Plenty of small round stones and two baskets of black sand. That was the instruction from the head gardener when he dispatched Junseo to accompany a servant with a pushcart to the riverside park. Even though it was mid-morning the heat was starting to build so they did not rush. The servant was not inclined to talk to someone he considered to be a rich young man on a lark but he was soon surprised by the willing effort the boy put into their task. He has also underestimated the Junseo's strength and stamina and it was not long before the baskets had been filled so he suggested they take a break before heading back up the hill to the palace. Junseo took the opportunity to explore the shoreline around the bend in the river but soon came running back.

"There's a body over there," Junseo pointed as he tried to catch his breath.

"So?" the servant asked.

"So, are you going find a patrol or stay to mark the spot?" Junseo paced back and forth.

"What's another floater? Let's just leave now." The servant picked up the handles and pushed the cart forward.

Junseo shook his head and the man's apparent lack of interest. He looked around for some way to mark the spot and quickly built a distinctive pile of rocks. All the time he tried to convince himself he did not recognize the cloths on the body. "It's not him. It can't be him," was the mantra Junseo silently repeated while he searched for the nearest guard post. There he met with the same kind of apathy as the servant had displayed. When he finally convinced a couple of guards to come with him, they seem more interested in why Junseo had been near the river and what his relationship might be with the person whose body he had found. They seemed familiar enough with the palace gathering river stones and sand but questioned whether Junseo had more than a passing interest in the victim. They pressed him until he elaborated, "I don't know who it is. Not really. The cloths look a bit familiar that's all."

"Did you move the body?" one of the guards asked as he approached the scene.

"I checked for a pulse then came for help," Junseo answered quickly and tried to stop himself from fidgeting. The guards methodically check the victim's cloths and then slowly turned the body over.

"Damn" the other guard hissed when the victim's face was fully revealed. A crude sign had been carved into the dead man's cheek. Even with the ugly damage Junseo knew he was looking at Captain Shiro. He started to sway and then just found himself suddenly sitting down. He looked over to where the guards stood talking and then turned away to look at the river. After he took a few deep breaths, he asked the guards if he was still needed. They seemed to have forgotten him for a moment but then gave him a message to take to the main office of the palace guard.

"Make sure you give this to a senior officer. Not just whoever is sitting at the desk. You understand?" Junseo nodded so the man said "Good" and sent him on his way.

He had no trouble locating a senior officer but was quickly escorted back to the rooms he shared with his northern friend. "There will be more questions for you, and your garden servant later," the palace guard advised.

"Ok, but I won't have much to add," Junseo said before thanking his escort. Once he was alone, he started to shake so he made himself some tea and shook some of the sand out of his cloths. As soon as he felt a bit steadier, he retrieved the envelope Captain Shiro had left him to deliver and made his way to the forge.

He found Song-hee and Knight-Master Lie in the workshop studying some scattered clockwork pieces. "I'm glad you're here," Song-hee said when he looked up. Then he handed Junseo a tool. "Give us a hand, will you. The spring just won't lock into place right." Junseo studied the piece and then pointed to where something seemed misaligned. "Why didn't I see that" Song-hee exclaimed then he whispered "Missed you, bro."

Junseo acknowledged the comment with a quick nod before explaining how Captain Shiro had entrusted him with a message for the Knight-Master, "Or should we call you Lord Lie now?" he asked as he handed over the envelope.

"Knock it off. You both know just how much I love formality," their teacher growled as he turned over the pages in his hand. Then asked, "Why would he write to me in Shen?"

"Oh," Song-hee blushed and said, "I forgot I was supposed to give you something from General Tan. Just wait a minute," then ran off.

While they were alone, Junseo explained the context behind the delivery and then gave the morning's sad news to his former mentor.

"He must have been running short on options but I am glad he knew to trust you with this," he reached over and squeezed Junseo's shoulder. When Song-hee returned Knight-Master Lie sent him to find Manager Doak and Scout Jia. He re-read the letter then flipped through the phrase book. He pulled out a pen and some scrap paper and jotted down some characters. Then he paused what he was doing and looked over at Junseo.

"I know you are already involved but this is going to get very complicated. It would be a great relief for me if you could go practice with the other boys at the compound today. I would like to have everyone together when we share the news tonight. If it helps you can let Song-hee in on things before you go, but it is essential we keep a lid on things for now."

"I understand," Junseo said clearly as the others arrived.

"What do you understand?" Song-hee asked. He was worried the issues with the team were still not sorted.

Junseo looked over at the adults and then his friend before saying, "Captain Shiro was probably killed for the message I just delivered. Let's just leave the rest of the decoding to the adults and clear out of here." Song-hee took in the news without a word. He just put an arm around Junseo and led him out of the workshop.