I was enjoying the day, nothing too daunting, more a get to know Sect expectations and places of interest. The serenity that pervaded the place was influenced by the accumulated water Qi that had an emotional effect. Those who had gained water affinity flourished in the rich Qi that was fed by the nearby waterfalls.

This illusion of peace was broken soon after we had walked out of Mission Hall. I was playing with my token, ignoring my surroundings as I experimented with it to discover exactly what functionality existed. My inattention was all the more startling when I was accosted. Braun and his friends were waiting for me outside Mission Hall. It made sense; he knew that I would have to register my token today. It was the only place he could be certain I would visit.

"You have something that belongs to me," Braun drawled not even trying to be circumspect or hide the fact that he was attempting to intimidate and extort me. I wasn't sure who the three goons that were with him were, but one of them was leaking intent. His aura a miasma of boiling anger. I wasn't sure if his anger was fueling the Qi disruption or if his Qi was fueling his anger. Either way, this guy was older. His ability to channel and expand an aura proof of his advanced training

All of them were still young, no matter their Realm. But the one that seemed the most powerful resembled Braun. A more perfected, aristocratic version of Braun. It was obvious that this guy, if not the power behind Braun, was related to him. An older brother or cousin.

"What are you doing, Nero?" Tarrah demanded closing ranks with me to offer support and protection and make it obvious that we were together, and if they wanted to act, they would have to contend with her, and by association her Master.

"Stay out of this Tarrah," Nero demanded, "She stole something of Braun's and I'm here to make sure she returns it."

"Stole?" I exclaimed in shock. "What is it I am supposed to have stolen? Braun was the one that was trapped by the anti-theft wards, caught stealing at Cyntyne's Secondhand Goods."

"It was your fault Elder Shadow handed down such a harsh reprimand," Braun hissed. "All the contribution points I had been saving were confiscated. Over 500 points!

"If that wasn't bad enough, Elder Shadow fined me another 500 points! I have a year to pay the fine or I will have my membership in the Sect revoked."

"That seems fair," I said foolishly, spewing out what I was thinking. I really did need to get control of my mouth.

"After all you really were stealing," I continued adding fearlessness to the foolishness. "You thought you could circumvent wards that the Sect installed and guaranteed? You got caught for that stupidity. I'm surprised Elder Shadow didn't kick you out for tarnishing the Sect's reputation just for that.

"And if you had succeeded, how many businesses would cancel contracts, would dare to rely on the Sect to construct those wards in the future? I can just imagine the loss to Sect income if you had succeeded or Elder Shadow failed to punish you."

"It was a prank, you idiot," Braun said. "A bit of hazing and testing that the Hunter party I want to join made up. I would have returned the items that were stolen."

"You really are an idiot, Braun," Tarrah interjected. "It doesn't matter if you were intending to return the items or not. The damage would have been done, once you proved that the wards could be bypassed."

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"Tarrah," Nero said, "don't think that because you are a core disciple of Elder Tye, you can say what you want. You've been asked to stay out of this. Now I'm warning you, stay out of this or you will be washed away in the deluge.

"Our family is already furious about this matter, restoring the contribution points that she has stolen is the least she can do to appease their anger and mitigate the slight she has proffered."

I'd really had enough at this point. I mean I know we were a Sect based on water affinity, but the deluge witticism was just too much to bear. It didn't matter what I said, they would continue to believe that Braun's failing could be laid at my feet. His ignominy or the stupidity of the Hunter's party he wanted to join requiring him to do something so asinine was incidental.

I wasn't sure who his family was or why they were so certain that he could act with impunity because of that family. It seemed to me that they were mistaken, and that had been proven with the penalties that had already applied. If they really were immune to repercussions, how was it that Elder Shadow had fined him?

Whatever the case, I was done. I could stand here all-day, slinging taunts and invective, but it would serve no purpose. I was not going to return the 500 contribution points Elder Shadow had given me.

Turning my back on them, I made my way towards the path that was closest. Mission Hall was one of the focal buildings on the main concourse of the Sect, so had multiple paths branching off to different areas of the same level, as well as one that cut across the back and joined with the switchback that allowed members to climb the mountain.

I had no idea where the path I was following led but getting away from the accusations and threats was better than standing there and trying to defend myself from people who thought they were above reproach and any action they took would be ignored.

Turning my back on Braun was a mistake. It infuriated him more than having his contribution points seized and a fine levied had managed to do. He had been angry before, more the anger a child demonstrates when a piece of candy is moved out of reach, but now? Flowing Water Sect was powerfully aligned with water Qi, I think most people assumed that meant the still waters and reflective pools of serenity that graced the Sect grounds had a calming influence. That serenity was unassailable.

Not true.

Because Water Qi also reflected the roaring untamed nature of the falls that fed the lake that was filled by the cascading waters at the base of the mountain. Wild, tumultuous energy that pounded and ground boulders into silt and sand. Water that endured and eroded everything in its path.

Water could be peaceful and serene. But it could also be destructive and deadly. Turning my back on Braun unleashed that impetuous quality of his cultivated Qi, that wild untamed tsunami of water unrestrained by the bonds of control.

The blow that struck had been deflected at the last instance. Tarrah's scream of indignation the only warning I had that I was being attacked. Even a glancing blow had done some serious damage. My body was flung dozens of feet, tumbling along the ground once I landed, collecting abrasions in the process. My skin was ripped from palms, arms, and knees as I tried to regain control of my body. These small injuries were the least of the wounds.

Because I was not aware of the attack, I hadn't braced when I fell, and my face impacted the ground at full force. I didn't know my nose was broken at first. Once I had come to rest and stopped tumbling along the ground, my first thoughts didn't concern my wounds or the effrontery of Braun attacking like that. My first thought was that I really was seeing stars, my head concussed, influencing my vision and perception.

Tarrah's indignation and screaming in fury had roused the attention of Sect Elders that were concluding business in the Mission Hall. Those discussing possible disciple recruitment with the registrar. Luckily or unluckily for me, one of those Elders happened to be Elder Shadow.

I wasn't sure if I wanted his help again; I didn't think I would survive a second time. I had nothing against Braun being sanctioned, but if Elder Shadow hadn't awarded those points to me, if he had instead just forced Braun to forfeit the points then I may not have become the focus of his ire.

But even if I did. Even if we engaged in spats, small jealousies, and feuds, I doubted I would have come to the attention of those that supported him. Because there was one thing that was clear to me before I passed out. Braun wasn't the only one that had struck when my back was turned.