Moonstones and Madness

Forty-three

            "I think the other candidates expected you to stay with them." Hae-sung observed as San Jin claimed a share of the team's room.

"There was no reason why they should. I mean Guard Yun is not a bad guy but we both need a break. I don't need protection from you guys, do I?" The words were barely out of San Jin's mouth when a cushion came winging his way. Junseo laughed at the shocked look on his senior's face but San Jin soon retaliated. Hae-sung and Chenhui ganged up to pin Junseo down so San Jin could complete his revenge.

Song-hee looked on, shaking his head. "Guys, Guys, don't mess things up or we will be on our own for housekeeping."

"Yeah, it would be bad form to break something. Especially since I just got here." San Jin stood back waiting for Junseo to nod in agreement before signaling the others to release him.

The group restored their living quarters then took their teasing games out to the practice yard. After loosening up with standard sets, they paired up for light sparring. Scout Jia joined in to even up their numbers but bowed out to let Chenhui and Song-hee take on Junseo. After Chenhui's feint, Song-hee managed to sneak in a scoring point but lost his footing. "Touch, and double touch," San Jin announced from the sidelines and the boys dusted each other off. He took out is sword and asked if anyone wanted a match.

"Left-handed?" Junseo asked selecting a sturdy looking practice blade with blunted end.

"If you prefer," San Jin nodded before offering a quick saluted.

"Not like it will help," Hae-sung teased from the sidelines. Song-hee bumped shoulders and gestured for him to be quiet.

Guard Yun scanned the yard and gestured for the two older candidates to stay back while the match progressed. He frowned at Scout Jia, gesturing for the other boys to move aside when they came into his view. Hearing San Jin announce the combinations before each approach was a familiar pattern from the various lessons he oversaw at the Go family compound. The guard widened his focus to check on the audience assembling along edge of the courtyard and caught a roughly dressed servant glancing up at the stable's roof. He called a warning at the same time Junseo spun and knocked an arrow out of the sky. The team huddled together momentarily then each raised a wind-spinner to build a protective wall around San Jin. Seeing his charge was safe, Guard Yun raced off in search of the attacker. He returned empty handed and was even more dismayed the other candidates had not thought detain the witnesses.

"I don't understand how this is possible at the Knight-Master's estates. Why here when we were so much more vulnerable on the road?" Guard Yun looked to Scout Jia.

"A couple of possibilities come to mind. One would be to drive a wedge between Minister Go and the Lei family. Another might be just to frighten the fourth kingdom's heir into joining a more established training yard. After all, anyone who attended the championships, or even heard about the incidents there, would expect Junseo to deflect an attack." Scout Jia looked around the courtyard to confirm it was secure before asking the boys to call in their wind-dogs.

"Well, I want a word with Knight-Master Lei about his defenses," Guard Yun insisted.

"Of course," Manager Doak said as he crossed the courtyard, adding, "I know you naturally focus on your charge but it is entirely possible there was another target."

"Maybe, just a test." Scout Jia half whispered but Song-hee still overheard him and reported this speculation back to the group.

Junseo immediately dismissed this theory. "What's to test? I mean anyone at my training level should have the same skill. Maybe not the same amount of public practice but still," he lifted his arms up then dropped them.