A strong breeze stirred the humid summer night. Somewhere in the distance, a siren rose and fell. Tomorrow, Anden would be on a plane headed home, with no tangible victories to report to his cousins, nothing that would materially help No Peak. The foreboding in Dauk’s voice deepened his feelings of futility. He respected Dauk Losun and trusted his judgment, though he resented the man as well, for forcing him to give up Cory. “Dauk-jen, I hope you’re wrong,” Anden said.
Dauk reached under the collar of his shirt, closing a hand around the circular jade pendant he wore on a silver chain around his neck. “I hope so too. I worry about the future, but I can only do what I’ve always done, which is to talk to people reasonably, for the good of the community, while I still can.” The Pillar of Southtrap clapped a reassuring hand to Anden’s shoulder and led them back into the house to join the others. “It’s good to see you, Anden. You were always too green for this city, but I’m glad you visit.”
CHAPTER
9
The Seventh Discipline
the sixth year, ninth month
Of the numerous Green Bone training facilities in Janloon, the Seventh Discipline gym had a reputation for being the most welcoming to outsiders. Located in the Yoyoyi district, it was a No Peak property, but the owner, a retired clan Fist, charged only a modest additional fee to visiting practitioners, including Green Bones from tributary and neutral clans, travelers from as far away as Espenia, independent coaches who used the space to work with their clients, and even a few barukan immigrants with no sworn allegiance but who were trusted to behave themselves.
The training space was large and well-equipped, reputedly second only to the Mountain-controlled Factory in Spearpoint. A framed motivational quote over the entrance read, Perfection of character is the seventh discipline of the jade warrior. When Hilo walked inside the building on a Firstday afternoon, there were only a few of the clan’s Fingers on the main training floor, sparring with dulled moon blades and practicing Lightness with weight vests. When they noticed the Pillar’s entrance, they paused and saluted him, calling out, “Kauljen!” Hilo waved in acknowledgment but did not stop to chat.
On the mats at the back of the building, Master Aido was working on talon knife drills with a man whose unusual reputation had traveled up the clan’s grapevine all the way to the Pillar. The stranger was shorter than Hilo had expected, fit and strongly built, with close-cropped dark hair and a shadow of facial stubble. His jade aura hummed with the strain of exertion but revealed little else—the psychic equivalent of a resting poker face. Hilo could see at once that the man possessed the confident physicality of a skilled fighter, but he moved differently from anyone else in the gym. He did not employ the usual techniques or classic combinations. As he defended and countered each of Master Aido’s attacks, he seemed to rely surprisingly little on his jade abilities, slipping in Strength and Steel and sometimes a short Deflection in a fast and stealthy manner, as if trying to hide them behind movements that were simple and obvious. Green Bones often awed rivals and onlookers with raw jade ability—powerful Deflections, leaps of Lightness—especially in public duels where the outcome was not intentionally fatal. This man’s constrained actions were entirely efficient and practical. Jade was a slim weapon, a final resort, drawn quickly to neutralize the enemy, but that was all. It was a modern soldier’s approach to jade combat. IBJCS—the Integrated Bioenergetic Jade Combat System.
“Master Aido,” Hilo said, stepping onto the mat. “Introduce me to this student of yours.”
The old trainer seemed surprised to see the Pillar here. The Kaul estate had its own training hall and courtyard where Hilo normally met his private coaches. Aido wiped his brow and said, “Kauljen, this is Jim Sunto.” To the other man, “Jim, this is Kaul Hiloshudon, the Pillar of the No Peak clan.”
Sunto looked between Hilo and Master Aido. Hilo’s eyes fell upon the man’s jade: two green dog tags worn on a chain around his neck. They hung next to a second, shorter chain with a triangular gold pendant: the Truthbearers symbol of Mount Icana. Sunto appeared to be in his late twenties. Younger than Hilo. At thirty-four, it surprised Hilo to find so many people were now younger than him.
Sunto nodded warily but did not salute. “I know who Kaul Hilo is.”
Hilo said to Master Aido, “I trust I didn’t interrupt your session.”
“We were just finishing,” said the trainer, taking the hint. “Jim, I’ll see you this time next week. Kauljen.” He saluted the Pillar and tactfully withdrew, leaving the two men standing on the mat alone.