For Peace

24. Letter North

Seonghwa's legs were still weak by the time the two runaways finished their extensive bath in the river. They had taken their time to wash all the black magic off him, and the promise of warmth kept seducing them back into each other's arms. This time, no one had to come and find them because danger loomed. Smelling wonderfully of honey soap, he exchanged kisses with his lover until he almost fell asleep towards the end, since his lids became so heavy. Endeared by his trust, Hongjoong towelled his wrinkly skin off and carried him back to the camp, but it didn't take a genius to know his wobbly legs weren't because of Seonghwa's injuries.

After some much-needed hours of sleep, Seonghwa awoke last among his companions. When he batted his eyes open to the late afternoon sun, the others bustled about preparing food and readying their belongings for the journey. Wooyoung snickered with Yeosang by the fireplace where the wolf held his nose after breathing in the pepper they carried a tad too deeply.

When Seonghwa rustled in his bedroll, the two glanced at him. Wooyoung threw a flask of water over that landed with a thump on the earth by Seonghwa's side. With helpless hands, Yeosang wiped his tears.

"Get hydrated. Lots of strenuous activity today," the lutin smirked crudely.

With a grumble, Seonghwa sat up to grab the bottle. By his side, Hongjoong jumped from the tree overlooking the camp with an elegant leap.

"You're envious because no one heats your bed," the gargoyle fired back as he tucked Seonghwa's coat around his shoulders. Blissfully relaxed and sore from last night, Seonghwa smiled at him.

Wooyoung stuck his tongue out at the gargoyle.

"As if you'd know. Lutin girls adore me. Once my eyebrows grew back, they will find me even more attractive because of my awe-inducing battle scars."

Interested, Yunho perked up where he sat with the map in his lap on a fallen tree. San perched by his side, clumsy lips trying to read the names of the places. The route to Alverton was simple; they just had to steer towards the mountains in the west. However, it would be wise to dodge any Red settlements.

"Oh? Not that I doubt your claim; you are a handsome fellow within your kin, but what are lutin women like? Do they have beards, like dwarven women?"

While Wooyoung explained about their girls and about how most of them were blond and much more vicious in their pranks than their males, Seonghwa crouched by Jongho's side. The man was coherent and sat up without swaying today. The colour of his face already looked much better, which might be due to the blush Yunho's straightforward questions cast across his cheeks.

Seonghwa spoke before either of them needed to hear too much detail. He wasn't innocent of such matters anymore, but their reality to crudely exposed still embarrassed him.

"How are you feeling?"

Jongho nursed a bowl of food in his war-roughened hands. Though sparingly, he ate, which was imperative after such a dreadful fever. His wound had scabbed over, but he was vigilant not to strain the leg.

"Improving every day. Seeing you heal gave me new strength. I wish to travel with you merrily from now on, with no illness holding us back." With a frown, he looked at his bandaged leg.

"Mingi said I will be able to fight again, though I will limp forever. Yours is worse." He peered at Seonghwa's feet, at the macabre reminder of the position he was forced into that insulted Christ so crudely.

Seonghwa sighed. He could feel that his feet would never be the same. That part of his fingers had become numb and curled into Hongjoong's hair only with difficulties. It was no surprise, even with Mingi's healing.