The Sword and the Scrolls

Afternoon light streams through the western windows of the bookbinder's workshop. Dust motes dance in a sunbeam as Aelmeh clamps a book into the binding press, bending over it to meticulously check that the weight is evenly distributed over the cover being glued together. She works in a neat room, smelling of paper and glue. Behind her shelves range up the walls filled with the tools of her trade and examples of various types of book binding materials to show to potential clients.

The rest of the three-story townhouse is quiet, the maid and cook, both having the day off. Food made ahead of time awaits her in the larder and the rest of the house, much too large for its present owner, dreams in the well-ordered silence of waxed floors, neatly shelved books and made up beds.

And yet, a bit of variance seeps into the afternoon. Huian recalled Aelmeh's introduction and professed skillset. She tucked a variety of scrolls from her family's school into a pouch. The tradition back home was to have the lessons written out on individually rolled scrolls. Even though books are a thing all over the world, it was not until she heard of this bookbinder that she thought... perhaps compiling lessons into a single book would be useful.

And so, just as hunger begins to gnaw at the bookbinder's stomach, a knock comes at the door of the shop. After all, she isn't sure if it's open or not.

A final twist of the book cover clamp assures Aelmeh that she can leave her work in progress and answer the door. After wiping her hands on a towel pulled from an apron pocket, she smooths back stray locks of honey blonde hair into the intricate plait that begins at the crown of her head and ends in the middle of her back. She pulls off her sleeve protectors, and tugs the sleeves of her dark blue gown into place, all the while wondering who awaits her.

When she pulls the heavy door open, she blinks in momentary surprise which rapidly becomes a smile.

"Good afternoon, Huian. Welcome to my house."

Inclining her head, Huian returns the smile with a small modest one. She bows her head and speaks softly, "I hope that I am not visiting at an inopportune time."

That said, she gestures to a pouch of scroll cases she has slung over one shoulder, "I thought I might inquire about having some work done that is... as they say, right up your alley."

Standing back, Aelmeh ushers her surprise visitor and customer into the house with a nod and waved gesture to follow her.

"No interruption at all. I have a little bit of work in progress but it is nothing pressing. Please come in and let me take your cloak. My workroom is right down this hall at the back of the house, if you'll follow me."

She walks ahead, glancing behind her once as they pass down a hall of hardwood floors and brightly colored rugs from the east of Ea. Mirrors with unlit candle sconces on either side reflect back the figures of the two women as they walk past in the dim light.

Aelmeh opens the door to the bright room she had just left and motions Huian to put her things on a long wide table to one side while she pulls out a chair for her guest.

"Come in. Put your things down over there and tell me about what brings you here. Not that you needed an excuse, I'm happy to see you again."

Removing her cloak and handing it over, Huian falls in behind Aemleh silently. She places her scroll cases on the designated spot and then her eyes alight upon a nearby chair. There she plants herself.

"My Sifu is traditional." she says softly. And that said, she reaches for one of the scroll cases that has half a dozen scrolls rolled up within it. Opening the thing, she gently withdraws the curled parchment. The markings on it are rather obscure. Sure, it's the common language, but a local dialect of it, with added diagrams of movements, foot positions, weapon angles and the like.

"I was hoping that when I did eventually earn the right to return home, I might have all of these lessons of his compiled into one or two volumes of books."

Aelmeh pulls a pair of thin white gloves from one of the voluminous pockets of her grey apron, pushing each finger into place before reaching for the parchment Heian holds, then stretching open to read.

"This is paper made in your region, isn't it? The ink, too."

She holds the diagram close to her face and sniffs, then rubs the vellum between her her fingers.

"Traditionally, instructions like this are strictly teacher to student, I think." A questioning glance sent Huian's way before she adds, "How many scrolls do you have?"

"Sifu gave me copies when I departed so that I may keep up my studies, but yes... this is all local to my home." admits Huian. She has a bit of pride in her voice as she says all of that, which partially wilts before she shrugs and adds, "I have six scroll cases with six scrolls each. Each set is one lesson, one degree of mastery, and should take approximately one year to master." I have finished the fourth thus far, and have barely begun the fifth lesson."

It should be mentioned that each scroll is not like one page. It's maybe thirty or forty pages rolled up and condensed. "I realize this would take a lot of work. Though it may be best to, instead of just binding these scrolls.... perhaps transcribe them onto paper suited to your books? I would have to harm the traditional scrolls."

The crease that had deepened between Aelmeh's brows as she contemplated the scrolls lightens somewhat as Huian suggests having the scrolls copied.

"That's a relief. I would hate carving up such a beautiful piece of work into pieces. Part of their beauty is in their flow."

Looking closer at the example in her hand, "Also the calligraphy is beautiful, I don't know..." She purses her lips in thought, "How is your hand? Would you consider copying them onto paper that would fit a book format? Wouldn't that be a form of study?"

"I am no calligrapher." admits Huian. "My studies were music and dance to go with the martial training." But she smiles, "The Cai School does emphasize that every student must be more than just a blade with feet. They must broaden out and learn things to enrich life, not merely to take it."

"I could assist in translating any odd terms, or demonstrating stances that may be drawn." There is a brief pause before she goes on, "I would very much like to maintain a level of involvement in the process, to the limit of what I am capable of at the very least. Even if that is merely playing a flute to help a calligrapher to maintain focus..."

Head canted, Aelmeh gives Huian a puzzled look. "Translated? You don't want to keep them in the original language, just changing the format? And, of course, I would want you involved. These," she holds out the scroll in her hand, "I don't need to tell you, are very personal maybe even private teachings."

Chuckling, Huian shrugs her shoulders, "I only meant that, understanding the meaning behind it could help one to perform better in the copying." admits Huian. "But I think that I would like one set in the original text, and another in the common tongue."

Her smile becomes a bit impish before she adds, "I was thinking that one way to redeem my honor, may be to... and this is quite a ways down the road here... but to establish a branch of the school here. So I would need lessons that locals could understand. And yes, they -are- personal. But only as much as the relationship between Sifu and student is personal. And I have already tarnished the relationship I had with -my- Sifu."

After laying the scroll down on the table near Huian, Aelmeh scrapes a chair out to set facing her. She smoothes her gown under her then sits, leaning forward slightly. With a grave air, "That's not the first time you have mentioned the need to restore your tarnished reputation, or, relationship with your Teacher." Aelmeh's tone of voice inviting the young woman to share the reason behind the break with her Sifu.

"I can guarantee a good translation with your help, but to find someone who could do justice to the calligraphy in your language may take some time. Having a second copy in the original is an excellent idea for future scholars or students wishing to study the work in your language."

Nodding her head, Huian shrugs, "I speak of it to retain honesty. I would not wish to be accused of concealing things on top of the difficulties already encountered." And that said, Huian falls silent for a moment, looking into the distance without really seeing anything.

"The details may not make as much sense locally, as a lot of it stems from the cultural traditions of my homeland, but my father is Sifu of the school, and I brought shame and dishonor to the school in my arrogance and boastful behavior towards other schools. The Sifus of those schools approached my father and claimed that my behavior had been enough for them to censure father's school. He would lose students, prestige, and authority in that situation." and she shakes her head, as if in denial. "I was angry at first and demanded that we challenge those schools' champions to prove our superiority. Father however, wished to not tarnish them -and- us at the same time. He gave me a choice.... which wasn't really much of a choice. Either I would marry into a family chosen by him and by definition, no longer be a part of his family and his school... or I could venture out on my own and seek honor among the world, helping others with my skills." And yes, for the moment, it seems as if the book is not even in her thoughts.

Aelmeh listens attentively, nodding on occasion. She wrinkles her nose sympathetically the notion of marriage to repair family reputation, remaining silent till Huian's words slow. She is not quick to offer suggestions or consolation. The young woman had already impressed her - not seeming impetuous or someone given to boasting.

"It doesn't seem like marriage under those circumstances would suit you. And I don't know you well. Am I right in thinking that you think you brought dishonor on your family?" Something else puzzles the wizard, "How will your family know you have found honor in a foreign land?"

Smiling wanly, one that doesn't reach her eyes, Huian shrugs her shoulder. "I have had time to consider and to reflect upon my past. I have chosen to stop being such a boastful and arrogant swordswoman. I saw the difficulty I caused to my family, and I have decided to change my ways. Turn over a new leaf as it were."

But then she laughs, "Well, if word of my deeds -does- make it home, that would be something, would it not? But... you must understand that among my people.. honor is a personal, singular and internalized thing. To the point where I will know when I have become redeemed, and if I show myself at home, fully confident in my redemption, in my honor... and if I should that my behavior has changed, then that would be enough."

Then she returns her gaze to the present, and looks to Aelmeh. "In my land, we have warriors who take up the title of Piao Shih..." (the last part pronounced more like just SHE)... "The closest equivalent in the local tongue here would be something akin to a Knight Errant. One who's chosen vocation is to defend others on the roads, or out in the world. One who travels in search of people who need help. I believe that will be my eventual calling. At least until I can open my own school." she adds with a bit of a smirk.

Mouth pressed into a puzzled smile, Alemeh regards Huian a moment before saying, "It sounds paradoxical. But, I think I understand and it reminds me of something I read once when we were studying philosophy in other lands at the Society of Progressive Arcanists. Something like : It is dishonorable for a knight-errant to seek fame. Every action must be made without thought of acquisition, whether it is acquiring fame or fortune, thought of profit removes one from the true path."

"Precisely. I know it seems strange. One could falsely claim honor and accomplishment, but the truth is... a lie will eventually become known, and if one is found to falsely claim honor, they will lose even more honor in the discovery. So, one simply does not do that. It is just how things go. Even those who would be reprehensible in every other way, would still be true and honest when it comes to honor." says Huian with a shrug. "And yes, a Piao Shih seeks to defend others on the road, caravans or travel groups. They may ask for monetary compensation if only enough to maintain their gear and to be able to perform their duties well."

And then she looks down to her silken sash she wears about her waist. Then she reaches for the scabbarded sword and slips the whole thing out in her hand. "The greatest sign that my father approved of my choice to go out into the world is this. My family's sword. Father made sure that I had it to take with me. It has been wielded by 7 generations of swordsmen and women. It is said that the soul of each wielder is imprinted onto it, sharing their skill and honor with the current user." (And yes, there -is- a magic aura about the blade. It's strong, but mostly dormant.)

"The sword, and the scrolls are actually both signs of approval." she adds.

Again, Aelmeh nods on occasion at Huian's story. A smile lighting her eyes at the Piao Shis's last words followed by a protracted silence as she admires the sword she shows her. Aelmeh reaches out, palms up under the sword as though about to take it into her hands. Instead, without touching it, she closes her eyes, breathing in the sword's aura.

When she opens them, she fixes her vivid aquamarine eyes on the other woman, nodding several times. "They are there. And you." The smile warms her face. "Your father seemed hard hearted to me at first, I have to admit. But, he could not let you leave without his blessing and that of your house. I'm glad for it."