The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 35 -

Yeseul watched as Yeowool peaked over the wall of his mother's residence. It was already dark and the only light around them was from the lanterns behind the wall. Yeowool had told her that his mother always had six to eight guards roam her residence. But these are not the only ones they had to avoid to get inside, there also were the many maids and servants, that went their ways inside the walls. Yeseul was nervous. She felt the same way, she felt the day she had robbed the shed of Minister Park Youngshil together with Yeowool, Seonu, Suho and King Jinheung, at that time still Jidwi. At least they most probably weren't going to steal something.

»How is it looking?«, she asked whispering. The Hwarang waited a moment before answering.

»Now!«, he whispered, turned around and grabbed Yeseul's waist to help her jump up. Yeseul got on the tiled top of the wall, quickly jumped down and took cover next to a bush. She heard Yeowool landing next to her and suddenly was dragged along by her hand. Crouching they ran towards a dark building. Only one lantern was lit hanging from one corner of the roof. The two of them hid behind a half wall that was connected to the building. It gave them a perfect view on the main building.

Suddenly Yeseul heard a loud breath right above them. Quickly she scooted closer Yeowool. A shiver travelled down her back. The Hwarang got spooked as well and pulled Yeseul closer to him. His hands that already had been on her shoulders wrapping around her upper body. But then he let out a quiet laugh. Irritated Yeseul looked at him and followed his hand that reached up. Eventually it touched the nose of a black horse, his black horse. Yeseul let out a quiet laugh as well and patted the horse as well. No wonder the building was dark, the horses didn't need any lights at night.

They focused back on the main building and peeked around the half wall. Yeowool pointed to a nook in a shadow.

»There is a door«, he explained whispering. Yeseul strained her eyes. Finally, she could make out the outlines of a doorframe. She nodded. Yeowool grabbed her hand and was about to start running when he stopped. Quickly he dragged them back into the shadow of the half wall. They heard the footsteps of two people. One of them stopped.

»Oh, where are you going so late, Muhyeok?«, a female voice asked. The second footsteps stopped as well.

»I just remembered that Seonju had told me that something was wrong with Master- Hwarang Yeowool's horse and that I should look at it«, the guy named Muhyeok answered. Yeseul's and Yeowool's eyes connected in panic.

»You don't have to. I figured you had a lot to do so I told Seonju he should ask Hongjik instead. The horse is fine now, it just tripped, but Hongjik let it walk a little bit and now it's fine again«, the female voice explained.

»Oh good, I just remembered as I fell asleep. I guess, I can go back to sleeping again«, Muhyeok said relieved.

»Yes, good night«, the young woman said.

»Good night as well, Mijin«, Muhyeok wished and the footsteps grew further away.

Yeseul and Yeowool let out a relieved breath. Then Yeowool took her hand again, nodded to signal that their path was clear and they started running towards the door. They hid in the shadow of the nook as they arrived at the stone stairs to the door. Yeowool went up the stairs and put his ear against the door to listen if someone was behind the door. They waited for a moment. Tense Yeseul watched him. Then Yeowool nodded with a smile on his face. Carefully and as quiet as possible he opened the wooden door. It gave way to a dimly lit hallway. Similarly quiet they took of their shoes and hid them in the shadow next to the stairs before entering the hallway. With careful steps they made their way through the hallway always observing their surroundings. Yeseul got startled when a wooden panel under her foot squeaked. Yeowool turned around sharply and signalled her to be quiet. Yeseul nodded. Then he pointed at the door next to them. This must be the door to the library. Slowly he opened the door and revealed nothing but a black void. The Hwarang took Yeseul's hand again and helped her over the doorframe. Inside he closed the door again. Now only the dim light from the hallway was the light source that made its way through the paper wall of the door. It didn't reach far. Yeseul couldn't even make out any possible shelf. Yeowool wrapped one arm around her to guide her further into the room.