Torsten Hewson
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v5c16: The Apprentice
🕑 Added 2024-06-11 05:00:28 +0000 UTCA young thunderhoof stood in the warm clearing, his companions having finished their morning meal, and started on their morning exercises. There was some tenseness in the air as their last day of training began. The massive trees around them occasionally shook from the tempest that was soon to be unleashing its fury to the north. Still most of them seemed in good spirits, and he himself was in a fine mood as well.
It would have been pitch black, with the clouds that covered the sky high above, but the forest was bright as day. For though the moon was hidden, the forest itself glowed with ethereal, pale blue light. It came from mushrooms on the sides of trees, it came from the smaller plant’s leaves, it came from the pale white and blue grass itself in a constant luminous and beautiful glow.
The young thunderhoof thought it was astoundingly beautiful… and he obviously wasn’t the only one who thought so. Jumpy had his recording crystal out, and it was chiming away. His eyes were narrowed in concentration, and he would dip to a knee, or turn the crystal pane to a different orientation before it would chime again.
After a couple more of those, he turned to the thunderhoof.
“Hey Spooks! Say cheese!” Jumpy, or rather, Yun Ren said.
‘Why cheese?’ he asked, confused.
“The hells if I know, but Jin started it,” came the reply. The crystal chimed, much to his bemusement.
He didn’t have a name, but his new friends called him Spooks. Or were they new friends? Jumpy, at least, was kind of an old friend. He was actually the first human face Spooks remembered… mostly because the face he made when he was shocked and scared was hilarious. Definitely the most memorable! Spooks vaguely remembered a big, friendly-looking guy with freckles, the kid who slept on that really tasty grass, and some people who looked like Jumpy. They had all bowed to him as he walked past, heeding the call that had been drawing him north, towards Master Forest Sweeper’s domain.
Master Forest Sweeper had been a bit surprised Spooks had been so accepting about his rules on humans, and taking care of them, but Spooks liked humans. They were funny things, all gangly and unbalanced on two legs.
Though, he supposed that had been the final tipping point in Master’s idea to make Spooks his apprentice. Spooks could be counted on to preserve Master Forest Sweeper’s legacy… in addition to the fact that Spooks wasn’t supposed to be as aware as he was for another two years, nor have any Qi at all.
He had broken records! A prodigy, Master had said, but Spooks didn’t really have anybody else to compare himself to, so that didn’t really mean anything. Especially with how strong Master was, so there was no point in getting cocky.
So he did his duties and trained; the days kind of blended into each other, until the news came about the strange stuff going on up north. Master had been annoyed by it, but had just told their kin to keep an eye out.
At least until one of the birds turned out to be a demon-construct thing, and Bi De had informed them that the demons had made a tunnel under their forest to use them as a shield.
Then it got personal. His Master had been very upset.
Spooks couldn’t help but be similarly angry. These bastards were using this forest as both bait and a shield; they were trying to damage their sacred forest, and if the foe proved strong enough, have Master Forest Sweeper killed.
But they had messed up. Instead of people who would fight Master Forest Sweeper…. The demonic cultivators accidentally got them to meet probably the only people who would join forces with him.
Spooks was very glad for that. It was really nice having people around other than his Master. While Spooks didn’t mind the solitude, none of their kind ever did, all these new experiences were refreshing.
Delightful, even. And Master Forest Sweeper had even said after all this was over, Spooks could go and venture back to the Hong Yaowu.
He couldn’t wait to eat more of that tasty, tasty grass. And apparently they had nearly a hundred of those maple syrup jugs! Oh, those were the greatest. The taste was perfection itself, but more than that, it was the Qi within that enhanced it.
He was a bit too strong for it to really be a help, but it had fire and wood Qi in it that wouldn’t hurt his cultivation. Inducing heat into something so centered in cold and ice was just asking for trouble. But this? This didn't do that. It made him feel all nice and warm inside, and while he liked the cold, the single summer that he remembered, the smell of the grass and the feel of the sun were etched into his memory.
It had to be the same for his Master. Heavens knew he needed a bit of warmth that wouldn’t disrupt his cultivation and his duty.
He was in a very good mood, as his Master’s constructs once more ferried them to their training spot. Yushang in particular brightened up as she dashed towards ‘Prancer’. She had a funny face too. All wide and smiley. Spooks liked smiley humans. It looked good on them.
They set off, all ready for the day;
He even started singing.
‘We are the storm that approaches~’
The slight flush on the rooster’s face was really funny.
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Training with others was also drastically different than training by himself. It was the good kind of interesting. Normally he had to fight his Master’s constructs. Humans? Humans were way different. Especially with their swords and weapons. They were fast and tricky and hard to hit… but Spooks was also way stronger then most of them physically.
Though that counted for little when he couldn’t hit them. Spooks had improved a lot over the past week, if he did say so himself, even if his cultivation hadn’t increased that much, but that was fine. Thunderhooves were generally slow to grow, or so his Master said, but they made up for it with endurance and long lives.
He was at the second Stage of the Profound Realm… but that was only his own power. As the Apprentice of Master Forest Sweeper, Guardian of the Ice Heart Forest, the Frozen Font, and the Sleeping Hollow, he had a bit of an advantage.. His Master had given him a talisman, filed with his own power. Just it being around the base of his antler made him hit a lot harder than she should be able to, and if anything really bad happened, he was to break it…. And channel some of his Master’s might.
The others had also improved, and the final day seemed to be the catalyst. Yushang cheered, as a pulse of Qi erupted off her, as she hit the Third Stage of the Profound, while the older looking Shao Heng Ascended into the Profound himself. Han nodded to himself as he swung a sword at one of eight sets of clothes, only to have the blade skate off the reinforced fabric. They were reinforced by his formation, and lined with feathers that a Sky Lancer had given him after the Spirit Beast had been frozen by Master Forest Sweeper’s defenses. The man-sized bird had lived, and had been surprisingly understanding about the whole thing.
Or more likely he had just been scared shitless, because Master Forest Sweeper had been standing with them. Sky Lancer feathers were extremely tough and lightweight; as well as being an extra layer of warmth for the coming storm.
Yun Ren was completely invisible, dashing around the clearing in his bubble of bent light. Fenxian and Yingwen were sparring, blurs in the air as Yingwen put more and more stress on his transplanted leg.
Ri Zu was hunched over a bunch of bags and packs, making sure everybody had enough medicine, and stirring a rather nasty-smelling concoction that was simmering in a cauldron.
Finally, Bi De was simply meditating, the chicken looking extremely profound like that. He was surrounded by pillars of ice that had perfect circles bored through them.
But soon, the day was over.
‘Children. It is time,’ the rumbling voice of Master ground through the trees, as his Spirit walked into the clearing, accompanied by Master Shen Yu, and the fox Nezan. All of them immediately came to attention, as the Masters descended. ‘The Storm shall hit within the hour, and last for at least eight days. After that, I cannot guarantee the length. My Qi will not sustain it, to make the storm seem natural to our foes.’
“You have done acceptably with your week.” Shen Yu stated, his eyes roving over them. “All of you have refined your techniques to a level that this will be possible. The enemies defenses are things that, with the aid of the storm, you can surmount.”
The others stood up straighter.
“I have scouted some of the routes ahead, and with Master Forest Sweeper’s aid, have a rough idea of the lay of the land.” Nezan said, and with a wave of his hand, conjured a rough map. “Tonight, you must decide on the route.”
They all nodded.
Finally, Master Forest Sweeper spoke.
‘You have been noble guests, and pure of heart. Before you depart tomorrow… you shall join me, and receive a gift before setting off. I grant you permission to enter The Sleeping Hollow of the Icewood Forest. ‘
‘Tomorrow, we shall meet face to face.’
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a little scuffed and uneditied. I will now be on break for the rest of the week.
Comments
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Adam
He's singing the lines that ended the previous chapter, in a way that implies he's making fun of the seriousness with which Bi De originally delivered them.
V01D
… what song IS Spooks singing? Anyone have a link? (Because it being a song is the only reason I can think it embarrasses Bi De)
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
Matthew Bartlett
Thanks for the chapter. Hope you enjoy your break.
Laura H
He was fortunate to be in the 2nd wave on D-Day; most of the guys in the first wave were killed. 😓
Laura H
I suspect that was a typo. But I like your interpretation of it. 🤣
Angel
Such a great buildup in tension, but keeping it warm and fuzzy somehow. You’re a master at that! “A young thunderhoof stood in the warm clearing, his companions having finished their morning meal, and started on their morning exercises.” This is a beautiful sentence to start the chapter, I would just consider using ‘daily’ instead of repeating ‘morning’ a second time? And two paragraphs down you call him a young thunderhoof again, which pings my repetition sensors. I know you said it needs editing and I thought I’d help as I can. 💗
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. Been trying to catch up on your posts and it looks like I should have waited. Have an enjoyable break.
Logrus
How do you do it? You keep adding these side characters we all instantly fall in love with, with their own unique voice and style. I normally HATE stories that bounce around POVs, but this one is the strong exception. TFTC! Enjoy your break!
Ender419
Thanks for the amazing chapter and looking forward to what’s next. Enjoy your break CF!
Z H
A Muffin made from the flour of ground chi-infused wheat, spirit bee honey, and topped with maple syrup!
John D Jones
[There was some tenseness in the air] ==>>> There was some tension in the air
Kali Smith
Thank you for the chapter!
Laura H
Ice cream with caramel sauce. It's the next best thing to maple syrup!
James Faulkner
Tftc!
John D Jones
Okay, we have a moose. Now we just need a really badass flying squirrel.
John D Jones
Funny option: https://www.facebook.com/wpcian/videos/morris-the-midget-moose/433311943533103/
John D Jones
@ Marcaeus I kind of hope they live long enough to actually visit Fa Ram. @ Len From James Doohan's Wikipedia entry: [quote] In 1939, Doohan enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery, 14th (Midland) Field Battery of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. From there, he was moved to the 13th Field Regiment of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division in their 22nd Field Battery. By 1940 he was a Lieutenant and was sent to train in Britain prior to Operation Overlord. He first saw combat landing in the 2nd Wave in a Recce Party at Juno Beach on D-Day. The 13th Field Regiment was interspersed with the Regina Rifle Regiment landing at "Nan" Sector of Juno Beach. After shooting two snipers, Doohan led his men to higher ground through a field of anti-tank mines, where they took defensive positions for the night. Crossing between command posts at 23:30 that night, Doohan was hit by six rounds fired from a Bren gun by a nervous Canadian sentry:[2] four in his leg, one in the chest, and one through his right middle finger. The bullet to his chest was stopped by a silver cigarette case given to him by his brother.[7] His right middle finger had to be amputated, something he would conceal on-screen during most of his career as an actor, sometimes with a flesh-colored glove with a "faux finger."[9] Doohan graduated from Air Observation Pilot Course 40 with eleven other Canadian artillery officers[10] and flew Taylorcraft Auster Mark V aircraft for 666 (AOP) Squadron, RCAF as a Royal Canadian Artillery officer in support of 1st Army Group Royal Canadian Artillery. All three Canadian (AOP) RCAF squadrons were crewed by artillery officer-pilots and accompanied by non-commissioned RCA and RCAF personnel serving as observers.[11][12] Although he was never actually a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Doohan was once labelled the "craziest pilot in the Canadian Air Force". In the late spring of 1945, on Salisbury Plain north of RAF Andover, he slalomed a plane between telegraph poles "to prove it could be done", earning himself a serious reprimand. (Various accounts cite the plane as a Hurricane or a jet trainer; however, it was an Auster Mark IV.) [/quote] After that James Doohan's character can wear any color shirt James Doohan wants them to wear.
Len
NOOOOO!! NOT RED SHIRTS!!! rofl. The lovely Star Trek Meme..a few authors i know have almost all the "side/minor/insignificant" characters in their story that die be wearing red. meme--OG star trek- except for SCOTTY- if a new character wore a Red Shirt-ie security,they died in the episode. I have No idea why the chief engineer wore a red uniform, was Scotty both head engineer AND chief of security? in TNG Worf was chief/head of security, which is why he wore red. though why picard and rikar wore red not sure. a few authors i have met have ...a fan... very knowledgeable fan but not too much of a pain, nice guy actually, i have met him..... that gave his permission to use his name in books....and that character in the book ALWAYS DIES!... once where instead of a person his name was a name of a space ship. and it exploded. one book actually had him live. though he kept getting into accident after accident everyone -in real live- that knew about this character was surprised that he actually lived throughout the entire series.
V01D
I have a feeling his constructs are smaller than his actual size, albiet to scale…
Splutty
I love Spooks, funny background story on him!
Marcaeus
Gift prediction for Fenxian and Yingwen: "As valuable team members and not disposable means to up the ante in the final boss encounter, I bestow on you the legendary red shirts."
Callie Kelly
"Just it being around the base of his antler made him hit a lot harder than she should be able to," Genderfluid Thunderfoot, very cool
WarStrider72
Enjoy your break CasualFarmer!
Ormus Von Orbulon
Thank you for all the effort you put into this. I love and cherish this story, and am anxious for all of the delicious events you've set up... But the author always, always comes first.
H
Wicked blade is one of my favourite characters. I love how much good comes from Jin giving him peace
Demian Buckle
Thank you for the Chapter.
Randall Brynsvold
Jin and Tianlan can claim another Fa Ram adjacent Spirit Beast, since Spooks seems to have got his kick into sentience from that patch of Spirit Grass that Mei's brother tended where Jin buried the body of the Wicked Blade.
martin m
And so the march to battle begins!!
Aki_Iokua18
Sweet, Jin’ll be over the moon to have a moose around. Hope he makes muffins.
Carlos Torres
Was that "Bury the Light" they were singing? Should we expect to see someone do some Judgement Cuts soon?
Awesomepossum15
I'm probably not the first person to say I think Master Forest Sweeper is a Shennong cultivator like Jin, though now I feel like there's even odds he the avatar of the Icewood Forest land spirit directly.
Keliana Tayler
Thank you for the chapter and rest well!
ItWasIDIO!!
Hahaha 👍🏿
Zharina
Noice!
lockx
Maple Syrup!
Sean Ulrich
Take a good break! I recommend ice cream.
