Chapter 2 - Shame

Avenger dropped to his knees before the Grandmasters on the rush-matting floor, placing his sword at his side. This is it… I'm going to get it big style… Being summoned to the temple like this had been expected. Still, he had expected to be dressed down for his mistakes in front of the others. The thought brought back to mind their sneering glances as they returned home. Aria and Kelmic had joined them as they neared the Temple of the Light through the jungle; neither seemed overjoyed to have to travel back with their younger comrade.

Feeling heat rush to his cheeks, he touched his forehead to the floor, glad it hid his flushed face. "Forgive me, my masters; I have failed you…" Avenger began, feeling his stomach turning strange loops and twists.

"You did your best, my son," Greystaff replied coolly as always.

Avenger sat back straight, his eyes still cast down guiltily. "I allowed myself to be seen – on two occasions. I was careless and foolish in instigating a battle where I could have fled. Valerian also got hurt because he had to look out for me when I decided to disregard my instructions… I am ashamed of myself…"

Greystaff nodded expressionlessly. "You acted irresponsibly in endangering not only yourself, but your entire party, almost thwarting our own plans to throw those ruffians back into the sea, Avenger; on impulse as usual, if I am not mistaken," he scalded lightly. "But you are young, and I think maybe were a little daunted once actually out there. A real life situation is not, after all, a controlled test of skill."

Feeling his face flame again, Avenger glanced downwards again, anywhere but at Greystaff. I am not a child, I am not a child, I do not panic, I can handle myself…! his desperate mind yelled indignantly. "Then… you are not going to punish me..?"

"I think," Greystaff smiled, his wizened old eyes bright, as he stroked his long white beard, "That you will punish yourself far harder than we ever could, Avenger." He wagged a long finger at the young man harshly. "Just do not expect this kind of leniency again, and let this be a lesson to you."

He bowed deeply to his masters, a little incredulous at their benevolence. They were probably right though; he would beat himself up.

"Now then," Grandmaster Solstice said quietly. "Off to bed with you, and not a word. To anybody."

Still a little taken aback, he stood fluidly. "Yes masters." Bowing deeply, he turned and left, heading across the warm sands to his cell.

Sitting on the straw-filled sacking that was his bed, Avenger glared into the dark, toying with a small throwing star. He had been considering for some time how he could have salvaged the situation, made things different, what he could have done differently so that he had never been seen at all. Simple, imbecile – just do as you have always been taught… It all, he concluded finally, came down to being rash, restless, and ultimately impatient.

Drawing the back of a cloth-covered hand over his face, Avenger groaned moodily. Greystaff had been unwavering in his insistence Avenger should accompany the temple's three only, and best ninja, that he was ready to take on real foes instead of a mere training partner. And now look how I have disgraced him… I suppose I should thank Mithras I did not cause the death of my comrades… But how can I face them tomorrow? I will not be sneered at so!

Standing up, Avenger dropped his throwing star onto the bed. My path then is clear, I will leave, and return when I will bring no further shame to those who had faith in my abilities. Glancing around the small monastic cell, he retrieved his few belongings and tools, quietly slipping out into the long hallway, lit only by flickering candles. A lot of the monks would be up soon, Maybe in only an hour or so – I have to hurry. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to hitch a ride with some of the merchants to the Greater Continent.

Stealing out into the temple grounds, Avenger cast back a last forlorn glance at the place that had been his home for most of his life. The torches cast dancing shadows on the great golden doors to the temple, the tiger heads staring balefully as the ninja watched, their eyes priceless fire opals, glowering redly. "I will return," Avenger murmured, "And when I do, you'll all see that I am not just a precocious child, nor an impatient fool. I'll show you all." Nodding finally, he turned on his heel and stalked across the sands, having no real idea where he was headed. It would be several hours before any ships that may be coming would arrive. So I guess I will just have to stay away from the temple in the meantime. Nobody would be stupid enough to go into the jungle at night – I guess that makes it a perfect hiding place.

Taking off at a sprint up the sand dunes and through the rice meadows beyond the temple gardens and training grounds, Avenger headed out toward the vast jungle, stark black against the already lightening sky. The jungle was home to all variety of poisonous snakes and spiders, I hate spiders… rare plants and flowers, and a race of fairies, rarely seen by any of the other islands inhabitants. I won't have to go too far in… Just so that I'm out of sight… Avenger assured himself, as the world around him became suddenly black and full of unfamiliar noises as he stepped into the jungle, pausing to let his eyes adjust to the darker environment.

The scent of wildflowers was almost overpowering, vines seeming to snatch at his limbs and dark clothing in passing, and he whipped around prepared to defend himself at the expected attacks. To his dismay, his foot found puddle after deep puddle, and slimy lichen sending him reeling disoriented momentarily.

Growling in anger as another branch snapped into face, Avenger swiped at the offending limb with his knife, cutting it aside. "Grr… What on Ansuz was I thinking…?!" he exploded, pausing, hands to hips in annoyance. I guess I could go back… I'd only be a little late – I could say I lost track of time when I got up to go out walking… Glancing back the way he came, he surprised himself by turning around. But then, I'd have to put up with more pointing and sneering, of course… Like he always used to do…. That bastard just delighted in making a fool of me – oh, Fallon you should see what you're missing, you'd just die if you knew… His blood turning to instant boiling point at the thought of his old arch-rival, Avenger spun back, determined to go on. I am leaving…

He and Fallon had been acolytes together, Fallon being perhaps three years his senior, and joining the sect at the age of seven. Since the very first week they had despised each other, becoming bitter enemies and engaged in a constant struggle to outdo the other. Avenger smirked wryly at the recollection of the scaldings they received from the Grandmasters, and lectures about them being brothers, and that servants of Mithras did not fight amongst themselves so. Avenger had replied to that that he did respect all peoples as he should but Fallon hardly qualified as a human being. That had got him a black eye from his rival and a good day's solid exercise without meals the next day from the Grandmaster. He considered it worth the effort however to watch Fallon get the same for striking a fellow acolyte in anger.

Chuckling out loud to himself, Avenger failed to notice the loose ground around a great tree root, the lack of firm soil or rock. Moving to climb over the protruding roots, his foot was suddenly sucked downwards, his whole body unexpectedly pulled earthward, only there was no earth to catch him… With a surprised wail, Avenger slipped into the deep hole, striking his head on the thick tree root. The world spun crazily, was a riot of bright colours, then blinked out. Complete blackness…..