"Please stay here while we check the area. We have allies here so if you have any concerns just call." The guard gave a perfunctory bow and hurried away.

"I'm so sorry. It seems like trouble is still stalking me," San Jin said as he rubbed his hand across his forehead.

"You know I attract my own fair share of trouble. I had watchers on me yesterday. The Sun Temple helped me escape but it is not hard to follow me if you know the academy's class schedule." Junseo shrugged and continued, "Why anyone would bother is another question."

"Yes, well there are those rumors about a connection between you and Knight-Master Lie," San Jin had never had the chance to ask about the dragon's breath story. He remembered strangely vivid dreams from his night at the palace and had overheard some odd comments but did not know how to ask.

"Ah, it is probably because the healers saw this," Junseo rolled back his sleeve to show a scar shot through with faint silver lines. "It sent them scrambling through the genealogies but the lazy ones relied on limited imaginations."

"There still must be a Lie connection. Maybe on the Min side?" San Jin studied his friend a bit closer.

"Ok. There is a connection just not the one gossips claimed. Some of the team members might have noticed this but you are not around the dorm much so..." Junseo paused and then slid the dragon torque down his arm and held it where San Jin could get a clear look.

"So, you might end up with a sapphire alignment," San Jin said quietly then scratched his head. "Wait, the amulet the Shaman said wouldn't work here..."

"Was supposed to neutralize any vibrations this stone might pick up." Junseo put in as he slid his arm piece back to its usual place. "I am trying not to attract attention."

"Trying, but failing my friend." San Jin grinned. "Maybe you shouldn't try to hard at the senior finals. Then again, if you get stuck having to go to the Medical Academy, I am sure they will be testing your crystal powers every chance they can get. And that is bound to make the Palace Rainbow Makers curious."

"Yeah. Well, I am considering other options." Junseo said and then corrected himself, "Honestly more just spit-balling ideas but it's hard. I really liked working in the forge, and practicing with the team. I have learned so much from being around you guys." Junseo's voice started to crack and he looked away.

"We all want you to stay. If the Knight-Master can't figure things out we should sign up together as a group somewhere. It might not work here in the Capital but maybe down south or on Juelu Island. Everyone needs to matriculate first. That will help the negotiations." San Jin had obviously put some thought into the situation.

"What would your father say?" Junseo had only finished speaking when Minister Go appeared.

"Am I interrupting?" the courtier asked with a sly grin.

"Not at all, Papa. We were just discussing options for the team if Knight-Master Lie wants to back out on our contracts," San Jin was ready to lay out different ideas but his father put a hand up.

"No. I don't want to hear contingency plans on training that has just been approved. At least not from you boys, and hopefully not at all. The only contingency I am interested in is seeing you safely to the training yard."

"I'm sorry sir, I am not sure I am welcome there anymore." Junseo's voice quivered a bit with this admission. "I can make my way back to the palace easily enough from here. It will give your guards a chance to see which of us was being tailed."

"You are welcome anywhere a member of the Go family has a say in the matter. And that definitely includes General Tan's training yard." Minister Go said.

San Jin smiled at his father and nodded in agreement. His face fell when he looked over at Junseo. "It's your choice. I know you might not be ready to talk with the team but you know we are on your side so try not to take too long," San Jin patted Junseo's shoulder before signaling guards he was ready to leave. He pushed down his worry about his friend and smiled at his father.

"Who would be following Junseo?" Minister Go asked his son as they cut across the riverside park.

"He isn't sure. Some troubles from his hometown caught up with him here but he says it's sorted. Of course, the palace keeps tabs because he is so close to that northern boy but we know his regular detail. The rumors about the Lie connection shouldn't attract too much attention, after all the town is full of half-cousins." San Jin's voice faded as he thought about the dragon torque and what he might be missing by not staying with other team members full-time. He knew he wouldn't be moving to the dorms in the short-term but hoped something could be worked out.

"I trust the team will get properly settled," Minister Go told Manager Doak and Scout Jia when he met them at the gate of the training yard.

"We aren't ready to give up," Scout Jia said.

"But we don't want our friend to suspect we are going around him," Manager Doak winked at San Jin.

"Can you help with inquiries to some of the other yards? I mean see if we can stay together as a group," San Jin looked at each man in turn.

Scout Jia was struggling to frame an answer when Hae-sung interrupted saying, "Maybe you should check to who might want to stay on the team first." San Jin looked confused so Hae-sung continued. "I think it is past time for each of us to make our own decisions about our training. I mean if our contracts terms are getting bought-out we will have to think through what is best for ourselves. We won't be a group at that point." Hae-sung gave a slight bow to the adults and walked toward the stables.

San Jin tried to think what he might say to re-assure the others. He looked to Manager Doak but saw the man sadly shaking his head. "It would have been grand, don't you think?" the man half whispered. It was like he was calling an end to the team.

Minister Go could see his son's distress but knew taking San Jin home would not help him work through this crisis. As the eldest in the group, it was time for San Jin accept more responsibility, even if it meant helping some of the members go in a different direction.