For Peace

31. Golden Gold

The group parted with the cosy inn that had become their temporary home reluctantly, but they wanted to move on before a group of crusaders came by and recognised Jongho.

On the day of their departure, Seonghwa bowed deeply in front of the sweet tavern maid and her father, who had sheltered them for so long.

"Blessed be you for your empathy. Despite our rugged looks, you did us a service like no other," he spoke as his group idled behind him, duffles on their backs and ready to go.

The two smiled at him.

"Go thy way, Father. May your future be bright," the elderly man replied.

Seonghwa waved at them as they wandered off. By the time the forest swallowed the companions, his heart was full of gratitude.

Their journey took them south, to Eastshallow. It was the nearest bigger town and the centre of the various directions they would branch off to. Seonghwa relished every step of the way there, breathing the fresh scent of nature and watching the light dance through the foliage trees. Yunho and San wandered hand in hand, cheerful about the adventures that were yet to come. Jongho had recovered enough to tread along on his crutches.

Once they arrived in Eastshallow and found an inn to stay the night, Seonghwa parted from the group. His grin was bright as he beckoned at the village and everything it offered.

"Take some time off and let's see each other again in the evening. I have some business to attend to."

Hongjoong naturally wanted to follow behind him, but Seonghwa shooed him away.

"Even you. I am not sickly anymore, and I don't risk fainting on the street. I don't need protection here."

Taken aback, Hongjoong nodded carefully. He didn't wish to be overbearing, but his constant possessiveness made it difficult for him to divide from Seonghwa. The priest was proud of his restraint as he wandered out into the streets.

Same as back then, people recognised him as a priest and asked for his blessings along the way. He tended to coughing newborns, to an aged man ploughing his fields, and to the women halting to speak to him during their daily business. The light-hearted mood was the melody of his heart as he relished in the kindness and appreciation he had for everyone and which got returned to him.

When Seonghwa arrived at the place he had been searching for, the blacksmith looked up from the heated mantle of his steamy working place.

"Greetings, Father. What can I do for you?" The burly man asked with a gruff but sociable voice.

Seonghwa stepped closer, cautious not to touch the steaming hot iron of the swords he had been working on.

"I seek to have an order customised. Can I trust you with it?"

The man took off his gloves and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"There is little I can't do. What do you need?"

Seonghwa reached into his bag for the jingling pouch of golden coins he carried around. He had made sure never to touch those reserves, as he had collected them over many months to add to his savings.

"These are coins of gold. I wish you to melt them and turn them into one."

"One coin?" The blacksmith repeated with a lifted brow when he accepted the pouch. He wandered about in his cluttered workspace to find a suitable mould between mountains of weapons.

"Yes. Big as a round shield, if possible."

The blacksmith nodded, unperturbed by the strange task.

"I'll use them to make it as big as possible and will engrave it for you."