Another Choice

Chapter 9- The Beginning

The next morning, Tal Tal was calling Haneul to met him in the library. Haneul was nervous, she was worried that she may displeased him. She also afraid that he might killed both her and her brother if she has no use to him.

"Sir, did you called for me?"

"Did you can read? And I told you before right? You'll call me Sabonim."

Haneul nodded, "I understand, Sabonim. I've learned how to read and write before. I was taught by General Wang Yeon, himself"

"Good, read these books, it will teach you a lot of battle tactics. As my apprentice, it is the most important thing to use your brain first rather than your physique. A great tactic will always win a war, but a great force won't always win."

Haneul nodded and started to read all of those books starting with the one titled "A Great Tactics" made by Lee Jyung Min. She was really glad that she can read this kind of book. This book contains so much wisdom inside it. After she finished that book, she started reading another new book that title," The Great Battle" made by Fu Shi. Mostly all these books are teaching her of ways to fight her enemies and win the battle. All of these books contain a lot of tactics of how to winning the war. Now, he knew why General Tal Tal is so intelligent, he even can make her spits out the information she had. Haneul felt really sleepy, maybe I can rest for a while she thought. She rests her head on the table.

Tal Tal went to the library to check her progress when he entered, he found out that she was sleeping. Tal Tal sighed, "She must be really tired after all the torturing, huh" he murmured to himself. He went to take the blanket and went right back to the library. He wrapped the blanket on her and said," Rest well, Haneul." Tal Tal smiled and left.

The next morning, she awoke and found a blanket wrapped on her. She suddenly heard someone outside," My lady, may I bring your food?" A maid asked.

"Sure, just come in."

An old maid came in and she put a tray full of food on the table, she saw the blanket that wrapped on Haneul and said, "My lady, would you want me to take that blanket too?" The maid asked.

Haneul just realized that there is a blanket wrapped around her.

"Did you put the blanket on me last night? Thank you." Haneul smiled to the old maid while handing the blanket over to her.

"My apologies, my lady. But, I'm afraid that's not me. I think is master Tal Tal who put the blanket on you. There is no servant would dare to enter the library without his permission."

Haneul is surprised when she heard this, but she felt glad and grateful for the General. Even though he suppose to be her enemies, he treated her and her brother well. Even, better than how the Koryo rebels treat her. While the rebels will always threaten and mock her although she is from the same nation as them. Tal Tal is treating her nicely, although she is a spy and supposes to be his enemy. Suddenly, tears flowing out from her eyes, she has never been treated by someone this nice since her parents died.

'I should thank him later', thought her.

"My lady, are you alright?" the old maid asked feeling worried of why Haneul is suddenly crying.

"I'm alright. Thank you for bringing my food, you may leave now."The maid bowed and left.

After finished eating, Haneul continued her readings. Finally, in late at night, she finished all of them. She wanted to go toTal Tal's room, she wanted to tell him that she already finished reading all of the books he gave to her. However, she just realized that it was already so late at night. She is afraid that he was asleep already, so she tried to sneak out and find if he is asleep or not. If he does, she'll leave and tell him the next morning.

Tal Tal was sleeping when he suddenly heard that his door was opened by someone. He tried to act like he was still asleep while in silence, he was preparing his dagger to protect himself.

Haneul walked closer to Tal Tal's bed when suddenly Tal Tal pulled out his dagger and pointed it in her neck.

"It is me, Sabonim!" Haneul shouted in shock.

"It is you, Haneul? I'm sorry, I thought you're one of the enemies. Why you sneak out to my room this late at night?" asked Tal Tal while putting in her dagger back.

"My apologies, Sabonim. I thought if you're asleep I'll leave and tell you that I'm finished reading all the books you gave me, tomorrow. So, I sneaked out to find that if you're asleep yet."

Tal Tal sighed and said," You can tell me tomorrow, it is not really urgent and never sneak out to my room again, understood? I might accidentally hurt you."

She nodded and left. Haneul's heart was still thumping real fast, she thought Tal Tal is really going to slice her neck before.

The next morning, Haneul went back to Tal Tal's room, her heart still thumping so fast when she recalled the last night incident.

"Sabonim, this is Haneul. May I enter?"

"Enter!" said Tal Tal.

"So, you've finished reading all those books, I've given you before?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good, now tell me what you have learned from them."

"Those books you gave isn't only teaching me the battle tactic skills. It also teaching the way of true warrior fought in the battlefield. It also teaches that as a soldier we need to always remember the real reason why we fight, to always protect our nation and our people.

Tal Tal nodded and he felt satisfied with Haneul's answer.

"Good, but from now remember your nation is Yuan and not Koryo!"

Haneul nodded hesitantly, she knew it will be better to serve Yuan compared than serve her own nation. Her own nation can't even treat her family and herself nicely and she always needs to live in fear. But, still, Koryo is still her own nation that she loved and treasured.

"Are your wound is feeling better?"Tal Tal asked, in hope that they're recovered.

Haneul's body shivered when she heard him, her memory started to come back, to the time when was tortured until she almost reached her death.

"Th..they're almost healed completely." Said Haneul while trying to hide her fear away. She looked away, can't bear to maintain eye contact with Tal Tal.

Tal Tal sighed, she still scared of me. He can't blame her, the experience of being tortured isn't a pleasant one. Even for a trained soldier, getting tortured will make them traumatized.

"Good, you can do whatever you want today. I'll begin your training as a soldier tomorrow and remember starting tomorrow dress up like a man. It will be hard to train you if you're still wearing women clothes."

Haneul bowed and left his room. Because she has nothing to do, Haneul decided to walk around the mansion. In the main yard, she can see many soldiers training. They fight with each other using their swords. They all looked that they move in rhythm, she can't help to felt happy that soon she can be as strong as those soldiers. If she is strong enough, she can protect her little brother and fulfill her promise to her mother.