Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Forty-six

       Junseo could not help feeling disappointed with the qualification matches. It wasn't that he did not do well. Quite the opposite, and that was the problem. The instructors at his uncle's school had built up the reputation of these competitions so even though his unsuccessful first attempt had not provided many notable challenges, he really had expected more.

The highlight of the day had been his match with Park Sen Dou from the Prince's training yard. They knew each other from the occasional practicing northern forms so were able to push the outer boundaries of the fifth dan level. The moves and counters had been extremely fast but there was no reason to contest the judge's scoring. Even with a loss, Junseo had the highest scores for the day.

Scout Jia stayed with them while they waited for the official rankings and recommendations to be posted. Il-don anxiously paced back and forth and Hae-sung tried to remind him things would be fine.

"It is just a junior qualifier. It is not your final ranking by a long stretch. Besides you are doing well with your training with us."

"You don't get it. My Dad only let me come to the capital because I was certain I would make the junior finals. He wants me to join the local guards if this doesn't pan out."

"What is not panning out. There is nothing in your contract about standings for the qualifiers." Hae-sung put out his chin. He sounded ready to go confront Il-don's father then and there but it wasn't necessary. Both he and Il-don had made the cut for the Junior qualifiers.

Scout Jia slapped them on their backs and told them, "Get ready for some real training."

Junseo saw he was being called over to the Judges table. "Oh, what now?" he said and then let a curse escape before pulling himself together.

His Uncle and Knight-Master Lie were standing by the table smiling so he knew it could not be too bad.

"Congratulations, young Master Park," one of the judges said.

Junseo looked around and then blushed when he realized they were referring to him. He had not yet associated his assigned sparing level with its common title. The same judge handed him an ornate scroll. "This is the highest merit award we can confer. It comes with an invitation to the senior finals being held six weeks hence."

Junseo bowed his thanks but silently mouthed "six weeks?" to the man organizing his training. Before he could get any kind of answer, his uncle laid claim to him and dragged Junseo around to be introduced to some of the training yard recruiters and heads of other schools who had been in attendance. Whenever he was asked directly about his plans, he had the ready dodge of saying he was currently auditing classes at the Medical Academy. This effectively put a damper on their interest because they could not imagine any student not taking up such a prestigious offer.

"I'm sorry I did not arrange a celebration banquet for you," his uncle said as they were leaving to go back to his school.

"I understand. It would have been presumptuous. Not to mention being a bit rude to the others who are still trying to qualify." Junseo did not have anyone at the school he cared that much about. "Why not wait and do an announcement at the start of next term about everyone who advanced."

"Yes, I see. It might be a bit of an inspiration for the others," Headmaster Kim started muttering to himself.

Junseo was pretty sure that by the time they got back to his uncle's office the man would be convinced of the idea. His uncle even went one step further by laying claim to the idea of a formal recognition assembly in the letter he composed to notify Junseo's family of their son's new qualification.

"Should I put in the bit about your fifth dan matches or do you think it will worry your mother. I can never tell with her."

Junseo stared at his uncle. This was the closest they had ever come to talking about his mother's peculiarities.

"I think she would be happier to hear I will continue auditing classes at the medical academy while I train for the senior finals. They don't need to know all the details about the matches." Junseo was thinking of his father's reaction more than his mothers and then said, "I will add a post-script to let them know I will be moving over to the dormitory at the forge."

"I suppose it makes sense. You sent most of your things over already and it will give you more time for training."

Junseo nodded, "It also frees up my dorm room and should make it easier for the servants to get things ready for the incoming class."

He did not divulge having overheard the matron complaints about the "hangers on," so was doubly glad to be moving out. His uncle sent him on his way with a promise to look in from time to time.

The news of Junseo's success made it back to the school dormitory before he did, and he was surprised to be met by so many well wishers. It felt awkward the classmates who had been so cool toward him before were now touting their connections with him. He slid into his courtly manners without realizing it. None of the other boys noticed his stiffness but he was relieved the celebration did not go on for too long.

"You must have found that annoying," one of the servants said when Junseo was finally getting ready to depart.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You don't usually go all Mr. Polite around the folks you like." The girl who took care of the laundry teased.

"Maybe I just save it for those who can appreciated it." Junseo answered back and then follow-up with a sweeping bow.

"Go on with you then," she gave him a half-hearted push and then said, "Come back if you need any stitchery done."

Junseo blushed remembering his first very rough attempts on the silk rolls from the Medical Academy and thanked the girl for the care she had taken of him and his wardrobe.