"Yan-Chechu! come and look, Quick! Master Han-Yo has returned", Yelled the small girl. The door of the hut behind her burst opened and her brother ran to her side grinning with excitement. His hair was as dark as a black lotus and his eyes glinted with an extraordinary shine. A crowd had formed around the village centre and there was much talk as a tall cloaked figure entered through the main gates. "Lei! I can't see him through these people, I am too small", said Yan as he hopped up and down trying to catch a glimpse of Han-Yo. Le-Amiko the village elder beckoned Master Han into the large clan Hut and after both men had entered the doors were shut. "aww, I didn't see him Lei, what did he look like?", said Yan "I could see nothing little brother, he hides himself beneath a cloak", repled Lei. The arrival of Han-Yo herald a significant time for the village as he only ever passed through once every ten years. Yan and Lei had only heard of him through the stories of their elders as they were not yet of the earth when he last visited. Yan was an orphan, found as a baby amongst some reeds by villagers. They brought him up as one of their own and Lei became his foster sister. His life for the last 8 years had been a happy and normal one without events such as this. Yan and the villagers waited for what seemed like hours before the clan hut doors finally opened. Yo-Amiko stepped out into the light of dusk and looked out through the crowd towards Yan. There was an eerie silence before he spoke "Yan, Come to the clan hut". There was gasps from the crowd and all eyes fell onto the bewildered child. Yan feeling frightened clasped the hand of his sister and tried to hide behind her. "Come child, do not keep master Han-Yo waiting", urged Le-Amiko. Lei looked at her brother and reassuringly whispered "Go on, it will be alright theres nothing to be afraid of". Yan let go of lei's hand and slowly walked through the crowd and into the clan hut closely followed by Le-Amiko. The doors shut behind Yan as he entered the torch lit halls of the hut. Le-Amiko pointed to a figure at the end of the hall and said "Go and meet Master Han. I'll shall wait here". Cautiously the small boy walked closer to the figure that stood partially obscured in the shadows. As he drew closer the figure spoke. "Step into the light child, let me see you". The voice was deep, disciplined and powerfull but not at all threatening. Yan stepped into the light of a torch and the gaze of Han-Yo fell upon him. "Yes, there is no doubt in my mind, he is of the path", spoke Han Yan tried to look at the face of Han-Yo but it remained hidden by the hood of the cloak. "but Master Han he is only a boy", said Le-Amiko There was a moment of silence before Han-Yo replied, "Indeed he is a boy but was I not barely a man myself when I took the head of the Mugeska". Le-Amiko bowed his head and said, "Forgive my impertinance Master Han but I care for Yan as if he were my own child". "I understand your feelings Le-Amiko but the world is turning and with the change comes an ill wind. There is little time left to prepare Yan-Chechu for what lies ahead" A look of concern grew on Le-Amiko's face as he spoke, "Master Han, what news do you bring of our land and beyond?". "I wish I could reveal all to you Le but I am afraid you would not understand most of it. All I can say is that this world is in grave peril and its salvation lies beyond our reach. Be prepared for many trials in the years to come. Yours and this village has its destiny already written. Yan's however is not yet clear and it will only be revealed to him has he walks the long road". The conversation greatly confused the young Yan-Chechu, yet deep down within himself he knew that he must go with Master Han. Early the next morning Yan-Chechu gathered a few of his belongings and stepped into his sister's room. "Must you go so soon my little brother", said Lei with tears welling in her eyes. Yan-Chechu sniffled and tried to hide his own tears as he replied, "Yes, Master Han said we have little time and must leave for his mountain home immediately". "Listen brother, I have a most deep dreaded feeling that I may not see you again. I have something for you to remember me by. Take it and keep it close to you." Lei then gave a small box to Yan and said, "Promise me you won't open it untill after you have gone". Yan nodded and hugged his sister before quickly leaving the hut. Master Han stood waiting by the village gate. All the villagers stood in a line along the path to the gate with Le-Amiko at the very end. As he walked passed each villager they bowed their heads and wished him well. When Yan reached Le-Amiko the village elder stepped forward and bowed saying, "I could not say goodbye without giving you something. Please accept my gift to you. You are not yet ready to use this but one day you will". With that Le-Amiko gave Yan a long thin shaped wrapped object. Yan bowed and smiled tearfully at Le-Amiko before turning towards Han-Yo. "Come Yan-Chechu, we have far to travel". Yan and Han-Yo then left the village with neither of them looking back. After a few hours travel Yan stopped and asked, "Forgive me Master Han but why do you hide your face?" "That is not a matter that should concern you yet. However I shall reveal my face to you", replied Han-Yo Yan gasped when Han-Yo lowered his hood. The man had very similar features to his own. The deep jet black hair and eyes being the most noticable. For a brief second Yan thought he saw a hint of purple flash from Han-Yo's eyes. "are you my father?", asked Yan. Han-Yo laughed and replied, "No, despite what you may think I am not your father. We are of the same path though. Come let us move on and we shall talk more later" The sun began to set in a brilliant red as the two travellers finally began their climb up into the misty Sho Mountains.