Prince of RAVENTHORE |•KTH•|

35. Dangerous customs

Taehyung marched through the royal corridors, dressed in dark blue hanfu like the dark night sky, like the sheer cold that freezes, like the darkness indicating the arrival of a storm in evenings. His dark locks were tied in a black ribbon with silver beads hanging along, a few hair tresses were left to caress him from his temple to his sharp jaw.

The morning was still cold, Raventhore city was engulfed with the blanket of ruthless winter.

Taehyung's ears were looking red due to cold, his knuckles were turning red as well as he was gently holding the sword tucked to his waist. The guards standing in the corridors were bowing their heads to him.

Taehyung saw his two most trusted commanders approaching him from the front- Kim Seokjin and Jung Hoseok, dressed in blue-black warrior hanfus. "A pleasant morning, general Kim." Both of them bowed to him and Taehyung nodded, meeting their eyes. "Greetings."

Both the commanders joined either side of him. Their steps matching their general's as if announcing a battle. "What's the condition of northern villages?" Taehyung questioned while opening the doors of a room equipped with weapons, maps, strategy books, documents of Raventhore's relations with other kingdoms and reports related to all of its provinces and implemented policies.

"It's critical, your highness. Their summer harvest was not upto the mark. The retreating monsoon has destroyed their crops. We're expecting a lot of damage done by the floods which still hasn't gone through complete recovery alongside shortage of food."

Commander hoseok explained while Taehyung spread out a large map on the table alongside a few documented sheets. The prince's long slender index finger adoring a dark purple stone ring, hovered over the map as he traced the specific location of north.

"These three villages, your highness." Commander Seokjin leaned a little, pointing at the location of villages. A few long hair strands slided down his broad shoulders. Seokjin has long hair, reaching to his waist, complementing his striking features. Half of them were tied in a pony. While Hoseok's hair were shorter, reaching to his mid back, all tied in a pony with a white bandana around his head. There was a golden symbol of Raventhore's army designed in the middle of white fabric.

While Seokjin has small white and golden badges on his shoulders.

Taehyung stared down at the affected region. "The rivers coming from the above mountains have a slope toward where the villages are located so its evident if they get destroyed due to floods." The general spoke while planning to build structures over the rivers to regulate their flow.

"What actions have been taken already?" Taehyung looked up at his commanders while leaning with his palms still placed on table. The charcoal orbs with those regal features looked intimidating.

Hoseok straightened his back while answering, "We followed the orders given by his Majesty during his stay in Ruwana and sent relief measures to the villages."

"But our soldiers faced difficulties. The terrain leading to these villages is rough and apparently a few rogue werewolves were seen in these forest areas." Seokjin pointed at the dense forest areas on the map, below the villages. "They often appear during winters to stay here and reports of their encounters with our soldiers might come." Seokjin explained, hinting toward a bad encounter.

Taehyung's gaze travel back to the map. He looked deep in thought causing the commanders to exchange glances.

"When are we expecting the reports from northern governor?" The general questioned, "Tomorrow, your highness." Hoseok replied.

Taehyung hummed deeply before straightening up, "Prepare a hundred soldiers and relief measures for the affected villages. Waiting for the report to start preparing will delay in execution. Commander Hoseok, you may prepare for your departure."