The captain was correct. It was a long day but a relatively uneventful one. Only two of the guard detail from the summer palace accompanied their group onto the southbound ship and thus could not force them to go directly to the protocol office. Instead, the guards got to watch the enthusiastic welcome the three boys got from both their teammates and adult sponsors.

Journeyman Yang pulled Junseo into a tight hug then held him at arms length for a close inspection. "Just because you have been travelling don't expect me to go easy on you in the forge," he said.

"I'm glad you joined us here." Junseo said while making a discrete hand sign the rebels used to indicate all was well.

Hae-sung put one arm across In-Yeon's shoulders and the other across San Jin's. "Thank you for coming back safely. We were so worried when we heard about the earthquake."

"I'm not going to tell you it was easy. You can see by the extra guards we picked up that it wasn't. In-Yeon showed us the way and saved our hides more than once," San Jin smiled widely.

"He exaggerates," In-Yeon blushed.

"No little brother. Without you we wouldn't have made it in time to pull Junseo out the cave-in. Even if we had been able to find him the whole place would have probably collapsed on our heads. Not to mention the ambush on the boat there, or the way you kept us anchored when our twister could have run back on us." San Jin's voice rang with authority. The other boys looked over to see emphatic nods from both Scout Jia and Junseo.

"Gentlemen, I believe it prudent to summon a protocol officer and In-Yeon's advocate to listen to your full story." Knight-Master Lie announced as he stared directly at the guards from the Summer Palace.

The men expressed their relief but were taken back when the entire group decamped for General Tan's compound where more Go family guards waited along with Manager Doak and half-a-dozen recruits.

"Reports then food," Manager Doak directed. "I know you want to soak some of the road off but let's not hold up officialdom."

Hae-sung took the lead introducing the returning team members to the new trainees. "This is our big brother Go San Jin. So far, he is the eldest trainee, or should I say Assistant Scout?"

"Trainee is fine, friend." San Jin said.

"Next to him is Park Junseo, our training leagues' first recruit. In case you didn't know that makes him our leader, the one I was just filling in for," Hae-sung signaled his respect.

"You shouldn't say that. Leaders are selected by the team, not by seniority. Besides I have been on leave so Song-hee is more senior in both age and team experience." Junseo replied but Song-hee just frowned and rocked back on his heels.

"Well, we can sort it later, but do say hello to our youngest member, Pange In-Yeon. I will tell you now not to underestimate him. Even if he is a bit shy, I don't think there is anything our boy can't do." As Hae-sung pointed him out, In-Yeon shrank down where he was sitting between Chenhui and Xuiyang.

The rest of the introductions were interrupted by the Pange family's advocate and two members from the protocol office arriving. San Jin went to the gate to vouch for the visitors. He came back shaking his head.

"There is a monk outside asking for Pange In-Yeon," he told Knight-Master Lie. The man roared with anger and strode toward the gate. Manager Doak and Scout Jia followed along trying to persuade him to re-sheath his broadsword.

"I don't want a religious near our boys. Ever!" Knight-Master Lie scowled. "Send him packing," he told the guards and stood with his arms crossed watching them deliver the news to the monk.

The monk pulled back his cowl revealing a shaved head with a tattoo of the phases of the moon on one side and a single red star on the other. He handed over a note, bowed, then made himself comfortable against the compound's outer wall. Knight-Master Lie grunted then returned to where his other guests waited.

"Looks like this if for you," he handed the note to Junseo.

"A Moon Temple brother came here?" Junseo looked to his traveling companions but they just shrugged. He would have gone to the gate but Manager Doak shook his head and pointed to the protocol officers. "Oh, Right," Junseo looked to the Knight-Master for guidance.

"Let's find somewhere more comfortable before you fill us in on what has been going on in your old hometown," he said. The team took this cue to file into the dining hall and arrange themselves in a semi-circle on the floor.

Xuiyang carried over a low table so the visitors could make notes more easily. Song-hee brought out a couple of jugs of water and some rough mugs. San Jin frowned knowing there was a much finer service available and was going to say something until he caught Song-hee's grin. The minimal hospitality carried its own message about the palace representatives' intrusion.

Once everyone settled, Knight-Master Lie asked the officers to present their credentials and explain the scope of their investigation. The two men were a bit vague about the nature of their authority so he pressed them at bit more saying, "If General Tan is already in place, I presume the matters in Ilidan will be adjudicated by a military tribunal. Are you certifying the statements taken here?"

When the protocol officers didn't answer this question directly, the Pange family's advocate volunteered to minute and certify the witness statements. Knight-Master Lie thanked the advocate and invited Junseo to proceed.

"I guess I should start with the energy probe at the palace since that is what sent me back to Ilidan," Junseo paused for a moment. "Oh, and for the record in addition to being a trainee here, I am officially registered with the Healer's guild and have been appointed as one of the advisors to the Psyonan estates."

This information was met with a raised eyebrow from Knight-Master Lie and had the recruits whispering to each other. Junseo waited for the group to settle before returning to his story. He stopped at the point where In-Yeon and San Jin pulled him out of the cave asking, "Should I go on, or do you want their side now?" The protocol officer indicated he should continue. Junseo nodded but then admitted he was not conscious through most of the rescue and treatment at his father's clinic. He also apologized for being impatient when his companion's warning about the booby-trapped explosives had been questioned and then touched on the attack on the caravan. "I think that is about it for me," Junseo said with a shrug.

"Since you are a healer, what can you tell us about your injuries from the cave in?" One of the officers asked.

"Mostly just bruises. My left leg got trapped, maybe a bit crushed. I was worried about the artery being compromised so had In-Yeon apply tourniquet before pulling me out. The weird thing is how much clearer my energy afterward. Being able to access my crystals helped enormously." Junseo smiled over at In-Yeon and San Jin.

"Would you mind showing us your wounds?" The officer asked.

"I beg your pardon?" Junseo looked shocked. "Like drop my pants in front of everyone?"

"It is just we have heard reports about a certain phenomenon and can't imagine how you could have been up to riding less than a week after the incident you just described." The other officer crossed his arms.

"Oh. I think I get it. You want to know if the dragon blessed me with a healing. It would have been a very long way for her to come." Junseo said and rolled up his sleeve to show the silvery scar on his arm.

The protocol officer turned to the Knight-Master. "Why haven't you formally acknowledged this boy?"

"We have a registered training contract. A rainbow-maker has been and gone. Anything else is not your concern." Knight-Master Lie put his hand on Junseo's shoulder.

"Your lack of cooperation will be noted," the officer said.

"Surely there are more pressing concerns. Repeated attacks on the underage heir to the fourth kingdom along with explosives being stored by a state governor suspected of being part of the counsel-of-five signal how much the accords have eroded." The Knight-Master's manner was calm but his voice had a bite.

"Good point, Sir. I think it vital to document the attacks on the rescue party. Trainee Go, perhaps you could start." The Advocate stepped in front of the protocol officers and pointed to San Jin.