Chapter 10 – A soul of foreign land
Eun soo was well aware of the stares that could bore holes through her back. She was flipping the herbs thoroughly to dry them at the back yard of the Royal clinic with two helpers assisting her. Every once in a while the guards would pass by the clinic in their routine patrol, and paused for a moment too long for her not to notice.
Wu, the Royal doctor was going through Dr Jang Bin's old medical record in the study, and Deo Gi would pretend not to hear when he called her to ask some of the things he didn't understand, and ran to help Eun Soo instead. The thing was; Wu seemed to have more than one questions in every few pages he had read. And he could read a book or two in a quiet day like this, each contained over five hundred pages that Deo gi had to hide those books from the Royal doctor. To Deo gi's dissapointment, Wu always managed to find them.
Eun soo covered her eyes with her hands as she looked up to the plain blue above her. "We should be able to dry them all by sundown, it doesn't seem to be raining anytime soon." She said, which Deo gi agreed. The girl tapped her wrist, where she used to have her watch on, the watch that had ran out of battery a long time ago. But Eun soo understood what Deo gi was trying to say, and nodded.
"It's time, is it? I'll get my tools," she started to walk, then paused to look back at the girl, "would you like to come and help me?"
The answer came in a toothy grin and Eun soo smiled to herself. The first time she came, Deo gi was reluctant to shove her in a bag and threw her away like a sack of rotten meat. Now she was more like a little sister to Eun soo, one she wanted desperately to help. She was told that Deo gi went mute after she suffered from a high fever that went untreated during her childhood. In her point of view, Eun soo was determined that she could make the girl speak again. However, until all the necessary preparation was set, she kept this thought to herself.
A week had passed since Deokman woke up after the surgery, but the event was not something to be forgotten, it remained in the hearts of those who prayed for miracle, imprinted in the minds of those who witnessed the awakening of one dying man, and that too- after his body was cut, his internal organ removed. The King had managed to keep the talk within the Palace, but the presence of the Heavenly doctor breathed a new hope, that Heaven might soon give Goryeo a Crown Prince, as the Queen had seek guidance and treatment from the Heaven's lady herself.
"Doctor," Dae man rushed toward her- far before she reached the gate of the Woodalchi barrack, bowing his head low and he gave her his bright-innocent smile, "let me take that for you," he said as he took Eun Soo's bag. Deo Gi flashed him a look and he offered to take the wooden box from her, only to get turn down. The Woodalchi stepped aside in unison as Eun Soo walked into the main hall of the troops quarter, they seemed to have been expecting her. The crowd at the corner of the chamber parted, revealing a wooden bed covered in black. Deokman sat atop of it, showing off the white bandage wrapping his middle with a crooked smile like it was a gilded belt studded with diamonds.
"Tell me you didn't open that bandage without my permission," Eun Soo made a gesture to send the boys away which they obeyed, only to come back when she weren't looking and lined up behind the door, their heads covering the entrance.
Deokman- his face a faint blush, scooted aside to let Eun Soo sat next to him. "That- ... I didn't," he replied nervously, "The kids want to know how it looks, but I didn't-"
Eun soo shot him a glare that silenced him before he could finish. She started untying the knot, which caused her to huff and asked for a scissor instead. "Next time you try to lie to me, I'll cut off your kidneys and let Deo Gi sew them back in," Deo Gi smirked at this, "she's good with needles, no?"
Deo Gi flased a wicked smile at Deokman, who swallowed soundly as she opened the wooden box she had brought with her earlier, showing a fine line of needles from where she picked one at least five times the size of what Eun soo had used to sew his wound.
"This is a messed up way of covering a lie," said Eun Soo as the scissors worked on the bandage, her eyes went up to see Deokman's apologetic look. This boy, Eun Soo thought, had smashed people from a sky high to the lowest pit of fright, and brought everyone up again as he woke up from coma. The scene played vividly in her mind, everyone- who had thought he would die, was dumbfounded when he opened his eyes. The first thing he said when he was asked how he felt, if there's pain anywhere, his answer was; "I ... am hungry", and his Woodalchi friends had almost died laughing.
Eun Soo bit her lower lip to prevent herself from smiling at the memory, it was hard enough to keep a straight face at Deokman- who clearly felt guilty, and did not dare to meet her eyes. The bandage was finally undone, baring more than twenty five stiches for everyone to see.
One of the Woodalchi fell forward as the result of squeezing and pushing. His friend grabbed the back of his collar and pulled him back to stand by the door, though he had trouble keeping his head still.
Deokman felt a shiver down his spine when Eun Soo touched his wound, he felt the intense heat turned his face red as she ran her featherly fingers through the feverish skin along the stiches. Her scent was unlike any other, he found no words to describe it. His heart thumped so hard that he thought it might burst at any moment. How on earth does the General have the power to overcome this- ... this ...whatever this thing is?
"You're healing fast. There's no sign of infection," Eun Soo smiled to herself, "next week I can already remove the stiches." She dipped a cotton ball into a clear herbs and wiped the surface of the wound clean, applying some antibiotics and cool ointent that left a little prickle on his skin. When she put her hand around him to do the bandage, he couldn't help a silly grin that had been threatening to break loose since she entered the room.
When he looked up, his smile vanished.
Choi Young was there, leaning one shoulder at the door frame, hands folded on his chest. The other Woodalchi was nowhere to be seen, that was probably why it had been so quiet the last few minutes. In his futile attempt to greet the General, he tried to bow, but Eun Soo's hand went to his hair, where the fall from the fight had left a small cut near his forehead.
"The bump is almost gone. No more headache, right?" she asked again, and Deokman could only nod. Eun soo however-, sensed the change in his face and turned around.
"How long have you been standing there?" she asked, offering a smile as she stood. She gestured toward Deo gi to give Deokman the medicine he needed to drink, and met Choi Young's steps in the middle of the room.
The General relaxed a bit, his hands went down. "A while," he answered.
"Why didn't you just come in, then? I could use a little help,"
A pair of sharp-dark eyes went to a particular patient who was halfway drinking his medicine. "I didn't want to disturb," his voice a heavy note, "someone seems to be enjoying himself too much."
Eun Soo followed his gaze, completely clueless, while Deo gi stood with her back on them, hiding a grin. Deokman felt like he'd been sucker punched. The poor Woodalchi choked on his own drink, the jolt made his abs burn, a bile taste in his throat, his eyes breamed with tears.
It would take a while before he could taste any food for the day.
xxXxx
It was a good weather to go out fishing. The sky a bright blue, soft-light waves made their way to the shore. Merchant ships and fishing boats alike, heading back to the dock after a good long sail. The port was as busy, but something was different that day. One of the fishing boat that should be back in few days time- came back after it set sail for a only a couple of hours.
Shi Woo, who had been waiting by the dock alone was munching onto a fresh peach when his twin brother came, along with Man Bo- who was always seen carrying a bottle of wine. Upon seeing them, Shi Woo quickly munched on the fruit and threw the left over into the water.
"Where is he?" asked Man Bo once he stepped on the dock. Shi Woo pointed at one of the fishing boats and the three walked together, Ji Ho looked at his brother questioningly, while Shi Woo mouthed his answer;
"You'll see."
And Shi Woo was right, the only way for them to believe what they were told- was to see with their own eyes. There on the wet deck, a man was lying with his eyes half closed, his hand stretched out as if trying to grab on a rope. He was dressed up in an odd-looking coat and trousers, his skin a bright pink, his hair the color of gold, and his eyes ...
The eyes were blue.
It was as if the sky took away the tone of his skin, the sun gilded his hair, and the ocean painted his eyes the same color as the water underneath them.
"He was floating on a log, the waves washed him near my boat. I didn't know what to do but to bring him in." The boat's owner tried his best to explain. "He spoke things I couldn't understand, but then he repeated that word. Many times." He inched closer to Man Bo, whispering; "Woku. Does he mean the Japanese pirates?"
Man Bo cracked a weird laugh, handing his wine bottle to the man, saying; "He's probably one of those foreign sailors who used to trade with Yuan. I heard several merchant ships were drown in the huge storm a while back, he could be one of the survivors." He tapped the man on the back. "Looks like he's dying. Let me take him back, I'll do the report to the Palace, save you the trouble, eh?"
The man found Man Bo hard to argue with, and the fact that he needed to get back to sail before the sun went up left him no choice but to let Suribang took the matter into their hands. Besides, Man bo had promised to buy all of his catch with a handsome price.
An offer too good to refuse.
xxXxx
It was not long before the words reached Choi Young. During his early years as a member of the Red Moon, he did many travels. Through Goryeo's land and beyond, to the most beautiful valley until places where travelers met their horrible end. His first encounter with the Japanese Pirate was his point of no return. So yes, he believed the Woku are coming. Sooner than he thought.
A week ago, he had brought the matter of the escaped prisoners who previously posed as Yuan's soldier to the Suribang to confirm his suspision. The mark he saw on their arms had brought an old memory back to the Woodalchi General. He tried to recall the drawing of the tattoo, spending nearly two hours in his chamber until he got a flawless match. Man Bo soon recognised the drawing and with a draw of breath, told him that he was right. The two were unmistakably Japanese pirates. Why they went through trouble posing as Yuan's army to get caught by the Woodalchi, was still in question.
"They wanted to test our strength," Choi young spoke, voice deep with emotion. "By getting caught, they got themselves to the refugee camp, taking the numbers of our troops, and even fought with the boys." He folded his arms on his chest, his brows drawn together. "But why? Do they plan to take down the city? If not, why go through all the troubles?"
"Unless ..." he paused, all eyes were on him.
Ma-ma, who kept herself still since the discussion started- suddenly stood, "Unless they came for a particular reason. Revenge, for example."
The room fell into a deep silence. Everyone was well aware of Choi Young's first kill. It was the Captain's little brother he had slain, the one people feared more than the Captain himself. His seniors of the Red Moon finished the rest of the fight, while Choi Young watched with blood-stained hand, feeling the chill of his first murder. The Red Moon had wiped the entire Pirates and sunk the bloody ship that night. But through the victory, a disturbing thought came to mind. Somewhere, somehow, those dead pirates might have had families waiting for them. And when they learned what happened, there was always that possibility of revenge. Lurking amongst the shadows. Waiting for a chance to strike.
It had been many years that it almost became a darkened past. Almost.
Choi Young took a deep breath, "If that's the case, it's best we get ready. Whatever reason that brought them here, either it's greed or pain, they're not going to wreck this town under my watch."
"I'll get two scouting boats ready. They will not come to us unnoticed." Man Bo nodded toward Ji Ho who then went off with his brother, slightly over excited about the whole Pirates thing.
Younglings, Choi Young thought.
"What about the strange guy?" he asked suddenly. "Does he speak yet?"
"Oh, he speaks alright," answered Ma-ma, "but none of us know what he's saying. He said one-two words in Yuan's mother tounge that could be translated as 'help' and 'the King', but the rest ... not even the best translator in town knows of that language."
Man Bo took a sip of wine from his jug before he added, "your aunt thinks there's one person who can translate his words to us. That is ... if you don't mind."
"Who? Eun Soo?" his tone changed. "I don't want her getting involved in this. She's been through enough," he stood, only to sat back with a huff. "What makes you think she'll understand what that weirdo is saying?"
Man Bo poured himself another drink, trying not to roll his eyes. Here we go again.
Choi Young felt Ma-ma's scrunitizing eyes on him. "What makes you think she won't?" She asked, smirking. Choi Young sighed, pressing his knuckles to his lips. She pushed a cup toward him, which he emptied in one gulp. "You're trying to avoid the inevitable, Young. We know that the man asked to speak to the King, and it's only a matter of time before the King asks for her help. If we're going to face the Woku, we need to bring this matter to the King as fast as possible. Push them back from our shore, the sooner the better, then we can move on to planning your wedding."
"Aunt!"
She waved a hand dismissivedly before Choi Young could protest."Tell me, why didn't you bring her here for dinner? I miss her laughter. It's too tiring to see that face of yours everyday."
Man Bo laughed at his sister's words. Choi young took his jug away, saying; "How can you say that? I don't come everyday." He drank, while Man Bo tried to get his jug back. Choi Young set the jug back on the table, his expression turned serious. "I still feel like someone's watching us. Be careful, tell the kids to never lower their guards. And uncle ..."
Choi Young stood, pausing at the door. "I don't trust that guy."
xxXxx
The King had requested to see Choi young before the hearing started. When he entered the study, he saw the King staring at the molten steel on the table, thinking. Choi young had first brought the thing to Suribang to ask if they know what weapon could cause such damage. When Man Bo couldn't make out his mind as he kept guessing, Choi Young took it back to the Palace.
Eun Soo could always tell when something was troubling him, and when she asked, he showed her the molten steel.
Never did he thought she would know what the weapon was. Nor did he hoped she would, for he wanted to leave her off the case. But she did. Fast as a flash of lightning, she grabbed the molten steel off his hand, her eyes grew wide as she sniffed the burnt smell of it.
"It's acid," she whispered, as if to herself, "did Goryeo people already know how to use acid?"
Choi Young was brought back to the present moment as the King spoke. "The scolars have learned about the escaped prisoners. Minister Seo could be a little ... creative- when he wants to know something."
"He is, your highness." Said Choi Young, agreed.
"I feel like he knows more than I do." He smiled a small smile. "What I'm saying is, General ... If there's anything I should know, I suggest you tell me now- before the hearing starts. That way, you can save us both the embarassment of having different answers for the same question."
Choi Young bowed, "You have nothing to be embarassed about, my King."
The King laughed. "And you still haven't tell me about those two escaped prisoners. Have you confirmed who they are? Was your hunch correct, that they aren't Yuan's?"
"It was, your Highness. As I suspected, the Suribang has also confirmed that those two ... are the Woku. Japanese Pirates." And the talk lasted for almost an hour. By the time they finished, the hearing was about to start. The King advised Choi Young to walk with him, the two headed toward the main hall without a slight awareness of what the council was about to propose.
The Eunuch announced the King's arrival. Everyone stood from their seats and bowed, Choi Young included. The King sat on his throne and lifted a hand, allowing the attendance to take their seats.
The Hearing went quite well, scholars gave their reports and submit requests. The plan for a new road to connect the south and western part of Goryeo was brought forward. Some of the funding would be taken from the taxes and so on. It was all a common routine that the King could gladly follow, until they brought up something he never would have predicted that night.
"The Kingdom needs an heir, your Majesty. And it's about time to have one. A great King is not determined by birth, he is to be shaped and trained. And that, your Highness ... requires time."
"I'm aware of that." Said the King to the minister. "Have you lost your faith in your King that you speak of this, now?"
Minister Seo took a deep breath before he spoke, "Forgive my rudeness, your Majesty. I speak on behalf of the country," The other attendances suddenly chimed in, supporting the Minister. "It is common for a King to wed concubines, the Great Emperor of China even had hundreds. If the King wished for the Queen to give birth to the Crown Prince, we would protect that Royal decree with our lives. But for now, my King, an heir is what this Kingdom needs."
The King was about to interupt, but Minister Seo appeared to be faster. "As you have rejected the list of noble borns we have submitted to you last time, tonight we have but one request."
Choi Young saw as the King heaved a heavy sigh. He felt sorry for the King, for he knew how it felt to have someone to die for. His hand moved against his will, to that tiny item at the inside of his shirt, one he had been keeping for that day.
"So you're saying that I should wed the person you chose? For the Kingdom's sake?" The King was only asking out of tiredness and suppressed emotion, but the council seemed to be waking up from sleep. They took the King's question as an agreement for a proposal they long to submit.
Minister Seo rose from his seat. He took a few steps forward, his hands clasped together as he bowed deeply in front of the King. Choi Young stole a glance at the King, who was tense. From his point of view, his Highness looked defeated. This time, he might agreed to the proposal. It was, however, a King's duty to protect and serve his loyal subjects.
Then, in the sudden silence of the room, the Minister spoke. Clear as summer sky, loud as thunder;
"Everyone in the council has agreed that your Majesty is to wed the Heavenly Doctor."
xxXxx
Ends of Chapter 10
Hurrah!