The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 28 -

In the evening Yeseul left the through the shop's door to the street. After she had bid goodbye to her family she wanted to head back to the Palace. 

She heard hooves and turned around after closing the door. Yeowool sat on his horse, dressed in a very light-blue hanbok and wearing a gat. In his hand he held the reins of another horse. Yeseul smiled at his sight. She had planned to visit him tomorrow, even better that he showed up by himself. She had missed him so much since the coronation celebration.

»Will you go hunting with me?«, he asked as he held up his hand to greet her. His usual smile on his face. Yeseul couldn't help but smile as well. She went over to him and took the reins.

»What will we hunt?«, she asked as she got up the other horse.

»The robbers«, the Hwarang answered and handed her a bow and a quiver full of arrows.

»The robbers?«, Yeseul asked surprised. Is he talking about the ones that had robbed her multiple times and were part of the assassins that tried to kill him? She noticed his sword fixed to his hip.

»I told the city guards that there are robbers illegally in the city and they located them«, Yeowool explained, »They're backing us up. Let's go! Let's chase them out of the capital!«

Yeseul smiled. »Let's go!« They let their horses walk faster as they rode along the lantern-lit-up streets.

»When did you tell them?«, she asked.

»The day after the coronation«, he answered and laughed, »Being friends with His Majesty helps« Yeseul laughed as well.

As if suddenly remembering something Yeowool asked another question: »Did my tactic work that day at the celebration?« Yeseul immediately knew what he was talking about.

»Sadly, no. I had to continue working in the kitchen until the sun started rising.«

»That's when the other last guests and I were asked to finally leave. Oh, I was so drunk, Seonu and Suho helped me back to the Hwarang House«, they laughed about his short telling, »I'm sorry, I thought you could call it a day when I do this. Now I just embarrassed you and probably made Lady Ok hate you even more. Oh, and sorry that she hit you, I didn't want this to happen. I'm sorry.«

»It's alright, you couldn't know. Lady Ok did make me work really hard the last few days, but it's alright, you couldn't know. But I'll remember you being drunk while I work. I'm going to use that against you someday.«

»Do that«, Yeowool laughed.

A short while later they spotted one of the city guards coming towards them, so they slowed down their horses. He came to the right side of Yeowool's horse and looked up to the Hwarang.

»We found them in the pub over there«, the guard reported and pointed at a wooden building at the corner to another street. About seven other guards stood next to the entrance door.

»Raid them so they come outside. We'll take care of them«, Yeowool explained their plan to the guard.

»Yes, Sir. We will stay as backup«, the guard said nodding. Yeowool drew his sword.

»Ready?«, he asked after turning to Yeseul. Even though she was a little nervous about confronting the robbers, she was happy to get rid of them. She touched her neck. A cold shiver went down her back as she remembered how they had choked her until she fainted. Even though many things happened in between, she could remember vividly. She lightly shook her head to get rid of these thoughts.

»Yes. Ready«, she answered, took the bow and put in an arrow. The city guard lifted his arm giving a signal to the other guards. Yeseul and Yeowool followed the guard to their position in front of the door. They stormed in and after some surprised screams the five robbers stepped out of the door. They wanted to run away but instead stopped surprised as they saw who blocked their way. Yeseul aimed the arrow at them.

»Look, boss, it's that bitch aga-«, one of them said.

»Shut up!«, the head of the group interrupted him as he must've realized that they were outnumbered.

»As you are peasants, who entered the capital illegally«, the guard close to Yeseul and Yeowool declared, »it's up to His Majesty to decide what to do. His Majesty gave this decision to Hwarang Yeowool.« Yeowool looked over the Yeseul.

»And I'll give this decision to you, Yeseul«, he said.

»Let's chase them out of the city«, she said in a clear voice not taking her eyes off them and shot the arrow right next to the most left person making him jump to the right. The guards to the left drew their swords which made the five men slowly back up into the street to the right. This road would directly lead to one of the city gates. Yeowool let his horse rear up scaring the robbers once more and finally making them run. The guards followed to their sides, making sure they wouldn't disappear in one of the alleys while Yeowool followed them on his horse. Yeseul send another arrow flying to their feet before joining Yeowool. Again and again, they let their horses rear up as well as sending the one or the other arrow to the robbers' feet.

They were only about 50 metres away from the city gate when the head of the robber group suddenly turned around and threw a dagger at Yeseul. Startled she tried to dodge it. The dagger hit her shoulder before bouncing off and falling to the ground. The pain made her wince for a short moment before it made her feel angry.

»I should've killed you the times we met, bitch!«, he cursed at her. Yeseul took her bow and aimed at the man. Her shoulder hurt. She shot and the arrow got stuck in his thigh. He screamed in pain. Yeowool made his horse rear up again, holding up his sword which scared the robbers so much that they made their final run to the city gate.

»Leave! Leave, you bastards!«, Yeseul shouted after the running men, »Run!« After they left the capital Yeseul eased her posture letting her arm fall to her side. Yeowool rode his horse next to her, facing in the opposite direction. Gently he touched her wounded shoulder. Yeseul looked him in the eyes.

»Are you alright?«, he asked concerned. Yeseul nodded. He bent over to her and put his free arm around her, hugging her. She leaned onto him putting her head on his shoulder, suddenly tired. He caressed her back making her feel more relaxed.

»Are you alright too?«, she asked.

»Yes. I'm alright«, he answered. Yeseul sat up straight again and smiled at Yeowool.

»Thank you«, she said. He smiled back at her before putting up his hand. She gave him a high-five but he grabbed her hand as they touched.

»Let's go back«, he suggested, »They're gone now.« Yeseul nodded agreeing. She wouldn't have to worry about being robbed, touched and choked to the point of fainting again. They're gone now. And with the city guards knowing about them they wouldn't get into the capital again.