"Sean Russell - The Initiate Brother 1 - The Initiate Brother" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Sean)

is eternal. It was important to keep the proper perspective.

Of course, Brother Hutto had recommended that a display might be appropriate. It was an old solution but
one that had not been employed for many years. The Supreme Master lifted the scroll again and hefted it as
though it were Brother HuttoтАЩs suggestion he weighed. Perhaps a Brother of the Faith should enter the
EmperorтАЩs kick boxing tournament during the River Festival.

Yes, the Supreme Master thought, he would allow a monk to enter, but not a senior Brother; no, that would
not have the desired affect. He would allow a junior Initiate to competeтАФthe smallest, youngest looking
Initiate that could be found. That would be a message neither Emperor nor subjects could mistake, a
message to spread down all the roads of the Empire!

Fortunately, it appeared that finding the boy would not be difficult. The Supreme Master felt satisfied with
this idea. Not only would it fit his purpose, but there was historical precedent for such an act. The Lord
Botahara himself had first been a warrior and, in his time, had entered the EmperorтАЩs tournamentтАФthough
the other fighters would not compete against him.

Lord Botahara had crossed the cobbled courtyard to the fighting ring and the cobbles had broken under his
feet. The story was no longer believed by the population at large, such was their lack of faith, but the old
monk knew it to be true. The Supreme Master himself couldтАж Well, it was wrong to be proud of oneтАЩs
accomplishmentsтАФafter all, what were they compared to the Enlightened OneтАЩs and he had overcome
pride altogether.

Addressing the problem in Brother HuttoтАЩs letter had been the first difficulty of the day. Difficulty two had
just disembarked at the monasteryтАЩs wharf. Sister Morima; Botahist nun, acquaintance of forty years (could
it be that many?), would grace him with her presence as soon as she finished her bath. Days like this were
sent to try him! The Supreme Master had always hated surprise visits. That was one of the many beauties
of the monastery

on the island. There were almost no visitors at all, let alone any coming unannounced.

His mind drifted back to the report from Brother Hutto. What was that ass of an тАЬEmperorтАЭ up to now?
The old fool had lived on past all predictions. It happened sometimes, and not always to everyoneтАЩs
advantage. The only benefit of this EmperorтАЩs long life was that he did not leave a mere child to follow him,
which invariably meant succession struggles. But then, the heir was no prize either, and not friendly to the
Botahist Order. Well, the Brotherhood had plans and plans could be adapted to changing situations, just as
one adapted oneтАЩs strategy at the g├╝ board. Botahara taught patience as a principal virtue and the Supreme
Master adhered to the principal virtues whenever possible.

The old monk let his eyes drift over the design set into the opposite wall in polished woods. Such a perfect
patternтАФabstracted from the blossom of the Septfoil, one of the ninety-four healing herbs. Seven petals
within a septilateral, within a circle, the design intersected by the seven lines of power. So simple. So
complete. The work of Botahara was a constant source of joy to him.

I am a fortunate man, he thought, and then realized that someone was approaching down the hallway. Sister
Morima.

There came a tap on the frame of the shoji.

тАЬPlease enter,тАЭ the Master said, his voice the model of quiet dignity.