Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Sixteen

     The negotiations over the guard detail, took considerably longer than it took the group tack up. When San Jin led his fine mare out of the stable, he was stopped by his family's master-at-arms.

"We did not agree to this excursion," the man frowned.

San Jin lifted his chin, "It's the Royal Park. We will be fine. If it makes you feel better have a couple of your men come with us. They just better keep up."

The man tried to appeal first to Manager Doak, and then to the Knight-Master. "Are you going to allow this?"

"Trainees Chenhui and Junseo, shields and bows please. The rest of you short swords and a close formation. Trainee San Jin if you can't keep that horse of yours in the middle you better hand her off to someone else. Understand?"

The boys immediately followed their Knight-Master's instruction. He turned back to the master-at-arms. "There. We more than doubled his protective detail."

The man just shook his head and muttered to himself before assigning two more archers for the group.

Hae-sung positioned In-Yeon beside him on the left flank of the core group. He watched closely as the boy took the measure of the horse he had been given and smiled his approval. The boy was clearly a natural, attending to the way his horse tried to evade commands but not trying to do constant corrections.

"Keep and eye on the side streets. If someone wants to cut us off, they will probably start by running parallel. Things should open up closer to the park." Hae-sung said and then pointed out other potential dangers along the way.

"Is it usually like this. Just for a ride in the park?" In-Yeon couldn't help asking.

"We learned the hard way not to take things for granted," Hae-sung said solemnly and the civilians in their group all tapped their chests and said "Truth."

The group continued in watchful silence until the got well into the park. Once they were on the open paths San Jin's horse started to dance sideways and he struggled to keep her in check.

"Ok. Let them run this off," Junseo said from the front of their group before giving his warhorse a freer rein. Their guards were clearly surprised by the pace but the group held together and then eventually slowed to a steady trot.

"You good?" Hae-sung checked in with In-Yeon and got a quick thumbs up in reply. "Right, well this is nearly the correct rhythm. So, let's try this. Did you learn the standard song for the seasons at school?"

"Do you mean the one that names all the moons? Long night, frost fur, wolf cry, that one?"

"It might be a variation. How does that one go?"

In-Yeon checked his horse's pace to match the rhythm of a familiar tune. The pure tone of his quiet voice drew the group's attention.

"That's the version I know best" Chenhui said from his position in the back and he added a lower tone harmony.

Hae-sung nodded his approval and then overlaid the temple's daily offices to their tune and then had them sing together for a second time before asking. "Did you get how the substitutions work?" He then used his thumb to point to the knuckles on his left hand and recited the name of the month and its corresponding office. As soon as In-Yeon nodded and repeated the gesture Hae-sung said, "Now see if you can sing the offices."

In-Yeon was a bit shaky to start but became more confident. Hae-sung matched his tone and timbre on the second run through.

"Good. Now we are going to slow to a walk and you are going to say the offices but remember the tune."

In-Yeon looked doubtful.

"It will feel strange at first, just give it a try and you'll see. Just count off on you knuckles." Hae-sung started reciting the first hour and the In-Yeon took over. Partway through the fourth hour chant In-Yeon missed the rhythm but realized it right away and was able to repeat the stanza correctly. He then spent the rest of the ride repeating the offices silently to himself.

General Tan was waiting for them at the training yard. He had just gotten word his groom had been injured so had come to check on the new stallion. He was not at all pleased his nephew had taken the small herd's upset as an excuse to go for a ride. Since even the most capable guards might not be able to stop a determined assassin, he had a few choice words for Knight-Master Lie.

"Didn't we just discuss travel protocols?" The General strode back and forth along the veranda across from the stable entrance.

"Going for a gallop in the park is not what either of us consider travel, yet you will find the team kept to your protocol." Knight-Master Lie nodded to where the left gate was opening and two archers took positions to cover the group as it came into the yard. "Now go welcome your nephew and get his advice about your new horse," he said with a grin and then called to the departing back, "Oh, and try not to embarrass the boy in front of the team."

The group had dismounted in unison and still stood in their defensive formation around San Jin. They did not reduce their ready stance until their senior call out "Uncle" and gave a big wave.

Hae-sung caught the reins being tossed in his direction and took charge of getting the horses back to the stable block.

In-Yeon happily pitched in with the feeding and grooming. It did not realize how late he was running until Junseo reminded him it was time to head back to the temple.

"I'm sorry we got distracted with the horses," Hae-sung said then added, "I am sure you will do fine in your tournament, and I will try to get you through the full set of mantras."

"No, it's fine. One of the best days I have had in a while and having the offices down will take some of the pressure off. Besides it's probably better if my stones settle a bit more before I try the new mantras." In-Yeon looked to Junseo for confirmation and got a nod of agreement.

"Alright. Well, I will see you on the terraces." Hae-sung out his fist for In-Yeon to bump.

"Tomorrow," the boy agreed then retreated back into his shyness.