Ashrain

29. Giving In

Hongjoong surrendered all hope.

Yunho was about to buckle at one leg, the grip he had on his swords slippery. Wooyoung's empty quiver dangled over his shoulder as he warded off the advancing soldiers with his knife, but got backed further into a corner. Hongjoong and Mingi stood huddled around the farrier's hurt shoulder as the guards Yunho couldn't fend back any longer closed in on them.

Jongho's face was contorted into a grimace of rage and pain. His servants urged him to tend to his wounds, but he was bent on seeing the group detained first. The chilly triumph in his eyes ignited a fire of injustice in Hongjoong's heart.

Metal clanged as Yunho blocked another attack. His might waned with every cut along his skin and multiple shallow wounds on his horse body drained him of his energy. The muscles in his tattooed arms strained against the weight of his weapons and the resistance of the heavy iron armours they clanged against.

They were losing their hopeless battle. With no way out now, they would have to submit to Jongho's mercy and expect his fury upon them.

They hadn't even reached Seonghwa. Didn't even check on his wellbeing. Hongjoong cursed himself for being so weak. If he had been as strong as Yunho, they might have made it.

Jongho got to his feet. He balanced on one leg and two guards held him up with his arms slung over their shoulders. He threw them a hateful smile.

"I'll let you join your friend since you put up such a good fight, centaur. You won't have to miss him any longer. The two peasants will get hanged and you," Jongho's eyes were vicious like those of a snake as they settled on Wooyoung. "I will have you pay for this tenfold." He bit his lip when the arrow embedded in his thigh jostled.

Yunho kicked another man to the ground. His teeth were gritted, but he knew he fought a losing battle. Ever so occasionally, more guards stormed inside and their replenishing energy wore him down. He couldn't tend to Mingi and Hongjoong at the same time as he defended them.

Jongho watched them lose with loveless madness in his eyes. By the time Yunho could barely lift his swords anymore, he motioned his men to back off. With their swords still raised, they retreated to the corners of the room and blocked all exits. Silence settled over the death-filled foyer.

"Let's end this unnecessary battle. You showed your might, centaur."

"I won't give in," Yunho panted. "Either you kill me or I win. There is no honour for a warrior who submits to the shortcomings of his body."

Jongho sighed at him.

"Prideful creatures you are, but you have every right. Your friend is no warrior, isn't he? He put up a worthy fight, though. I wonder how he is doing right now. I would have checked on him if not for your interruption."

With a relieved sound, Hongjoong lifted his eyes to the balcony.

"He's alive?"

Jongho laughed at him as if he had asked whether the snow was white.

"But of course he is! I wouldn't damage such a valuable good. What use is there to buy something only to kill it?"

Wary, Hongjoong watched him. He doubted San could have meant any other zoo and any other prince. Either this was Jongho's disregard for the cruel reality of his circus show, or he played a sick game.

"He is no property," Yunho growled. He was about to lift his sword and throw it at Jongho in a last bold attempt at getting rid of him when clamour sounded from the door behind the ducked crown prince. Frozen in movement, the intruders as well as the guards focused on the door.