Moonstones and Madness

Fifty-one

            It took almost a week for the boys to get back to the forge, their belongings arrived the following week with some disturbing updates. Junseo's former nanny had been implicated in the northern spy ring but escaped before an arrest could be made. Song hee tried not to look smug over this news but the others offered their grudging respect. He especially welcomed this small encouragement as he struggled with the exam preparations. When he complained about getting stiff from sitting at his desk Junseo offered to go running with him.

They were barely out of the gates when Junseo said, "Pick a topic."

"What?" Song hee nearly stumbled.

"Pick. Language, Math or Classics. We can put almost anything to a beat. I promise it will help you remember," Junseo insisted.

"Like those filthy songs you shocked San Jin with?" Song hee said.

"Not where the neighbors are listening but the same idea. How about basic formulas? I did tell you to write them on the back of the exam paper as soon as you sit down." Junseo waited for a nod before saying, "Right. You start."

Song hee something mumbled under his breath.

"I can't here you," Junseo sang out and prompted Song hee again, and again.

That evening, when Song hee complained about these tactics, Chenhui asked if they could switch tutors, "Running has got to be easier than nearly getting skewered by San Jin."

Xuiyang looked envious, "At least your seniors let you leave your desks. Some days I can barely keep my eyes open with the stack of reading Journeyman Yang keeps piling on. How can anyone remember it all?"

"Junseo keeps talking about a memory palace," Song hee scratched his head. "I tried but it didn't really click so we are working on rhythms and rhymes." He tapped along to a formula they had been working through.

"Oh, I like that." Xuiyang joined in, adding other examples. The younger boys from his team just shook their heads.

"My gran always said too much studying can drive a man crazy," one of them joked but Xuiyang ignored the provocation.

Despite secretly agreeing with the lad Song hee warned, "Your turn will come soon enough." His comment scared away most of the others and Chenhui couldn't help grinning at their discomfort. They were all slated for more practice tests the following day and he was relieved to know the others took the exercise seriously. San Jin had already warned him there would be some questions beyond their expected levels on the test so he shared this tidbit with Xuiyang and Song hee.

"Why make it extra hard? How will we know we aren't just hopelessly behind?" Xuiyang's voice squeaked.

"I expect it is to keep us humble so we will study harder," Song hee scratched his head.

"It's still a dirty trick, it could make a fellow lose confidence, blank out all together," Chenhui looked to the others for some sign of sympathy.

"That's why we have to practice. So, we don't get thrown off in the real test." Song hee said Xuiyang agreed, "Look, just take your best guess and move on, that's what Journeyman Yang keeps telling me."

"Right, and the more you have stuffed in your head the better your chance of guessing something close to the correct answer," Junseo called from across the table. San Jin elbowed the younger boy.

"Don't push it. You know its useless to cram the night before," he said.

Junseo looked puzzled, and admitted, "I always liked to review everything ahead. Let it sink in while I slept."

"Review, yes. If it helps you relax but forget trying to learn an entirely new lesson." San Jin waved his finger back and forth in Chenhui's direction. Chenhui blushed a bit before nodding. He picked up his dishes and made his way to the kitchen. Song hee wasn't far behind picking up a few scraps to feed the stray he left behind.

The scraggly tom approached warily. His fresh battle scars included losing part of an ear and he would not take the food directly. He circled around Song hee's feet making small huffing sounds but darted to the wall whenever Song hee reached out.

"I'm sorry old fellow," Song hee whispered then lifted up his sling, "Being away didn't go well for me either." A giggled followed his statement. Song hee spun around but was too slow to catch the child dressed in rags scooting along the fence rail.

Once safely out of reach the urchin called back, "If you have food to share you shouldn't waste it on a lazy old cat." Song hee had no answer for such a complaint so just shook his head wondering why the child was hanging around the alley behind the forge. He scanned the area before prying out the loose rock that once served as the gang's special post box. Sure enough, there was a crumpled message waiting, but it had faded in the weather. He tucked it into his belt and nearly tripped over the stray cat waiting at the back gate.

Song hee waited until they were through all the practice exams before taking Chenhui aside to ask for help deciphering the faded message. He explained, "I don't know how long this waited, I didn't look there after I got my marker back."

"I don't know why you are bothering with this now," Chenhui frowned, holding the wrinkled paper at different angles to catch better light. "I'm not sure, it says something about Kal Chul going missing."

"Does that mean they didn't know he was at the palace, or has he somehow escaped the Rainbow-makers?" Song hee said.

"Why should it matter?" Chenhui sounded confused.

"We both know he can be slippery and ruthless. I'd rather know where he might be than have him popping up out of the blue," Song hee scanned the courtyard as if expecting the former gang leader to materialize out of thin air.

"This isn't much to go on. I mean it could just be a ruse to get you into an awkward spot with the palace," Chenhui said.

"Who's in an awkward spot with the palace?" Junseo asked from behind them.

Song hee rolled his eye, and stuttered out a vague explanation. He finished by admitting he had no idea how long the message had waited and whether they should concern themselves. He summed up saying, "Let's not borrow trouble."

"Okay, but we will all keep an eye out. I wonder if Scout Jia needs anything from our Knight-Master's apartments," Junseo's voice faded away as he started scheming. Chenhui and Song hee looked at each other and smirked. They hadn't planned on this going further but could tell it would soon become a team concern.