Disclaimer: I don't own Yona of the Dawn/Akatsuki no Yona.

Chapter 12

The winter camp burst into activity, mostly under the guidance of Hak and Mama Ro, to prepare for the raiders. Buildings were hastily boarded up while the women and children took shelter in the performance hall. The men grabbed up the few actual weapons they had, and the rest found clubs and staffs that could at least be used to beat off the enemy. Wagons were used to build barricades at the small entrance to the winter camp's hollow, which would make it easier to control how many raiders could get through at one time.

"They're not exactly a fighting force, but I guess they'll do," Jae-Ha said. He had jumped them to their current location, and now he was standing beside Shin-Ah as the blue dragon kept an eye on the approaching enemy. "We probably don't even need their help. I'm not sure fake sword-fighting is going to scare the raiders."

It was their home, though, and if they wanted to fight, Shin-Ah didn't think they should be discouraged.

He glanced back at the village and saw bright red hair standing out against the snow beside light seafoam green. Yona and Lien were talking to Hak, and a moment later they started climbing up a narrow path that led to a little ledge above the winter camp. Zeno followed along behind them while Yoon stayed on the ground, most likely to help out with any injuries.

When Yona slipped a little, Lien caught her by the hand and held her until Zeno bumped into her from behind. All three of them wound up on the ground, and he could tell they were laughing. Shin-Ah thought it was strange that people sometimes laughed before a battle. Nervous energy, he guessed.

Jae-Ha's hand landed on his head and gently turned him back in the opposite direction. "The raiders are that way."

Shin-Ah flicked his eyes toward Jae-Ha and then lifted his mask. Ao leaned forward, covering his face so Jae-Ha couldn't see, and Shin-Ah looked out into the distance. The raiders were creeping steadily forward, using the moonlight to guide them instead of lighting torches. They seemed to think they were still undiscovered, so they would be trying to use the element of surprise. That could work to the clan's advantage.

"They'll be at camp in thirty minutes," Shin-Ah said. He let his eyes pick out weapons among the band. "Mostly armed with swords, spears…Three bows. One mace."

"And doubtless a good number of hidden knives," Jae-Ha said. He tossed his green ponytail back behind his shoulder and looked at Shin-Ah, who had lowered his mask again. "Time to go back, you Blue Hairy Man."

Shin-Ah wondered if that was what they were going to call him from now on. It seemed like the constantly-shifting nickname that the Swift Song clan members had given him was going to become his permanent new name. He preferred Shin-Ah…But if that's what his friends wanted to call him, that would be all right.

"Cover your face," Jae-Ha said, reaching over to tug on Shin-Ah's scarf, "You don't want windburn." Jae-Ha looped his arm around Shin-Ah and leapt from the tree, soaring through the air. The freezing wind cut at them even through their cloaks and scarves, and Shin-Ah was glad that his mask covered at least part of his face. They landed and Jae-Ha hugged himself, shivering. "This place has ridiculously impractical weather…"

Jae-Ha was from the ocean. He didn't seem to be used to the cold weather that the camp endured. Shin-Ah took him by the arm and dragged him over to a pit fire that was burning in the shelter between two buildings. The green dragons made a few protesting noises then sighed once he was in front of the flames.

"Use your words, Shin-Ah," Jae-Ha said, lifting his hands to the flames, "I thought you were going to toss me in the bonfire. But thank you."

Shin-Ah nodded and leaned toward the fire, letting the heat soak into his cloak.

"You should be more careful with Shin-Ah, he's still recovering," Kija scolded as he appeared beside Jae-Ha.

"He's fine," Jae-Ha said, casting an amused look at the white dragon. "You know, you're still a good big brother, even if you did almost let him freeze to death."

Kija's claws flicked out, and he pointed a finger at Jae-Ha. "I didn't want him to go out in the first place."

"Calm down, calm down, Kija," Jae-Ha said, chuckling.

Shin-Ah stayed quiet, letting his face grow warm from the fire. Kija got into a lot of arguments with Jae-Ha and Hak, but they didn't have the same angry nature that they used to. Now, they seemed to argue because it was…fun? They all seemed to enjoy teasing each other.

"How long do we have?" Hak asked. He and Yoon were walking toward them, the younger boy's arms full of white cloths. The snow crunched beneath Hak's boots as he came to a stop beside Shin-Ah.

"Half an hour," Shin-Ah answered.

"That's not long!" Yoon said. He put the supplies he was carrying into a nearby box and frowned. "These people can't fight. They're just performers, they're going to get slaughtered."

"We won't let that happen," Hak said. He had his glaive resting over his shoulder and a confident smirk on his face. "Actually, I'm planning on them not even getting a chance to fight."

"Speaking of that brilliant plan, we need to get into position," Jae-Ha said.

"Do you think Yona's going to be okay?" Yoon said. He looked back at the ledge where she, Lien, and Zeno had gone, but they weren't visible anymore.

Or at least they weren't to the others.

Shin-Ah focused, letting his dragon's sight come into play. He saw the three crouched down among the rocks, each of them now wearing a makeshift white cloak that allowed them to blend in against the snow and ice. Yona was in-between Zeno and Lien, and she was holding her bow, ready for the approaching raiders. She was talking, though he couldn't read what she was saying since her hood kept around. Lien's light green hair flicked over her face before she reached up and hastily shoved it back under her hood. She paused, her hand behind her ear, and then she looked over in Shin-Ah's direction. They were close enough that they would be able to see him and the others, even if Yoon couldn't make them out himself due to the camouflage. Maybe she had felt Shin-Ah looking at her…

Leaning over, she nudged Yona and reached out to pat Zeno's hand, and then all three of them gave Shin-Ah a quick little wave. Zeno tossed in a double-thumbs up.

"They're safe," Shin-Ah said.

"Lien and Zeno are with her," Hak said, "She's covering long distance while Lien makes sure she stays warm. Zeno said he would protect them."

Jae-Ha raised an eyebrow. "And that's going to work?"

"Shin-Ah's going to protect the base of the path after he finishes his job," Hak said, "Better?"

"Yep, I'm good with that."

"That sounds like a better idea," Kija said.

"Much better."

Shin-Ah nodded, also agreeing with that part of the plan. He didn't want to leave the three of them exposed, even if they were planning on keeping the main force of raiders out of the camp entirely.

"Great, glad no one's complaining." Hak looked toward the barricade and started walking that way. "Let's go show some raiders that messing around in the mountains during winter is a really terrible idea."