Moonstones and Madness

Eleven

     In-Yeon squirmed in his seat, finally blurting out, "The dirty tricks started in the first heat. I think an energy bolt bouncing off the second obstacle made San Jin's horse shy. I caught a narrow flash of light. Pretty unlikely when it is so cloudy."

San Jin nodded, "It wouldn't be the first time, even if the arena is supposed to be thoroughly shielded and all the contestants handed in their crystals, there can still be interference. Strange it started so soon, though."

"If you sense another shot like that, do you think you might be able to shield?" Song-hee asked the young boy.

"I don't know. I mean I know what to watch for now, I just don't know if I would be fast enough," In-Yeon's soft voice shook with doubt.

"We will all be on guard," Manager Doak looked directly at San Jin, Hae-sung, and Junseo and added, "I will assign some of Xuiyang's crew to help watch the equipment but you need to be careful."

"I'm glad the Sun Temple seem to have accepted Junseo as a friend. I know we don't trust the leadership but the candidates here seem fine." Knight-Master Lei looked directly at In-Yeon and Song-hee as he said this but then turned to the competitors. "The best advice I can offer is when you face a temple candidate stick to the classic forms as much as possible."

"Keep their respect," Brother Kuin added.

Trainee Xuiyang came over with an updated list of matches for the afternoon. San Jin scanned the list and said, "These don't look too bad."

"Yeah, except losing to Champion Sie Woo first off makes the rest of my matches sudden death," Junseo frowned but then brightened, "But since I am in the second flight at least I am not likely to run up against you."

"And I am happy not to be in the topflight in hand-to-hand, but I better start making my way over to the mats." Hae-sung nodded to them before he and Song-hee left for the match as the warning bell sounded.

"Just watch your footing out there," Scout Jia called to San Jin and Junseo as they headed to the fencing area. They arrived to find the officials stringing twine to make up for the original lines sinking into the mud. Chenhui helped Junseo into his armor, while In-Yeon performed the same service for San Jin. The two fighters bounced in place and did some quick stretches. Junseo had Chenhui tighten one of the straps that had worked loose then went to find his spot.

Three bouts were starting at the same time, with San Jin on the western-most strip, and Junseo on the eastern one. Both faced academy affiliated opponents. San Jin was very economical in his match, pushing the less experienced boy off-side twice before finally disarming him. Junseo and his opponent seemed more evenly matched at start but the academy boy slowed as the bout went on. As he advanced, a face full of mud nearly blinded Junseo but he continued his forward momentum. The whistle indicated his opponent had stepped out of bounds so Junseo quickly swiped his eyes then tipped his head back to let the heavy rain wash his face. His eyes still stung and he was annoyed by the dirty trick so at the whistle he went in fast and hard. In less than a minute his opponent was standing still with Junseo's blade at his throat. The referee called the match.

Chenhui came over with a towel and said, "You didn't need all that mud to prove you could beat that guy with your eyes closed."

"Right but just look at the fellow in the matching colors who is finishing up in the middle," Junseo pointed to the muddied tip of the other boy's shoes.

"Dirty little cheater," Chenhui started rolling up his sleeves but then the referee for the middle strip awarded the match to the offender's opponent.

"I guess he should have been paying more attention to his own match," Junseo smiled then pulled Chenhui over to where they could watch San Jin take on the defending champion Bang Sie Woo. In-Yeon was a bundle of nerves, alternately scanning the crowd and tracking the match. Junseo put his hand on the young boy's shoulder, leaned in, and whispered, "breathe, he's got this." Junseo was proved right, but it was close enough to have to be decided on the basis of points. He only had time for a quick congratulations before he had to start his own match.

The non-affiliated candidate waited at the middle strip but a large number of city guards on hand to cheer made his true allegiance obvious. The brisk bow and aggressive opening suggested the larger boy usually relied on his size to intimidate his competitors. Junseo responded with more speed and finesse and soon took control of the match. A furious attack failed to score and the guard favorite's own momentum carried the big boy offside. His opponent's face reddened with effort. The round continued until the judges deemed Junseo the winner by a large point margin. When Junseo approached to thank his opponent for the match, he was met with hostile glares from both the competitor and his phalanx of supporters.

"Oh, they don't like you," Chenhui whispered.

"Too bad. I don't know why they think size and meanness should win the day," Junseo wriggled off his soaked gloves, wiped his wrinkled hands on the bottom of his jacket.

"They are city guards." Chenhui shrugged. He helped Junseo with the rest of the muddied armor saying, "We are going to have our work cut out for us tonight."

"I'm just glad I am not riding. Think about what Hae-sung's tack is going to look like after this. Assuming they haven't called off the next round of heats," Junseo looked around for any sign the schedule had been changed.

Just then one of the boys from Xuiyang's team came running over. "You are supposed to be up on the mats. Brother Kuin explained the fencing matches are running late but you don't have much time before you get a penalty."

They all set off at a jog. By the time they reached the equipment tent, the door was flapping wildly and the ropes creaked in the wind. The canopy above the mats also threatened to turn into a sail. Brother Kuin and the Sun Temple's Training Master approached to explain they had agreed the other match go ahead. Junseo nodded his thanks and was happy for the chance to dry out. He stood with his team members watching the fourth dan match between palace and academy candidates. It was a respectable showing but the prince's man had a clear edge.

"You would think that fellow should have challenged for a fifth dan ranking," Acolyte Dong Chul said in a low voice.

"Who can say what their team strategy could be," Junseo's response came with an edge of cynicism he quickly apologized for.

"I understand your feelings, even if we do not pursue team rankings it is hard seeing how much of this competition is driven by the city's largest training yard." Initiate Kwang-Jo's comment solicited nods from the temple group.

"Thanks for your understanding," Junseo smiled warmly and took his place opposite Dong Chul. Their match opened in a westward orientation and Sun Temple candidate used a sweeping opening which invited Junseo to respond in kind. All through the first two directions the spectators watched matching approaches and counters like the purest form of dance. When the third compass point was called Junseo took more of a lead but still stuck to the classical forms. Dong Chul responded with more speed. Junseo was breathing heavier when the final direction was announced but quickly launched a reverse spin and kick to land a mark. Dong Chul answered in kind and by the end of the match had left two marks on Junseo's leg. The pair bowed to each other and to the judges who rose with spontaneous applause. Brother Kuin broke into one of his rare smiles.

"I wish more of our brothers had been here to see your match. It is exactly why I wanted to have our fellows here to remind everyone of the grace and beauty in classical forms." The Sun Temple's training master said.

Knight-Master Lei agreed telling Junseo, "The Moon Temple can be proud you wear their colors."

"But I didn't win," Junseo said with a small voice.

"Maybe not, but you matched the reigning champion move-for-move in the first three rounds and that's better than anyone did last time," Knight-Master Lei said. "Besides, it was beautiful to watch." The others agreed, adding enough compliments to make Junseo blush. He managed to distract them by asking whether the horse trials were still running and they hurried over to where San Jin and Hae-sung were getting ready.