Rubies and Rumors

Chapter Eighty-one

     The captain was correct. It was a long day but a relatively uneventful one. Only two of the guard detail from the summer palace accompanied their group onto the southbound ship and thus could not force them to go directly to the protocol office. Instead, the guards got to watch the enthusiastic welcome the three boys got from both their teammates and adult sponsors.

Journeyman Yang pulled Junseo into a tight hug then held him at arms length for a close inspection. "Just because you have been travelling don't expect me to go easy on you in the forge," he said.

"I'm glad you joined us here." Junseo said while making a discrete hand sign the rebels used to indicate all was well.

Hae-sung put one arm across In-Yeon's shoulders and the other across San Jin's. "Thank you for coming back safely. We were so worried when we heard about the earthquake."

"I'm not going to tell you it was easy. You can see by the extra guards we picked up that it wasn't. In-Yeon showed us the way and saved our hides more than once," San Jin smiled widely.

"He exaggerates," In-Yeon blushed.

"No little brother. Without you we wouldn't have made it in time to pull Junseo out the cave-in. Even if we had been able to find him the whole place would have probably collapsed on our heads. Not to mention the ambush on the boat there, or the way you kept us anchored when our twister could have run back on us." San Jin's voice rang with authority. The other boys looked over to see emphatic nods from both Scout Jia and Junseo.

"Gentlemen, I believe it prudent to summon a protocol officer and In-Yeon's advocate to listen to your full story." Knight-Master Lie announced as he stared directly at the guards from the Summer Palace.

The men expressed their relief but were taken back when the entire group decamped for General Tan's compound where more Go family guards waited along with Manager Doak and half-a-dozen recruits.

"Reports then food," Manager Doak directed. "I know you want to soak some of the road off but let's not hold up officialdom."

Hae-sung took the lead introducing the returning team members to the new trainees. "This is our big brother Go San Jin. So far, he is the eldest trainee, or should I say Assistant Scout?"

"Trainee is fine, friend." San Jin said.

"Next to him is Park Junseo, our training leagues' first recruit. In case you didn't know that makes him our leader, the one I was just filling in for," Hae-sung signaled his respect.

"You shouldn't say that. Leaders are selected by the team, not by seniority. Besides I have been on leave so Song-hee is more senior in both age and team experience." Junseo replied but Song-hee just frowned and rocked back on his heels.

"Well, we can sort it later, but do say hello to our youngest member, Pange In-Yeon. I will tell you now not to underestimate him. Even if he is a bit shy, I don't think there is anything our boy can't do." As Hae-sung pointed him out, In-Yeon shrank down where he was sitting between Chenhui and Xuiyang.

The rest of the introductions were interrupted by the Pange family's advocate and two members from the protocol office arriving. San Jin went to the gate to vouch for the visitors. He came back shaking his head.

"There is a monk outside asking for Pange In-Yeon," he told Knight-Master Lie. The man roared with anger and strode toward the gate. Manager Doak and Scout Jia followed along trying to persuade him to re-sheath his broadsword.

"I don't want a religious near our boys. Ever!" Knight-Master Lie scowled. "Send him packing," he told the guards and stood with his arms crossed watching them deliver the news to the monk.