Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Fifty-nine

            "Companies move better when they don't chatter," the veteran leader trotted into line in front of the boys.

His remark was also directed at some of the cadets but Junseo acknowledged the instruction with a nod. Song-hee looked relieved their lesson was being cut short. The other boys might have been intimidated by the extent of San Jin's wealth but Song-hee was more impressed with how easily Junseo could switch languages. He was sure Captain Shiro had given Junseo curriculum to cover while they were away, the same way Hae-Sung had been given the riding patterns Junseo needed to practice. As he looked around at the group wondered about his place in it. He did not have time to dwell on this question because they soon came around a bend and could spot the manor house in the distance.

"Parade standards, gentlemen." Scout Jia came forward with flags for Il-don and Hae-sung to carry.

Chenhui edged his horse closer to Junseo so that when the flags were unfurled his mare did not have room to bolt. Instead, she pranced and threw her head around and Junseo had to remind himself to breath again. He supposed it added to the impressive display the company wanted to present.

The grounds staff were lined up on either side of the road from the main gates to the inner courtyard. The house staff were arrayed along the steps at the front doors which were open wide. They bowed in unison when San Jin acknowledged them and he bowed again after he dismounted. An older gentleman with a long flowing beard approached and after a brief discussion led San Jin into the house. Grooms approached to help with the horses but after the experience at the Inn, Junseo was quick to take charge of Rufus himself. The veterans and cadets were directed to an encampment on the south lawns. Large, sturdy tents had been set up for their accommodations and there was an open paddock for their horses.

The team's horses had their own stable block and Junseo made sure the groom who would be helping was properly introduced to Rufus. The man showed proper respect for the charger.

"This big fellow has seen some action," he said pointing to a scar running under the gelding's belly.

Junseo nodded and then told the groom, "I don't expect you to do much of the work. It is all part of my training but if something unexpected comes up you should be safe enough with him."

"I will let the other grooms know not to approach without an introduction," the man nodded and left Junseo to his tasks.

Chenhui came by and offered to help with the young mare.

"Can you see if you can get her to drink. I tried but she just didn't seem interested." Junseo worried he might have done something wrong.

"Some horses can get fussy when they are away from home. Since the rest of the herd are here, she should settle soon enough." He finished filling the water buckets, gave the horse a firm pat and then said, "Go round to the kitchen on the southside when you are done here."

Junseo entered the kitchen at the same time San Jin. He could see something was bothering the older boy but waited until they all had a chance to get settled.

"So, what's up?" Junseo asked San Jin.

"The estate manager saw fit to inform the governor of our visit. Now some local dignitaries are on the way for an unofficial conclave with the new heir," San Jin sighed before going on, "I'm sorry that means the guest rooms I expected us to use are not going to be available."

"What are our choices?" Song hee asked with his usual streak of practicality.

"You could have part of the tent the cadets are using or there is the stable loft. Some of the house servants offered to give up their quarters but they are going to be run off their feet in the next few days." San Jin paused and looked around the table.

"Don't worry. We get it." Hae-sung said quickly then added, "I'm good with the loft. It will be a lot warmer than those big tents when the wind starts to blow."

The rest of the boys quickly agreed.

"I would rather be with you than rattling around my uncle's usual suites." San Jin admitted and then explained the boys would still have a dressing room and study to use in the main house. This would make it easier for them to get ready for the banquets they had to attend.

"Do you have a list of the dignitaries you are expecting?" Junseo asked, and a copy was soon produced.

Hae sung and Chenhui were very helpful in providing backgrounds for some of the more unfamiliar names. Scout Jia was flabbergasted by the name of one of the planned guests.

"I thought he had been banished the last time we tangled with a Misaon warlord," he complained.

"Apparently, he his now a cultural liaison with some kind of diplomatic standing," San Jin read from the notes.

"And Benjamin Pierce? Why would he be coming to an unofficial regional conclave?" Junseo did not trust the Mearcan trader. The term "spy" was on the tip of his tongue but Scout Jia gave a quick shake of his head. Junseo could see their discussion was drawing attention so he made a point of dividing the guest list by the level of courtesy demanded at each rank. He then proceeded to demonstrate the different degree of bows the other boys should practice.

"You sound just like the fussy old etiquette teacher at my last school," Il-don complained.

"We need this event to go seamlessly for San Jin, and good manners never hurt in difficult situations," Junseo thought of some of the awkward dinners he had to endure before learning how to keep his social mask in place.

They talked about the logistics of getting settled, whether the patrol should move out before the local dignitaries arrived, and how team members might contribute.

"Even with the coming distractions you all need to keep up on your training and studies," Scout Jia reminded them before leaving them to come up with a schedule for him to review.

News of the impending visit had already made it to the irregular's encampment and the cadet instructor was once again embroiled in a dispute with the leader of the veterans over the composition of the patrol groups. Scout Jia knew better than to interfere. He noticed two of the men he had assumed to be part of the estate's grounds crew were also watching.

One of the men approached and when the light caught his leathers a tooled insignia identified him as one of the Crown Prince's private guards. He kept his voice low but soon gestured for Scout Jia to come over.

"We are going to take the leads for the patrol groups," he stated flatly. "Your training team is staying here for the time being but I understand there is a couple of local boys in your group." He waited for confirmation before going on. "One of them will come with us.

"Absolutely not," Scout Jia was angered by this suggestion. "Their families sent them to us for education and training, and to keep them away from the disturbances in the area. There are no provisions in their contracts for participating in irregular patrols, no matter who thinks it might be helpful."

"Yet, you are here. Not so far from the border." The other man dressed in black said.

"For education and training." Scout Jia repeated then left.