Was it the oath?

[Shang Li]

I swore to a man once, that should he or his family ever be at need, I would come. Well it was me, but it wasn't me at teh same time, I gave up on understanding that part of my memories anytime soon. This quiet peacefull man had done me services far beyond what he had any idea - what price on peace of mind and calmness of spirit? I gave him what I have given the few others here who have touched me so. I swore my oath before Amaterasu and the Buddhas that if there was a need I would be there to stand beside him.

A kind good man, with a loving family, threatened by an evil not on man's doing. Would I have turned away, repeating the litany of obstacles that I am unable to overcome on my own? Would I have turned away from my duty to protect any of those who seek peace had I not sworn an oath to render this one aid? I would like to think I would have gone just the same, but I will never tuely know - for with the aid of a new freind, I am able to uphold the oath I swore.

I know I was not easy to find, Mr. Ghostspider spend many weeks traveling with me mostly on foot, but sometimes in his special manner, finding just the right valley for our period of solitude. But that is his story to tell. As Gabrial had his vision that the druid was in trouble, I was back at my valley attempting to cleanse myself of the acrid feel of the negative chi left at Mr. Caliburn's former resident. This left me somwhere in the midst of the mountains that make the spine of this land, and a long and treacherous journey of many months if I could not trade for help in traveling.

With Mr. Ghostspider more needed elstwhere, I began a sunrise prayer to Amaterasu - as much to slow my whirling thoughts as to ask for guidence, so that I could think about how to get myself out of my little valley in time to offer any aid that was truely usefull.

As I finally acheived a calmed state of peacefull awareness, and began to concentrate on how to most effectively reach the little place I could only half remember in memories that are mine and are not, Imagine my surprise when the fabric of the veil re-wove it's self and a man I had never seen before stood before me - no residue of sorcery lingering on him but undeniably here. I was so shocked I actually missed a step and a sylable of the prayer for guidance, But I do believe Amaterasu had already forgiven my slip.

Before me stood undoubtably one of the largest men I have ever seen, with a nearly flame colored mane flowing gently in the mountain breeze, apearantly suspicious of the ritual I was performing, my age, or something else about me. Since I was not realy expect anyone, I will sadly admit, my initial demeanor was somewhat brusque and ingratious.

[Shang Li]

This man who apeared before me seemed to realize he had entered a place that was sacred. That or he is more familian with magic than I (probable, I am missing a small peice of the rituals and prayers, where ones they performed miracles, now they merely calm the mind and promote peacefull thought). Having had finished the prayer I mentaly thanked Amaterasu for seeing to it I am not alone when the need is great, and knelt zazen to observe this visitor for a moment. "You are not AdamaGeist, Ghostspider nor Gabriel, so you must be Reckoner. Forgive my earlier doubts of your ability to sunder the veil, in my experience, the louder the noise, the clumsier the blade." I am truely sorry, Mr. Reckoner, I was rude and speaking ungratiously.

I have to say, that our newcomer is surprisingly quick of mind, the puzzled look and gaping mouth that seems to go along with my first meetings (re-meetings?) of people from these boards faded far faster than normal, fading even as I spoke.

Finaly recovering from the shock of his arrival, and chiding myself on lack of manners, I offered the tea and hospitality, who's offers should have been the first thing off of my lips.