When their parents explained the plan, the boys just stared at each other for a moment. In-Yeon shook his head. "Now? You want me to go all the way to the Sun Temple in Leuso, now? Before the term finishes?"

"That seems a bit extreme for just a few broken pots." Kye-Yeon looked over at his grandfather then blushed and looked at the floor.

"You know it's more than that. It's past time for In-Yeon to find his path without being in your shadow." The old man's voice quivered a bit and he turned away until he could get his emotions under control.

"Can't I at least stay for the tournament?" In-Yeon asked quickly rattling off his reasons. "I know I can't be officially ranked but it would give me some sort of standing. It's only a couple of weeks. It would give more time for your letter to get there instead of me just showing up on uncle's doorstep." He looked to his mother and father in turn. He could tell they might give him this concession so did not push.

"You won't reveal our plans, not to anyone." The Baron waited for assurances from both boys. They nodded and he added another condition, "You will only practice under instructor supervision and stick to the set forms."

"Can I count you as an instructor, Grampa?" In-Yeon begged rubbing his hands together.

"Only if there is not other adult available," The older man said and with that their deal was set.

In-Yeon took advantage of his short reprieve to revisit some of his favorite haunts around the estate. He was almost too big to squeeze into the fort at the back of the orchard but was happy to retrieve some of the treasures stashed there. He pocketed a couple of his favorite stones and a shell gathered on his first trip over to the big island. The rest he left for another boy to discover.

He also took time after his practice sets to work with one of the spring colts. The pure bay had been under-weight since birth and was very shy. In-Yeon thought if he could at least get the little fellow halter broke it might be easier to get some supplements into him. The grooms chuckled as they watched the process since In-Yeon was far more successful getting the colt to follow along beside him when he didn't have a rope. In the end the boy resorted to using his own belt to get the colt used to a bit of pressure. Even after he had the colt accepting the halter and lead, In-Yeon was still the only one who could catch the skittish animal. His father's condition meant he couldn't explain to the others why it was important the colt accept another trainer so he could only hope for the best.

The master-at-arms could not help but be impressed with how seriously In-Yeon took preparing for the tournament. Usually, the boy didn't extend himself for competitions yet here he was doing the morning sets with the home guards and putting extra time in on the training dummy under the close supervision of his grandfather.

"Your boy will have no trouble earning his third dan as soon as he turns fifteen." The master-at-arms told the Barron one evening while they watch the youngster practice.

"If that is his path," the Barron said cautiously.

"It's always good to have the foundations before your required military service. Gives you a leg up even if your exam scores aren't all that high."

"I suppose, but there is still plenty of time before In-Yeon needs to think about that."

"It's something Kye-Yeon should consider. He hasn't challenged his levels yet."

"Would he make his third dan easily?"

"Not easily. It will take the kind of work In-Yeon has been putting in lately."

The Barron sighed. Whatever he might have said was forestalled by both his sons approaching. He frowned as he watched his eldest push ahead of In-Yeon to present the invitation from the school first. The Barron glanced at the paper and made a non-committal grunt. He really did not like this type of event but knew he was obliged to show his support for both his sons and the district school. In-Yeon hovered in the background with his own copy of the invitation. He waited until his father was walking back to the house before making his request.

"I know you will probably be stuck with the other dignitaries when you come," he paused before plunging on. "I checked with grandfather but he says it will be too long a day so I was wondering if it would be alright if I asked Master Kim. He has helped out with my training so much and if you are ok with him coming, I thought he might enjoy it."

"Have you asked him?"

"Not yet. I didn't want it to be awkward if you didn't want him to be away from the estate or anything." In-Yeon circled one hand in the air.

"Well, when you go back and ask him, tell him we would both be honored if he could attend as your special guest," he smiled warmly as his boy bowed his thanks then sprinted back to invite the master at arms.

That evening when the Barron recounted this incident for his wife, he had to admit he was a little embarrassed. "I did not even think to invite him, even though he is the boy's main training-master. The school and dojo only add a bit of paint and polish to what he has already built. Of course, he would want to be there. Why ever not? But it was the boy who thought of him."

"That is just In-Yeon's way. You know he carved a special pot carrier for Cookie and gave some of his toys to her grandson. He also braided a new set of reins for the stable-master to thank him for helping with that skittish colt." She took a quick breath and hugged herself to hold back the tears saying, "I'm not the only one who is going to miss him around here."

Her husband just patted her shoulder and nodded. He admitted he was glad In-Yeon asked to stay on until the tournament since it gave him more time to see his youngest for what he was. The tournament results were even more of a revelation. There was no doubt which boys had the advantages of extra training at home and the six landholders sitting together in the specially marked stands nodded with satisfaction and their sons came out ahead.

The surprise came from In-Yeon ranking with the seniors, earning his first stones when he came in third. The boy carefully wrapped the quartz and onyx he was offered in separate silk bags and then studied colored stones laid out on the table in front of him.

"Choose a gem, young man." The gold tooth in the jeweler's smile glinted in the sun. "These are just some samples I am donating while I switch out some of my stock. Don't be shy."

In-Yeon bobbed his head but then stepped back half a pace to let his brother and the other finalists have their pick. When he finally edged back to the table, he felt drawn to a small, almost taffy colored stone in the back row. He pointed and the jeweler handed it over. As soon as the stone touched In-Yeon's hand it flashed brightly then settled into a warm glow.

"There are not many who see true colors in these firestones. It's a rare affinity to find here so far from where this topaz in mined."

"Did you say affinity?" The Master Kim's voice strained.

"How else would you explain lighting up? I'd recommend setting it in a gold pendant and keeping it tucked out of sight until it settles in." The jeweler pointed to the next table over where some chains and settings were laid out.

"Maybe I shouldn't keep it," In-Yeon suggested.

"No, it's clearly yours. We will take the recommended setting." The Baron said from behind his youngest son and gestured for the jeweler to join them at the other table. He also asked for two silver bracelets set with jade but haggled enough to get a set of four and the chain for the necklace all for a good price.

Even with the discount, In-Yeon's mouth dropped open when his father casually handed over such a large sum. They always lived frugally, and the boys had been drilled to never making a show of their relative wealth. "We have much to celebrate," was his father's public statement when some of his colleagues noticed the Jeweler's glee.

Once they were back home, the Baron explained that making such a good sale would be the story the jeweler would be more likely to tell rather than how a young competitor picked such a rare affinity stone. Even if it was meant as a bit of a cover, the Baron was sincere as he expressed his pride in both of his boys through the gifts. Each boy got one of the bracelets then he presented his father and Master Kim with the other to thank them for their help in raising such fine competitors.

After the youngsters went to bed the adults quietly agreed that it was a mercy the boys never came up against each other, and that the points accumulation had favored Kye-Jeon. "He was so busy comparing stones with the other seniors, I don't think he even noticed the business with the topaz," Master Kim said quietly.

"Have you covered the stone mantras with the boys?" the Baron looked to his father.

"I have been reviewing them with In-Yeon since the incident with his pet twister. I figured he needed more earth in his disciplines," the old man nodded to himself.

"We cover the elements in the order of the seasons, just the same as they get at the dojo," the training master shifted in his chair. "I never thought we would be dealing with tuning an affinity stone already."

"My brother should be able help while he takes In-Yeon to the main island but we should add a note for the Temple."