Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Twenty-five

            Unlike official qualifying tournaments, the open competition focused only direct combat disciplines and participants usually only signed up in one category. The hand-to-hand matches were separated into common styles for the opening rounds but the further anyone progressed, the more likely they were to come up against different forms. In-Yeon did not know whether declare Temple or Southern as his preference until his uncle reminded him that competitors could agree on which style they wanted to use. This meant he could stay with his new teammates through the early rounds.

None of the temple team members had signed up for fencing so In-Yeon was on his own, or at least until he spotted Manager Doak waving. "I am glad the Temple decided to participate. Go San Jin has exhibition matches so can't be your second for the full day. Kim Hae-sung will help out when he can but it will depend on the match line-up. Park Junseo is already juggling his second bouts but promises to find you later." The list of instructions which followed were a bit bewildering but San Jin explained how they were all going to watch the different boards. Then he guided In-Yeon over to the fencing area and located the official for the first match.

In-Yeon was very nervous when he faced off against a much older competitor but reminded himself, these matches were only for experience. The back-and-forth flow in the match was more even than he expected and he scored a double point with one of the moves he learned from San Jin. It was enough to tie up the points and In-Yeon was happy not to be eliminated.

"It is always good to get your first match under your belt. You won't have the same nerves after this. Now remember, just because they are older and bigger doesn't mean they are smarter or faster." San Jin patted In-Yeon's back then guided him over to where the temple contingent studied the boards. "Looks like you are up straight away. Here hand me your foil and armor." San Jin held out his hands and one of the other temple boys helped In-Yeon get himself squared away. "I will take these back and check in with Manager Doak. Someone from the team will come over as soon as your next round is posted."

In-Yeon barely had time to give his unofficial manager a thumbs up before being rushed over to the mats where his next opponent waited. They agreed to temple forms and started slowly, testing each other's defenses, then picking up the pace. In-Yeon was very careful to keep to the proscribed moves even though his opponent slipped in some less classical moves when the referee was not looking. A boundary judge raised a flag and the other boy got a warning for breaking form. A few minutes later In-Yeon's combination move pushed his opponent out-of-bounds. When the boy tried to argue this ruling, he was given a third warning and disqualified. It wasn't how In-Yeon pictured the match going. While he welcomed the chance to move on to the next round, he also took note of the strict officiating. When he reported his win to the other temple boys, he hoped his example would remind them the importance of staying in form.

Most school recruiters did not show up until nearly noon and the single elimination rounds ended. They positioned themselves next to the scoreboards and took special note of the younger competitors. Several of them went over to greet San Jin and ask which of his students he was there to support.

"Oh, I don't encourage my students to compete anywhere but official qualifiers. I am just here for the exhibition match later on." San Jin bowed politely and backed away keeping In-Yeon out of sight behind him. "It gets very tiresome if they find you to early in the day," he explained with a bit of a smirk.

"Oh, okay. Thanks for the heads up," In-Yeon said. Then he noticed how some of the other boys from the forge seemed to be running interference for their team-mates. It also seemed none of the recruiters had yet to brave his uncle's scowls to talk with the couple of temple boys who had not been eliminated.

Hae-sung showed up with some fruit and a flask of water just after In-Yeon's fencing match and explained, "It looks like we both have a few minutes before we have to be over at the mats."

"Thanks. How is it going?"

"We are all through the first rounds. Junseo is already onto the third round undefeated. It took me a while to figure out how to tune out everything so I just squeaked in on points. San Jin told me you have been doing very well, especially since you are up against so many seniors."

"It's something I had to get used to at home," In-Yeon shrugged and then blushed when he realized how it might have sounded. "I mean there were just not that many students to practice with if we kept to our own groups."

"Don't worry. I get it. It is part of the reason I started going to Temple at home. Ah, here we are. Good Luck." Hae-sung gave In-Yeon a slap on the back and went to the next mat over.

In-Yeon was surprised to see his next opponent was one of his temple team-mates. He gave his uncle a questioning look but only got an expansive shrug as an answer. He could not stop replaying their training-master's instructions in his head so moved carefully through the classic moves for the set direction. As they sped up, he gave himself into a seamless flow of attacks and blocks. In-Yeon unaware of anything else until the referee's flag went up and he was awarded a technical knockout. He bowed deeply to his opponent, then to the judges, and back to his opponent.

"Well done. I didn't even see that strike coming," the boy wrapped one arm over In-Yeon's shoulder and led him over to where the others from the temple had gathered.

"It was just the finish for the second eastern position. I thought you would expect it." In-Yeon blushed a bit and the others crowded in to congratulate them both.

"Your Training-master will be proud of both of you. It was exactly the kind of match to show everyone why proper form matters," Brother Suk-Chan smiled broadly. He would have said more but Song-hee came looking for In-Yeon.

"We are up next for fencing," he announced as he tugged on In-Yeon's sleeve and pointed across the field.

"We. As in us, together?" In-Yeon asked with a strained voice before adding, "I guess it was good while it lasted."

Junseo waited with their equipment at the edge of the court. He updated them on how the rest of the team were doing as he helped them prepare. Then he warned them about the footing on their assigned strip. "Seems like the ground is getting chewed up pretty badly so be careful. Both of you. No sense getting injured over a ribbon."

The boys nodded their thanks and took their positions. The early exchanges were equal but it did not take long for Song-hee's natural speed to give him an advantage. In-Yeon tried to keep up but was steadily losing ground. Or at least until he did a quick counter move and Song-hee tripped on the uneven ground. When In-Yeon helped Song-hee up it became obvious the older boy would not be able to continue on his severely twisted ankle.

"Sorry. You would have had me in another minute," In-Yeon said as he helped Song-hee over to where Manager Doak waited.

"Not your fault. I over-reached. I'm sure Junseo will get me sorted as soon as he has a chance. He is pretty good at taking care of this sort of thing," Song-hee said with at tight lipped smile. He turned to Manager Doak and said, "Don't let him know about this until after his matches wrap up."

"Right, well let's get you settled in the stands. You can hold our places while we see where Student Pange needs to be before those recruiters over there manage to catch up."