Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Forty-one

Two riders came into the courtyard in the mid-afternoon. They were  mounted on fine looking horses and each ponied another equal in confirmation if not temperament.

Scout Jia called out to the young men, "We did not expect you so soon."

"Sorry. I hope this is not a problem," The taller one called back as he dismounted. He took a letter over to Scout Jia who scanned it quickly.

"This is bad, we better take you straight over to meet with the Knight-Master," he looked around for someone to help.

Song-hee came out of the dorm to take charge of the bags. He assured the new arrivals they would get sorted later and told them to grab any practice cloths they had. Then they all rode over to the practice yard with Song-hee and Scout Jia on the spare mounts. It took a few minutes to get cleared by the guards at the gate. Il-don and Xuiyang helped stable the horses while Scout Jia rushed over to consult with Knight-Master Lie and Manager Doak. The men looked very concerned and called over the Go's master-at-arms and Captain Shiro.

Junseo came over to where the boys were waiting by the stables and introduced himself. "It looks like they will be at it for a while so why don't we do some warm-ups and get to know each other. If you have been riding all morning it might help work the kinks out." This suggestion teased a shy smile from the shorter boy. The taller one just shrugged.

"I think Kim Hae-sung must have been born in a saddle. He is never stiff from riding." Park Chenhui explained.

"I would guess that is more about hard work than luck." Junseo nodded as he said this.

"Don't worry, you will catch up." San Jin put his hand on Junseo's shoulder. "I'm sure we will find you a proper school master of a horse." The exaggerated look of terror Junseo gave San Jin made them all laugh as they took their places on the practice court.

Junseo had them start with the third forms. Hae-sung's precise salutation revealed influences from Sun Temple practice and they shared a smile. Moving in unison helped ease some of the nerves of the first meeting for potential teammates.

The elder's conference did not show signs of letting up so Junseo suggested some "first touch" matches. Me Yan surprised himself by tagging out Chenhui very quickly. Song hee's match with Xuiyang lasted longer but Song hee's speed tip the balance. San Jin toyed with Il-don for a couple of minutes to remind the rude boy that he was completely out classed. Junseo did not think it was helpful but it seemed to cheer up Song hee.

"What sun form would you like to use?" Junseo asked Hae-sung when it was their turn to spar. Hae-sung gave Junseo a curious look.

"I do morning devotions at the temple." Junseo explained.

"Second terrace?" Hae-sung sounded uncertain but Junseo only nodded and moved to face the south. Their moves looked more like a pattern dance than an actual match until they simultaneously called "Touch," and bowed to each other.

"You don't usually practice on the second terrace, do you?" Hae-sung could not contain his curiosity.

"I am still being assessed." Junseo's honest answer seemed a bit evasive but he did not know how to explain the variations in his practical training. It was almost unheard of for anyone who was not a full temple member to practice on the higher terraces but he had experienced all but the master's level.

"My family sent a letter of introduction for me to take to the temple here," Hae-sung said quietly.

"It will be great to have company for my morning jog." Junseo smiled. He was about to ask San Jin what they should practice next when he was called over by Knight Master Lie.

"I'm sorry to ask but I need some things from my apartment and it will save us a lot of time if you take this to my butler instead of me having to send for a courier. I have other messages to be delivered at the palace as well, you remember where the protocol office is?" He did not wait for Junseo to respond, just handed him the messages, and sent him on his way.

Captain Shiro sorted the boys into two different teams for baton practice. He partnered with San Jin for a few moments before leaving him in charge of coaching the others.

Il-don bristled at getting instruction from someone who was younger than he was and ignored the corrections to his position. San Jin winked at Hae-sung who then neatly upended Il-don the next time the boy made the same mistake. "That's cheating," he complained. 

Even though they were roughly the same height, Hae-sung looked down at Il-don. "You were told how to correct your position and chose not to," he said coolly and turned away.

Xuiyang took a hold of his roommate before the boy could make a move against the other recruit. "Don't make trouble. Can't you see how serious things are?" he nodded to the gate where the guards were questioning a palace courier. The courier's horse was dark with sweat and the man was clearly agitated by having to wait even a minute. Me Yan took the practical step of going over to get the packages.

"I'm sorry our security detail is still jumpy after last month." Me Yan bowed to the courier. Over hearing this, Chenhui shook his head in disbelief. The security detail had done nothing while he had been trying to bash Me Yan with a stick but they would not let a courier in palace colors into the compound. He did not have time to puzzle through things because the training group were now being summoned over to the table where the older men stood studying the freshly delivered maps.

Scout Jia was running a dozen or so colored stones back and forth between his hands but stopped to make the introductions. He then cleared his throat and started with his question. "Trainee Chenhui, did your grand parents explain why they wanted you to bring the horses down early?"

"They said it was because of the raiders. We had been hearing rumors for weeks but then folks from the neighboring town came looking for shelter after they have been burned out."

"Trainee Hae-sung, what did they say at the school?"

"They suspended all the classes for local students so they could go help their families. Anybody who could manage packed up, but most were waiting on the local guards to provide escorts." Hae-sung paused remembering some of the chaos they had left behind. He swallowed and continued, "My family didn't want me to wait with them, not when I already had the contract to come here. When I was getting ready Instructor Lang gave me a pack of letters to bring."

"We are grateful you managed to get here safely," Manager Doak said quietly.

"We stayed off the main routes during the day and made-up what time we could at night. Having extra horses made a huge difference." Chenhui's explanation was the smallest indication of the tension they have been under.

"Right. Well, we are going to throw you into one of our strategy lessons but why don't you all grab some snacks while we finish setting things up." Knight Master Lie hoped the short delay would give Junseo enough time to get back for the session.