Moonstones and Madness

Twenty-five

     Rainbow-maker Mein stayed behind to explore the grounds after the teams cleared the field. He checked his notes about each of the remaining champions and their stones. Three might have the affinity and skills to help detonate the flash-bomb from a distance but he could not imagine the two from the prince's own training yard cavalierly violating the charters. The boy from the academy was a lesser-known quantity but it should not take long for the protocol office to confirm his lineage and likely loyalties.

The energy attacks launched today were a more immediate concern. Only the bursts in the first part of the obstacle course had been agreed upon. That meant not only was there a powerful energy worker loose on the grounds, but they obviously also had inside knowledge of the amended protocols. Given the small circle of officials who knew about the special tests planned for today, suspicions would fall on all of them. He included himself on the list whose loyalties were bound to be tested. He reluctantly made his way to where the Prince waited.

"Did you get what you needed?" he asked impatiently.

"Not what I expected at all. Not with all the extra interference but I think it is safe to say it ranges beyond any of the competitors acting on their own." Rainbow-maker Mein swallowed hard.

"And my grandmother's pet? What did you learn there?"

"If his first inclination proves true, then I understand why the temples are still interested. An affinity to clear quartz would make him a natural stone-master, and potentially the keeper of a crystal pavilion."

"Like the one destroyed in the Ilidan quake? The one used to prove rare affinities. Why would the religious orders let him out of their grasp?" The Prince scowled.

"They may still have a connection with him. The way the tiger's eyes tuned up and his team's shields held, could point to an external link. It would explain how he managed to deflect so many attacks." Rainbow-maker Mein's voice faded and the significance of his own statement sank in. It was an obscure piece of crystal lore he was not inclined to share, not without clearer evidence. Not when a Warrior Monk could be involved. Fortunately, the Prince was more curious about the upcoming matches and the respective team standings and they were soon escorted to the Royal Box.

Song-hee and Chenhui hurried to round up all the boys from the training yard to cheer on Go San Jin in the fencing final. The layers of security they had to pass to get through to the stables and back had them both on edge. When a hand snaked out from under a bleacher to grab onto Chenhui's ankle, he jumped into the air but came down in a strong defensive position. He paled when he heard a hoarse whisper begging, "Son, please."

"No Pa, not now. Don't be bringing your troubles here," Chenhui frowned at the pile of rags and started to walk away. Song-hee put his hand on the younger boy's arm but Chenhui just shook him off. "You know how strict the guards are, I just can't risk it."

"Okay. You go ahead. Save the seats and I will see if there is a healer free. The guys in the tent seemed to be pretty good sorts," Song-hee said secretly hoping he might find Junseo on his way.

Junseo had been heading in their direction but had been waylaid by a games official and sent back to the hand-to-hand ring. He spotted Knight-Master Lei standing near the judge's table with the training master in the Prince's colors. Brother Kuin came over and explained the debate about how the rankings should be adjusted after the withdrawal of the Sun Temple participants, saying, "The automatic forfeits leave the consolation round with no clear result."

"I don't see why it matters. Its not like it is a championship round," Junseo shrugged and edged closer to listen in on the debate.

"The best way for our candidates to learn is through facing off," the prince's man insisted. Knight-Master Lei shrugged and looked directly at Junseo.

"I don't have my kit with me today. If it's a matter of training I could just as easily come over to your yard sometime next week. It would give us more time to walk through different sets. They could maybe even try the dervish trick." Junseo's offer made the other contestant smile but the training master still wanted an adjudicated match.

Junseo waivered a bit until he saw Song-hee approaching. "Looks like the fencing might be getting going and I am definitely not going to miss seeing the final between San Jin and Sei Woo just to give your student more experience. If you can fit it into everyone's schedules later, we can send for my things." He nodded politely to Knight-Master Lei and hurried meet Song-hee.

"I know we don't have much time, but the gang left Chenhui's dad in a bad way." Song-hee confided.

"How bad?" Junseo asked as he picked up his pace.

"I'm not sure but if I call the other healers they would probably have to report to the guards and Chenhui might get in trouble."

"He hasn't done anything wrong. It's not his fault his father ran afoul of the Slack-harbor boys. He didn't hide anything when we were questioned yesterday," Junseo scratched his head.

"No smoke without fire. That's what the guards might say. Anyway, here we are." Song-hee pointed to where the injured man cowered in the shadows.

Junseo approached and asked permission before touching Chenhui's father. He did a quick inventory of the man's injuries. There was no doubt the man would be in pain for some time but nothing appeared immediately life-threatening. "Your best bet is to lay low here and we will send somebody to get you to your guesthouse once the crowds have gone."

"No coin," the man mumbled.

"Right. We will sort something. Maybe at the student clinic. They can use the practice." Junseo nodded to himself and backed out from under the bleachers.

"Thanks," Song-hee said for both himself, and the patient. The boys had to hurry to claim their spots in the bleachers while the dignitaries were getting settled.

Xuiyang tapped Junseo's shoulder, "You will place better if Bang Sie Woo wins this match."

Junseo shrugged. He felt he had done well enough in his matches and honestly didn't care about the final points tally. Secretly he was relieved not to face the final crystal round where his affinities might be put to the test. "It's better if I don't have to battle any more energy spikes, let me heal up a bit, you know." Junseo tugged his sleeves down over his bandaged hand.

"Don't count yourself out yet. We haven't seen the final tallies." Chenhui said. Before the other boys might weigh in on the topic their attention turned back to the field where the match started.

Since this was the second bout between San Jin and Sie Woo, they were quick to take each other's measure. Both moved with graceful elegance but San Jin somehow created an aura of stillness with his economical moves. Sie Woo seemed to be wearing himself out with his fast and aggressive stance. The momentum shifted back and forth between the two swordsmen until San Jin's rapid combination pushed Sie Woo back out-of-bounds. Sie Woo tried to rally but San Jin took control of the match and after a few minutes scored a coupe coming in over Sie Woo's guard and resting his foil at his opponent's neck. At the whistle, the combatants saluted each other, the referee, the judges, and the dignitaries in the stands.

"That was so amazing!" Song-hee breathed deeply. Junseo agreed and joined the rest of the crowd's standing ovation. The procession of dignitaries onto the field made it obvious they would not be seeing Go San Jin any time soon so Junseo suggested they go back to the hand-to-hand venue.

"You are not having another match without a healer's okay, and extra guards," Chenhui said crossing his arms.

"I can't believe Knight-Master Lei agreed it. I mean with everything that has happened this week," Song-hee blushed remembering his own part in their troubles.

"Who knows, maybe it will earn us a contract," Junseo said as he made his way down the stands.