Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Fifty-seven

            The second round in the discernment ritual brought forward a candidate to lead the Sun Temple. The Mistress of the Dawn was not at all impressed by the man but the community seemed to be satisfied, or at least, not in obvious rebellion. She did not like the new master of the Sun Temple's brash officiousness and expected his tenure would not last long. She kept her views to herself but the women guarding her were well aware of her mood.

"We can be on our way home soon, My Lady," one promised as she helped lift off the heavy headdress.

"Yes, but I would still like to see some of the capital. Do you think we can persuade the city guards to let us at least visit the Plum Tree Teahouse? After all it is neutral ground."

"I will ask when I go check on our mounts after the installation. Do you want your nephew to join us there?" The priestess nodded and smiled at how well her companion understood her.

"Perhaps one of his training-masters as well?" her other guard suggested.

"Let me write the messages. No, not the official stationery. At this point I am a just relative asking for a favor," she went over to a pack to extract her writing supplies. Once she had completed her task, she talked about the next steps for the confirmation rituals. She pitched her voice loud enough the likely spies would have no difficulty listening in.

The real topic of conversation was discussed via hand signals between the women. The priestess couldn't help smiling at the news the boy seemed to have escaped. It was especially satisfying to know none of the monks could leave the compound for another day. She was shocked a couple hours later when the investigator for the conclave appeared before her asking to be exempt from the lock down.

She had made the man wait while she dressed in the regalia for hearing petitions at the conclave. This choice reinforced her authority in terms of the rituals and the temple hierarches. They all stood in the small courtyard outside of the cottage in full view of the upper terraces.

"Do you have progress to report?" She prompted the man as he completed his obsequious greeting.

"I am sorry Mam, my confidential reports are to be first reviewed by my sponsor," he dressed his refusal in a smile.

"I see, and your reasons for breaking protocol by seeking me out."

"Are urgent, but unfortunately also confidential. I can say someone is in grave danger so it is imperative to act now. I must follow the trail into the city before it is too late." The investigator continuing trying to press his point without offering any specifics.

She listened patiently for a while before saying, "I'm sorry, no matter how illustrious your sponsor may be, even the full conclave could not ask to break the protocols at this point. To do so would invalidate the selection process and risk this temple being disbanded. If I have reason to suspect anyone has not maintained the rules, the result will be the same." As she said this, she used her powers as Mistress of the Dawn to add a shimmer to the light surrounding them.

Her guards banged the heels of their staves on the rocks in the courtyard and said in unison, "So, it is said. So, it shall be." The investigator cowered briefly then shuffled away with a very sour look on his face.

The women returned to the cottage where they continued their silent conversation. The Priestess signed dislike and distrust and her guards agreed. Then she expressed her hope Hae-sung's friend was safely away.

How to secret In-Yeon from the training yard to the Go residence was a topic of considerable debate among the boys. Their discord grew from each wanting to help in some way.

"We can't all show up at once. Not without it being a special occasion." Hae-sung had to admit but still looked hopefully at San Jin.

"You are right. My mother doesn't need much of an excuse for a party but we don't want the neighbours getting curious. It is probably best if I can hitch a ride in with my Dad. He can bring a carriage over from the ministry so we can have both home and palace guards. Let me write a note then we can stage a training accident for the watchers."

"You are going to give me a bad reputation," Manager Doak said as he caught the end of this conversation but then turned around and helped the boys with their ruse. The simulated accident turned into a real one when the barrels and pallets the boys were climbing over came tumbling down. San Jin's barely healed hand got caught. Then he fell trying to free himself and wrenched his shoulder.

His father took in the disheveled cloths and cold compresses in a glance and pursed his lips. "Son you really need to be more careful. We can't keep using public resources to rescue you from your follies."

"I'm sorry, Dad. I wouldn't have asked except it is not just me. Our youngest member is going to need some of Mom's special care," San Jin signaled for In-Yeon to come forward. The young boy bowed deeply and whispered his thanks.

Minister Go raised an eyebrow as he looked from the boy to his son, then over at Manager Doak before saying, "I trust your incident reports will be in order for the inspection."

Manager Doak looked apologetic and quickly thanked the San Jin's father for both the reminder and his understanding. Then he helped bundle the boys into the state carriage and sent them on their way.

"He will be safe there, won't he?" Hae-sung asked quietly. "He can be pretty shy around people he doesn't know."

"San Jin will stay for at least the first few days," Manager Doak assured him, patting his back. "Right. So how do we want to organize your accommodations?"

"Can everyone move back the to forge until the new recruits come? We have finished what we could on our special project. Maybe we can turn out somethings for the market. I mean it would be nice for Journeyman Yang to get better acquainted with our usual vendors." Hae-sung looked over at Song-hee for support and got a thumbs up.

"Sounds like a plan but you all need to prepare for some practice tests as well," Manager Doak's announcement was met with the expected chorus of moans.

"It is just so much harder without Junseo to explain things," Song-hee admitted quietly as he ducked his head.

"I know what you mean," Chenhui agreed with a sigh. "How long should it take? I mean he has to be getting better by now."

"We can only hope," Manger Doak said honestly.