Moonstones and Madness

Fifty-four

            Song-hee trotted along Maker's Way hoping to be flagged down by a proprietor looking for a reliable message runner. He spotted some competition today but hoped previous clients would remember him. An apprentice waved him over but was intercepted before Song-hee could get the package. They both ran after the barefoot-child with Song-hee soon edging out in front, closing in quickly enough to kick the feet out from under a thug trying to wrest the package from the ragged thief. A double-pronged claw raked down the squirming child's arm. Song-hee retrieved the package then knocked the armed attacker out with a swift kick. He tossed the package back to the apprentice then grabbed the child by the ear before they could sprint off.

"Relax. I'm not turning you in and you can see I'm not with the Hillside Talons. My friend is at the student clinic today so he can get you stitched up," Song-hee switched his grip to march the little one forward.

"Why you doing this?" the child whispered.

"Because I can," Song-hee said while hurrying them along. He glanced back to see the older gang member had been joined by others so aimed to get out-of-sight before the chase started. The arrival of a pair of city guards bought more time.

"Another stray?" Junseo asked his teammate while he cleaned and dressed the wounds. The child looked thoroughly dejected at the clinic, refusing to provide a name or admit any gang affiliation.

"A debtor, this squirt owes me a runner's fee, I'd settle for a marker but he probably doesn't even have one." Song-hee said while sizing up his pintsize prisoner.

"Shows what you know, its she," the young girl dug out a wooden disk and flipped it on the floor.

Song-hee picked up the disk and studied the child closely before asking, "What were you doing in Talon territory?"

"None of your business," the girl snapped while hopping down from the treatment table. "Keep it as clean as you can. Come back in a week so we can check the wound." Junseo gave instructions to her turned back, receiving the barest of wave in acknowledgement.

Song-hee flipped the marker to his friend, "Hold onto this in case her big brothers come looking."

"It's not me who could be in trouble with the Slack Harbor crew," Junseo pushed the token toward his friend.

"No, her debt is to you, not me. Before she returns, think up a small task to let her save her pride." Song-hee said before leaving out the clinic's side entrance. He debated going back to the market but got waylaid by Xuiyang and Chenhui who dragged him along to check the posted exam results.

"What's the rush. I mean they send out notices to the registered training yards," Song-hee objected but the others still insisted. The square at the bottom of Academy run was crowded with students, family members, and on-lookers.

There were even a couple of bookies set up in opposite corners, the sight of whom made Chenhui furious. "Who'd be crazy enough to bet on exam results? I mean, as if there isn't enough hanging in the balance," he said.

"I guess some might feel it is a sign of support, but I'm with you. Especially with how much money it took to get us this far, why throw it away on something just as likely to be rigged as not." Xuiyang patted Chenhui's back.

"Well, I'd put my odds of passing less than even," Song-hee tried to joke but the others just linked arms with him to drag him toward the boards. He found his registration number just above the cut-offs in classics and languages but couldn't see it in the section he expected in math and science.