Iris

The One who Refuse To Fail

Oustide the Village

Yona woke up and saw Hak sitting beside him. "You overslept, Princess", Hak informed. "How are Kija and the others?", Yona sat down and felt the pain on her ankle. "They're still sick. It's better for you to stay here. You might catch their sickness", Hak said while still looking outside the tent. "Hak, are you upset?", Yona asked. "I wouldn't let it happen again. I won't leave your side anymore", Hak bit his lips remembering how Nari was the one who protected Yona. "She probably did it because she was tasked to. She's a soldier after all", Yona gave a smile.

She went out to get some food at the village without telling anyone when she saw Kalgan running towards her with teary eyes. "Yona!!! Get away from here", Kalgan shouted. Soldiers are pursuing him. "Curse you Kouka!", they were shouting. Yona shot the guy with arrow. "They are more of them... the miss at the village is trying to stop them and protect the people", Kalgan informed. The soldiers caught up with them but Hak went in between. "Take Kalgan and go to the others", Hak instructed. "But... They're so many", Yona looked at the batallion. "I will come back to you", Hak gave a peck to Yona. Both Yona and Kalgan ran away.

At the tent area, Shinah suddenly woke up. "What's the matter?", Jae Ha asked. "There's a lot of soldier. They're wearing other crest... it's the Kai. Hundred...maybe a thousand", Shinah informed. "Thunder beast is holding them off from the nearest place from here.", Shinah informed. "How about the village?", Jae Ha wobbly stood up. "A girl... with white long hair is holding them off", Shinah informed. "Let's go and save a lady...you said?", Jae Ha chuckled. Kija also was on his feet.

Yona came back and saw that the dragons all left.

Near the Village...

Hak was supported by the four dragons. "Why are they attacking in this time of day?", Kija grunted. He was pierced in the back. Shinah went in between and slashed the soldier. After a while, an arrow was thrown at him. "Dont move recklessly", Jae Ha shouted. Yona went to the battlefield. "Run away, Yona", the guys looked at her. The soldier came and tried to pierce sword on her. Zeno protected Yona. His wounds are regenerating. "No one can kill me", he gave a serious look at the soldiers. He started attacking them.

"Hak, a lady is at the village. Shinah said she's holding off the soldiers and protecting the villagers. With this number, she's probably done", Jae Ha reported. Hak bit his lips. The soldiers were starting to leave and retreat. Kija ran towards Zeno and hugged him while Shinah supported both of them. Yona joined the group hug. "I'm so worried what could have happen", Yona cried. Jae Ha and Hak have a deep sigh while watching them. "Go and check on her. Can you still move?", Hak asked Jae Ha. "You can count on me", Jae Ha assured.

Village...

Jae ha looked around and saw pile of villagers body. There were some that were able to get pass through the infiltration. Jae Ha saw a female soldier carrying an old lady and moving her to a safer house. She's covered in blood and her feet seems to be trembling. She fought longer than them. She fell on her knees. "Sorry grandma. Shall we take a rest?", Nari gave a short chuckle. Jae Ha carried the old woman and assisted Nari to stand up. "You could have died protecting the village alone", Jae Ha bit his lips. "I didn't really save a lot. The village is burnt down", Nari sighed. Both of them rested on the nearby tree using its shade. "I'm tired. I'll be fine. I'm going to move the villagers tomorrow at the Earth Tribe", Nari said while yawning. "You're really overdoing it. Pretty girls like you should be inside castles being protected and getting married to another king", Jae Ha suggested. "Someone deserves that better than me. By the way, don't bring up marriage if you're that old and not yet married. Shame on you", Nari said with a poker face. Jae Ha was hurt by that. "Well my pretty face deserves someone who can match it. I'm not some royalties but you can marry me if you couldn't marry someone else", Jae Ha smiled. Nari flicked his forehead. "You have a job to do. What are you doing here?", Nari leaned at the tree and closed her eyes.

"You haven't eaten, right? Hal told me to come and get you", Jae Ha invited. "Go away, Jae Ha. I'll be sleeping. Plus, the villagers isn't still safe", Nari turned her back from Jae Ha. The guy sighed and looked at the village.

Mountain

Jae Ha came back and saw that everyone is eating. "Where did you go?", Yona asked. "I just went to check the village. There were villagers who died but not a lot", Jae Ha informed. "How about a... did you see someone else there?", Yona asked. "She's alive and kicking", Jae Ha gave a smile. Yona felt relieved. "She's leaving for tomorrow", Jae Ha added.

The Next Day...

Nari washed her face at the nearby well. She lift her head and saw a group standing in front of her. She stepped back. "You startled me", Nari sighed and tied her hair. "We came here to say goodbye since you will not come", Yona stepped towards her. "What are you saying, princess? I wont say goodbye. Don't you find it coincidental that I always pop out where you are. That's why you can shout my name whenever you need help", Nari gave a short laugh. Nari grabbed on something on her pocket. She held Yona's hand and dropped pair of ear piercing. "If you wont wear one, the holes will close. Sorry that I wasnt able to get anything beneficial", Nari said. Yona wore it. The guys watched them having a casual conversation. "Take care of yourself. We're still women after all, you've got a scar on your brow", Yona noticed. "Back to you. You're a woman plus, a princess. There would be times when you should admit that you need protection. It will hurt their pride", Nari flicked her forehead. "Not to mention you!!", the boys were frustrated how cool Nari sound like.  Nari gave a glance on the boys. "Don't make Princess worried again", Nari lectured.

Nari turned her back and started to walk away. Yona also did and headed towards the group. She gripped on her skirt and tried to hold back her tears. "Princess?", Hak noticed. "I know. I knew it but... I still can't help to want her in the group", Yona forced a smile while tears are falling on her cheeks. Zeno wiped her tears.

Earth Tribe.
The next Days

Nari brought the villagers to the capital to be tended and temporarily stay.  Nari entered Geun Tae's palace and lied around the guest room. "You just don't barge into houses like that", Geun tae lectured while trying to drag Nari away. "Let her be, my lord", Yun Ho, his wife, patted his shoulder. "She looks so tired", Yun Ho commented while watching the young girl sleep at the sleeping matress.

The next Day...

Nari woke up and saw an orange woman combing her hair. "It was all messy so I decided to brush it. Sorry for not asking for permission", Yun Ho smiled. "Lady Yun Ho, sorry for being rude yesterday, barging here", Nari apologized. "I've prepared tea and some snacks. I'm guessing you haven't eaten from the journey. Have a light one first then I will call you for breakfast", Yun Ho smiled. "This is nothing. I can go days not being able to eat", Nari remembered the past. "You shouldn't do that. Never mind the old days, important thing is that you're no longer that person", Yun Ho lectured. "You have to fatten up", Yun Ho spoonfed the girl.

Chapter end...