A Tale of Tails: A Single Step

A Tale of Tails: A Single Step

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Commissioned by Citino

Wordcount: 1012

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Child, listen well!

It is a warrior of the Tuzi’s duty to know battle, but they must also know how to do so!

Ever battle begins with a single step!

No matter it be against some pest that threatens our steeds, or against a god that seeks to take everything from all peoples, a warrior must know how to take a single step forward.

The first step is the most crucial.

It is the step in which fear is overwhelmed by courage. It is the step where one accepts the possibility of death. It is the step in which a warrior acknowledges that he shall take a life.

The moment that first step is taken, you can only wage battle, and either live or die at its end.

Head this story of the man who created this thought and inscribed for all warrior aspirants to learn! An ancestor of my ancestors, who I only know of through speech, because he came from a time before scrolls fell into the hands of our people. This story is passed onto all warriors, for unlike those who aspire for other roles of our tribe, or merely the right to call to themselves Tuzi, warriors must always return blooded.

All Tuzi walk long and far. That is more true in the past, when we had no steeds nor baskets, and so the Warriors and their aspirants walked the longest and farthest.

And so, ahead of the tribe, those who wished to be warriors, and those who wished to be, walked.

My ancestor, one of their number, happened upon a stranger who begged for help.

The stranger pleaded upon his knees, with a bowed head, and whilst wearing rags, that coming after him were men who intended to kill him.

So, my ancestor, knowing to provide aid to those who are downtrodden, accepted the plea and killed the men who pursued the stranger.

The stranger thanked him, then fled, never to be seen again.

My ancestor thought himself in the right, until a group of mounted, armored men with a lord of the Jade Empire accosted the whole of the tribe, asking why the Tuzi aided a criminal who’d slain his child.

Aye, child.

My ancestor made that mistake.

A warrior of the Tuzi had, in trying to be just, stifled the justice another had sought.

This is a grave travesty, as you all should understand, so why do I tell you this story of my lineage?

Because, my ancestor did not cease his gait!

He was a Warrior of the Tuzi. A man with wives, children, and wealth to spare. Of the Tuzi Tribe, he was venerated, and he’d have been fought for.

Yet, in the end, he allowed for the conclusion of his path to befall him, as to save the Tuzi from the might of a whole empire.

You must understand, child, that the path of the warrior will have you take many first steps. Those steps are yours. They may bring about glory, despair, and many other things, but they are your steps.

Action begets reaction, so make your first steps with care and composure.

For every victory you attain is for the betterment of the Tuzi, and you must accept your defeat for the betterment of the Tuzi as well.

It is much to ask.

Perhaps, too much.

Yet, it is what is asked of you, and should you wish to continue being a warrior, you must do so.

Now, your break is over!

Run about the camp’s boarders until I call for you!

No, I shall not forget again!

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Hmmm? Why have you come to me this evening, child?

Hmph.

Of course, I meant to frighten the others. Those who fear the responsibilities I spoke of would never be able to take the steps they must whilst they are a Warrior, let alone as they venture out on their Yimin.

Your time will come in the far future, but you know that the Tuzi requires ever-greater Warriors now more than ever.

The lands are harsh. Our allies are few. And, our enemies innumerable.

Treading the path of the Warrior for your Yimin will require greater and grander feats, whilst even those who choose other roles within the tribe must also know how to take lives and give their own.

Those who flee from this path, those who cannot summon the courage to see me for training tomorrow, know themselves well. They are not to be mocked for their choice.

And, nor am I to be accused of being too harsh.

You are kind, child.

As kind as my ancestor was to the stranger whose life he saved.

Yes, that was a kindness.

Though that kindness was granted to a criminal, and perhaps it was even tricked into being, it is a kindness still.

My ancestor’s only regret, before he offered his life for the escape of that criminal, was that he was not wise enough to see through the duplicity, or capable of capture instead of killing.  And, even in the end, his actions and death granted the Tuzi knowledge to be passed on through generations, and made it so no other Warrior had the same fate befall them.

Like a true Warrior, he gave his life for the Tuzi in battle, and the Tuzi benefited from his death.

Yet, without a doubt, he left behind those whom he loved.

I do not know what to say, child.

I am a Warrior.

I know only what I must know, so that I might act and fight for the Tuzi. But, I come from a time of peace and plenty, while you will grow into one of conflict and desperation. The lessons I’ve taught you might be a detriment. In a few years, you might know better than I.

However, I advise you never to forget my tale.

Do not allow yourself to make a mistake that will cost you everything.

Yet, never fear to give chase.

Indecision can cost you your life just as easily as committing a grave error.