The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 06 -

The festival took place on a big field. It was lit up by lanterns and fire torches. Multiple tents were put up next and behind the wooden stage. Diagonally to the stage were two special seatings, one for the Queen and the Princess on the left and one for some officials on the right. Behind these were about 30 wooden benches parallel to the stage for the citizens of the capital. Most of the benches were already occupied by the True Bone citizen. Yeseul and her family had gotten the chance to sit in the last row. Her little brother Yejong looked around astonished by the fire torches and lanterns. He tapped on her arm.

»Will we get to see the Queen?«, he asked curious.

»Yes, Her Highness will be here«, she answered.

»And we will see the Hwarang again?«

»Yes, we will see them too.«

»I like the Hwarang, they're courageous. They're going to protect us all when the enemies come.«

»Which enemies?«, their mother asked curios, »Silla doesn't have any enemies, Yejong«

»Then why are there the Hwarang?«

»To protect the Unknown King«, she answered. The Unknown King. The throne of Silla belonged to an unknown king that yet had to be introduced to the public. His mother the Queen had taken over the throne as regent instead. It is said that nobody knew who and where the young king was. Furthermore, it is said that everyone who saw the king would get killed.

»But from whom do the Hwarang protect the king?« Their mother stayed silent as she didn't know any answer to her son's question.

Yeseul looked at the edge of the forest and saw this silence as a chance to go and meet Yeowool.

»I'll be back«, she excused herself and went to the forest. It got a little darker as there weren't any lanterns but the light from the distance was enough. It was a warm night. She waited a little until she saw Yeowool going towards her. He still wore his purple Hwarang robe carrying the new red robe with him.

»Hello Yeseul«, he greeted her with a smile, »I want you to help me change.«

»Alright«, she agreed and took the red robe from him.

»Your Sacred Bone is showing, Yeowool«, she said as she started taking the first layer of the purple robe off him and immediately got scared that she had offended him. He just shrugged it off.

»And if so?«, he joked and laughed. Yeseul laughed as well, and her cheeks got warmer while standing so close to him as she helped him out of his clothes.

»Anyway, how was your day?«, the Hwarang asked.

»Good. I even had the time to do some archery before we went here.«

»That sounds like a nice day.« She indeed had a nice day. Her mother hadn't given her that many tasks today. All she did was counting what was in their storage and taking care of two customers, after that she was able to go and do some archery. All in all, a perfectly nice day. But meeting Yeowool in the evening was like an added extra to this already perfect day.

»Are you nervous?«, she asked.

»I'm not sure. Not up until now. We practised so much the last days.«

»Come with me«, Yeowool said when she had finished tying the belt, took her hand and went ahead. Yeseul got startled.

»Where are we going?«, she asked confused.