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Interlaced poem: To a Hero by Oscar C. A. Child
...We may not know how fared your soul before
Occasion came to try it by this test...
"Junpei, my son. Come here please."
Hearing his father's call, Junpei rushed from his small bedroom into the dining area. It was unusual for his father to call for him in the middle of the day as he just had. His father was a major (or equivalent) in the army and believed strongly in following procedure. Important matters were always to be discussed after dinner and his father almost never asked for anything on the spur of the moment.
As he entered the dining area, he saw his father sitting at the dinner table with a small array of folders stacked neatly by his right hand. "You asked to see me, father?"
"Yes, my son. We have something important we must discuss. Please, take a seat." As Junpei sat he caught a glimpse of something on his father's face. What he saw looked like a flash of sadness, but as quickly as it showed up, it was gone. "We have talked before about how it may become necessary for me to go on active duty. I had hoped it would not happen until your mother returned, but I was told today that my service is needed."
Junpei remembered his father's talks about the possibility of active duty. He always hoped that it would not happen and knew his father felt the same way. Yet, he was somewhat prepared for it to happen. "I understand."
"I will be leaving immediately after dinner, which is why I called for you now. I have arranged housing and training for you at the Academy. Please gather your essential belongings before dinner so that I can drop you off on the way."
Despite his best effort, Junpei could not keep his emotions from playing across his face. Anger, sadness, fear; they all showed plainly on his visage. Yet, when he spoke, he was able to hold the composure so long expected of him. "Yes, father."
With that he stood and turned toward the door. As he reached the portal, his father called out, "I'm sorry, Junpei. This couldn't be helped."
Junpei didn't answer; he didn't need to. He knew how deeply his father cared for him. He also knew that his father's duty to his country outweighed all others. It was part of being a citizen, especially one in the military.
__________
...Perchanse it used on lofty wings to soar
Again, it may have dewlt in lowly nest...
After dinner Junpei returned to his room one last time. He would not get a chance to see it again for several months. His suitcase was filled mostly with clothing and contained few personal effects. He owned very few things in general and could live happily without most of what he did have for long periods of time. Besides, he would be kept busy enough at the Academy without bringing a multitude of personal items.
Included among his small set of non-clothing items was a picture of his father accepting promotion to major. Along with that promotion had come an appointment to a special devision of the army dedicated to secret operations. The job meant his father could spend a great deal of time at home, but also meant that he could be called away with no notice as had just happened.
He also decided to bring with him a picture of his mother hugging him farewell before setting out on her most recent spiritual retreat. She believed very strongly in her faith and had tried to instill much of that into him. He accepted much of it, but still had a hard time understanding why she was willing to leave everyone she knows to spend a year in a forigen country just because of her faith. Yet, that is exactly what she had done a month ago.
"Junpei!" his father called, "Hurry along or we will be late."
His father's call brought him out of his reverie and back into the real world. He picked up his suitcase and walked to the car where his father was waiting. He loaded his suitcase into the car, placing it gently next to his father's. As soon as Junpei was seated, his father started the car and began the half hour drive to the Academy.
They spent most of the trip in silence. Junpei knew his father was not allowed to talk about what he would be doing while on active duty and could not think of anything else he wanted to talk about. his father was seldom verbose and was perfectly content to remain silent the entire time. Besides, he had his own mission coming up that he needed to be prepared for upon his arrival.
After a drive time of slightly more than half an hour, Junpei and his father reached the front gate of the Academy. The Academy had a sprawling twenty acre campus filled with giant trees and gentle ponds. It was constructed as a training ground for young warriors and taught students principles which have been around for hundreds of years. The program generally lasted a year, and upon completion most students would return throughout their lives to continue their training. Junpei had always wanted to train there, but never expected the chance would come so soon in his life.
Junpei's father continued driving toward the buildings which would soon become Junpei's home. The houses were the only modern style buildings on the property and, as such, were hidden a far from the public eye as possible. As they drove, a few students could be seen along the side of the road. Some were meditating while others were practicing their ritual forms used to advance their training.
After a few more minutes, they arrived at the housing area. Junpei's room was in building one. He gathered his suitcase and went to the man at the desk. "good evening, sir. My name is Junpei, my father has arranged for me to live here during my training."
"Junpei, let me see.... Ah, yes. Here you are. Room 337."
Junpei took the room key that the man was holding and set off to find his room.
__________
...We do not know if bygone knightly strain Impelled you then, or the blood of humble clod...
The first thing Junpei noticed about his room was that it had two beds. That meant he would have to live with a roommate for the first time in his life. As there was no sign anyone had yet moved in, he assumed that whoever he would be living with had not yet arrived. He hoped that whoever showed up would make for a good roommate.
He spent the next hour slowly unpacking his belongings and arranging his half of the room to his tastes. When he was nearly finished, he heard a sound behind him. Instinctively, he ducked left and turned using a move his father had taught him. What he found was another young man standing in the doorway holding a suitcase.
They bow greetings before the newcomer spoke. "Hello, I'm Pei. Looks like we're going to be rooming togeather."
"I'm Junpei. I hope you don't mind taking that side of the room."
"Not at all. You know, that was a pretty fancy move you put on when I showed up. Where did you learn to do that?"
"My father taught it to me. Here, let me help you with your stuff." With that, Pei and Junpei set to work arranging the room. By the time they finished they had already become friends. As they were both there for combat training, they decided to have some fun and see who was the better fighter. They each pulled out a marker and pretended to have a dagger fight.
Pei started off with a thrust right, which Junpei countered with a spinning strike. Peei managed to dodge and they turned again to face each otehr. This time it was Junpei who began with a lunge attack. Pei turned it away and began a counterattack to Junpei's chest. The counter developed too slowly, though, giving Junpei a chance to beat the attack. Unfortunately, Junpei's aim was off and rather than a marker dot on the neck, he stabbed Pei in the left eye.
__________
...Defied the dread adventure to attain The cross of honor or the peace of God...
Pei instantly cried out in pain and fell the floor clutching his eye. Junpei stood momentarily frozen in horror at what he had done to his new friend. Not sure exactly what to do, he called down to the front desk to ask for help. The man there said he would call a medic up to the room as quickly as possible.
While Junpei waited for help to arrive he did what he could to care for Pei. He ran out to get a damp cloth for Pei to place over his eye in hope of easing the pain. He hoped that his errant strike had not caused any permanent damage.
The medic came and quickly took control of the situation. Junpei was told he could stand back and watch, but not interfere. A second man came and quietly took notes on the developing situation. After a while he left, having never said a word. Meanwhile, Junpei was content to sit in a corner out of the way and pray for his friend's health.
After a while the medic took Pei to the infirmary for more intensive treatment. There they would be able to figure out how severe the injury was and how best to treat it. As standard procedure dictated, Junpei was escorted to a meeting with the Justice Council to explain what had just happened. The council was seldom convened, but it prided itself on its fast response time.
As Junpei and his escort walked to the council chamber, Junpei was given advice about how to handle his meeting with the council. "When you are in there, they are going to ask you questions about what happened. They may ask many questions or only a few. If there is a question you do not wish to answer, don't. You will not be looked down upon for deciding to keep your silence. Also, when you do decide to speak, be truthful. The telling of lies is not an activity to be undertaken by an honorable warrior and punishment if you are found out would be severe.
"Most importantly, do not admit any wrong doing. Let them decide what you did or did not do."
__________
...We see but this, that when the moment came you raised on high, then drained, the solemn cup...
Junpei stood in the center of a large hall. The walls and ceiling were decorated with vivid artistry of men in combat. The floor was made of colored tile and marble. The scene depicted on it was not one of combat, but one of peace. The same men who were seen fighting on the walls, were peacefully sharing dinner in the portrait on the floor.
At the front of the room stood three tall wooden chairs. In those chairs, the council members sat, quietly allowing Junpei a chance to look around the room.
After a while, the most senior member among them spoke. "Junpei, you know why you are here?"
"Yes, sir."
"Please, tell us what happened."
Junpei proceeded to tell them about the pretend dagger fight and how it had resulted in Pei's injury. As he told his story, his mind focused on what his escort had told him about not admitting any fault. It was a different sentiment than what his father had taught him about taking responsibility for his actions. He had, after all, been the one to stick the marker in his friend's eye.
When Junpei finished telling his story, the senior member of the council again spoke. "You have told us well how the injury occurred. Your story fits with what we were told while you waited for this meeting to convene. Can you tell us where the blame should fall?"
Three answers came instantly into his mind regarding what he could say. He had not intended to cause the injury and could truthfully say it was accidental and nobody should be blamed. He could also follow the advice of his escort and not answer at all. That would leave the council to decide the question of fault and then punishment.
When he spoke, however, the third answer was what he gave to the council. "The fault for his injury is mine. My aim and discipline failed causing Pei to get hurt. I would give anything to see him well again."
"Then go to him now. Ask him what you must do to make up for causing his injury. I trust you will do what he says."
Junpei bowed and turned to leave the room. He had an awkward visit to pay to his friend. He knew in his heart that he would do anything Pei asked. It did not matter how dangerous or embarrasing it was, he owed it to Pei.
...The grail of death; that, touched by Valor's flame the kindled spirit burned the body up...
A week later, Pei was sent home to receive surgery to correct his vision in his left eye. Though he could still see, his vision never returned to its original level. Despite several attempts, he was never able to train his distance vision sufficiently to allow him to continue fighting. His scholarly pursuits would eventually land him an assistant professorship at a local college. Pei and Junpei never spoke to each other again after that fateful day at the Academy.
One year later, Junpei's father returned from his operations with the army, all of which remain highly classified. He learned of the incident with Pei through letters he and Junpei exchanged over the course of that year and believes Junpei made the correct decision in admitting his mistake to the council.
Junpei's mother decided to remain overseas for far longer than the year she had originally planned. Her letters were usually short and cryptic, with the occasional exception during holidays. Junpei would not see her in person for another five years, despite her repeated promises to return sooner.
Junpei completed his training at the academy as one of its best young fighters. His skill with his hands and weapons perfectly complimented his mental agility. In time, he graduated law school and found work as a lawyer for a small Tokyo firm. He continues to keep the promise he made to Pei, standing next to his bed, so many years ago.
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