Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Forty-one

     Hae-sung returned to the forge and carefully stowed away In-Yeon's stones. He then sought out Manager Doak to see if it might be possible to accommodate the young boy's request. After he relayed the message, he tried to explain the urgency. "Something feels very off at the Temple these days. The training-masters seem jumpy, maybe even a bit defensive. The students are acting stand-offish. I just don't think it is a good place for In-Yeon. Not when they have thrown him back in the dorms after singling him out."

"You are right. I will talk with Knight-Master Lie. We can bring in tutors to get the boy through the entrance tests."

"I'm sure San Jin will want to help." Hae-sung said.

"Help with what?" San Jin asked as he lazed against the doorway.

"Tutoring In-Yeon when he gets here." Hae-sung answered.

"Of course. When is he coming? I know my Mom will want to have him over for a weekend. She says all her boys need some at home time. Oh, and if you didn't know she has decided the whole crew are now her boys." San Jin made a bit of a face.

"I am grateful you are willing to share a bit of your home life," Hae-sung's smile held a hint of sadness.

"And I am grateful not to be my mother's only project while my brother is studying abroad," San Jin joked back.

"Why don't you boys go figure something out in the dorm here. It might make sense for a handful to move over to the training yard again. Scout Jia can be the chaperon there, or at least until he goes on the road. Once our new journeyman gets settled, he can supervise thing here and I can switch over there." Manager Doak started talking himself through all the arrangements he needed to make.

"Right. Well since we are the two seniors, I guess one of us will need to stay here while the other goes to the yard," Hae-sung tilted his head.

"It makes sense for you to be at the forge with Song-hee but I would like to bring Chenhui along to help with the horses. We can ask Xuiyang which group he wants to stay with. I am guessing Scout Jia will bring along some more recruits so In-Yeon should stay probably here with you until the others sort themselves out."

"We should probably have one or two candidates closer to In-Yeon's age stay with him at the forge. He has warmed up to you guys but true peers might be better." Manager Doak shook his head slowly.

"A peer?" Hae-sung started to chuckle, "Oh, good luck. You know In-Yeon's talents aren't just in the battle arts. I mean he has a fire-stone affinity. I don't think you are going to find anyone his age who would be even close to his level."

"Yes. But he is still a young boy, no matter how talented." Manager Doak put up his hand and added, "Let's just get him and the new recruits here first before we make any decisions."

"What decisions?" a deep voice asked from the gate.

"Glad to see you made it in one piece Journeyman Yang. I was worried you might have been caught up in the storms."

"Yes, well it took a bit longer than usual to make it down from Ilidan but we made pretty good progress considering the state of the roads," the man bowed his greeting to Manager Doak and looked around at the yard.

"I will show you where you can stow your things then these students can give you a full tour. I am sorry Knight-Master Lie got called to the palace and we don't expect him back tonight." Manager Doak took charge of getting the new Journeyman settled. The only problem came when Song-hee refused to let the man into the workshop.

"I'm sorry. Our commission is highly confidential. Until you get cleared by the Knight-Master, I can't let you in. Just give us hour to finish up our notes and clear things away. Maybe San Jin can take you to the Plum Tree Teahouse and give you a bit of an overview of our training regime while you wait." Song-hee gave both San Jin and Manager Doak pleading looks.

"We need to send a runner to see if a table is available. I don't know if my father has a visit planned," San Jin motioned over to one of his family guards who went out to flag one of the messenger boys who waited at the closest major intersection. It did not take long to get an answer back and for San Jin, Chenhui, Manager Doak, and Journeyman Yang to head out with four guards.

Hae-sung opted to say back to help Song-hee in the forge and to check to see where Xuiyang might like to bunk.

"That took guts," he complimented Song-hee, "I mean not letting the new Journeyman come into the workroom while the detonators were out, was a good call."

"Yeah? I just don't want any awkward questions about what we are up to. I mean I know it is cleared with the General and all but the fewer people see these the better." Song-hee swallowed hard as he took in their handiwork. "If you did not know why we have this stuff we could look like accord-breakers. First impressions count."

"I get it. Better to be seen as over-zealous when it comes to security," Hae-sung smiled. "It won't hurt they needed to take guards over to the Teahouse."

"Yes. It means whatever we are doing, it is serious business. Now let's clean up this place," Song-hee pointed to a dustpan. While they got busy stowing away the special project and clearing up the general clutter, Hae-sung asked them about the dorm arrangements. Xuiyang surprised him by insisting he would stay to help In-Yeon get settled at the forge.

"You guys are great but don't be too surprised if In-Yeon wants to go to the training yard to be closer to the horses," Xuiyang remarked. "Didn't you see how he lit up when we got to go for a ride? He has the horse bug at least as hard as Chenhui."

"Even if it is further to the school or temple?" Song-hee asked.

"Not everyone count's their steps the way you do," Hae-sung teased back and then added, "I am not sure how keen he will be to go to the Sun Temple for the morning rituals. It will depend on how things play out."