Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Seventy-four

     Scout Jia and San Jin leaned on the railing of the stable's sand arena watching the strange game of tag In-Yeon played with the roan charger. Rufus would race up to the boy stop, spin, and take off a canter throwing mud up. In-Yeon ran parallel to the horse, grabbed a chunk of mane, and swung up. Rufus stopped and sniffed the ground intently.

"Don't you dare." In-Yeon wrapped a foot around the horse's thick neck. "Don't even think it," but then had to jump off before Rufus started to roll. "Fine. I'm not brushing you off again. You can scratch all night," In-Yeon marched away. The horse whinnied an apology and trotted up to put his head over the boy's shoulder. "Goof," In-Yeon said as he rubbed under the horse's chin. Then he waved his companions and called out, "I can meet you back at the Inn when I am done here."

Scout Jia signaled they would wait so In-Yeon fetched a halter and took Rufus back to his stall. San Jin joined In-Yeon in the stable, checking each of their horses and spending time grooming his young mare. "I really need to get her out for a bit of exercise tomorrow," he said.

"If it helps, they told me they had our string turned out all morning. I just knew this fellow might be getting board." In-Yeon found a spot near the charger's flank that needed extra attention.

"I can't wait for Hae-sung to see how well Rufus is doing now." San Jin smiled.

"I wonder how long it will be before Junseo can ride again." In-Yeon said quietly. Rufus pricked up his ears at the name and looked around. "Maybe he can at least come to visit."

"I'm sure we can arrange something. His father invited us to come to dinner tomorrow." San Jin explained.

"Good." In-Yeon nodded then gathered up the grooming tools. He took a sniff of his sleeve and asked, "Do you think we can find a public bath before then?"

The entered the Inn's courtyard in fresh cloths and still damp hair. San Jin's guards hurried over, pushing their way through a crowd of road weary soldiers. Their passage was marked by considerable grumbling until a lean man dressed in black waved to the two boys.

"Uncle, is that you?" San Jin called and the path between them cleared almost instantaneously. The man strode over with a wide grin and put out his hand. San Jin bowed and met the firm grip. "Student Pange In-Yeon this is General Tan, my illustrious uncle."

"Illustrious! How you flatter me nephew. In most court circles it is more likely notorious. Let's not hang about out here. I just sent Scout Jia to negotiate with the Inn Keeper. He says your party is welcome somewhere else." The General then herded the boys into the common room where a generous table waited. "Eat first. Then we can talk," he said digging in without further ceremony.

The singular attention the general gave his plate made it easier for In-Yeon to relax enough to satisfy his own hunger. He kept his head down and glanced from the general to his friend searching for any family resemblances. They both had strong chins and round ears. Since the general had a distinctive scar, it was hard to say whether their arched brows matched. San Jin definitely had a higher nose and wider set eyes. The general noticed the young boy's careful observation and winked. In-Yeon blushed and hid behind his friend.

"So, what brings you here Uncle?" San Jin asked as he politely filled his elder's cup.

"We were in the neighborhood. Tracking a list of ingredients, a particular workshop provided. An extraordinarily comprehensive list. Better than what either our alchemists or the palace rainbow-makers had managed. Then we got news we should come check on the situation here. What about you. I understand you are learning the ropes as a recruiter. A little early in your career don't you think? And why isn't your young companion in school?"

"To be honest it is a bit of an experiment to see what candidates we might draw if there is someone closer to their age to answer questions. Besides, we mostly here to check up on a friend." San Jin studied his uncle, adding, "Before you talk about how young In-Yeon is you should know he is the reason the list of ingredients was so comprehensive but I will warn you not to ask about his methods. You won't like his answer."

"As much as I don't like the rumor about foreign sorcerers digging up graves?" the general asked.

"Worse. Even worse than the story about the prince and the resurrectionists." San Jin said trying to keep a straight face.

"I rather like the one about misguided thieves hoping to raid the governor's wine cellars." In-Yeon whispered to San Jin who repeated it to his uncle.

"That one was a thousand times more plausible than a stray royal calling up dragon mists," the general said. The two boys looked momentarily panicked.

"If they are talking about that, are they at least mentioning the accord breakers roosting on the hill?" Scout Jia drawled from behind the boys.

"It is why we are here with a troop from the Summer Palace. I am waiting on a member from the protocol office who has come along to present our credentials." The general rolled his eyes.

"Our friend assures me protocol officers have their uses. My dad thinks they just create paperwork to keep themselves busy," San Jin shrugged. He was not immune from the reporting requirements but did not consider them onerous.

A young man in a dark red robe approached the table and bowed to the General. "Officer Chung, at your service" he said holding out a scroll.

The General glanced through the credentials he had just been handed. He gave his nephew an apologetic look.

"It was good to see you Uncle. Perhaps we can chat again before we leave." San Jin stood and gestured for In-Yeon to follow.

"Most honored," the young boy managed to squeak out between bows.

"Right. You know where we are heading. If anything changes, we will send word to you here." Scout Jia nodded. He then pointed the boys to the small pile of luggage in the corner and shepherded them out of the room.

"So where are we headed?" San Jin asked when they got their things to the door.

"The Moon Temple." Scout Jia answered.

"Are you good with this?" San Jin asked In-Yeon.

'Yes. We have friends there and I would really like a chance at another dream-speaking if it is offered. Don't worry. It is nothing urgent." In-Yeon quickly assured his worried looking friend.

"The Moon Temple forms can be helpful for weapons training. I guess it comes from having a long line of Warrior-Monks as leaders over the years." Scout Jia said.

"It would be nice to get some practice in. I know the competition is still months away but it is all too easy to lose your edge" San Jin admitted.

"I'm sure we will be invited for forms, and maybe more," In-Yeon smiled as he led the way up the winding path to the temple gates.