Time and Punishment

Yong Tae's eyes remained fixed on the wall. He couldn't believe the Challenge Emblem was missing! The silver dragon's claw, a gift from Yong Tae's father to Yoo Sang, had hung in the same place above the tapestry for as long as Yong Tae could remember. But sure enough, it had been taken down, and the wall behind showed a silhouette where the hooked claw had remained unmoved for so many years.
"That's right kids." A strange voice said behind the three friends. “There’s going to be a fight. The greatest fight ever! And none of you little dumplings are going to be able to see it! "
The three turned quickly to see who had spoken. A very thin boy who they had never seen before stood in the door. His hat was as fine as any of the men in the village, and around his neck hung a thick braided cord held a talisman that showed over his silken robes. The talisman displayed a tiger leaping at the sun with its claws spread, the symbol of the royal house. Yong Tae and Che Ju stepped back from the older boy, their eyes wide in amazement.
Ah Won was not so impressed "Who are you calling a dumpling? You look like you could use a few more dumplings yourself anyway. Did your family lose its fortune buying your robes? You’re so thin I bet your mom has to keep you inside on windy days or those fancy clothes will carry you away like a kite!"
"Mind how you speak to your elders little girl. It is not looked lightly upon to insult the son the Court Minister." The boy threw up his nose and looked down at Ah Won. "I should have you punished, but I will spare you if you bow to me now and beg my forgiveness."
"There is no need for that." Yoo Sang appeared and placed his hand on Ah Won's shoulder. "Those who know Ah Won expect to hear her mind. She is still learning to tame her tongue, but I'm sure one as wise as you, Ji Ho, can tolerate the impetuousness of a young girl."
"Yes, Sah Boo Nim." Ji Ho agreed, quickly letting it go. "I am pleased to see the young ones here are so brave." A slick smile slid across his lips. "They will prove...entertaining...during my stay here."
"Very well, you are already showing your aptitude as a pupil, Ji Ho. You will do well in your training. For now, I must deal with these three. Retire to your quarters and practice your meditation, I will be with you shortly for our first session of the morning. "
"Yes, Sah Boo Nim." Ji Ho turned on his heel and lifted the low hem of his robes to keep them off the floor as he strode through the entry of the Do Jang. He quickly retrieved his sandals and was gone from sight.
"Now, you three, come with me. I have Masters So and Jung waiting for you."
As the three followed their Village Elder to his personal quarters at the rear of the Do Jang, Yong Tae's heart raced with fear. He didn't want his grandfather to be angry with him, but he knew that he had been wrong to fight with Grandpa Bing Bing. He drew a deep breath and kept his eyes on the floor. Whatever happened, at least he had his friends with him.
Yoo Sang lifted his hand, and an invisible force pushed open the heavy doors to his chambers. He stepped aside and let the children enter first.
Yong Tae recognized Master Jung and Master So who were both sitting at opposite ends of a low table enjoying tea. They rose to their feet, lowered their heads, and touched the front brim of their hats in a respectful bow when Yoo Sang entered the room. After the Elder had seated himself behind the table, the masters returned to their seat and finally, the children kneeled down in front of them.
The room was sparse. Other than his clothes, the Sah Boo only owned three possessions. His chopsticks lay crossed upon the table, his sleeping mat lay rolled tight in the corner, and his sword leaned in its stand next to his sleeping mat. Everything else he kept in a small room behind the Do Jang and shared with the village.
Silence settled over the room, and Master So reached for the kettle to pour some more tea. His bare hand grabbed the hot kettle and steam rose around his fingers as he poured Yoo Sang's tea first, then Master Jung's, and finally he poured the last of the hot drink into his own small cup. Small grains of white powder, pulverized stone from the quarry, fell like snow flurries across the table as he served the tea, but his hand never faltered on the scalding metal.
Yong Tae kept his head down but he watched as Master So poured the tea. He couldn't take his eyes off Master So until he looked again at the table, and the stone powder was gone. His eyes widened in surprise, and Master Jung caught his amazement and smiled. He chiropractor lowered one hand below the table, and opened his palm for Yong Tae to see. In the center of his hand, the stone powder lay in a small pile! Not a single grain remained on the table.
The masters sat quietly and sipped their tea. Each of them rested comfortable on the floor with their legs crossed and their feet resting on their thighs. The aroma of fresh cut flowers carried up from their cups and filled the room.
Yong Tae felt so tense that he jumped slightly when Che Ju broke the silence.
"I'm sorry, Sah Boo Nim," he kept his head down as he spoke, but his voice filled the small room. "Yong Tae and Ah Won were only following me to Dae NaMu Grove. It was my idea to gather the silver bamboo, and they never would have gone if it weren't for me. Please forgive them and allow me to clean the Do Jang for us all, sir.”