Chapter 02: Lost Arts
'I knew you looked familiar. I remember reading about one of your discoveries in the dunes of Egypt. You are quite the risk taker I hear. So, are you hear on behalf of my father?"
"Actually no, I am here to see you." Lara replied.
'Well,.. *Ommph!*' Ken was startled by his son jumping up into his arms.
'Mom wanted me to check up on you.' Mel said smiling up at Lara.
'Miss Croft, allow me to introduce you to my son Mel.' Ken said lowering his son back to the floor.
'Pleased to meet you young man.' Lara said smiling at Mel.
'Your here for my dad's party right?' Mel asked, hanging close to his father.
'Mel, why don't you run along and find your Grandma, and see if she'll get you some ice cream. Miss Croft and I are having a little chat.'
Mel's eyes lit up at the words "Ice Cream" and took off into the crowd of people.
Ken let out a laugh, watching his son run off. "I'm sorry about that, you were saying you came here to see me?'
'Correct. As you know, I am an archeologist, and I was recently funded by a benefactor to look for a set of ancient scrolls that are rumored to have a long lost martial art technique described in them.' Lara explained.
'And what has that got to do with me?' Ken asked suspiciously.
'Through my inquires and research, I believe that the location of the scrolls, was entrusted to Japanese monks.'
Ken knew where this one was going, but he let the beautiful woman continue.
'The location of the scroll was passed down from master to disciple over a thousand years. I believe that your Sensei was the last in the line of those monks.' Lara finished
'I don't ever recall Master Gouken ever talking about some lost scrolls.' Ken said.
'If you could tell me where I might find him, It would be of great help.' Lara asked her eyes shinning brightly.
'Well, I am afraid that is not possible. You see Sensei was murdered about a decade ago.'
'I am sorry about the passing of your master. But you were already a master of martial arts when you left his dojo, right? If he followed the tradition, he would have passed on the knowledge.' Lara asked puzzled.
'He might have. I was not the only disciple of Gouken. There have been only three who have trained under him. There is Dan, but he was expelled from the dojo. The only other one is my best friend, Ryu.' Ken replied.
'Hmmm, I have heard about him, I just thought he was a myth, made up by fans of fighting circuits. Before I located you, I tired to track him down, but with no luck. Is he here at your party?' She asked.
'Afraid not. I have not seen Ryu for about a year now. He is constantly on the move from place to place.' Ken answered.
'Damn! I thought I was close on this one.'
'Look, if you do manage to find these scrolls, I would rather you give them to either Ryu or me, since they are master Gouken's. What ever your benefactor is paying you for this, I will triple it.?
'I am not in this for the money Mr. Masters, I am in it for the challenge. If I do find them, I will give them to you, since they would belong to you in the first place.'
'In that case, I guess I can turn you on to someone who might know the where-abouts of Ryu. But first, please enjoy the party.' Ken smiled.