San Jin's sharp nod was enough of a salute for the rest of the boys to jump into action. They brought in the supplies and tightened the trip wires they had set the day before. Junseo clambered onto the roof of the cabin with his bow and two full quivers of arrows. Hae-sung tacked up the horses and left them standing loose in the lean-to trusting them to stay until he whistled for them. He then picked out a handful of spears from the stash behind the manger and slid under-cover in some nearby bushes.

Song-hee checked his sight lines along his crossbow and directed Candidate Kim over a few feet. He then reminded Candidate Don-je about how to reload the bow for him. Manager Doak smiled to himself seeing how fast the team readied themselves for the coming battle.

A songbird's call broke into the tense silence. Hae-sung answered from his hiding spot. San Jin lowered the trip wire just long enough for two figures to stumble into the compound the jerked it back into place. The pursuers tangled with the wire. Junseo waited until they broke free before setting his sights on the first rank of attackers. As soon as the second rank lifted their shields to defend themselves from the arrows raining down from the rooftop, Song-hee went to work with the cross-bow, picking off two in rapid succession, pausing and taking out two more. The attackers backed away up the trail to regroup but San Jin pulled the line to release the catch on the pit-drop lined with sharpened stakes.

A tiger's roar punctuated the cries of confusion from the back line of the attackers. The last of raiders scrambled away into the bush. The boys looked over to Chenhui who gave them a crooked smile and held up an empty bag from one of their traps. The chance he had taken releasing the cubs had paid off. Guard Yun had been furious at the time, mostly because Chenhui had no real explanation other than saying it was what Pange In-Yeon would have wanted.

Junseo stayed in position on the roof. He scanned the forward edge of the compound and traced movement through the bushes behind the cabin. He notched an arrow, drew slowly only to hold for a clearer line of sight. Candidate Kim noticed Junseo's stance and signaled to the others to take cover. Hae-sung stood at the ready on his side of the cabin, spear in hand. A warbling whistle sounded from behind him. He spun around to see San Jin bounding over to greet Scout Jia. He tried to call a warning but his throat went dry.

Song-hee banged frantically against the window ledge. Above him Junseo spun and shot an arrow at the swordsman sprinting toward San Jin. Guard Yun jumped between San Jin and the attacker, taking a thrust to the throat. Both the would-be assassin and Guard Yun dropped to the ground. Scout Jia's detail swarmed into the compound and out along the trail south. Junseo struggled to stay in position and wait for the all-clear before going to help the injured. Chenhui spotted his dilemma and shimmied up onto the roof.

"It's probably too late, but go," he said grabbing the bow out of Junseo's hand.

Junseo jumped, landed with a roll, and was at Guard Yun's side in a heartbeat. It was no use. The man's neck was nearly completely severed from his body. He could feel San Jin trying to raise a cleansing barrier and put his hand out to stop him. "Save your strength for the living," Junseo told his friend.

"No. It can't be too late. I have seen what you can do. Come on, you have to try," San Jin pleaded.

"I can't call him back from the cold lands. I'm so sorry." Junseo put his arm around San Jin's shoulder and waited.

San Jin struggled and argued but finally gave in and wept. The others waited for him to regain his composure before approaching. Junseo stepped back a pace to give the others room to console their elder.

"You know he would say there was no higher honor," Hae Sung put his arm around San Jin's waist.

"Yeah, and he'd probably be blaming himself for not spotting that guy sooner," Chenhui said as he joined the solemn circle.

"I should have sent our sweep around sooner," Scout Jia rubbed the toe of his boot in the sand.

"They probably would have been taken out by Junseo or Song hee," Hae Sung said with a nod toward the cabin. "Come on, Manager Doak needs your update."

Candidate Kim and Chenhui helped San Jin to put Guard Yun's body in order, checking for personal items before wrapping it up in a tarp. San Jin could barely handle the necessary knots with his shaking hands. He steadied himself and said, "I know we can't get him home like this but if we can at least get him back to the estate maybe they will have an idea."

"They are bound to help. After all, he saved us more than once out here. Just today, Guard Yun stopped me from getting skinned when I nearly jumped down into a trap with a fellow who looked out of it." Chenhui put his hand on San Jin's shoulder.

San Jin nodded and continued his sad task in silence. His meditation was interrupted by the loud dispute coming from inside the cabin.

"What do you mean the boys are being sent straight on to the training camp? They are nowhere near ready. We barely practiced with the fliers." The rest of Manager Doak's complaints were mostly indecipherable.

Song hee led Candidate Don-je out onto the porch and over to where the others had gathered. "Weird how easy it was to chase off those guys. I mean I thought they would at least try to free the prisoners," he said.

"Unless they aren't working together?" Hae-sung shrugged.

"Or they think they are now in a better position to spy on us." Chenhui sounded bitter.

"I thought I was the suspicious one," Song hee's joking tone fell flat. He started to shrug a half apology but could not move his shoulders. He scanned around the group for Junseo. "Has our leader wandered off on us? He should probably intervene before the pair in their need more of his services."

San Jin spoke in a tired tone, "He went with Scout Jia's captain. They're probably looking for survivors to question." He paused and added in a half-whisper, "I shouldn't have yelled at him."

"He'll understand. Remember some of his stories from the clinic?" Hae-sung said. "There is not much more to do here, let's see if he needs some help."

"Good idea," Song hee smiled.

The group did a circuit around the perimeter of the campsite, putting things in order where they could. They automatically slid into formation with their injured companions on the inside of their square. San Jin drew his sword as the edged toward the northern path.

Hae-sung let out a loud whistle that was answered with three descending tones from just up the trail. He gestured for the group to take cover. They watched in silence as Junseo shuffled forward with a knife at his neck.

"Hostage Exchange," The rough man holding Junseo called. He waved a cloth in one hand and squinted toward the cabin.

Scout Jia came out onto the porch and called back, "If he can get caught so easily, I'm not sure we want him back. Why should we be interested in a two-for-one deal."

Song hee choked back his laughter at the man's bewilderment.

"Fine, One-for-One. Put our scout on a horse and send him along," Junseo's captor waved.

"Oh, I can't give one of General Tan's horses away. Not in a million years." Scout Jia continued the farce as the boys got themselves into position.

"I don't see no General here." The tough said jerking Junseo back and forth.

"No, just a champion." San Jin stood up and placed his sword at the man's neck. Junseo used the distraction to free himself. Hae-sung stepped forward and put the man into a tight hold.

"Squirm too much and you will break a bone," he warned as he dragged the prisoner forward.

"He's not joking," Choi Ye Sing called from where he was tied. His partner kicked him.

San Jin smirked at this sign the opposition were starting to turn on each other, expecting it would now be easier to get answers from his contemporary. But first he had a bone to pick with his team leader.