Tiger's Beginning

Chapter 13: Nursing Duties

After I had described everything I could from my dream, Ren shut himself up for two whole days trying to decipher what exactly all of it meant.

During that time, I was privileged to begin training with the family. Yay.

Kelsey insisted that if I was going to be able to help, I needed to be able to defend myself.

After a quick test run with Raj, it was discovered I was completely helpless as I looked up at the ceiling wondering how I had gotten on the floor so quickly.

“Murhka, you’ve hurt her.”

I heard crashing and sat up slowly, my head throbbing painfully.

Anik was by my side and helped me up slowly. I winced as the blood rushed from my head.

Across the room, Kamala was helping Raj up from the ground. It looked like Anik had thrown Raj across the room and into the display of weapons, which were now scattered around the floor.

“Grace, are you alright?”

I nodded and I saw Raj look guilty. I didn’t want to make anyone pity me, so I stood up and tried my best to smile.

“I’m fine, just got the wind knocked out of me. Now, who’s next?”

For the next painful hour, I got beaten even more to a pulp. Who knew Kamala was so skilled with her perfectly manicured hands? They were like razors.

After the grueling practice, I took a nice long bath and soaked in the jasmine scented bubbles for a long time.

After I was thoroughly pruny, I dried off and slipped on my pjs. My bed was turned back already, and a plate of food sat on the bedside table along with a glass of water and a single purple lotus blossom in a glass. There was also a note, which read:

“Grace, please forgive me for this afternoon. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to be of assistance to you. –R”

I found myself smiling as I read the note.

Always so serious.

 

The three days following were not any better, but I could find myself getting more adjusted to the techniques and not falling on my butt as often. I know my tailbone was grateful.

After a vexing day of kickboxing, Ren called us into his study to tell us what we would be doing that upcoming Monday.

I settled into my usual spot on the leather chair, and turned to face Ren. Kelsey stood behind him and gave me a small smile, which I returned.

He looked very serious and cleared his throat to get the attention of Raj and Kamala who were arguing about something.

“As you all know, Grace here was able to alert me to some information as to what place or realm we will be visiting.  I had searched for everything I can think of, and believe I may have found something. In an old text that was preserved by Kadam, it mentions a city in the forest of Mām̐ prakr̥ti, or mother nature.”

My mind was trying to decipher what Ren had just said.

“Wait, you mean Mother Nature is real? The Mother Nature? The one who controls forests and delivers pink boxes in a suit every month?!