The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 17 -

Yeseul stayed silent for a moment as she thought about how she should tell Yeowool how the robbers knew her.

»When we had our first delivery with expansive fabrics«, she began to explain, »My father, two soldiers and I escorted the delivery into the city. But before we could get out of the forest these robbers attacked us. They killed the man that led the donkey and stole half of our order. They were six robbers at that time. I shot the sixth as they left. This made the leader mad. He swore to meet me again«, she paused for a second, »A few weeks ago I met them again for the first time. They somehow must've gotten into the capital. They robbed the money I had on me... I met them ... three more times. Every time they took everything valuable I had on me«

She stayed silent for a moment being surprised at herself that she had told someone about it.

»I'm sorry for you«, Yeowool said in a sad voice. Then it got silent again for a moment.

»You killed someone? I would've never thought that from you«, he told her.

»I couldn't even imagine it myself for a long time«, she answered, »But look at me. I shot arrows at people again today.«

»That's true« Then he got silent again.

»Why did they call you concubine? What is that about?«, he asked. Yeseul thought about it for a second. She was a bit embarrassed.

»Did you not hear the rumour?«, she asked.

»Which rumour?«, he counter-asked a little confused.

»They say I'm your concubine«, she told him embarrassed, then she laughed, »I can't believe the king of rumours doesn't know a rumour about himself«

Yeowool smiled amused at her remark. He wanted to tell her how she shouldn't worry about what rumours there were, but he noticed how she had already closed her eyes. I was silent for a moment before his eyes went to her neck and noticed bruises.

»On your neck...«, he said. Yeseul opened her eyes again. Yeowool stretched out his hand wanting to touch her neck but ultimately decided to touch the same spot on his own neck instead. He looked at her concerned. »Is that from the robbers?« Yeseul sat up and touched her neck. She nodded and smiled at him sadly. Yeowool just nodded as well. He wasn't sure if he should ask further questions, so he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he saw how Yeseul had fallen asleep. A short while later he fell asleep as well.

A warm ray of sunlight shined on Yeseul's face making her wake up slowly. As she opened her eyes, she remembered that she stayed in an inn together with Yeowool and Hanseong. Still a little sleepy she turned to the side and stretched her arms.

»Oh, Yeowool look! Yeseul woke up!«, Hanseong said excited and plucked at his fellow Hwarang's hanbok. Yeowool, who sat with his back to her, turned around and faced her.

»Good morning or good evening«, he greeted, »You finally woke up as well.« Yeseul sat up and looked at him confused. The two Hwarang were amused by her confusion.

»Evening?«, she asked. So that sun from the window was the sunset?

»Yeah, you slept through nearly the whole day«, Yeowool explained. She just nodded, took the first layer of her hanbok again and dressed herself before sitting down next to them.

»What made you sleep for so long?«, Hanseong asked curious.

»I'm not sure. I already woke up early yesterday and then stayed up late. Maybe that's why«, she thought loudly.