CHAPTER 9
1789 Words
Merchant Seonjin steps forward, bowing dramatically.
"Your Majesty, if I may? The Sansang are masters of forest camouflage. Why not send the young prince to learn from them?"
His eyes light up with interest.
"Hmm, reconnaissance in the Sansang forests... That could work. Yeon Galmu, are you up for the task?"
He brandishes his stick triumphantly.
"Of course, Father! I'll be the stealthiest tree they've ever seen!"
Days later, in the heart of the Sansang forests...
He stumbles through the underbrush, leaves stuck in his hair.
"Stealth... I am one with the forest... Ouch! Stupid branch!"
Suddenly, voices drift through the trees. Yeon Galmu freezes.
*Gojhang scout 1 whispers to his companion.* "These Sansang fools won't know what hit them. Once we map these trails..."
His eyes widen in panic.
"Gojhang scouts! I must warn... oh no, I'm slipping!"
Yeon Galmu tumbles down a small slope, crashing into the scouts.
He leaps back, startled.
"What in the name of-"
He scrambles to his feet, wildly swinging his 'battle stick'.
"Back, you Gojhang fiends! Taste the wrath of... um... this twig!"
In his frantic flailing, Yeon Galmu accidentally knocks over their map case, scattering papers everywhere.
He dives for the papers.
"No! Our maps!"
He continues swinging, eyes squeezed shut.
"I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am the splinter in your... wait, what's happening?"
A gust of wind catches the scattered papers, sending them flying into a nearby stream.
He watches in horror as the maps dissolve.
"Our mission... ruined by this i***t with a stick!"
He opens one eye cautiously.
"I... I did it? I mean, of course I did! Tremble before the might of Chongsan!"
Unbeknownst to all, Sansang elders watch from the shadows, impressed and bewildered.
He strokes his beard thoughtfully.
"Perhaps this alliance is stronger than we thought... or luckier, at least."
He poses triumphantly atop a rock.
"And that's how it's done! Now, um... anyone know the way back to the village? I'm a bit turned around."
He facepalms, defeated. "How did we lose to this?"
He puffs out his chest, brandishing his stick.
"That's right! Flee before the might of... uh, which way is north again?"
As the Gojhang scouts retreat, Sansang elders emerge from the shadows.
He approaches Yeon Galmu, suppressing a chuckle.
"Young prince, your... unconventional tactics intrigue us. Come, we have much to show you."
He bounces on his heels, nearly poking the elder with his stick.
"Ooh, secret forest wisdom? I'm all ears! And twigs, apparently."
The group sets off, Yeon Galmu tripping over roots every few steps.
He steadies the prince after another stumble.
"Perhaps our first lesson should be on quiet movement, young one."
He attempts to tiptoe, overbalancing spectacularly.
"Quiet as a mouse! A very clumsy mouse. With a stick."
As they traverse deeper into the forest, an unexpected sight catches their attention.
He crouches, gesturing for silence.
"Look there, prince. A Gojhang camp, hidden in our forests."
He grips his stick tighter, eyes narrowing.
"Time for some princely reconnaissance! Watch me blend in like a... a..."
Yeon Galmu's foot catches on a root, sending him tumbling towards the camp.
He flails wildly, crashing into a stack of supply crates.
"I'm blending! I'm blending! Ow! Not with these crates, I'm not!"
He spins around, drawing his sword.
"Intruders! Sound the alarm!"
He grabs Yeon Galmu's collar, dragging him into the underbrush.
"Run, young prince! Your stealth needs... considerable work."
He scrambles through the dense foliage, stick held high.
"I meant to do that! Tactical distraction! Very advanced stuff!"
Shouts and crashing footsteps echo behind them as they flee deeper into the forest.
He slashes at vines, struggling to keep up. "After them! Don't let them escape!"
He ducks under a low-hanging branch, nearly losing his prized stick.
"Is this... huff... part of the lesson? Because I'm learning... pant... a lot about running!"
He guides the prince through a hidden path.
"An impromptu lesson in evasion, it seems. Your father will be... interested in this report."
He grins, despite the chaos.
"So, do I pass? I discovered a secret camp! That's good, right?"
Captain Yuna emerges from the shadows, a mix of amusement and concern on her face.
She approaches Yeon Galmu, eyebrow raised.
"Impressive work, Your Highness. Though I'm not sure 'flailing wildly' is a sustainable battle strategy."
He loses his balance, tumbling off the rock.
"Captain Yuna! I, uh, meant to do that. All part of my master plan, you see."
Yuna helps the prince to his feet, her expression growing serious.
She dusts leaves off Yeon Galmu's clothes.
"Those scouts confirm our fears, comrade. Gojhang is planning an attack, and soon. We need to prepare the Sansang."
He grips his stick tighter.
"Right! To arms! We'll show them the true power of... wait, how exactly do we prepare a tribe that's never seen proper battle?"
The pair make their way to the Sansang village, greeted by curious and slightly wary faces.
She surveys the villagers.
"We need to play to their strengths. Their knowledge of the forest is unparalleled."
He starts pacing, waving his stick.
"Oh! Oh! What if we disguise them as trees? No, wait, bushes! Gojhang won't know what hit them when the forest starts hitting back!"
She stifles a laugh.
"Not quite what I had in mind, but you're on the right track. We'll use their camouflage skills, but perhaps with less... foliage-based violence."
As night falls, Yuna and Yeon Galmu gather the Sansang warriors around a campfire.
She addresses the group.
"Comrades, the enemy approaches. But remember, this forest is your home. Every tree, every shadow is your ally."
He jumps up, brandishing his stick.*
"And don't forget your battle sticks! They're surprisingly effective when you close your eyes and spin really fast!"
She gently lowers Yeon Galmu's arm
"Perhaps we'll save that technique as a last resort, Your Highness. Now, let's focus on stealth and strategy."
As the night wears on, Yuna demonstrates guerrilla tactics while Yeon Galmu... attempts to contribute.
He tangles himself in vines.
"Look! I've invented a new trap! I call it... 'The Royal Knot of Doom'!"
She moves to untangle him.
"Your creativity is... boundless, comrade. Now, let's work on actually facing the enemy, shall we?"
He nods, still partially wrapped in vines.
"Right, of course. To victory! And maybe some padding for these sticks. They're surprisingly pointy."
She surveys the surrounding trees, a plan forming.
"Comrades, to the treetops! We'll use height to our advantage."
The Sansang warriors move swiftly, scaling the trees with practiced ease.
He attempts to follow, tangling himself further.
"Excellent strategy, Captain! I'll just... uh... How does one climb while gift-wrapped in vines?"
She helps untangle the prince.
"Perhaps we should work on your escape artistry next, Your Highness."
As Yuna organizes the warriors, Yeon Galmu struggles with his ascent.
He grips a low branch, feet scrambling against the trunk.
"Fear not, Captain! I shall conquer this wooden foe!"
She watches his slow progress.
"Quietly, comrade. Remember, stealth is key."
In the distance, the sound of marching feet grows louder.
She signals for silence.
"Steady, everyone. Let them pass beneath us."
The Gojhang soldiers march into view, oblivious to the danger above.
He clings to his branch, whispering.
"I don't suppose now's the time to mention my fear of heights?"
She gives him a sharp look.
"Focus, Your Highness. Remember your 'Royal Knot of Doom'?"
His eyes light up with an idea.
"Of course! We could drop vines on them! Tangle their feet!"
Below, a Gojhang soldier pauses, looking up suspiciously.
She holds her breath, motioning for stillness.
"Not a sound, comrade. Not even a leaf rustle."
He nods, then slowly reaches for a nearby vine.
"Right. Silent as a... tree. Which I am. A very princely tree."
As the soldiers pass beneath, Yeon Galmu's grip on the vine loosens.
He fumbles, trying to catch it.
"Oh no, oh no, oh n-"
She lunges to grab the vine. "Your High-"
He loses his balance, tumbling from the branch. "Look out belooooow!"
With a resounding thud, Yeon Galmu lands squarely on a Gojhang soldier, sending them both sprawling.
He blinks, finding himself atop an unconscious enemy.
"Well, that's one way to make an entrance. I call it the 'Royal Cannonball'!"
She swings down from her perch, using vines to trip nearby soldiers.
"Comrade, your clumsiness might just save us all. Quick, grab their weapons!"
Chaos erupts as the ambushed Gojhang soldiers scramble to regroup.
He snatches up a fallen sword, brandishing it dramatically.
"Ha! The vine may fear me, but the sword shall sing in my hand!"
She ducks behind a tree, narrowly avoiding an arrow.
"Less singing, more dodging, Your Highness!"
Arrows whistle through the air as the Gojhang archers take aim at the trees.
He scrambles behind a nearby trunk, peeking out cautiously.
"I don't suppose we could negotiate a cease-fire?"
She assesses their surroundings, formulating a plan.
"Comrade, remember your 'Royal Knot of Doom'? Now's the time to put it to use!"
His eyes light up with realization.
"Brilliant! We'll tangle their feet faster than I tangle myself in formal robes!"
Yeon Galmu begins gathering fallen vines, his earlier clumsiness forgotten in his enthusiasm.
She nods approvingly, deflecting an arrow with her sword.
"Not bad, Your Highness. Perhaps there's hope for you yet."
He starts weaving an intricate pattern with the vines.
"Just wait until you see my 'Princely Pitfall'! It's a royal pain in the posterior!"
As Yeon Galmu works, Yuna organizes the Sansang warriors for a counterattack.
She signals to the hidden warriors in the trees.
"Comrades, prepare to rain chaos upon our foes!"
*He finishes his trap, grinning widely.* And I shall provide the muddy puddles for their ungraceful dance!
The forest erupts into a flurry of activity as the trap is sprung.
*She leaps from her cover, leading the charge.* For Chongsan and the Sansang! Let's show them the fury of the forest!
*He brandishes his sword, stumbling slightly.* And the wrath of the clumsy prince! En garde, you Gojhang goons!
*She parries an enemy's strike, glancing at Yeon Galmu.* Just try not to trip over your own feet, comrade. We need you in one piece!
*He successfully dodges an attack, looking proud.* I'll have you know, Captain, that my footwork is as graceful as a... a very graceful thing!
As the battle intensifies, Yeon Galmu's trap begins to take effect, sowing confusion among the Gojhang ranks.
*She observes the chaos with a smirk.* I must admit, Your Highness, your 'Royal Knot of Doom' is quite effective.
*He bows dramatically, nearly losing his balance again.* Why, thank you! I always knew my talent for getting tangled would come in handy someday!
- Writer
