Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Fifty-five

     Junseo thought one of the nicest things about working in the gardens was the way you could see your progress with the bigger jobs while waiting for the smaller differences to take hold. When trying to find a way to express his appreciation for this work, he also realized how much easier it was to talk quietly with the Herbalist when their hands were busy with something else. It wasn't just the monk was a sympathetic listener, it also gave Junseo more time to sort out what he wanted to say. Weeding away the superficial reactions, and getting closer to the root of things.

"I don't know why the Governor is so insistent I train at the castle, or what he might expect. I am still far from whole," Junseo stabbed a forked tool into a stubborn weed then worked it free with his fingers. "It's not like I always practiced wearing my crystals, quite the opposite, but I still don't have my balance. Or maybe it is just my control. Oh bother," Junseo wiped his hand on his pant leg and tried to suck a sliver out of his finger.

"Here wash it off, then let me take a look," The Herbalist came over with a small bucket of water. Junseo did as instructed. The Herbalist squinted then pulled Junseo a few steps along for better lighting. "There, that's got it." They both smiled and the monk asked, "Are you afraid they will find you weak, or realize just how strong you still are?"

"I'm not," Junseo stopped his automatic objection to rephrase, "I just don't trust them, not after last year, and definitely not after what the Governor's wife said at the banquet. Honestly, I could have slapped her."

"You would be in chains now if you did. So at least you have some control."

"Yes, well, I would never do that to my family but if I don't comply now it might amount to the same thing."

"So, what would make it safer? Can you bring a companion? Have solid commitments to limit the time you have available? I'm not suggesting you stay away, only make it harder for them to detain you."

"There is always the clinic, I guess," Junseo went back to digging.

"Good choice. It will signal you have interests outside of the military. Important interests that can be served here as well as in the capital. It might be enough to reduce their worries."

Junseo might have argued the governor and his cronies had nothing to worry about from him but knew if he found direct evidence of their involvement with the Council of Five conspiracy, he would do whatever it might take to bring them all down. Instead, he just asked about the preparations for the lunar eclipse.

"We don't expect guests to stay for all the observances but if you are interested you are welcome to join us for some of the hours. You have a bunk here now, don't you?"

"Yes. It makes it easier on my family if I am not rattling around before dawn. Especially with the little ones. No matter how quiet I think I am one or the other seems to wake up and cry." Junseo frowned. He already struggled with the new schedule and now had to find a way to add a couple of hours with the Provincial Guards. Since it was a special night at the Moon Temple, he had no intention of going to the Governor's Castle the next morning but knew he could not delay for too long.

"We should clean up now, and try and get a bit of a rest before the rites start," the Herbalist said. Junseo was not at all sure he would be able to rest but followed the monk's advice.

The evening meal they were offered was much lighter than the usual fare. His table mates explained this was because they would be enjoying the feast of returning to mark the end of the eclipse. Everything stayed quiet until the gongs summoned them all to mark the moon rise. The senior members of the community followed this observance with a special chant and a modified battle form pattern. The whole community stayed in their ranks until the signal for the next hour. They were dismissed to enjoy the start of the eclipse from anywhere on the grounds but instructed to return as soon as the moon took on a rusty tint. "We should all take this chance to welcome the phoenix," the Temple-Master instructed.

The Monks responded, "We are honored to do so," in unison before leaving the courtyard.

Junseo followed a group of initiates for a while, but then struck out on his own. He did not recognize the path until the moon's silver edge brightened ahead of the shadow starting to block its westmost edge. A clear stone glinted up from beside the path and as soon as Junseo reached down to pick it up, he knew he was near where the Crystal Pavilion used to stand. He looked closer at the piece of clear quartz he had found and was transported back to the first time he had a vision of the dragon and the light dance across all the full spectrum of crystals which had followed. For a moment it felt as if all of those lights were running inside of him. He nearly dropped to his knees before he remembered to anchor. The cycle of stone mantras helped but the gong sounded before he finished.

He could see light coming from the crystal so tucked his hand inside his shirt and made his way back to the main courtyard. The monks there directed him to stand near the northern most point and wait. He took his place and silently continued his efforts to calm the energy flowing from the stone. A band of reddish light made its way along the stones in front of him. The exact moment the light enveloped him he heard a bird cry and he felt like he was falling through the light into deep shadows.

The monks standing on either side of him also heard a cry. They turned toward its source and saw a flaming crown hovering above the boy's head in the seconds before he collapsed. The light around them started to brighten and they hurried to catch up with the welcoming sequence. A gong signaled the end to the ritual and released them to check on the crumbled form between them.

"Boy! Are you alright boy?" The closest monk reached over and gently shook Junseo's shoulder. Junseo moaned and curled himself tighter around where he held the crystal.

"Come now. Join us with the closing so we can go the feast together," the other monk coaxed.

"Closing," Junseo muttered the pulled himself into a lotus position. He placed the crystal on the ground between his legs and sang a deep anchor before joining the regular temple rhythms. When they were finished, he tucked the stone into his belt and stood up in one smooth motion.

"What were you thinking, trying to tune a stone like that in the middle of an eclipse?" The more senior of the pair asked but his voice faded as he took a closer look at their visitor. Junseo's eyes glinted in the low light like they were reflecting a flame.

"I just found it, and honestly if feels more like it is trying to tune me," Junseo looked down and shuffled his feet back and forth.

"I'm not going to ask why you were touched by the Phoenix tonight but I am going to keep you company until we can talk with the Temple-Master," the man whispered pointing to where the others gathered for the feast.