Chapter 3: Discovery

King Joo-nam wasn't known to be a kind king, in fact he had sent his eldest son on a campaign against Xing only a few months prior; he had come back victorious. The enemy had practically begged for their lives in the end. Before his granddaughter or grandson had been born, he had sent the then earth General Lee Fa-zul to take care of Kai rebels at the Earth/Kai boarders. The rebels had been destroyed mercilessly, but the earth General had been killed in battle leaving his only son as the next earth heir. Lee Guen-tae was an eager soul and easily fell into his role as the earth General and Defender of Kouka. Any battle he was sent into he came back victorious. The fire tribe General Kan Soo-jin was an old friend and had been his best ally, but even King Joo-nam could see a darkness gathering in his old friend. The water tribe General An Joon-gi was new to his role as leader of the water tribe, but he had a level head on his shoulders and did not stir up trouble; he also did nothing to stop it. Wind General Mundok had been with him since the beginning of his reign nearly thirty years ago. He, unlike Joo-nam, did not like war and exhausted every option before bringing his tribe into a fight.

Why was the Koukain King thinking of these things one would ask, because he was currently starring at a scroll given to him by a messenger from Fuuga. This scroll had a special seal upon it, the personal seal of General Son Mundok. It meant that this scroll was not of official business, but it was meant only for his eyes.

Lifting his eyes he saw the councilors and tribe elders looking at him with curious eyes. His two sons sat at either side of him off of the platform where he sat upon the throne. "Everyone leave." he practically growled out. Immidiately the council and their dogs stood and left. The elders stood with help from their assistance. His sons too left, knowing it was best to listen to their father. Once he was left alone in the throne room, Joo-nam opened the scroll.

The ancient stories are true. The foundation myth has merit and I have the proof you have always wanted. A child with the claw of the Hakuryuu was found by myself. He was injured in an unknown accident. He is resting and healing well. I know Prince Yu-hon will want the death of this child, but if you allow such a campaign, the earth and wind will fight to protect the child. You know, as I do, that once he is seen publicly that the true identity of Princess Yona will be known. As your friend and the protector of the wind tribe, I Son Mundok, ask for instructions on what his majesty wishes for me to do.

Standing from the cushioned seat of his throne, Joo-nam walked over to hearth that stood dominant in the side wall of the throne room and threw the parchment into the flames of the giant firepit. I see my old friend. You were right to be cautious. he thought as he watched the paper burn. My son will start a campaign if this is known. Just like he did with the priests after Yona's anointing. Closing his eyes he stood in front of the fire in deep thought. If one boy exists, then so do the others. His eyes opened as he walked over to the table with paper and scratched out a message. Placing both the royal and his personal seals upon them, he turned towards the doors to the throne room to find the messenger to send his answer to Son Mundok.

Light blue eyes opened. Grimacing in pain, Kija tried not to move much. To his right was an open window, through a cloth curtain was pulled to make the room somewhat dim. Opening his mouth and closing it before smacking his lips together made Kija realize how dry his mouth was and how thirsty he was. The doors in front of his bed slid open as a dark hair boy slipped inside with two cups of liquid in his hand. The two boys stared at each other for a moment before the younger of the two walked over to the elder and handed him a cup filled with water.

"Thank...you." Kija croaked before taking the cup and guzzling down the liquid. It tasted like heaven to his dry throat. Pulling the now empty cup away from his lips, Kija looked the other boy over. I can't be a prisoner. he thought as he noticed that he had no chain on his arms or legs. "Where..." he began but had to clear his throat. The boy waited patiently as he sat next to Kija. "Where am I?" he asked him.

"Fuuga." the boy answered. "What's your name?"

"People of my village call me Lord Hakuryuu," he answered before smiling. "but my parents call me Kija."

"What about your friends?" the boy asked with a frown.

"I don't have any." Kija told the boy. It was true that the children of the village played with him or gave him entertainment, but he wouldn't call any of them friends; not really.

"I'm Hak." the boy told him as he pulled out a loaf of bread from the inside of his blue kasode top before breaking it in half with his hands and teeth. "Hungry?" he asked as he handed Kija the lager piece.

Kija's stomach rumbled angrily. "Yes and thank-you." he said as he took the bread and began to eat it.

Hak smiled as he watched the other boy eat hungrily. Finding the freshly made bread had been a find that he hadn't been expecting. There had been several loafs, so it wasn't like one would be missed really. Besides this was his home too, or so the old man kept telling him. The boy in front of him may have looked a bit strange with his white hair and dragon claw, but he wasn't going to be quick to judge the boy. Sooner or later they would find out where he'd come from and how he'd gotten to Fuuga, but for now, Hak was content to just share breakfast with the other boy.

M-Angel: I haven't updated this story for a whole month and thought that it deserved a small update since I'm almost finished with Time Changes and Aquamarine Stone. Hope everyone enjoyed this small update.