Training

After taking master Lee's medication Atom slept for seven days and nights, his body would progress from chill to fever as he healed years of wounds. When he had awoke despite the small pool of blood and sweat that stained the bed it felt like just a regular nights sleep.

The old man who was patiently waiting in the court yard said nothing of the time that passed, having expected such an incident from the beginning. "Child this old man thinks your ready to train but be warned I have quite the schedule for you..."

Standing tall Atom responded respectfully still "this student is ready master. What should I do?"

"First eat, then read, then eat, then read... after that you can sleep" The old man said counting his fingers.

"But I can't read..." Atom said with a whimper.

"Then you will just have to learn..." the old man took the lead, heading to the larger of the two auxiliary halls; "the refining hall has books on plants with pictures. You will learn to read while developing other skills." master Lee explained clearly.

Within the hall was an iron and jade medicine pot surrounded by tables of different materials, some dark stones, some wood even crystal and glass. Behind was rows of books, all old and many hand written.

Pointing to the books the old man Lee spoke "take those books to the garden out back and compare the photos and names. In ten days I'll test you and see if you have an aptitude."

When the old man stopped speaking he quickly left without even a look back to acknowledge Atom. Yet this did not deter the boy, quickly regaining his composure he walked to the back - grabbing a few books on the way before he too was out the door.

Immersing himself in the garden for the first time Atom wondered what type of heaven he had found here. Stopping at a center tree, looking at the variety of fruits hanging from this tree, creating a marvel of colors Atom took his seat. In all his life, with all the trees he had cut and dragged yet he had never even heard of such a majestic thing before.

Starting with the first book he flipped through. Then the second and third. Yet no mater where he looked he couldn't find the tree. After trying a few more books he decided to take a different approach.

Picking a single fruit from the tree, red round and topped with a green leaf - he studied it inside and out before grabbing a book and begging. Within a few hours he had found a picture with the simple inscription 'empire apple'

Placing the object on the ground and beneath he copied 'empire apple' over and over. Finally when the inscriptions matched he stood and drew another fruit from the tree.