In-Yeon became aware of the voices around him but struggled to make sense of what was being said. He knew he wanted the Herbalist to stay but had no way to communicate. After the man left, he let himself drift. He ached for his friends but did not know how to reach them.

In his dream he could see Hae-sung and Song-hee talking with a strange man at the forge. They seemed to be making a special sort of box but when he tried to lean in, he was pushed back by a strangely discordant energy. For a while he just drifted in blue and grey swirls but then another image formed. He saw Junseo standing at the edge of a cliff crying. He could see a very thin line of golden energy running into the stone Junseo held. "Don't give up, don't you dare give up on me," he commanded. Junseo started then looked around and slowly backed away from the edge. In-Yeon tried to send thanks and reassurance but the image faded and he found himself back in bed.

He shook one wrist, then the other. He sat up and took a closer look at his bonds. "I guess I must have scared them," he muttered.

"You did indeed," the healer answered.

"So, am I being punished? I thought there were processes to follow, even Temple's have courts. I'm sure my family has a regular advocate here in the capital. It will just take a note." In-Yeon stopped talked as the healer frowned.

"No, this isn't for punishment. It is for your own protection."

"Just how is this going to protect me from those goons jumping me again?" In-Yeon clearly remembered what had sparked him calling on the elements. He did not want to admit he was not entirely sure how he pulled up the waterspout but was certain it only happened out of his desperation.

"Well, the council has decided our school is no longer the best place for you to study," the Healer tried to smile.

"Good. My family and I already agreed on that point and my training contract is in place. Just get rid of these shackles and I will move straight away. I am sure you can make sure the other boys are busy somewhere other than the dorms for a few minutes." In-Yeon held his wrists out clearly expecting the Healer to produce a key.

"Sorry. That is not what was decided. The new Temple-Master will explain it all to you after he is finished with his investiture."

"And when will that be?" In-Yeon could feel his temper starting to rise.

"Oh. The ceremonies won't even begin for at least a week. Witnesses from our other communities need time to get here." The Healer busied himself with rearranging some of the supplies on a nearby counter then toddled off.

In-Yeon tried to throw down an anchor but found his weak efforts fizzled against the silver in his bonds. He could tell it would be a long time before he might be strong enough for the kind of energy work needed to break free. He needed another plan. He remembered most of Song-hee's lesson about different lock mechanisms but didn't have anything to use as a pick. As he sat puzzling, he felt another wave of tiredness hit. With it came part of a conversation he had with his shaman aunt about true dreaming and image sending. He did not know if it was possible but tried to think of possible conduits.

When Hae-sung woke the next day, he was utterly convinced In-Yeon was in some sort of danger. He got turned away at the temple gate with the explanation it was on the orders of the new Temple-Master. The guard warned him, "There will be no visitors until after the installation ceremony but I must warn you the new council is not in favor of outsiders stepping beyond the lower terraces."

"This is not good," he muttered to himself then hurried back to the forge to consult with Manager Doak.

"Do you have a way to send your aunt a message. Let her know your concerns. We can try to push our case to move up the contract while things are in flux but temples run by their own laws much of the time."

"Yes, and those laws include debts of hospitality. I will make the case to my aunt but we should probably have the messenger wait for her at the Sun Temple gate."

"She is coming here?"

"They can't install a new Temple-Master without her. She is the Mistress of the Dawn." Hae-sung blushed as he gave her title. In her temple-incarnation she was as famous as any warrior-monk.

"Oh my," Manager Doak gave Hae-sung a hard look. "I understand why you went to temple-school but why did you leave?"

"They wouldn't separate matriculation from taking provisional vows and I couldn't imagine living locked away from the rest of the world before I had a chance to see any of it." Hae-sung rubbed his toe in the dirt as he remembered the fights he had at the temple and at home. "My aunt stepped in and sorted everything out. Her last note said she is very proud of me for finding my way here."

"Well, start your message with our gratitude," Manager Doak put a reassuring hand on Hae-sung's shoulder.

Messages were also being drafted in the south. On the advice of her sister, Lady Pange drafted duplicate requests for information on her son's progress from both the Sun Temple and the new training yard. She expressed her concern over how another mid-term transfer might impact In-Yeon's standings so offered to pay the extra fees for him to sit provisional examinations. She explained her offer by stating, "His school here was confident he would be ready for his junior matriculation next fall." She let her father-in-law look over her note and took his suggestion to add the post-script to confirm where to send the boy's name-day gifts. She also got her husband to send a note to their advocate in the capital with instructions to give In-Yeon's quarterly allowance directly to the boy. Her husband added the instruction to render his son any and all assistance required.

"Any and all?" Madam Pange asked.

"I don't think your sister's fears are groundless, so this tells our advocate In-Yeon may be in serious trouble." Baron Pange's practical response did not reduce anyone's worries. "I am hoping Knight-Master Lie will be able to help. I know the palace steers clear of temple business but he might have some allies."

In-Yeon's aunt also tapped into her own network to connect with a shaman in Leuso who claimed to know her nephew. Their communication remained tenuous but they realized In-Yeon had sent them the same dream of being in chains and dragged away. This was followed by a clear image of lock-picking tools.

"They don't want the guardian to join the court of the twice-royal," the Shaman in Leuso cursed under his breath.

"Do you have a way to get him the tools he needs?" She focused on the image her nephew had sent and not the titles the other shaman used.

"Will try. Best." The message from the capital ended there and she could only hope it was enough.