The pre-dawn mists lingered in the shadowy corners along the terrace's western side. Winding trails of footprints quilted the dew-laden grass. Monks, students, and servants stood silently in the assigned ranks. The thud of a staff striking a stone pillar was followed by a piercing cry. The call was like no bird In-Yeon had ever heard, but it was answered by chirps and rustling in the nearby trees. When a thin band of sunlight illuminated the top terrace, a gong sounded then the morning salutations started in earnest. A quiet chorus of deep breaths followed the muffled percussion of bare feet stepping in unison through the salutes in each direction. The pattern and partner practices continued in a solemn tone.

Hae-sung sought out In-Yeon after they finished the morning routine to ask, "Why so formal today?"

"A visiting priestess is taking charge of an investigation. We have extra services now and were warned not to be lax in our observances," In-Yeon sighed.

"We just got a commission for the forge so don't be disappointed if we can't make it the rest of this week but we will see you at the competition, for sure. Manager Doak wanted us to tell you he will have your kit ready with assigned helpers for the day." Junseo tapped over his heart to reinforce the promise.

"Thank you. Just wish me luck with the northerner." In-Yeon he nodded in the direction of the woman covered head to toe in dark scarves who stared intently at their small group.

"Luck," Hae-sung with a crooked grin while putting his fist out to be bumped.

The Priestess frowned as she watched this interaction turning to the Training-Master to ask, "You allow visitors to attend morning rituals? And enter the upper terraces?"

"Kim Hae-sung is not exactly a visitor. He was a Temple regular in his hometown and his aunt is one of your sisters in service. We assessed Park Junseo and allowed him to return upon a request from the Moon Temple in Ilidan. They must hope his path will lead him back there."

"The Moon Temple where the Crystal Pavilion once stood?"

"I understand the boy provided some kind of special assistance after the quakes. Not sure what, but he is the son of a healer," the Training-Master shrugged. The other masters on the temple council had different theories about the boy but he was just happy to see Junseo's skills develop in line with other senior students.

"And what about the youngster on the second terrace? He is not an initiate, is he?"

"No. Not yet. We are still assessing Student Pange In-Yeon, or maybe it is more accurate to say he is still assessing us. He will be going to the open competition this week and will no doubt receive offers from other schools."

"Would you say he is well suited to Temple life?"

"I'm not sure any teenage boy is particularly well suited to our disciplines but I can say he has talent."

The Priestess gave the slightest nod before leaving for her meeting with the Temple-Master. No matter how genial the Temple-Master first appeared, he most was definite about the role expected for the external member of the investigating committee. She made it clear she was less than pleased with the limits to the scope of her investigation. Part of their compromise allowed the Priestess to undertake an inspection tour and meet with each member of temple council individually. She would then provide her report directly to the Temple-Master.

"If there are issues needing to go further, we can discuss the process for moving them forward. I think you can agree if there is a remedy within my scope, I should be allowed to implement it without convening the larger board."

"And if the remedy is your own resignation?" she said skeptically.

"Even if it comes to that," he said placidly. He wove his fingers together then sighed, "Some days setting down this burden is an inviting prospect."

This comment, and the easy familiarity between the monks and their students, left an impression of a very lax leadership style. Thus, it was disconcerting, if not downright infuriating, so little needed comment after her inspection. Her only follow-up interview was with the Forms-Master who also oversaw the memorial pavilion.

"I could not help noticing your memorial plaques are cedar or mahogany but there is one made with parchment," She did not add how roughly it was made. Instead, she raised one eyebrow and waited.

"Sadly, it is the most recent. The boys made it themselves for their classmate. Even though he was here only a short time it seemed an appropriate gesture. I am certain his family will have a proper memorial for him at home."

"Ah. The boy drowned, did he not?" She looked the Forms-master up and down. "Was he in any of your classes?"

"Yes. He was in the introduction to Temple forms," the man looked uncomfortable with this line of questioning.

"So, what kind of student was he?"

"I think it fair to say he was struggling. At least that was true for my class. I don't know about his other subjects," he waved his hand saying, "I'm sorry, you have to excuse me. I have students waiting."

She watched his rushed departure and sighed to herself. Her entire inspection tour only led her right back to the original reason for the inquiry thus leaving no reason to delay convening the group. The Chief Librarian was the first to arrive and, full of his own importance, set about introducing the others as they appeared. The Training-Master was the only familiar face on the panel that was rounded out by the Herbalist and a senior-novice. Once they had settled into place the Temple-Master appeared and placed a worn student notebook on the table in front of them.

"This is the first piece of evidence you need to examine. Witnesses will explain its provenance and what they believe to be the consequences its use. From there you must set your own course in the investigation." The Temple-master bowed to the panel and then drew their attention to the student's name on the workbook and the variations to the mantras it contained. "I received this notebook from Brother Suk-Chan who will now explain how he came into possession of this item and an experiment he conducted."

In-Yeon sat in the corridor beside his uncle and was startled how fast the questioning seemed to go. He was soon called in to present his side of the story. Whenever his version was challenged, he unconsciously touched his pendant then selected his words more carefully. He could feel the panel's skepticism when he told them about not noticing being pulled into the water while using the inaccurate mantra.

"Now that I know the correct ones, it might be harder for me to repeat the process but if you can set anchors, I am willing to try it again," In-Yeon offered sincerely.

"Perhaps I should try it?" the senior-novice offered.

"Do you have any wave-walkers or wind-singers in your family?" The Priestess asked the volunteer.

The young-man blushed and stuttered, "I think my maternal grandfather had strong water connections."

She narrowed her eyes and studied both young men closely. They shifted nervously under her gaze until she nodded her consent for the test. "I think we can dispense with the standard calming waters and just test the notebook version," she said confidently. "The witnesses should stay here. We will send for you if you are needed."

In-Yeon gave his uncle a worried look and saw him shaking his head. "They don't believe us, do they? Otherwise, they would know to set the anchors with the standard mantra."

"Don't worry lad. The Librarian knows the elements and there is more to our Herbalist friend than you might expect. We might as well get comfortable." He said tossing over a cushion.

"So are there wave-walkers in our family line?" In-Yeon couldn't help being curious.

"Your grandmother used to think so but it's not something anyone is likely to admit. It would be like claiming to tame a tiger. Both boastful and dangerous." His uncle looked lost in thought so In-Yeon contented himself by silently counting off the songs for the hours.

The investigating council returned with one very wet and bedraggled senior novice. A chastened looking Chief-Librarian admitted, "That was much worse than when your fire mantras went astray. It is amazing your uncle could get you anchored."

In-Yeon blushed and answered, "Our family bond must have helped, that and calming-the-waters first."

"Right. Now we are certain of the effect. We need to know who penned these verses," the Herbalist smiled gently as he asked In-Yeon to explain how the notebook came into his possession one more time.

"Thank you. We would like you to continue keeping everything confidential until we can determine if this was intended as mischief or if it was murder." The Priestess intoned solemnly as she pointed at the notebook.