The Power of the Wind

Prologue

A teenage girl hid behind the wooden door of a room, her dark brown hair tucked back into a long braid. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She had been pursuing a man and wanted to ask him a few questions. Had her journey been worth it? Would she even get the answers she needed? The girl stepped closer and peeked inside the room. Even though her movements didn't make any sound, she felt that every step echoed as if to purposely reveal her presence. To her relief, the man's back was to her and he had seemingly no way of knowing she was there.
Suddenly he sat up. The girl tensed, not knowing whether to stay or to run. But before she could decide, the man spoke, his back still towards her. "What do you seek?" He inquired.

The girl's eyebrows rose a little but she refused to show any fear. "I have a few questions," she responded bravely and without hesitation.

He turned toward her. The bottom half of his face was covered by a long, white beard that fell a long way down his torso. His expression was identical to hers- curious but not revealing. "Begin," he ordered.

"Who are you?" She asked immediately. The girl had seen him in passing, training his apprentices and sitting alone, but she'd never summoned up the nerve to come and ask his name. Until now.

"I am known by many names by many different people," he responded gently, pausing to take a sip from his cup of tea, which had been set down by his side. "But the name I have grown most acquainted with is Sensei Wu."

The girl suddenly realized who was sitting before her, and she bowed respectfully. Her skin prickled with embarrassment and annoyance at herself. She quickly murmured, "Forgive me," and was about to leave the room when she felt Sensei Wu watching her intently.

"Do not leave yet," he commanded. "I sense you have many unanswered questions, tossing and turning within you like the wind. I will answer all that you ask in hopes that your internal storm will calm." Sensei Wu took another sip of tea.

The girl's mind reeled. She was somewhat shocked that he had read her so easily and possibly revealed one of her greatest secrets. Much more to her surprise, despite the fact she hadn't outwardly shown any reaction to his comment, Sensei Wu smiled as if he had known her every thought. "With age comes wisdom," he informed her. "Now, ask your questions or forever hold your peace."

The girl sighed, not knowing where to start. She had to force herself to dismiss the other questions that had suddenly popped into her head and to try harder focus on the main reason she had come. Finally, she asked, "What do you cherish most in life, and why is it important?"

Sensei Wu was generally surprised with her choice of wording and by the fact she had skipped straight to personal matters. Alas, he ran one hand over his beard and responded, "Family."
The girl's eyes widened slightly. She hadn't been expecting this answer, and definitely was not prepared for it. Sensei Wu took this as a sign to go on.

"I can't say that my father and brother were always there for me, but when they were, I was stronger because of them. We were united, made whole by our experiences." The Sensei then took another sip of tea and looked at the girl, who had drawn her gaze down to the floor in shame. She couldn't relate to what he was saying at all, and both people in the room knew it. Finally, Sensei Wu got up and put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. "You have had a rough path in life," he said insightfully. "But if you follow your heart, you may find what you are truly looking for."

The girl soaked in his every word, then tensed, not sure how to respond. To her relief, Sensei Wu pointed her toward the door. "My students will be returning shortly," he said flatly. "And I sense you would like to keep your presence secret."

She nodded and walked silently back towards the door. Just before she reached it, though, Sensei Wu said to her, " I don't believe you told me your name."The girl wasn't sure whether or not to give him this information, then decided she should just because he had answered one of her lifelong questions and had been the first human she had talked to in longer than she could remember.

"My name is Lydia," she replied, then walked out the door.

Sensei Wu pondered over Lydia for a few minutes. He searched through his memories, wondering why she had reminded him so much of someone he loved very dearly. Then he got up. He was going to get some answers, and he knew exactly who would give them to him.