Long ago, out in the wildlands of Temuair, there lived a wise
old monk and his two sons. The wise old monk had taught many students
in his dojo in his time, and was prepared to pass on his secrets to one
of his sons to carry on his sytle, his legacy. All teachers need
to have heirs.
And so he charged his sons with a quest, of sorts. He told
them to go out into the world and train for one Deoch. After that
time, they were to return to his humble remote dojo and face his challenge.
The winner would be the one to carry on the family dojo, the one to pass
the family's wisdom to a new generation.
The two sons looked at each other, and smiled broadly.
They had always been in competition, being siblings. They welcomed
the chance to prove once and for all who was the superior.
The elder son went out into the world and steeped himself in
the ways of the monk. He studied from every teacher he could, learning
secrets and tricks to broaden his horizons. He left no avenue unexplored,
consequently he mastered few techniques.
The younger child spent his times honing his combat skills to
their utmost perfection. He learned only what could help him in battle,
and learned such techniques very well. Indeed, he became a very fierce
and reknowned warrior. Few creatures could stand long against his
blows. Yet he knew little outside of combat.
After the appointed Deoch had passed, the two brothers returned
to their father's dojo in the wildlands to face their challenge and prove
themself their brother's better. The father beamed with pride when
he saw his sons again. Both had clearly trained very hard indeed
to learn his secrets. But only one could run his dojo, and his task
was set. He bade his sons to follow him up the mountain trail behind
his dojo.
They eventually reached a mountainous plateau, where the father
had clearly spent much time. The field of wildflowers had an area
for quiet meditation, logs were wrapped with rope and hung around for training,
and, most interesting of all, a rather large structure stood at one end
of the field.
This construct resembed a house, only consisting of but one room.
It was quite large, but not ornate. It had but one large opening
in the front. A rope tied to the front of this house went though
this portal and disappeared into the interior. Over the opening a
name was painted, which the father began to call. "Here Fluffy!"
As something inside the small house began to stir, growling,
the father told his sons what their challenge was to be.
"The one of you who takes the bell off my little pet's collar
will be the one deemed worthy to carry on my dojo."
The sons turned to look at the house. At first, all they
saw was a pair of eyes in the darkened interior. As the beast emerged,
they were taken aback by the sight of a very large cat, indeed. It
was far larger than a man, yellow and spotted. Around its neck was
a belled collar. Being monks, the sons recognized the monster for
what it was, a legendary Kelberoth! The father untethered the Kelberoth
from its leash, scratching its neck.
"Good Fluffy! Playtime!", turning to his sons, "Who's first?"
The younger son, knowing no fear from any beast, bravely stepped
forward. "'Tis a simple task you have set, no monster can withstand
my finely-honed blows!"
But the Kelberoth is a powerful foe, indeed. The elder
son started with a flying kick towards the head of the beast... And
was swatted down like a bird in mid-flight. Landing with elegant
grace, he launched into a flurry of kicks and well-placed punches, none
of which penetrated the thick hide of the beast. A mighty paw came
down upon him once again.
Battered, but not defeated, the youthful son tried again and
again to slay the beast and take the bell. But all he earned were
bruises and cuts. Exhausted, he finally withdrew.
"Bah! 'Tis some mythically invincible beast! None
could defeat it if my perfect attacks could not!"
The elder son looked at the beast, and contemplated his options.
As he pondered his strategy, he meandered through the field of wildflowers,
where inspiration struck him. He quickly sifted through the flowers.
Being knowledgable in herbalism, he soon found what he had thought might
be there: A small leafy herb with little puple flowers.
He gathered a few bunches of the herb and approached the giant
cat. Waving the bunches before the Kelberoth, it soon caught the
scent, and began wagging its tail. Offering the herb to the beast,
it rolled over upon its back started to chomp on its treat. The bell
was easily extracted from the collar while the humongous cat lay there
on its back, enjoying its catnip-induced reverie.
Returning triumphantly, the youngest son handed the bell to his
overjoyed father.
"You have learned well, my son! Our family dojo will be
in good hands, for in your travels you have learned well the lesson at
the heart of our faimly's teachings:
If you walk a narrow path, you may find yourself unable to see the full horizon before you."
The End