The Nomad could only smile at her student’s reply, knowing all too well the difficulties presented by this less than simply task. She had once suffered the embarrassment herself while under the instruction of her Shepard, though with her stubborn mind, she was sure it took several more attempts than these to succeed. “You will be surprised what your body is capable of once you quiet the noise of your mind and give in to instinct. Your body knows how to fend for itself in any form; it just needs the opportunity to show its ability.” Gently she placed a hand upon her companion’s shoulder. “But this is a very good start, Vesper.”
Truly it was warming to witness success and such a light was motivating to continue on this desired path. As her arm fell from the girl’s shoulder, the nameless owl took it upon himself to once again settle on her shoulder hooting contently. The Nomad didn’t mind him in the slightest as her attention was devoted to sharing what she could with a mind so willing to accept it. X’yrin carefully lowered herself to her knees arranging her paws beneath her so that she remained upright while seated. She crossed her hands patiently in her lap then gestured with a nod for her pupil to do the same. She grew calm as she assumed the role of Shepard for the sake of enlightenment.
“There is not a task next,” she began, “but I would like to talk to you about this path you have begun. The Exultare are warriors of the Nomads. We were formed long before our forebears began the Endless Path, and still we remain having prevailed through the tests of time. Unlike the warriors of most other clans, we do not bare our teeth first, but our words instead hoping to pacify the situation before it comes to blows. However, if violence is truly the course to take, our goal is to suppress it. Our technique is based on transformation of negative energy into positive; take the offender’s attack and divert it into a suppressive hold. This is not easy to do and a single mistake against a refined opponent could result in fatal injury or death. Because of this risk, we are trained to ‘read’ the intentions of others. The body tells all, but the eyes never lie.” She raised a paw to her head, and tapped it lightly to inquire understanding.
“When it comes to naked aggression which cannot be reasoned with, we are advised to avoid them…” gradually the woman’s ears depressed against her skull, weighed by a burden carried by all those who bore the name Exultare. “However, if we cannot,” she inhaled deeply. “Our only thought is to kill them. We keep that single thought in our minds and trust that our abilities will see us through. I have witnessed impressive skill when one was driven to save themselves… but it was nothing in comparison to what one could do when their minds were consumed with the notion to kill. Everything else falls away… you are driven by the desire to have only yourself stand as victor. It is a thought we Exultare fear above all else, because it is the path that leads to becoming the Exultare Shepard, and so few have come back from it mentally sound. Above all else, Vesper, I caution that you do not become consumed by that thought and if so, do not surrender to its allure. Remember that you are a dangerous creature and will be made more so through these teachings. Your mind will be trained above all else for without control over that, any modification to your body is useless. You will learn to suppress anger and silence unnecessary thought while in combat, so that if you do stray down that treacherous path, it will be that less difficult to bring you back to a sound state of mind. You will be molded into an oppressor of the darkened heart and with time, we will touch upon your strength brought on by rage and madness… and that too you will learn to control making you ready should you be damned to face an attack on your life.”
Her eyes showed bright with experience having had this conversation with her Shepard seasons before. But while she offered this girl a choice in her path, there hadn’t been an option for her. She was thrust into this world with only these words of warning before hand. There was not a way out of any of the trials. Even failure was not an escape. “Is this something you are truly ready for, Vesper?” Her ears drew forward attentively, receptive to either the acceptance or rejection of this path presented before her. If the Nomad’s words had any sway, she would have confessed that the training was worth it in the end, but such rewards were better left to be discovered. Patiently, the Nomad and owl sat awaiting reply.