The Wrong Road Part 1 Through 16

The Wrong Road Taken Part 14

"Luke, if there was ever a need for calm reflection now was the time to do so.
Whoever that was, hasn't done anything that demonstrated overt hostility towards you or Lucretia.
Granted this persons introduction to you and the rest of us was to say the least unsettling, yet I sensed no anger or malice from him.
That's not to say it wasn't within him, its just that I couldn't delve into the mind behind that dramatic entrance.
Yet the Gorth had felt something, and if they had a sense of foreboding, it is a wise person that takes heed of their reactions.
I think it's best that you and I return to the meeting area to begin some tutoring."

Slipping her arm under mine, Simone walked with me into the main meeting tent.
As we strode through the entrance I was surrounded by a dozen people reaching out, and pulling into a hug.
With some variation, each told me they were here for me, and will do their best to protect, as well as help educate me.
Lucretia, Asahi, and Martin took their place alongside Simone as I was introduced to the various teams that had sprung up to begin the cram courses they had in store for the day.

The first group I was turned over to were tasked to teach me how to create a shield that will protect me from prying eyes.
Leading the group was Sylvia, along with Sam, Sam was a "Little person", he stood around four feet tall, with a ready smile, and a strong handshake.
Next up was Gwen, an African American woman who appeared to be in her seventies.
Gwen had this regal bearing, yet behind those eyes I could see a lifetime of hardship, a lot of it had to be based upon the stigma of being Black in a world that sees black people as second class individuals.

"Luke I hope we have gotten past the horrible trick I was coerced into be a party of."

"Sylvia, we are good, in reflection I am grateful in a way that it happened, you see up to that point this was all fun and games.
When I had thought I had killed you all I could think of was how quickly I reacted, there wasn't any thought behind what I did, my body, and the "water" within reacted on its own."

"Luke, I had my shield up, as well as having it bolstered by others.
Yet what you hit me with was way beyond what I or anyone was expecting.
It felt like my entire body was being electrocuted.
If I hadn't been aided by the others by extending their shields around me, I think you might have actually killed me."

knocking on the table, Sam redirected this conversation to the task at hand.

"Luke there are three basic types of shields.
The first type is a physical shield that protects the body.
It's the most basic of the three, and is assisted by virtue of the "water" that inhabits our bodies.
It is for the most part automatic, and will protect you from things like impacts, heat, and cold.
While it is more or less automatic, you can still beef it up through shear willpower.
Ok Luke, I would like for you to try punching me in the face."

"Sam I don't think I can do that, I don't want to hurt you."

"Luke I'm just setting up a demonstration, I promise you won't hurt me.
So go ahead wind up your fist, go full force, and let it fly."

"Sam, you're sure about this?"

Nodding his head, I screwed up my courage and swung as hard as I was able.
At the moment of impact, or what should have been an impact, I felt my fist slipping away from it's intended target, and impacting what felt like brink wall.
Hopping up and down shaking my bruised fist while muttering a string of expletive deleted words, all to the sound of my three tutors chuckling.

"OK Sam your point is well taken.
As the pain began to lessen I had to ask, did you aid your shield or was that all the "waters" doing?"

"Luke that was all the "water's" doing."