LEGEND OF THE MONK: book one

                                                             Chapter one

                                                           The Daily Grind

   The young monk sat on the mountain ledge over looking the sunrise. cross-legged and hands resting in lap, he rhythmically breathed in the crisp morning air. Yotto sat there waiting for the horizon to beam its orange and red hues. Listen to the morning birds chirp and sing, he focused his mind and body to become one with the world around him. This is what he did every morning. While other monks savored every second of sleep they could,Yotto got up early to focus his mind and body for the day and lessons ahead.

Realizing daybreak was approaching and choirs and breakfast would be coming soon. The blond haired monk rose to  make his descent back down the mountain side. The place he had called home for eighteen years, the Dragons Peak Monastery. Yotto went into  a stretching routine when he got close enough to see the monastery gate. Leaning  to one side  than the other, twisting his torso and reaching for the sky. His muscles flexing and stretching with every movement. Suddenly Yotto froze in place. his concentration broken by the sensation of being watched.He turned cautiously not knowing what tricks his fellow students might be setting him up for, only to see Master Poe walking up the jagged path.

Master Poe wore a simple robe of earth tones, and sandals, and as always he carried his legendary walking stick. "Good morning Yotto, it is  good to see your sense of awareness has greatly improved from our first few visits up here." Master Poe said with a humbling smile.

Yotto smiled and put his fist in his open palm and issued a respectful bowl. "Its good to see u master. It has been many weeks sense our last workout up here." Then Yotto recalled some of the first meetings with his master up here and how he was nearly beside him before he realized he was there. "What is the occasion?" Yotto asked with a smile.

"In two days you are set to challenge JoNeek in the contest for top fighter...." Master Poe said pointing his walking stick. "...and that is a very serious event my son."

Yotto was caught off guard by the strait forwardness of master Poe's answer,but didnt know why. Master Poe was always strait forward with his answers. "Isnt this a good thing?" Yotto asked, almost confused.

"Of course,You have grown in both skill and mind faster than any monk I've trained before," came master Poe's reply."You have developed  skills that I have only seen in seasoned monks." Yotto dropped his head slightly, but was very pleased with the complement from someone as wise as master Poe. Master Poe turned and made eye contact with the blond monk. " JoNeek has a hatred for you. How far it goes Im  not sure, but the next few days he will test your mind and spirit."

"Why does he hate me master:? I've never shown him anything but respect." Yotto and master Poe turned and started back down the rocky path.

"Do you still not know?" master Poe asked. "He fears you my son. You threaten to take away his superiority, his ability to lead his peers out of fear, but most of all,  I think its the thought of losing to someone like you." Master Poe placed a hand on Yottos shoulder. " So I say this to you my dear Yotto, keep your defenses up, your mind clear, and with the next two days, prepare yourself for the combat you will face."  Master Poe believed his words reached his beloved son. Although Yotto was an orphan, master Poe loved him like his father. He even helped raise him since Yotto was an infant, abandoned on the monastery steps.

The rest of the walk down the mountain side was the quietest Yotto had ever had with his always insightful master at his side. Master Poe wanted Yotto to take to heart what they spoke of this day. Yotto always knew he was orphaned, how could he not? Most of the monks here were five, to five and a half feet in height and Yotto was closer the six.and of course the most telling sign was his long golden blond hair. All the monks sported long braided hair, but most of the hair colors were black or dark brown.Yotto also packed a few more pounds of muscle than most of the others, so blending in was not a luxury that he was granted very often. After all, even JoNeek was three inches shorter and about fifteen pounds lighter.