947 AD
Songak
Baek Ah sat at the base of his favorite tree outside the palace, playing the Sheng, his hands deftly manipulating the pipe while a mournful, sweet tune carried on the autumn breeze in the early dusk. The sun's fire fading into dusky pinks and purples leaving shadows in its wake. He played for the spirits of his tenth brother and lady wife whose bodies Jung had buried not too far away from where he rested. His last conversation with Wang So kept repeating in his head. So had met him in private at the Gyobang the night after the tragic incident.
"Baek Ah, you are the only one who can keep Hae Soo safe." So confided in his brother as Baek Ah poured him another cup of rice wine. So's hand tightened around the cup as he tossed back the alcohol. "The only thing I can do for her is to throw her away for her sake and mine. General Park demanded I do so and Ji Mong agreed it was the only way. Besides Pyeha will send me to Seokyung soon and I can't protect her as long as she is associated with me. The next year or so will be the most dangerous. I need you to stand by her now, more than ever, brother."
Lowering his own cup, Baek Ah frowned at him. "She believes you hate her for what happened to Eun. That wasn't her fault, hyungnim."
"I know Eun was not her fault." So shook his head as he downed another shot. He rubbed his hand over his weary face. "I don't know why she sent me the note so late, but I know it wasn't because she didn't trust me." Thoughtfully, So smiled, his eyes lit up for a second as he fondly stated, "Soo has always done what she thought best, Baek Ah."
Baek Ah blinked back the threat of tears. "Most times to her own detriment." He choked out a mirthless laugh.
"I believe the stubborn woman thought she was protecting me this time." He sighed. "I'm still angry that she didn't tell me that Eun and Lady Soon Deok were in the Damiwon, but it might not have mattered in the end. I know who betrayed Eun to Pyeha and I will make her pay for it in the end. I promise that I will one day bring them home and allow their spirits to rest, brother. I will have justice for Eun, Soon Deok, and Hyejong too. But right now, I need to make sure someone watches out for Hae Soo."
With a tired moan, Baek Ah closed his bleary eyes, feeling older than his years. "Of course, I will watch over her, So hyungnim. She is my sister after all."
"Thank you, Baek Ah. That puts my mind at ease." So nodded, he turned the cup over when Baek Ah reached over to fill it again. Only then did, Baek Ah notice the hard glint in So's eyes as he grasped the scabbard of his sword, standing up. "You must find out why the girl, Woo Hee, has returned. She might have assisted us the day father died, but I know who she is and have no reason to trust her. I need to know if she will be an assist or a liability to us, brother."
Cold sweat broke out over Baek Ah. He wanted to protest that she could be trusted, but knew his words would not ring true. No matter how much he wanted to deny her real reason for returning to him, the fact that she was a spy as well as an assassin for Minister Park was obviously clear. And if she was Minister Park's spy, then what was her affiliation with their third brother, the newly crowned monarch.
Baek Ah stopped playing when a sour note fell from his lips. Gathering up his wind instrument, he placed it across his back and headed for the Gyobang. He kept to the lengthening shadows as he entered the palace, watchful for any eyes that might be trained on him. He didn't want Woo Hee to know he was returning early.
He peered around the corner of a building to Woo Hee's apartments in time to see Minister Park grab Woo Hee's arm in a vice grip. He pulled back against the wall as he listened to the couple argue.
"I don't care whose mistress you become, you must find a way to go to Seokyung and report Prince Wang So's movements back to me." A condescending masculine voice threatened. "Remember whose life is at stake, princess. Jeongjong won't hesitate to use his thirteenth brother as target practice next time." Minister Park sneered down into her defiant face. "Maybe I should tell Jeongjong or, better yet, Prince Baek Ah about your bastard. Would he believe the child of a gaisang is his?"
Child? Confusion swept over Baek Ah at the information. Woo Hee has a child. "Stop it! Let go!" Woo Hee bit out, attempting to break the man's hold on her wrist. Baek Ah flushed with rage, his hand tightened on the hilt of his dagger. I'll kill him! However, he didn't move from his hiding spot as Woo Hee hissed at the minister. "Do not worry. I know what I'm supposed to do."
"Then stop hesitating and do it or else!" Park roughly released her arm and stomped away leaving Woo Hee rubbing the bruise left behind.
