The Oath (Kingdom)

VI. The Storm

Storm was coming. He heard thunder in the distance, but it was quickly approaching. He was walking back to infirmary with bowl of strong soup, when he saw Beom Pal. He was running towards him with unusual serious face.

"Something is happening." He shouted.

Yeongshin put down soup for Nilah and took his trustful rifle.

"What is going on? Disease is back?" he light ignition cord and blow on it to heat it properly.

"No, it's soldiers from Sangju. It looks like they are leaving." They walked fast next to each other, but Beom Pal was slower. Yeongshin felt his guts twisted with bad feeling. He was almost in front of the infirmary when he heard loud voices. In one of them he recognized Nilah's.

Sang-Ho was standing in the courtyard with Nilah facing him. She was leaned over crutch and lightly trembling. First few raindrops fell on pavement.

Captain of Sangju soldiers looked angry. "Nilah! Stop this!" He shouted at her making few steps closer, he was standing too close. "We are leaving in the morning!"

"I wanted to stay." She spoke calmly. But Sang-Ho looked like she punched him in the guts.

"You are still soldier of Sangju and good soldiers follow orders!" He growl through clenched teeth.

"Then I'm probably bad soldier..."

Several things happened in that moment. Sang-Ho slapped Nilah hard across her face. She gasped and almost fell.

Beom Pal shrieked with shock.

Yeongshin point his rifle on Sang-Ho his heart beating fast. "Touch her again and you will lose that hand!" He growl menacingly.

Sang-Ho looked in his direction with disgust, and then back on Nilah. She was holding her red cheek with tears of betrayal in her eyes. Captain's shoulders was raising and falling with heavy, angry breaths.

"It's because of that chakho?" He pointed his finger on Yeongshin. "Is it? You want to leave your people again, because of that man?" Loud thunder thrilled walls of palace. It was raining and people were hiding in the buildings, except couple of nosy watchers. Yeongshin didn't move. He was like statue still pointing on captain.

Nilah looked him in the eyes with fear. "I did not leave them, I was..." her voice was trembling. She was standing in the rain and looked lost.

"I know what you were doing." He spat like venom. "You were protecting him...I heard you and Lord Ahn...But Ahn Hyun is dead, you don't have to serve him anymore!" he had despise in his face.

"No, don't..." Nilah made move forward pleading him.

"What is he talking about?" Yeongshin was confused. He slowly lowered his gun.

"Don't you tell me, you thought that she was protecting you, just because she cared about you?" He was laughing cruelly.

Rain was cold on his skin but that words were colder. He felt like someone put dagger through his heart and twisting with it.

"Sang-Ho, please don't." Nilah was crying, making slow limping steps towards Yeongshin. Her face was full of pity. "Don't listen to him. I will explain it."

"She took the oath, that she will protect you. Lord Ahn made her swear it!" He was shouting, because the rain was heavy and loud. "She saved your life, but it wasn't her free will."

"Ahn Hyun wanted you to protect me?" Something ugly was boiling in his guts. It was painful and for a moment he thought he will throw up.

Nilah bow his head with shame. "Yes that is true. But that was just in the beginning." She was trying to touch his hand, but he flinched.