Moonstones and Madness

Forty-four

    The second day saw a shift in the line up with Chenhui on point because he was better at spotting the woodland trail through the damp fog. The sun started to break through by early afternoon while they wound along a series of switch backs. Turning in his saddle Song-hee could see the tips of the rolling hills below poking through the white clouds like dark green islands. Looking ahead it seemed like he should be able to touch the front of the line inching along the narrow ledge of the next level up but the gap was much further than it first appeared. He was uneasy about they way they were strung out and tried to close the gap but the pack horse balked, refusing to shift out of its plodding tempo.

Just before the trail's summit, Chenhui stopped to make offerings at a small shrine dug into the side of the cliff. The others followed suit. Even though Song-hee did not consider himself a believer he was not so impolite at to ignore the spirits of these hills. He could not shake the feeling there was another presence on the trail but his constant scanning revealed nothing so he just kept prodding the pack horse to move a bit faster.

The group gathered in a small clearing and Manager Doak did a rough sketch of the route to the hut where they would spend the night. "We will be living off the land from now on," he explained.

Chenhui nodded confidently. "So, we are splitting up now and regrouping at the hut," he confirmed.

Guard Yun looked perplexed then asked, "Are you sure that is a good idea? We are pretty thin on the ground as it is."

The two older candidates also looked uncomfortable. One of them finally admitted he did not know much woodlore.

"I'm with you on that," Song-hee admitted, downplaying the amount of coaching he had during their previous excursions out of the capital.

Hae-sung rolled his eyes and shook his head at his team-mate's modesty before saying, "It's just a matter of staying alert to your surroundings."

"Your right but let's split the groups. Guard Yun, Candidate Kim, and Trainee Go can go straight on to set up camp. Candidate Donje see what you can learn from the Parks." Manager Doak nodded at Chenhui and Junseo. "You two are with me," he pointed to Hae-sung and Song-hee and started to move out.

"Wait," Junseo pulled out a flyer. "Let's test San Jin's catches first."

Manager Doak shrugged before pointing to each team member in turn. Song-hee's flyer veered off-course so he had to do a couple of adjustments before San Jin was able to catch and send it reliably. Once they had worked out the issue Guard Yun hustled his group down the trail with the packhorse in tow. 

Chenhui surveyed the woods edging the clearing and nodded in the direction he thought would be most fruitful. Junseo followed, automatically readying a bow, but had to wait for the Candidate Donje to sort himself out. The thick undergrowth became increasingly difficult for Junseo's new mare so he dismounted. Up ahead, Chenhui pointed to signs of a wild boar rummaging in through the bushes. Junseo passed his reins to Candidate Donje then circled around to drive the boar toward Chenhui. Their strategy was successful with Chenhui sending three rapid shots to stop the boar in its tracks. The two boys strung up the carcass for gutting and skinning. Candidate Donje used the excuse of keeping watch to avoid the bloody task of getting the meat ready for transport. The horses were all uneasy so instead of splitting up their haul Chenhui and Junseo cut down some saplings to make a sledge for Junseo's mare to drag while he led her along the path. The other horses pawed and snorted, startling at any unexpected movements. Only Junseo's constant reassurances kept his mare from bolting away with her awkward load. Since they were moving along slowly, Junseo scanned around for medicinal herbs, stopping occasionally to root something out of the forest loam.

"You better pick up the pace," Chenhui circled as close as his horse would allow. "The scent of our kill is going to draw predators." He had no sooner finished talking when a nearby fox started yipping. Candidate Donje jumped and his horse surged forward out of control.

"That idiot is going to get lost for sure." Chunhui muttered and took off after the citified young man.

Junseo calmed his horse before urging her along the path the others had taken. He had not gone very far before realizing they were heading away from the camp. He put his fingers to his lips for his loudest possible whistle and was answered with three short tones moving toward him. With that assurance he headed directly toward the camp, trusting the others would arrive soon enough.

Guard Yun started in on Junseo for leaving the group before the others could round the last corner.

"For your information, I was the one who was left and I wasn't going to wait around for the foxes and who knows what to come after the meat. Now where do we want the firepit?" Junseo unhitched his horse and led her away from the delivery. San Jin struggled to keep a straight face as he watched Guard Yun sputtering at Junseo's attitude.

"Who does he think he is?" Candidate Kim asked as he watched Junseo stalking away.

"Someone who expects a little consideration after finishing a difficult task," San Jin ventured knowing full well Junseo would regret the momentary show of temper.

 Chenhui came trotting in, his hand firmly on Candidate Donje's reins as the young man swayed in the saddle. "His little beastie ran under a low branch and clocked him," Chenhui explained as he brought the horses to a halt in front of Guard Yun. "Where's Junseo?" he asked looking around the small clearing before helping the older boy down.

"I'll grab his kit," San Jin volunteered before pointing the others to the hut. He returned with both Junseo and the bag of healer essentials. Chenhui gave a quick explanation of the accident while Junseo washed up. Junseo nodded then pointed to Candidate Kim to come help.

Chenhui took the horses over to where the others were picketed and set to work cleaning them up. San Jin stood guard at the front of the hut, turning one of the message kites over-and-over in his hand trying to decide if their circumstances warranted an early re-call of the other group.

San Jin felt a tug of energy coming from the woods before he could spot an incoming flier. He walked toward a clearer spot and reached out barely noticing how Guard Yun rushed over to stand close enough to intercept. "Hey, what are you doing?" San Jin pushed forward to complete the catch and push a sliver of energy back to the sender to confirm the flier's arrival.

"How do you know that missile is safe?" Guard Yun reached for the flier.

"I recognized the energy form that got it here. Now back off." San Jin's directness revealed his worry. Having sensed the energy exchange, both Chenhui and Junseo approached but gave their teammate the room he requested.