Until Forever

Part I - Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

 

The torch lights on the street corners coupled with the thin fog that had come to kiss the ground gave the deserted road an almost surreal feel. It suited Bidam’s mood very well for he felt like he was walking in dreamland at the moment, doing something he never even imagined he would do. He looked down at the box he was carrying and strangely, he did not feel any regret in parting with it. It’s time that I give you up; time to give up my aspirations for the glory that would last a thousand years for I have found something better than any dream. You have already caused me too much pain, as it is; it’s time you met your true owner.

            Upon reaching the gates of a large compound, he asked the guard to announce his presence. The guard promptly returned to escort him inside. Once inside, Bidam found the owner sitting at the receiving area already waiting for him.

            “Bidam, what brings you here at this late hour? Has something happened at the Palace                                 ?” Yushin asked, anxiety clearly etched on his face.

            “No. I just came by to give you something,” Bidam said, before I lose my resolve.

            “What is it?” Yushin asked, still unsure about Bidam’s purpose. Bidam unceremoniously handed over the large box to him.

            “Open it,” he said. Yushin removed the cloth wrapping around the box and opened its lid. He could not hide his astonishment as he took out the bound volumes of parchment. Quickly, he scanned each one, his excitement growing by each turn.

            “This is amazing! The Geography of the Three Kingdoms! How did you come into possession of such treasure?” Yushin exclaimed.

            “It’s yours. My master wanted you to have it,” Bidam said, smiling at Yushin’s almost childlike enthusiasm. He felt relieved that he had finally made the right decision.

            “Geokseon Munno? He wanted me to have these?” Yushin asked, unable to believe Bidam’s declaration.

            “The Master thought that your lifelong mission would be the unification of the three kingdoms, so, well, this would surely help you with that,” Bidam said.

            “But are you really giving this to me? Why?” asked Yushin, his voice betraying the tiny flicker of suspicion that he could not dismiss lightly.

            Bidam hesitated. “Well, actually, it’s a bribe, to ensure your support when the time comes.”

            “Well, then, even if it’s a bribe, I will still accept it with utmost gratitude,” Yushin said, smiling, relieved to see a trace of the old friend he had in Bidam, always thinking two steps ahead of the adversary.

            “Well, that’s it then. I leave you to your reading. Learn from it and use it well.” Bidam said.

            “My thanks again, Bidam,” Yushin said.

            Bidam nodded and got up, leaving a thoroughly engrossed Yushin perusing the books again. The Master knew. You really are like a knight on the chessboard of history, something I would never be and that’s why he wanted you to have it.  Funny how things finally find their rightful place in the end.

           

Yeomjong, unusually dressed for travel at such a time, frantically paced the floor, impatiently awaiting the arrival of the other lords to the emergency meeting he had called. He wouldn’t have bothered them at such an unholy hour but the discovery he had made was so serious in nature that he could not risk delaying its revelation any further.