Moonstones and Madness

Forty-two

            Knight-Master Lei's country residence was relatively humble for a man of his standing, especially after his recent elevation to oversee the district stretching across the middle of the country. Still, with a full village within its low stone walls, the estate was far more extensive than any other family residence the boys had previously visited.

Song-hee could not hide his amazement at the buzz of activity surrounding their arrival. Junseo managed to bluff it out but started re-calibrating his estimation of his mentor's status. Manager Doak pointed the boys to the east-wing and told them to let the grooms take the horses.

"Even Rufus?" Junseo asked knowing how particular the retired war horse was about his handlers.

"Don't worry, they are used to him here. You can take over his care once you are properly settled." Manager Doak left the boys to sort themselves out as he went over rescue his friend from the siege of senior staff members who wanted their Lord's attention.

The boys wandered around their assigned apartment block, opening, and closing the beautifully painted screens that allowed one room to flow into another.

"We should probably stick together," Junseo suggested.

Song-hee nodded but did not make a move. He just stood hugging his travel bag to his chest and looking around. A housekeeper came by and slid open the linen storage to show them where the mats and blankets were kept, and then gave them keys to the trunks for personal items.

"You are still trainees, Yes?" She said, "Good. Then you take care of yourselves, keep things neat here and we will do the linen changes. Make it hard for us to find things and you will be on your own. Understood?"

"Thank you," Junseo answered for the both of them, as he tried to keep up with the rest of her brisk string of instructions. After she had left, he turned to Song-hee and asked, "Did you get all of that?"

"Ummm. I think so. Or the more important parts, like we should make our way over to the kitchens soon if we want supper."

The boys got turned around on their way to the kitchens running up against the line of petitioners waiting for the chance to meet Knight-Master Lei.

"Not good," Junseo muttered and pushed his way through to where his mentor stood by his overwhelmed manager. One glance told him the day had caught up and it was time to interrupt the demanding welcome. Junseo stepped forward and with his most formal accent declared, "Our Lord thanks you all for your welcome, and the news you bring. It is our honor to serve but Manager Doak will help arrange further appointments." He gestured for Song-hee to clear the path, gave Knight-Master Lei an arm to lean on and whispered, "Do you have a healer here or am I going to try to work some of those knots out for you?"

"Please, just you," he answered and gave brief directions. A servant waited at the Knight-Master's chambers so Junseo sent her to fetch warmed towels. The heavy-set man settled onto a low platform, sighed of relief, ruefully admitting, "I didn't want to disappoint."

Junseo answered with a quick nod then went to work trying to make his patient more comfortable. The servant had brought an assortment of herbal creams as well as the warm towels. Junseo tested the different unguents on the back of his hand, settling on a mild, mint scented one to massage into the balled up right calf. Once the spasm subsided Junseo worked further up the leg encouraging some gentle stretches before sending a feather touch of healing energy along the meridians.

Knight-Master Lei sighed. "I don't know what you did just now but thank you. It feels much better than when we first set out today."

"Good but you are still going to pay for having overdone it. Rest here, have something light to eat then call it a day. I will fetch Manager Doak for you."