For Peace

29. Border to Safety

Seonghwa's feet hurt from the rough terrain and the speed they were travelling at. Every step ached through his ankles, but he didn't complain, for his companions went through much worse than him. Even as his injuries throbbed and begged him to take a break, he pushed on so he wouldn't slow down the rest of them. Too much misfortune haunted them to linger another moment.

Hongjoong supported him where he could. His arm offered strength for Seonghwa's quivering legs, and he asked the priest from time to time whether he needed to be carried. Seonghwa refused every time since he didn't want Hongjoong to strain his own wounds.

The mad chase across the meadows reaped them of their last energy. Where their minds were sharp and attentive to their surroundings, their bodies ached from all their woes. Terrified and regretful after Mingi's death, only their combined wit held them together for long enough that nobody broke down crying.

Jongho suffered most under their pace. Blood soaked the leg of his pants and his face was pale as a sheet. Even as Yunho and Yeosang lugged him along with his arms slung across their shoulders, the knight waned between consciousness and fainting as the blood loss and pain overwhelmed him.

Observing how he heroically didn't sound a single noise of protest, Seonghwa wished to carry on for them. To end this for them.

Though they moved so fast, the mountains drew closer at a snail's pace. Looming in their undefeated might, their peaks had almost cleared of snow and welcomed them with the lush green of spring.

Morden encapsulated many precious memories of Seonghwa. After so much time of yearning for Hongjoong and a future together, they had found into each other's arms here. Healing blessed him, as well as the promise that his life wasn't over yet.

However, the good couldn't outweigh the bad. No matter how fondly Seonghwa gazed upon this place, its terrors quickly cast those aside. He could make new memories with Hongjoong in Alverton; better memories. In a place that promised safety and warmth.

Without slowing his movement, Seonghwa gulped down the last of his water. San was at the tip of their speedy pace as the one with the fewest ailments marring him. His hasty step scouted the terrain and warned the others of treacherous moulds.

"Can you hold up?" Hongjoong asked from his side. Ever so attentive, ever so caring. His warm hand in Seonghwa's provided him with the endurance he needed for the race back to the border. That warmth carried promises of a better time once they could take a break. They would properly tend to each other's scars once there was a chance to exhale.

Seonghwa nodded. His breaths came as laboured pants as his legs ached all the way up to his ribs.

"We're almost there," he heaved, not listening to the screaming of his limbs in favour of fixating on the wall they drew nearer and nearer to. Few forests surrounded the area. If any enemy approached them, they would see them coming in the rustle of the grass.

Breathless in his pride for Seonghwa's fortitude, Hongjoong grinned. His hand squeezed Seonghwa's as they followed behind San.

Hongjoong was ordinarily self-assured and nonchalant, even in situations that called for alert. On their mad chase through the Red lands without having a clue whether they were being followed, the tension of his tail gave away his focus. Seonghwa wished to kiss his strain away and smooth the frown on his brow.

Later.

"Please, Lord," Seonghwa muttered between chapped lips. "Please bless our fates."

The last few fathoms went uphill and Seonghwa lost all breath from his lungs. On their hands and feet, they crawled up the rocky mountains like ants. All formation was broken as they scrambled with desperate glances over their shoulders.