Moonstones and Madness

Forty-eight

     San Jin's sharp nod was enough of a salute for the rest of the boys to jump into action. They brought in the supplies and tightened the trip wires they had set the day before. Junseo clambered onto the roof of the cabin with his bow and two full quivers of arrows. Hae-sung tacked up the horses and left them standing loose in the lean-to trusting them to stay until he whistled for them. He then picked out a handful of spears from the stash behind the manger and slid under-cover in some nearby bushes.

Song-hee checked his sight lines along his crossbow and directed Candidate Kim over a few feet. He then reminded Candidate Don-je about how to reload the bow for him. Manager Doak smiled to himself seeing how fast the team readied themselves for the coming battle.

A songbird's call broke into the tense silence. Hae-sung answered from his hiding spot. San Jin lowered the trip wire just long enough for two figures to stumble into the compound the jerked it back into place. The pursuers tangled with the wire. Junseo waited until they broke free before setting his sights on the first rank of attackers. As soon as the second rank lifted their shields to defend themselves from the arrows raining down from the rooftop, Song-hee went to work with the cross-bow, picking off two in rapid succession, pausing and taking out two more. The attackers backed away up the trail to regroup but San Jin pulled the line to release the catch on the pit-drop lined with sharpened stakes.

A tiger's roar punctuated the cries of confusion from the back line of the attackers. The last of raiders scrambled away into the bush. The boys looked over to Chenhui who gave them a crooked smile and held up an empty bag from one of their traps. The chance he had taken releasing the cubs had paid off. Guard Yun had been furious at the time, mostly because Chenhui had no real explanation other than saying it was what Pange In-Yeon would have wanted.

Junseo stayed in position on the roof. He scanned the forward edge of the compound and traced movement through the bushes behind the cabin. He notched an arrow, drew slowly only to hold for a clearer line of sight. Candidate Kim noticed Junseo's stance and signaled to the others to take cover. Hae-sung stood at the ready on his side of the cabin, spear in hand. A warbling whistle sounded from behind him. He spun around to see San Jin bounding over to greet Scout Jia. He tried to call a warning but his throat went dry.

Song-hee banged frantically against the window ledge. Above him Junseo spun and shot an arrow at the swordsman sprinting toward San Jin. Guard Yun jumped between San Jin and the attacker, taking a thrust to the throat. Both the would-be assassin and Guard Yun dropped to the ground. Scout Jia's detail swarmed into the compound and out along the trail south. Junseo struggled to stay in position and wait for the all-clear before going to help the injured. Chenhui spotted his dilemma and shimmied up onto the roof.

"It's probably too late, but go," he said grabbing the bow out of Junseo's hand.

Junseo jumped, landed with a roll, and was at Guard Yun's side in a heartbeat. It was no use. The man's neck was nearly completely severed from his body. He could feel San Jin trying to raise a cleansing barrier and put his hand out to stop him. "Save your strength for the living," Junseo told his friend.

"No. It can't be too late. I have seen what you can do. Come on, you have to try," San Jin pleaded.

"I can't call him back from the cold lands. I'm so sorry." Junseo put his arm around San Jin's shoulder and waited.

San Jin struggled and argued but finally gave in and wept. The others waited for him to regain his composure before approaching. Junseo stepped back a pace to give the others room to console their elder.