"Can anyone explain this ridiculous request?" The training master entered waving a piece of paper in the air as he strode forward. He had not paused at the door and now he had taken in the room he realized he had burst in on the discussion between the Crown Prince and some of his other advisors. "I'm sorry, your Highness, gentlemen," The training master bowed deeply and made his way over to where the others were standing together in a line.

"Well, tell us what your problem is. Don't leave us hanging." The Crown Prince took this opportunity to tease.

"This is a requisition to have level-five candidates from our training yard participate in the Junior qualifications matches this week. They are expecting at least four to attend. You know as well as I, our candidates select their full-service assignments by the time they are twenty-five. How could we have four at that level?"

"I guess you will have to send who you can and we will make up the rest from the cadets who have not shipped out." The Crown Prince looked to one of his Generals as he said this.

The man blushed, "General Tan took most of the higher dan with him for field training."

"Between the two of you I expect you can sort it out. Even if you must pay one of the Dojos for their services, I am sure you can make sure this qualifier can go ahead." He fixed them with a stern look and then lifted a scroll up off the side table.

"I know you are curious as to why I am taking and interest in such a minor matter. This," he lifted the scroll high," is a report from the Sun Temple about an anomaly that took place during the first junior qualifying match.

Lord Choi blanched as he guessed what was coming but the Crown Prince spared him the embarrassment.

"It does not directly identify who was responsible but it does imply a certain member of this council would know exactly who to blame. I see no benefit in dwelling on past mistakes but there can be absolutely no issues of concern with the rest of the qualifiers. Am I clear?" The Prince pinned each man present with a hard look and they all bowed.

"Good, now we have another request to consider. This is to allow some of the cadets waiting here for the senior qualifiers to be seconded for a training run with some veteran reservists. There will be some junior trainees going along as well. Just a couple of weeks in the countryside, mostly to break in some of their horses. Can anyone think of a reason we would say no to something so simple?"

He paused and looked at the General and the Training Master both men shook their heads so the Prince initialed the document and passed it off to a clerk. He assumed they had heard the same rumors that had come to him in the past week. The notion Misaon fighters might be testing defenses in the west had him on edge and the proposed excursion might help determine if he needed to step in.

If the rumors proved true, he would have to confront his step-brother but he was not confident it would go well. It would depend on the number of local lords he could convince to join his own cause. Most resisted making commitments to anyone other than his father.

It was a mess. His Qin bride had been funneling some of her moneys to rebels in the north-east and now his step-uncle seemed to be stirring up trouble in the west. There was also the problem with the Mearcan traders mascaraing as southern pirates, although he had no idea why they thought that would be as successful tactic. He looked around the room at those offering their support and advice and wondered how long he might count on their allegiance. In that moment all he could think about was how much he enjoyed the view of the lake beside the Dowager's pavilion.

The Dowager's advice was also something Wen-Hou found he valued more and more as he found himself being pulled into the politics surrounding the qualification and selection of candidates.

"I know you are looking further afield for talent but don't forget there are worthy students here in the capital. Consider the ones who might not have the money or family connections the academies want," she advised.

"We will keep that in mind while attending the qualifiers but so far, the ones coming from out-of-town seem more willing to connect with each other."

"What choice do they have? They need to get along or go back home."

"That is not our arrangement." Wen-Hou bristled.

"Imagine yourself in their shoes and tell me it would not be how it might feel," she replied.

Wen-Hou conceded her point and tried to think of ways to give the boys a bit more freedom. Perhaps if there were enough recruits to form more than one team, or if training assignments could be juggled a bit more. His attention wandered and his Omma cleared her throat.

"Have you found a suitable escort for the wedding banquet yet?" She asked sharply.

"I did not realize I needed one." Wen-Hou blushed.

"You might want to get on that before your sister decides to take matters into her own hands. She was here earlier in the week with some highly unsuitable ideas I am sure were planted by her in-laws."

Wen-Hou winced remembering the parade of marriageable young women his sister tried to line up at the last reception he hosted at the palace. He did not consider himself to be much of a catch but ambitious mothers might perceive things differently.

"Do you have a suggestion?" Wen-Hou knew the Dowager must if she was mentioning the matter.

"Admiral Jeon has a widowed niece staying with him. She could do with some cheering up but will not be looking for a permanent liaison. You can make a delivery for me and take it from there." She had every confidence the Jeon family would welcome the association.

'Tongues will wag." Wen-Hou blushed a bit as he said this.

"They are wagging already but this should help build a safer alliance."

Wen-Hou could only chuckle before offering a fond farewell. As he left, he wondered if any other members of the family felt like they were just pieces on his Grandmother's social chess board.