White Tiger

age. But you’re extremely talented, Emma, and I think you’ll be able to do it.’ ‘Exactly how talented am I?’
    He looked into my eyes. ‘You are one of the most talented students I have ever taught, Emma Donahoe. If you can gain the energy work skills, I think you will surpass Leo.’
    I inhaled sharply. ‘I’d be better than Leo ?’
    ‘Not in physical ability, though if you continue to learn at this pace it will be a close thing. But if you can learn energy work, you will leave him far behind.’
    I was speechless. I couldn’t believe it.
    ‘To gain energy work you must prepare. You will prepare for the next two weeks, and then we will begin.’
    I was still astounded at the thought of being better than Leo. ‘Sir.’
    He held his hand up and counted off on his fingers. ‘One. We must work on your meditation skills, to bring you into line with Simone. She is far ahead of you.’
    That wasn’t surprising. I waited.
    ‘Two. Strictly vegetarian from now on. Same as me.’
    I opened my mouth and then closed it.
    ‘Do you have a problem with that, Emma?’
    ‘No. If I can learn to do the sort of thing that you did in Australia, then it will be worth it.’
    He smiled slightly. ‘You will never achieve anything like that in less than a lifetime. But you may be able to gain some interesting skills.’
    ‘Is that all?’
    ‘Absolutely no alcohol or any other drug. Plenty of rest. Sleep at least eight, nine hours a night. When we begin the work you will sleep much more than that; it is exhausting. And…’ His voice trailed off and he looked down.
    ‘Yes?’
    He didn’t meet my eyes. ‘No intimate partners. Do not bring anyone home. You must conserve your energy.’
    I’d thought it was completely obvious that there’d never be anybody else.
    He glanced up to see my reaction.
    ‘That will absolutely not be a problem,’ I said softly.
    ‘Good. Now, we will work on a balance between yang of martial arts activity, very strong, very forceful, and yin of meditation and Quiet Standing.’
    I grimaced. ‘I hate Quiet Standing. At least when I’m meditating I can be reasonably comfortable. Quiet Standing hurts .’
    ‘And this is why we must work at it. For the next three weeks, you will spend a great deal of time Standing.’
    I shook my head.
    ‘Are you still prepared to try for this?’
    I looked him straight in the eye. ‘Absolutely.’
    ‘Very well then, Emma, on your feet and let’s have you Standing for the next thirty minutes. Try to phase out as much as you can.’
    I pulled myself to my feet, moved into a narrow horse stance and put my hands onto my dan tian, my energy centre. I closed my eyes and tried to drift off.
    He left me to it.
    A week later we were still at it. He’d set me to Standing and leave the room. At least I was skilled enough not to feel that it was torture any more; I could relax down onto my heels and drift away.
    He came back in and stood in front of me.
    Then he went out again.
    He did this three or four times. He was waiting for me not to notice.
    After forty-five minutes I felt that I was wasting his time. I wasn’t relaxed enough, and that made me more tense.
    ‘You are doing very well,’ he said. ‘Dismissed.’ I dropped my head and skulked out.
    After another week of maddening failure I began to wonder why he bothered. It was becoming obvious that I’d never get there. Nevertheless, he continued to work with seemingly infinite patience.
    After a brisk session with the sword he indicated the middle of the mats. ‘Standing.’
    I sighed with resignation, positioned myself, closed my eyes and drifted off. I was past the point of caringabout whether I was getting there. I was just glad for the break.
    ‘Emma.’ I snapped open my eyes. He stood in front of me, expressionless. ‘Dismissed. Rest.’
    I slumped with disappointment. He’d finally given up.
    I checked my watch as I went out but it had stopped. I quickly poked my head into the living room to check the clock there, and stopped dead.
    I’d been Standing for nearly three hours.
    He chuckled behind me and I turned. He leaned on the training room doorframe. ‘Didn’t you know?’
    ‘Not at all. It felt like only a few seconds.’
    ‘I checked on you four or five times. Simone was beginning to worry about you.’
    ‘Is she okay?’
    ‘Yes. Leo took her out.’ He smiled into my eyes. ‘Leo couldn’t believe it. I think you are ready.’
    I sagged. Suddenly I was exhausted. My legs were