River Horse

Chapter Seventeen

So in this chapter, I'm going to be returning to a few other characters who I feel like I've neglected :3 Don't worry, I'll be back to Alicia and Hans soon, though! This chapter is going to be a bit shorter, because I'd rather have a good short chapter than have one loaded with lots of unnecessary details and such. Gotta keep the plot moving, you feel me? Anyway, enjoy!!!
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TYSON:

"Hah!" The block of stone shattered as I slammed my fist into it. It was a flashy move, but actually quite simple: one had to investigate the stone, search its surface for telltale cracks and flaws and follow them to the point where the stone was weakest. After that, a well-placed hit while centering my chi did the trick. I still remembered the day that Dad had taught it to me. It had certainly be interesting.

"Focus your energy," Dad murmured, pressing his palms together. "Feel it throwing through you, and concentrate it in your hands."

I mimicked his position, squeezing my eyes shut for good measure. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't picture moving the chi to my hands.

"It's no use," I complained, opening my eyes and letting my hands drop. "I can't picture it."

Dad sighed. "Some aren't born to it. It may be that you just don't have the ability."

His words stung. There had never been anything that my father had taught me that I hadn't been able to do. Having something be beyond my ability disturbed me more than I cared to admit.

I took up the stance again. "I'll keep trying," I said before closing my eyes. And I did. For about twenty minutes.

Finally, Dad put a hand on my shoulder, and I opened my eyes before giving him a questioning look. "You're thinking about it the wrong way," he told me. "Do you feel the resistance as you push your hands together? There's friction there, and friction means energy." I nodded slowly, understanding dawning in my mind.

He released me with a nod, and I closed my eyes again. This time, I focused on where the pads of my fingers pressed against each other, the warmth I felt from my palms.

"Very good," Dad said approvingly. "Now see if you can move it out of your hands."

"What are you doing?" I opened my eyes in irritation to see Alicia peering at me from behind a tree, her small face alight with a child's curiosity.

"Nothing that a little kid needs to know about," I said grumpily.

She pouted and crossed her arms. She was only five in kelpie years, but she was already beginning her training. We had to learn how to defend ourselves at an early age; one never knew when an attack was coming.

Dad stepped between us and gave me a stern look. "She has the right to watch. After all, she'll be learning the same thing someday."

I rolled my eyes and went back into the stance. I heard Dad explaining how to do it to Alicia, who answered cheerfully in her sweet, piping voice. A small smile crept across my lips. As annoying as she could be, my sister was pretty cute.

"So... like this?"

"Yes, just like that. Good job. You probably won't be able to do it, but-"

Alicia gasped, and a sudden wave of energy shot through me. I yelped and leapt back, my eyes opening wide.

"What the hell was that?" I exclaimed. I would have said more, except the sight of my little sister crumpled senseless on the ground made me freeze.