The palace

Chapter 16

2 days earlier.........outside the palace, Cheagyong

She sat still, obviously disturbed at the news. Her face had lines of worry, her eyes disturbed. She looked a the man seated before her, and asked him "how did the woodalchi find out". Her voice filled with rage and fury. The man trembled before her, unsure of the right answer to give, one that wouldn't provoke her fury more.

"The woodalchi have spies all over madam. They caught the spies around the palace and i overheard the chief discussing with general min hoo, that they'd send some private soldiers to secretly surround and protect the palace too. Some soldiers have been sent into the palace, in the guise of palace maids and guards. There's no way our army can win a head on battle with them, your grace" he explained.

Madam lee, Wang koh's mother took in a deep breathe and then let out a sigh. She slowly blinked her eyes, thinking on possible solutions. She had come this far already, no going back. Her dreams will not get crushed because of some peasant organisation. Her eyes lit up, an idea floating in her head "did you say before, that woodalchi is operating in secret now" she asked.

The man nodded again. "Yes my lady,since the murder of the yuan ambassadors which has enslaved goryo to yuan, woodalchi has been declared traitors. Any one found in relation to it is guilty of high treason, and is instantly sentenced to death."

"Very well then. When you return, you must convince the chief that you saw some of our soldiers planting explosives round the palace, and that we plan to attack the palace in two days time. Get him to place armed men round the palace again. We can stage an attack, maybe kill the emperor and yet again frame them." She ordered, sounding quite happy with her plan.

The man fidgeted, he didn't feel too good at betraying the man who had raised him and supported him throughout his life. "My lady, isn't there some other way, the park family will all die and lady park may also be executed"

"What is this i hear about nyang being executed?" Wang koh thundered as he entered te room unannounced. He looked pale and thinner. His eyes no longer looked bright or happy, but were filled with fury and rage. "I promised you nyang wouldn't get involved in all of this. I'll ensure she's safe woo nam." Madam lee assured her son, her voice instantly switched from cold and authoritative to calm and loving.

Wang koh looked at the man "leave now. I want to talk with my mother"  he ordered and the man bowed quickly, relieved at being excused. He walk backwards and turned to leave, when madam Lee's voice stopped him again " do not fail me Geaduara, i will ensure things move as planned. Remember, in two days time"

The man walked out quickly, almost running. Wang koh looked at the door for a bit and turned to face his mother, "Ommonie what was that about,what plans, what happens in two days time?" He asked but she sipped her tea, acting as though the question was not addressed to her. Unable to hold in again, he shouted "Ommonie!"  "Silence!" She ordered and he fell silent again. She sipped her tea again and looked at her son sharply. "You agreed not to butt in into any of my plans, for as long as nyang remains safe and yours. I dislike her but still i promised to do so. Now it's time for you to keep your promise too."

He sighed, as though regretting the promise. He looked her, studying her face for any hint but her face remained void of emotions. He bowed and got up slowly, giving her one last suspicious look, he left the room and the house in a whole.

2 days later..............Lord park's residence, Liayong

Lord park looked worried and unease. He paced to and fro in the room, the men seated at the table looked at each other all worried. He looked at Geaduara asking for the umpteenth time "are you sure Geaduara? You saw their men around the palace, planting explosives and setting traps". Geaduara fell to his knees and bowed "i dare not lie to my lord. When your lordship sent me to spy on them, i followed them as they bought explosives from the merchants by the seaside in port Gyanroh. I also watched from a distance as they planted it around the palace. I overheard them discussing their plans to attack tonight. I am certain they plan to attack my lord"

The men all clothed in their black and brown shirts and trousers, with the black cloth tied around their heads with a white crystal embodied on it all looked tensed at this news. "Chief park, i think this is an opportunity for us to cleanse the crime we've been framed of. We must protect the royal family" a man with a clean shaved face said and the others grunted in approval.

"I agree chief. If we're able to prove the rebels to his majesty, we could finally be recognised and free. We must send some soldiers now to watch over the palace" another bearded man said. Lord park remained silent all through. His eyes searched their faces and rested on his son's. "Min hoo, tell me what do you think" he asked.

Min hoo, the youngest of the men seated adjusted himself and spoke gently "it may be a trap father. Are we sure they are unaware of us regrouping? Perhaps they could be trying to lure us out "  "Nonsense! They can't possibly know except if there is a traitor amidst us which there isn't. We must head out now and that's the best thing to do" the bearded man disagreed.

Lord park remained silent, deliberating what to do. Finally he spoke "gather the men, we're heading out. Inform the lady to organise women warriors and head out too. Min hoo, you'll stay behind with your mother and you Geaduara will come along with us. should anything go wrong you Min hoo must save the others. Do not come to our aid. Its an order".

A silence fell upon the room."everyone should return to their homes now, bring your families to the camp. Anything may go wrong, and they must live to fight another day." Lord park spoke again, his voice piercing through the silence and tension that hung in the room. The men stood and bowed, then walked out of the room slowly. Min hoo walked to his father who was standing by the window, staring at the dark clouds. "I still think it's a trap aboji." He said, his voice worried. Lord park smiled instead. "The clouds seem unusually dark tonight. Did you know i saw a shooting star earlier this night?" He asked his son wits an amused face.

"What does that mean aboji?" Min hoo asked his face concerned. Lord park chuckled and ruffled his son's hair fondly as though he were addressing a six year old. "Death my son. Whoever sees a shooting star, his death is not far away" he answered and walked out, leaving a bewildered and worried min hoo.

I think i should explain this now. Woodalchi originally is king's personal body guard, from the drama: faith. All this about them being traitors is just my own fiction.