Read Online Without Rhythm (The Lament) by P.S. Power - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: P.S. Power
Tags: Fantasy
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for something.
"I... Have to, don't I? There isn't anything else for me. I won't lose this chance. I know that I should be reciting some oath or something, rather than saying that need is driving me, or claiming that I secretly always wanted this, but I didn't. I don't even really know what being a Guardian means. I can't lose this though, so darned straight I'm going to commit to it totally. I either make this work, or learn a whole lot more about whoring." It sounded a little bitter, but earned a soft smile from the woman in front of her.
"Both easier and more fun in the long run, being a whore, even when you factor in the beatings and occasional rapes. You won't have to deal with rape a lot at least, unless you're taking down the criminal. Not after you get some training. There will be beatings either way, no helping that. Everything has its hardships."
She looked around, over the open field, the large empty space around them, and off at the trees in the distance. Then slowly she regarded the sky as well.
"On guard duty or watch all Guardians hold a receptive and focused state constantly. Empty your mind of all personal concern and thought, noting everything in your environment and let it surprise you constantly. It keeps the mind awake and allows you to be aware of changes in your environment. It isn't a small thing, but rather a complex skill that you have to embrace without reservation. Most people fail in doing this, if they haven't had years of practice. On the good side, once you do it right, and that won't take a lot of time to learn, it will make your reflexes about sixty percent faster. From this point on I'd like you to stay in that state at all times. Empty of thought, but aware and focused. Try to do that now and don't stop. You'll find yourself drifting away at times, or day dreaming. When you notice that, just go right back to the focused state as best you can."
Pran nodded again, trying to sense everything around her, letting her personal thoughts drift away. She stood watching, like she hoped she was supposed to, while Mara walked off for a while. A long while. It was a bit boring, but that, Pran realized, was probably one of those thoughts she shouldn't be having. It was hard and thoughts about music and painting kept coming back into her head. Oddly enough she also had some about Roy's abs. He'd have made a good model for a sculpture. The face was less than perfect, but the body...
She pulled back and tried to empty her mind again, starting over. It kept having to be done, almost every ten seconds, but when the female Guardian finally came over she was doing a bit better.
"Keep clear and be receptive. Now, paying close attention to how your body moves, I want you to follow me. Don't try to control your body overly yet, just focus on what it's doing, just like you're doing with everything else."
That was about twenty times harder it seemed, her mind jarring with every step she took, the feeling of her feet against the ground making little noises, though Mara's didn't. She noticed that and saw that the woman was placing her feet very carefully with each step, toes pointed down as they walked through the cool and moist grass. It wasn't done on purpose, but she started to copy what the other woman was doing, still not as silent, but doing better as they moved along. Her mind wandering often, being brought back to that focus on everything only with effort. It felt like it was hard to breathe after a bit, like she was smothering under the weight of the new activity.
She kept going, since she'd agreed to total commitment and everything.
Mara started running, a soft jog. The instant that happened, Pran broke out of her focused state.
"Crud." She whispered the words and then fought for control again.
Mara kept going.
"Focus now. Movement activates the mind, but that can be turned to greater focus with practice. Try it."
They jogged slowly for a while, in a circle around The Lament. Just outside the
"I... Have to, don't I? There isn't anything else for me. I won't lose this chance. I know that I should be reciting some oath or something, rather than saying that need is driving me, or claiming that I secretly always wanted this, but I didn't. I don't even really know what being a Guardian means. I can't lose this though, so darned straight I'm going to commit to it totally. I either make this work, or learn a whole lot more about whoring." It sounded a little bitter, but earned a soft smile from the woman in front of her.
"Both easier and more fun in the long run, being a whore, even when you factor in the beatings and occasional rapes. You won't have to deal with rape a lot at least, unless you're taking down the criminal. Not after you get some training. There will be beatings either way, no helping that. Everything has its hardships."
She looked around, over the open field, the large empty space around them, and off at the trees in the distance. Then slowly she regarded the sky as well.
"On guard duty or watch all Guardians hold a receptive and focused state constantly. Empty your mind of all personal concern and thought, noting everything in your environment and let it surprise you constantly. It keeps the mind awake and allows you to be aware of changes in your environment. It isn't a small thing, but rather a complex skill that you have to embrace without reservation. Most people fail in doing this, if they haven't had years of practice. On the good side, once you do it right, and that won't take a lot of time to learn, it will make your reflexes about sixty percent faster. From this point on I'd like you to stay in that state at all times. Empty of thought, but aware and focused. Try to do that now and don't stop. You'll find yourself drifting away at times, or day dreaming. When you notice that, just go right back to the focused state as best you can."
Pran nodded again, trying to sense everything around her, letting her personal thoughts drift away. She stood watching, like she hoped she was supposed to, while Mara walked off for a while. A long while. It was a bit boring, but that, Pran realized, was probably one of those thoughts she shouldn't be having. It was hard and thoughts about music and painting kept coming back into her head. Oddly enough she also had some about Roy's abs. He'd have made a good model for a sculpture. The face was less than perfect, but the body...
She pulled back and tried to empty her mind again, starting over. It kept having to be done, almost every ten seconds, but when the female Guardian finally came over she was doing a bit better.
"Keep clear and be receptive. Now, paying close attention to how your body moves, I want you to follow me. Don't try to control your body overly yet, just focus on what it's doing, just like you're doing with everything else."
That was about twenty times harder it seemed, her mind jarring with every step she took, the feeling of her feet against the ground making little noises, though Mara's didn't. She noticed that and saw that the woman was placing her feet very carefully with each step, toes pointed down as they walked through the cool and moist grass. It wasn't done on purpose, but she started to copy what the other woman was doing, still not as silent, but doing better as they moved along. Her mind wandering often, being brought back to that focus on everything only with effort. It felt like it was hard to breathe after a bit, like she was smothering under the weight of the new activity.
She kept going, since she'd agreed to total commitment and everything.
Mara started running, a soft jog. The instant that happened, Pran broke out of her focused state.
"Crud." She whispered the words and then fought for control again.
Mara kept going.
"Focus now. Movement activates the mind, but that can be turned to greater focus with practice. Try it."
They jogged slowly for a while, in a circle around The Lament. Just outside the
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