Moonstones and Madness

Fifteen

            Chenhui and In-Yeon kept running tallies but their counts did not square with what was on the points board. While they were busy comparing notes San Jin finished his bout with a technical knock-out.

"I wish Song-hee had been here to see how well you used that move," Junseo smiled.

"Don't even mention his name around me," San Jin growled.

"Hae-sung says its not Song-hee's fault. A few bucks he knew to expect wouldn't be a problem, not if the girth hadn't slipped."

"What are you trying to say?" San Jin looked around then signaled the others to join them.

"We should talk about it later but Hae-sung was clear we shouldn't blame Song-hee. I'm worried about the way we left things last night so let's see if there is enough of a break to schedule a proper team meeting. Where are we at, standings-wise?" Junseo looked over to Chenhui and In-Yeon who just shrugged.

"With so many injuring out in the races it hard to say where you both rank. Definitely in the top half, probably higher," In-Yeon had to repeat himself to be heard.

Chenhui patted In-Yeon's back and took over, saying, "I just don't know how they count bonus points. You got some with javelin and more with the Sun-Moon match."

"I can't imagine style points are going to make much of a difference. Not with who I am up against in my division. But I see Manager Doak waving us over for lunch." Junseo waved back then wove past the press of contestants straining to see the scoreboard. Journeyman Yang stood proudly near a reserved table near the back of the tent but as the team drew closer, he stepped aside to reveal a beautiful woman waiting behind him.

"Sister? Did you come on your own today? Uncle will be scandalized," Junseo bounded over with his arms wide, ready to give her a big hug, but then remembered to use more courtly manners. He bowed and quickly presented the other members of the team. Even the usually suave San Jin became tongue-tied around Park Numni but In-Yeon was the worst, blushing and constantly trying to hide behind the others. Their reactions caught Junseo off guard, giving him a new perspective on the striking woman his sister had become. He also couldn't help noticing a touch of sadness in her gentle teasing. He knew this wasn't the time or place to ask personal questions so tried to distract her with impressions of some of the more flamboyant characters around them. He had just started preening himself when the look on Chenhui's face warned him that Scout Jia was standing right behind him.

"Ah, youth, and its privilege to be foolish now and again," the well-dressed man sighed.

Numni chuckled at her brother's embarrassment and stepped forward to properly greet to the new pair.

"Scout Jia Ying-so, a founding member of the training league," he bowed with a flourish, "And this shy fellow is Im Song-hee who I dragged away from the forge where he was busy making gifts for his teammates." Song-hee blushed while offering Junseo and San Jin their cloak pins.

"Oh, this is great," Junseo said holding the pin up to the light, "I really like the flame effect you got with the copper. Thank you." Junseo looked around for his cloak. San Jin muttered his thanks then hurried away to get his armor on for his next fencing bout.

The bad weather made the marquee for hand-to-hand rings the most popular venue for the spectators. Chenhui sent Song-hee with Junseo and took the other boys to watch San Jin's match.

Numni leaned over to Song-hee and whispered, "I don't bite." His neck and ears glowed red while he silently studied his toes.

"Don't torture my friend," Junseo's objection only added to the other boy's discomfort. Fortunately for Song-hee, Headmaster Kim stepped forward to chaperone his niece. He directed Numni to a relatively secluded bench.

"Uncle, I don't think we can see the match from here," she objected.

"Let's just spare your brother the embarrassment. He is up against the regional champion so I doubt they will go the full time." The remark from Junseo's uncle caused a ripple in the ranks behind him as more money changed hands.

Brother Kuin gave Headmaster Kim a withering look and joined Song-hee beside the mats. In the ring, the young men bowing to the officials and each other were well matched in height. The academy favorite kept to the set forms in the opening direction but increasing moved away from the classical moves. Brother Kuin gave Song-hee a quick grin.

Before the third direction was announced the academy boy sported a run of chalk foot-prints up his back. A minute longer and there was a matching set across the front. Three minutes later Junseo clapped his opponent's upper arms, marking both at the same time. Then he swept the academy champion's legs and the referee called the match. The young man sprang up, ready to protest but then saw the clear marks on his legs. There was some muttering among the judges but the outcome was not in doubt.

"More street than temple for that round," Brother Kuin said.

"Yeah, well the other boy started it. Junseo would have stayed in form otherwise. I guess nobody expects someone his size to be fast," Song-hee directed his gummy smile toward his friend.

"Tell Junseo he owes you dinner for that win," Knight-Master Hou said from behind the pair.

As he approached, Junseo nodded his agreement. "He's right, that was totally your move," he put his fist out to bump with Song-hee. He looked over toward where he had spotted his sister only to catch a glare of disapproval from his uncle. The man was shaking his head as he bundled Numni away.

"He should know better than to bet against you," Song-hee complained.

"I don't think he would every wager money at an event like this. No, its more likely a school status thing. That and Numni escaping to have lunch with us. I hope Granny Min can bring her tomorrow. We should be done for today, right?" The words were no sooner out of Junseo's mouth when Chenhui appeared to hurry him back for a fencing bout.

Junseo was up against another academy boy using the familiar city styles San Jin had drilled into him over the past few months. He was holding his own but not gaining points so he switched to a more combative style and earned a coup. The win earned him a place in the semi-finals for the b division. While happy for the outcome he was dismayed his armor needed another thorough cleaning. "Nobody tells you being in the championships means endless mud and laundry," he complained.

Song-hee laughed, "Nobody is forcing you into this."

"Yeah, just let down your guard and you won't have any more fencing matches to worry about," Chenhui nodded.

"Tempting," Junseo replied, "Very tempting but not necessary when you look at who is left to get into the semi-finals." He nodded toward the board where a handful of disks held the names of remaining fencers. Only four, including San Jin, were still undefeated. As they watched two more disks were removed from the board. One for the boy who had just lost his second match, and one who had injured out.

"That's going to change things," Chenhui warned.

"Yeah, we better check tomorrow's schedule for the hand-to-hand," Song-hee said. On their way to the marquee, they ran into the trio from the Sun Temple.

"Well met Moon-brother," Initiate Kwang-Jo bobbed his head. They all chatted together for a minute or two before he admitted they hoped to run into Junseo. "We are on the schedule for tomorrow but the temple has special observances for the upcoming equinox. If there is a mat free, would you be willing to go ahead today?"

"I need to ask Brother Kuin if he will petition the Marshalls for us," Junseo's tone made his doubts clear.

Chenhui and Song-hee volunteered to search for the coach while Junseo got cleaned up. As soon as they were out of earshot Song-hee vented his annoyance. "Why go out of the way for anyone from the Sun Temple? Why Junseo is so buddy-buddy with those guys? Doesn't he remember what they did to In-Yeon?"

"I don't trust the Sun Temple any more than you but we need all the allies we can get right now. I think Junseo is just being strategic. Taking a match today it will give him some breathing room for tomorrow's semi-final." Chenhui said rehearsing the points he would make to Brother Kuin.