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The locals tell a tale of a wolf abandoned by its pack that went to live deep in the mountains. Fearing the wolf, people stopped coming to the mountains. One day, a bird that used to be caged escaped from its owner and flew out to the mountains, looking for a place to be free. The wolf saw that it and the bird had kindred spirit, and instead of eating it, the wolf took care of the bird and the bird took care of the wolf. From then on, they lived together; the wolf running with the wind blowing in its face and through its fur, and the bird flying beside it, chirping and drawing circles in the air with its wings. Though they were of different species, they were brothers.
People in the neighboring villages heard of this rumor, and went to look for this unlikely pairing. When they arrived, they discovered that the wolf was not cunning, but courageous, and that the bird was not vapid, but intelligent. They sent their and their brothers and sisters and wives and children to the mountains to learn from the strength of the wolf and the song of the bird.
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Baek-Ah is in the village when it happens.
"Here is the medicine you ordered, young master," says the merchant as he carefully hands Baek-Ah a package wrapped in white.
"Thank you," Baek-Ah replies, but he is warily studying the suspicious demeanor of the new merchant. A year living with So, and he has learned to be careful. "I don't remember," he begins carefully. "...Have you always worked for the doctor here?"
The man doesn't betray any strange emotion. "I'm new, actually. I've just come back from Sang Ok to be with my ailing mother."
Baek-Ah nods. "Ah, I see. Well, I wish your mother health for many more years."
He stays alert even as he turns the corner, out of the market place, and makes his way back home. Could it be…? They discovered where So and I have been? Or perhaps, our hyung-nim..? If there was anything he could have learned from living with So, it would be that carelessness has costs. He neither expects the worst nor hopes for the best.
He ducks into a secret place among the rocks guarding the path up to the mountains, and opens the package, taking great care to cover his face with his sleeve in case of poisonous fumes.
The herbs used for poultice seem nothing out of the ordinary, but the inside of the wrapping paper is definitely marked.
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Hope you and the wolf I sent along in your care are doing well.
Everything at home here is stable now.
Please reply back if it is safe to visit sometime.
Signed,
Your oldest hyung
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Baek-Ah finds himself flying up the path the rest of the way home, not daring to exhale even once.
