San Jin gave his testimony and Scout Jia stepped in to add his own details. Between the two of them the events of the past couple of weeks were well covered. This meant the Advocate only had to ask In-Yeon to verify their stories. This tactic downplayed the more fantastical side of the journey.

The encounter with the members of the conclave grabbed the protocol officer's attention. "What would make them so interested in you?" Both men looked In-Yeon up and down.

"I don't know. Maybe because I escaped the Sun Temple's school to come train here." In-Yeon shrugged. A ripple of whispers among the recruits followed his comment, underscoring the rarity of such a move.

The protocol officers looked around the room, studying each of the trainees, before returning their attention to the main witness. "There is no denying your Lei heritage but we are puzzled why northerners would take such an interest in you." They looked expectantly at Junseo. When he did not respond they prompted, "Well, other than your friendship with the Psyonan heir, is there something we don't know."

Junseo let a little of his impatience show by asking, "How would I know what you may or may not know?" The advocate shook his head and Junseo apologized and then offered, "I expect my training sessions in the northern forms will be on record at the palace." His response surprised the recent recruits who had not heard about Junseo's eclectic training background.

"Speaking of training, with your recent injuries, do you still expect to participate in the Prince's championship?"

Junseo looked puzzled by the question and answered slowly, "When I left my ranking still put me outside the final count."

"In the past few weeks there have been two withdrawals and a disqualification," the Advocate volunteered.

"So that means Hae-sung is in. That's great. I mean for us, not the other schools. We will just have to see how rusty I have gotten while I was away." Junseo smiled apologetically at his teammates.

"As if," Hae-sung muttered to himself, making San Jin chuckle. Manager Doak shook his head slightly so the boys sobered while the officials finished up. Junseo tapped his foot while he listened to the officer's instructions for registering his contacts and schedule.

"We already have a file open on you and the training group is cleared. If you don't make our job more difficult you should keep your access to the palace grounds," the taller officer said looking down his nose.

"Understood," Junseo said curtly. The Advocate stepped in with reports to be signed off.

"Good. We will bring by fair copies tomorrow afternoon," he offered in a smooth manner. He offered compliments while he moved the officers along to gate and sent them on their way. When he returned, he was shaking his head. "You need to practice not showing your impatience with officials," he said to Junseo.

"I'm not letting them bully me or my friends," Junseo stuck out his chin. "It's not like I have reasons to go to the palace these days."

"You're quitting the Medical Academy?" Chenhui couldn't help asking.

"Not if I don't have to. No, just since we aren't doing morning observances at the Sun Temple anymore, I won't need the shortcut," Junseo grinned at Hae-sung then said, "Oh! That reminds me, our Moon Temple friend is still waiting."

"Your friend, not ours," Manager Doak said before Knight-Master Lie's mood darkened.

Junseo acknowledged the remark with a slight nod then jogged over to the gate.

"What brings you here, Brother?" Junseo kept his side of the conversation loud enough the guards did not need to strain to eavesdrop.

"I hope you can help clear up the miscommunication. When I told the guards I was here for Pange In-Yeon, what I should have said was I wanted to apply for a position to help train him and the other members of your group. The Dream-Speaker was most insistent someone who understood fire energy work with the pair of you."

"Fire energy?" Junseo squinted as he tried to sense the monk's aura.

The man understood Junseo's intent so held out the hand with a ruby set in a gold ring. Junseo jumped back and looked around for the guards. "Don't worry I am not of the northern court," the monk said, then added, "The phoenix does not favor me." The whispered, "unlike you," hung between them for a moment. "I have letters of introduction. Could you please just take them to your current training master and maybe let In-Yeon know our affinity. I will come back tomorrow."

When Junseo returned to the courtyard, stopped to watch San Jin and In-Yeon walking a dust devil back and forth. He called up his own little wind dog and sent it in a wide circle around theirs. The newer trainees all backed up to the porch and even Hae-sung looked a bit worried. The travelers were able to pass control of their creations to each other without incident before releasing the playful breezes.

"I will be happy to teach this trick to anyone in our group," Junseo offered after the demonstration.

"Aren't you afraid of what could happen if we lose control?" one of the larger boys asked.

"Its not that likely. Not if you have a solid anchor with your crystal energy." Junseo's smile met dubious looks. "I will explain it later. Promise." He said looking toward the servants laying out the welcome feast. He would have said more but Hae-sung took over directing the boys to be sure each of the new trainees sat beside a member of the original group.

The boys beside In-Yeon were closer to his age than the regular team but it did not make their conversation any easier. The pair were busy trying to one-up each other with the tournament results. "What about you? Where did you compete?" the friendlier of the two finally turned his attention to In-Yeon.

"Just here at one of the opens but I met Junseo and Hae-sung at the Sun Temple before so San Jin stood in as my fencing coach. We use different forms in the south." In-Yeon's words all tumbled out at once.

"You must have done well. I mean you came before end of terms grades came out. Manager Doak said my grades helped tip the balance for me." Both boys looked expectantly at In-Yeon who could only blush at the mention of grades.

"Knight-Master Lie has been very kind," In-Yeon said into his bowl.

"Do you have special connections? I mean the protocol officers were not at all subtle about Park Junseo and we all know Go San Jin's lineage. I don't know how a fellow from the provinces is supposed to compete," the loudest of the pair complained.

"Are we competing? I thought we were training and building teams," In-Yeon shook his head.

"Nobody's place is guaranteed, is it? Unless you are a Lei, that is bound to be different," The boy made a rude face. In-Yeon looked around desperately hoping to catch the eye of one of his friends. Song hee spotted his discomfort and gave him a subtle signal.

In-Yeon excused himself from the table and went over to where more water pitchers were being filled. Song hee joined him and commented, "Fresh recruits are like new shoes. Sometimes they take time to break in."

"But do you want to keep the ones that pinch and give you blisters?" In-Yeon asked.

"Don't let it worry you. Let them sort themselves out while you stay on with us." Song hee suggested. In-Yeon looked doubtful but then Junseo came over with his medicine and San Jin suggested they should go back to his family home.

"You look tired and Mom will be worried about us. I already check with the others. So come on," San Jin steered In-Yeon to the gate.