Shadows on Water
"I....I have made my decision." you say.
Fang suddenly looks tense.
"Then it is time for me to leave."
"So suddenly?" you ask, surprised by his abrupt manner.
"Yes. I should tell the emperor of your decision immediately." says Fang, standing up and moving for the door.
"But don't you wish to know what that decision is?" you say, with a laugh, handing him the dagger which he had left with you earlier.
"Of course." He pauses now in the doorway. "Please, before you speak, I wish to tell you about the gift, I gave you."
You hold the green disc in your hand.
"It's a jade amulet. It was given to me by a wise man in a sacred valley, at a time when I had to make an important choice. He told me the superior man does not make choices, but follows the way chosen for him. I myself have not regreted the path I followed that day, which has led me to your door. Please, take a minute, allow yourself to be guided."
"I am unworthy of such a precious gift. A thousand thanks," you say.
You look out at the black clouds gathering to the north-east, and consider again whether to head west with this man.
Fang suddenly looks tense.
"Then it is time for me to leave."
"So suddenly?" you ask, surprised by his abrupt manner.
"Yes. I should tell the emperor of your decision immediately." says Fang, standing up and moving for the door.
"But don't you wish to know what that decision is?" you say, with a laugh, handing him the dagger which he had left with you earlier.
"Of course." He pauses now in the doorway. "Please, before you speak, I wish to tell you about the gift, I gave you."
You hold the green disc in your hand.
"It's a jade amulet. It was given to me by a wise man in a sacred valley, at a time when I had to make an important choice. He told me the superior man does not make choices, but follows the way chosen for him. I myself have not regreted the path I followed that day, which has led me to your door. Please, take a minute, allow yourself to be guided."
"I am unworthy of such a precious gift. A thousand thanks," you say.
You look out at the black clouds gathering to the north-east, and consider again whether to head west with this man.