The main topic for the dinner table was the logistics for the return trip to the capital. Junseo doubted whether the livery stable had a suitable mount at the price he was willing to pay. He also admitted he was probable not good enough shape to do the run through the passes.

"The problem with the river boats is they are so slow. That, and you can't control who your fellow passengers might be." Junseo then described the nosey merchant who was clearly one of the Governor's allies.

"We are familiar the problem." San Jin said dryly, adding, "I don't think we should wait for my uncle. There is no telling how long he will be here and if he will even be heading straight back to the capital."

"How about the merchant caravans? There were sure a lot of them on the toll road. Do we have any connections who might get us a spot or two on a wagon?" In-Yeon asked Junseo.

"Maybe. I can ask my courier crew or maybe one of the jewelers," Junseo said adding, "It would be good to get on the road before anyone thinks they should detain witnesses." He then had to recount the run in with the Protocol Officer.

"Junseo, you know it is unwise to be rude to court officials," his grandmother scolded.

"Yes, well he needed back off. I won't have anyone accusing my friends of being associated with accord breakers." Junseo stuck out his chin.

"There! That is what convinced the officer you are every inch a Lei. It is even more impressive when you stand near and look down on them." Scout Jia tried to tease Junseo out of his temper but it backfired.

"Damn. Now the Protocol Office is going to be all over us in the capital, aren't they?" Junseo looked first to San Jin then to Scout Jia.

"Our faithful Knight-Master has handled it so far. You need to trust him to keep a lid on things," San Jin said.

"Does he know?" Healer Park interjected.

"Not directly. He may have guesses but I haven't said," Junseo blushed.

"We all have heard rumors," San Jin said, "Some more fanciful than others."

"The conclave wouldn't be rooting around for a guardian if they didn't think the prince-to- come was in the wings," In-Yeon said slowly.

"Don't worry, lad. It's not the first time those zealous types got ahead of themselves. You'd think by now they would have more sense. Guardian did you say? They might as well look for a unicorn." The oldest member of the group laughed.

"Gramma, its not funny. Not the way they have treated In-Yeon," Junseo said. In-Yeon tried to make himself inconspicuous.

San Jin tried to shield the young boy but Junseo's mother asked, "Don't they understand where your special talents come from? Oh, wait. They don't look at the spirits among us the same way as we do. I am so sorry."

"I think the Moon Temple is more open than most. Maybe they will help with the conclave. I hope so." Scout Jia waited for In-Yeon's nod before continuing, "Still, it gives us all the more reason to return to where we have better defenses."

This remark gave Junseo's family an opening to ask more about the arrangements at the forge and training yard. Scout Jia's enthusiasm for the project and its future, matched their boy's glowing descriptions of the team.

"I admit the living quarters at the forge are a bit rough," Scout Jia said and was interrupted by a chorus of comments from the boys.

"Small, especially for our numbers," Junseo said.

"My closet at home is probably bigger," San Jin added.

"You'd have to go outside to change your mind," In-Yeon nodded.

Scout Jia shook his head at the teasing before saying, "Yes, well they all seem to manage and it is better now General Tan is leasing his training yard to us. It means we can start developing another team." He then talked about the recruitment strategy and why it was important to travel to the different provinces. "Our leaders who want to maintain regional forces forget there is nothing quite like the bonds you get from training together. They act surprised when it is difficult to coordinate a national defense." Scout Jia let his enthusiasm show but stopped abruptly. "I'm sorry. Junseo told me about the no politics at the table rule."

"I'm glad you are honest about the political side to your experiment," Healer Park said calmly. "It means you will be better prepared for the opposition."

"Papa?" Junseo's eyes were wide. "You never break the rule."

"It's not broken but we shouldn't stray much further," his father smiled.

To steer the conversation to a safer topic San Jin asked, "Do you think the winds will be fresh enough to show us some of your kite moves before we leave?"

"Only if In-Yeon is up to some light jogging," Junseo answered.

"You know he really means a running flat-out up a steep incline." Junseo's sister couldn't help commenting starting their usual sibling squabble.

In-Yeon's bright laugh stopped the disagreement. "I was starting to wonder if this was a family or some kind of stage play," he said.

"I know. Siblings getting along like these two? It's just unnatural. You should hear me and my little brother sometimes." San Jin grinned and bumped Junseo's shoulder.

"Oh, I have heard," Junseo said and then recounted a story about the number of rounds of rock, paper, scissors it took for the pair to pick practice blades. "Honestly, some days I wondered if either of you should be allowed near a weapon."

Before Junseo might say more to embarrass his friend, his mother launched into a story about how her two had volunteered to help white-wash the fence but ended up painting each other instead.

"She started it," Junseo put out his lower lip.

"You deserved it," his sister answered without missing a beat and the rest of the table laughed.

Junseo leaned over and whispered, "Still love you, Sis."

"I'm going to miss you, little brother," she admitted.