After taking a fortnight to deliberate, Grandmaster Kevadrin waited for the adventurers and the monks of the monastery to gather in order to announce his decision.

Looking over all the faces in the crowd, Kevadrin nodded once to Ciglo, the historian, and then to Davkas, the aged tutor, before saying, "Many of you here today will know the history of the venerable practice of the Staff. You will know how the true Empress Catarin felled the King's armoured swordsman, Lord Rani, at Ashtan's yearly Tournament of Blades. And you will know that in fear Castomira later confiscated our staves, quelling our arts."

He continued, explaining how the monks developed Tekura out of this ban, using their bodies as a weapon to defend their ideals.

The history of the boy, Belin, was discussed along with his role in bringing about the ancient argument once again. "He has brought to life once more a conflict within these walls, one of traditionalism and honour shown to our vows pitted against the eternal desire to improve and self-sufficiency," Kevadrin added, "Our head of novitiates and our historian have been collecting your arguments for the past month, and they have presented these to me."

Discussing the merits of each point of view, the Grandmaster elucidated that this was a decision for the monks to make, as they would no longer allow others to take away their beliefs. Stating boldly his reckoning, Kevadrin announced, "Shikudo, the harmony of Staff and Body, will formally return to Judgement Mountain."

With this pronouncement, the fate of the boy was decided, saying he would choose his own staff from the grove. Accompanying the Grandmaster, Belin strode confidently into the silent grove and tore a branch from one of the trees. In response, the ancient woodland rose in fury against the boy. Finding his conviction lacking, he was struck down by oak and willow, his body joining that of murdered Auldyn; the peace of death quelled all strife.

Returning from the grove, the Grandmaster asked that those monks present demonstrate their highest kata, and in doing so, opened the arts of Shikudo to all who would take up the staff in combat.

Summary: A boy named Belin murders a young initiate with her own staff. The boy shows no regret. Bringing up the age old argument of using staves or staffs, Ciglo and Davkas present their cases to the Grandmaster, who allows arguments before making a decision. After deliberation, the Grandmaster allows monks to take up the staff once again, opening the art of Shikudo to all who have mastery over Tekura. The boy is judged and joins Auldyn in death in the grove.

Penned by My hand on the 16th of Chronos, in the year 742 AF.