Chapter 1

Prompt for Chapter 1: It has to use/involve the number two. In any way shape or form. Think couple, twins, etc, be creative. Also, mention cherry and stairs.
Make sure to put the word that symbolizes two, cherry, and stairs in bold.

Chapter One

The croak of the tiny tree frog woke Master Cho from his deep meditative state. His eyes remained closed as his other senses took in all nature had to offer. He knew that over reliance on the visual was detrimental to the complete life experience nature had to offer. Such overreliance could put one at a disadvantage against those who would use every means available to do harm.

Master Cho never gave up an advantage.

He could hear the buzz of the bees as they sampled the early spring blossoms from the cherry trees. The strong intensity of the sound indicated rain was unlikely. This was confirmed by the strength of the odor from the blossoms, suggesting an easterly breeze, something that rarely yielded any moisture. He noted that the tree frog had gone silent pointing to the presence of a predator, possibly the crane flocks from the south coming up north as the seasons changed.

Winter had given up the fight as its softer, more optimistic sister began to take hold.

Master Cho allowed his eyes to drift open slowly. It was barely light enough to make out the snow-capped peaks of the neighboring mountains. The snow would be gone soon. Nature’s timetable put the melt-off within days of the first cranes arriving. Runoff would feed the nearby creeks which would bring badly needed water to the village. Nature and man alike would rejoice in the bountiful beauty that was sure to follow.

Such would not be the case for the old man. He knew that for every Ying, there was a Yang, the inevitable pairing of life’s extremes. For every “up”, there must be a “down” for without one, how could you recognize the existence of the other.

If the melting snow was Master Cho’s Ying, then the opening of the mountain pass was his Yang. The young Chieftain to the south had said he would come. His expectation was that the village would become a willing addition to his growing kingdom and thus subject to his protective arm, and taxes. Should the village have other thoughts, he would take possession by force. Either way would serve the Chieftain’s pursuit of power equally well.

Master Cho knew the villagers would not voluntarily submit to the Chieftain. They had little fear after having seen Master Cho vanquish one threat after another over the years. Certainly he could handle this new young upstart from the south.

A deep intake of breath followed by a long slow exhale brought the aging warrior into the new day with a mindful appreciation for the moment. What will be, will be. Mountain passes and chieftains could wait for another time. Right now, a stroll was in order.

As he descended the wooden stairs that led down to his garden, Master Cho was aware of the ache in his joints; pain where none had been before. He knew he was getting old. Youth and old age were near the pinnacle of all Ying-Yang pairs; second only to life and death.

Walking through the garden he wondered how long it would be until he experienced that ultimate certainty. He didn’t fear it. Why should he? It was as natural as the sunrise and the migration of the cranes. Yes, it was even as natural as the ambition of the young Chieftain making invasion preparations to the south.

A stroll, a bowl of soup and an hour of meditation stilled his heart and calmed his soul as he prepared for his daily exercises. It was time to practice the dance of the warrior. Aches and pains were pushed aside as he laid out his time-worn arsenal of weapons. His sword sang in excited anticipation as Master Cho drew it smoothly from its scabbard.

Word count 625