The morning was cold, but fresh. Yona was sitting and looking at the rising sun. She wanted this beautiful scenery to last so that she can have more time, but alas, some decision must be taken rather sooner than later. The conversation of last night transformed into a heavy burden that has shaken her confidence. She still wanted to find out the truth, but at the same time she didn't want jeopardize Kouka stability and put its people into a dangerous situation. The country was still getting over serious problems and there was still a lot to be done. To have it endangered by her desire to find out the truth was unacceptable. She knew she would never forgive herself for it.
'You're already on foot,' and surprised Yona saw Hak approaching. 'Is there something bothering you?' he asked calmly, looking at her as if he didn't want to miss any movement or even blink of her eye.
'I am not sure about… I mean I would like to understand Soo-won, but..'
'But Zeno's words made you hesitate?'
'Yes,' she replied, sighing deeply.
'I will help you, no matter what you decide,' and added 'remember that you don't have to deal with it alone. Besides, I want to find out more what was going on too, even if it's difficult.'
Yona gazed at him. His words reassured her. 'You may be right that I am thinking and worrying too much. There must be a way to speak to Soo-won without endangering Kouka.'
'We will come up with something. Let's go to eat breakfast.'
The sun was high on the sky when they finally finished their breakfast.
'It's time to go, but where should we go?' asked Yun.
Everyone looked at Yona who shared her doubts with the rest. She could not find it in herself to decide right now.
'I cannot…,' she started and stopped. She met Soo-won few times by accident while we were trying to help Kouka, but… all of sudden a thought came to her mind.
'This is it. Soo-won is trying to help Kouka,' her face radiated with confidence.
'What do you mean?'
She began explaining immediately. 'Now that I think about it, we were able to meet him twice outside the capital,' something stopped her from telling about her meeting with Soo-won in Awa. She felt that it was not something she wanted to share with Hak and it didn't seem that important anyway. 'We may still be able to meet him again if we keep helping people. If Soo-won is trying to help Kouka in his own way, we should meet him sooner or later this way without risking going to the capital.'
Her words made Hak feel jealous. It was a good idea. He had to admit it, but it also showed how much Soo-won was on her mind. To see through him and guess what is that Soo-won may want to achieve.
'All right than,' he said, trying to appear indifferent.
Yona sensed something strange in Hak's voice, but before she could ask anything Yun started.
'We need to buy some things,' Yun announced. 'I have asked people from this house on the verge of forest. The nearest town is six hours on foot from here.'
'In which direction should we go?' asked Hak, trying to avoid Yona's eyes.
'East.'
'Then it's decided.'
It took them more time than they expected, but late in the afternoon, they finally got to the town. While waking around fruit and vegetable market, Yona noticed familiar figures. 'Tetora, Ayura, what are you doing here?'
'Yona,' they both exclaimed at the same time. 'This is perfect. We have been trying to find you.'
'Find me? Why?' She asked with a curiosity in her voice.
'Lady Lili wants to investigate unsettling rumors about Sei and Xing,' Tetora said.
'Unsettling rumors, what do you mean?'
'Apparently Sei is gathering large forces on the border, officially Sei is just having exercises, while Xing started to build fortresses near the border in the mountains.'
'Do you think they are planning something?'
Ayura nodded and add, 'we are afraid they are, but as we have no evidence. That's why Lady Liliy would like to check it,' explained Tetora.
'I understand that, but why is Liliy looking for me?'
'She wants you to accompany her.'
'Than, we should better find others and discuss it with them.'
Having found others and having explained why they are hear, Ayura and Tetora looked at the group in anticipation.
'I think we should help, but which rumors should we check first?' asked Ki-ja, directing his question at no one in particular. 'About Sei or Xing?'
'That's a good question,' said Yun. 'I think the rumors about Sei are a bit more alarming.'
Yona thought about it, are both countries preparing for war with Kouka? If so, which one should we stop first? Unable to come up with a good solution, she was feeling useless. Suddenly an idea occurred to her. 'Zeno, what do you think?'
Zeno directed his eyes on Yona. 'I?' The girl's question has taken him aback. When did she start to depend on him? Of course, during his long life he has gained a lot of knowledge, so he should have expected, especially after revealing his story, that it may happen. However, being useful in this way made him feel glad. He was happy that his indestructible body was not his only asset. After finishing his food, he started. 'I would be more concerned about Sei. They may be preparing for an invasion.'
Yona looked at Zeno, surprised at the touch of satisfaction in his voice. 'Invasion? I suspected that it may be it, but what about Xing?'
'If they are just building fortresses, it's nothing we should worry about?'
His answer aroused Yona's curiosity 'Why?'
'Why do you think people are building fortresses?'
Yona fell silent. She knew about fortresses of course. She remembered how Soo-won told her that he had visited the two on the border with Northern Kai, but their purpose didn't interest her back then. When Zeno asked her, she realized that she has never thought about it at all.
Zeno saw confusion on her face and continued 'Fortresses are defensive buildings. You build them in places where they may make it hard or, even better, impossible for the enemy's army to pass.'
'I see. It makes sense.'
'That's why they are often in the mountains, where the path is narrow, or in a river delta. If you have river around your fortress, it is easier to defend it and you don't have to worry about what your soldiers will drink and eat…' Zeno stopped to ask 'Is something wrong?'
'No, I have just realized once again how little I know.'
'Don't worry, you will learn...' he comforted her smiling warmly. 'As for the fortresses, what's more those building are expensive and it takes many years to build them. That's why I think we don't have to worry too much about Xing now.'
Hak, who was watching the whole scene and Yona in particular, felt a bit hurt that Yona didn't ask him, but he was impressed at the same time by her determination to help Kouka and trying to find a way to do it. Two years ago he would never had thought that she may be needing this kind of knowledge. 'I heard that it took fifteen years to build a fortress on the border with Northern Kai,' he added.
Yona sighted. 'I understand, but does that mean that Xing is afraid of being invaded by Kouka?'
'Not necessarily, they may be building them in case there is a conflict with Kouka in the future,' replied Zeno.
Yona was thinking for a short while before giving an answer. 'If that is all, the answer is simple. Sei is our next destination.'
