CHAPTER 11
1094 Words
She draws her dagger, creeping towards the tent.
"On my mark, comrades. Remember, we're retrieving our hope, not starting a war... yet."
He nods, wiping sweat from his brow.
"I hope the prince appreciates this. He always did love a good adventure."
Yuna reaches the tent, her hand hovering over the fabric.
She slashes the tent fabric with a swift motion. "For the love of... it's empty?"
He peers inside the tent. "But where's the prince? Did they move him?"
A faint trail of blood catches Yuna's eye, leading away from the tent towards the forest.
She points to the trail.
"There! They're dragging him into the forest. Clever bastards."
He glances nervously at the dark woods.
"The forest at night? This is feeling more like one of the prince's crazy escapades by the minute."
She starts following the trail.
"Keep low and quiet. And no more twig-snapping, understood?"
The trio moves silently through the underbrush, following the grim trail.
He leans close to Yuna.
"Captain, what if... what if it's a trap?"
She continues forward, eyes scanning the darkness.
"Then we spring it, comrade. For the prince."
Suddenly, Yuna spots movement ahead - a lone Gojhang scout dragging a body.
She signals her companions to halt.
"There. One scout. Prince Yeon Galmu's body. This ends now."
He reaches for his weapon. "What's the plan, Captain? An arrow from here would be clean and quick."
She shakes her head, crouching low. "No. We need information. I'm going in. Cover me, but don't engage unless absolutely necessary."
Yuna creeps forward, her movements fluid and silent as a shadow.
He struggles with his grim cargo. "Blasted prince. Heavy even in death. The things I do for the Empire..."
She lunges forward, tackling the scout silently. "Surprise, you Gojhang dog. Let's have a chat about respecting the dead, shall we?"
He struggles against Yuna's grip. "Wha- How did you-? Help! Intru-"
She clamps a hand over the scout's mouth.
"Ah-ah. No calling for help. Now, you're going to tell me everything about your plans for our prince, or things are going to get very unpleasant very quickly."
The blade finds its mark, silencing the scout before he can raise the alarm.
She wipes her dagger clean.
"Quick, help me hide the body. We don't have much time."
He stares at the fallen scout. "By the spirits, Captain. That was..."
She cuts him off. "Necessary. Now move. We have a prince to retrieve."
They conceal the scout's body and rush towards the tent.
He glances around nervously. "Captain, how are we going to carry him out of here?"
She begins to lift Yeon Galmu's body. "With honor and haste. Now help me, you overgrown bush-men!"
The warriors assist, carefully lifting their fallen prince.
She adjusts her grip on Yeon Galmu. "For someone so fond of horseback riding, you're heavier than I expected, Your Highness."
He stifles a chuckle. "Even in death, he's giving us a workout."
Shouts and alarms suddenly erupt from the far side of the camp.
She quickens her pace. "They've found the scout. Move, now!"
He struggles with the weight. "Captain, we'll never outrun them like this!"
She grits her teeth. "We're not leaving him behind. Not again. Now run, you forest-dwelling slugs!"
They flee into the darkness, the sounds of pursuit growing louder behind them.
She glances at Yeon Galmu's face as they run. "Hold on, my prince. We're taking you home."
He pants heavily. "Captain, where exactly are we running to?"
She looks ahead into the forest. "Away from here. And hopefully, towards a miracle."
Alarms begin to sound as they sprint towards the forest, Yeon Galmu's body between them.
She grunts, adjusting her grip on the prince. "Just... a little... further!"
He looks back at the pursuing soldiers "They're gaining on us!"
She grits her teeth, pushing harder. "Into the trees! We'll lose them there!"
They plunge into the dense forest, the sounds of pursuit fading behind them.
She leans against a tree, catching her breath. "We... we did it. We got him out."
He looks at Yeon Galmu's body. "What now, Captain? Chongsan is still days away."
She straightens up, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"We keep moving. We bring our prince home, no matter what."
Days pass as they make their way through the forest, evading Gojhang patrols.
She squints, seeing familiar landmarks.
"We're close. Chongsan is just beyond that ridge."
He sighs, adjusting his grip on the prince.
"Thank the spirits. My arms feel like they're about to fall off."
She chuckles despite the grim situation.
"Careful what you wish for. King Taejo might have you carry his palanquin next."
As they crest the hill, the towers of Chongsan come into view.
Her eyes fill with tears at the sight of home. "We made it, Your Highness. We brought you home."
He rushes out to meet them, his face pale.
"By the ancestors... Yuna, what happened? Is that... is that my son?"
She bows her head, presenting Yeon Galmu's body. "Your Majesty, I... I'm sorry. We couldn't save him, but we couldn't let Gojhang keep him either."
He touches his son's face, his voice breaking. "Oh, my boy... my brave, foolish boy..."
She looks up at the king, her eyes blazing.
"Your Majesty, Gojhang will pay for this. We'll make them rue the day they crossed Chongsan."
He nods, his grief turning to anger. "Yes, Captain. Prepare our forces. This means war."
King Taejo addresses a crowd from the palace balcony. "My people, we gather today to mourn the loss of my beloved son, Prince Yeon Galmu."
A collective gasp ripples through the crowd, followed by wails of anguish.
Seonjin Merchant clutches his heart dramatically. "Oh, what a tragedy! And to think, I sold him my finest silks just last month. Best deal in all of Seonjin, I told him!"
Bimboryeo stands beside his father, fighting back tears. "My brother... my friend... Chongsan has lost its brightest star."
The crowd's sorrow turns to outrage, cries for vengeance filling the air.
He steps forward, fists clenched. "Father, we cannot let this stand. Yeon Galmu's death must be avenged!"
He nods, placing a hand on Bimboryeo's shoulder. 'Indeed, my son. The time for diplomacy has passed. Chongsan marches to war!"
Seonjin Merchant waves a banner with Yeon Galmu's face. "I'll offer a special discount on war supplies! Best deal in all of Seonjin, in memory of our beloved prince!"
Bimboryeo glances at Captain Yuna, then quickly looks away. "For Chongsan. For my brother. May the Gojhang Empire tremble before our wrath."
- Writer
