The Kazak Guardians (19 page)

"Lynn, I have to admit I was disappointed when I saw a small woman when I expected a man. I thought Mr. Witton would humor me and give me another Kazak. I don't know any other Kazaks, but I've got to believe you're one of the best. You've saved Eveleen and Sibeal three times, and the last time you almost died to let them escape. If there is ever anything I can do for you, all you have to do is call. I'll always have a private plane for you, if Mr. Witton doesn't."

Eveleen and Sibeal joined him at the side of the bed. "Are you coming to live with us? Mommy said she's going to miss you following her. I can follow you around." Her head barely showed above the mattress. I had become attached to the little terrorist. She had been an angel while I was there. A benefit to
Lynn's Rules
was that mother and daughter had formed a deeper relationship.

"Sibeal is right. I'm going to miss you being with us. As Albert said, anything we can do for you. We would like you to come and see us if you can. Maybe we can hire you from time to time." She turned to Witton then back to me. "You not only saved our lives but gave me a precious gift of a closer relationship with my daughter."

"Mr. Witton, I'll be released from the hospital tomorrow," I said into the phone with some apprehension.

Witton hesitated before he spoke. "Why so formal, Lynn?"

"I want to return to the Hill for a while."

"Why? I would've thought you would like to see your friends."

"It just feels right."

"Alright, Lynn. Ann Marie will make your reservations. Let me know when you are ready to leave the Hill. I hope you find what you are looking for." He clicked off. I knew Witton was concerned that I may want to leave the Kazaks. I didn't know why I wanted to visit the Hill, but it wasn't because I wanted to leave the Kazaks.

The next morning I sat in a chair, waiting for the required wheelchair to take me to the hospital's front door. Normally, I would just have left, ignoring the silly wheelchair. But I felt exhausted. At the curb, a limo waited to take me to Sikorsky Memorial Airport, where a white Gulfstream with KG on the tail waited for me.

I entered, nodded to Kathryn, and took a seat. A few minutes later we lifted, headed for Spokane International Airport. Kathryn served me something to drink and eat, but I couldn't remember what it was or how much I ate.

When we landed, she directed me to the waiting helicopter. The next thing I remembered was stepping off the helicopter. Two Kazak masters waited.

"Welcome, Master Lynn. It's good to see you again. When you get time, I'd love to talk to you about the infamous
Lynn's Rules.
" The head Kazak, Johar, gave a slight bow. I didn't understand all this bowing, first from Master Jianyu and now the head master at the Kazak school. I was too tired to even answer. They led me to one of the quarters reserved for visiting Kazaks, which had been prepared for me. "If you need anything, let one of us know."

Exhausted bone deep, I should've gone to bed. Instead, I made my way to the small, white, marble building at the top of the mountain, which I considered a temple. Inside, arched stained-glass windows depicting the animals Kazaks were named after made the room dance with a kaleidoscope of changing colors. Once inside, the world fell away. I loved that place. It had always been my sanctuary.

I sat lotus style and closed my eyes. I don't know how long I sat. Although I hadn't heard anyone enter, I felt someone's presence. I opened my eyes to find the old witch Meztlil sitting only a few feet away.

"Good evening, my daughter. It has been a long journey to the Hill and back again. You've made a wise choice. This temple is a place of renewal." The sound of her voice was soft and soothing. I closed my eyes for a moment. When I opened them again, she was gone.

For the next week, when not sleeping or eating, I spent much of my time in the temple. No one bothered me, sensing that I needed to be left alone. Some days later, while I sat content to do nothing, I felt Meztlil in front of me-master to a student.

"Lynn, I want you to begin to visualize your life as far back as you can remember. Think of each decision you made and how that affected the next. Then consider alternative choices you could have made-no
if only
." She paused. I could hear her slow, soft breathing. "If the memory becomes emotional, examine it again and again until you are at peace with it."

Without question, I began my journey back in time. I had to go back many times as I reviewed my years in foster homes, many in gang-infested neighborhoods. In the quiet of the temple, I relived my life. Painful memories that made me cry, tremble in fear, and convulse with pain. Some memories took me days to get past.

Remembering the fights I'd had during my assignments was interesting. I examined each block and strike for how it could've been better. In the last fight, I recognized the mistakes I had made, which almost resulted in my death. When I reached the here and now, Meztlil sat in front of me again.

"You have done well, my child. Do you understand?"

"Yes
...
Mother. I've learned to see my past devoid of emotions. To see it as the forge that made me what I am today. And even if I could, I wouldn't change anything because it would change me, and I'm content being who I am. I thank you for your guidance."

"Now it's time to master the void. Let the silence seep into your very essence."

When I opened my eyes minutes or hours later she was gone. I spent the next week seeking that quiet tranquility. One day, I opened my eyes and felt like a new and improved Lynn the Fox. I decided to walk down to the training areas and watch the hopefuls competing for those coveted seventh-year slots. I heard Master Johar coming to stand beside me.

"It has been a long time since you slipped through our clutches. I thought you would never last a year; you lacked the strength, weight, and reach to compete against men. Yet, you survived. Would you care to show our aspiring Kazaks what it takes to survive?" His lip twitched for a second. I walked into the center of the circle and waited.

"Candidates, this is the Kazak Lynn the Fox. Despite our best efforts to get rid of her, she survived. Many wonder if we gave her special treatment because she's a woman. Probably some of
you
wonder. I have to admit, she doesn't look very intimidating; therefore, I've asked her for a small demonstration. Who is interested?"

The same old Johar. Always testing the candidates: their judgment, endurance, tenacity, and survival instincts.
And not above testing his graduates
, I thought to myself
.

A big burly boy stepped forward. I stopped him with a hand.

"Too big, Lynn?" He frowned and shrugged. I pointed to a tall lanky youth who was pointing to himself, and then a slim muscular one smiling at me. I held up three fingers. Johar nodded and called out their names, "Harld, Baily, Saul."

The other masters seemed to move closer as the three entered the ring. I wondered if it was to see better, or maybe to drag the students off me.

The three circled me like vultures, enjoying the thought of winning against a Kazak. They kept equally spaced, so that I couldn't see all three at once. I stood motionless and at peace. It felt wonderful. They appeared to be moving in slow motion. Harld, who was behind me, came first. I not only heard his steps, but I could see it in Baily's and Saul's expressions.

Harld jumped in the air, throwing a flying kick at my head or back. Baily moved a split second after Harld. Saul appeared content to await the result of Harld's and Baily's attacks. As Harld's foot flew toward my head, I rotated to the left causing his foot to slide harmless past my back. I continued to rotate, driving my palm into his temple as I completed the turn. I continued to rotate, stepping over Baily's attempted leg sweep. The blow to Harld's temple made him collapse where I had been standing, and he landed on Baily's leg.

Now Saul approached with an obviously fake forward kick to be followed by a second to my head. I stopped his second kick in mid-air with an X block and locked on to his ankle, pulling him toward me and driving my head into his face. He staggered backward. I let him recover. He wiped his nose and launched an overly aggressive attack. The attack started with a roundhouse punch to my head. He undoubtedly expected me to block the punch, setting up a kick to my groin, then hopefully an elbow to my head when I bent in pain. Instead, I moved into him with my shoulder. It drove him backward but not before I had my foot locked behind his. As he stumbled and fell, I landed on his chest with my knee, slammed my palm into his face, and rolled away.

Baily had gotten free from under Harld and approached slowly. He started a cresset kick to my head, stopped half way, and reversed it into a side kick at my chest. It was a reasonably good move. In the temple, I had reviewed my fights with the three bodyguards and realized several of my mistakes. Twisting ninety degrees turned my vulnerable chest away, presenting my side-a smaller moving target. I could still get kicked, but the impact would depend upon his speed and my timing. The right way was to twist sideways with the outside arm leading the way. That guided the kick safely by. Baily's foot slid harmlessly past me. As it did, I stepped into him and drove my elbow into his ribs. As I continued past him, I delivered a knife-hand strike to the back of his neck.

When I looked around, all three lay on the ground unable to fight for one reason or another.

"Master Lynn, you seem to have damaged my students," Johar said, suppressing a smile.

"They probably held back because I'm a woman," I said as my part of the game. Johar stepped forward and looked around.

"The lazy students lying in the circle have just been introduced to the Kazak Master Lynn the Fox. Hopefully, those that survive will some day be half as good as her. I would suggest you visit the temple and look at the
Assassin Killers
board. Only one other Kazak has killed more Assassins than Lynn."

"Who?" I blurted out before I'd realized it.

"I think you should also visit the temple. You may find it interesting. You'll also find the reason we've been calling you master. Currently, there are only six Kazaks living who officially hold that title. On the Hill, only you and I hold that title. Perhaps before you leave, you will help me improve our Assassin identification training. I've only ever faced two types; whereas, you have encountered all five. With that experience, I believe we can develop scenarios that are more realistic and graduate Kazaks who are better prepared."

***

I spent two more weeks on the Hill telling them what I knew about Assassins and how I had managed to identify them. With that additional information, we reviewed each of the current exercises.

"What about the Ghost Assassins, Master Lynn. How do we simulate a realistic encounter?" Johar asked with a twinkle in his eyes. He knew I was uncomfortable with the title. I had finally visited the temple for the express purpose of seeing the
Assassin Killers
board. It turned out there were two. The first listed the Kazak's name, type of Assassin, and the date of the kill. I found each of my kills listed. The second board was titled
Masters
and had twelve names, of which six were designated as deceased. Witton's name appeared eight times on the first board-Master Witton the Panther.

"I'd suggest we try rigging up a sheet of clear, clean plastic. It may distort what is behind it just enough to simulate what you are likely to see." For Illusionist, we made up simple clues one would have to detect. Glimmer was easier because of everyone's reaction in the vicinity when one was present-everyone instantly liked them and wanted their company. Liar was a bit harder, since you were likely to believe him. You had to force yourself to focus on intent-the perceived goal of the lie-or use earplugs. I ran many of the exercises. It was a strange feeling instructing students on activities I had struggled to master, which seemed so easy now. During my time instructing, I saw potential Tigers and Lions, a possible Panther, but no Foxes.

***

"Hi, Master Witton. I'm ready for another easy assignment," I quipped.

"No you're not, Master Lynn. Your time on the Hill was for recuperation and to share your experience and insights with our instructors. The program can't improve without input from those working in the field. I understand they were fascinated with the
Lynn's Rules
. I've forwarded them the complaints and commendations for an accurate evaluation. Your stay was necessary for your renewal and helpful in producing the next generation of Kazaks." He paused for a minute. "The company plane will pick you up tomorrow. By the way, Mr. Gendel has asked me to coordinate with him on your transportation. He's making his plane available any time we can't accommodate you. In fact, it's his plane that will meet you tomorrow. You have no time or destination limitation. He and I were very pleased with the outcome of your assignment. Although that was not the intent, there has been much interest among the wealthy and influential because of the Gendel assignment. Have a good time and say hello to Gabe and Clare for me." The phone went dead.

I called Gendel's home phone. After a short talk with Lihua, she connected me with him.

"Mr. Gendel, I've just heard of your generous offer to use your plane. I want to thank you sincerely for the thought behind the offer. That means far more to me than the plane."

"You're a very special woman. Most would thank me for access to the plane. You, on the other hand, care only about the thought behind the gesture. My offer still stands. If you need anything, just call. If it's within my power to give, it's yours. Your personal sacrifice to save my wife and daughter can't be repaid."

"You have a lovely wife and precious daughter, who love you very much. That makes you a very rich man." He spent time talking about how the experience had given him a better insight into people. I assured him that I was healed. I was glad I had met him and his family.

I called Gabe, who said he could get off for a few days. Then I called Clare.