Decisions

Ambush

The palace was on high alert after the night the intruders appeared. Although there was heightened security, Soo wondered if it would be enough. There were the usual number of guards that night, but they were all easily beaten before the intruders entered her quarters. If they had not acted quickly enough, it was a high chance that they would have been caught.

Within several days, things seemed to have died down. Daily life at the palace returned to normal. It was a quiet night and Soo had sent Arang and Eun Bi ahead to put Seol to sleep before her. She was currently with Jung and Baek Ah as they paced the palace grounds. One might say that wasn't the safest thing to do after recent events but she knew she was well-protected with the 13th and 14th prince.

"It is not most nights that we can walk leisurely like this," Baek Ah said quietly.

"I'll say! Seems like there's always business we have to take care of now that we are older. Do you not miss those old times?" Jung said in response.

Soo smiled and nodded. They had come quite some time since her arrival in Goryeo. Now, the princes were divided in the court, another gone to the next life. She wished it could have ended up differently. She knew that she could not save everyone, but she still did.

"Remember that day when we saw Soo in the bathing pool? We were all so surprised!" Jung said

"That was a long time ago, wasn't it?" Baek Ah asked.

"The years go by faster than we expect," Soo said quietly.

"Who would have known that we would end up here now," Baek Ah said quietly

"Things have changed, haven't they?" Jung pondered.

She looked up to see the brothers smiling and reminiscing about that time. She was then surprised to see them both turn towards her with curious looks on their faces. Jung was the first one who spoke.

"Come to think of it, how did you get in there hyungsoonim?"

Soo was suddenly brought back to her younger self, and she found herself fumbling for an answer. What did she say back then? In the case she gave a different answer, would they remember? Baek Ah smiled reassuringly, seeing her nervousness.

"Surely you can tell us now after all this time. We promise we won't tell anyone else!"

She cleared her throat and averted her gaze. She supposed she could tell them the partial truth.

"There was a secret tunnel I found near the springs where I used to live. I was young and curious, so I followed the tunnel and found myself there."

Baek Ah tilted his head, still not believing her.

"It couldn't have been that simple. Surely there's more to it..."

He was right, but Soo wasn't going to tell him that.

"Really, that is all. Perhaps it was a foolish thing to do as a young lady of my class, but it is too late to regret it now.

Baek Ah still didn't look satisfied with her answer, convinced there was more to the story.

"Hmm, I don't know..."

"Did you know that it would lead you to the royal baths? Was that why you went?" Jung taunted.

"Of course not!"

She looked up to see Jung and Baek Ah grinning, realizing that they were teasing her. She flushed and shook her head, smiling as they continued to walk.

"You both will be the death of me."

"Oh come on, hyungsoonim! We were just joking!" Baek Ah bumped her shoulder lightly.

"Hyungnim is right. You know we don't think much of it now. Besides, that's how we were able to meet," Jung piped in.

"Regardless, I can imagine how shocking it was. I remember how scared you were Jung ah!"

Soo couldn't help but tease Jung back. Baek Ah joined in on the fun.

"Yes, I remember that too! Jung ah, you really were a scaredy cat. Who would imagine that boy as a captain now."

Jung was about to reply but he heard something in the distance, quickly drawing out this sword in response. Baek Ah also followed suit, and they quickly sandwiched Soo between them, protecting her. Soo was alarmed and waited as darkly clothed figures crept from the shadows at all sides. All she could think about was how close they were to her quarters, and she worried for Seol and her ladies in waiting. Jung inched forward with his sword ready to strike.

"Who has sent you?!"

"Irrelevant. It is not you who we are after, but the 4th prince's wife."

Soo's fears all this time had been realized. Someone was really after her.

"What do you want from me?"

"Our orders are to bring you with us. Come willingly and you shall be spared."

She didn't believe that one second. Jung didn't seem to either before he lunged forward to attack first. She didn't get to see much before Baek Ah pulled her behind him as the other members drew in closer.

"Stay away! This is your last chance before I attack!"

"We are not interested in you 13th prince. Step aside."

"Never!"

Baek Ah also too attacked, and Soo was left between two ongoing fights. She kept looking around to avoid being caught. From the corner of her eyes, she saw more clothed figures approach. When one lunged to grab at her, she ducked before sticking out her leg to trip him. She grabbed a handful of dirt before standing back up and turning around to toss it in the eyes of another assailant. They held no large weapons, thinking it was not necessary for her. Still, So and the princes taught her well. As they tried to lunge for her again, she stepped aside and grabbed their arm, twisting it quickly behind their back. A hit to the wrist resulted in the dagger dropping and a kick to the shin had them sprawling onto the ground as she let them go. Soo quickly picked up the dagger to defend herself.

A quick scan of the scene showed Baek Ah and Jung still occupied, and more kept coming from all corners. How were there so many of them, and what did they want with her? Hearing some wind from behind her, she turned around to defend herself from more assailants. They were quickly seeing she was not someone to be trifled with. She also had to be more careful, as they were starting to unsheath their larger weapons. Still, she did not have much experience with weapons. She had only trained offensively for a little bit, and there was much she still had to perfect. She wasn't confident on attacking just yet, and she wanted to avoid spilling blood if possible. Soo made a note to remediate that after this was all over.

Soo didn't know how long they fought. More and more intruders kept coming, but where were the guards? Why wasn't anyone coming to help them? Slowly, she felt herself growing tired. She tried her best to keep fighting back, but they could see she was weakening. After some time, she was careless, and as she turned her back, she felt a heavy object go down on her head. The last thing Soo saw was Jung's alarmed expression before she dropped to the ground, darkness surrounding her vision and her consciousness slipping away.