You know there are other rumors. The dream-speaker offered hints before he moved on." Brother Kuin stared steadily at Scout Jia. "Tell me nothing you saw in Ilidan confirms the stories. I mean beyond In-Yeon's range of energy work."

"I don't know what stories might be circulating. I am pretty sure there could have been an attempt to get at the governor's wine through some of the caves. After all, not everyone is superstitious about crypts." He could see the religious man was not happy with this teasing so lowered his voice. "I will say Junseo made a remarkable recovery. Some might even say miraculous others might whisper about dragon mists."

"Yet he shows no crystal affinity?"

"You tell me. I can only say after his whole collection was knocked out of balance the palace rainbow-makers were no longer interested in our boy."

"Strangely I still can't tell, not even with the energy work we practice together, but if he has blood from two royal houses, he might have been a stone master. I wonder if that is why Master Wu took him on without asking for vows."

"The Moon Temple forms suit Junseo. I mean, he does well with other sets but doesn't really breathe the same life into them."

Brother Kuin nodded and said, "It could be a sign of a northern inclination. Do you think a fourth kingdom prince would accept a twice royal leader?"

"Don't get ahead or yourself. Seriously!" Scout Jia's features darkened. "The last thing the boys need is to hear that kind of speculation being bandied about."

"Fair enough, but I should warn you others may come looking for proof the king-to-be has what it takes, with or without his guardian." Brother Kuin folded his arms inside his wide sleeves and gave a slight bow. Scout Jia rolled his eyes and cursed under his breath.

Just as the other boys came in from the archery range, Junseo returned sweaty and contrite. "Better?" Hae-sung asked as he tossed a towel over.

"Yes, sorry guys," Junseo said. "I don't know why it got under my skin so much. But I have to tell you the strangest thing. I saw this guy coming out of the inn next to the teahouse and honestly for a moment I almost thought it might be Chenhui, or at least what Chenhui might look like when he is older. It was very strange, especially since the Slack-harbor boys were hanging about. They even waved at me, the cheeky bastards."

Chenhui froze and gave Song-hee a pleading look.

"You want me to see what I can find out?"

"No, you shouldn't. Not really, but if my Dad is gambling again it is bound to be a crooked game. He just has no sense. A little bit of flattery and he goes all in. But what would the bookies be offering to bring folks in from out of town?" Chenhui fretted.

"You can't guess? The biggest tournament in two years is about to start and you don't know why the players are starting to arrive? Now they are here, there is bound to be an audience for parade practice." Hae-sung looked over and couldn't help chuckling at Junseo's panic-stricken look.

Chenhui's ears turned red and he rubbed the toe of his boot in the dirt. "Do you think your Dad will come to see you here?" Junseo asked Chenhui quietly.

"Not likely. I don't think my grandparents told him anything. If he asked, they would just say I was away at school but he probably wouldn't think to ask. Not unless he thought he might get something out of it." Chenhui's tone was both brave and bitter. Junseo reached over and briefly rubbed the younger boy's back. Chenhui gave him a tight smile before asking, "Are we all set with the shipment now?"

"Unless somebody else decides to move the goal posts," Junseo said, adding, "I should go put in my penance for my temper." He gathered himself up and went to find Brother Kuin. His task was a balance exercise designed to take the rest of the day. Hae-sung had to seek out Manager Doak to negotiate Junseo's release for riding practice.

"He still isn't sitting the flying lead changes properly and if he lands it wrong, he is going to pop out of the saddle in front of everyone. I am sure Junseo understands his earlier faults but he can return after our practice to whatever punishments the good brother has in mind." Hae-sung had a few more arguments but Manager Doak put up his hand and went over to talk with their newest training master. It took a little persuasion but Junseo was finally allowed to go to the stables with the others.

Song-hee spotted the tail the gang had assigned so hurried to give San Jin and his family guard the heads up.

"You promised there would be no trouble," San Jin frowned.

"I don't think they will be trouble, more like they are just keeping an eye on their investment," Song-hee looked down.

"So maybe they will run a bit of interference if anybody else wants to come calling?" The guard said with a quick nod to the boys before taking up a new position.

There was a full string of horses saddled and waiting at the arena for the team. "Don't expect this kind of service everyday," the General Tan's head groom warned the boys.

"Wouldn't dream of it. What's the special occasion?" San Jin said as he stepped forward to clasp the man's hand.

"Your Uncle is sending his apologies. He doesn't think he will make it back in time for the championship."

San Jin nodded then shrugged off his disappointment. "Yes, well he has been busy of late. Far too busy with raiders and the like."

"Too right," the groom agreed then set about matching the boys to the correct horses. Just as Hae-sung predicted Junseo bungled the lead changes and ended up eating dirt.

"Oye, that's not going to improve his temper," Chenhui whispered to In-Yeon before putting his hand out to stop the younger boy from running over to help, saying, "Let him keep his pride."

"What pride?" Junseo laughed before gathering up the reins and climbing back on the patient horse. His comment gave the others permission to tease but he soon improved enough they could move on to the next maneuver. Hae-sung trotted over to offer corrections and Junseo followed the strict instructions to the letter. The boys who wouldn't be in the official procession listened carefully so they could help their teammates.

Song-hee studied the sequences closely and soon concluded he would not be able to carry out the gang's directive during the parade formation. That only left the first heat, and maybe not even then. He swallowed hard thinking about opportunities to get a message back to the Slack-harbor boys without the team members noticing. He used his habit of feeding a calico alley cat to get away after dinner and could only hope the watchers would have wits enough to spot the message he left.