Chapter 30: The Plan
Captain Gi-gan look up at the rushing duo as Jae-ha walked slowly behind Yona and Zeno. "So, what did you learn whilst in town?"
Jae-ha smirked. "I think they're likely heading out the night after tomorrow, Captain."
She took a long drawn out inhale from her pipe before speaking. "Why? What's your reasoning?"
"There's a shop where they are collecting people to sell. They claim to be offering to pay women for their services." He paused before hardening his voice. "But it's actually a place to stash the beautiful women they think they can turn a nice profit on." Zeno's eyes widened. He could only imagine the horrors these young women were going through. "I had someone talk to one of the shopkeepers." Jae-ha continued. "The shopkeeper stated they'd be interviewing young girls until noon the day after tomorrow."
Gig-ga looked passed everyone towards the harbor. "It's possible Kum-ji might move after three days. He's a greedy one, however and once he has enough merchandise he'll head out as soon as possible. He'll set sail at night once the sun is down." She sighed. "We won't be able to tell which ship is holding the women."
Yona then interrupted. "What about if we fired a flare from the ship that's holding the women. Shinah could see it the best and get to the ship the fastest."
Gi-gan smirked. This girl. She plans on being there. "Yes. We could; however who is going to fire it?"
"I would." Yona's voice hardened with determination. Her words caused her friends to look at her sharply. "I'll infiltrate their ship and fire a flare from that ship."
"No!"
"You can't!"
"Absolutely not!"
"Yona.."
"I oppose it too!" Yun's voice was the loudest amongst her friends protests.
Yona was a bit shocked by Yun's protest. She expected the others to but hadn't thought about him. Yun suddenly stomped up to her, pushing his sleeves up before waggling a finger at her as he began yelling his protest the loudest. "You'll have to set off a flare. In order to do so you'll sneak aboard a ship with armed mercenaries. You'll have to do this while being held their prisoner. Then you'll have to sneak to the top deck to set off the flare. If they find you, they'll kill your! If the see you, they'll kill you! If they hear your stomping feet, they'll kill you! It's impossible!" He crossed his arms over his chest. "Not only that. You'd need an explosive that's small enough to be snuck onboard and it needs to be strong enough to get our Allie's attention! You can't even build a fire big enough to get a smoke signal and you want to do this!?" He pointed a finger into her face. "I forbid it." He stated firmly.
Zeno blinked in shock at the ferocity in Yun's voice. The others had their protests forgotten by Yun's display. "He's quite frightening." Jae-ha whispered gaining nods from the rest of the group.
"Then you'll be going with her." Gi-gan interjected.
"Of course!" Yun yelled before freezing up. "Wait what-"
Gi-gan smirked at him.
"WAIT!" Yun waved his hands in front of himself in protest.
"As you stated. There will be explosives. Who else could possibly do the right mixture except for someone with a mind for details." Jae-ha stated as he knew the boy was a bit prideful of being some sort of genius.
"We'll, if you put it that way." Yun knew exactly what Jae-ha was doing but took the bait anyway. "I don't have much choice if we're using explosives."
"Yun."
Yun looked at Yona. "Relax Yona. I'm not about to sign up for a lost cause."
This girl and her friends are leaving me speechless. Gi-gan thought as she knocked her pipe on the ledge of the ship. The spent tobacco falling into the water below. She grew up shielded from this world and it's horrors but sometimes- Gi-gan looked at Yona from behind and saw an image overlapping her. -she thinks, acts and has the look of a seasoned warrior. Just who are you Yona? Gi-gan smirked before letting her mind drift off in thoughts of days gone past.
That night as Yona was walking passed the caves towards the encampment she felt a hand grasp her and press her back against the cave wall. In the shadow of the moon Yona saw Hak's face. "How can I persuade you not to do this?"
"Hak.." Yona sighed.
"Do you know how dangerous this is? How dangerous Kum-ji is?" Hak was barely controlling himself. He shook with terror. "Princess, why must you be so reckless? Sometimes I just want to tie you up and hide you away." He laid his head on her shoulder and pressed both arms onto the cave wall on either side of her head.
"Hak, get off of me!"
"No." He whispered, still shaking.
He's scared? She realized. "I used to think Kouka was a peaceful, prosperous nation. I thought everything was the way my father said it was. That nobody fought, and the people were happy. The fire tribe and this port and seeing everything I have seen. I now know this was like this way before he died. I don't know if my father was wrong, but I'm also partly responsible for the situation in these lands." She pushed him off of her. His eyes wide as he took a step back. In her eyes he saw something, something that captivated him. A fire, a burning all consuming fire that left him breathless. "I have to fight! I have to fix this!" Yona walked away.
Hak found himself leaning against the cave wall. A grin creeping across his face. I desperately wanted to keep her from going, but now I'm trembling with sheer excitement. I never knew she could be like this. I want to know more. He lifted his head and looked at the moon as he grasped his tunic where she'd pushed him. I'm sorry your majesty, but I want to see her pull this off!
M-Angel: Hmm… 2 chapters in a day. Wow! That's got to be record! ^_^ Things are getting all heated up.