THE ARRIVAL OF SOLDIERS (Part one: the way of the dragon)

That morning, the first spring when the snow had only turned clear water that ran free by the furrows of earth, Han woke up and soon realized the scent in the air. He closed his eyes and continued breathing slowly, imagining the village impregnated with the smell of life.

He remembered the words of Mr. Chao, his father, repeating what he should have heard of his wise father, everything is still flowing day and night without ceasing. A mutation remains unexplained.

Like now. After the winter to spring with their scents. Darkness making bright light. The snow transformed into feed water to land.

But for now, at that moment he realized the spring in the air? He opened his eyes scared. Because?

No one in his house had agreed. He got up and was out to contemplate that moment. The sun had not yet dawned, but I heard a bird rehearsing a trill.

Because? He wondered. And despite not having any sense to question felt inside him something was bothering him. How many same morning lost today and not complained or questioned? What made you wake up at night? He sat down to meditate. Then his breathing was decreasing and his body seeming to float.

Suddenly his consciousness returned to the world judging hearing, although distant, the clatter of horses.

After a few moments he was sure that rode horses. The wind carried their scents.

Rises slow and at one time, but did not open his eyes. When not only see what is heard is easier to feel what actually is because the hearing does not hide what we can imagine seeing. Restless horses were treading furiously by the strength of those who led them. I did not understand how he could feel it.

He came in and quietly took his sword. He thought it best not to wake his father not sure what was happening.

The sun rose over the mountains and a little touch the roof of the houses and other people wake up.

He saw then in the opposite direction as the sun rose, the dust that horses raised. They were closer.

Mr. Huang appeared the door of his house with a sword belt and welcomed Han slightly bowing forward. I had a serious expression. It has been clearly heard the sound of horses' hooves. Gradually other men from the village have emerged, all the door of their homes with swords to show.

No he felt his father stood next to Han. He was without his sword.

- Fifteen or twenty and the horses are heavy effort. But the speed that comes not bring cargo. They are soldiers.

Han had seen few soldiers passing through the village overnight or replenish their supplies. None, however rode as the group approached. It seemed the burden of an attack.

- You want to impress Show strength. We need not fear them.

Mr. Chao spoke to her son safely.

In fact, they were soldiers, one could see clearly now the banner of the Emperor. A few meters decreased the march.

- A soldier does not act on their own, always follows orders. So they are not creative. They do not observe with their own eyes and not always the eyes of who commands the can distinguish friend from foe. They believe that this strength in the weapons they carry.

He paused, before Han looked away for him continued.

- The soldier who fears death is more dangerous than the most fearless generals. He fights to preserve and not for glory. You know surviving can inform about the enemy's capacity for action. It is considered useful and not a coward who fled the fighting. Let's be careful when speaking before knowing what they want.

The group leader ordered them to stop and only he approached with his horse. He saluted and said out loud:

- The good people of this village could give water to our horses and food to me and my men?

Mr. Huang promptly replied in a firm voice without showing nevertheless authority as he headed for the street.

- Our village does not have much to offer travelers, but we can share what we have with those who see in peace.

He pointed to the middle of the village and move on before pointing the way heard the soldier's response.

- As soon as we have eaten and rested our horses depart grateful for their hospitality.

He raised his hand giving signal for the troops movimentasse.

Everyone in the village were upset. Mr. Huang was who else showed it. The passage of the soldiers some men quietly grabbing their swords.

Mr. Chao, however, only turned toward the inside of the village after passing the last soldier. Although it maintained the look to the knees of the riders watching each. The way to ride, he held his gun, weight, height. Mr. Chao could read the body's signals.

Han remained motionless beside his father, just admiring the clothing and the glitter of weapons.

- Tell me Han, the last soldier holding a spear with that hand?

Han looked down and tried to remember. By hesitation Mr. Chao soon realized that the child, like any boy his age, was charmed more to show than about the safety of the village.

- He carried a spear in his left hand. What in case of attack would facilitate our defense because it would have to pass the spear over his head from his horse at an angle bigger and longer.

Han slightly bowed his head to the ground recognizing his fault.

- I'll close my father.

Mr. Chao knew that those soldiers had no intention of attacking and looting the village. Still, I needed to be careful. Soldiers are warriors ready to test your skills and young people of the village, by its very nature, time has unstoppable momentum for adventures. After all, that group could be just a patrol which meant that there could be a larger contingent.

But for what purpose? Heard coming from far away to foreign trade. They wanted something, however, which could not have brought any value to return. Foreigners have never come alone. Always bring the domain idea, that are stronger, cunning and want to submit the other to slavery.

Mr. Chao was a man well lived. He had experience as a soldier, having spent deprivation. He was once young and impulsive, however, learned to tame the fury of the warrior who took possession of it in action thanks to an old man who showed him the Tai chi chuan and his life was transformed.

Han is his only son. You know you can not expect to inherit their virtues and knowledge, because he learned was struggling with life. Each day there will be a lesson and that everything can be overcome with patience and creativity when the mind let the spirit flow. In his youth, he lived mistakenly thinking that the most important was what surrounded him and not what brought inside. But that Han should find out for yourself.

Mr. Chao was not sure, but just as happened to him Han would one day be touched by something that would change the course of his life. He did not imagine that the day had come along with the soldiers.

(The way of the dragon)