and embraced her, then pushed her to the ground for letting down her guard.

            “You must have a quick eye and even quicker feet.”  He would tell her, demonstrating that it was easier to see openings if she was sharp of mind.  “You can easily discourage an opponent, confuse him, or slow him down if you know how to read him.”

            Sorrel tried to absorb every word he said, she wanted to be a sponge that didn’t have a limit, always looking for more.  She would often repeat the things Batur would tell her to Eiji.  He listened, letting her use him to remember everything she learned.

            “Be like a cobra; remain coiled in a loose but compact position.  Your strike should be felt before it is seen.”  It was one of the things he had told her when she had thrown a hook he had seen before she’d executed it.  “You’re too predictable.  I know how you will hit before you do.  Don’t raise your elbow until the last possible moment when you swing.  This will bring the knuckles around so they make contact when your punch lands.  It’s harder to differentiate it from any other punch that way.”

            Sorrel had felt herself growing stronger, her thin frame gaining tight muscle.  She had begun to like the refection she saw in the mirror, no longer leaving a sheet thrown over it.  She still hated her scars, and the mystery behind them, but the rest of the woman she saw was someone she now liked.

            Eiji liked this stronger Sorrel too.  He had always liked her, had always believed in her.  He had been the invisible hand pushing her to like herself.  She knew that, and he held a special place in her heart.  Aster had been right about him too.  He no longer made her stomach knot up when she saw him or if he touched her.  Instead she felt comfort in his smile or embrace.  He had changed as well.  His hair had grown longer and his body had almost doubled in size.  It was all muscle and Sorrel was almost ashamed at how often she found herself staring at him.

            Their friendship had also grown in the last seasons.  Eiji was a constant presence at her side, always encouraging her.  He would walk with her to the river to soak tired feet after long days training, or offer to rub away tensions in aching muscles.  She was ever grateful for his kindness and wished she had a better way to thank him than simple words.

            Though strength had come to her in strides Sorrel could feel weakness inside her.  She knew that Batur’s training couldn’t help her with everything.  She had allowed spring to come and go three times without ever asking Batur about the large group of children.  Aster had told her once that it was likely a family renting a room.  Sorrel still couldn’t accept that.  The rain and the weapons and the lack of anything resembling family made that obvious to her.  Eiji as well felt suspicion surrounding the cabin at the edge of the property.  He wasn’t shy about letting her know he thought her parents were hiding something.  She agreed, but it bothered her that he would make it a constant reminder.