Eternal Enigmas Anthology: Bluthund Community, #7

By Cedric Daurio11 and Cèdric Daurio

This anthology includes two novels based on intrigues from the history of all time. Novels belong to the field of fiction, intrigues do not.

The Grial´s Quest

According to Christian tradition The Holy Chalice is the vessel that Jesus used at the Last Supper to serve wine. In the 12th Century Arthurian literature the Chalice became associated with the pre-existing story of the Holy Grail, a miraculous artifact with magical properties. The fully developed legend further identifies the Grail with the vessel later used to collect Christ's blood, brought to Hispania by Joseph of Arimathea. 

The Bluthund Community is an informal hermetic group formed on social networks. It brings together researchers from the most diverse disciplines, who collaborate in the resolution of difficult-to-manage cases. They have research methods that come from both the positive sciences and alternative knowledge, based on traditional wisdom, in arcana of different cultures.  

 

As part of their training, the Community commissioned four young people of different nationalities to follow the trail of a find in Argentine Patagonia, related to the presence of the Holy Grail, presumably carried to these distant places by the Knights Templar. 

A vibrant historical thriller that will keep you in suspense until the end 

Genghis Khan´s Tomb

A group of researchers from the Bluthund Community is given the mission to find the lost tomb of Genghis Khan, who died in the 13th century. Genghis Khan was the creator of the greatest empire in the history of mankind, which stretched from China to the gates of Europe and included almost the entire Asian continent. Feared for the massacres carried out on the conquered peoples, he was loved by the Mongols who consider him the creator of their nation, and is the national hero of the Republic of Mongolia.

 A Mongolian lady named Orghana, apparently a CIA member, joins the group of investigators, along with her protector, a Mongolian army colonel.

The purpose of the mission is to find the tomb before a messianic leader of the nomadic tribes achieves it,  a man who wishes to re-create the empire of Genghis Khan, agitating the members of scattered tribes and promoting great instability throughout the area of ​​East Asia, including neighboring countries: China, Kazakhstan and Russia.

The exploration of the steppes and mountains of Central and East Asia leads to countless adventures that keep suspense from the beginning to the end of the novel, in the course of which is revealed the true personality and motivations of Lady Orghana, who turns out to be a priestess of the Black Tengrism, the magical religion of the Mongols since ancient times.

Earth storms in the desert, attacks by the fearsome Mongol bandits, who massacre the caravans in their path; tournaments of combat prowess on horseback, features of the fearsome Mongol horsemen, armed conflict between rival tribes, all amid the suggestive landscape of the Asian steppe. Magic and bravery. A vibrant thriller that takes place in the current era but has deep historical roots.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cedric Daurio
• Release date: Jul 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201803421

Cedric Daurio11

Cedric Daurio is the pen name a novelist uses for certain types of narrative, in general historical thrillers and novels of action and adventure.The author practiced his profession as a chemical engineer until 2005 and began his literary career thereafter. He has lived in New York for years and now resides in Miami . All his works are based on extensive research, his style is stripped, clear and direct, and he does not hesitate to tackle thorny issues.C. Daurio writes in Spanish and all his books have been translated into English, they are available in print editions and as digital books.

Book preview

The Grail´s Quest

Dramatis Personae

Nick Lafleur: French Canadian boy, 21, System analyst, student of Digital Marketing.

Jiang Zhi Ruo: Chinese girl from Singapore, 20, Calligrapher and draftswoman, Tai Chi Chuan expert.

Mikhail Turgenev: Russian boy born in St Petersburg. 23, Mountain climber, student of Mechanical Engineering.

Chandice Williams: Jamaican girl, 21, classical dancer, expert in Caribbean folklore.

Jack Berglund: American, 45. Member of the Bluthund Community, runologist, specialist in ancient alphabets.

Lakshmi Dhawan: 38, woman born in India, member of the FBI.

Anila Ragnarsson: daughter of Lakshmi and Ingo Ragnarsson, Icelandic academic.

Keneisha Sullivan: Director at the FBI, Lakshmi Boss.

Admiral B.C. Donnelly: American. Advisor to the US State Department.

Dr.W Richardson: British, Master of the Bluthund Community in New York.

Jerome Watkins: American, Master of Ceremonies at Bluthund events.

Madame Nadia Swarowska: Polish, Member of the Bluthund Management Committee

Suzuki Taro: Japanese, Member of the Bluthund Management Committee, expert in martial arts.

Matsuko: Young Ninja female warrior.

Corrado Gherardi, former Jesuit priest specializing in the history of religions.

Ignacio de Mendizábal (Iñaki): Bishop, leader of Divine Action.  

Dr. Wolfram von Eichenberg: scholar specialized in western and eastern esotericism.

Professor Jacob Efron: Israeli archeologist.

Bertran Rostanh: Tobacconist in Carcassone.

Chapter 1  

There were no external signs indicating classroom numbers, no blackboards or bulletin boards with instructions for students. Just a few rooms on each side of a corridor with a few chairs and a desk where some impatient apprentices waited. It was not a formally constituted school or university. What the aspirants called the Academy was an informal institution part of the Bluthund Community, itself an organization not officially organized anywhere in the world, although it had numerous adherents in various countries of East and West, some of them situated in important governmental and institutional positions.

But what the Community had above all was prestige in some selected influential circles in the world; a prestige earned by its many successes in solving difficult issues whose solution had escaped the great world intelligence centers: the CIA, the FSB, that is to say the successor of the Russian KGB, the English MI6, the Israeli Mossad and finally the Chinese, German, French and European secret services in general.

The Bluthund Community is an informal hermetic group formed on social networks. It brings together researchers from the most diverse disciplines, who collaborate in the resolution of difficult-to-manage cases. They have research methods that come from both the positive sciences and alternative knowledge, based on traditional wisdom, in arcana of different cultures.

So despite the absence of lavish exterior features, when Nick entered the gloomy corridor between the classrooms, he felt a deep emotion. To have been selected to be trained at the Academy among many other applicants filled him with pride, and justified the lengthy exams and virtual interviews to which he had been subjected in the preceding weeks by mysterious characters who had asked him questions about his knowledge of historical, political, legal and scientific subjects of the more varied nature, including some that slightly entered the esoteric realm. Some of these questions had brought to the surface knowledge Nick didn't know he possessed as well as hidden feelings.

He sat in the classroom that they had indicated, and that was only marked by a blue card nailed to the door; as he had arrived early once there he prepared to wait. After a quarter of an hour, a young woman with Eastern features and a very pale skin appeared and after checking the blue mark entered the room and after greeting Nick with a slight nod and a shy smile, sat down in another of the chairs at a certain  distance from him. The boy regretted not finding a way to start a conversation with the newcomer, so he just watched the girl askance, so as not to disturb her. The young woman's body was slim and well-built, and although he couldn't look her straight in, Nick could guess that she had an attractive face, with delicate features and a certain elegance in her posture.

Although the modesty of her upbringing prevented her from showing it, Zhi Ruo had also been shocked by the young man in the classroom. Although she had only seen him as she passed before and her natural shyness forced her to look away, she had come to see his reddish hair combed in a somewhat ancient way, his pale eyes (blue or green?) and his long legs. The ensemble had seduced the girl despite the fleeting vision she had had.

Both young men were watching the screens of their respective cell phones in order to pass the time until something happened until they heard the sounds of people talking in the hall in a loud voice. After a few moments two young individuals appeared at the classroom door and once the distinctive mark on the blue card was confirmed, they entered the space. One was a tall blond boy with a strong build and a beautiful African-American girl considerably shorter than her companion. Unlike the previous occupants of the room, the newcomers were extroverts and spoke loudly among themselves, and upon entering they greeted those present. Nick and the young Asian woman replied in a low voice but the one who had just entered approached each of them and extended his hand in a friendly way, expressing himself with a baritone voice and a strong Slavic accent.

Hi, I'm Mikhail... you can call me Mike.

Hi Mike. I am Nick.

Hi, I'm Zhi Ruo.

Then it was the African American girl's turn to introduce herself.

Hi all. I am Chandice. The arrival of the talkative young couple had the effect of breaking the ice and beginning a lively chat with no purpose other than socializing.

After a while footsteps were heard in the corridor and a new character appeared at the door. It was a man of about forty or forty-five, tall and strong, with blond hair with some gray, light blue eyes and a reddish beard of several days. He greeted those present with a wave of his right hand and proceeded to close the door, indicating that all those invited to the meeting were already in the classroom.

Then he sat in the chair that was in front of the desk looking at the others and with a wide smile he expressed.

Welcome everyone to the Bluthund Community. Today begins for each of you an experience that only few people are allowed, and I trust that you will remember this day throughout your careers with us. Now we are going to introduce ourselves giving our names, some basic personal data and field of study or professional experience. To break the inertia I'm going to start by introducing myself.

He stood up imposing his tall figure and said.

My name is Jack Berglund and I will be your tutor during these first steps in the Community. Doubts and questions will surely be presented to you and I encourage you to ask them to me. I am one of the founding partners of Bluthund and I know how it works quite well, but if there is something I do not know I promise to find out for you.

Then he took a few steps and continued.

I'm American, runologist and specialist in ancient alphabets, extinct languages ​​and data encryption.

Mike raised his hand and when he was given the floor added.

And one of the Community's men of action. Your fame is well known.

Jack Berglund smiled and answered.

Well, maybe you are right, although I would be concerned if the internal details of Bluthund are known outside the Community. Well, I now kindly ask that each of you introduce yourself in a similar way to mine. Let's start with ladies.

With a tilt of his head he requested the girl named Chandice to begin.

Chapter 2

M y name is Chandice Williams and I was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Therefore I am not an African American as people usually think. I am a student of Classical Dance at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. I am also a student of Caribbean Folklore.

Chandice hesitated for a moment not knowing what to say so Jack decided to go to her aid.

Tell us Chandice. What brought you close to the Bluthund Community?

I have my life programmed until the last minute, everything is predictable. I want to leave a certain place in it for the unforeseen, the adventure.

Berglund looked at a sheet in his hand where the names of the meeting participants were obviously written.

Fine, thanks Chandice, let's see you ... Zhi Ruo ... did I pronounce it correctly?

The oriental girl got up and in a soft voice she began to speak.

Yes. Although you can just call me Zhi. I am a Singaporean citizen of Chinese ethnic origin. I am a cartoonist and calligrapher, a disciple of my mother in both activities. I work in an oriental jewelry store and in the afternoons I practice Tai Chi Chuan together with my instructor.

Oh! Interesting. Exclaimed Jack. Without a doubt you will have the opportunity to practice martial arts in our community. And now tell us what your expectations about our Community are

I expect to learn a set of techniques and knowledge that allow us to face complex issues, which require a multidisciplinary analysis, and I also hope to have the support of specialist teachers in various areas.

Do you have a hobby? Berglund inquired.

Yes, play Mahjong, even solo and online."

Thank you, Zhi. Now please tell us something about yourself.

This time Jack question was aimed at Mike.

My name is Mikhail Turgenev. I was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia and came to the United States ten years ago. At the beginning it was hard for me because I spoke little English but I could slowly overcome the problems and now I am continuing my university studies in Mechanical Engineering that I had started in my hometown. I work as a salesman of electronic devices in a store of that branch and in my vacations I go to climb mountains not too high in the neighboring states to New York.

Very good, thank you very much Mike. Now is your turn. Berglund said, alluding to Nick.

My name is Nicholas Lafleur ... Started answering the boy.

Are you French? Jack interrupted. You have a very slight accent.

No, I am French-Canadian. I was born and raised in a small town in Quebec, and although I have learnt both English and French at school, at home the language we used was French.

The young man paused and continued.

I am a systems analyst and I am studying Digital Marketing in the United States. My personal hobby is chess.

And what do you expect from Bluthund? Asked Jack. The young man thought for a moment and then answered without hesitation.

Action. Get out of a repetitive and routine life.

So you also want adrenaline. Berglund's phrase was between a question and a signature.

Yes, definitely. The boy's response was enthusiastic.

Jack Berglund sat again in his chair facing the class and asked.

What would you guys say we have in common?

Zhi raised her hand.

Yes Zhi. Said Jack.

We are from very different countries.

Right, and not only that. You have different backgrounds, careers and interests. The only element you have in common is ... The man raised again and sensing the expectation for his words said.

A certain inclination for adventure.

He made a pause, and observed that all four youngsters gave obvious signs of approving his conclusion. Then he added.

What you still do not know is that that is a characteristic of the Bluthund Community as a whole. In order to be able to study problems of very great diversity of topics our institution promotes the recruitment of very diverse members. As you get to know the members of our staff, this characteristic will become apparent to you.

After these presentations we are going to get slowly into the subject. The American continued. As I already explained to you, I will be the tutor of the four of you during the period of your training, but I will also be the teacher of certain theoretical and practical subjects. One of them will be the extremely important subject of communications, both from the point of view of material means such as radio, satellite phones, secure lines and other hardware components, as well as the way messages are sent and received. Today we will start with the message encryption issue. Encrypt a text means to transcribe in figures, letters or symbols, according to a key, a message or text whose content is to be protected. We will also see techniques to perform the inverse function, that is, to decrypt or decode our own messages as well as potentially dangerous messages sent by third parties.

They were engaged in this task for four hours, with a short interval for a light lunch based on sandwiches.

When the mental fatigue became evident, Jack Berglund decided to take a break and while the young people were talking to each other, he left the classroom for a few minutes to make a phone call from his cell phone.

Upon returning to the room, everyone sat in their chairs and the American expressed.

We are going to leave a brief space for questions and answers in order to clarify what we have seen up to here, or to evacuate any doubts that you may have about the training.

Although at first no one seemed to have questions, as soon as Chandice asked the first the doubts began in a cascading effect that seemed endless.

Suddenly, a new character appeared at the door of the classroom and silently watched the course of the debate without being noticed, until Jack Berglund raised his eyes and jumped in his chair and cut off his explanation by saying aloud.

Guys, let me introduce you to Professor Taro Suzuki.

Instinctively everyone present rose to their feet.

Chapter 3

Taro Suzuki's name was widely known in world environments related to adventure and expeditions, although the general public was not exactly aware of his profile and knowledge, so that his reputation was shrouded in a bright but hazy, not translucent mist. Suzuki himself preferred it this way because deep down his personality was austere and reserved so that his fame would have been an annoying burden.

When the students in the classroom stood at the entrance of him, the teacher blushed slightly, not used to such receptions. He immediately said.

No, please have a seat.

Jack Berglund approached the old teacher, and to the amazement of the four students, both hardened adventurers joined in an embrace.

How have you been since our return from Siberia? Asked the American.

(See The Romanov Diadem in this collection)

Good, although very busy in resuming classes at my Academy.

At that point, addressing those present, Jack expressed to them.

You should know that Professor Suzuki has an internationally reputable Martial Arts Academy in Japan, to which even the Japanese Secret Service sends its recruits, albeit, of course, in a reserved manner.

A murmur ran through the room. Immediately Berglund asked the students.

Please introduce each of you to our Sensei, expressing the same thing that you have said before to the group.

Each of the four stood up and shook Suzuki's hand, briefly summarizing his short experiences. At the end the teacher said.

As he is used to, Jack Berglund has made a selection of brilliant candidates to join the Bluthund Community. I know we will get from you brilliant professionals that we so badly need. Now I know that you have been in class with Professor Berglund since this morning and knowing him as I know, I guess he has been squeezing you with his classes, so you must be mentally fatigued. I am going to let you go home now and we will meet tomorrow morning on the Community campus, but this time for intense physical activity. Does everyone know where the place is?

Jack Berglund took over the answer.

For the first time I have rented an SUV and we will all go together from here. Later each one will look for a way to get there.

Then addressing his disciples he added.

During the next four weeks you will have a total immersion course. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday the classes will be practical and will take place on campus, and on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings the theoretical classes will take place in these classrooms.

The next day, Jack and the apprentices arrived in the wide field near the bank of the Hudson River, outside of New York City. Between open spaces destined for different purposes, the American led them to a closed shed with corrugated sheet metal walls and roof. When they opened the door they saw that at the back of the wide space was already Taro Suzuki in front of a small altar on which from afar they could see a painting with the photo obviously of an important sensei or teacher, two vases with their respective flowers, some paintings with white strips written in Japanese with black ink or paint and a shield of the Karate school practiced in the place. Suzuki was lighting a thick white candle that he then placed on the altar. The sensei was already dressed in the characteristic attire for practicing martial arts, consisting of two pieces of thick white cotton cloth with a simple white belt. Upon entering, Jack bowed as a greeting not only to the site but also to the sensei; he immediately took off his shoes and left them on the outside of the shed; the four students imitated all his actions, intuiting their meanings.

Suzuki came up to Jack Berglund and said.

Welcome to this sacred site. The word dojo in Japanese means place of the way and in the first place it is not a space to practice martial arts but a place to seek physical, moral, mental and spiritual perfection. We not only come to exercise but also come here to meditate. You should know that each site in the dojo has its own name, including each wall. The one located to the south, called Kamiza, is the main wall and that is why we place the altar there. Little by little we will teach the names and meanings of each wall and other places in the dojo, but now we will start with a little activity. The martial arts that we will learn here come from two sources: Judo and Karate. Other schools such as Aikido and Taekwondo are equally valuable but we will stick to the two mentioned. As a first measure, you will change your street clothes for other garments designed for the practice of our martial arts. I trust that in the changing rooms, both women and men will find suits that adapt to your sizes.

The disciples entered the two rooms on one of the walls, and after a while they appeared dressed appropriately for the practice.  First, Suzuki stood in front of them and began to guide them with stretching exercises first and warming up and strength later. The plasticity of the old teacher surprised his students, who had to use all their resources to be able to follow his movements.  When Suzuki judged that the exercise was enough to warm up and loosen the muscles, he stood in the center of the dojo and asked the others to surround him. Thus the four apprentices and Jack Berglund positioned themselves around the sensei.

Now we are going to start with a light Judo practice. I am going to ask my friend Jack Berglund, who already has some practice of this art, to attack me using the forms that he wishes. I ask the others to observe carefully

Jack began to turn around the sensei without showing his emotions on his face or anticipating his attack intentions; imperturbable Suzuki followed his movements. At one point the American lunged forward onto his opponent's flank with lightning speed, covering the distance between him in one leap. The action was a flash and immediately both bodies were together. Suddenly the sensei crouched down and in some way that those present could not determine took his friend and his rival, made Jack's bulky physique circulate over his back and then placed him gently on the ground near his feet. The whole action lasted for fractions of a second, after which Berglund found himself sitting on top of the dojo and bursting into uproarious laughter.

Every time it happens to me I wonder how you got me to the ground.

Are you okay? The Japanese asked concerned.

Perfectly. You didn't actually throw me to the ground but you placed me like a feather.

This is a first lesson that we must draw. Taro replied.

How to neutralize an opponent without damaging him... of course as long as you don't want to. The general rule is to inflict as little damage as possible.

Chapter 4

Next it was the beginners' turn to confront the old master. The first was Mike, who after attacking the sensei with great force rolled on the dojo floor amid uproarious laughter from his companions and himself. Nick was easy prey and was deposited very gently on the floor. Chandice attacked with great vehemence but she was unable to dodge the trainer's shots and had to bite into her hurt ego.

It was finally Zhi's turn, and everyone could tell from the start that there was a difference. When the young woman approached Taro to take a shot, the teacher eluded her agilely, but when he at the same time tried to grab her to raise her up into the air, it was the girl who eluded the shot amid the cheers of her classmates.  Both contestants, the old teacher and the young student, continued that showy dance for a long time to the delight of the attendees who celebrated each unforeseen movement.

It was evident that they were both getting tired, so referee Jack Berglund decided to cut the show.

Well that's enough, I declare a tie.

He said as he clapped, accompanied by all the other trainees. Suzuki wiped the sweat from his face and hands on a towel and approached the young Chinese woman, holding out her hand.

"I congratulate you. It doesn't happen to me very often that I can't beat an opponent, much less a woman as light as you.

Zhi responded to the congratulation with a bow.

I am very honored for the words from a teacher like you.

You deserve them. Tell me, are you a practitioner of any Chinese martial art? Tai Chi maybe?

That's right, Suzuki San.

"So, when you rest a bit, we are going to ask you to show us the shape you use at your school." Suzuki referred to the Form or choreography that each martial art has to showcase its classic movements and allow the cultists of that art to practice them and stay in shape, while calming their mind focusing it in the concentration of their movements and breathing, in what is the equivalent of what is called Kata in karate.

I will gladly do it right away, master. I am ready.

Zhi placed herself in the center of the dojo and began the slow dance with movements of the whole body revolving around itself, in an imaginary fight in which she was facing several opponents who attack her at the same time. The Form consists of a number of pre-established movements, an amount that varies with each particular school of Tai Chi.

Both Taro and Jack and the three companions stared ecstatically at the gentle display of concentration and strength that the Singaporean girl was offering them, wishing the show would not end.

Finally Zhi stayed still at the end of the choreography, she bowed to greet the spectators who burst into applause, which produced a blush on the girl's cheeks.

The rest of the morning was spent with judo classes by the sensei, who was showing his disciples how to perform each shot, first practicing personally with each of them and then allowing them to face each other in pairs. At a certain moment, the rumbling of the engine of a large displacement motorcycle was heard and those present saw a vehicle moving inside the premises but far from the dojo, but they could not distinguish who it was. Berglund said. Well, enough for this morning. Now we are going to have lunch. Nick asked turning to Taro.

Sensei, are we going to continue with judo in the afternoon? No, we will continue these classes the day after tomorrow. This afternoon you will meet my assistant. As they walked towards the canteen on the premises, the youths could see in the distance a small figure dressed in a black leather suit and a motorcycle helmet on his head walking about a hundred meters away. When the helmet was removed, they could see that it was a young person with Asian features. Is she Suzuki's assistant? Mused Zhi.

After their light lunch Jack led them to an open-air space where there were a series of fixed posts marked on the ground and at a hundred yards from them were paper targets mounted on racks.

A target shooting range. Exclaimed Mike surprised.

Brief moments later they saw Taro Suzuki approaching accompanied by a small and enigmatic figure. In fact, the small size of the character had not only to do with its ethnic origin but also with its gender. Fully dressed from head to toe in a black tunic and pants, it wore the head covered and face veiled by cloths of the same color. The four pupils could only see the eyes and forehead, but even so it was possible to distinguish the gender and race. She was definitely a young Japanese woman. Suzuki approached the group while the woman kept a certain distance from him.

Well Taro. Said Jack. Aren't you going to introduce your companion to the group? Or do you prefer me to do it?

The man in question felt momentarily embarrassed.

Yes. Of course. She is Mitsuko, my favorite disciple.

Disciple? Chandice asked. In what discipline?

The girl named Matsuko opened her mouth and with the soft tone typical of well-educated Japanese girls spoke in correct English not devoid of accent.

Suzuki San is my sensei.

Your sensei? Nick repeated incredulously.

Taro replied.

As everyone knows I am an instructor in various martial arts. Matsuko is my favorite student. But in this case she is present here not as an apprentice but as a teacher. She will guide you in the handling of a series of silent weapons.

Silent weapons? Are you referring to weapons fitted with silencers? Nick asked naively.

No. He refers to weapons... more primitive but no less lethal. Zhi replied, who had already intuited what was to come.

Indeed, Matsuko, Taro and Jack approached some metal cabinets located under an eaves and the American proceeded to open the padlocks that closed them. When the doors were opened, the four students were surprised to see their content.

Oh! Crossbows... and bows and arrows. Exclaimed Chandice.

I see javelins there too Mike completed.

Jack called out to them to overcome the distance.

Come closer.

As they did so, the American accompanied by Taro and his assistant began to distribute the crossbows and bows among the four new disciples. The emotion of the youngsters when making contact with the weapons was remarkable. Mike, who knew about weapons, carefully examined the ones that had been given to him and said.

They are handcrafted weapons, made very carefully. They are not made of fiberglass or carbon fiber coated with resins but of wood.

From woods carefully selected and following secret procedures of true master artisans who have inherited an art of an antiquity of hundreds or perhaps thousands of years. Taro replied. Its manufacturing process is as careful as that of high quality violins.

Chapter 5

Mitsuko turned out to be an enigmatic and not very talkative person. Without saying a word she took one of the bows, almost the same height as her, and a bunch of arrows; she then went to a dais where she supported the arrows, then tested the tension of the bowstring and told the new disciples around her.

Watch carefully my position and movements. She then stood firmly on the ground, took one of the arrows and began to draw the bow. She remained in that position for some time without moving at all, while Taro Suzuki explained in a low voice to her students.

Right now she is dominating her thoughts and emotions, seeking the perfect concentration before proceeding to the shot. All her attention should be on the bow, arrow, and target. She must become part of the bow and the bow part of her.

At that moment his assistant released the rope and the arrow shot toward her goal. Despite the distance, everyone could see that the projectile had hit the center; a hint of admiration spread among the youth.

Mike approached Suzuki and quietly asked him.

Is it true that archery is related to Zen?

Zen is a philosophy that permeates not only archery but all Japanese martial arts. It is about defeating the ego and dominating the soul proceeding with total calm. The purpose of archery is not to hit the target but to improve oneself. You are working not on the arrow but on yourself.

One by one the apprentices were testing their aim and self-control with their bows. Matsuko and Taro corrected the position of each archer while Jack noted the results of each shot.

It is not a question here of making a competition between you all but of measuring the evolution of each one with practice. Each one of you is actually only competing against himself.

After an hour and a half of practice with the bows, and after a short break accompanied by a cup of coffee, shit was the turn of the crossbows. Both Chandice and Zhi found these weapons quite heavy so the practice was shorter this time.

At the end of it Jack said.

Well, now we are going to completely change the activity. Before noon we will do a climbing session. To do this, you must change the suits used for the judo class and put on the sport clothes that you originally brought. Shoes should also be changed for other fitted for the task. You will find them in the wardrobe, there are different sizes for men and for women. Helmets and gloves should also be tried on.

Once properly equipped, they went to a large concrete wall that was near one of the limits of the sports field; the wall was more than seventy feet high and was provided with numerous plastic and metal objects, fixed to the wall at irregular intervals; these elements, called dams, simulate the projections of rocks in which climbers can fix their feet and help the arms in the mission of supporting and propelling the body upwards. Each of the climbers was attached to a harness that was in turn attached to a rope.

Jack, a skilled climber, showed the participants the method of climbing, in which as he ascends with the force of the biceps, the climber places the rope through metal hooks