Chapter Twenty: Due Diligence — Part 5

Laura took a position next to Susan. Upon request they performed a lethal dance, at the same speed and pentameter, while Priests juggled objects over their heads, attempting to break their concentration. At one point a knife spun right at Laura’s face, and she was forced to integrate a block into her moves, slowly restoring her pentameter to Susan’s.

Laura became the target of three more such attacks with various weapons, but Susan was spared the indignity. Susan had barely broken a sweat before she completed the katta. When she was done, she faced Master Toen, raised her arms to chest level, and, still in synchronization with Laura, she placed an open hand over her closed fist, then stood at attention, waiting for a response. The Council members sat motionless for two hours, impressed by the deadly style. The Priests, who seemed winded from their endeavors, sat at the edge of the square, unable to fathom the flawlessness they had just observed. Master Toen closed his eyes, letting them rest a minute, then opened them again. “Master Mantis, do these people show the same discipline as our Priests?”

“Master Toen,” Master Mantis began, “they aren’t our equals.” Enjoying the dramatic flare and upset this statement caused within the council, Master Mantis waited a few seconds longer than he should have before continuing. “They performed flawlessly, despite our constant attempts at disturbing them. Laura looked a little stiff in her armor, and yet she matched her Leader in grace and composure. Might I recommend we watch it again, this time with everybody undressed.”

“Are you suggesting — after having seen how organized her fighting style was, that her nudity is a sign of lacking discipline?” Master Toen demanded, his voice scolding.

Master Mantis’ face flushed red as he was chastened. “She has taken the step of Discipline.”

“An army of her caliber could level this world, could rival the Storm Clan, in their finest years. Test or no, we must show caution.” One of the Council whispered to his associate, too quiet to be heard by normal ears.

Charles, however, heard every word.

Susan stood calmly, drawing on her reserves. A young man faced Master Toen, speaking in a whisper.

Master Toen responded to the whisper with some hint of humor. “Yes, I think that would be a great test of courage, but where are you going to find a Wattaka at this time of year?”

A second Priest approached the base of the jade chair. “Master Toen, I and my fellow Priests request that we be allowed to test her together, as Courage, Wisdom, Endurance, and Devotion can all more easily be tested in a leap rather than in four short steps.”

“Are you certain?” Master Toen said, sounding dismissive. “It has only been done once before, and only because Lexus of the Storm Clan wished to be canonized a priest before going into battle against the Cynosure.”

The Priest spoke with some disdain. “Sunset is getting close. Though our guests seem full of energy and power, and you yourself have not lagged in your prowess, we are growing fatigued. If we cannot best her together, she cannot hope to be bested at all.”

Master Toen begrudgingly agreed, if only because it was already late in the day, and four more tests, done separately, would take them well into midnight. Four Priests entered the square, standing at diagonals to Susan. The Priests spoke in sequence.

“I’ll test your courage.”

“I’ll test your wisdom.”

“I’ll test your endurance.”

“We’ll all test your devotion.”

“You’ve tested my patience already.” Susan mumbled. “What’s this game then?”

“Combat until you yield.” Smiled the first priest, a little overconfidently.

“I yield. How’s that, are we equals now?” Susan’s agitation was unconcealed.

One of the Priests whispered to her, so the Council couldn’t hear. “Yes, we know this is all silly, but we haven’t got much to go on here, you being from out of town and all. So could you just humor us and go along with the script?”

“If it’s a fight you want, you’ll not win.” Susan said.

She made a fist, and then placed it in the palm of her right hand, smiling ever so slightly.

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