When Hak and Yona returned they brought the news that Tao's sister, Princess Kouren, was here in the border town preparing it for defence, placing soldiers along the border ready to march. Tao explained to us the root of Kouren's determination to launch the first strike on Kouka, her hatred dating back to the years of Yona's uncle, Yu-Hon, Soo-Won's father.
I'd only heard the stories. He was a great general but also a bloodthirsty one. He was known for being unmerciful to prisoners and enemies, no matter whether they were armed or not didn't matter to him, or even the fact that they surrendered. It had made me wonder how such a brutal man had had a son as gentle and soft as Soo-Won. Now I see they aren't so dissimilar after all.
"Looks like it's gotten pretty dark out." Thump. My heart gave my ribcage a loud thwack at the sound of Jae-Ha's voice. Get a grip already!
"I'm hungry!" Zeno cheered, waving his arms in the air as Jae-Ha pulled up his hood.
"We'll go check out the status of things outside as we procure food ingredients." He announced, Zeno jumping up to join him and dragged Shin-Ah to go too, Jae-Ha electing Kija to join the group as a means of precaution. Personally I didn't think it a good idea for all four dragons to go out into the streets together, however I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to voice my concerns to Jae-Ha. I still hadn't apologised to him over the nadai wine, that must be why I'm so jumpy around him.
I had found a book to amuse myself with so I fell into a quiet study, taking very little note of my surroundings until later, I heard Yoon voicing his concerns over how long the others were taking to get back. I lifted my head, realising that the candles had burned down pretty low. He was right, where were they?
"I'll go bring them back." Yoon announced, heading towards the exit and I rose to follow but Hak shook his head.
"Too many people will attract attention, let the kid find them. He'll be fine." He said so I slowly sat back down again.
"Okay." That made Hak frown, shooting me a look.
"How come you're suddenly all complacent? You're not going to argue with me?" He demanded but I just ignored him, returning to my book. "Now you're ignoring me?! Why're you so hot and cold all of a sudden? What's wrong with you?!" He practically yelled, however when I continued to blank him he gripped his hair then waved his arms, trying to get my attention every humanely way possible until Yona calmed him down.
"Ryo's just having a minor crisis at the moment, it's nothing to worry about." She said smilingly, making Hak tusk before he flopped back down into his seat, stubbornly folding his arms. It was another while longer before finally, I snapped my book shut.
"Now Yoon is taking too long. Something is wrong." I announced seriously, reaching out to grasp Mundok's spear just as one of Tao's men came back, gasping for breath.
"Princess Tao! Right now…Master Mizari and Master Yotaka are fighting with the four dragons!" He reported and my hand instantly let go of the spear, staring in horror at the messenger as he continued to pant for breath. "The four dragons have taken serious injuries!"
"What?! To think they would lose…" Vold began but the messenger quickly explained.
"Well, no matter how much they were attacked, they refused to counter attack for some reason." I smacked a hand to my face, cursing darkly under my breath. Of course, they couldn't have fought back otherwise it would have been seen as aggressive. Hak realised it too.
"If they fought in front of the populace, they'll end up starting a war. That's probably what droopy-eyes realised."
"What about Yoon? Was Yoon there too?" Yona questioned quickly, turning to the messenger who nodded.
"Yes, he tried to stop the fight." Stupid boy. I'm going to throttle him for being so reckless when I get my hands on him.
"Is he hurt? Did they hurt him?" I demanded to know, stepping forwards and throwing out my hand.
"No, Master Yotaka decided to end the fight there. Everyone was taken away to the mansion where her highness, Princess Kouren, is currently staying." He further reported. At least Yoon wasn't hurt. If they'd so much as touched him I would have disregarded all sense of nationality. I would rip this country apart rock by rock in vengeance.
"Damn it! I'll go save them." Algira cursed but Tao's calm voice stopped everyone from moving.
"Wait. I will go." She decided firmly.
"Princess Tao!" Vold tried to argue but she lifted her head proudly and squared her shoulders.
"I will go and ask Kouren to spare them."
"Please wait! I will call for reinforcements from the anti-war forces at Kyuu Castle!" His attempts at persuasion fell on deaf ears as the princess drew herself up further, looking freshly determined.
"There is no time! I have no idea what sister will do to those they call the monsters of Kouka. This is all my fault." She announced before turning and bowing to Yona. "Miss Yona, even should it cost me my life, I will return the four dragons to Kouka Kingdom." She vowed and instantly I felt a deep wave of respect rise forth from within for this small, young looking princess who was actually my own age. "You two must escape from Xing Kingdom without a moment's delay."
Yona was silent for a moment but I knew that these terms were unacceptable for her. She would not leave this country without or friends, or at least without a plan to save them. I grit my teeth then relaxed, allowing Yona to take control. She made a single request of Tao, who blinked in surprise but nodded, accepting it. To meet with Princess Kouren.
We marched straight up to the mansion and Tao held no fear in her eyes as Vold and Algira kicked down the doors, knocking out the guards also as they went. "Oi! Old man Neguro!" Algira yelled to the man inside. He must be another one of the Five Stars that Tao mentioned, the five greatest warriors in all of Xing.
"It's been a while." Vold greeted coldly as the two stood either side of Tao. From where I stood back with Hak and Yona I couldn't hear the more hushed tones of the conversation, but I understood the general gist of things. Tao was not in any position to barter, let alone plead for the release of our friends. When Kouren started to shout, however, Yona chose that moment to step forwards, utterly fearless.
"Princess Kouren." She announced, standing a little in front of Tao as a partial shield.
"You. The one with the bow." Kouren recognised. Now that I could see her clearly, I saw the resemblance between her and her sister Tao. Both were fair haired and their faces had vague links to the other, but in all other aspects they were completely different. Their heights, builds and even their demeanours were completely opposite to one another. All the same, Kouren was a beautiful woman.
"I came here from Kouka Kingdom." Yona began to explain, keeping calm despite facing a rather unpredictable princess. "My companions who you have captured did not perform even a single act of violence back in the town, and they really do not have any connection to Soo-Won." As she spoke, her eyes hardened and she pulled back her hood. "But I am one who does have such a connection."
"Oh? Who are you?" Kouren asked slightly sceptically, however Yona was unfazed.
"I am the previous King Il's daughter, First Princess of Kouka Kingdom, Yona." There were several gasps in the room, only Hak and I remaining silent as everyone stared at Yona.
"Miss Yona…you…"
"I'm sorry for not telling you, Princess Tao." Yona apologised softly to our new friend who blinked in surprise but was not given time to answer as Kouren folded her arms, looking coldly down on my princess. How I wish I could cut off that pretty little smile of hers.
"Then you really have come here by Soo-Won's command?" She questioned but Yona glowered further, voice remaining soft but firm.
"My father was murdered by Soo-Won and I, along with Hak and Ryo, were chased out of the castle. Since then we have lived wandering the country. The ones who saved us on harsh, unforgiving days are those companions you hold here. I will make one thing clear. I absolutely do not act upon Soo-Won's orders." Taking a deep breath Yona began to implore with the opposing princess. "Please, give me back Yoon and the four dragons. They are above all else, my precious family!"
Kouren stood in silence, thinking over Yona's words and looking her over very carefully. "I have one question for you." She stated. "Do you hate Soo-Won?"
"…If I told you I hate him, what would you do?"
"I shall allow you to come with me. I will release your companions. Join us and take your revenge upon the Soo-Won you hate, as well as those in Kouka Kingdom who support him." I lifted my head, scowling fiercely at the princess though she paid no attention to us mere presumed servants. She needs a slap. A really hard one. And maybe my spear down her throat. How could she talk in such a way? She was gambling with people's lives here, it's not as simple as wanting to take revenge.
"I refuse." Yona answered wisely.
"Why, are you afraid of him?" Kouren questioned before finally looking over to us. "You two, followers, what about you? Don't you want to take revenge on the king?" She tried to entice us, smirking slightly however her smile quickly fell off her face as she saw our stormy expressions.
"Right now, nothing is more important to me than saving those guys. Nothing at all." Hak said with utter sincerity, making me feel a private leap of pride within. Kouren shot him a filthy glare before looking at me though I kept my head bowed and hidden.
"You. What do you say about this? Surely you had a peaceful home back in your capital? Don't you loathe Soo-Won for taking that all away from you? Your happiness?" She was clever with her words, but I only smirked.
"It's true that I had a peaceful home back in Hiryuu Castle, I wanted for nothing." I lamented. "I was well fed, well clothed, I always had a wonderfully luxurious bed to sleep in, but it's also true that Soo-Won took that away from me." My eyes opened, fixing onto the princess's with an angry glare under the shade of my hood. "But that matters less to me than the dirt on my shoe. Give us back our dear friends, they mean a thousand times more than comfy beds and luxurious meals. Revenge on Soo-Won? Please, right now it is you who I see as the enemy." My words made her flinch, making me suspect that Kouren wasn't used to people speaking back to her, especially not so called servants.
"We cannot aid you in war." Yona agreed, remaining much calmer than I had been able to. "Because my people and your people should never have to fall back into despair."
"Then what would you suggest?" Kouren demanded. "Soo-Won will undoubtedly attack this kingdom. Are you like Tao, telling me to raise the white flag? You expect us to do so, after our experience with defeat seventeen years ago, where Yu-Hon treated our people like slaves?!" I could hear the rage under her quiet tone, it was almost blood chilling.
"Please, give me some time. I will meet with Soo-Won and negotiate with him and see if this can be avoided." Her suggestion caught me off guard however I did not let it show, merely flicking my eyes over to her before fixing them forward again.
"This man killed your father and stole your castle. Having nothing, do you think you can really speak to him as his equal?" Kouren looked down upon Yona, levelling her gaze however when Yona did not back down, the princess relented. "Very well, until you return I will continue preparing for battle, but will hold off the war. In the meantime, your companions are hostages. If you betray us, or Soo-Won attacks us first for any reason, the hostages will be killed. The undying man will be tortured." My heart leaped to my throat at the thought of any of that happening. Please god no, don't let her do such things to our family.
"Princess Yona…" Tao was struggling not to cry so Yona turned a comforting look to her, holding her hands.
"Princess Tao, I'll be back soon."
"I promise to protect the four dragons and mister Yoon!" Tao sniffled, holding onto Yona's hands tightly before letting go, spinning around quickly. "Algira, Vold!" They chorused their attention but were surprised when Tao flung her arms around their necks, pulling them down to her as she embraced them both. "You two must protect Princess Yona. I will be alright. That woman is the light of hope that ties us all together. She mustn't die."
"…understood." Algira accepted quietly, relaxing against her.
"We will definitely return." Vold vowed, momentarily placing his arm around the princess to complete the embrace.
"Let's play with the kittens when we get back." Algira suggested, making Tao smile and nod her head. So when we left, Algira and Vold came with us, but before we left I stopped, looking at Tao then turned, giving the deepest, most respectful bow I could offer her before leaving with my own princess. I did not want to leave her alone, nor the others behind, but it was necessary.
We'll be back for them. I'd promised Zeno after all.
Ryo will always come back.
