Chapter 0023 - Storybooks

"Sorry, my Disciple has been training lately and has yet to attend his regular duties." The Shopkeeper waved his hands around, things began moving around the room quickly like they had a mind of their own. Books flew to shelves and dust gathered into a pile, things were getting sorted bit by bit. "What can I help you with?" The quiet and thin Old man crept out of the Bookshelves and approached the happy couple. "My name is Jiang, you can call me Old Man Jiang. So, do tell me, what you would have these Old Bones find? If I have it."

His irregular speech left Zao Zhan constipated. He was use to order and having to listen to various poorly spoken people, rather than interrupting him, he was lucky. Rachael had spoken up, "I need a children's story book, our Elder use to tell the stories but he has passed and all the old storybooks make our children cry. I'd like something that's happy and one with adventure." She was chipper and gave a positive attitude. It made Master Jiang a bit nauseated at first but he warmed up to her enough to look for a book.

The shelves were cluttered with books and although they seemed neat and tidy, there was no order to their madness. Rachael was very surprised when it did not take long for him to return.

Having been asked this a few times, he replied simply, "Books are for truths. Stories, whether happy or sad should contain the essence of Truth. In life there is rarely a happy ending. I suggest you consider my words before making your choice. The values you impose on children will be long lived and could outlive you in return." He put the stack onto the counter, they weren't even on display. "These are what I have."

It was a short stack of books that laid on the counter, Rachael went through them. Turning the pages, she skimmed through their contents and made a choice of three from selection he had placed atop the counter.

Old Man Jiang moved his hands, he waved a few times and then twisted his fingers slightly. The books on the counter started to lift with the Darkness magic. He had been practicing in all of his off time, his new found capabilities gave him the power to pull objects into his shadow for movement with root-shaped shadow tentacles.

Manifestation of Magic comes in many forms, usually those most familiar. The Old Bookstore owner had been training with wood element his entire life, combining it with shadows had changed so much for him. Using them, he placed the books exactly where they belonged then the tentacles slipped back into the shadows and out of sight.

It was eerie for Zhan to watch, they came out of shadows and vanished just the same. He had seen magic before never Darkness, Shadows or something like what the Bookstore Owner had just demonstrated.

'What a marvelous ability..' Rachael was lost in thought and awe. Her eyes trembled with interest.

Pulling out some gold coins to pay the Old Man, Rachael was stopped. "I'll gift these to you, may your husband and children find solace in Truth."

Dumbstruck, Rachael wanted to inquire, she wasn't upset about what he had said but kindness to strangers was extremely uncommon.

"I feel a sense of familiarity with the two of you, I can't fit it into words. Just accept my kindness." Old Man Jiang waved it off as nothing.

Rachael really wanted these books, so she thanked the Old Man and made her way to leave.

The door swung open at that instant.

When Zhan saw who entered the store behind them he opened his arms and tackled the man, holding him tightly. "BROTHER!! We were going to find you after everyone was settled in, our luck seems to have improved! How did you find me? Wait, is this why it smelled like your dirty socks in here earlier? Don't tell me you work here? Where are Mother and Father?" A number of questions flowed from Zhan's mouth, Wu Hai wanted to explain but he was feeling a little embarrassed.

Bowing to his master he said, "Master, Disciple must introduce my Brother, Zao Zhan, and his... Guest?" Looking at Rachael, he didn't want to put his brother in a tight spot and noticed his lagging glare. Wu Hai took a deep breath and asked, "Would you allow your disciple to take him to see my parents before I return for my duties?" He asked as respectful as he could be, Wu Hai had no intentions to go against his masters choice on the matter regardless of what answer he gave.

Nodding in contentment for his disciples words, the Old Master sent Wu Hai off with the pair.

Wu Hai clasped hands and kowtowed three times for his gratitude before exiting.

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Without much effort found their way to the House of Zao. There were a lot of things that still caught both of their eyes on the way, people were rushing around and everyone seemed like they had jobs. The Capital was a lot more interesting than they originally thought.

Ooran had been bored in the city, there was not much use for a Hunter. He had been spending the majority of the last two years polishing his Archery and Swordsmanship, a small matter of pride. Zhan's position as an Elite meant that Ooran had to step up his fighting skills or be left behind.

Calistown had been taking care of young Lei, consuming most of her down time and efforts. When a knock came on the door, they both expected it to be Wu Hai back for dinner.

Three figures stood in the doorway, they saw the three of them standing quietly and their eyes went misty as they crowded together.

It was still cold outside, Zhan's breath left vapor trails while he talked, "I've come down from the Border, This is Rachael. Rachael, these are my Parents Zao Ooran, Zao Calistown, and Zao Wu Hai my brother you've already met." It wasn't until a moment later that a cry came from the back room.

Zhan's mind shifted his concentration away and focused. He lips flared and twisted while he asked, "??.. a Baby?"

Looking at his parents' blank stare, he started laughing, "Father, I have another brother? You've been busy." Zao Zhan continued laughing.

"Daughter." Zao Ooran couldn't help but cough to interrupt his laughter with a chuckle. He walked lazily to the back room and brought out the Baby. "This is Zao Lei. Zao Lei, this if your Big Brother Zao Zhan.. Say Hi!"

Shocked, he could hear a tender voice entering his mind, "ZHAN ZHAN ZHAN! I LIKE BIG BROTHER ZHAN.. HE SMELLS LIKE BROTHER WU!"

A voice in his mind passed quickly, but he could feel the forces coming from his baby sister. "Father?!, Mother! What is going on, Why can I hear Lei talking when she's not even able to speak?" He had immediate questions, Zhan's face was blank and he wasn't sure if he should be worried.

His mother seemed to understand his frustration, holding up her hands she gave him pause. "Master Jiang explained it to us a bit, she was born with the power of the Mind. She can cast her thoughts and has been keeping the both of us up at night." Calistown frowned a bit, she never expected to be woken up the first time, let alone ever single night when Lei would be hungry. "We've gotten use to it but its quite a change. I'm sure she will grow to be of great importance one day, even the Old Master said as much."

With the baby smiling his arms, Zhan looked at Rachael and saw her blush. "Mother, this is Rachael. She's the daughter of the Village Elder of Herl. We've grown quite attached, I hope I can get your blessings about her."

Rachael had no problems with what Zhan had said, she merely hid behind him a bit.. slightly hesitant to make conversation.

"She had a few bad experiences but luckily I was able to save many of the villagers before disaster." Zhan tried to change the subject but his mother was already in motion.

"Come Daughter-In-Law, we have much to discuss." Grabbing Rachael's hand, Calistown carried Lei and led Rachael to the back of the house where they could talk in piece.

Zhan wasn't sure what to think of his Mother's actions but it was refreshing to hear his Mother refer to her as such. He had almost lost his focus at the words, she could tell he had tremendous feelings for the woman.

Getting his Father's attention when Zhan stopped talking, Wu Hai commented on his current situation, "Master has duties for me to attend to, I will be leaving first."

Wu Hai left without saying anything else, there would be time for him to talk with his brother.

Zhan began telling his father of his adventure so far, about the time he met Rachael.

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The shop was cleaned quickly, Master Jiang had made a few fortuitous acquisitions recently and passed a few of the new books to his Disciple.

Wu Hai had been rolling his dice every other day, he tried to be more familiar with each power set before changing. The range of his abilities were expanding his knowledge of many schools of magics simultaneously. Control and Manifestation were extremely important, without an understanding all else was null. Having such a situation, Wu Hai's understanding of the inner mechanics of spells and natural affinities was growing.

A Woman was flying high in the sky over the Capital on an Metallic Brolga that came into the City Square. She was stopped by the guards to land before they directed her to the bookstore of Old Man Jiang.

He had been expecting a package from a neighboring Kingdom for nearly six months.

Chimes from the bells on the door rang as she entered, a pungent stench filled her nostrils. "Old Man, what are you doing in here these days. It smells like a turtles ass in here." Covering her face she placed the package on the counter and waved her hand in distaste.

"I've been apprenticing lately, he's growing and often stinks like this. My disciple will definitely get a piece of my mind for not returning swiftly, however.." No sooner than Old Man Jiang had finished speaking did Wu Hai appear within the shop.

"Master, I have returned." Sparing no glances for the woman, he kowtowed to his master and began his duties. Sweeping was one of the first duties and he had been neglecting it due to a number of reason that didn't matter.

Old Man Jiang's nostrils were still burning from the smell coming from Wu Hai. Repulsed, he had his Disciple leave, "Go home and clean yourself up." He didn't want to hear about how the store stank in the future.

"Thank you, Master." Wu Hai clasped his hands and walked home.

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