I remember how I was taken, some things you just never forget. He was tall; his face was stern and un-telling. His eyes were like a hawk as they scanned the horizon. He looked down at me and looked at my Mother. I clutched her hand tightly and memorized the mangled form and beaten face of the woman who bore me into this world. I remember his eyes showed concern as he looked again. Or was it recognition.
Before I could remember, we were gone. This giant of a man pulled me from my Mother. I remember trying to resist, but it was futile as the dark of exhaustion set in…
I awoke on horseback and he held me tight as he guided the beast up the mountain pass with breakneck speed. I could barely breath, the air was so light and I remember it being very cold. Eventually we came to a wall with large gates made of iron & wood. It opened and he rode in. He dismounted and looked down at me and I looked at him, a very frightened little girl. “You will be safe here. They will care for you. Far better than I can.” If there was regret in his voice, I don’t remember. Another man, elderly came to him and they exchanged words in a language that I did not understand. The old man with long white hair, top knot and fu-manchu nodded and they bid good day. I watched as the the man who I later learned was Father rode away. He did not even look back.
“Little one, do you have a name?” The man asked in a funny accent. He looked down expecting an answer. I don’t remember if I did.
We walked together into the large stone building and I remember its beauty was breathtaking. Murals & Mosaics lined the walls telling story of the History of the Shih, their quest for personal balance and the fight against their eternal foe, Demon kin. There were many men and women alike dressed in robes attending to different chores and training. At the time I didn’t understand it all, but I soon would.
“I am Pei Mei. I am Master of this temple and this is Sanctuary for the Shih. We are the Shih. You will live among us and when you are ready we will train you as one of us. This is your life now, Selune.”
I will remember those words always. It was the beginning of what I was to become.