James stayed in the training room, while Kate left to speak with the council. He told her that he wouldn’t tell them. He couldn’t tell them he was defeated. It was up to her to let their elders know.
When the doors closed behind her, he finally felt some relief.
James had been concerned Kate would question the fight because he didn’t use the practice forms to defend himself. But she often got lost in her own world.
Long ago James took the time to learn this room. He knew every inch of it, maybe even more than his father. He understood how to use the practice forms, the elements and the space to his best advantage. He had measured the walls, which were 30 feet on every side. He had tested the doors, which were made of an impervious, frosted glass.
He learned to move around the room with a blindfold and still find the exact center. That’s where he stood now, with his eyes closed.
Behind him a river of elements flowed from one side of the room to the other. It spawned from the bamboo-covered wall six feet from the back left corner and swept across to twelve feet from the right hand corner.
Walnut and cherry ribbons separated lines of river rock, silver and copper. Each element offered someone an advantage, depending on the function of their staff. His staff sent shockwaves out at his opponents. It would force them to move or be pushed back. The copper and silver gave his waves even greater momentum, but the woods and stones kept it in check.
He could feel the space in his mind and decided to continue training until Ceres arrived. She would come to comfort him after his defeat. Training was always his way of dealing with frustration and loss.
James trained hard and fast until the sweat began to drip from his brow. That’s when the doors opened.
“Sun will reveal her decision tomorrow,” Ceres said as she entered.
“What do you think she will say?”
“I believe she will allow Kate to go,” she said. “For several reasons.”
“Is there any question about the fight?” he asked.
“None,” she told him. “Even William believes she truly defeated you.”
“He trained us both,” James said. “We have been taught the same skills. And no one questions Kate’s stubbornness.”
“It will be our advantage, my nephew.” Ceres walked up to James and tucked his brown hair behind his ear, examining his demeanor. “Has there been any word from the Odyssey?”
“Nothing,” James said. He stood still while she patted his sweat with her sleeve and straightened his hair. “We may never know the ship’s fate.”
“Perhaps.” Ceres stepped back from him to examine her work. “Or we may find out in less than a year when Kate arrives at Jupiter Station.”
“I have Io searching the skies for the ship now,” James said.
“The Odyssey’s missing communications spell trouble,” Ceres said with a smile. “I believe Kate is in more danger than she realizes.”
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