Episode 8 - The Gentle Way and Red Sky

The Lost Books

James begins his training in earnest and determines to find a new teacher at The Black Crucible.
The Lost Books
Angel of Aphelion
Episode Eight - The Gentle Way and Red Sky
In the Alley of The Lost Books…

Odette stares down the alley to the tiny corner window of the Library. Bale approaches from the street. "Any sign yet?" he grumbles. "No," says Odette. "She hasn't…." Suddenly, Dee steps into view through the window.

Odette feels a warmth rush through her body. She steps out from the corner into the alley and waves. She whispers… "Dee…"

Bale steps out in time to see Dee start to speak. From this distance, it's hard to even see her lips move. But... Odette nods. Then, Dee smiles and goes. "What did she say?" asks Bale. "She wants us to meet her at the SchoolYard," says Odette. "You and me?" says Bale. "Everyone," says Odette.

Harley leads James down a hallway. "You'll train five hours and study three hours a day. As Judo is your primary discipline, most of your training will happen here," he says as they enter a small, pristine gymnasium.

Harley leads James to a table with two objects: a thick stick that looks cut from a broom handle and a thin, willowy reed. "Choose," he says. James studies the two items for a moment and points to the reed.
Harley picks it up, swings it in the air making a crisp whishing sound, then whips James on the shoulder with it. James yelps in pain. "Aah! The stick!" says James. Harley shrugs and swaps the reed for the stick.

"That's yours," says Harley pointing to a white Judogi hanging with its arms extended. "Change. We start now."

Having changed into his crisp, white judo uniform, James walks to the centre on the mat to join Harley and another man. "Do I get to learn to throw somebody now?" asks James.

"Groundfighting," says Harley. "We'll start with you on top. Any position you want," says Harley. "Try to hold him down." James's opponent lies with his back on the ground, and James reluctantly sits on top of him. "Begin," says Harley, and the grappler instantly flips the position on James. Harley crosses his arms to make an X, a signal to the grappler, who then applies a chokehold on James.

"Stop!" comes a voice from the stands. And, instantly, the grappler lets go of James. The Grandmaster walks down from the viewing area to the mat. Harley and the grappler bow to the approaching Grandmaster, who sends the grappler away with a slight pointing of his chin.

Still on the ground, James catches his breath as the Grandmaster passes by with the words: "Break falls."

He exits the gym.

"Break falls," says Harley. "Do as I do."

He leads James through break fall after break fall. Showing James how to fall without hurting himself. James crudely break falls his way across the gym. "Again," says Harley.

"When do I get to learn to throw someone?" asks James, exhausted — beads of sweat run down his face and neck. "Again," says Harley.

James sits on a bench in the quad. He leans back to let the sun wash over him. "You don't feel like the real sun," he says. Harley glides by, "Afternoon session."

Harley leads James to a garden courtyard.

"You'll learn your first form now. Do... as I do," says Harley as he moves smoothly and crisply through a set pattern — blocking, now punching, now stepping and turning,

Written and Narrated by Rajiv Narang
Musical Score Composed by Rajiv Narang
Thank you for listening.
Keywords: fantasy, fiction, adventure, science fiction, friendship, story, action, mental health, mystery, Toronto, psychological exploration, self-discovery, fantasy fiction, supernatural