The next morning Rufus went to meet with Pema who was waiting outside. Tenzin had told him that Rufus would teach him human language and Pema would have to try and teach him his martial arts.

"Hi. My name is Rufus. I guess I will be teaching you human language," said Rufus happily.

Pema just stood there. He had no idea what Rufus said. Pema was a very quiet person in general also so Rufus felt really awkward around Pema.

"This is going to be harder than I thought.

"Rufus. RUFUS!" said Rufus and pointed at himself.

"Rufus," Pema said and pointed at Rufus.

"That's it. You got it," Rufus yelled.

"Rufus, Rufus," Pema said and pointed at Edward and Haley who walked by.

"A quick learner Tenzin said...." Rufus thought.

~~

Rufus started by naming different things. He pointed at a thing and named it and had Pema repeat it. Pema did have a surprisingly good memory. Rufus thought that was the reason why Tenzin said Pema was a fast learner.

After a couple of hours teaching human language to him, Pema started to teach Rufus martial arts. Rufus was waving his hands and feet trying to indicate it was his turn to teach him. Pema finally understood what Rufus meant by his awkward hand gestures.

Pema grabbed Rufus by his sleeve. He broke Rufus's balance and grabbed with his other arm the shoulder of Rufus. He then threw Rufus to the ground.

Rufus didn't know what happened.

"So that's what I'll be learning. Some throwing and takedown techniques," said a startled Rufus.

Rufus got back up but was thrown back to the ground with the same throw. Rufus tried to talk to Pema to stop throwing him, but he didn't understand.

Pema kept throwing Rufus onto the ground until late into the night. This entire time the grey skins looking at the training laughed at them. Edward also was laughing who looked at Rufus being rag-dolled by Pema.

"Hahahaha. It really is funny seeing that kind of training method being used on someone else," said Edward after the training session was over.

"What do you mean?" Rufus asked who walked away in frustration having learned nothing.

"That is a training method that is supposed to push the user into the extreme. By constant repetition. People who originally learn that way learn it through experience through the real thing. I learned my showmanship that way," Edward explained.

"So how am I supposed to learn anything by being just tossed around non-stop?!" yelled a frustrated Rufus.

"By not giving up. My mother learned her sword style in the heat of battle. Most likely he did also. They will teach you the same way they learn. You adapt and learn, or you fail and die," Edward said.

Rufus understood that his greatest alley in learning Pema's martial skills was sheer tenacity.

~ ~

While Rufus was learning martial arts Haley had gone a little further away from the village. She was hiding behind rocks so no one would see or hear her from the town. She was trying to activate her divine power.

She remembered forming crystals around her body to protect and be able to create more to attack and kill the assassin back in Wallach.

She had been feeling useless to the group. While she was organizing the black rat gang, she could at least help the other when it came to managing the gang and people's finances. In actual combat, she had to take a spectator's role.

She remembered how useless she was against the berghers or the assassins in Wallach. Worst being he had to see his fellow gang members shield him from the knights of the black sun. She wanted to be able to use the divine power that she had manifested before.

"You know you will get nothing done that way," said Tenzin who surprised Haley.

"Wha…what do you mean?" Haley asked.

"Divine power works like an unnoticed muscle. If you don't know what it is you can't flex the muscle let alone use it. It is also like trying to learn a language you never heard before," Tenzin explained.

"You sure are relaxed for someone whose enemy is trying to learn a divine power under his nose," Haley said realizing it was no use hiding it anymore.

"Well, you won't be able to escape, unless your divine power is to help you guide yourself through the mountains," Tenzin explained.

"How about we start fighting you and force you to guide us out of the mountains?" Haley asked.

"I wouldn't try to provoke me," said Tenzin and stomped on the floor causing the entire mountain to shake a bit.

Haley felt a large divine aura coming from Tenzin. Tenzin was unmistakably an extremely strong person who Haley thought could match Dorothy or even duke Mihalh.

"Anyways you are the enemy of my enemy. I have my own plans for you four," said Tenzin and smiled at Haley.

Haley felt a bit more relaxed around Tenzin.

"So how did you know I was trying to learn to use divine powers?" Haley asked.

"I can sense people who have divine powers. Most people can too also, but many people can hide their divine power. It gives out like a stench. The fouler the stench the more destructive the divine power. Your brother smelled like a goat's excrement who had been eating fish for a week.

"You also gave a small stench, but it was so small I wasn't sure were you aware of it yourself. I guess I got my answer," Tenzin explained and smiled.

"So, are you here just laugh at me failing or what?" Haley asked annoyed.

"I might help you. As I said that you're my enemy's enemy. There might be some use to us if you would be able to learn to manifest your divine power," Tenzin said.

"Like what help. Like we would team up?" Haley asked.

"I have yet to make my decision. You will learn in time.

"Try clearing out your mind. Try to feel it. Many people manifest it naturally. If it doesn't come naturally, you have to learn how to use it through meditation," Tenzin explained.

"Meditation…. what's that," Haley asked skeptically.

"It is a technique to increase one own awareness and focus. It has been practiced here in the mountains for a long time," Tenzin explained

"Sounds…...stupid," Haley said thinking it would be of no help.

"Hahahahaha. You sound just like me little sister Amala when she was young and had to teach her how to activate her divine power," Tenzin laughed.

Haley looked frustrated. She realized that there would be no one else to help her and she didn't want to tell the others yet about her possible divine power.

"So what is this mediation," Haley asked accepting Tenzin's help.

Tenzin sat down. He crossed his legs and closed his eyes. He started to breathe slowly.

"What are you doing?" Haley asked.

"I am meditating."

"Yep. It doesn't sound stupid. It is stupid," Haley said.

Haley left and started to walk down back to the town.

"This is the only way you learn!" Tenzin yelled and smiled at Haley.

"Yeah and sitting on a cold rock waiting for something to happen really is not my way of learning. I will figure out a way," Haley yelled back and walked away irritated.