The Death Master Chronicles

Book Four, the Identity (First Edition)

Edwin stood on the bank for a long while watching the elder gentleman splash in the water. He waited patiently for some time, hoping the old man would return to the edge of the stream to reclaim the tunic lying on the rocks. Finally, he realized the old monk was waiting to see if this newcomer would enter the cold stream to join him. Edwin gritted his teeth and removed all his clothing except for a loincloth and stepped slowly into the cold water. He sucked in his breath quickly, as the cold was immediate; piercing him to the bone as he moved forward into the stream. He finally reached the old man and voiced an incoherent hello in a Tibetan dialect. There was no reply and the oldster turned toward the bank and the clothing; ignoring Edwin; giving no indication hed heard his words. Rasske called out again as the old man slowly continued his way among the boulders toward the bank to reclaim his tunic. Finally, he splashed and stumbled to reach the old monk and grasped his arm and cried out, Old man, please do not walk away from me. I have travelled halfway across the world to find you and to learn truth from you. Please, he begged, teeth chattering uncontrollably from the penetrating coldness of the water. The aged monk turned swiftly and grasped Edwin by the nape of the neck in a fierce grip, forcing his head under the water of the stream. As he thrashed about in the water, he could not break the grip of steel. Soon his life flashed before his eyes and he could feel his life ebbing away. The old man loosened the hold on his neck and held Edwins head up as he retched and gagged for air.