Fair.

Mr Zee, his wife and son made it to the top of the steps and faced the dojo.

“Goodness, that’s a tiring climb” Mrs Zee was clearly worn out.

Mr Zee looked brushed down his suit a little and looked at his watch, “We wont be staying for long, going downhill will be easier, gravity will do the work for you.” Mr Zee looked to his son “Zephyr, go play someplace, your mother and I have matters to attend to in the dojo.”

“Yes father.” Zephyr walked off to see if there was anything interesting, he hated being dragged around on his father’s trips but he did his best to find something entertaining. Mr and Mrs Zee stepped into the dojo, looking for it’s master.

–

inside the dojo it was cooler than outside, the shadows providing Mr and Mrs Zee refuge from the strong summer sun.

“Welcome to my dojo, my name is Udo how can I help you.” Udo walked over to the couple and shook their hands.

Mr Zee saw shaking Udo’s hand he had a bracelet similar to his son’s.

“Well Mr Udo… my son has a bracelet just like that. His grandfather left it to him when he passed on.” Mr Zee’s expression was unchanging, and Udo knew this was a man only of business.

“I see, and you heard I train people who have bracelets like that from a rumour.”

“That is correct.”

“well the rumour is true, If your son is willing I can help him master his abilities,” Mr Zee gave the slightest of changes to his facial expression at the word ‘abilities’ Udo saw it but didn’t let on, “The training usually takes one to two years, so it’s a big commitment on his part, and no doubt you would miss your son.”

“Not at all.” Mr Zee said blankly “But our son already has commitments and we have expectations of him, the time you need to train him is too much, is there nothing to be done to shorten it?”

“I’m afraid not, to be truthful he would have to be prepared to train indefinitely if that is what he needed to master his abilities.”

“Unacceptable.” Mr Zee turned and headed for the exit of the dojo, his wife following close behind. “I apologise for wasting your time Mr Udo.”

“There’s no need to apologise to me Mr Zee.” Udo knew the person who was losing out in this situation. And Mr Zee was clearly oblivious or ignorant of anything that didn’t suit him, he didn’t even consider it odd Udo knew his name without having introduced himself.

“Call our son dear, we’re leaving.” Mr Zee headed to the top of the steps that led down the hill, he hated wasted trips like this.