Beinn 6.3
Jaala studied him for a moment that hung in the air almost too long. “Are you sure Katashi? Once embarked on turning back will be difficult and in time impossible.”
“I am a leaf on the water Jaala,” Katashi responded. Jaala nodded in understanding. Katashi was accepting this path that opened up to him just as Jaala hoped he would. Before he could respond though, Katashi continued. “But in this matter, this journey we have embarked on, we must approach it together, as partners, equals.”
Jaala smiled and nodded, “Yes of course, just as it has been from the beginning.”
Katashi stared at Jaala evenly, feeling the natural anger and indignation rising. Noticing it but not dwelling in it he remained calm. “Perhaps I have misjudged then,” he spoke and turned to leave.
Jaala watched him in silence as he moved to pick up his meager belongings. He weighed the decision in his mind carefully using these few brief seconds to make sure that what he felt in his heart was right. He was certain Katashi was the one he had been searching for. Young yes, talented to be sure, but also a bit too sure of himself. It was a failing of all the Zealots, or was it that they attracted such? No matter, the question here was could Katashi be molded still? Could he be directed? Jaala’s heart told him yes, his mind wasn’t so sure.
The moment was here to decide and like a leaf on the water Jaala did. He let his heart lead him. “Katashi,” he said softly.
Katashi was ready to turn and walk out of the clearing but he stopped when Jaala called his name in nothing more than a whisper. He stood silently looking at him, waiting.
“What you say is true,” Jaala began. “I have not been forthcoming with you in the matters related to our journey. There is much going on here, much that you are not aware of. To tell you all of this at once would be overwhelming for you. It would be more than you are ready for. It would assume a trust between us that has not yet been proven. Can you understand this? Will you trust me to tell you everything that I can at this time, but no more?”
Katashi listened to the rotund one speak. He felt sincerity, that this time he was getting the truth from him. The humor and veiled deceit were now gone. It was just the same he felt with Master Michi and this is perhaps what changed his mind. “I sense you speak the truth Jaala, and so long as I sense this we will walk this path together.” What was unsaid was equally as well understood between them, that if Jaala dissembled and Katashi detected it they would part ways. Jaala understood and accepted.
“Like two leafs on the water.”
“Like two leafs on the water.”
A gentle breeze brushed his cheek and Katashi continued, “Now Jaala, perhaps you can tell me about Cuauhtemoc’s pin.”
Leave a Reply