The Oath (Kingdom)

XIX. Hangover

Yeongshin experienced one of the hardest mornings. His head pounding with pain, when he opened his eyes to bright and warm morning. His tongue heavy in his dry mouth.

He wanted to sleep a little longer, but cheerful voice of Beom Pal get him out of the bed. His pride didn't let him sleep longer, than some noble city boy. He can't admit that he cannot handle his drinks.

He took all of his strength and made his way out of bedroom. Beom Pal was sitting with Nilah on their porch, enjoying late morning with bowl of rice and tea.

Yeongshin shield his eyes from sharp sunshine and frowned.

"Here he is. Brave chakho, who defeat hordes of undead, but loose against few bottles of soju." Beom Pal laughs and toss him cup of tea.

"I didn't loose." He frowns and kisses giggling Nilah. "Maybe we are even."

"It's understandable. You are not used to drink. When I lived in Dongnae, I used to drink more soju than water. I think I'm immune..." Beom Pal considered.

"Then why is this cup, full of grass?" Yeong shin raised his eyebrow, when he noticed that.

Beom Pal looks at him with red and glossy eyes and smiled. "So...I'm probably still drunk."

"You should eat something." Nilah gave him bowl of soup and sit back to sunlight. It was beautiful day.

Yeongshin took of his stinking shirt and made his way to river. He throws himself to cold embrace of water and almost moans. It feels so good and he immediately feels better. He was floating on the surface and felt warm pleasant feeling in his chest. He was back in the world of living. When someone asks him for his identity tag, he could proudly give it to him and identify himself as a common citizen. He doesn't have to use his false tag or run away.

He can marry Nilah...

Gentle waves swing him towards the sandy bank where he sat in the shallow and wash his face.

"Yeong shin?" Miho's voice brings him back. Boy was sitting in the tall grass, with makeshift rod. He watched Yeong shin's body full of scars with mixture of terror and awe.

Yeongshin wiped water from his chest and took back dirty shirt, not to scare the boy longer that was necessary.

Miho put down his rod and came closer with head hang low.

"What is it?" Yeongshin was suddenly worried, that something happened in village. Maybe another dead body.

"I'm sorry I scared you yesterday. I didn't know who that man was..." his eyes were glossy and ears red with shame. "I scared you for no reason." He wipes his nose.

"No! Miho..." Yeongshin kneeled in front of the boy, to have eyes in same level and put his palms on Miho's little shoulders. "You did the right thing. I'm glad you came for me."

Miho raised his stare from the ground and find the courage to look Yeongshin in the eyes.

Yeong shin's throat was tight when he remembered his little brother, how he held his shoulders just like he holds Miho now.

"I know that something happened to you and Nilah. I just want to help."

"You were very brave. Come with me." He nods towards the house.

Nilah was in the garden and wave at them when they come closer. He left Miho outside and walks inside the house. Loud snoring of Beom Pal was filling the air with odour of alcohol. He made his way to his things and after few moments found what he was looking for and didn't forgot to change his shirt.