Author's rant: Will you believe it if I tell you that I went to all the troubles just to be able to post this chapter? My office mobile just won't work and my google play apps is just as bad. My android is acting up. I can't upload the ms word file, so I copy paste this chapter to the body email (or is it email's body? LOL) So, if you're reading this now, that means it works. Fingers crossed.
xXx
Previously...
The trails led to the dark wood. It seemed only fit that Shadow went there, it was where the General first encountered the wild stallion. Dae man stared at the red tree that marked the entrance, it was painted in blood as a warning not to go any further. When the late King ruled the land, many were accused of treason they never committed. Many had died in prison, but some were not as lucky and had to face endless torture. The deceased didn't get a proper burial and instead- their bodies were thrown here to rot or be eaten by wild animals. Hunters claimed to see those poor souls, travelers dared not cut through this forest and decided to take a further route for almost none came back alive. Those who escaped the maze of green were badly injured with bloody cuts and bruises from things unknown. Since then, no one in their right mind would go into the dark wood. The General was clearly an exception.
His brown horse neighed nervously. "We have to go, the doctor is in there." He said more to himself, and they charged forward into the shadows.
He lost the trails in a short time and went around in circle. The trees looked too identical that it was difficult to tell which one he had already passed. "Stupid superstition!" He cursed under his breath. His horse was restless as he tugged at the reign to prevent it from running blindly to an escape he couldn't see. He pondered for a short moment and decided to dismount his horse. He continued on foot, leaving the brown horse tied to a pine tree where it can graze the grass and taste the dew.
"Doctor!" he called out, hands around his mouth. "It's Dae man. Where are you?"
Dae man thought one of the trees started moving when he paused to listen for any sound other than his own echo. He started to think that his mind was playing tricks- until he picked up that tiny sound. The sound of heavy weapon being drawn.
His hand went to his belt only to find it empty, his sword was hanging by the saddle of his horse, too far to make a run for it now. Just as Dae man mentally kicked himself for being a toughtless moron, his eyes caught a glimpse of red and black several trees apart, the sound of thundering gallops confirmed that it was Shadow, running away from something awful with the doctor on his back. Something moved among the trees, almost too fast for his eyes to follow. Then he saw a glint of an arrowhead, and he snapped.
Dae man was quick, but not quick enough. He jumped over the bush and rolled twice before he broke into a dead run toward his horse. Sword in hand, he cut his horse loose and went after Shadow, enemies on his tail. His left side was burning where the arrow cut the armor and grazed his skin. He didn't get to see the face of the attacker, but that arrow was not something he would easily forget. He had lost two friends to the same weapon, he remembered it well.
xXx
Chapter 14
Friends and Foes alike
Choi Young was leaning at the door frame while Eun Soo wrapped a white cloth around Dae man's middle. He kept insisting that it was only a scratch and it needed no treatment, but Eun Soo wasn't going to let it pass. Deok man nudged the boy on the back, a grin on his face.
"Look at us, people can mistakenly think we're twins." He said, gesturing at his own bandage that matched Dae man's. Eun soo found it comforting to see the two laughed, she needed to calm herself if she was going to explain to the General why she went to the dark wood in the first place.
Right now, she couldn't tell if he was mad. He had been staring at her back in silence, a few woodalchi who were there earlier had left, leaving the four of them in the front hall of the barracks. She knew that he was supposed to be with the Royal guest today. 'His' Royal guest. Now that Eun soo had finished treating Dae man's wound, she could excuse herself to visit the royal clinic, where Deo gi had been waiting. She had planned to examine the girl's hearing and to see the damage on her vocal cord and those connected to her loss of verbal ability. In other words, Eun soo had told her she would try to 'bring her voice' back.
When she turned around, he stared intensely into her eyes, hands came unfolded as he stepped forward. He walked past her and stopped before the two boys who had grown so much over the past five years. "The vice General is on his way here, you can fill him in with the details while I see the King. Do not cause panic, let's keep this among us until it's certain who we're up against and why." He said to Dae man. The boy nodded, and he added before turning toward Eun Soo. "And Dae man ... thank you." 'For bringing her back, thank you.'
The young woodalchi smiled, knowing. He watched as the General walked out the door, the Doctor's hand was already in his and she was puled away. She tried to tell the General that she was needed at the clinic, but Dae man heard no reply. He thought that- if he was the General himself, he wouldn't dare letting her out of sight after what happened. To everyone else, Choi Young was a fierce warrior who fear none. But Dae man knew better.
Deok man sat next to him, following his gaze. "Do you think ... those men were after the Doctor?"
"I know they don't just lurk around for sports," replied Dae man, "How's your wound?"
"I'll be ready to fight soon."
"Good. 'Cause something is coming, and I got the feeling that we're going to need all the help we can get."
xXx
He didn't turn around. Not once.
Since he left her to run for that woman, he had not turned to see if she was okay, whether she was still there waiting, or if she followed him to see what caused him to leave in such manner.
She had seen it all.
She had seen the way he looked at that woman and her heart burned with cold flames. She could feel the heat rising to her cheek as she saw the General embraced that woman as if nothing else mattered. She had known him for his nobility, his virtue, his righteous gleam she saw just a few moments ago, suddenly lost to the presence of the Heaven Doctor. She stripped him off his pride and everything that made him who he was, just by being there. And Jung didn't like it.
The court lady appeared and bowed before her, apparently she had run after her when she decided to follow Choi young. She wondered how this old woman could run faster than her own maid, who was left a few steps behind.
"The Queen is waiting for you, my lady." She said. "I shall escort you back to the pavilion."
"The General isn't coming back to join us, is he?" she asked bitterly.
Lady Choi saw her nephew marched into the barrack, holding Eun Soo's hand like a lifeline, a few Woodalchi followed as the other helped bringing Shadow back into the stable. When she turned at Jung, she looked troubled. "He will, my lady." She said after a pause. "He will be joining us soon, I assure you."
By that time, her maid finally caught up. Though she wouldn't stop apologizing, Jung was glad that the girl didn't see what she- herself had witnessed. She felt humiliated to the point of dying.
She followed the court lady back to the pavilion, her mind picking up one thought from so many; she would wait. She deserved explanations and she would not leave without knowing which path she was on. The minister sounded very convincing when he personally talked to her parents about the betrothal and he didn't seem to be offering empty promises. She would like to hear from the General himself.
xXx
"Now?" Eun soo's eyes widened to find the Royal guard stepping in front of her and Choi young, saying that their presence were required by the Queen. She looked at the General with utter confusion. "Why would the Queen needs me there? I mean, I ..."
Choi young stepped in front of her. "The Doctor is needed at the Royal clinic. Can't this wait?"
Eun soo stared at his back, her mouth agape. Only a second ago he told her she should stay in her room and rest, clearly against her plea to visit the Royal clinic.
"Forgive me, General. The Queen demands for the doctor to come with us."
After he had left the pavilion without much of an excuse, Choi Young almost wished he didn't have to go back there. He looked at Eun Soo and met her questioning eyes, he didn't want her to go. She had been through enough and he wished he could settle the matter with lady Jung without having to involve Eun Soo in it.
But she was already in it since day one. He had put her in harms way since he carried her on his shoulder through the gate of heaven and into this land. She glanced at him while smoothening her hair with her fingers, getting ready to see the Queen. Her eyes were telling him 'it's a Royal order!' He sighed, smiling inwardly. Even after all the troubles, she was willing to go.
The guard bowed at her as she stepped forward, letting go of Choi young's hand. "Let's go." She said before adding; "I'd like to finish this quickly so I can go to the clinic afterward. The others are waiting for me as well."
Choi young took one long stride to get next to her as she eagerly marched behind the guard. "If this meeting with the Queen shall take awhile, I want you to go back to your room once it's done. You need some rest, you've been working too hard these few days and what happened back at the woods, I-"
"General," she stopped abruptly, causing him to back away before he bumped onto her small frame. "I-am going to the clinic today. End of story." She said with such persintence that Choi young found himself incapable of arguing. He sighed in defeat, yet smiled inwardly as he resumed walking beside her.
The Queen greeted them when they arrived, signaling Eun Soo to sit next to her. Accross from the Queen sat a beautiful young girl, a little younger than Choi Young, Eun soo noticed. She knew then, that this- was the Royal guest he meant to entertain. Eun soo took a quick glance at Choi young and met his gaze as he sat on the only vacant chair, next to the girl.
"Please forgive the delay, your highness. There was an urgent matter I had to settle." Said Choi young.
"I understand," the Queen simply said, "I'm glad the Doctor can come back safely," her eyes went to Eun soo. "The guards were making a fuss about your incident with the warhorse. The way they talked, I almost thought you wouldn't come back in one piece."
It took a moment for Jung to catch the humor. There was a sparkle of joy in the Queen's eyes as the Heavenly Doctor laughed at the story, much too casual for her dismay. When she realized that Jung was staring, the Doctor turned to face her with the most sincere smile that caused Jung to swallow hard.
"I believe an introduction is necessary," the Queen gestured at Eun Soo, and then at Jung, "This is our heavenly doctor, we'd like to keep her return to this palace a secret, at least for now, if you don't mind. And Doctor, this is Lady Jung, our Royal guest. I'm sure you've heard of her visit."
"Yes," said Eun soo, the smile never leaving her face. "And she's very beautiful. Your parents must be really proud of you."
Jung managed a smile. She was sure that the woman in front of her had heard that the General was to marry her, yet she showed no grudge. But that couldn't be true. Jung had never seen anyone could lie so perfectly that it looked so real.
"I'm so honored to meet the doctor," she said after a pause, "I've heard stories, and you certainly more beautiful in person." Jung was glad for all the lessons she had, that she could maintain her composure. Though it pained her to know the truth of her own words.
The palace maids poured them some tea, and the Queen offered the refreshments. The Doctor saw something that she liked, and Jung watched as she ate. She was graceful in a way, her eyes sparkled as she spoke to the Queen, and Jung found herself staring at Eun Soo's hair. She quickly looked away when Choi young poured her another drink out of politeness. She thanked him, tasting the tea that somehow had turned bitter in her mouth.
She started to see why the Queen wanted the doctor to be there. Choi Young might be talking to her, but Jung caught him staring at the doctor whenever she laughed or commented at each cake she tasted. She thought the torture would never end when suddenly Eun soo stood up and excuse herself.
She bowed her head to the Queen and said, "The cakes were amazing your highness, I couldn't get enough of them," the Queen smiled. Jung never met anyone who used the word 'amazing' to describe a cake. The doctor added, "but I'm afraid I have to leave now. There's a patient waiting for me at the Royal clinic."
"You have my permission to leave, doctor. I'll have someone escort you to the clinic."
Eun soo was about to refuse the offer, but she thought better of it and nodded gratefully. She turned at Jung with her hand outstretched. It was painful to see that smile and Jung had no idea what to do with that hand of hers, so she smiled back instead.
"It's good to see you, and I'm terribly sorry I can't be here for long. But you have good company, so- make yourself at home." Said the doctor, taking her hand and clasped it with her own. Jung felt the warmth on her skin and for some reason, she couldn't move. She spoke with such sincerity that Jung was at lost of words.
"Thank you, doctor. It's very kind of you." She managed. She wished she could say that she looked forward to see her soon, but she swallowed the words instead. It was too hard to say at the moment.
When Eun soo pulled her hands away, Jung realized how cold her own hand was. She glanced at the General who stood at his full height, towering her. He was staring at the doctor's back and as if on cue, she turned her head to look at him. She smiled like a flower in full blossom, and Jung saw Choi Young's lips twitched upward a little.
How was she going to go on, now? She came with a heart full of hopes and the world crushed them into pieces. The way the General looked at that woman spoke volumes. Nothing could ever come between them. She couldn't bear being there any longer, so when the Queen proposed a lunch at the dining hall with the King, she declined with courtesy.
"Ah, but I thought you could stay until lunch. The minister will be joining us as well." The Queen stood immediately at her request to leave early. Choi Young was already on his feet, she could hear the soft rustle of his armor against the scabbard of his sword behind her.
"I'd love to stay a little longer, your highness," Jung smiled a sweet smile, "but my mother isn't feeling well and I promised her to come home soon. Please forgive my rudeness." She lied.
The Queen smiled warmly at her. "It is I who should apology, my dear. How can I keep a daughter away from her sick mother? Take a few palace maids with you, I have some things for your mother as well. If you'd like to, I can have the Royal doctor to tend to your mother."
"No. I mean ... that's very thoughtful of you, your highness, but my mother should be fine with a good rest."
"And having her daughter back with her, of course. " The Queen added.
Jung felt a cold rushed down her back. "Of course."
The Queen gestured with her hand and three palace maids came forward, all carrying a wooden chest wrapped in silk cloth. "They will send you back home, and of course The General shall see you to the front gate. Tell your mother that she is also welcome to the palace, you can take her with you to visit me when she feels better."
"Thank you, your highness. We're very honored for the invitation. I'll see to it that my mother learns your kindness." She bowed one last time before turning the other way. Choi Young was one step behind, keeping a distance not too far to be considered rude. But Jung wasn't in the mood to consider his courtesy.
Halfway across the garden when she was sure they were out of hearing range, she slowed her pace so that he walked next to her and asked a question he didn't expect to hear; "You've been wanting to tell me something. Right, General?"
When he didn't answer, she added, "That the betrothal was a mistake and you wish to end it," she swallowed. He was so close, but she dared not look into his eyes for she feared her tears would flow. "Your heart belongs to someone else. The doctor. Am I right?"
It surprised her how quick he picked an answer, "Yes." He said, voice deep and unwavered. "And I can't offer you anything but the truth."
Jung chewed on her bottom lip as she stopped on her tracks to look up at him. The maids kept their distance a few feet away and bowed so low no one could see their face. "Do you remember the first time we met? We were young then. You threw a wooden sword at me and I fell onto a puddle of mud."
"I didn't ..." Choi Young was confused for a moment, she watched as he tried to remember.
"Ah, your father came to see mine and you- you were there too." He smiled. It would have had warmed her heart had she forgotten that his- was belonged to someone else. But one would never forget a redhead beauty coming from heaven. So she swallowed the bitterness quietly and listened as Choi Young continued.
"It was my first day holding that sword, I lost it from my grip. I swear I didn't mean to hurt you."
"I knew." She admitted. "But it felt good when I pushed you down myself." He smiled another smile, almost laughing at the memory.
Jung sniffled a sob. "It was the first time I heard your laughter. And I- I like you since then." Choi Young was taken aback by the confession. "I still do."
It was just once. One short meeting that was never been followed with another. How could she felt anything for him at all? But again, had he not feel anything the first time he saw Eun Soo? That little boy Jung had seen laughing had long gone, replaced by a cold- killing machine and it would stayed that way if Eun soo didn't come into his life. Choi Young was pondering at what he should say, but he could not find a word that would not cause the girl any pain.
"Please don't say sorry," Jung resumed walking, and he followed, his steps suddenly felt heavier. "I don't need your apology. I just need ... time."
Choi Young thought it's best to keep his mouth shut, so he let her continue, her voice was breaking. "I will talk to my father to cancel the betrothal. Until then, will you allow me to come to the palace for a visit? Perhaps knowing that you've found the right person would help me forget."
"I have not the authority to bring anyone into the palace, but the Queen had personally invited you, so you shall not worry about permission at all. You will be welcomed here as our Royal guest, and we're honored to do so, milady." He gave her a deep parted once she stepped into her carriage, the maids followed.
Choi Young watched the gate closed behind them, leaving him with a weight that pressed onto his chest as if he wore another layer of armor. He shrugged, annoyed at the guilt now nagging somewhere in his heart.
xXx
Eun Soo closed the door behind her, almost slamming the heavy frame as she leaned on it, catching her breath. Deo gi rushed toward her, a concern look on her face as her fingers worked the sign language, asking her what was going on. Eun soo pressed a hand on her own chest, trying to calm her own heartbeat. When Deo gi wouldn't stop asking, Eun soo said the only three words that came to her mind;
"She is beautiful."
The girl frowned. With an eyebrow rose over a big brown eye, she pointed one finger at Eun soo, saying silent words; 'You are beautiful.'
Eun soo shook her head, pushing away from the door."No, I mean ... the girl is really beautiful."
Deo gi made a face. 'Who?'
"Nevermind, we're late." She pulled Deo gi to sit in front of her, checking her pulse. "Did you prepare everything I asked you to?" she asked, moving to press two fingers onto the girl's neck. Deo gi nodded as she swallowed nervously, her hands started to sweat. With a wave of her hand, Eun soo sent two remaining assistants to help with the tools the girl had prepared the night before.
Eun soo took Deo gi to the empty surgery room where her tools laid await. The Royal doctor had wished to see the treatment, but Eun soo didn't see him there and she couldn't wait for any disturbance knocking at the door to pull her away from her work, so she decided to start without him.
A line of acupuncture needles were laying next to the sick bed, next to it was a thick old book none other than Dr. Jang Bin's record she had discovered when she went through the medical archives. She had shown the book to Deo Gi and the girl sat for hours reading the same few pages over and over, where Dr. Jang bin had mentioned about her deaf and muteness. Eun soo herself had spent the whole night deciphering the notes, admiring the penmanship of the long lost friend. Eun soo had examined Deo gi, and it turned out that the damage on her eardrums were not fatal, therefore, she should be able to hear. And if she could hear, she may be able to speak soon after.
High fever in infant if wasn't treated properly could cause serious damage in some of the organs. In Deo gi's case, it damaged her hearing, causing a deafness. And with the deafness, she became mute. Dr. Jang bin wrote that he wasn't sure acupuncture would help. But he didn't get to know the teaching of Mao Tse Tung like Eun soo had. She had only learned the big picture during her study and never really into acupuncture until she met dr. Jang Bin. The friendship was short-lived, but Eun soo carried his teaching to grasp more while she was stranded a hundred years back.
The fragrance of herbs in the room carried a shooting sensation, the soft flowing white smoke reminded Eun soo of the former Royal doctor. She prayed that dr. Jang Bin was there guiding her, and worked on the first needle. Deo gi breathed evenly as she was told. Came the second needle, and Eun soo finally stopped after the thirtieth count. She placed a scoop of hot rice into a roll of lotus leaf and blew the hot steam slowly into Deo gi's left ear.
She repeated the process twice until the two assistants understood what they needed to do, and started working on both ears while Eun soo carried on her works with the herbs.
The Royal doctor came after what Eun soo thought was an hour, but he wasn't alone. Behind him, two guards were carrying a stretcher. On top of it laid a man she had never thought would see in Goryeo.
His skin was pale white, hair the color of gold, and soft freckles were visible under his jaw and on his neck. Eun Soo stared at the man on the stretcher, her mouth agape.
He was no doubt- a caucasian.
xXx "
His ribs are broken, and the cut on his left leg needs more than just a bandage," The Royal doctor rushed the two soldiers inside. "You need to do the surgery."
"But- you know I have a patient. Where is this guy coming from? Couldn't you treat him there? Or if you need me you can send for me and I'll go-"
A voice too familiar boomed right outside the door. "This man is to be treated right here, right now. And it's a Royal order." Minister Seo came into the room, his robe an inch too long that he almost stepped on it himself.
Eun soo was surprised by the sudden intrusion that she stammered, "A royal order? What? How? I didn't-"
"I'm sorry that we come without notice, doctor. But this man holds information on a threat against our nation and the King has ordered for him to be treated here immediately." The minister said in a tone not too friendly.
The Royal doctor leaned to whisper to Eun soo. "I'll explain later, we need to prepare the other sickbed in the surgery room and send this old man away for now. I can't have him watching my back any longer than he has."
"Is there any problem, doctor?" asked the minister, eyeing him suspiciously.
The Royal doctor shook his head. "No, my lord. Let us prepare everything so you can be on your way to the King."
They rushed inside the surgery room. The first thing Eun soo did was to place a hand on Deo gi's forehead as she tried to wake when she opened her eys and saw people rushing in. "Stay still, you're not going anywhere, dear." She said shootingly.
Eun soo was thankful for a guard that called for the minister, carrying the King's order that they were left free to do the works. The two guards excused themselves after they helped laid the man onto the sickbed and Eun soo was aware that the man had trouble breathing.
The Royal doctor gestured for his assistant to lock the door and he turned to Eun soo who took a careful look at the man's pupils before she moved for his pulse. "I was sent to fetch this man from downtown, he was with the General's friends, the hawkers." Eun soo looked up at him, at the mention of hawkers downtown, she was sure that he meant the she didn't know what linked them with this man laying before her.
"I heard he was a victim of Woku, the Japanese pirates," the doctor went on, "And if there's really any woku around, the whole nation needs to be warned, especially those merchants and fishermans. The sea is a terrible place with the Woku in our shores."
Eun soo paused for a moment. She read the history. She didn't need a confirmation from the man that those pirates were there because she knew they were. It was written in the books she happened to read. She sighed. "One of the ribs fractured his lung, that's why he has trouble breathing."
She rolled up her sleeves. "You're right, he needs a surgery, now."
xXx
It was hard to wait for the day to end. Jung had been pacing in her room, waiting for the minister to come as he had promised. When her mother opened the door, she knew the old man had come and she rushed furiously to see him.
"Milady," he bowed, almost the same time as she did and they both sat accross each other. The minister looked tired, but Jung was just as tired.
"Why didn't you tell me about the doctor? You should have. Was it your plan to humiliate me?"
"Jung!" her mother shouted from accross the hall and went next to her. "where is your manner?"
Sighing, the minister waved a hand dismissivedly at the old woman. "I didn't tell you because I don't think it will be a problem at all."
Jung almost slammed her hand onto the table, but she curled her hands on her lap instead. "Of course it is a problem. We all heard the stories about the General and the lady from heaven. He wouldn't look at other woman if she's around!"
The minister smiled a cold smile. "If she's around," he repeated. Jung frowned at him, her breathing slowed. "With her position now restored, she will be very busy, wouldn't she? And Choi Young was a confused young man, transfixed by something otherwordly, something all of us rarely see. All men are."
Jung sat back on her chair, her breathing was becoming even as she listened. "Don't forget that the King has yet to have an heir. The court has agreed for the King to take the heaven doctor as his woman, thus- if she shall bear a son, it would be a future King blessed with Heaven's blood. The whole nation will make it come true, why wouldn't they?"
"I can't do this. I don't want to get hurt more than I already have. The doctor also chose the General, not the King." Jung said in a low voice. "The thread goes both ways, minister."
"Then it's up to you to cut that line." The minister said with a finality. "The way I see it, you are a very lovely young woman and you can win any man's heart. Love grows of affection and affection comes with familiarity. Choi Young has yet to know you, how can you be sure he won't like you? As far as I know, the heavenly doctor saved his life. Wouldn't that give him a sense of gratitude? Wouldn't he feel that he owes her what he owes her? If you're thankful enough to someone, it can make you think you like that person. Isn't that logical? All you need to do is to show how much you care for him, and his heart will sway for you."
Minister Seo rose from his seat, knowing he had struck a point. "I'll leave you to it, my dear. Now, if you excuse me, this old man needs some rest." And with that, he was off.
The air was cold outside, and he tightened his robe around his neck. His carriage was not the only one waiting for him, he knew this. A man appeared of the shadow and went next to him. "How was it? You should know that my master doesn't accept failure."
"The girl needs a little convincing, but the plan will work. I assure you." Said the minister. "How would I know your master will hold his end of the bargain?"
The man laughed, he sounded like a cat being choked. "You don't. But you know what happens if you don't keep yours, right?"
And fast as he came into view, the man was gone. Minister Seo could only hope that all his efforts will bring good result. It had to.
xxXxx
Ends of chapter 14
See you soon, I hope. R&R guys. Love ya!