Moonstones and Madness

Four

     A light drizzle coated the cobblestones. Puddles left by the overnight downpour lapped the edges of the narrow pathways through the maker's enclave. It was the kind of day that kept many prospective customers at home. The kind of day where freelance delivery boys might pick up some good coin. Song-hee skipped his classes before and after the lunch break to put some of that coin into his own pocket.

He always enjoyed checking to see if the smiths had new designs or techniques they might share with an appreciative outsider. Being apprenticed away from the guildhall open many doors, especially when his Knight-Master was respected for military prowess but not considered a commercial rival. Privately Song-hee thought his home forge should be more commercial, especially given their latest production runs. He tried to broach this topic with Manager Doak but was reminded of the primary educational aims.

Song-hee checked the time to be sure he could fit in another run before the afternoon lecture. He decided it would be safer to only do a pick-up if it took him in the right direction. A pair of city guards were making their way up the street so he ducked into a shop to avoid them.

"I was hoping you might show up," the pretty young woman said from behind the counter.

"Thanks, but I can only do your run if it is heading east," Song-hee ducked his head. The clerk nodded her agreement and handed over a small package. The energy coming from the stones nearly made him drop the package. "Don't you have a silk bag for these?" he whispered.

"Already double-layered but I will give you this. Return it next time you are this way." She gestured for his wrist and tied on a string of onyx beads.

Song-hee stumbled and started in on an earth mantra. His face was covered in sweat before he finished balancing the load. He did not trust his voice so re-read the delivery instructions and headed out. Striding along the side-street he noticed one of San Jin's regular guards keeping tabs from a distance. The man stepped toward the city guards effectively blocking Song-hee from their view.

Song-hee took his chance and ducked through a narrow alley onto the back side of Embassy Row. With all the extra private guards along the row, and both the Slack Harbor Boys and the Hillside Talons claiming the territory, he knew he had to hurry. He double checked the address and picked up his pace. With any luck he might be back before class break.

As he neared the squat building beside the white marble edifice of the custom's house, Song-hee slowed. He took note of the well armed guards lining the rooftops on either side of his target and had to trust they would not perceive him as a threat. He knocked three times on the heavy wooden door, paused, then knocked twice. A wooden flap opened above his head.

"Delivery from Maker Bok," Song-hee said. The door inched open just wide enough for him to squeeze through. As soon as he was on the other side a younger boy went to pat him down for concealed weapons. "Don't get excited, I'm just going to pull up on my boot sheath," Song-hee bent down to release the safety strap and then handed his long knife over hilt first.

"Any other tricks up your sleeves?" A deeper voice asked from a hidden nook.

"No need," Song-hee answered with obvious confidence.

"Bring him through. The Captain wants to meet him." A wiry young man instructed.

Song-hee wanted to object he was only there to make a delivery but his debts and lack of back-up left no negotiation room. He followed a young guide through the warehouse's teetering stacks of crates, noting how regularly spaced archers kept their bows trained on him. He tried to convey a nonchalant attitude but it was hard to control his shaking hands.

"Ah, the boy from Kaesang. So glad you came on your own." A striking looking young man with a fresh scar running along his jawline drawled. He took out Song-hee's marker and ran it back and forth along the knuckles on his left hand.

"Just acting as a courier for these," Song-hee held out the small package of stones.

The gang's leader motioned for the package to be brought over. The first boy who touched the bag fell to the ground. The second held out a wooden platter to hold the prize.

"Careful," Song-hee whispered.

"Still offering advice, are we? I don't know about the Four Stars but I can tell you nobody from the regular ranks refuses a direct order here." The leader paced back and forth, "Don't you know who I am?"

"Since you are holding my marker, I have to assume you must be Kal Chul of the Slack Harbor Boys," Song-hee's quiet voice didn't quite carry far enough so he was forced to repeat himself.

"Yes, I have your marker, but I also have a message saying you do not think you can complete the task you have been assigned," Kal Chul frowned.

"I'm sorry if you read that into my message. I am not refusing to honor my debt. It's just they adjusted the parade line-up at yesterday's practice and I won't have the ready access you were expecting." Song-hee circled his toe into the dirt on the floor.

The man in full battle dress standing beside Kal Chul spoke up. "I thought you were supposed to be quick. Wasn't that how you ended up training here in Leuso?"

"Quick isn't just fists. Its about good choices." Song-hee said.

Kal Chul's eyes narrowed slightly and the gang members took the signal to grab Song-hee's arms tightly. He knew better than to fight in the heart of a main hide-out.

Three quick blows to Song-hee's abdomen had him doubling over retching. Kal Chul pulled Song-hee back up by the hair and said, "You are nothing. Less than nothing without your marker. You are lucky we already had news of the changes before your note arrived and were already adjusting our plans." Kal Chul stood back to avoid the mess Song-hee could not help spewing.

The man in armor stepped forward saying, "Now remember this. Don't talk back to your betters and never refuse an order." He kneed Song-hee in the groin.

Song-hee fell over, curling around himself, expecting more blows. He desperately tried to think of ways to escape. He was helped by an unexpected flash from the stones he had delivered. The dissonance set his teeth on edge but he had enough reserves to anchor to the extra stones he had been given earlier.

The gang members standing closer to Kal Chul were not nearly so lucky and they toppled like trees in a sudden gale. Song-hee inched back along the floor and found his way back to a narrow passage. He looked back to see different shades of light glowing from Kal Chul's many rings so repeated an earth mantra for grounding. Then, since they were not far from the docks, he switched to the water forms for renewed energy.

He knew the Slack Harbor Boys were dangerous but what he just witnessed had him stunned. There was no telling what Kal Chul might get up to with the kind of unrestrained energy Song-hee had just delivered, or what else might be demanded in exchange for the marker.