Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Thirty-six

            Junseo did his best to ignore the curious looks from the juniors on the second terrace. Hae-sung stayed close and quietly announced the name of each move in the set. In-Yeon inched into position one row ahead and stayed in rhythm with his prospective teammates.

"We didn't know when we might see you again," the Training-master offered his hand to Junseo.

"As you can see, I am still finding my way," Junseo said as he swept back his sweaty hair. "Sometimes I feel as weak as a kitten."

"Everyone telling you to be patient is bound to be frustrating but time really is the best cure." The man nodded to the group and went to coach the pairs lined up to spar.

"I'm not sure if this will help but my grandfather made me wear this for a couple of weeks after my twister got away on me. It seemed to help with my energy and focus. Just don't try to do anything with stones while you have it on." In-Yeon shyly handed over a bracelet made from braided copper wire.

Junseo picked it up and examined it closely before sliding it onto his wrist. "Wow. I can really feel its energy!" he said with wonder. "I mean it feels like it might help open up some of the flows." He illustrated this point by flawlessly running through the moves for the opening and closing salutations of the set they had just completed.

"I am glad it might help but now I have to give you the warning I got from my grandfather. Don't overextend with this. If you draw in too much outside energy you could mess up your meridians. Just wear it when you are doing regular observances." In-Yeon unconsciously mimicked his grandfather's serious tone.

"I understand. It's a bit like tuning your first stones," Junseo couldn't help smiling at the relief on In-Yeon's face.

"Darn, here I hoped you had a ready cure for his hang-over. He has been a grump all morning," Hae-sung teased.

In-Yeon looked scandalized but it was hard to say whether his discomfort was from the notion of his hero over-indulging or from the casual way Hae-sung addressed Junseo.

"Did you get a lot of offers after the competition?" In-Yeon asked Hae-sung.

"Probably not as many as you," he answered with a grin.

"I am waiting to hear what my family has to say. Knight-Master Lie's offer seems the most open-ended," In-Yeon was too shy to share more details.

"Yes. He told me to look into other opportunities but let him know what he would need to do to match them," Hae-sung looked a little embarrassed before adding, "I didn't mean to make him haggle."

"You would really leave the team?" In-Yeon sounded shocked at this notion.

"None of our positions are permanent. Both sides review at the end of each school term. It is not standard for trainees to have a choice but so far it seems to work." Junseo winked at Hae-sung before changing to a more serious tone by saying, "There may also be a time when it makes sense for a team-member to take a leave of absence to deal with family matters or whatever."

"Oh. I guess that makes sense. I mean it is better to have the chance to return than being forced to choose between your family and your team," In-Yeon still sounded puzzled but the older boys just patted him on the back before going on their way. The routines in the scriptorium helped him settle but he decided a tour in the gardens would help.

The Herbalist offered a silent welcome but watched In-Yeon with concern. The boy obviously worried. He waited until after In-Yeon completed a full circuit of the mediation paths before approaching.

"How are you settling in the cottage? Are the younger boys still nervous around you?" The man probed gently.

"They are even more stand-offish since the competition. I didn't know getting into the top ten was such a big deal. It's not like this is a Training Yard competing for standing and more recruits." In-Yeon's frustration showed in the way he dug his toe into the ground. When he realized he had disturbed the path he crouched down to set it right again.

"I guess they expect you to leave after how many offers you returned with. Now you have a choice. Not many who have been sent here by their families get a chance to set their own path."

"It's not that easy. I know the team I would like to join but it seems like some of the members might not be staying."

"Ah. That is a problem but maybe the different trainees tell you something about the yards. I know you have a bond with Hae-sung and Junseo but have you met other candidates?"

"Well, there were a couple of nasty types at the competition I would want to steer clear of," In-Yeon thought seriously for a moment before admitting, "I'm not great with classics and languages so a couple of the academies are also out."

"Sleep on it then see which yards you should visit on your half-day." The Herbalist then accompanied In-Yeon to the forms class to reinforce the group anchors. His presence made a striking difference in the group harmony and all the boys were more at ease than they had been in weeks.

The rest of the day passed without incident so In-Yeon did not expect such a troubled sleep. His dreams were incredibly vivid. First, he watched a scene from home with his father and grandfather conferring over the contract from Knight-Master Lie and the letter that had accompanied it.

"Are you sure this was written by your brother?" The old man asked pointing down at the neat script in front of them. "I have never seen him admit a fault, never mind offer an apology."

"I know it seems out of character but here he says he is grateful we sent In-Yeon to him and will do his best to keep his most extraordinary nephew safe, even though it is too late to try to disguise the boy's talents. What do you think he means?" Baron Pange rubbed his chin and re-read both the letter and the contract. "I don't know. In-Yeon is still so young. How will the other boys treat him?"

"On that score he will be no worse off at the forge than if he stays at the Temple. There is bound to be some fall-out for him helping to prove what the older boys got up to. Maybe not now, but the others will trust him less." In-Yeon's grandfather stared into space for a moment. "His aunt's teachings were not wasted. She is convinced the fates are guiding him so let him go where he wishes."

"I would like him to get some of his exams out of the way but maybe it best to let the school weigh in. I will let Brother Suk-Chan know he has our complete trust."

His father's statement was so out of character it jolted In-Yeon. The more he questioned the logic of his dream the more restless he became. He finally told himself he should not fret over where his imagination ran and rolled over.

Two days later his uncle showed him the signed contract and the letter that proved he had dreamed true. This fact disturbed In-Yeon enough that he decided the most important visit for his half-day would be back to the Shaman.