Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Sixteen

While he was stabling his horse at the Inn, Scout Jia Ying-so heard a commotion on the street. It would be smarter not to investigate in this part of town, but he was curious. He cracked the side door open just enough to see up the street. Three older boys were going after a younger one but the small boy was quick. He got in a few punches then ran toward where Ying-so was standing. The others were not far behind and were joined by two more coming out of the narrow passageway between the buildings across the street. Ying-so reached out and pulled the sprinting boy into the Inn's courtyard and bolted the door. The group went past and they could hear them rattling all the entrances along the street.

Ying-so inspected his catch more closely. The pale boy had shaggy hair and a very wary look. They did not exchange a word and the boy scanned their surroundings looking for an escape route. When none were apparent the boy shifted his demeanor and offered a quick bow. Ying-so gestured for the boy to follow and went back to caring for his horse. The boy approached the stall and stood very still as the charger sniffed all around. A tentative hand scratched the horse's forehead and the boy was rewarded with a quiet nicker. Ying-so took this to be a mark of good character.

"Clean up a bit and we will go in and get some stew out of the pot in the common room." Ying-so pointed at a bucket and fresh rags. The boy squatted by the bucket and went to work on his face and hands. He took off his brown vest and thin shirt and shook them out. Ying-so took note of the fresh cuts and bruises across the boy's back and a deep scar along his right shoulder. The boy had yet to say a word.

There were not many patrons in the common room so they were able to find spots on a bench near the fire. Ying-so was relieved to be able to warm up after his wet ride up down from the Capital. The boy dug into his bowl of stew with such gusto Ying-so could only smile and wait to what he might say for himself.

Im Song-hee shyly explained his circumstances. "I make deliveries for one of the gambling houses. While I was running the markers, I got caught by a rival gang so had to stash my load. Now both sides will be looking for me."

Ying-so edited his thoughts on the illegality of the job and simply asked, "How did you fall into this line of work?"

"My brother made the connection for me. It helps out with the rent. I like to do runs for the craft halls but the bookmakers pay more." Song-hee was very matter-of-fact about the situation but started looking around the room for an exit. "I'm grateful for the food and your help but I still need to finish my run or there will be big trouble for my family."

"Can you meet me here next week? I am looking for talent for a new training yard and really liked the way you held your own out there."

The doubt on the boy's face prompted Ying-so to offer a token to show at the Inn and told him to bring along his brother. Once they had both checked the streets had emptied, Song-hee slipped out and quickly disappeared into the shadows. Ying-so was not sure what drew him to the boy but was pretty sure the young man should rank among the possible candidates. He would have to see if his contacts had more information about the boy and his family before making a definite offer.

His younger brother's narrow escape made Im Byung-ma suspicious. It was so unlikely a random traveler would involve themselves in a street battle without some other motive. Byung-ma also struggled with his guilt over the risks his brother faced. He did not want his brother to get dragged into the ongoing gang wars but there were just so few options for making coins.

Song-hee had been doing a bit of general fixing and tinkering for their neighbours but they were all as poor as the Im family. The guild hall also came down hard on anyone providing regular service, no matter how poorly it paid, and how little interest even the apprentices took of the needs of ordinary people. Of course, if your family had managed to scrape up the equivalent of a year's wage to buy a training spot, you were not going to take any chances by taking in minor jobs on the sides.

Byung-ma wanted better things for his whole family but every step forward was blocked to those without money. Even with money, apprentices had to compete for their spots each year, and could be sent away empty handed. Some ran away to the army rather than face the families who invested so much. The main academies and training yards were no better with less than half the students making it through the first two years. It seemed fees and free labor were the main interests of the so-called educators. He thought at least the temples were more honest. All they offered was a life of service and devotion in exchange for not going hungry. There were some days it seemed like a bargain but it was not one he wanted for his brother.

The Four-star gang offered chances to build up a stake and weighted favors as equal to coin. Byung-ma acted as a courier and occasionally took on guard duties when the regulars needed to recover from one of their battles. He hoped Song-hee would be safe running the markers but clearly not safe enough.

Their parents wanted Song-hee to stay in school for another year, and maybe even write matriculation exams. They thought good scores in a couple of subjects would provide a step to a higher status. From what Byung-ma could see, it would not been the magic carpet they dreamed of. He couldn't explain how much their background and rough accents counted against them. Even the locally raised guards changed how they spoke as soon as they were recruited. Maybe this recruiter was the break they needed but Byung-ma was not going to count on it.

He had been watching the hand-to-hand matches the gang sponsored and thought they would be a good way to earn some coin. The only problem was the matches open to challengers were usually tag-team affairs and he did not have a partner he could rely on. When he complained about this to his younger brother, Song-hee insisted they should go in together.

"You have the strength moves to take on just about anyone but I am small and quick. You can tag me in long enough to catch your breath while I make them dizzy chasing me." Song-hee gave a dancing demonstration that Byung-ma brushed aside. "No, seriously, this is too good a chance to miss." Song-hee insisted and his brother finally gave in.

Unfortunately, the match was set the same night the recruiter was supposed to return. Song-hee assured his brother this would not be a problem. "I will just leave a note to tell him we came up with a way for him to see us both in action."