"Why should we be designing mechanical detonators? Aren't such devices banned under the accords?" Hae-sung finally worked up the courage to challenge the directions the team worked under.

"The point is not to design detonators rather to confirm ways to disarm them." Knight-Master Lie had his own reservations but needed to follow through on the contract. The ban was precisely the reason the Royal Engineers could not touch the project.

"Still the directions could easily be reversed," Song-hee echoed Hae-sung's concern. "I would rather we studied the source material and narrowed down the possible origins."

"The Rainbow Makers at the palace have been charged with that responsibility. They have better tools for the job." Knight-Master Lie said.

"Are we going to at least consult with them. I mean, it would really help to sort out the range of vibrations we need to counter." Junseo asked as he moved pieces over to an isolation table.

"Rainbow Makers don't often leave the palace unless it is to test the alignments of anyone with a Lie family connection. If someone has the right potential they are called to serve in the palace."

"Just like that, with no say in the matter?" Hae-sung sounded surprised.

"You know as well as anyone how much your family guides your fates. I can only say it only multiplies the closer you are to any of the Royal Houses," Knight-Master Lie went on about familial duties. A couple of the boys looked uncomfortable so he reminded them it was their family's who sent them to train at the forge. "Our duty here today is to help the General improve the country's defenses, so let's clean up those drawings."

Chenhui had the best hand for the finer technical details and did not seem to mind Song-hee hanging over his shoulder making suggestions. They all missed San Jin's clear writing style and his ability to crack jokes but he needed to rest at home. Healer Yang still monitored for signs of poison. So far Choi Suk-jong denied knowing of how the dagger got tainted, but he also could not explain why he had used it in an exhibition match. The entire Choi clan was once more under a cloud.

Knight Master Lie Wen Hou's niece sent a prettily phrased thank you letter for a recent visit. accompanied by a plea from his sister not to judge their new family connections too harshly. He passed both missives over to Manager Doak saying, "I hope you can construct polite acknowledgements. It is simply beyond me at this point."

"Yes, well. There is no real rush. I think we can wait a couple of days to respond. You are a very busy man after all. We have time to deliberate but a 'glad to know you are well' should be the right tone to stop any more special pleading."

"I wonder if they are worried more bad news coming for the Choi clan. Maybe I should pay the Dowager a visit. Update her on the boys' progress and see if she has any nuggets to share."

"If you are going to the palace, you should accompany Junseo when he meets with his young friend and the northern delegates who have demanded an audience."

"Demanded? How could they presume to make demands after the friendship and protection Junseo offered Jong Tai Yi?" It had not taken much to get Knight Master Lie's temper up.

"I think the message was routed through Junseo's grandfather who does not think junior members of his family deserve diplomatic niceties."

"Well blast Ambassador Kim, and his jerk of a son-in-law who still hasn't congratulated Junseo for his standing in the qualifiers."

"Are you going to tell me what you are really worked up about, or are you still trying to figure it out. I'm guessing it is family but whether its Junseo's, or your own I am not sure."

"What if they are not entirely separate, our families, I mean?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, and am pretty sure I don't want to. I am also not going to start guessing but we have all heard different rumors. An unclaimed royal, or a new northern prince, take your pick since either spells trouble." Manager Doak put a finger to his lips and stopped talking. He realized their voices had gotten a bit loud and the boys were looking from the Knight-Master to Junseo.

"My money's on the northern connection," Song-hee drawled. "Any takers?"

"Oh, I don't know. The Summer Palace is near Ilidan and there was the whole story about the dragon mists. A bit far fetched but still easier to make the Lie connection." Hae-sung reasoned loudly.

"Think about how cozy he is with the northerners, even learned their fighting style." Chenhui started to negotiate over the amount and the odds.

"I am right here guys. Standing right here while you disparage my mother," Junseo's ears turned bright red.

"Gotcha," Song-hee tapped Junseo in the middle of the chest. Junseo responded with a quick sweep and Song-hee's legs went out from under him.

"Gotcha, back." Junseo said. The next thing he knew he was struggling to get out from under a dog pile.

Manager Doak waded in and lifted the boys up one by one. "Street urchin. No doubt about it. My money is on street urchin taken in by a kind family. Put that into your betting pool Song-hee." He then rubbed Junseo on the top of the head before sending the youngster to get cleaned up for a trip to the palace.

The teasing made Junseo a bit self-conscious around Knight-Master Lie. He was also embarrassed by the way the Kim side of the family behaved. It was awkward to try to explain how his mother essentially ran away from her family and how the more he had seen of them the more he understood her choice.

Knight-Master Lie let him stew for a while before sharing something the Dowager had told him when his step-brother got exiled. "You don't get to choose your relatives but if you are lucky, you will discover your true family." Junseo looked a bit startled. Remembering the teasing earlier Knight-Master Lie knew he needed to explain more. "I give the duty expected to my sister but its nothing like my true brothers from the army. Honestly, they have saved me more times than I can count and I try to return the favor whenever I can."

"So General Tan's requests?" Junseo still wondered why the team was trusted with military secrets.

"My debt to him is different but has the same weight." Knight-Master Lie looked down and didn't elaborate.