Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Fourteen

      It took a few days for In-Yeon to get the courage to ask Kim Hae-sung about the open tournament. The older boy was more than enthusiastic, he and his training partner offered to help with the arrangements, including providing In-Yeon with equipment.

"I am not sure who can serve as your manager. It will depend on what draws our team members get."

"Are you all competing? I thought you were already ranked."

"We are ranked but our training yard isn't. At least not yet. Only our fencing champion will be exempt. He would offer to help you but our manager will want to see the schedule first. Besides if you are looking for a new placement, it might be better for you not to have an obvious affiliation with our team."

"I guess it makes sense. Normally, there would be other students from the school or dojo but the temple isn't participating. The training master here is not happy with me."

"He probably just isn't used to the idea of students wanting more than one choice."

"Well, I'm not a great student. The forms master barely lets me get a single line out before asking for one of the other boys to correct me."

"Putting you in your place with the Temple versions. I remember it all too well." Hae-sung went on to explain his aunt's ranking and how that had made him a target in his early years at temple school. "It's your half day tomorrow so come to the forge in the afternoon and we will get you sorted with some equipment and the temple rhythms."

In-Yeon hesitated but Junseo told him he would stop by to pick him up.

"I have a run to make for my friend and you're on the way. We'll have to stop by the market for a minute but should still get to the yard before the team starts warming up."

When In-Yeon told his uncle about this plan the man positively beamed. "Your crystal using friends? That's perfect! Let's get your topaz back tomorrow morning and then he can help you get it re-integrated. It should be fine after a couple of hours but try to keep your pendant tucked away when you are out and about." In-Yeon nodded solemnly and thought about how to keep the piece hidden from his dorm-mates as well.

Things had been oddly quiet with the group in the far corner. After In-Yeon's stand-off with the house master, the memorial on the window-sill by his bed had been accepted. It had even been added to by a few of the other boys. The incense sticks burned through all of the forty-ninth day. That night his few allies joined him for late-night feast and offered a brief remembrance of their former classmate. Afterward the room's temperature leveled out and In-Yeon no-longer sensed the lonely presence. He trusted he had done everything correctly but still hoped to pick up a protective seal from a shaman.

At first In-Yeon was very shy about asking his guide to accommodate his need to see a shaman, and to get supplies to make gifts to send home, but Junseo was very easy going.

"I can't say I know much about shamans but this one seemed alright." Junseo blushed a little when he remembered how he had wanted to repair the talisman that covered his dragon-torque. The result wasn't what he expected but was still rang true so he made another offering and explained, "No far seeing today, just a friend who needs some help."

"True friends. Yes, your court is starting to find you," the shaman nodded to themselves and gestured for In-Yeon to come forward.

"Something for peace and protection. Just in case a soul still wanders. I wished him rest but he was wronged." In-Yeon spoke quietly and the Shaman reached over and lifted the boy's head up. They locked eyes for a moment and a gong sounded.

"Your spirit guide is satisfied but you are right to be cautious until you come to your true family." The Shaman spoke into the uncanny stillness and then drew some characters on special rice paper. In-Yeon made his own offering and bowed three times and got ready to leave.

"Don't be afraid of your gifts," the Shaman advised solemnly and looked at each boy in turn, "Neither of you." The boys turned to each other and nodded and bowed in unison before leaving the shop.

"You, okay?" Junseo asked his young companion who seemed genuinely shaken by the encounter.

"Oh. Yes. I liked the directness. Reminded me of my aunt." In-Yeon smiled and blinked in to get accustomed to the sunlight again. "Her name day is coming up right after my mother's."

"Your other errand?" Junseo grinned at the enthusiasm In-Yeon showed for this new subject and was able to make some budget conscious suggestions. It did not take them long to finish up their errands but they still needed to jog to get to the training yard on time.

In-Yeon notice they were being tailed and warned Junseo who did not change pace but still managed to catch a glimpse of their uninvited guest.

"Not one of my usual crew. I think we will slow him up a bit." Junseo gave In-Yeon a grin and indicated he should stay close to the wall they were following. As soon as they rounded the corner Junseo paused to do a couple of step, half-a-spin, a wave of his hand, and a dust-devil sprang up beside them. In-Yeon's mouth dropped open as his guide casually danced the spinner back around the corner to blind the man who was trying to keep up. Junseo then led the way up a side street and through an unlocked yard before recalling his creation.

"You're a wind singer?" In-Yeon said with awe.

"No. It's just an energy trick. I can teach it to you once you are more settled with your stones. You are just a little bright right now."

"Oh, sorry." In-Yeon put his hand over his pendant to make sure it was still tucked into place.

"It's okay. Most people wouldn't notice. I might not have noticed except I knew about you tuning your neutrals. Oh, I guess I should warn you we all stow our crystals before practicing so we don't get any unwanted surprises."

"You have gotten surprises?" In-Yeon was comforted by this thought.

"Yes, of course. The other boys will tell you about the trouble I got into last week for not making sure there was proper anchors for the crystal work I was trying to do," Junseo blushed at the memory of the event and the subsequent dressing down he got from both Professor Yip and Knight-Master Lie. Being banned from using his crystals at the clinic still stung so he did not offer any further explanations.

They soon came to a tall wooden gate with a smaller door inset on one side. Junseo gave a series of knocks then waited for the guard to let them in. He vouched for In-Yeon but still had to call Kim Hae-sung over to confirm the young boy was the visitor from the temple they were expecting. There were three adults and about a dozen young men milling around in the practice yard. Half of the young men were in uniforms, the others in more casual attire.

"Glad you made it," a compact man in well-worn light armor greeted the new arrivals and directed them to where a row of jade jars sat. Once the boys had stowed their crystals, he took a closer look at In-Yeon.

"Not much meat on you," he commented before rummaging in a truck for some leathers. He held a vest up against In-Yeon, "Sorry this will have to do for now."

"Thank you, Sir." In-Yeon bowed.

"Not Sir. I'm just Manager Doak. If you are looking for a Sir in this outfit that would be Knight-Master Lie Wen Hou over there," he nodded in the direction of a heavy-set man who was leaning into a staff while giving instructions to a couple of the other boys. In-Yeon's eye widened at the name and he looked around for confirmation. "Now, don't go getting all star struck. You're just here to practice with these dunderheads. What level are you training?"

"I'm still unranked," In-Yeon's voice was barely more than a whisper.

"He's on the second terrace with me." Hae-sung called out from where he was sorting equipment.

"Good. You can shadow Hae-sung for the warm-up and then we will throw you into some matches," the man gave a curt nod and then left them to sort out the practice groups.