Dinner was a modest affair.  It was served in a common room, and consisted
of several meat dishes, as well as a couple of grain and vegetable dishes.
The server indicated to Turlon which dishes had been left with minimal
spicing in case Mek'Purr cooking was not to his taste. 

Twenty five or so people ate together at several long tables, including
the servers who brought the food in, then joined in eating it.  Red
introduced Turlon to the felines sitting on either side of him and
during dinner, he learned that they were both here to study Do-Fith'Ik
and that one had been here for twenty-three years.  Red also pointed
out Kral'Hiss'Growl, who was seated at the other table.

There was nothing about the sensei's dress or accoutrements to indicate
his rank or position, but one would never be able to think him anything
but a man of substance.  His carriage suggested quiet confidence, and
an inner peace seemed to radiate out from his center.  His movements
were smooth, epitomizing the phrase catlike -- which in a race of felines
is saying something.

After dinner, as people began to drift off, he waved the pair over.
Red bowed, "Sensei, it is good to see you.  I have brought Turlon
Vantilles, as you requested.  Turlon, this is Kral'Hiss'Growl,
Do-Fith'IK master, and Baron of ..."

"Very little," said the Sensei.  "My domain is just this little plateau.
A pleasure to meet you, Master Vantilles.  And it is good to see you again,
Sword-Daughter.  Will you start classes again?"

"With a will, Sensei," replied Red.

"Good.  If you will, excuse us. I must speak to Master Vantilles alone,"
said Kral'Hiss'Growl.  Red bowed and departed.  Growl led Turlon through
several corridors, showing him the training rooms and so forth as they
walked, then finally gestured for him to enter a small room equipped
as a modern office.  He followed Turlon in, and flipped a few switches
by the door, and regarded a small monitor set in the wall.  Satisfied,
he turned and joined Turlon at the low table that took the place of a desk.
"The jammers are in place, we should be able to converse without fear
of eavesdroppers.

Growl leaned close, "Turlon Vantilles, you have a gift.  This gift was
noted ten years ago, and you were contacted ... by someone.  This led
to the growth of your gifts.  Do you know of what I speak?"

Turlon eyed the man cautiously, what he spoke of was drilled into Turlon as
of the utmost secrecy.  For years he had lived with this gift of great
responsibility knowing that it would be dangerous to have it known by
others.  And here was Growl who obviously knew about it, even to the point
of providing the specialized tapes which he had been studying.  How to
answer without betraying himself up or those who awakened him, or worse
falling into the wrong hands.

"I have an idea," slipped out.  Turlon fidgeted and got up to pace about.
"And if it is what I think it is, then you know I shouldn't be too public
about it."

"It was we who contacted you, Turlon, the Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka," Growl
said.  Turlon mentally translated the phrase as something like
Psi-Samurai.  "There are some few out there, like yourselves,m
who have the potential to develop great power. We are always searching
for those with this potential.  They are contacted, as you were, to
open them to the their abilities.  We give them the basic tools
they need to continue to learn.  We give them a crystal to focus
their power.  Then we observe them from a distance.  Some of them
we then contact again, as we have contacted you."

"I am honored," he said with a bow.  "And I don't mean to sound
disrespectful toward your hospitality, and your interest in me," Turlon
paused to collect his thoughts.  While he spoke Mek'Purr well, sometimes
his translation came across curt and suspect.  "Why am I here?  I guess it
is time for you, or the Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka, to cash in on their
investment?"

"Essentially correct, although not so in several important details,"
answered the Sensei.  "Power, of any kind, affects those who possess it.
Some find themselves corrupted by it, others find themselves using it
to try to better the condition of universal sentience.  One may use power
to oppress or to uplift.  The philosophy of the Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka
is rooted in duty.  Duty to the principle of life and sentience.
It is not a simple philosphy to explain.  Suffice it to say for
now, that having observed you, we feel that you can be a force for
good in the galaxy.  We wish to recruit you.  You owe us nothing,
each sentient's destiny is his own.  We contacted you and gave you
a gift, perhaps a gift you did not want, but a gift nonetheless
with no conditions."

"We invite you to study with us, to learn more of us and our philosophy.
And then, perhaps, to join us.  If you do not wish to do so, then I will
arrange transport for you to any world in this or any ajoining sector,
and speed you hence with my blessing," said the Sensei.

Turlon liked this Sensei guy, he was upfront even if he did have the gift
of gab.  There hadn't been much that Turlon had been successful with, and
there was some reason he had been given the gifts he had.  Discipline was
what saved him from a miserable life on Mordor, and here was an opportunity
to further develop and learn what his true purpose was.

"You have opened a door for me, and left it open.  That kind of honor is to
be admired, I'd like to stay and learn," he humbly accepted.


"Good.  I had hoped you would.  Be warned, it is not all study and play.
Students are expected to help with the crops, tending the animals and
so forth.  We are a small and self-sufficient society.  What tasks
are you most suited for?" asked the Sensei.

"I don't have much training besides what I picked up in StarForce
commandos, problem solving mostly if you follow my ion trail.  I'm not
proud though, anything to help out I'm willing to try."

"How are you with animals?"

"Haven't had any of them complain," he said lightly.  Remembering his days
with the nomads back home, "I used to tend to some flocks of desertzelles,
and ridden a few cameldaries."

"Good," came the reply.  "Then you shall begin by tending the krezelles."

"I should also tell you that none of the other students here are
Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka.  Some few have hints of the power, but most are
simple students of Do-Fith'Ik," he said.

"None?" questioned Turlon surprised.  "So Red, and the others aren't like
me? The plan is for me learn the Do-Fith'Ik, and then study
Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka on the sly?"

"Not exactly," said Growl.  "The discipline needed to master Do-Fith'Ik
is very much like the discipline needed to master your own gifts.
A Do-Fith'Ik master sees the interconnectedness of all life, the patterns
under the surface.  This is what guides him in choosing when to fight
and when to be still.  Those patterns are also what guide the
Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka in the use of Meowr'Hiss, his Mind-Gifts.
You will learn the way of the Fith'Ik and also the way of the
Fith'Weow, the Fang-of-Sun.  The meditations that we all partake of
will help you as you study your Meowr'Hiss on your own."

"Sounds complicated, but I'm sure it will all make sense once I get
involved at the feet of the master," he commented.

Growl hissed a laugh, "I hope it does.  And I hope you will decide to
join us.  For now, though, it is enough that you study.  We begin
tomorrow.  Our day starts with the sun.  Breakfast in the common
room, then tomorrow you and I shall meet in the dojo, and I shall
assess your skills. Welcome."


     *    *    *    *

The next day, after breakfast with the assembled students and staff,
Turlon retired to the dojo for his "placement exam."  Sensei Growl
was there and bowed to him on his entrance.  Growl wore what was obviously
a formal training outfit, and told Turlon that they would get his measurements
and have one made for him, but that his jumpsuit would be fine for now.

The test was most interesting.  Turlon hadn't had a workout like it
in years, since his early days in the Commandos.  Growl started
with some gentle warm-up exercises, then progressed to sparring, working
through unarmed combat, Fith'Ik with wooden swords, and then Fith'Weow
training with training Lightswords.  All the while, Growl talked.  He
asked questions about Turlon's life and experience, offered information
about the training and philosophy to which Growl had devoted his life,
and made some insightful comments about Turlon's training. 

Turlon was impressed.  Growl was old, that was clear, but his movements
in combat were the most precise and fluid that Turlon had ever seen.
That he was able to also keep up a running commentary spoke volumes
about his concentration as well.

Finally, the Sensei powered off the Forcesword.  "We have done," he said.
"Your training has been practical.  But now that same practicality is 
a hindrance.  Short cuts have been made to make you an efficient killer,
which no doubt you are.  We must go back and rebuild some of those
foundations.  Also, your mind is a turbulent sea.  Much time must be spent
calming those waters."

"In the morning, before breakfast, tend to your livestock.  During the
day, we train, and after noon, we practice gentler arts.  Then you
may do as you wish," here Growl looked meaningfully at Turlon, "and I have
some tapes you find of interest.  Then dinner.  Then tend the livestock.
Then to bed."

The next morning Turlon worked hard, harder than he had in years.  It
reminded him of his internment with the nomad tribes where hard work was
all consuming.  The livestock here was nice, peaceful...just so they didn't
expect him to milk any.   Those horns were definitely worth staying away
from at all costs.

The animals were let loose each day to roam over the plateau. In the
evening, they were rounded up and penned in for the night. The nearly
circular orbit and low axial tilt of Valperce combined to provide almost
non-existance seasonal variation, so the fodder crops were simply grown
to sufficient size, cut back, and allowed to grow again. Every two to
three weeks, one of the herd was slaughtered to provide meat for
the dojo.

Training was unlike anything Turlon had experienced before.  The students
gathered in the dojo and the Sensei and a few others moved among them
providing instruction where it was needed.  In some ways Turlon
felt he was ahead of most of the students while in other ways
he felt he was treated as a rank beginner.  Much of the training
made little sense to him at first.  The sparring was pretty clear,
and his skills sharpened up quickly.  A great deal of time, though,
was spent in learning katas and in instruction concerning the formalities
surrounding the fight: the way to bow, the salutations, and so on.  That
seemed to be a waste of time.  He also spent more time than he would
have liked seated with the other students and engaging in discussions
or dialogues on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from art to current
events and back.

One memorable discussion concerned the ethics of eating flesh, and ended
up discussing the necessity of remembering the origins and limits of
the body even while striving to transcend them.

Respect was a common thread running through almost all aspects of life
at the retreat; respect for the other students, respect for one's self,
respect for all the intertwined and myriad forms of existence.

After a few weeks, Turlon arrived at the dojo expecting the
same routine that he had followed before, but was instead
handed a long, thin spear with a forked cross-piece about
two feet below the head.  This, he was told, was a kralda
spear.  Sensei Growl, and others, began to train him in its
use.

During his time in the Commandos, Turlon had been introduced to many weapons
but the kralda spear was a new one.  Its sturdiness was deceptive and
despite its simplicity it was very effective.  The way the adepts seemed to
flow through this indigenous weapon reminded him of the nomads back home,
but this was much deeper.  Turlon silently wished that he could attain such
a level of proficiency, and figured that there was much more to learn here.

Turlon threw himself into this study as he had the rest.

*		*		*		*
The weeks had been tiring, much moreso than Turlon had expected.  After
all, he had been through basic training and commando training but what he
had experienced here was a complete rebuilding process.  It had been hard,
but rewarding.  Skeptical at first, Turlon began to see that the patience
and discipline exhibited by the students did lead to a greater
understanding of all things around him.  The strides he had made were a
testimony to that, he felt broader, more connected to all that was around
him.  No longer did he see things from one perspective, there were multiple
perspectives some undreamed of as if they were on a higher plane of
existence.

That night, Turlon meditated.  But not as he had every night prior, this
time there was a deeper understanding sought from within.  The vision
within himself was becoming unencumbered, sight stretched across the plain
that was his psyche, he was able to see into the very depths of concern
that had plagued him.  This was fantastic, for the first time Turlon
Vantilles felt liberated -- yet there was much more that laid just outside
his purview.  He was running along, undeterred by any terrain as the
smoothness caused him to run faster and faster.  Then it stopped, he could
progress no further but the expanse ahead of him was beckoning him; the
wind seemed to call his name as he could see the horizon continue to
elongate to infinity.  Suddenly his eyes snapped open, what he had been
seeking within was around him.  If Sensei Growl were gracious to accept
him, he would be honored to pursue the mantle of Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka.

Turlon wiped his sweaty palms on his thighs, he had never been so nervous,
probably because he had never wanted -- needed anything before like he did
now.  He had been pacing about ever since he had sent word asking for
permission to have audience with Sensei Growl.

The Sensei appeared at the door and bowed in the approved style,
Turlon responded appropriately.  Growl gave him a long,
searching look.  Then nodded sharply to himself.  "Turlon
Vantilles, am I right in thinking that you wish to speak in
private, as we have done before?"

Turlon felt much smaller than he ever had before, through a dry mouth he
bowed and replied "Yes, Sensei, I wish to speak in private."

Growl led Turlon back to the "clean" room in the depths of
the school.  Again he checked the room for bugs, then flowed to
the floor to sit in a comfortable and relaxed ready posture.
There he waited to hear what Turlon had to say.

Turlon took a deep breath, and bowed respectfully.  "Sensei," he began,
"when I was first offered the opportunity to study here I was skeptical.  I
realize now that I could not see.  I thought I knew all there was to know
based on my training in StarForce."  He paused to collect his thoughts,
"but now I see there is much more to all that exists, to me.  I was trained
to act, but not to understand.  I feel as if I am meant to be here, to
learn more about the Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka, and if I am worthy to become one."

Turlon fell to his knees and bowed deeply, "I wish to stay, Sensei."

Growl released a breath; a sibilant hiss of satisfaction. "I am
pleased to hear it.  I had hoped we had not misjudged you."
He bowed to Turlon, "Welcome then.  I'm afraid you will find very little
change at first.  You have much to learn and only a small part of it
can be taught by me.  Much of it you will have to learn on your own
through the tapes, and later through another."

"I am like an empty vessel, waiting to be filled, Sensei.  Teach me so that
I may fulfill the purpose for which I was chosen," said the newest entrant
into Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka  as he prepared himself for liberating
enlightenment.

"Good.  Understanding how much there is to learn is the first step
toward wisdom. Little will change at first, but as you move on,
more will become clear.  Do you have any questions at this point?"
asked the Sensei.

"There is evil in the universe, this I know.  And I also am sure that there
are many enemies of Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka, who is aware of us and who are we
to remain a secret to, to avoid?" asked the eager student.


"There are many answers to that question, and I can not and must
not answer them all.  However, as we are dedicated to the light,
to the principle of life, there are those who walk a darker path,
and to them we are opposed," said Growl.  "I do not know if
anyone knows the whole of the Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka and those
who work with them. There is a council of sorts, of the
most fully realized Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka, and they may know.
But secrecy and care are our watchwords.  If the enemy were
to discover all the Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka, or worse, those who
are still in training, they could cripple us. That is why
only a very few know more than their immediate circle, and those
who do are those who are best able to resist the methods
that those with the Meowr'Hiss can use to wrest from them their
secrets."

"Understood.  What should I tell those who know I am here, but not of
Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka?" Turlon asked, thinking of Red.  She was sent to
contact him, and Turlon did not want to mislead her, nor to put her in any
danger by associating with him.  He thought back to the duel, knowing that
someone expected him on this planet and made an attempt to prevent him from
hearing of the Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka.

"Tell them the truth, that you are studying Do-Fith'Ik and seeking
inner peace and understanding. So are we all here," replied Growl.

"The truth is strong, a worthy shield and sword in all circumstances,"
observed Turlon.  Seeking an opportunity to see the application of his
learning, Turlon relayed the situation he experienced upon setting down on
Valperce.  Questioning Sensei about how he should react in the future,
especially since he may be targeted by minions of the Dark.

"I have given much thought to this," said the Sensei.  "I am known
to the Dark, although here in this place I am relatively safe.  But
if I am known, so too are my students known, perhaps not as
Purr'Meowr'Hiss'Ka, but as my students surely.  When one went and
returned with another, perhaps they decided to strike when they
had an opportunity."  Growl does not look completely satisfied
with that answer.

"Then I must be prepared.  I wish to commence my training immediately,
Sensei," said Turlon while Growl continued to assess the situation.
Respectfully, Turlon excused himself.