Chapter 4.2

Katashi awoke to the sound of someone near.  In an instant he was on his feet, Kizahsi drawn, only to see before him a short, bald man cooking bacon over a fire.

“No need, warrior, there is plenty for both of us,” said the man with a grin.

Katashi re-sheathed his short blade and studied the man for a moment.  He had a paunch, but otherwise did not give the appearance of being overly heavy.  The bamboo tattoos encompassing his arms marked him as a monk, but he did not wear the garb of one.  His face was pleasant to look at in a coarse way, broken nose countered by jovial eyes and gap-toothed smile.

“Good day, monk.”

“Ha ha, monk no longer.  Only a fool uses a staff that is cut of the wrong height for him.  And I, my friend, am no fool.”

“I see.”

“Almost done,” said the once monk turning to fish through his bag.  “That’s not it.  That’s not it.  That’s not it,” he muttered, pulling out in succession a hollowed out bull’s horn, a half-carved block of wood, and a circular stone tablet.  “Ahhh.  Here we go,” he cried pulling a turtle shell out of his pack, putting half the bacon on it.

“What is that?” Asked Katashi pointing at the shell.

“Your breakfast,” smiled the man with the belly.

“Thank you.  My name is Katashi.”

“I know.”

Katashi mused on this while he ate his bacon.  Either it is a true statement in which case I am hardly in any danger as he managed to start a fire and cook breakfast before waking me and could have killed me.  In fact he would most likely be here to aid me if he knew me.  Or this is a false statement in which case I must weigh all statements he makes but again should fear no harm from him.  Satisfied that he was not in immediate danger he posed his question again, “what is this bowl made of?”

“Why do you not like it?  Unfortunately I don’t have another,” the man said smiling and laughing.

Katashi felt fairly confident the man was having fun with him and decided to save the question for another time or perhaps never.  “It is fine.  And how are you called, my friend?”

“Jaala.  That is how I am called.”

“Ah then.  Well met, Jaala.”

~ by beinnsgriob on April 27, 2008.