Moonstones and Madness

Nineteen

     Brother Kuin greeted Junseo with one of his rare smiles saying, "That was the best demonstration on the importance of anchoring energy work I have ever seen. You honored Master Wu."

"Yes, especially after yesterday's night protocol match, I am certain the Moon Temple would happily to claim you." Knight-Master Lei's compliment also came across as a warning. His eyes narrowed as he looked the boy over and asked, "How bad is that hand now?" Junseo sat on a bench and unwound the bandage. The retired soldier had seen worse, and indeed had fought with worse, but this did not make the situation any better. "We are checking in with the healers, now," he ordered.

Their entourage was stopped twice by the guards, and only Junseo and his Knight-Master allowed into the first-aid tent. A junior healer bustled over, and started scolding, "You were supposed to get cleared before competing. These burns are less of concern than the blast's percussion. Any blurred vision? Ringing in your ears? Gaps in your memory?"

"I know what to look for," Junseo muttered but when he saw the disappointment on his mentor's face sat up and corrected himself. "My only symptoms from the blast are the burns, and maybe some general aches but I can't say I wouldn't have been sore after the work-out the last couple of days have been."

"Well, you opened your hand. We can dress it but you need to go easier. No racing, or hand-to-hand today. I will let you decide which hand might be strong enough to hold your sword but if you go ahead with any matches, I want you back here at the end of the day." The healer was not at all gentle as he re-wrapped Junseo's hands.

Before they left the tent, the pair from the training league went over to check on their companions. Song-hee claimed to be ready to leave but Junseo did not like his color, and said as much.

"Come on, you know I have naturally pale skin," the boy complained.

"Pale, yes. Translucent, no. Just rest up a bit more and you can come back to the forge this afternoon. You know you will hear the results much faster if you stay on the grounds. Besides none of those guards are going to let you wander off," Junseo nodded to the security detail at the door.

"You need to listen to our leader," Hae-sung's voice was not much more than a whisper coming from the next bed over.

"Ok, bro." Song-hee answered quickly while giving Junseo a pleading look. Junseo understood the silent request and carefully checked the older boy. He waived a healer over and together they strung up a privacy blanket. Song-hee looked very worried, so Knight-Master Lei tried to be reassuring.

Scout Jia showed up with the court physician in tow. No matter how the group on the other side of the blanket curtain strained, they could not hear the healer's discussion. Junseo stalked out from behind the blanket sulking over being banished because of his own injuries.

"You know need to rest up for your match," Song-hee tried to reason. "It would suck if those jerks managed to knock you out of the competition, after what you and Student Kwang-jo went through yesterday. How is he doing? Do we know?"

"None of the temple team are here today," Scout Jia said.

"That will sure put another wrench into the schedule," Song-hee scratched his head, "Can you send somebody by with an update on the fencing match ups? The hand-to-hand should be pretty straight forward now they are into the mixed levels."

Chenhui promptly answered with a slate full of information, including the betting odds, as well as the new schedule. "The Go family's master-at-arms said he was certain I would find you all here. He is stationed with San Jin, In-Yeon, and Brother Kuin at the hand-to-hand matches."