01. The Warrior and the Monk (1/2)

Balistan was one of the greatest warrior of the East Realm, he was loved by the people and the sovereigns for keeping the peace and their borders intact. Even so He always felt a chill down his spine at every dawn before the battlefield. Something inside him filled his heart with anxiety, he could live with it but asked himself it a true warrior should feel that way before the combat. His valor was grand but there always were the shadow of the doubt.

He had heard of a rumor of a monk that lived in the peak of O'Shur mountain the northern part of the Realm. It was said that the monk was all wise and he emanated such warmth that even the beast bowed to him.

He though maybe the monk would take the gear and install in him the courage he needed to not fear death and loss and so he could finally truly be the greatest warrior.

He packed everything he needed for the journey, he bought some fruits, vegetables, and a loaf of bread in the bag. Bid good-bye to his family and follow the trail to the gray mountain.

The mountain was ruthless and the com wind that blew could easily dismantle a traveler who wasn't strong enough for the journey.

It took him two days and three night to climb the mountain to the top. At the end he was famished and exhausted. He finally had reach the steps, they we're big, made of rough stone and there was a slight frost in them.

He started pacing calmly and Rhythmically, soon he got to the doors of the monastery. They're were big red wooden doors, and he pushed them inside, letting a bit of cold wind come in. He closed them behind him not wanting to disturbe who inhabited.

He started pacing though the stone made monastery, it was big and slightly cold, there were big windows that let the moon shine inside its corridors.

A couple of seconds latter he heard the sound of a small bell and a small chanting, he continued following the sound when he found a small bald old man kneeled, chanting a small mantra continuously in front of an altar with a three faced god, who was adorned with flowers. The altar was filled with candles, incenses, fruits and vegetables. It was a sight, specially with the warm orange light from the candles. The monk was quite fragile, with slender muscles and was chanting in a hypnotic way, very concentrated in his task.

Balistan didn't want to disturb the man embedded in his task, he also knew he was know for his furtiveness and was light foot, he started approaching the man calmly and slowly. Before he was fifteen paces way the monk said "Well, how wonderful to have a guest! I imagine you must be worn out from the journey. Come come I will provide you some warm meal, the soup is specially good today the tomatoes are quite fresh" and so the man nimbly stoop up and began waking in a fast pace "Come come, my friend".

Balistan didn't know what shocked him the most, how the frail man was fast ou how he knew of his presence, nevertheless he began following the monk thought the monastery.

The monk walked though the corridors until he reached a small wooden door. The kitchen was small, warmed by a fireplace with a small balcony, some crates with vegetables and fruits and a small table with four chairs.

The monk swiftly opened and began taking two chairs from the table and putting in front of the fireplace, he looked and ballista with a smiling face and said "Come my friend, warm up. I'm quite aware on how rough the mountain can be for the travelers". Balistan followed to put his bag by the door closing it behind him and sitting in the chair and warm his hand by it. He could only look at the man taking an iron pot and putting by the hanger in the fireplace intending to warm the meal. He took a loaf of bread and started slicing and putting cream he offered to Balistan to whom responder "Thank you, sir". The monk smiled and sai "No need calling me sir, my name is Orchat, please to meet you" Balistan looked at the jolly man saying "Im called Balistan, please to meet you Orchat." He then went on "I'm here because I have a question and I was hoping you could help me, since your known for your great wisdom" the monk was laughted which Balistan could understand if it was what he said or himself. The monk sat down at the chair and looking at Balistan said in a happy way "I am only a man who's lived enough to know a little about life, wisdom is relative" He got up and grabbed two plates and filled with the soup, giving Balistan a loaf of bread and a spoon, he said "Eat, eat. If yo want to talk we can do it tomorrow after you are well rested. You see I am quite old and I need to retire myself soon so I can do my tasks tomorrow. As soon as we are finished eating I will show you a room you can rest and recuperate". Balistan smiled and nodded in agreement and began eating. It was as good and the monk had said, and filled with hunger he ate the soup and felt replenished.