Free Different Paths by A. E. McCullough Page A

to grasp the rhythm of the forge. The rhythm of the
forge is the lesson of nature; everything has its own time and its own season.”
    Not comprehending the full meanings of his
master’s words, Iaido accepted that he was trying to teach him something
important and resigned himself to listen. Many of his master’s lessons were
taught in this manner, in riddles, stories or puzzles; things that Iaido would
have to contemplate during his daily meditation to grasp the full meaning of
the lesson.
    Sensing that his master was waiting for him to
speak, Iaido replied, “I will strive to understand the lessons of the forge,
Sensei.”
    “I know you will my son but in this case time is
moving against you. You are out of rhythm with the forge.”
    Iaido shook his head. “I do not understand,
Sensei.”
    Taking a deep breath, the Sensei reached out and
lifted a fallen cherry blossom. “This bloom is like you and me. It was a bud;
it bloomed at its peak before falling to the earth. There it will wither and
die but it will nourish the ground and so the cycle repeats.” Dropping the
bloom, the Sensei fixed his pupil with a stare. “Everyone dies, Iaido. The
secret is to fulfill your destiny before your time is ended.”
    “And how do you know what is your destiny?”
    “That is the lesson of the forge.”
    Still not sure if he understood what his master
was trying to teach him, Iaido decided to try a different approach in his
questioning. “You know about the Sgt. Major’s death?”
    “Yes, his spirit will be missed but his destiny was
not yours. He walked a different path than you.”
    “Sensei, my path was chosen for me. I was created
to walk this path.”
    “No. You believe your path to be laid before you.
You have walked your own path by your own choice. We all choose which path to
walk.” He gestured at the two of them. “We decided to walk different paths than
the average person. It was not preordained that I would become the Sensei; I
chose my path. My parents wanted me to follow my father and grandfather and
become a physician. That was the path I was to follow but I chose a different
path. Your feet were set on a certain path at the beginning but you have chosen
to continue that path. It was not your birth, the only difference between us is
that I was born of nature and you were born of science.”
    Iaido tried to absorb the meaning behind the
Sensei’s words. It seemed that his mentor was trying to tell him something
important, something cryptic; but Iaido couldn’t grasp the full meaning of the
words.
    Waving his hand as if to dismiss the subject, the
Sensei continued, “I have an errand for you.”
    “What is it you desire of me?”
    Pulling forth the scroll case, the old man handed
it to his pupil. “I need you to take this to Haven. There is a man named
Ishmael who runs a small store there, give him this. He will know what to do
with it.”
    “I will do this for you Sensei but surely there
are faster couriers. It may be months before I return to Haven.”
    “You will arrive at the time foretold of this I am
certain.”
    Still confused, Iaido accepted his mission. Bowing
his head slightly, “I am honored to do this for you Sensei.”
    The Sensei returned the bow. “Now humor your old
teacher and promise me you will be here for this evening’s lesson. I have a few
dignitaries in from the old country and I would like you to perform for them.”
    “I will be here Sensei.”
    Suddenly the old man shivered as if cold and
looked around the garden slowly. After a moment, he waved his dismissal to
Iaido and said, “It is time for my meditation and you have an investigation to
do.”
    “It is always a pleasure to see you master. I shall
contemplate your words.”
    Iaido moved away slowly and glanced back once more
at his master. The old man had his eyes closed and his hands resting on his
knees, seemingly oblivious to his surroundings. Iaido felt slightly troubled at
his abrupt dismissal and moved through