Moonstones and Madness

Seventeen

     As soon as the match results were announced San Jin released his hold on In-Yeon. The young boy bounded over to Junseo, wrapped him in a hug lifting their team leader off his feet.

"Settle down. Settle down." Junseo said patting In-Yeon's shoulders. "You are still on duty."

"Well, nobody is getting through me," In-Yeon straightened up and thrust out his chin.

"What happened to your plan to stay in the middle of the pack and not draw too much attention," San Jin couldn't help teasing. "You have the headmasters all drooling."

Junseo made a face, "Good thing my uncle left early. I would never hear the end of my showy ways." His impression of his uncle was so spot on that In-Yeon looked around for the prickly man. The noise level in the tent began to rise, and was punctuated by two sharp barks from the sniffer dogs combing the stands. The handler hurried over then gestured for a guard to join in turning over the row of chairs. The dogs continued to cast back and forth from one row to the next with while the spectators edged over to the other side of the tent.

"Oye, Watch your pushing," a southern accented voice called. The scuffle continued and a strong scent of pepper fill the air.

"Don't you even think it," and voice threatened but this was followed by a sharp cry and a rending sound of the tent being ripped open. Whistles started blowing and the guards ran after two figures swathed in rain cloaks. They took no notice of the two young men curled up against the side of the tent. One was desperately trying to stuff a cloth over the jagged cut down the other's side.

"Damn-it Song-hee how did you let him get the drop on you." Chenhui's fear came out as anger. "Why weren't there any guards on this side? What did they think would happen when the dogs got the scent? Where is that healer who is always hanging around? Here hold this tight and don't move." Chenhui pressed the cloth into Song-hee's hand and stood up and waved his hand in a wide circle above his head. He pushed some energy into this move and the signature wind caught In-Yeon's attention.

"Looks like trouble," In-Yeon pointed in Chenhui's direction but Brother Kuin was already running full tilt to try and anchor breezes before they spun out of control. In-Yeon wanted to go help but knew his first duty was to protect Junseo.

"I guess now the guards have a target we will all be in the clear," Acolyte Dong Chul put out his hand to Go San Jin.

"Yeah, I don't think anyone would think our teams were in on the disruption." San Jin said then pointed to the posted results. "If the attack was intended to knock either of our boys out of the competition those bonus marks make it an epic fail."

"Here's hoping they get to the bottom of it soon," Student Son Lie said as he put his hand on Kwang-jo's sleeve to guide him away.

"Come on, Chenhui wouldn't send us a wind warning for no reason," Junseo said as he tried to see over the press of people still milling around near the ring. He put his hand on In-Yeon's shoulder and pointed to where they might push through. Their slow going was only possible because the other two were in full armor and not afraid to elbow people out of the way.

When they got to edge of the tent, they found Brother Kuin still struggling to settle the whipping winds Chenhui had loosed without proper anchors. San Jin lent his support to Chenhui who was on the verge of collapsing under the strain while In-Yeon poured his energy into a counter spin and brought everything back under control. Junseo gently moved Song-hee's hand back from the blood-soaked rags and studied the jagged wound.

"You're going to need stitches and probably a good cleansing. Who knows whether they used a tainted blade. If they are willing to throw flash bombs, I wouldn't put it past them. Let's see if I can get us a stretcher and some help. Just the regular kind. Nobody is in shape to control more wind pups." Junseo stood on top of a bench and waved over to one of the city guards. He mimed what he needed and the healer arrived at the same time as the stretcher.

"You boys are sure in the thick of things," the healer said before asking for Junseo's assessment. He nodded his agreement with Junseo's plan and wrote out instructions for the infirmary staff. Then he turned his attention to Junseo. "I know you want to go with your friend, and maybe even help with the cleansing but you have open wounds so the only place you should go is home."

Junseo was getting ready to argue but he was hit with a sudden wave of tiredness. "Alright," he conceded. "Somebody should still stay with Song-hee, he shouldn't be on his own, especially if the investigators come calling."

Chenhui volunteered to stay with Song-hee until Scout Jia could be found. "Don't worry if the guards show up, I am going to let them know how they let us all down. Song-hee stopped that guy from throwing a bomb into the crowd. We got pepper sprayed instead." Chenhui swiped at his tears.

"Thanks friend. If we run into anymore of the team on the way we will send them along to help." Junseo nodded then waved over to where the guard captain who had lent him the dobok was standing.

"I hope you don't mind me keeping this for a few more days." Junseo plucked at the thick cotton robe.

"Not at all. You look good in guard colors, by the way," The man grinned and congratulated Junseo on the match before becoming more serious. "We can't give you much of a detail off-site but let's get your crew over to the contestant's gates."

Manager Doak was waiting at the entrance with a small contingent of the Go family's home guard. The senior guard saluted San Jin and said, "We got word. The tongue on the girth buckles were filed near through. If it hadn't been for the mix-up at the starting line yesterday." He stopped and studied the boys more closely. "There is more, isn't there?"

"Enough to need to close ranks at the forge. It's closest, and easier to patrol. We need some men at the infirmary here as well since two of the fellows who spoiled plots are laid up there." San Jin's tone was firm.

Manager Doak looked over to Brother Kuin who was still being supported by In-Yeon. "Is it that bad?"

"Gloriously so," Brother Kuin croaked.