Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Sixty

     Two patrols moved out in the morning under the direction of the prince's men. Scout Jia took a closer look at the remaining staff members and was certain there were other palace representatives working on the estate. He did not know whether they were there to help the campaign to re-open the supply lines or if they had their own agenda. There was no time to investigate further when the boy's schedules needed to be negotiated with the estate manager.

"If they need to practice archery send them out with the games keeper in the morning. I am not cluttering up the lawns with targets," The estate manager said stroking his beard as he continued to study the list of activities. "The book work is best for keeping them out of the heat of the day," he added his notes and handed the schedule back to Scout Jia. Then he explained "One of our new guards will serve as a sparing partner for San Jin and anyone else heading to the senior competitions."

"Palace trained, I presume," Scout Jia said in a tense voice.

"Whatever you may think we have raised many champions in this family and intend to continue the tradition in this generation, and the next," the manager sniffed and waved the back of his hand to indicate he considered the meeting over.

Scout Jia sucked in his cheeks and strode away from the manager before he said something rude. Instead, he took the revised schedule over to the barn where the boys were tacking up. They did not seem at all concerned about the changes. When he mentioned a new sparing partner for the senior competitions San Jin and Junseo said "Good," at the same time then grinned broadly.

Chenhui and Xuiyang seemed happy with the prospect of hunting with their bows. Il-don and Song-hee were less thrilled but acknowledged it might provide some valuable experience. "Being exposed to different environments isn't just good for the horses, you know," Hae-sung joked but then he paled. "Instructor Lang?" he asked and then fell silent.

"Hello Hae-sung, I didn't know the whole team would be here." Lang Yoo-suk turned and greeted Scout Jia who then introduced him to Go San Jin.

"My uncle sent me here in advance to assist with any preparations. I came along with some of the supply wagons he sent." The handsome man smiled warmly as he greeted his official host and then said, "Don't let me interfere with your training, I can see I am needed at the hall."

He strode away without looking back. Hae-sung just kept staring until the others reminded him to start the riding drills. The exercises they were doing seemed straight forward enough. Just a serpentine line with alternating leads but Hae-sung was distracted and missed one of the changes. He was very embarrassed by his mistake and apologized repeatedly.

"You on an off-day is still way better than me on a good one," Junseo tried to console Hae-sung while they waited for their turn. The other boy just shrugged and turned away.

"What's up with him?" Song-hee asked.

"Who knows," Il-don frowned and clucked his horse into a slow canter ahead of them.

Rufus took offense at this maneuver and Junseo struggled to keep the war horse in line. When they were finished San Jin complimented Junseo for being able to stay in control when Rufus acted up.

"When he is really bad, I promise to tell Knight-Master Lie and he smartens right up."

"I think that threat might work on all of us," San Jin chuckled.

"Really?" Il-don couldn't help butting into the conversation. "Why would you care, I thought you were pretty much set for life."

"What I may, or may not inherit, says nothing about who I want to be," San Jin said.

"And that is?" Il-don looked puzzled.

"Someone a man like our mentor could come to respect," San Jin said curtly before leading his horse out of the arena.

Il-don still looked confused. "I thought you understood the difference between expectations being dumped on you and striving for your own best," Xuiyang said before following San Jin.

Junseo looked around at the others. They clearly expected him to intervene but he thought it best to let Il-don think through the lesson he had just been served. He respected San Jin, and knew he was feeling the pressure of the upcoming gathering on top of missing Me Yan. They could have a team meeting tonight once everyone had a chance to reflect. A few of their regular practice sets in the yard this afternoon wouldn't hurt either.

The team drew an audience when they got together to run through the sets so it took a few minutes to block out the distractions in the environment. Junseo asked Hae-sung to do the forms from the second sun terrace with him and then they slipped into some light sparing. Chenhui found a wooden ball and tossed it toward the team's "temple boys." This intervention turned into a contest between Junseo and Hae-sung over who could kick the ball the highest without break form.

It was obvious to the others that whatever had bothered Hae-sung earlier did not interfere with him enjoying this challenge. Other pairs came up with their own variations on the kick-toss then the whole group got together to try to keep four spheres in the air at the same time. When it did not look like the boys would stop on their own, Scout Jia stepped in to catch each of the wooden balls as they went by.

A thin man in light armour approached the group. He had a scar across a crooked noise and had two swords strapped across his back. San Jin's guards intercepted him but after a short discussion brought him to meet Scout Jia and the boys.

"Is it safe two assume the two using temple forms are the ones going to the senior finals with San Jin?" he asked without preamble. The boys nodded in unison.

"Fine. Bring your minders and come with me."

He led them to the back of a warehouse that showed signs of recently being cleared. One of San Jin's guards entered and looked around before allowing the others to come through. The thin man waited impatiently and then explained his expectations for training and secrecy.

"You may call me Sword-master or sir. I will call to student A, B, C." He pointed to each of them in turn. "Names can become dangerous so it a better habit not to use them unnecessarily," he said before handing them practice weapons.

San Jin tested the balance on his and frowned. Junseo offered to trade but his was no better. Hae-sung claimed his practice blade was adequate but clearly struggled.

"Sword-master, may we please attach some weights?" San Jin asked politely.

"Explain what you mean and why you ask," their new sword-master's frowned.

San-Jin and Junseo were very precise with the adjustments needed. Once Hae-sung heard the request he handed his blade to San-Jin who after a couple of sweeps made a recommendation which Hae-sung then repeated.

"The competition blades will have different sizes and qualities. You need to make quick adjustments with no guess work," the sword-master said and pointed to a basket of small lead weights on a side table.

Then he took them on one at a time and quickly bested each of them. He then told them what he wanted them to work on before meet again. San Jin thanked the man profusely. His excitement over the lesson was not something Hae-sung could share.

"I'm not sure why I am trying to compete," he said.

"You know I said the same thing after seeing you ride," Junseo answered.

Hae-sung looked at Junseo and then started to chuckle and then said, "Okay, maybe I am not hopeless." Then he slung an arm across Junseo's shoulder while they walked over to the kitchen.