The forge stayed quiet through the night and into the next day. Knight-Master Lie checked the gate for the third time before he realized what he was missing. No one else from the training group had stopped in. His friends didn't need instructions to get on with what was necessary but they usually came over with updates.

He went to his work room and sorted through some half-finished projects but nothing grabbed his attention. The tool rack the boys had designed sat half-assembled in the corner mocking him. He was forced to admit time spent on his own was not nearly as satisfying as teaching different elements of the craft.

One day stretch into two, and then three. He lost count of the times he went back out to the gate. A message came from the protocol office reminding him to report. "What contacts do they expect me to have when I am here on my own," he grumbled as he re-folded the missive. As he slid the note away, he noticed a short message on the inside of the envelope. He covered his surprise by offering the messenger a hefty tip to order a sedan chair.

In one of the private rooms at the Plumtree Teahouse a heavily veiled woman waited quietly. She could not be certain when her message might be found or if the retired war hero turned maker would act upon her suggestion. It was risky to meet any man on her own, but the instructions from the Dowager were clear. Wen Hou's stubbornness could not be allowed to put the twice royal heir at risk. Her carefully rehearsed greeting went out of her head when the man in question swept into the small chamber. His vigorous presence revealed how much being in command must have come naturally to him.

"I expected someone from my great-aunt's household," he said without preamble.

"They are being watched too closely and this is too delicate to wait." Lady Chen straightened her sleeve and then poured them each a cup of tea. Wen Hou accepted the cup and held it up to his nose to test its bouquet. He did not sip until after his hostess had taken a drink. "I see you think of me as an enemy," she said quietly.

He widened his eyes at this direct breach of propriety then asked, "Why should I trust someone who finances rebellions?"

"An enemy of your enemy," she left him to fill in the quotation while she continued. "We tried to lessen the Counsel-of-Five's grip but didn't expect them to invite foreign warlords to complicate the situation."

"They must have allies at court but I wonder how long it will last when word gets out about the truce violations," Wen Hou stared down at his cup as he tried to recalibrate his strategies.

"The attacks on the Go family have everyone jumping at shadows. We don't know if the separatists in northern court are moving on rumors or if it is just infighting among fourth kingdom heirs."

"Rumors?" he asked.

She touched her lips to underscore the need for secrecy then reached into her sleeves. When she opened her hands, she showed him a ruby in one palm and a sapphire in the other. She watched him struggle take in the message so decided to be more direct. "Our young friend needs your protection. Your family's interests will not be served if he goes north on his own."

Before he could rally any questions or objections Madam Chen departed. Wen Hou stayed in the private room trying to gather his thoughts. The training league had been a good idea but now it was being turned into a guise to protect an undeclared heir. Even if it was indirect, he resented being pushed into the family business. He started to fume but then gave himself a shake. Hadn't he just tried to push Junseo into a legacy position at the medical academy? The boy's reaction was understandable and now he needed to find a way to start making amends.

Professor Yip had been expecting a visit from Junseo's regular training master long before the man had shown up. He was annoyed but admitted to himself part of his anger came from unexpectedly having to compete for talent. The Royal Medical Academy had at least ten highly qualified applicants for every available spot for the incoming classes. As a rule, they did not pursue candidates. His advisory board had reminded him of the official stance only this morning. They also reminded him that no mater how reputable his father once had been, the Park boy was still well under the normal age for admission.

Knight-Master Lie chaffed a bit at having to wait in the hall before being admitted into Professor Yip's office. He had framed, and then reframed, how he might open the conversation but was taken off guard by his host.

"You must know how rare it is for the dragon to decide to favor a member of your family with healing mists, especially when they have already been passed over. I don't expect you to tell me why the boy's request might be answered over any of the others made on your behalf, but I have to wonder if you have given it much thought?"

"I have wondered at Park Junseo different fortunes. So far, the troubles he attracts have not outstripped his ability to respond but I worry. No doubt you worry as well."

"My worries are more about matters of craft, and whether the Temple or the Palace will continue to investigate how three inexperienced boys could use crystals to counteract such a dangerous poison."

"One of our team members who is familiar with the Sun Temple said their Stone-keeper is very interested in our young Master Park."

"And the Palace Rainbow Makers? What of them?"

"I don't know. None have approached me directly but they have ample opportunities to see him at the practice courts or when he is running errands with his friend from the North. Besides the Protocol Office signed Park Junseo off before we had even met." Knight-Master Lie was very skeptical about the special status accorded to the crystal users in the Lie family line who claimed mastery over many different stones. He considered them a superstitious lot, and tended to treat them the same way he handled the Palace's resident shaman.

Professor Yip could see this line of questioning was not going anywhere. He could not hold back a sigh. He blushed and apologized and finally asked the reason for this visit.

"I would be very grateful if you might find a way to continue a part-time arrangement for Junseo. He will be busy training for the senior finals but some interesting reading might remind him not to neglect his gift for healing. Maybe he will find he own way back to it if he is not feeling pushed."

"You might be right. His father must have been training him for years." Professor Yip pulled a sheet out of one of the many files on his desk and glanced through it. "This is an interim report from his practical lab suggesting he be moved up another level and that is even without him meeting the minimum clinic hour requirement. You know we get lots of students who are gifted academically who then struggle with the practical labs."

"When he is concentrating on something Junseo can be very deft with the tools in the workshop."

"Right, he mentioned spending time on different designs and builds." The professor frowned slightly trying to picture the boy as a Maker instead of a Healer. "I suppose there is time for him to explore different interests," he conceded.

"Is there anyone who could coach him on the background reading we talked about. More of a peer so he doesn't think he has to rebel against them."

"Let me think about it. I know Healer Yang would love to spend more time with our boy but I am afraid that could easily turn him into an experimental subject. Maybe once we are fully in session there will be a better candidate." The professor then jotted down some titles for the Knight-Master to source in one of the neighboring book stalls but then warned, "The academic board only approved the auditing arrangement until the regular term starts."

"Thank you. I am sorry I put my foot in it with Junseo but hope he will eventually accept his gift for healing." Knight-Master Lie checked that he could understand the list before he left. The professor's secretary took it upon himself to point of which bookstalls were the most promising but it still took a couple of hours to find the recommended texts. Along the way, he found some amusing trinkets so added them in as icebreakers for the other boys.

He also needed a way to apologize to his friends. Good food and strong drinks for everyone at the training yard could make a start. A traveling kit for brushes and ink also seemed appropriate so he back tracked to the bookstall where he had spotted them. The palace guards tried not to be conspicuous but Wen-Hou was cheeky enough to waved at them as he caught a cart heading in the right direction. He knew he needed advice from Minister Go before he made the next move. He was not surprised by the chilly reception and implied criticism. When he launched into an apology the Minister cut him off and directed him to where it would be more helpful.