Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Thirty-nine

To make up for his lateness Junseo worked very hard on the tasks Manager Doak set. He and Song-hee started with standard target practice but then were given a circuit to run while trying to string, draw and shoot their bows in a seamless motion. So far Junseo had broken a string and managed to embed two arrows into the eave trough on the south end of the compound. Song-hee was not doing much better. It was embarrassing after they had started out so well with the regular target practice and he gave Manager Doak a pleading look.

"Someday you may have to do this while climbing a tree in the dark, so keep practicing" Manager Doak was firm. He could see how each boy had looked longingly over to the workshop but knew they needed to master this task, or at least their frustration, before the session could end. Junseo had a solid base-skills, and was no doubt a credit to his provincial school but he needed to get to the next level. Song-hee had a quicker draw but was not as steady. He was going to say something but then saw how Junseo adjusted Song-hee's stance with a couple of touches. The improvement was immediately obvious.

The boys were running low on arrows so Song-hee jogged down to the straw-bale they had marked for a target. He paused and gave Junseo a panicked look and pointed to the dragon carving on the shaft of a couple of the arose he had pulled.

"Oh, don't worry. When I asked, Knight-Master Lie said they were just old presents from his cousins. He said he liked them for practice because they are sturdy."

"Cousins. Right." Song-hee was not reassured.

"Remember how I said some things are more complicated in the Capital. Well, how many Lie family members live here about is one of those things." Junseo left things a bit vague. There was nothing at the forge to suggest their Knight-Master traded on his status as the king's nephew. Indeed, the bellow coming from the forge was anything but regal. The boys grinned at each other and went to see how they might help.

Manager Doak called after them, "You need to retrieve all those arrows before dinner."

Junseo waved his acknowledgement before ducking back into the workshop. With a glance he could see the tools were not lined up with their usual order. Knight-Master Lie was searching through different piles muttering to himself. Song-hee cleared a spot on the table and was laying out hammers by size and shape. He bent over to pick a couple more off the floor and Junseo had to grab onto Knight-Master Lie to stop him from tripping. As he steadied his mentor, he felt the outline of a handle protruding from the man's belt. He could not help giggling and his attempt to cover it with a cough was not at all convincing.

"I am in no mood for jokes," Knight-Master Lie scowled.

"Are you sure?" Junseo asked pointing to where the tool had been stowed.

"What?" the man looked down the blushed. "Oh, that's where it went."

"So, what are we making?" Junseo helped Song-hee straighten out more of the tools.

"Proper tool racks?" Song-hee suggested with a straight face. Junseo caught the twinkle in his eye and could not hold back his laugh.

"Since you suggested it, give me a design or two to think about." Knight-Master Lie sent the boys away while he tried to recover some of his dignity.

The boys were soon absorbed in their task so barely noticed when two riders arrived in the courtyard. Manager Doak called them over to help welcome the new candidates. The two new boys presented the recommendations from their school and then looked around the compound.

"Is this it?" The taller of the two new boys asked.

"Let's get your stuff stowed and then we can show you around before it is time to head over to the practice court." Junseo was determined to make a good impression.

When the new boys saw the dorm, they insisted they should share their own corner so Junseo shifted his things to a different spot. Song-hee whispered this didn't seem right. "You're the senior here. They are being rude."

Junseo shook his head, "It's okay. I am still splitting my time between here and the school." Song-hee crossed his arms and remained silent through the rest of the tour and the trip over to the practice yard.

San Jin welcomed the new boys but Me Yan hung back. Junseo missed the banter that usually accompanied the opening pattern work. He could see the new boys were not very far into the third dan so kept the group to a steady pace. They gave him curious looks when he offered a correction to San Jin.

"When our coach is not here the lead goes to the most skilled." San Jin explained.

"The lead goes to the most skilled even when your coach is here." Captain Shiro called from the gate. San Jin laughed and then continued to serve as host, making the introductions and showing the new boys where to find the practice equipment.

Captain Shiro had them all do baton exercises before sorting out the pairs for sparing, "Me Yan with Song-hee, Junseo with Xuiyang, and San Jin you go left-handed with Il-don."

It took a few minutes for Junseo to get Xuiyang's measure and find a suitable style for their match. He could tell the other boy was trying his best so Junseo worked at not holding back too obviously. Then Xuiyang tried a combination that called an automatic response out of Junseo that ended the match.

"I can walk you through that move again, if you like," Junseo offered. Xuiyang looked to Captain Shiro who shrugged and turned his attention to Me Yan and Song-hee.

San Jin got a ruder response when he handily disarmed Il-don. Junseo intervened by asking San Jin to break down the move for him. They moved to the side-line to practice together first with their right hands and then with their left.

"Do that again with a double reverse." Captain Shiro called over to them the scowled at the new boys, "Why aren't you following them?" he asked before turning to coach Me Yan and Song-hee on a different move. Then he called them back together to talk about the different weapons and styles of armor.

"The sooner you start practicing in armor, the easier it will be." He sent them over to the trunks that had arrived while they were sparing. The boys shifted through all the pieces and managed to find sets that might work. Junseo held the shin plates against his leg and looked doubtful. The vest he pulled on was tight in the shoulders and inches too short but there was nothing larger. When he looked over at how well the others were out-fitted he was embarrassed and started to apologize.

"You don't need to be sorry for being taller than the rest of us," San Jin said firmly.

"It's my fault for not taking your measurements properly," Manager Doak admitted then added, "Don't worry we can make adjustments."

They were all distracted when Song-hee pulled out a shield with a black lotus design.

"Are these from the flower knights?" San Jin asked with awe.

"You never know what will turn up in the attic." Captain Shiro brushed off the remark and put the boys back to work.