Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Fifty-six

     The monk was true to his word and even went as far as bunking in the guest quarters for the rest of the night. Junseo was blurry-eyed in the morning having his short sleep taken over with vivid dreams of trying to escape energy draining bonds. He did not have time to try to sort the possible meaning of his dreams as his self-appointed companion chaffed at Junseo's slow start to the day. They abbreviated the morning salutations then made their way to a meeting room beside the library.

"Wait here," the monk instructed. Junseo took a seat next to a pillar he could lean against. He felt almost as drained as when he first woke after the attack by the priestess. He touched the tiger's eye hidden among his wooden prayer beads and felt a reassuring rush of warmth.

"Thanks friend," he whispered and straighten a bit.

The monk returned with the Temple-Master and Junseo rose to offer a proper greeting to his official host.

"Ah, our newest guest. Do you have a sponsor with you?" The thin man with long grey whiskers asked.

"No, not officially." Junseo paused, and added, "I mostly help in the gardens so maybe the Herbalist?"

"Hmmm. Not ideal since he is relatively new here but he has council experience," the Temple-Master weighed the options out loud before sending for the man. They waited in an awkward silence until the Herbalist and the other monk who helped Junseo the night before arrived.

The Temple-Master proceeded with a ritual promoting confidentiality and truth-telling then invited Junseo to share what had happened the night before. Junseo squirmed a bit then reluctantly held the quartz piece he had found out on a flat hand. It was the first time he had seen the oval, palm-sized crystal in daylight, and was immediately captivated by its purity. "I found this beauty when the moonlight struck it and made it really shine. It was like it was calling, so I picked it up and brought it to the terrace with me. I was trying to get anchored all through the last half of the eclipse and maybe overdid it because these two brothers had to help me make it through the closing." Junseo knew this to be a most superficial explanation but did not have words for all the sensations he remembered. Nor, did he think it prudent to mention how much this stone reminded him of the dragon's gaze.

The Temple-Master leaned over to study the crystal but did not attempt to touch it. Instead, he got up and walked across the room to where a row of jade jars sat on a shelf and brought one back to where the group waited. "This is the home for the few stones from the Crystal Pavilion the conclave left us. Mostly, they are the unmatched pairs of the lesser crystals but we still have one of a greater degree waiting for its mate." He reached into the jar and held up a six-sided piece of obsidian. The Temple-Master then gestured for Junseo to hold out his other palm and placed the dark crystal on it. The two stones reflected each other and started to shine.

Junseo automatically began to hum the stone-mantra cycle and all the monks joined in. He did not know what might have happened without their support as he was nearly swept away by the energy stream between the two stones. When they finished the cycle, he felt as if the new anchors ran to the very center of the earth.

"You are chosen," the Temple-Master said firmly. "Even if there had been no witnesses to when the Phoenix made his pick," he nodded to the brothers from the night before declaring, "the stones made you, their keeper."

Junseo stared down at the shining crystals and whispered, "But I thought it was all gone." He went on to explain why he had left the Capital and his lingering doubts, concluding with the observation, "I can tell I am still not whole, as full as I am with this new energy, there is still a fault-line."

The Temple-Master nodded as he listened to Junseo's story and replied, "Being so drained gave you the room to accept new affinities. You still need time to learn and heal so the Moon Temple will remain in your service."

"I am honored and grateful beyond measure," Junseo said as he bowed deeply. He reached over to put the crystals into the jade jar but the Temple-Master stopped him.

"Give them a day to settle with you first. Then we can fashion a setting."

"Oh. Alright," Junseo tucked the stones into a fold in his belt and took a deep breath.

"What about the other signs, the flaming crown?" The monk who had accompanied Junseo asked. Then he frowned "We didn't imagine it."

"No. I am certain you are not prone to flights of fancy but the meaning of such a sign isn't for us to know. It could be spiritual, or it could be temporal. Our guest will have his own ideas." The Temple-Master nodded and Junseo just blushed. He was just not ready to confide anything more to these men. After an awkward silence the others left.

"You should keep up with the hours until the stones settle," the Temple-Master advised before he too left.

"I hope it is alright I claimed you as my sponsor," Junseo's voice shook a bit as he looked over at the Herbalist.

"I am happy you did, but now I think we both need some fresh air and sunshine," the monk's eyes crinkled into half-moons as he smiled. They made their way back to where the collection of miniature trees waited for their attention. As they worked Junseo talked about the first time he had come to the Moon Temple and the different ways Master Wu taught the forms and mantras.

"It got me in trouble with my master at the dojo but by that point things just made so much more sense with Master Wu," Junseo said. "Honestly, I don't think I would have made it through the qualifiers without the grounding I got here at the Moon Temple."

"And what did you think of the Sun Temple?" the Herbalist asked.

"I don't know. They were a bit rigid and seemed to get more rule bound over the time I was there. I will always be grateful for their help but it is not as natural a place for me. Maybe its because I have other important teachers in the capital." Junseo paused as a flood of homesickness for the forge and training yard washed over him. "Damn, I miss them," he muttered.

"Then we need to do what we can to get you ready to go back. So, let's start in on the hours again."