Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Fifty-one

     Hae-sung leaned over and asked In-Yeon if he needed anything and soon carried him on another necessary excursion. Then he helped the boy put up his hair and straighten out his borrowed robes before setting him back on a pile of cushions. In-Yeon had just settled in and was taking a slow slip of water when his family's advocate arrived and made the most perfunctory bows to their hosts before bustling over.

"Young Master Pange, I can't tell you how worried we all have been, and for good reason it seems. You don't have to say anything about what has happened but if you do I think we can count of this group to keep everything confidential, at least until we decide next steps. What would you like to do?"

"I trust the team, after all, I am pretty sure they just saved my life." In-Yeon bowed his head in thanks and then paused. "I'm not quite sure where to start. The last time I saw most of you was at the dinner when Junseo announced he was going back to Ilidan to recover. I only got a chance to talk with Hae-sung a couple of times after that. Things started getting strange at the Temple when the Chief Librarian returned with a monk claiming to be an investigator for the conclave." In-Yeon paused to try to get his thoughts in order.

"I guess it is fair to say I never got on well with the Chief Librarian. He was not at all pleased I have a topaz affinity stone and he was very upset over what he called unsanctioned workings. I admit I didn't always have the control I needed but the Temple-Master and the Herbalist coached me through some awkward spots. They actually put together a group of us who could work the elements and we were all getting better control but then these orders came down from the conclave and most of the students in our special group got shipped off. Around the same time my uncle left on a pilgrimage and the Temple-Master stepped down.

That's when I asked Hae-sung to take care of my crystals for me. The Chief-Librarian had impounded them once before and I didn't want to give him the chance to hold them over me again. Not after I helped implicate his nephew in the drowning of another student. Anyway, it wasn't too much longer before the bullying started to get bad. These guys tried to trap me and I ended up dousing them in a water-spout.

I guess it really scared the council, or the Chief-Librarian scared them, but anyways I woke up in chains in the infirmary. I overheard them, so know their plan was to drain my energy enough to make me look old enough for a pilgrimage to the Temple Under the Mountain. They didn't seem to care the process might kill me."

Song-hee hissed, "Dirty Bastards," under his breath.

In-Yeon grinned while clearing his throat and continued, "Right. Now this part is going to sound a bit strange, but you need to keep an open mind. I tried dream messaging to let people know I was in danger. I'm pretty sure it must have worked because one of my favorite monks brought me some lock picking tools. Anyway, I could get enough of the chains off to start getting some of my energy back. But last night something spooked them. A couple of women came by and the Healer got suspicious so they were planning to move me someplace more secure. I didn't like the sound of that so took a chance to try and get away. I got a bit banged up making it over the wall so was lucky your special friends found me and got me here to safety."

In-Yeon took a sip of water and looked around at his audience.

"So, some of the temple council seemed especially worried about your accidental workings. It sounds like you used a combination of wind and water against the bullies and you just told us you have an affinity with a fire stone," as he said this Manager Doak counted down on his fingers.

Scout Jia jumped in saying "If I not mistaken, we all felt you moving the earth a little while ago."

"Just doing a grounding for my crystals. They were a little frisky when I first put them on so Hae-sung and San Jin helped," In-Yeon gave the older boys a pleading look.

"I think I know what you are thinking," San Jin said. "Chances are you are correct but I am not going to say it aloud. Before you say anything more you might want to stop and ask yourself, Why Now?"

Knight-Master Lie paled then straightened up. "We have documentation of the boy's injuries, physical evidence from part of the restraints he escaped with, and of course his clear testimony. Our main problem is whatever happens on temple grounds is a matter for the conclave, not the King's courts."

"I couldn't have summed it up better myself," the Advocate said eagerly. "I will tell you his family's primary interest is the boy's safety and they are willing to put considerable resources into that cause. I hate to say it but they may well be needed since I can't see such a despicable plot simply stopping at the temple gates."

"Would it help if we could get the evidence to a member of the conclave?" Hae-sung asked quietly.

"It might, but it might also be dangerous for them." San Jin said sadly.

"Yeah, or they may already be in on the whole thing. Don't forget there is already an agent for the conclave at the Sun Temple. I can't imagine he would not know about a special prisoner." Song-hee glared at the others.

"Well, I think the chains may have come from the investigator. Or at least, he knew about them. Enough to tell the healers about side effects," In-Yeon leaned back and suddenly felt overwhelmed.

"That's enough for now," Hae-sung said and carried In-Yeon out of the room while Chenhui and Xuiyang formed an honor guard.

Knight-Master Lie cleared his throat. "As much as I want to believe the boy will be safe here, I am not sure it will be the best place for him to recover. It will be too easy for him to push too hard."

"I was wondering if it would be alright for him to come home with me for a while," San Jin looked at each of the men in turn.

"And where would that be, exactly?" The Advocate asked.

"I'm sorry. I thought you would know from this address and our introductions. Education Minister Go's family would be honored to host Student Pange In-Yeon." San Jin tried not to chuckle as the man's attitude shifted so abruptly.

"That will be fine. I will let his family know their boy is staying with friends until he gets settled into school. His mother wants him to do some preparatory exams so we will look into some tutoring options," The man pulled out a list. "Oh, and where should we send packages?"

"Let's use the forge. There is always someone there. The other options could be complicated," Manager Doak winked at Knight-Master Lie as he said this.

"Right, well I think that wraps it up for now," The Advocate paused and looked around the banquet hall.

"Don't worry, we will get In-Yeon to write his family as soon as he is up to the task," San Jin promised. This seemed to be enough to appease the man who then took his leave.