Just before sunrise Junseo woke to a quiet discussion just outside the window above his sleeping mat.

"I barely made it to you and we have practiced," Hae-sung whispered urgently.

"If we were up a bit higher, the straight shot would be in range and I have spent enough time with Scout Jia for the resonance to carry," San Jin answered.

Junseo swam out of his blankets and crept to the door. He did a quick check around the room and spotted Song-hee's eyes sparkling in the dark. The boy's slow blink told him to go ahead, so Junseo slipped outside. San Jin jumped when Junseo tapped him. They made their way over to where Chenhui was standing guard. San Jin took out a flyer and pointed up the tree. Junseo drafted a short message, "Three injured. Send patrol to camp." Hae-sung scrawled the word "soonest" on the bottom and rolled the thin paper tightly.

"You're the strongest sender," San Jin whispered to Junseo.

"You have the best connection at the estate," Junseo gestured for San Jin to shinny up the tree. He then joined hands with Hae-sung to send a boost of energy to the climber.

San Jin grinned down at them before sending his flyer out. He waited near the top of the tree for almost an hour before climbing down. "I'm not sure it made it. The echo back was so faint," he said then stumbled.

"Woah there. You need to rest and fuel up," Hae-sung said while putting his arm around San Jin. "You, too," he pointed to Junseo. "Let's go see what is left in the pot."

Candidate Kim made sure there were left-overs ready and kept the kettle warm so the boys could have some tea.

"Thanks for this," Junseo said with a toasting gesture.

"Just regular duties for the last of the night shift. Now you are up and about I'm going to sack out for a bit. Oh, and I already checked in with Candidate Don-je. He is still a bit loopy, can't remember where we are," Candidate Kim sounded worried.

"I'll be checking on him in a few minutes but we are all going to have to stay put for a while." Junseo said.

"Good thing we bagged that boar," Chenhui said with a proud grin.

"Yes, instead of hunting you can put your energies into improving our camp and its defenses," Guard Yun's voice caused Chenhui to jump. "We need the perimeter cleared up. Better shelter for the horses wouldn't go amiss, either."

"Do you think it is alright for me to take the string to the pond?" Hae-sung asked.

"Only if you take a fresh guard with you. I don't know what you boys have gotten up to but San Jin looks dead on his feet," Guard Yun frowned.

"Just trying to get us some help," San Jin shrugged, then tried to cover a yawn.

"It may have been too much of a drain after you held those cleansing barriers for me last night. I probably should have made you wait," Junseo admitted.

"Nonsense. You guys know we needed to get the message out and your support really made a difference." San Jin frowned at his family guard and went to find a mat in the cabin.

Junseo followed him in to do a round of the patients. Manager Doak's color looked good and he dug into the plate of food Junseo delivered with gusto. He was anxious to be up and about but Junseo was firm. "Your leg needs at least two more days to be sure my patching job will hold. The last thing we need is for you to bleed out on us doing something we are capable of handling on our own."

"You heard him," Song-hee piped in with a smug tone.

"Yes, well you're not going anywhere soon either," Junseo said

Song-hee sputtered a bit but then nodded. He looked resigned as Junseo checked the sling and bandages. He tried not to hiss with the pain when Junseo checked the scars on his abdomen.

"It might not be an infection. I mean it is, but it might not be from your scars. It could be your appendix. Let me know if you feel sick to your stomach." Junseo prodded around a bit more before sighing.

"I'm okay," Song-hee said. He nodded toward Candidate Don-je, "Not sure about him. He keeps asking if he can get a re-write on the exams. Says two more points would get him into the academy."

Junseo nodded and went over to have a quiet conversation with the young man. He got him up to do some simple balance exercises then sent him back to bed. He looked longingly at his own mat but went out to report to Guard Yun. After a short, tense discussion he decided to re-balance with a practice set. Hae-sung fell into rhythm beside him and their energy levels improved.

They filled the day with smaller tasks, like gathering wood close to the camp, clearing back some of the brush along the trail to improve the sight-lines and adding a bit more space for the horses in the lean-to. The constant drizzle soaked their jackets and they had to take breaks to dry out in the cabin.

San Jin sat with Candidate Don-je gently quizzing him about what he remembered about the past few weeks. Hae-sung and Chen-hui chimed in with a few details about their trip together to Daegon that seemed to help. Junseo intervened when it looked like the young man was tiring so invited those who were able to join his mediation.

"I always wondered how you recovered your strength so quickly," Hae-sung observed after they had finished their session.

"It's a blessing," Junseo bowed.

"Discipline and clear stones help," Manager Doak said with a nod. "Preparation also matters, so San Jin what would you do to make our abode more defensible."

San Jin scanned around the room the pointed to Song-hee's bed. "I would get one of our better shots set up below a window. He might not be able to crank his own cross-bow but I'm sure he could still take out any attacker at sixty paces. We can get two bows ready and Candidate Don-je can ready the others as needed. I would want you back against the far wall where you can see enough to give directions without getting jostled. Then I would rotate one guard inside for a backstop or help if you need to evacuate."

"Good. Why don't you boys re-arrange the furniture now and then go talk with Guard Yun about the rotations," Manager Doak said.

"With any luck a relief unit will be here before we know it," Junseo quipped as he went out the door with San Jin. The pair both wore two swords, one thrust in their belts, the other in a scabbard on across their backs, in the fashion of their former sword-master. It was the first time Candidate Kim had seen the boys kitted out this way and he looked terrified.

"Why are they armed like assassins?" He asked Chenhui.

"Round shields are very practical if you have to slog through the bush," Chenhui said with a shrug.

"But those swords are just like the ones from the eastern islands," Candidate Kim's voice quivered.

"A useful tool knows no borders," Hae-sung said belting on his own combination of blades. "Its why we train in many different forms. Makes it easier to adapt."

"He says its easier but neglects to mention the hours they put in to get to the champion's league." Chenhui's explanation did little to console Candidate Kim.

Guard Yun confronted San Jin and Junseo as they came around the corner of the cabin, demanding to know their plans.

"It's our turn to patrol and Junseo figures he can rig up some more noise traps in case we have unwanted visitors," San Jin kept an even voice. His words may have sounded patient but his stiff posture suggested otherwise.

"We can also set some snares. I mean we aren't likely to catch much but we might get lucky." Junseo shrugged.

"Stay in range. Together. No wandering off. I don't care if you spot a pheasant or what-have-you, your first duty is to guard the compound," Guard Yun ordered before continuing on his own rounds.

"I know he means well but," San Jin sighed heavily.

"He takes protecting you very seriously and he did not sign up to take-over command of our little adventure. It's got to weigh on him," Junseo said with a slight shrug. He then pointed to a likely spot for a snare and set to work. They made their way further into the bushes to set different kinds of traps, most designed to make enough noise to signal strangers approaching. Other, more menacing, still came with alarms since Junseo felt it only fair to give a warning signal ahead of the more severe hazards. San Jin was less inclined toward what he considered misplaced chivalry.

"If anyone is sneaking up to our camp they can't have good intentions," he said.

"Or they could be lost and worried about the threat we present to them," Junseo answered.

"Not likely, not with what has been happening at the estate," San Jin nodded to himself and moved on to the next spot.

"Do you have any inkling on what's going on here. It doesn't make sense. Knight-Master Lei's appointment shouldn't have been that surprising. Not when the previous Lord threw in with Sun-Gye and the Counsel of Five." Junseo said scanning around.

"Well clearly there were more dissidents here than expected, and maybe more were sent to make his life difficult. There are factions who want to see him fail with his holdings and our training league, especially now he renewed his allegiances and may have an heir to add to the succession." San Jin said while signaling they should circle back to the compound. Junseo blushed at the last comment but did not respond.

The rest of the day passed quietly but the team remained on edge. "I know it will take more than a day for the relief to get here. I just wish they would hurry up," Chenhui complained as he settled in for the evening meal. His comment was met by nods all round.

"How are the patients doing?" Guard Yun asked.

"Better for the rest. I know we would like to be able to pull out but another day will really help." Junseo glanced over at the cabin then back to Candidate Kim. "Do you know if Don-je had another knock to the head recently?"

"He was in a training accident a while back but just brushed it off. Is he still out of it?"

"No out of it exactly. Just comes and goes," Junseo shrugged. "We should plan on doubling him with someone when we move out."

Guard Yun nodded his agreement then looked around at the group by the fire, then over to where the horses were tethered. "We might need to switch up some of the mounts, what do you think?" He turned to Hae-sung.

"Chenhui's gelding will follow in line so better for Song-hee. Manager Doak's horse knows what its about so no need to switch him up. Chenhui can handle my guy easy enough." Hae-sung paused and counted on his fingers.

"I can double Don-je," Candidate Kim offered. "We've done it before."

"Ok. But switch horses with Junseo," Hae-sung said.

Junseo looked like he wanted to object but shrugged saying, "It's your call with the horses."

"Too right it is," San Jin put in and got a laugh from the boys. Candidate Kim look confused so San Jin started to explain how they shared leadership based on talents. "Me, I am in charge of being the most handsome," he joked.

"Bro? You know swordsmanship, understanding politics, and dealing with officialdom are all more important." Junseo continued, "And, Chenhui isn't just a brilliant tracker and hunter. He always can see another side to a situation, he gets us to think."

Chenhui blushed at this complement and was about to add something when they heard one of the noise traps going.

"Places everyone," Guard Yun directed somewhat unnecessarily as the whole group were already in motion, San Jin to the cabin and the others to different corners of the compound's perimeter. It was a tense wait, their eyes straining in the low evening light. Just as they were starting to relax there was a loud snap followed by a strangled cry. Junseo started to go investigate but stopped after three steps quickly returning to his assigned position.

After an hour Guard Yun came to relieve Junseo, sending him to the cabin to check on the patients and sack out until the third watch. San Jin came out to serve on the first shift of the night, Hae-sung and Candidate Kim bunked out of the porch to be able to take up the second watch without disturbing anyone.

The clouds broke up during the night and the moon gave enough light for Junseo to be able to exit the cabin without a sound. Chenhui gave him a sleepy grin, stretched widely, and got up to follow. As they stepped off the porch the horses started to kick up a fuss in the shelter. Junseo's mare let out an angry neigh and the other horses answered with their own calls.

A would-be thief was trying to drag the mare forward but she pulled back. The figure tried to hit the horse with the end of the rope but she plunged forward, striking out with her front feet. Junseo decided to intervene before there was any more damage to the horse, the man, or the recently constructed lean-to.

"Hoy, what are you doing?" Junseo called.

The man smirked as his partner leapt down from the edge of the roof. Junseo jumped away then spun in with a series of rapid strikes to disarm then pin down his new adversary. The jumper thrashed around twisting back and forth until a sickening sort of crunch sounded, followed by a small whimper. The quiet pause was only marred by the heaving breathing from the thief facing Chenhui's drawn bow. Junseo nodded his thanks and hurried over to calm his horse. He retrieved a lead-rope with which to tie the intruders.

All told, the confrontation had lasted barely a couple of minutes. Junseo scanned around to see if they had disturbed the others and was satisfied any further investigation could wait until morning. Chenhui used hand signals to indicate he would continue the rounds. Junseo nodded and peered a little closer at the prisoners. The one who had jumped him looked vaguely familiar but Junseo couldn't place him. He double checked the bindings before taking up his regular patrol around the compound.