Waibiao's Travels: Iteration Two

[Maury 411]

    As passing of day occur, Wàibiao tire. To lush green of Elvenesse forest he once more find himself, meeting neighbor-of-forest sat under deep well of book and plant. Here, those with pointed ear sit in wait for decision of religious matter; people of Siramenor passing bowl of water hand to hand for drink of water for spiritual purpose. It here that small black bird perch on head of that being who stood on the stage, one utterance that escape this creature’s beak: “Noone flawless”. To the context of this statement, Wàibiao does not remember, but impressed that even creature with small capacity for speech can gleam such a thing. 

 

时间

 

    With change of lunar cycle, Wàibiao come to see that all people differing in culture and spirituality have different behavior with each other; many matter of perspective often growing from these. As said by many a wise being, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’, and so it understanding of Wàibiao that degree of beauty and perfection that one might hold in their heart for another will not be held similarly in heart for all. Degree of love one hold for their fellow have value in same regard for fact that it is transient and impermanent.

 

时间

 

    Solitude important to Wàibiao, learn many lunar cycle ago that suffering can be brought to self and other when spirit is depleted of rest; for no greater harm can happen when mind of a being is at edge of darkness. Wàibiao partaking of much solitude, for Dúchu useful in helping Wàibiao clear his mind of darkness and duress. Travel to vast body of water, did Wàibiao, clearing mind of sight of building and grass and mountain; this way so Wàibiao can focus on inner thought without distraction. Lower himself from raft, did Wàibiao, so he can submerge fur and head and limb in salty water of vast sea... Floating above forest of kelp and school of fish, echo of creation in these waters did Wàibiao gleam as water soak his aching body. Death, destruction, life, change - all part of this shining liquid that he surround himself with. Water does not take or give, yearn nor live; it impartial force that simply be…

 

_{Gleaming blue, the water through, a composition of azure melody ever so true. Cold yet warm, like a winter sun’s embrace, peace in nothingness with a lap of grace. The chatter of teeth, the sea a wreath, my hair it parts as my sorrows release. Streaks of hot sadness, they trace down my face, my mind of minds abuzz with wraith. My spirit weeps, sweet joyous relief it reaps, a feast of aloneness parting the ember of suffering from the kindled fibers of my heart.}

 

 

 

 

时间

 

    To white city of Haelun’or, did Wàibiao’s feet take him. Up and up toward the sky, hazy sunset that did not lie. Weary and worn, was this small creature of Metzli, seeking bed and rest for tired body. For naught it was, those sharp-eared beings seeming forlorn. Forlorn of charity, no giving of kindness, this wanderer move on with no slumber or refuge. Remembering final words from neighbor-of-magic does Wàibiao, that Lian Tou Ren in their high-seated city with wrought iron gates framed in marble -- “We aren’t allowed to let your kind in.” Failing to understand does Wàibiao, though remembering bloody history of Hou and Elf those many moon cycle ago. Too remembering is Wàibiao, that with passing of lunar cycle come inevitable change, so assuming is Wàibiao that past of his ancestors might not chain him to denial of passage, perhaps? Naivete, this is, though finding is this small being that he is unable to let go of his frustration at such a policy. Inevitable too, does Wàibiao understand that not all being without reason for such behavior, and thus he move on with walking stick in hand and stars over his head.

 

时间

 

    Passing through savanna near city of Orc, does Wàibiao; meeting stranger clad in leather with face covered by mask. Seek help of Wàibiao, did this man, who Wàibiao take to Hou-Zi village that the man seek. In Tengyi Hu, Wàibiao make cup of tea for both he and this man who later call himself Thomas. Shrouded with deep emotion, was Thomas’ face, his journey to seek retribution for purpose that he did not tell Wàibiao.

 

‘Vengeance like burning candle with beautiful incense.’ Wàibiao remember telling him, ‘Smelling pleasant for a time, but soon burning to leave one with nothing but wick.’

 

Was hope of Wàibiao to encourage this man from quest of pain, but only did he listen and drink tea that Wàibiao offered before bidding his farewells.

 

时间

 

    Wàibiao travel across land, through wide field of tall stone that jut from ground; over tall mountain where he see honeybee that shed tears of abandonment; and through valley of lush greenery and fresh river. Jittery rabbit through wind-swept grass, Wàibiao seeing many wonder of creation that nature offer. To pitted valley of orange and yellow, Wàibiao find sight of a vast tree; one greater than that he had seen in any grove or jungle. Such a magnificent creation of nature this is, with roots growing through soil in spite of that harsh bed with which this tree flourish. Through shallow stream and hardy green, Wàibiao reaches base of what seemed insurmountable obstacle; though it seemed too that nature smiled on Wàibiao with gift of hanging vine with which to climb. Up and up, did Wàibiao go, where will the branches lead? He does not know… With air that thinned, and energy thinner, Wàibiao reach height on tree where he felt as if he stood above the world itself with the sun below his feet. So tired, does Wàibiao feel, so he will slumber in bed of leaves; meditate and sustain his body with not but morning dew…

 

时间

 

    For passing of thirty sunrises and one more Wàibiao remain on top of great tree, sustaining himself on nothing but morning dew, tree leaves, and blessed silence; his heart filled with much peace in meditation. For fear of falling, Wàibiao sit very still with legs crossed and eyes closed; his mind cleared of all thought of world outside his body. Though not reaching enlightenment as prophet Hualian did so many lunar cycle ago, Wàibiao achieve glimpse of idea; his sense of lust to wander the vast lands teaching him much about thought of other being both powerful and weak. In birth tongue of his people, Wàibiao understand there is verb to describe his behavior; Yóudàng -- to roam about… Wàibiao only staying in few place through journey on this continent, never taking stay and rest coming with much effort, though it this way of life -- one with no permanence -- that Wàibiao come to learn so much from cousin Kha and neighbor of Bian Lian Ren and so many other. Wàibiao wish to share what he learn with other, but finding that he has dilemma in his mind of how to do this… Though some call Wàibiao wise, he seeing himself still like naive infant with ambition too great for him to handle. More thought, will Wàibiao give this idea, though it something he feel will give greater purpose to the wanderlust in his heart.

 

As Wàibiao gain courage to climb down great tree, reaching bottom to find his fur still sheen with dew of water from while he meditate and fast. Wàibiao wipe this away, finding that his coat show with richer color and health; his mane fuller and chest tighter against his muscles. Realizing too, that he feel almost lighter in body and spirit -- the fast purging his body of ill element and fatigue.
 

[Nozgoth 3083]

Jiejue smiles upon the second iteration of waibiaos travels, before handing it to the many monkey children which crowded around him for them to read!