Junseo got another reminder of the kingdom's inequities when he ran into one of his former patients at the riverboat dock. The man had a couple of fingers amputated at the student clinic now approached each boat in turn hoping to sign on. None of the bosuns would even look at the man.

"Didn't I serve you well last season?" he pleaded.

"Last season you had all your digits," a crew member mocked.

"Yes, but your mistake got my fingers crushed, didn't it?" The man spat on the dock and walk away cursing the both the boat and its crew.

"Are you looking for passage north, young sir?" The purser called over from the deck. Junseo looked around to see what his options might be.

"Sorry I think I have to pass today. I don't want to take a chance with a crew that doesn't honor their debts. No telling what they might do to a passenger and his goods." Junseo turned away and scanned the smaller vessels tied to the next dock. There he spotted a familiar face from his days as a kite racer so waved and got a welcome sign in return.

"We have a short draw so can get you the whole way to Ilidan with no need to change boats. We just need to fill out our crew and can be on our way," The young bosun smiled warmly.

"Thanks, Tsang Liu. I was hoping I might be able to travel on your boat. I will just drop my bags and be right back. I may have a crewman for you." Junseo bowed twice then ran up the dock to see if he could find his former patient. The man had just acquired a cheap bottle of liquor and was getting ready to down it when Junseo reached him.

"Why don't you save that drink to celebrate finishing your first run on a new boat."

"What are you on about? Do I know you?" the man scowled.

"Maybe you don't remember me from the clinic but I helped save that hand." Junseo pointed to the frayed bandages. "I will clean that up for you later but I have a friend who is a bosun and they need a crew member. It would help me out if you could come along so we can get underway before the bigger boats clog up the locks."

"You mean now?"

"Yes. Where did you stow your kit?" Junseo looked around for a bag.

"Oh. Well, I kind of swapped it for this." The man mumbled.

Junseo narrowed his eyes and said, "Right. I will spot your drink but let's get a move on before the barkeep decides to call the guard." It took some persuasion to get the man to own up to what he had done and apologize enough to get his baggage back. Junseo paid the premium asked without quibbling so they could make it back to the smaller boat in time to pull out ahead of the fleet of barges heading to the locks.

Once they were underway, Tsang Liu came over to get more of the story on his new crewmember. "Another rescue?" he prompted.

"Not as difficult as the last one. But yes, he needed a place to land. So, thank you." Junseo outlined what he knew of the circumstances.

"And you? What takes you up-river? I thought you would be training with the other candidates. The Champion's League is no joke."

"You heard about that?"

"How could I not. All of G'sang province has been buzzing about how one of our own took the qualifiers by storm. If the governor gets word there will be an honor guard ready at every port."

"That is unfortunate," Junseo said bleakly then explained he had been injured in a training accident and was headed home to heal. "I don't know if I will ever come back to the capital, never mind making it time for the tournament."

"Well, their loss is the kite races gain. I am sure there is a new crop of eager runners ready for when you want to test the winds. For now, how can we serve?" Tsang Liu gave his passenger, and former runner, a half bow. If he thought it strange Junseo wanted to find a way to run his hand in the river, it did not show. Instead, he located a lower porthole where the boy could rest unobserved.

When Junseo reached down and dipped his fingers in the water, he got a pleasant boost. Nothing distinct. Just a sense of welcoming ease. He took a deep breath and ran through a centering mantra in his head. The next thing he noticed was the muted blaring of ships horns approaching. He looked out into the rising mists and had to smile since this felt like the dragon gifting him a small send-off. He used his finger to write the characters for respect and appreciation on the top of the water and watched their momentary sparkle before they merged into the swirling wake of the boat. Junseo rested for a few minutes before closing the porthole and making his way back to the main deck. As soon as he appeared the cabin boy came over to invite him to the Captain's table for lunch with the three other passengers on the boat.

"My bosun tells me he met you kite-racing in Ilidan and you had some success?" The Captain prompted Junseo to recall younger days.

"I would have never dreamed of trying to be a runner, never mind a racer, if Tsang Liu hadn't taken me and my friend on. We were very lucky to be able to learn from a provincial champion, and we all benefitted from some very fine coaching," Junseo could not help smiling.

"Is it as competitive as they say?" the passenger seated across the table asked.

"It can be. Some teams form alliances over the season to try to block others from the best runs." Junseo did not want to dwell on the negatives.

"What about battle strings? I heard rumors." The man beside him leaned in.

"Those rumors must have been very out of date. Battle strings have been banned for more than a decade. They are just too dangerous for competitors and spectators alike." Junseo's even tone did not disguise his annoyance with the question.

"The way I heard it you and your friend tag teamed and pretty much cleaned up a couple of years ago." The man beside him persisted despite Junseo's obvious coolness.

"I wouldn't put it that way. We remained competitive through the season and got lucky in the finals. My partner Bon Wie's run made all the different." Junseo nodded to himself.

"Are you going back for the race season?" the passenger across the table asked.

"I am going to visit family and do not plan to race." Junseo said flatly and gave the Captain a pleading look. The man understood and shifted the topic of discussion to the employment situation in different provinces. The topic reminded Junseo of the man he helped get signed on to the boat so he resolved to check in with him after lunch. Unfortunately, all hands were busy with getting the boat through the locks all afternoon so it was quite late before Junseo could examine the man's hand.

"Frankly, given how dirty you let these dressings get, I am surprised this didn't open up and get re-infected. Let me put some salve on to stop the new skin from cracking then we will fix you up with a padded glove for when you are working. At this stage you should leave it uncovered the rest of the time."

"You know I don't have money to pay for medicines," The man grumbled.

"Did you hear me asking for payment?" Junseo replied and shook his head. "Technically this still falls under the purview of the student clinic. That is where we met and where you should have come for the free follow-up. Just keep it as clean as you can and we will call it even."

"Why are you doing this? You don't have to."

"It is just something that needs doing and I need the practice. So, we are helping each other out." Junseo patted the man on the knee as he finished fitting the modified glove.

"Ok. Thanks for this," the man mumbled and looked down before whispering "and for the other situation."

"Just don't let my friend the bosun down. He did me a solid taking you on."

"I know, I really do." The man dug into his pack and handed the bottle of liquor to Junseo. "I'm not the only thirsty one so you keep this well hidden."

Junseo tried to object but then realized it was better to do as he had been asked and remove the temptation.