To say that Kael was fascinated by Lao Ma would have been an understatement of the most grandiose proportions. She was more enigmatic than Kael, a woman who buried her emotions hard and deep, could ever hope to be. She seemed to carry the secrets of the world within her heart. She could tell just by looking that the Asian had power beyond reckoning. Kael’s quick mind began to plot and plan on how to get that power and make it her own.
All in all, though not one word was spoken, it was a very interesting meal.
*******
Breakfast complete, Lao Ma rose gracefully from her position at the head of the table. “If it pleases you, Kael, would you join me in my sitting room? We have some things which require discussion.”
Jumping easily to her feet, Kael simply nodded, determined not to fall into the trap of complacency that had so effortlessly snared her the evening before. Lao Ma had something she wanted, and she was determined to do whatever it took to get it.
The two women walked down several long, narrow halls before coming to an open, airy space. Light streamed into the room from various unshaded windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor and walls. There was a simple desk at one end of the room, and several comfortable-looking chairs filled out the rest of the furniture requirements.
Kael took an offered seat, looking around curiously at the soothing tapestries which covered the walls. The whole room seemed to be given to quiet contemplation and the American found herself quite liking it.
Lao Ma took a seat in another of the chairs, facing Kael at an oblique angle. “Was your sleep restful?” she asked after a long pause.
“It was.”
Lao Ma smiled. “It pleases me to hear that. Is your wound troubling you?”
“No. It’s just fine.”
Nodding, the smaller woman relaxed into her chair, her posture, as always, one of dignity and grace. Kael could easily feel the seductive pull of the Lao Ma’s natural power, but was determined not to give in to it.
Slow minutes passed by as the women stared into each other’s eyes, neither showing any signs of breaking the stalemate.
Finally, Lao Ma cleared her throat and smiled, very slightly. “You are a woman of strong will, Kael Androstos.”
The corner of Kael’s mouth curled upward. “What clued ya in?”
Lao Ma refused to be drawn. “If you continue to serve your will like a slave to his Master, it will be your undoing. To depend solely upon your will is to upset the delicate balance of your true nature. It will get you nowhere.”
“Ya don’t say.”
“Did your will allow you to sell Ming Dao’s son back to him for ransom? Did your will keep those thugs and whores you bought off with money and sex loyal to you?”
With the first of Lao Ma’s polite questions, Kael began to slowly rise from her seat, her face set into stony planes of anger. “How do you know these things?” she asked from between clenched teeth.
“I know many things about you, Kael Androstos.”
Coming fully out of the chair, Kael stepped toward Lao Ma, her fists clenched at her sides, her body rigid with feral intensity. “You goddamned son of a … .”
Before Kael could finish the epithet, Lao Ma raised her hands and the American found herself blown back into her seat, stunned and out of breath. She felt as if she had just been touched with a cattle prod. She tried to lift her arms, but they didn’t seem to want to work anymore. Likewise, her legs appeared to have given up the ghost.
“The effect is only temporary,” Lao Ma advised.
“How did you do that?” Kael asked, surprised that she had the voice for it.
“You desired to cause harm. That desire was turned back upon you.”
“Bullshit.” The tingling feelings were beginning to abate. Kael found herself able to move her arms and legs more normally. She shook both hands vigorously.
“I have no reason to lie. If one fills oneself with desire, one sees only illusion. Empty oneself of desire and one can see the great mystery of things.”
“Like the mystery of how to force someone away from you without even touching them, huh?”
Lao Ma smiled. “Among other things, yes. Will and desire are concepts that have no place in the natural order of things. Yet you bandy them about like they are priceless objects. You feel like you can bend anyone you desire under your will. And you are just finding out now how false a theory that is.” Turning her head a little, Lao Ma gazed upon one of the tapestries that hung on the wall. “My wise ancestor was known by a particular saying.”
“And what was that.”
“Soft as water, yet who can withstand the raging flood?”
Kael smirked again. “Oh yeah. That’s a keeper alright.”
“Water can heal or harm with equal force, Kael. Yet it desires to do neither. It has no will. It simply acts according to its nature. Yet it is more powerful that you or I will ever be. And that is one of the great mysteries. That which acts according to its nature will always be more powerful than that which attempts to impose its will upon that nature.”
The American shook her head. “I drop one bomb on your house, and nature pretty much pisses itself all to hell.” Her grin was white with bared teeth.
Lao Ma chose to maintain her serene silence.
Kael shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “Why are you telling me these things?”
Lao Ma closed her eyes for a long moment. “Because I sense the seeds of greatness inside you, Kael Androstos. If you continue to impose your will on all you see, those seeds will never be allowed to germinate and will die, unborn. And that will be a great loss to everyone.”
The American snickered. “I think you need to pick up a little more wisdom from your venerable ancestor, Lao Ma. The only thing ‘great’ about me is my capacity to do ‘great’ evil. And I happen to like it that way.”
“Do you.”
“Yup. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“If I am wrong, it will be revealed soon enough. Until then, I would be honored for the chance to continue speaking with you about these things.”
Kael shrugged. “Why not? I’ve gotta lay low till things with Ming Dao cool down anyway.”
“Wonderful.” Lao Ma rose gracefully from her chair. “My business is set to open for the day soon. If you should wish it, would you like to assist in the preparations?”
“Sure. Sounds like fun.”
*******
Late that evening, Kael found herself back in Lao Ma’s personal sitting room, wiping sweat dampened hair back from her forehead. The silk overblouse and loose pants Lao Ma had given her were, likewise, soaked through with sweat in places. “I didn’t realize running a den of iniquity would be quite so tiring.”
Indeed, Kael had been on her feet for over twelve hours, assisting in any way she could. She found herself fascinated by the business of pleasure, but kept herself carefully out of the line of sight of the many customers, never knowing if Ming Dao would try to send a spy inside. The night had, fortunately, been without incident. Kael found herself physically exhausted, a state rare in the trained soldier.
“A garden may grow without aid, but there is more to reaping the harvest than waiting for the rain to fall,” Lao Ma advised.
“Do you always speak in riddles?”
Lao Ma laughed. The sound reminded Kael of the wind-blown tinkle of the tiny chimes which hung outside of many houses in China. It warmed her. She looked upon the smiling woman, her own face softening. “You’re a beautiful woman, Lao Ma.”
To the American’s utter shock, Lao Ma dropped her eyes and blushed, like a schoolgirl.
“It’s good to know you’re human after all,” Kael gently teased.
“I have never claimed to be otherwise,” Lao Ma replied, though she smiled as she spoke the words.
“True. But watching you, you take everything in stride. Nothing seems to faze you.”