Knight-Master Lei dressed carefully, trusting the advice of the servants attached to his palace apartment to help him make the right impression at the council meeting. He still chaffed a bit, not so much at the extra duties, as at the political maneuvering his newly minted position as Lord of the Gonlong prefecture demanded. His cousin may have assumed bestowing this honor would increase the resources available for the new training yard but so far it had only multiplied expenses.

Urgent repairs were needed for the canals and he had still not gotten to the bottom of who should be responsible for the maintenance costs. Today he was proposing increases for both the riverboat and highway tolls in the prefecture to bring them in line with what other routes charged. He also aimed to reduce the different fee exemptions offered to the local nobility. This latter point was the most controversial since the lords on the council seemed fine with increasing the rates for others, just not themselves. As a former soldier he readily accepted exempting activities related to the defense of the realm but parades of pleasure craft and fancy carriages did nothing for the country's tactical position. The notion that the loyalty of the ruling class needed constant reinforcement through such petty privileges offended his sense of honor but he knew better than to tell the members of council what he thought.

When he vented some of his feelings on the matter with his grandmother, the Dowager Queen laughed at him saying, "Your little experiment must be rubbing off."

"I don't know what you could possibly mean," he admitted.

"In the army you were used to the chain of command and how the ranks keep to themselves, but your boys are really mixing things up. When would you have gotten to know the son of a farmer, or even of a healer? Before you start arguing, tell me when you last sat down to eat with a merchant?" She sat back watching different expressions play across his face until he accepted her point before continuing, "Just don't rush into being a reformer. Your Broken Wheel friends have the King's court in a twist and you won't get the sponsorships you need for your team to succeed if the elites turn against you."

Knight-Master Lei bowed to her wisdom and expressed his deep gratitude for the support she already provided. "I hate to mention it, but the champion's league requirements are putting us into a bit of a bind. I really don't want to have to ask one of the boys to drop out, especially since we barely got Trainee Park Junseo back in time." He paused not knowing how to explain the magnitude of the current shortfall. "Manager Doak is threatening to dye Rufus to meet the parade requirements."

The Dowager laughed at the thought of the war horse being pushed into such a service, "It's bad enough you had to turn your old roan into a school master, trying to disguise him for parade duty is really beneath his dignity. I thought you said that horse deserved a metal. That is no way to treat an old soldier." She waved to one of the ladies who hovered along the edge of the room. They returned with writing tools and a small chest. She passed the box of silver over, then penned a note to the stable master. "This horse is just a loan so tell the boys not to get too attached. Oh, and you can tell your cousin the parade master's requirements make it look like the championships are just for the benefit of his own training yard and the academies might just start their own league."

"Some of the team are already talking about a different kind of invitational. One that moves around to the provinces and splits the pot a bit more evenly. Trainee Go San Jin and Trainee Park Junseo insisted the difference between first and just placing is often just the luck of the draw."

The Dowager nodded before observing, "They must be the trainees with the most tournament experience."

"Undoubtedly, but Manager Doak had to wade in when it seemed like the others were ready to start throwing hands. A couple of the boys didn't like the notion that coming first was not all their own doing." He shrugged his shoulders. "I can't say I would have thought differently when I was their age."

"No. I don't think you ever thought much of being anything but first. I remember you telling me you never wanted to have to learn how to be a good sport." She smiled at the way even his ears turned red as he remembered more of his intemperate remarks. She was also kind enough to change the topic, making the practical suggestion of offering the local lords a handful of vouchers they could use for discounts on the travel fees. "Offering a personal favor will help bring them over to your side while getting them used to the idea they should expect to pay something for the services you are providing."

"If they are smart about it, they still won't be much out of pocket." He tapped his chin for a moment then grinned. "The others might just realize how much they were taking for granted."

"Don't count on it." She shook her head.

"You are probably right but I can always hope," He gave her a rueful grin before taking his leave.

His first stop was the stables where he was given a hand up onto a handsome bay decked out in parade worthy tack. The large horse seemed mellow enough on the ride back to the training yard that he had no qualms in handing it over to the youngest competitor in the championship. He was looking forward to seeing the team's reaction this special loan so was disappointed none of the boys were at the training yard.

Manager Doak was far more interested in the addition to the team's coffers than what he termed a temporary addition of another hay-burner. "I am sure the boy will be properly grateful but Junseo is busy with the others over at the forge. He had me take him to the guild offices to get an advance for materials." He paused and turned to face his friend before asking, "Did you know about his Ilidan accounts? I mean I thought Journeyman Yang might have exaggerated but I have never seen a clerk bow to an apprentice."

"So, what are they building?" Knight-Master Lei asked before his friend got more wound up in the story.

"He claims it is just some simple clockworks, mostly decorative, a few toys, oh and some of his crawlers. He said something about needing your Maker's mark to register the designs with the guild to meet some sort of export requirements." Manager Doak brushed back his hair and shifted from one foot to the other while he waited for a response.

"I guess we better go see what Journeyman Yang let the boys get up to in my forge." Knight-Master Lei strode off.

Knight-Master Lei did not know quite what he was expecting from a bunch of teenage boys tackling a list of projects on their own but it certainly wasn't the orderly production line now taking up all of the western veranda at the forge. Planks had been laid on top of a series of sawhorses to create a long worktable protected by tarps suspended from the eaves. Boxes of materials were placed at regular intervals and tools grouped carefully at different work-stations. Sketches of several different designs were tacked to the wall along with abbreviated assembly instructions. He watched as Junseo pointed to one of the sheets while explaining something to San Jin. Both boys returned to the improvised table where Junseo showed San Jin the best way to tighten a copper coil. San Jin nodded took over the process while Junseo moved along to check in with Hae-sung. Chenhui turned to Song-hee for help and the two boys waved over Junseo. Their discussion went back and forth before Junseo took out a brush and made a change to the posted instructions.

"Not what you'd expect from junior apprentices, is it?" Journeyman Yang asked quietly from behind the forge owner. "In case you are wondering, this was all of them. Well, mostly Junseo, but the other boys helped make it work. I can't say half the Journeymen I know could do manage a product line this complicated. The other boys are itching to help but Junseo wants all the prototypes ready before I turn them loose." He gestured to where the second team huddled in the doorway to the workroom.

The Knight-Master's response was interrupted by the arrival of more materials. Junseo hurried over to handle the transaction, including offering the cart driver a tip for prompt service. This unexpected courtesy prompted a toothy smile and a promise of even better service in the future. The cart driver frowned when he spotted the adults half expecting them to interfere so hurried on his way. Junseo tried to put the generosity in context by saying, "In case you are wondering, I treated his daughter at the student clinic a few months back."

"Hmmm," the Knight-Master acknowledged the explanation then tried to frame a response around not building expectations but was interrupted by another arrival. This time it was the agent for a merchant looking to discuss the details in an export agreement. The man was obviously disconcerted to find himself negotiating with a teenager and was visibly relieved when Bon Xuiyang appeared from the workshop and waved.

"You know Trainee Bon Xuiyang?" the Knight-Master inquired.

"My employer has partnered with his family on more than one venture. The boy is very capable. I am glad to see he is doing well. It also answers my employer's question about why you picked his firm for the consignments." The agent nodded to himself and took the paperwork out of his pouch. "I will leave the contracts with you. Just deposit them with the notary listed on the front of the package once you have the design release certified." He handed the papers to Journeyman Yang with a slight bow.

Junseo watched this with a bemused look, shrugged, and went back to the worktable. Xuiyang followed him over and after they talked for a few minutes fetched his team to fill in on some of the more basic tasks. Journeyman Yang walked up and down the table and switched a couple of the boys in Xuiyang's team to different stations. He explained the adjustments to the two team leads and got nods from each of them.

"Now do you want to explain all of this. I would really like to know how all these materials just appeared." Knight-Master Lei pointed toward a bench by the kitchen. Journeyman Yang brought them both a mug of water before settling in beside his boss.

"If you ran into Manager Doak earlier he should have warned you Junseo took a draw against his account with the guild in Ilidan. I should mention I wrote the letter of introduction for him some time ago so they had plenty of time to verify the boy's standing."

"Manager Doak said it was an advance. I have never heard of even a Journeyman being able to take out an advance, not without a lot of collateral."

Journeyman Jang blushed. "Yes, well Junseo is a special case. He and his friend had accounts without being on the guild's official roster to hold onto their kite-racing money. In turn, they financed toy-making ventures and a courier service. When there was enough of a surplus, I mean beyond a healthy benevolent fund, they started offering small loans to businesses they trusted, and well, collateral is not an issue. It's just that his assets are tied up in longer term investments."

"I am tempted to ask you for an estimate but that would be unfair. Still, it makes you wonder. With his second-hand armor, he doesn't act like he has any more wealth than expected for the son of an ordinary country doctor."

"Living in G'sang province makes a lad wary." Journeyman Jang said with regret.

"It's not a bad trait for surviving in the capital either," Manager Doak joined their conversation, "at least if you don't want to attract the thugs and cut-purses." The sideways glance he gave to the Knight-Master's finery made the three men chuckle.

"Right, well I will trust you to keep things from running out of hand here while I look through the designs to be registered." Knight-Master Lei nodded to his companions then gestured for Junseo to join him in the workshop. They labored over the detailed plans for the items being shipped out of the country absently mindedly snacking of the bowls that In-Yeon managed to slide in front of them. It was fully dark by the time Knight-Master Lei finished putting his maker's mark on the final document.

As usual the teams were up at dawn for practice sets led by Brother Kuin. He had no sympathy for the boys who had worked well into the night on the shipment due out at noon. Telling them, "You are here to train, not laze about." Chenhui's choking cough at this remark earned them all an extra round of exercise before they could start sparing.

The candidates for the championship faced off against two or three other trainees at a time. Each switch in partners came with a change to the expected level and Junseo was called out for breaking form more than once. He lost is patience with the last penalty flag, crushed it into a ball then stomped on it several times before stalking away. In-Yeon's mouth fell open at this display of temper. He whispered, "Wow," and looked around to see how the other boys were reacting. While San Jin and Hae-sung gave each other a worried look, Chenhui had a strange smirk as he shrugged, and Song-hee just leaned against the nearest post and closed his eyes. Xuiyang hurried over to reassure the boys from his team who had been in the last round with Junseo.

"Trainee Park!" Brother Kuin's shout made all the boys jump but Junseo kept walking, going straight through the gate where he picked up into a run.

"Leave him to work out his temper," Scout Jia advised Brother Kuin who looked ready to chase after the boy.

"But the disrespect," the instructor from the Moon Temple hissed.

"Will undoubtedly be a source of embarrassment for our boy. You didn't know he had to get a full patent application finished for the guild to release the shipment. It was a bad case of last-minute rule changes." Scout Jia tried to explain.

"Why is he crafting now? Shouldn't he be focused on preparing for the championships?"

"If you count being able to cover the entry fees, then he is preparing. Look around. Do you think we charge our trainees the kind of money that would cover even half of the day-to-day expenses of running a training yard never mind equipping three championship contenders." Scout Jia sounded more than a little exasperated.

A hush fell over the courtyard and San Jin cleared his throat, "Guys, its okay. We've got it covered. The old armor just needs a bit more spit and polish and we have three good mounts for the parade. Besides fancy equipment is nowhere as important as skill and determination." He looked around and got some shy nods from the team members before he continued. "Now, I believe some of us are due at the archery range. The rest of you know your assignments."

Scout Jia put his hand over his mouth to hide his smile. After the boys left, he explained to Brother Kuin just how much their eldest trainee sounded so much like his uncle, General Tan.

"So why isn't Trainee Go San Jin the group leader. He's older, so is our little street-fighter but I get why Song-hee wouldn't push forward among his betters." The former monk scratched his head.

Scout Jia shook his head at the term "betters" but knew it was a waste of breath to argue with someone committed to supposedly natural orders. Instead, he explained, "The boys decided for themselves. Junseo was our first recruit and is very good at holding things together. Sure, he was in a bit of a temper today but he took himself out of here to run it off. There are not many teenagers who could handle the kind of attention he has been getting. As for San Jin, he has a whole world of pressure coming at him from with the fourth kingdom succession."

Brother Kuin processed this news for a moment, then asked, "But what of Minister Go? Surely, he would precede his son?"

"He is unequivocally loyal to the unified lands, and our King." Scout Jia shook his head slowly before continuing, "I honestly don't know why anyone would expect his son to think differently."