Emeralds and Enemies

Chapter Seventy-seven

         

     As he left General Tan's compound, Junseo knew he was being followed by at least two different parties. He just didn't know what their allegiances might be. One of them looked a bit familiar but it was hard to say from a distance so he decided not to take chances. He picked up his pace and then took advantage of some of the connections he had made with various shopkeepers to use back exits and roof gardens to move across the market district.

He was just a few steps away from the Sun Temple when one of his tails caught up, so he slipped through the gate with the worshippers heading for evening prayers. Junseo rarely followed the sunset rituals so had to concentrate to keep to the correct rhythms. Two of the masters widened their eyes slightly to show they had recognized him and just as the service ended, a junior initiate guided Junseo through a back hall where the Training Master waited.

"We heard about some of your troubles and see enemies are still tracking you," the man said as he handed Junseo a robe and then guided him to the sunset gate. He pointed to a path running behind the trees closest to the wall, "That will take you to the Palace. If you have any troubles at the gate, you are welcome to return."

Junseo's eye shone with gratitude. He did not trust his voice so he offered the temple's highest salutation before quietly slipping out the door. Even though he was not drawn to a life of temple service, he was grateful for the fellowship they offered. Especially now when he felt betrayed by someone he had once admired. The contrast between the attitude of the Sun Temple's Training Master and the reception he had from Knight-Master Lie helped Junseo better acknowledge the anger sweeping through him. He did not know what to do but he realized he was not without resources so was still determined to set his own course.

He did not recognize the guards on duty at the palace gate but his name and planned destination were enough to let him pass. It turned out the Lord Presumptive Jong of Psyonan Province left written instructions to allow Junseo access to his quarters any time of the day or night. Even though Junseo was always welcome Tai Yi was surprised to see his friend.

"I didn't even know you were back. I thought for sure you would be too busy to drop by," the younger boy grinned shyly.

Junseo blushed and admitted, "Honestly, I am doing a bit of a runner until my temper settles down."

"No matter. Your timing is perfect!" Tai Yi grabbed Junseo by the sleeve and tugged him over to where tea was being laid out by a servant. "I need to practice my Shen for a conversation exam and you are my best coach. We can get caught up and then you can work out some of your anger on the practice dummy tomorrow." Tai Yi then just babbled on in the empire's courtly language with a combination of gossip and jokes while Junseo responded politely and made a few pronunciation and grammar suggestions.

Once the servants had left for the night Tai Yi shifted to more serious topics. "It is not public knowledge but the regents managed to pay the ransom to get my brother back. He is hopping mad the other lords took advantage of the situation so is busy negotiating my return to the North."

"How are you feeling?"

"You know you are the first one to ask me. Seriously, everyone else is so excited my brother is back and getting ready for the installation they forget this means my father is well and truly gone. I don't know. It was like as long as they were both officially missing there was still some hope." Tai Yi started to choke up. "It was stupid but even the slightest chance was enough."

"So how could you feel happy? It's your Dad after all."

"Right. But if I look sad, they think its because I wanted to run the estate or something stupid like that."

"It has to be hard." Junseo put his hand on Tai Yi's shoulder. He could not think of anything else to say but thought just listening would be better than any of the usual platitudes. Tai Yi talked about how his father had tried to include him even though he was much younger than his brother. Then he told Junseo about the different pranks he and his brother pulled.

"I think my father always knew what we were up to and played along. I was the absolute worst at trying to keep secrets."

"Glad you warned me," Junseo could not help teasing since he heard three very different rumors about the northern prince-to-come.

"Well, if you insist on wearing your Phoenix ring out in the open you can't blame me for all the chatter."

"My chain had a more urgent use. I just didn't get round to picking up another one." Junseo spun the crest on the ring inside his hand. He could see Tia Yi was curious so explained what had happened on the trip back to the capital and some of what just happened at the compound.

"Knight-Master Lie treated me like a package to be delivered. He did not ask how I was doing, or think about how it might feel to be at least four years younger than everyone else at the Medical Academy."

"That was rude. But you need to remember he had a scare. Probably thinks somehow it is his fault but he is grown-up so there is no excuse for bad manners."

"Exactly," Junseo beamed at his young friend.

"I guess the question is how long it will take for him to realize he was wrong. He will probably be stubborn about it so you are welcome to stay with me. You can even come up North when they ship me back." Tai Yi looked at Junseo, then quickly turned away. He hoped he had not been too forward.

Junseo nodded and said, "Thank you. Your offer means a lot and if my path runs in that direction, I would be happy to see the north country with you. It will probably depend on the senior final and whether my family takes an interest."

Tai Yi understood, but he had to wonder whether Junseo's family ever took a proper interest. After all, he had seen how the Headmaster Kim behaved. Everything was about his school's reputation and status and no real concern for his nephew. Now it seemed the place where Junseo might explore things that interested him was pushing him away. He hoped things would work out at the forge, but was just selfish enough to want them to take long enough so his friend might be able to come north.

The next day Junseo took full advantage of the training yard's wooden dummy to express some of his anger. A junior investigator was all set to interrupt the practice session but the yard supervisor warned him. "If you want to have any kind of conversation you best wait for the young master to work off what has him hot and bothered today. He rushed through his warm-ups and had been pounding away on his own for the better part of an hour."

"We have important questions," the investigator countered.

"But how urgent are they? After all, you only just arrived."

The investigator had to concede on that point but he still hovered in Junseo's line of sight hoping for a chance to start a conversation. Junseo frowned when he noticed but gave no indication he could be approached. Indeed, the force and speed of Junseo's moves increased until one of the wooden levers snapped.

"Blast." Junseo said and gave the dummy a firm kick and set it rocking. He approached the investigator and demanded to know why his practice was being interrupted. He made it clear he was not impressed he was being called upon to verify the story others had already reported. Through the whole interview Junseo stood with his arms folded and answered the questions as briefly as possible. He summarized his perspective saying, "I have no idea why we were attacked."

Junseo waited through various prods before reiterating he had nothing more to offer and excusing himself saying, "I believe Professor Yip is expecting me at the academy." He did not really want to go to the Medical Academy but knew this known part of his schedule would not be challenged by the palace investigators.

San Jin and his guards headed him off on the academy steps. "I just heard," San Jin said quietly. Junseo looked from San Jin to his guards and then around for any extra followers. He thought he saw someone sliding back into the shadows in the alley so signaled one of the guards. The guards closed in then shepherded the boys up Maker's Way to the teahouse. They were taken around the back and a special knock had them admitted to a private room. The boy's tried to take this in stride, but could not help exchanging worried looks.