Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Sixty-six

            Manager Doak arrived at the same time as a couple of the other delegations so got a bare acknowledgement from the housekeeper. She put him in with Scout Jia and sent the guard to find his fellows. When San Jin saw their horses, he paled.

"Dad must have been very worried," he whispered to the newly arrived guard.

"Try not to give him more reasons," the man replied evenly as he took care of his finely bred mount.

San Jin swallowed hard and nodded. It was not as if he planned the fire or even the ruse of staying hidden for a week. He had to trust the message Junseo sent had reduced the worst of his parent's fears. Unfortunately, the whole team was stuck here by the investigator's ongoing activities and now the ad hoc conclave.

There were now enough guards from the Go family home to ensure one was always with San Jin. The team also arranged to have at least two members present at all times, but usually there were more in the group. If any of the guests thought the honor guard was a bit much, they were quickly reminded they were not far from where mercenaries had been captured.

The imminent threats were reinforced by the patrols setting out with reduced numbers. Recent skirmishes meant the cadet's seriousness almost matched veteran's more hardened expressions.

The men from the palace chose to stay behind to guard the prisoners. Since one of those prisoners had formerly led the group of veterans there was unflattering speculation they were afraid to leave the compound with the others. The investigator made a big show of going to interrogate the prisoners but nobody expected results.

The afternoon dragged on for San Jin who had to wait to be presented to the different local dignitaries. The dance of protocol here in the countryside seemed more rigid than anything Junseo had experienced at the palace. Even his first formal presentation to members of the court at their summer residence outside of Illidan did not involve this much pomp. When he said this to Hae-sung the boy chuckled.

"It's the difference between people knowing they are already on the top and those striving to build status."

"But Knight-Master Lie," Junseo started but Hae-sung cut him off.

"Is well beyond caring what lesser mortals think."

"He is not like that at all!" Junseo was outraged.

"You are right, that was unfair. But not seeming to care about social standing is its own sign of privilege."

Junseo would have argued more except he remembered his childhood friend Bon Wie saying something similar. There was also the way the boys at the boarding school reacted when he had insisted, he was not there to compete with them. Not caring about the prizes they were all striving for was taken as a sign of arrogance, instead of just having a different set of priorities. He would have explored this a bit more with Hae-sung but their conversation was loudly interrupted.

"Can it be my favorite translator is here?" The Trader Benjamin Pierce's voice boomed from across the room.

His whole party approached and Junseo was swept into an exuberant embrace. While Junseo tried to extricate himself, Trader Pierce went on.

"I have not seen you since the dinner with the Chinese Ambassador. Are you still studying with that large man with the limp?"

"It is my privilege to train at Knight-Master Lie's forge," Junseo said in Angla and repeated it in Hakkul for the benefit of his friends.

"Surely such an esteemed Trader must travel with his own translators." Hae-sung's emphasis was barely polite.

Fortunately, the translator ignored the slight and introduced himself. He also managed to render Trader Pierce's informal greetings to his host into something more acceptable. Junseo nodded to the man to acknowledge his skill.

Like the others in the entry way, the local investigator had overheard the remark about Junseo having dinner with the Chinese Ambassador and he was soon pressing Scout Jia for the opportunity to interview Junseo.

"If it is not an urgent matter, I am not going to make adjustments to San Jin's guard detail."

"I will say what is important to my inquiries," the man bristled.

"The dinner in question was months ago. My understanding is it was simply a courtesy to extend Knight-Master Lie's invitation to include the boy because he had impressed the Ambassador with his knowledge of kite racing when they met at the summer palace some time ago."

"Still, it is unusual for a boy to converse that way."

"Do you mean in multiple languages or with Ambassadors? By now you must know his grandfather is Ambassador Kim." Scout Jia's even tone underscored the Junseo's elite connections.

His tactic was successful in getting the investigator to back off but he was a bit concerned when he saw the man in conversation with the staff member linked to the Choi family. All he could do was watch and wait. He hoped he had not inadvertently done Junseo a disservice. The boys did not seem to worry about the mixed social status range in their little group. Sons of peddlers, farmers, teachers, merchants, healers, and lords did not often meet, never mind study and train together. As he watched how the team members interacted with the guests, protecting San Jin without hemming him in, he could not help feeling hopeful for their project.

Lang Yoo-suk also watched how Junseo and Hae-sung protected their friend without interfering with the formal protocols. They contributed to San Jin's stature and helped him navigate the steady stream of introductions. He spotted Hae-sung surreptitiously checking a reference list and whispering information to Junseo who would then give San Jin a signal. Sometimes Hae-sung would step forward to present someone from the area. When he edged closer, he overheard the discussion about Hae-sung's success at the horse trials.

"Try not to be so obvious, brother." The low voice behind him made him start.

"I don't know what you mean," he turned to face Lord Taghar.

"You are still trying to live down the last set of rumors. Don't start more by mooning over another schoolboy."

"I'm not," Yoo-suk said between clenched teeth and turned away.

"Now don't be like that, come along and introduce me to our young host and his companions."

Yoo-suk's brother took him by the shoulder and guided him to the reception line.

"Lord Taghar, thank you for the contributions to our feast," San Jin bowed politely.

Junseo and Hae-sung followed this gesture with slightly lower inclinations. They timed their moves to ensure one kept a clear line of sight. It was obvious they had practiced this move along with the subtle block for anyone coming within a sword-length of their friend.

"I was sorry to hear about your recent troubles. I trust the fire was contained quickly."

"The smoke damage was most extensive in the study."

San Jin provided the only information the investigator wanted him to repeat to all the guests. He had also been instructed to take note of anyone who seemed especially interested in the details. So far none had pushed beyond the bounds expected for polite society.

"I have heard there are some rare texts in your collection. I hope none were lost in the fire." Lord Taghar studied the boy's reaction closely.

"We are still completing our inventories. Was there something you were hoping to consult while you are here?" San Jin wondered if he should read more into the Lord's request.

Before he might find out more, they were interrupted by the sound of riders arriving. San Jin excused himself to see who had come in and was enormously relieved to see his uncle striding toward the main doors.