Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Fifty-two

            Junseo's mother flatly refused to be carried in the palanquin sent by the Governor saying men should not be treated as beasts of burden. Instead, she accepted a ride in a tradesman's cart. She put down a blanket to sit on and kept herself well hidden under a cloak. Junseo and his father walked behind, and at the steepest part of the route to the Governor's castle Junseo helped the struggling burrow by pushing the back of the cart.

"Oh, do try to keep yourself tidy," Junseo's mother pleaded.

"I'm being careful," Junseo claimed. Then he realized he was probably straining the shoulder seams in his dress cloths more than ever intended so he adjusted his position. They were soon through the worst stretch so he went back to keeping pace with his father.

"I keep forgetting how steep this hill can be," his father half panted.

"It's a lot steeper on the other side," Junseo said with a smile.

"That is probably why nobody has tried your crazy route. Try not to remind the Governor about that race, I think he is still offended."

"Even after all this time? It was ages ago."

"It only seems like that to you with all you have been off doing," Junseo's father shook his head.

"I suppose but is pretty much the same as what I did here. There is no racing but I am still making, studying, and training. Just with new people."

"And competing in tournaments, and hence our invitation this evening." Whatever Junseo might have replied was forestalled by their party having reached the gates and the ritual of having their identities and purpose for their visit checked at the outer gates, and again at the threshold to the castle. Junseo was about to grumble this treatment was more bother than he ever got at the King's Palace but then stopped himself when he realized how it might sound to a provincial guard.

Once they were inside, Junseo's mother was whisked away with some maids, and they were invited to wait in a small salon where they too could make necessary adjustments to their formal attire. First, they patted the sweat off their faces and adjusted their head gear. Junseo turned his back pulled his sleeve over and asked, "Did it rip through?"

"Not enough to notice providing you keep relatively still," his father tried to be reassuring and then pointed to some dust marks near the hem of Junseo's wide trousers then helped him brush them off. Just as they were finishing up, they were called back to the hall so their family could make their entrance together as a servant announced them. The general chatter in the room stopped for a moment as the other guests turned to stare at the unexpected spectacle of the Governor hurrying over to greet the Park family.

"Ah, at last, here is our young champion and his lucky family," the man waved his arms around as he approached. Junseo's father responded with a stiff bow, his mother curtseyed to the precise degree needed and not an inch more. Junseo followed their lead, remembering the extra degree demanded by the age gap.

His mother signaled with her eyes that he should be the one to respond so Junseo bowed again, and said, "This humble candidate is grateful for your kind invitation and the honor it bestows our family." The governor frowned a bit at the indirect correction but then made a show of accompanying their little group to the head table. Junseo was seated between a district school inspector and the captain of the provincial guards both of whom were most intent on quizzing him about his current training regime and future plans.

"I dare say you must be finding things here a bit boring compared to the Capital," the school inspector probed.

"Not at all, it is good to be able to spend time with my family," Junseo answered but silently wondered about the man's attitude.

"And your recovery? It does not look like you have any lasting injuries?" The captain studied Junseo closely.

"Uncertain. Balance is still an issue," Junseo did not specify which kind of balance and did not feel like a stranger deserved to hear anymore details.

"Are you dropping out of the Champion's round?" the man asked with a very worried tone.

"I am on the reserve list so might not even be called. I don't need to worry about that for a while."

"But your training, will you continue it here?" the Inspector interjected.

"What I can do here, but I won't rush things for a hypothetical chance at some jumped up competition." Junseo's annoyance started to show and he went on, "Just because the Crown-Prince sponsors it, and his training yard usually sweeps the major awards, doesn't make the be-all, and end-all."

"Oh, that's good. I mean I like how you see things. Most boys would be falling over themselves for the chance to compete. It gives a real leg up for enlistment," the Captain nodded to himself.

"Yes, well I don't need to worry about that for a while either," Junseo said curtly and dug into his food. He tried to change the subject by asking about one of the local delicacies they had been served but the older men didn't seem to get the hint. In the end he gave in and agreed try sparing with the provincial guards once he was up to it. He also promised to visit his old school to talk about preparing for examinations and the qualifying rounds. Neither prospect made him happy but he did not want to appear disloyal.