It Needs to be Awesome Sounding

An average person has fifteen points where a Knock-Wok can poke, pinch, or karate chop to put that person to sleep. If successful, the person gets a good night's sleep or a nap, depending on the time of day. But if the Knock-Wok botches, the person could easily turn on him. And if that person is an Elite Guard, the results could be really bad, like the kind you don’t wake up from. Knock woking can be very dangerous.

But knock woking is what we have to do to rescue Alora.

“Why knock woking? Why not something awesome sounding, like taking out, or neutralizing?” I kept trying to convince Drock to change the name of putting people to sleep with no violence.

“We’ve always called it knock woking. For hundreds of years,” Drock said.

“Clearly, you have the past on your side, but I have the future. It’s time to update and leave the past behind.” A used ship salesman had nothing on me. I had him against the ropes, and could sense an imminent change coming.

Drock remained silent for whole minutes, making me feel awkward. I’m not a fan of silence. Finally, Drock broke the awkwardness.

“No, the past stays. The future is highly overrated. It remains knock woking. Now, let’s get a bite to eat.” Drock strolled off towards the food hut with me in pursuit.

After dinner, Bob, Drock, and I moved to a private hut to discuss our plans to rescue Alora.

“Only the best should go,” Drock said. “I know you’re a god, but do you know knock-wok?”

“Not personally. But how hard can it be? There’s no way I’m staying behind.”

“Drew, it takes a lifetime to master knock-wok,” Bob said. “And even then, only a few of those who study the art ever achieve master status.”

“Like you said, I’m a god. Train me and see if I can’t master knock-wok enough to go with you.”

Bob looked at Drock, “That sounds like a reasonable request. We have a couple of days until the rain moves out. We can’t make a move until then, so why not train him while we wait?”

Drock wasted no time. We marched to the practice field, completely soaked, and began with a dummy. He pointed out the fifteen points: the six you poke, the five you pinch, and the four you karate chop.

I tore that dummy to pieces, hitting every point with precision. I guess those three boxing lessons finally paid off. And everyone said I wouldn’t use them.

“So, what do you think?” I asked Drock.

“You move too much. You must be still and balanced.”

“But, hey, you've got to be impressed. I’m knocking the tar out of this dummy. Now tell me the truth. You didn’t think I had it in me? Did you?”

Drock motioned to a Knock-Wok and softly spoke in his ear. A few minutes later, three Knock-Woks returned wearing padded vests and helmets.

“Why don’t you try knocking the tar out of real people?” Drock smiled.

“Sure, why not. Who wants to go first?” I waved like I’ve seen guys do in the movies, a small “come here” wave that looks so cool.

The tallest one moved forward.

“He will turn his back to you, then you must put him to sleep with one move. If you fail, he will turn and engage,” Drock said a little too cheerily.

The tall Knock-Wok turned his back to me, and I karate chopped him. He didn’t fall, or budge, or even acknowledge that I just hit him with everything I had.

“You can start whenever you’re ready,” the tall one said. “Don’t be gentle. I can handle it.”

I hit him again, and again. Nothing! The third time, I sprained my hand.

“Don’t be shy. This isn’t my first practice. Start whenever you’re ready.”

“Umm, sure, but I need to meditate first. I never knock-wok before meditating.”

The tall knock-wok bowed and returned with the others.

I whispered to Drock, “You made your point.”

He dismissed the others, and we went to his hut to get out of the rain.

“So, if I can’t knock-wok, what can I do? I can’t just do nothing. Alora needs me,” I said over the pounding of the rain on the roof.

“Alora needs you to be you.”

“Oh, no. I’m no good. I need to be more. A better fighter. A better leader. A better anything.”

“Until you are at peace with who you are, you can’t be at peace. And a man without peace can not help others.”

“So, if I have peace, I can help Alora?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of mambo jumbo is that? How can I be at peace when she’s out there? Tell you what. You show me how I can help, and that will give me a little more peace. Why don’t we start there?”

Drock shrugged, “We could use a lookout.”

“There! Was that so hard? We could have saved a lot of time if you had just started with that.”

The rain stopped the next day, and that night our team gathered for one last meeting before rescuing Alora.

Bob began, “I’ve discovered Targon has Alora at his summer house on the edge of the city. Several Elite Guards patrol the place. As long as the rain stays away, you should be able to put them to sleep and get Alora out before Targon even knows what happened.”

“I have a question,” I asked. “What’s up with the rain? Will you all melt or something?”

“I’m surprised you don’t know,” Bob said. “Knock woking doesn’t work in the rain.”

I stared at Drock, who refused to look at me. “You mean to tell me that no one can use knock-wok in the rain?” Drock looked at his feet.

“Correct. The dampness throws off the pressure used to knock-wok accurately. I’m surprised Drock didn’t tell you.”

“Must have slipped his mind.” I stared at Drock again. This time, Drock found something interesting on the ceiling.

The Knock-Woks applied dark war paint and dressed in black. Some meditated, while others practiced their moves.

We enthusiastically left the hut for Targon’s house when it suddenly poured on us. The Knock-Woks’ war paint smeared, and with it our enthusiasm.

Alora must wait another day. I’m sure she’s fine, but I’m not. It’s driving me crazy knowing she’s a prisoner, and that it’s all my fault. I’m not sure what I could have done, but I should have done something.

I returned to the hut and saw Drock sitting in the corner. I may not be able to do anything for Alora, but I’m certainly going to do something about Drock.

Drock saw me coming, “Oh, my. Look at the time. It’s time to meditate.” He jumped out the door quicker than I could catch him.

The game might be rained out for tonight, but I won’t stop until Alora is back, and Drock gets a piece of my mind.