Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Forty-eight

            Citizens in the capital were accustomed to having to clear the roadways for formal processions and seldom took much notice of anything less than the highest ranks. When a crier calling "Make way" was followed by city guards most people sullenly shuffled closer to the building and tried to carry-on. When whispers about who was being accompanied through the narrow streets started to run ahead of the procession, all regular activities stopped. Even the most jaded strained to catch a glimpse of the Mistress of the Dawn riding by on her white mule. Her iridescent veils fluttered in the early afternoon breeze and a lucky few received her gentle smile.

The messenger waiting outside of the Sun Temple gates had not expected heavily armed guards to be accompanying a woman so renowned for her peaceful ways. His approach was abruptly blocked so he held up the strangely folded piece of colored paper. This seemed to be the key as the guards closest to the priestess let him hand over the message. A generous tip came in return and the messenger went on his way.

"Family troubles?" the guard asked having recognized the outer shape of the message.

"Just a concern. One we suspected, but is now perhaps more urgent," her quiet answer precluded any more questions. They entered the courtyard and waited for the formal welcome before dismounting. After an exchange of blessings, the city guards took charge of all the mounts and promised to return in three days. Temple initiates gathered the bags off the pack animals and led the way to a secluded cottage near the temple's back wall.

"Is the practice court open at this time of day?" one of the guards asked an initiate. The young man blushed when he realized both of the well armed guards must be female. He stammered his answer then volunteered to guide the guests to the lower terrace. After a few minutes three identically dressed figures appeared carrying curved swords. The helmets masking their faces made it impossible to know which fighter might be the Mistress of the Dawn. The women worked through a complicated pattern that echoed a full march of the seasons. When they finished, they dismissed their guide and made their way back to their humble accommodation on their own.

"Thanks sisters. I really needed the stretch," the priestess smiled at her companions.

"You also needed a re-set to get ready for the council meeting," the elder of the two guards teased back.

"You know me too well," the priestess replied before asking, "Can you try to scout around for Student Pange In-Yeon while I prepare the rituals? My nephew is worried the boy might be injured."

Her two guards looked at each other then back to her. Their doubt was clear so she explained, "This is not just for my nephew. We have other reasons to seek the boy out, so be inventive. Look for a cure from the healer here. Preferably one that will take you to the infirmary." The women reluctantly accepted this charge then helped their leader with the elaborate costume required for starting the discernment process for confirming of a new temple-master.

The Mistress of the Dawn made her way to the highest terrace where the members of the acting council waited. She accepted their bows and then lit the lamps to mark each compass point before asking only those who are worthy to come forth. None of the men of the council stepped forward. She waited through a long silence and asked again. The lamps fluttered in an unexpected breeze and the men looked worried, a couple shuffling their feet while squinting around the terrace. Two monks with banded robes marking them as members of the council rushed to join the others on the terrace. They bowed their apologies but the priestess put up her hand. She chanted a special invocation and then with a wave doused the lamps and left the terrace. Her measured steps did not disguise her disapproval.

She returned to the cottage. "I hope you had a better result than I did this evening," she said with a heavy sigh.

"I think so. I mean it looks like the boy is there. We couldn't get close or anything but we could sense an energy lock so the conclave might be involved." The older guard kept her voice low.

"Not officially. Something else must be going on, and I don't like it." She pulled off her gloves and lifted up her ornate headpiece before adding, "We need to move carefully."

The failure to identify a candidate at the evening ritual had everyone talking. The Healer and his assistant huddled in the corner across from where In-Yeon lay pretending to sleep. They were especially worried about how priestess reacted to their candidate being late for the ceremony and why her women were snooping around. Hearing their concerns, In-Yeon decided he could not wait any longer to escape. Even without his full strength he still had to chance it.

In-Yeon waited until his watcher dozed off in the corner. He carefully opened up the shackles on his ankles and pried two links open on the chains connecting his wrists. He rolled up a blanket and tucked it in to make it look like he was still in the bed. Then he crawled along under the windows until he came to the one the was propped open. He hauled himself up and squeezed through the opening. His robe caught on the latch and he scraped himself trying to get free. He clenched his teeth as he slid down the infirmary's rough exterior before sprinting to where a large maple grew close to the temple wall. Since part of his climb would be in full view of the dormitories, he quickly brushed some dirt onto his cloths.

He took a deep breath and jumped up to grab onto the lowest branch of the tree. He almost didn't make it and had to dig his nails into the rough bark to pull himself up. He lay along the branch for a moment, listening to be sure all was quiet. Then he inched his feet under himself and clambered up to the next branch, and then the next. He made his way around the wide trunk then scooted along the branch that hung over the temple's outer wall. His weight made the branch dip and sway putting him off balance when he jumped. He managed to swing over to the far side of the wall and started to slide down. His heel caught a sharp edge on a tile and he had to stifle an involuntary yelp. He tried to re-position himself but ended up slipping off and crashing into a rose bush. Disentangling his sleeve from the thorny bush took longer than he liked but he was soon hobbling down the nearest alleyway. He was crouching under a low-hanging eave when to rough-looking boys approached.

"What are you doing out here little bird?" One of the boys tapped In-Yeon on the shin with stick.

"I'm trying to get to Knight-Master Lie's forge, or General Tan's training yard. Which ever is closer." In-Yeon's squeaked out.

"You part of In Song-hee's crew?"

"That's the plan. Or at least it was supposed to be until the monks got their own ideas," In-Yeon's wide-eyes darted back and forth.

"Never did trust those religious types," one remarked, "Not like our crew. Song-hee will owe us a favor for you but he will be good for it." The two boys nodded to each other then reached down to help In-Yeon stand.

"Here," one of them thrust a rough bandage into In-Yeon's hand and pointed down, "You're leaving a trail."