CHAPTER 2
818 Words
Bimboryeo grins, twirling the fake beard between his fingers.
"Gathering intelligence, of course. Care to join me in a little... fact-finding mission?"
She crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow.
"A prince playing spy? This I've got to see. Lead on, Your Highness."
The unlikely pair slip through the shadowy streets, their footsteps muffled by the distant sounds of revelry.
He points to an ornate building ahead.
"There. The quarters of Gojhang's chief diplomat. If there's information to be had, it'll be there."
She nods appreciatively.
"Not bad, comrade. You've done your homework. But how do you propose we get in?"
He produces a set of lockpicks from his sleeve.
"What, you thought I was just a pretty face?"
Minutes later, they're inside the lavish quarters, rifling through stacks of documents.
Bimboryeo brow furrowed.
"This is... incredible. Troop movements, supply lines, everything we need to..."
He freezes, head c****d to one side.
" Shh! Do you hear that?"
The unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps echoes from the hallway, growing louder with each passing moment.
She glances around frantically.
"Blast! We're trapped like rats in a barrel!"
He dives under the massive oak desk.
"Quick! Hide!"
She leaps behind the heavy velvet curtains.
The door creaks open, and a guard enters, his armor clinking softly.
Guard surveys the room, hand on his sword hilt.
"Hm... Could've sworn I heard voices in here..."
Bimboryeo holds his breath, pressing himself further into the shadows.
She slowly reaches for a small pouch at her belt.
Bimboryeo scratches his head, then shrugs.
"Must be the festival noise playing tricks on me. These night shifts are getting to my head." Guard said
The guard turns to leave, but his foot catches on the edge of the rug, sending him stumbling.
He flails, grasping for support. "Whoa!"
Bimboryeo eyes widen as the guard's hand reaches for the curtain.
In a flash, Bimboryeo lunges from his hiding spot, catching a falling vase mid-air.
He stumbles dramatically, steadying the guard with one hand.
"Whoa there, friend! These festival spirits are stronger than they look, eh?"
Guard blinks, steadying himself.
"What in the... Who are you? How did you get in here?"
Behind the curtain, Captain Yuna seizes her chance, silently slipping towards the open window.
Bimboryeo throws an arm around the guard's shoulders, swaying.
"Me? Why, I'm the life of the party, my good man! The question is, why aren't you out there enjoying the festivities?" Bimboryeo said
Guard narrows his eyes, trying to focus.
"Sir, this is a restricted area. You need to leave immediately."
Captain Yuna deftly gathers the crucial documents, her fingers brushing against a small pouch.
He gasps, placing a hand on his chest.
" Leave? But I've only just arrived! You wouldn't believe the sights I've seen tonight, comrade! "
He sighs, rubbing his temples.
" I'm not your comrade, and I don't care about the festival. You need to go. Now. "
With catlike grace, Captain Yuna slips out the window, documents secure against her chest.
He waves his arms wildly, nearly losing balance.
" But you haven't heard about the fire-breathing jugglers! Or the dancing bears! Or the man who can fit an entire watermelon in his mouth! " Bimboryeo said
Guard shifts uncomfortably, curiosity piqued despite himself.
" Dancing... bears? That can't be real. "
Bimboryeo leans in close, dropping his voice to a stage whisper.
" Oh, it's real alright. And that's not even the craziest part. You see, there's this fortune teller.. "
Outside, Captain Yuna presses herself against the wall, heart racing as she listens intently.
Guard unconsciously leans closer.
" Fortune teller? What about them? "
Bimboryeo grins, twirling his fake beard.
"Well, my friend, let me tell you a tale that'll curl your toes and make your armor rattle!"
As Bimboryeo spins his increasingly outlandish story, Captain Yuna slips away into the night.
She clutches the documents tightly, melting into the shadows.
" Well played, Your Highness. Perhaps you're more than just a pretty face after all. "
He gesticulates wildly, fully committed to his performance.
"And then, just as the elephant was about to sit on the cake..."
As Bimboryeo's tale reaches its crescendo, a distant bell tolls, signaling the festival's end.
He stumbles backwards, feigning surprise.
" Oh my, is that the time? I must dash, good sir! The dancing bears await! "
Guard blinks, dazed by the whirlwind of nonsense.
" Wait, what about the fortune teller? "
Bimboryeo slips away, leaving the bewildered guard in his wake.
He darts through the thinning crowd, scanning for Captain Yuna.
"Come on Captain Yuna, where are you?, my little comrade?" Bimboryeo said
A hand shoots out from a shadowy alcove, yanking Bimboryeo into darkness.
Captain Yuna presses a finger to her lips, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Hey Your Highness, I must say, your ability to spin yarns rivals your skill at statecraft" Yuna said
- Writer
