The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 37 -

A bundle filled with a jug of alcohol, two cups, some bread and a few sweets in her hand Yeseul was on her way to meet Yeowool. They were supposed to meet at the beginning of the path that led to the riverbed. The sun had already set, only a few last rays lit up the sky making it seem very blue with a hint of orange in the distance. The air was fresh but still warm. Yeseul was excited to see Yeowool again. It has been two days since she had bid a drunk Yeowool goodbye at the Palace. There were a few things she was curious about. Had he found out something about his father? Did the names they wrote down help him? Was this mystery solved? Or would he have to continue to look for father? And what about Baekje? How serious was the situation?

Yeseul spotted Yeowool at the path waving happily at her. Smiling brightly, she waved back at him and ran the last few metres. The Hwarang wrapped his arms around her, picked her up and swirled her around. Yeseul let out a surprised sound before laughing. He let her down again but kept his arms around her.

»Hello, Yeseul«, he greeted and gave her a quick kiss.

»Hello.« Yeseul smiled a little shy before showing him the bundle. »Let's go.« He nodded, took the bundle from her in one hand and Yeseul's hand in his other as they started walking along the path. It was lined by tall blades of grass, some even half the height of Yeowool. Yeseul wrapped her arms around his arm that was holding her hand. She wanted to be close to him. She had missed him a lot. Contently he pulled her closer as well.

»His Majesty said something about the situation with Baekje the other day at the Hwarang banquet«, Yeseul brought up, »Is that something to worry about?«

»Hm...«, Yeowool thought about it, »It's difficult to say now. It's something that has to be monitored. But since Baekje doesn't seem to play around it could end in a more serious situation.«

»So, there is going to be war?«, Yeseul asked concerned. War scared her. If Silla went to war with Baekje what would happen to all the people around her? The Hwarang would most likely go to war, but what about the other ones? Would they just keep on living while their sons, brothers and husbands fought for the kingdom?

»The chance of a battle is higher than the chance for a full-on war. But maybe everything cools down and nothing happens. We can't know for sure at the moment. All we know is, that we have to prepare, just to be safe«, Yeowool explained. Yeseul nodded. She didn't want Yeowool to go to war or a battle. She didn't want there to be a possibility that he would return injured ... or that he wouldn't return at all. Yeseul gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

The two arrived at the riverbed. Their eyes lit up at the sight of the moon light mirrored on the water. Playful Yeseul stole the bundle from the Hwarang next to her and ran towards the river.

»Hey«, he shouted and ran after her laughing. Yeowool tried stealing back the bundle bit failed. Yeseul stopped and put the bundle behind her back facing him directly with a grin on her lips. Attentive Yeowool stopped directly in front of her and waited for her to talk.

»Let's sit down here«, the young woman suggested but stood still.

»Alright«, he agreed and stayed exactly the same as well.

»This« Yeseul pulled out the jug of alcohol from the bundle and held it up. »Is mine today.«

»That's mean-", Yeowool complained.

»No, it's not, you just got drunk a few days ago«, Yeseul countered accusatory.

»Alright, you're right«, the Hwarang gave in reluctantly. They sat down and spread out the contents of the bundle on the fabric. Yeseul poured herself a cup while Yeowool contently munched on a piece of bread.