the Twelve-faced Moon: A Loona fanfiction

Chapter 52 Precipice

Sweat rains on her brow,falls to the blade of Eclipse. With every swing she take it sings. With every sounds,it reminded her of all her previous deeds. The clearest was when she cut down Bangguk,Head Abbott of the Seonam Temple,almost three years ago. Wish i could do the same to the High Owl

As Jungeun wiped her forehead dry off the sweats,she sheathed the fabled sword.

"your move sluggish. Heavy mind. Empty it" would be the word Tozaki would say if he's around. How can i? Today's the day of the election

The High Priest Byunghun beckoned her "it's time,my lady". hearing that,she promptly wear her famous red-colored armor accordingly.

She and him made their way to Gyeongju Palace's north gate,where small columns of House Kim of Northern Jeolla's household knights are gathered. Numbered around 25 men,To safeguard Jo Hyeonwoo's travel to Bulgeoksa Temple where the election is held. The rest of the men are Jo Han's men,the lord of Gyeongju Palace,uncle to Haseul,Jungeun knew. The man with slanted eyes and sheepish smile greeted her,one who pester her with a match with his son Jo Hoon. It made her stay there quite unpleasant,she dreaded every time she was called to attend dinner. Three nights she stayed here felt like eternity. If not for the High Priest Byunghun dominating every conversation she must've been gone berserk by now,with Eclipse in hand. as matter of the election's proceeding take the bulk of discussion. She knew Byunghun is an utterly meticulous men,contrary to his gruff and shaggy looks,to Jungeun's odd eyes,he looks sagely,emanating auras of power,just like any of the High King's men.

Byunghun led the column,Jungeun just beside and Hyeonwoo in the center. Jo Hoon was sent at the rear of the column. Much to Jungeun's relief.

"You look weary my lady,overexert yourself from this morning's practice i presume?" said Byunghun upon looking at Jungeun closely on top of his chestnut destrier.

"weary? No,more like,relief. Am finally leaving Gyeongju Palace"

Byunghun let out a mild chuckle "hmm,yeah,Jo Han is quite a persistant man does he."

"Awful lot like my late uncle. Perhaps he should get the sobriquet 'The Persistant' too."

"pardon my uncle's lack of leniency,lady Jungeun. As a kin of him,his persistance upon your match with my cousin irks me too." Hyeonwoo chimed in,he looks fitting to led the priests as well,cloaked in ornate red robe,accentuated with well placed embroidery of the Jo's dove around his chest and shoulders colored in snow white thread.

"eh,don't worry about it. it's in the past now." Jungeun said with assuring smile thrown at Hyeonwoo. Although it does bother her a little. If Hyeonwoo does get elected to the Head Abbott's position,the Jo would held considerable power and influence. True,Hyeonwoo must forsake his family name,but in the end,he still a Jo. But those thoughts were eased in Jungeun's mind,knowing that influence and power will be held by Haseul,she trust her deeply and more than she trust her own older sister. if the High Owl wins...it'll be more dreadful

The column march pleasantly along the well-paved road towards the temple,dotted by trees and bushes on the side,lumberyards mostly. As they march deeper,it got thicker too,the trees,it made Jungeun more weary,if she not careful,ambush could spring. Gyeongju itself are safe,but banditry is hard to expunge completely. Her senses sharpen,as she listens intently to the winds and her surroundings,the sounds in between the horse hooves trudging the dirt

Suddenly,one of the men behind Jungeun was struck down by an arrow to the neck,his horse jumped and spook the other horses,Jungeun's included

Ambush!

She took a glance to the fallen men after steadying her horse,looking closely at the arrow "Northwest!" she yelled whilst pointing with Eclipse in her hand. Promptly,her household knights marched towards it,towards groups of armed men,ragtag bunch,with sickles,woodchopping axes and unkempt swords in their hands. Another arrow hissed her through,but missed by an inch. Where is it come from?! She looked around closely,to the area where her knights currently had a skirmish and noticed a slight glint of arrowhead.