Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Sixty-nine

            After having their schedules so disrupted, the chance to practice together felt like a real treat. The boys tried to find someplace out of the way but even marking out a square behind the soldier's tents did not prevent them from having an audience. More than one of the local dignitaries passed by to check the boy's skill levels. Yoo-suk lingered the longest but as soon as he realized this might seem out of place he hurried away.

A couple of the troopers who arrived with General Tan joined the boys for the set forms and then did some light sparing with each other. The boys then invited them into the circle match. The troopers were very impressed with Song-hee's speed and showed him a couple of variations to try.

"The others will do well in tournaments but I would be happy to have you with me in a street fight," one of the troopers said to Song-hee.

"I'm doing my best not to get into street fights anymore," Song-hee blushed when he realized what he had just admitted.

The other trooper patted Song-hee's shoulder and said, "Just because you aren't looking for them, doesn't mean they won't come knocking. It never hurts to be ready."

Song-hee nodded his thanks. Il-don felt a prick of jealousy the other boy had been singled out for praise by the experienced fighters. He had been working very hard to improve his speed within the standard forms but felt overshadowed by the other team members. He told himself he just needed to try harder so put his head down and tried the spinning side kick again and again.

Of course, it would not be a true practice without some wooden balls being tossed into the mix. When the boys realized who had made the addition, they rushed over to welcome Manager Doak. They were less happy when they heard San Jin was expected at home within the week.

"We hardly got any field training in on the horses since we had to stick to arena work after the fire," Hae-sung objected first.

"He's right. We didn't go out with any of the patrols, and we only went hunting twice," Chenhui quickly seconded.

"No, I understand," San Jin accepted his family wanted to know he was safe.

"It's not like we can't do some more practicing on the way back and it is more than we had before," Xuiyang put on a brave smile.

"My main question is how we might be of use to the General while we are still here." Junseo said as he looked across the field to where the counsel members were starting to gather. "I think I will check if he wants a translator."

"Blast. I forgot I have to do another round of introductions," San Jin blushed then hurried off to get changed.

"Captain Shiro sent along some practice tests so I need Xuiyang, Chenhui and Song-hee to give me the rest of the morning. I trust you two will take care of the horses," he pointed to Hae-sung and Il-don who nodded.

It took the boys several trips to get all their horses over to the paddock. When they got back to the stable, they found the troopers they had practiced with were there to help them clean the stalls.

"We have special instructions to shift the charger's bedding."

"That's a relief," Hae-sung said and showed them the weapon stash.

"I'm not sure I want to know what you might get up to with those," Il-don said as he brought over a wheelbarrow. The straw was not very fresh and he started sneezing. He said "sorry," and then ran over and rinsed his face in the trough. His eyes were watering and he struggled to catch his breath. Someone behind him pinched the tops of his ears then told him to lean forward. He felt sharp taps along his back and his symptoms started to ease.

He turned his head and saw Junseo smiling. "My nephew has trouble with the spring pollens so our whole family learned the pressure points. I will show you some you can do for yourself when you feel it coming on."

"Thanks. It has never been this bad before." When Il-don said this Hae-sung and the troopers inspected the straw a bit more closely. Hae-sung held up stems with dried up yellow flowers.

"Looks like Ragwort," he passed the dried weed to the trooper.

"It shouldn't be in the straw. It is poisonous for horses," the man said and passed it back.

"It wasn't here before. We would have noticed." Hae-sung said nodding in Il-don's direction.

"I don't think it is an accident," the other trooper said sifting through the stack of straw just delivered that morning.

"Who would do something like that?" Hae-sung was deeply offended at any attack on their horses.

"I'd guess someone who doesn't want us leaving." Il-don suggested.

"Or wants to slow us down on the road to make us easier targets," Junseo shook his head but then remembered their strategy lessons. "We don't know if this was targeted or how widespread it might be. So, let's find out who made the delivery, and if others are at risk."

"Let us take care of it, after we finish our other little job."

"Yes. I think you have your hands full looking out for each other, and the general's nephew."

The boys were not really satisfied with this order but accepted they had other duties. They did, however, report the incident to Scout Jia who did his own investigating. There was nothing concrete to go on except ragwort was not local in the region so must have been brought in by an outsider. That left a lot to choose from since there were both the recent hires as well as all the guests and their attendant to consider.

Scout Jia thought he might be able to narrow it down if he could pin down some motives but he struggled to understand how any of the boys could be individual targets. Even though San Jin's father had an important position at court, there was an unspoken truce protecting noble family members who were not of age. The Four-star gang had been effectively warned off by Song-hee and they certainly had easier targets. It was possible Lord Taghar might want to remove the temptation Hae-sung represented to Yoo-suk but having the team return to the city quickly was the easiest solution. Having protected a northern hostage from being kidnapped, the Go family from bandits and Knight-Master Lie from poison, Junseo seemed to have a knack for trouble. Still nothing tied those incidents to a single source. No, he decided firmly, if the whole team were being targeted it must be a sign the reform project they had started with Wen-Hou was attracting the wrong kind of attention.