The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 38 -

It was a rather gloomy end of the day. The sky was hidden behind a curtain of grey clouds and the air was stuffy and warm as Yeseul and Yeowool went for a walk. The two followed a sandy path through nature not entirely sure where it would lead them.

»Did you find any more information on your father?«, Yeseul as curious. It had been two days since Yeowool's mother had given him the letter by his father. Yeseul would've loved to help the Hwarang find more information on his father, but Court Lady Ok had kept her busy by serving the King and his guests as he had started having small banquets regularly. Yeseul guessed to build up loyalty within the government people.

»Ah, right. I wanted to tell you about that«, Yeowool answered and paused for a moment seemingly searching for words, »Mh... So, we already knew that my father, Im Wonryu, was a general and that he died.«

»Yes. Did you find out how he died? Did he die in battle?«

»I found out. But ... he did not die in battle. He was executed by the late King«, Yeowool explained. Yeseul looked at him surprised. She would've never expected that.

»Executed? Why so?«, she asked taken aback.

»Im Wonryu was executed for treason, the document I found in my mother's library said.«

»Treason?« Yeseul's surprise didn't end.

»The document I found read, that he apparently defended King Seong of Baekje and Crown Prince Chang against his superior Military Governor Kim Muryeok and fellow Sillan soldiers«, Yeowool explained serious.

»He defended the king and crown prince of another kingdom against his own people? Betraying his kingdom?«, Yeseul repeated now a little irritated. Why would someone go against his own people and defend the king of another nation? What possibly could be the reason for that?

»Yes. I have yet to find anything indicating why«, Yeowool said thoughtful, »For now it's a mystery to-«

Suddenly they heard a deafening loud thunder right above them. Startled they jumped. Yeowool pulled Yeseul closer to him. After a moment with closed eyes, they looked around themselves.

»Ouch, that was loud«, Yeseul commented. Then she felt something small hit her nose.

»Oh, a raindrop.« As soon as Yeseul had spoken heavy rain broke loose. Big drops of water fell from the sky in rapid pace. Loudly they hit the leaves on the trees and bushes around them. Startled once more, the Hwarang and the seamstress wrapped their arms around each other.

»Let's get back somewhere!«, Yeowool suggested over the loud rain. Another thunder clattered. Quickly followed by a bolt, that made Yeseul wince.

»Let's hurry«, she agreed. Yeowool took her hand and ran ahead pulling her after him. They ran along the sandy path that slowly turned muddy. The rain didn't seem to go easy on them. It continued to rain so heavily that the raindrops hurt. Their hanbok were already soaked.

The Hwarang continued leading them back the way they had chosen earlier, jumping from time to time to avoid newly formed puddles. Yeowool made another jump but as Yeseul followed she stumbled. She almost fell into a puddle, but Yeowool quickly pulled her up and caught her.

»Careful«, he said before lifting her over the puddle. Another loud thunder clattered around them. Yeseul nodded, her face framed by her drenched black her. Some streaks even stuck to her face. They started running through the rain again. Yeseul was happy about every big tree that interrupted the heavy rain. However, at the same time she was scared a bolt would hit one of those trees around them.