Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Thirty-five

The heat from the forge was getting overwhelming so Junseo stripped down to a lighter shirt. He had just poured a ladle of water over his head and shook it off. He brushed some of the stray hairs back out of his eyes and squinted at the two figures coming through the gate. He waved an enthusiastic welcome to Scout Jia then trotted off to find Knight-Master Lie.

"Who is that?" Song-hee asked suddenly feeling shy.

"Park Junseo. He is another trainee." Scout Jia tried to reassure his young charge.

"Built," Song-hee's first thought escaped under his breath.

"Um hmm," Scout Jia could only agree as he took in Junseo's broad shoulder and muscular legs. It seemed the boy had bulked up in the month since he last saw him.

Knight-Master Lie came across the courtyard to greet them and sent Junseo to find Manager Doak.

Song-hee's mouth went dry as he was introduced to the man who held the power to change his fate. The Knight-Master's simple cloths did not diminish his authority. The easy assurance in his stance and the polish in his accent signaled his status but he still offered a very warm welcome.

"I understand we are to have you here for a least six weeks?"

Song-hee nodded then corrected himself, "Yes, sir."

"Scout Jia told me you are interested in becoming a maker."

Song-hee nodded more enthusiastically, "Very much so, sir."

"Good. Now just relax a bit on the use of sir, and we should get along just fine." Knight-Master Lie could not help teasing a bit while he sent the boy off with Junseo and Manager Doak to tour the compound.

"A bit rough around the edges," he observed.

"Yes, but quick and his street fighting skills are no joke." Scout Jia defended his selection.

"No doubt having to deal with a different style will help Junseo. I am not sure the Temple sessions are doing our boy any favors. He seems more locked in the structured patterns than before. A bit of competition should do them both good." Knight-Master Lie nodded to himself.

"They will need to practice working in a team with other candidates as well." Scout Jia confirmed what he had come to expect from his travels.

The two men found some shade where they could discuss the logistics of developing a larger pool of trainees. They quickly agreed to sponsoring matches in some of the smaller centers could be fruitful, especially if they could get the other training yards to sweeten the purse. Joint try-outs meant some of the talent they uncovered might go elsewhere but they were not looking for the same traits. The others usually looked at scores, rankings, and family connections more than character.

Finding more trainees would mean adding dormitory spaces here at the forge. Being able to access the training yard at his old friend's place took off some of the pressure on the small compound but it was still a long way from a proper barracks.

So far there were two bunkbeds, a wardrobe, and a desk furnishing the dormitory. Junseo had claimed a bottom bunk and had a small trunk stowed underneath in case he worked too late to make it back to his uncle's school before curfew. He hoped to move in completely once the qualification rounds were finished but that would partially depend on his rankings.

Song-hee claimed the top bunk near the window and secretly hoped he would not be on his own for his first night. Junseo seemed to pick up on his nervousness and before he worked up the courage to ask, offered to stay over. After they stowed Song-hee's luggage they made their way back to the workroom next to the forge.

Junseo was trying to increase the size of his wall climbers. He tossed a smaller proto-type to Song-hee and told him to play around with the design. Song-hee looked confused but Junseo pointed to a well-stocked tool kit. "Just give it a shot. There is never just one way to build something. I really want to see what you think."

Song-hee carefully disassembled the toy, laying all the pieces out in order, then examining each one before reassembling the piece. He wound up the crawler and chuckled when it moved the opposite direction from what he expected. He grabbed the toy up before it ran off the edge of the table and studied it before twisting one of the pieces a quarter of a turn.

He stopped his testing to watched Junseo's larger model crab-stepping halfway up the wall before it tumbled down and broke apart. Junseo shrugged, picked up the pieces and took out a notebook. "The proportions seem alright," he muttered to himself, "I just need to figure out," he paused.

"The counterbalancing," the two boys said in unison. They looked at each other with surprise and then just laughed.

Manager Doak left them with their heads together, trading pieces, tools, and ideas on how to adjust the clockworks. He went over to join his colleagues in a drink.

"You will probably have to put the lights out to get them out of there tonight." Manager Doak's prediction was underscored by the sound of the boy's laughter as another test-run clattering to the ground.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up building something large enough to ride," Scout Jia said as he smiled at each of his friends.

"Seems like they are getting along," Knight-Master Lie said cautiously.

"Junseo seemed to know what would put Song-hee at ease. No awkward questions. Just acceptance by another maker." Manager Doak's admiration was clear.

"After the incident in the countryside, the elder Go boy has asked that in addition to sparing with our team members he be allowed to sit in on our strategy sessions. We will have to work out a schedule that will work with the classes he and Junseo need to attend." Knight-Master Lie knew the request signaled Minister Go's approval of their endeavors or at least of their first trainee.

"Speaking of classes, we need to find tutors and a regular school for Song-hee. His parents insist he still prepares for the matriculation exams." Scout Jia had no intention of going back on his word, even if for much of their trip Song-hee tried to argue his way out of having to hit the books.

"Maybe Junseo's Uncle can suggest a school with a mechanical arts emphasis." Manager Doak tapped on his tooth as he thought through different options. "Do you think Captain Shiro might be interested in helping with the boys? I heard he has a very practical approach for getting students through exams."

Knight-Master Lie frowned. Rumors suggested common practical approach involved getting advanced copies of the exams.

"It is not what you are obviously thinking," Manager Doak corrected himself. "He sets multiple practice tests to find gaps in understanding. I know he turns away many who think he offers shortcuts."

"Can we trust him to be fair regardless of what our boy's backgrounds might be?" Scout Jia shared one of his concerns.

"If he is willing to come to the forge, I will let the boys decide." Knight-Master Lie could see he surprised them with this suggestion so asked, "Shouldn't they have a say if they are the ones who will be studying with the man?"