Jaspen

The morning after Shaman Zeke was back, lessons began again. Omand and I met him in the garden on the backside of the temple. It was beautiful and filled with vibrant flowers and palm trees. The sand was still damp and cool.

"Today we will be learning about the spiritual force of living things and that the same force connects us all. We will start with looking inside ourselves."

Zeke sat down bending both knees so that his feet touched with his eyes closed. Omand and I did the same.

"You can't be in rhythm with the world around you without first being at peace with yourself."

He paused for a few moments. "Free your mind with silence. Only focus on the quiet. Clear your mind. Still your breathing by concentrating only on the deep breaths you are taking."

I did what he asked and it was amazing to feel the weight of the world slip off my shoulders. The world started to slip away as I concentrated on the impression of feeling weightless.

"Good," whispered Zeke. "Jaspen relax your shoulders."

I heard Zeke chuckle gently.

"This is much easier at your age- there is less responsibility on your shoulders."

We sat there awhile longer- I honestly had no idea of how much time had passed before Zeke called for us to come have lunch.

The food was simple- dried beef strips and goat cheese. I savored it enjoying being back with these two after four long days of boredom.

"Were you able to practice from the book I gave you?"

I shook my head because my mouth was full of beef strips. Zeke waited patiently.

"There was no one here to teach me with the King's Physician being gone as well."

"Well for the rest of the time I have you, that is what I'll be working on with you personally. I didn't expect the king's physician to accompany us. He usually doesn't ever go."

"It is fine," I said. " I appreciate you were even willing to teach me."

He smiled.

"Everyone should know how to read and write- even if it is just the basics. It is my pleasure."

After we finished eating, Zeke started writing lessons. The characters were hard and my first attempts were unreadable, but by sundown, Omand and I could both write our names.

Getting used to Omand's quietness was hard, but I kept trying to remind myself it was part of the shaman culture to listen twice more than we speak.

"Do you like it- being a shaman I mean?"

Omand thought for a moment.

"All I've ever known is the lifestyle of a shaman- they raised me after all, but yes. I do enjoy it. My title protects me and I'm doing a higher work."

I nodded.

"Are you happy being a blacksmith apprentice?"

"I have bigger dreams," I murmured.

"Such as?"

I sighed. "I want to be a Scortha- a warrior. Not just making their weapons and armor. I'm surprised my father hasn't tried to apprentice me somewhere else because I have no natural skill for metal working."

"Zeke really enjoys teaching you," he said after a brief pause.

"My father could never afford to send me off to the temple- and I'm way behind in training."

Omand clapped my shoulder. "Some changes are allowed."

"The king wont give me another blessing. He already allowed me to live."

"Sometimes fate is a funny thing. Good night, Jaspen."

"Goodnight, Omand."

I headed down the temple steps. I was mentally drained from the lessons, and I didn't feel hungry so I went straight to bed.