Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Twenty

     The pre-dawn mists lingered in the shadowy corners along the terrace's western side. Winding trails of footprints quilted the dew-laden grass. Monks, students, and servants stood silently in the assigned ranks. The thud of a staff striking a stone pillar was followed by a piercing cry. The call was like no bird In-Yeon had ever heard, but it was answered by chirps and rustling in the nearby trees. When a thin band of sunlight illuminated the top terrace, a gong sounded then the morning salutations started in earnest. A quiet chorus of deep breaths followed the muffled percussion of bare feet stepping in unison through the salutes in each direction. The pattern and partner practices continued in a solemn tone.

Hae-sung sought out In-Yeon after they finished the morning routine to ask, "Why so formal today?"

"A visiting priestess is taking charge of an investigation. We have extra services now and were warned not to be lax in our observances," In-Yeon sighed.

"We just got a commission for the forge so don't be disappointed if we can't make it the rest of this week but we will see you at the competition, for sure. Manager Doak wanted us to tell you he will have your kit ready with assigned helpers for the day." Junseo tapped over his heart to reinforce the promise.

"Thank you. Just wish me luck with the northerner." In-Yeon he nodded in the direction of the woman covered head to toe in dark scarves who stared intently at their small group.

"Luck," Hae-sung with a crooked grin while putting his fist out to be bumped.

The Priestess frowned as she watched this interaction turning to the Training-Master to ask, "You allow visitors to attend morning rituals? And enter the upper terraces?"

"Kim Hae-sung is not exactly a visitor. He was a Temple regular in his hometown and his aunt is one of your sisters in service. We assessed Park Junseo and allowed him to return upon a request from the Moon Temple in Ilidan. They must hope his path will lead him back there."

"The Moon Temple where the Crystal Pavilion once stood?"

"I understand the boy provided some kind of special assistance after the quakes. Not sure what, but he is the son of a healer," the Training-Master shrugged. The other masters on the temple council had different theories about the boy but he was just happy to see Junseo's skills develop in line with other senior students.

"And what about the youngster on the second terrace? He is not an initiate, is he?"

"No. Not yet. We are still assessing Student Pange In-Yeon, or maybe it is more accurate to say he is still assessing us. He will be going to the open competition this week and will no doubt receive offers from other schools."

"Would you say he is well suited to Temple life?"

"I'm not sure any teenage boy is particularly well suited to our disciplines but I can say he has talent."

The Priestess gave the slightest nod before leaving for her meeting with the Temple-Master. No matter how genial the Temple-Master first appeared, he most was definite about the role expected for the external member of the investigating committee. She made it clear she was less than pleased with the limits to the scope of her investigation. Part of their compromise allowed the Priestess to undertake an inspection tour and meet with each member of temple council individually. She would then provide her report directly to the Temple-Master.

"If there are issues needing to go further, we can discuss the process for moving them forward. I think you can agree if there is a remedy within my scope, I should be allowed to implement it without convening the larger board."