Divine Move

THIRTY THREE

Nobody asked further, though Tanya is evidently curious. She saw from her position how strong the Momo tribe were during the attack. Their physical attack is strong. And the discipline. They all stand still and proud, waiting for their leader's instruction.

She is also curious of their leader. Eunsom told her that Xabara is bestowed to the strongest clan. So, that female is among the strongest to be chosen.

"Stop staring at her," Yangcha gently scolded. The Momo tribe decided to stay for a few days. They are a strong ally if they would provide their allegiance to the cause.

"She is very beautiful. And strong!" Tanya says. Yangcha smiles. She is still so clueless at times.

"I know someone with the same willpower and beauty." Tanya looks up confused. He looks at her knowingly.

"Am I?" Tanya blushes. She glance at Xabara again. She looks superior in so many ways.

Ayame approaches them. She looks at the Momo tribe. "We seem to have visitors coming a lot." They were joined by Noonbyul and Chaeeun. They look at the group.

"Those men who attacked you look like bandits. They have no clear leader. I wonder who sent them," Noonbyul comments. Chaeeun nods.

"They have a lot of courage barging here. Good Yangcha and Eunsom were ... uhm .. helping  ... each other," Chaeeun added glancing at Yangcha. Ayame laughs knowingly.

"But honestly, did you not hear anything from here. It was so loud. The fighting I mean," Tanya says.

"Well, we were all on the west side as someone reported some activity there," Noonbyul answers. The females' eyes widened in realization.

Tanya's hands clench. She dreaded the truth. There is indeed a traitor in the village.

"Who reported the activity in the west. Who was guarding the west?" Tanya fires the questions. The girls shake their heads in unison.

"It was just so sudden. And most were still asleep. Oh my, we were almost ambushed. We have to report this to the  leaders!" Chaeeun exclaims.

An urgent meeting was called. The leaders, including Xabara and Yiseroobeu were gathered.

"Do we have clear names who ordered those men?" The female leader of Taessi group asks.

"They are not talking. We are trying to determine who is the leader," Mirosool answered.

"Do you need any help in "persuading" them to talk?" Yiseuroobeu asks. Some looked horrifed. It was not an option.

"What happened in the west side?" Tanya asks impatiently.

"Someone thought it was strange activity. Turned out it was just some herd of animals."

"How convenient! We were being attacked on the other side. Someone ..."

"What Tanya means is its good that most of you were on the other side safe," Eunsom cuts in. Tanya glares at him but remains silent.

"We owe you Xabara for your great help," the old man says to cover the awkward silence.

"I have thought this over and discussed it with the tribe. I am aware of the cruelty happening. We lost people too .." Xabara takes a deep breath.

"We are here. To join you." She looks at Eunsom. He smiles. Everyone does.

"Sheeeez ... We are here. To join you. More like join Eunsom. Ugh!" Mirosool mimics in some unladylike voice.

Ipsaeng laughs behind her. "Jealous?" He smirks when Mirosool glowers at him. 

"Of course not! It's just so obvious as she keep staring at him. Her intentions are clearly on him." He continue to follow her taunting her. They reach Chaeeun who is brewing some herbal medications. Since her arrival she became the official healer of the village.

"This is for cleaning the wound cut. And this is for the stomach ache. I will prepare some bandage and follow you there," Chaeeun instruct Mirosool.

"Why are we healing those freakin bandits, by the way?" Ipsaeng snorts.

"It is not our way to treat others with harm," Chaeeun answers. She smiles at him.

"Do not do unto others what you don't want done to you .. something like that," Chaeeun added at the gaping Ipsaeng. He is obviously taken with Chaeeun's smile.

Mirosool hit Ipsaeng on the head.

"It's everywhere. Ugh!" Mirosool said disgusted. She walks away leaving a confused Ipsaeng and Chaeeun.

"What was that all about?" Tanya confronted Eunsom after the meeting. He obviously didn't want her to push thru with the questioning.

"There is a traitor. But we have to be careful not to alert them." He explains to a glaring Tanya.

"The traitor can be anyone. Even .. him," he says softly looking at the masked warrior walking with  Yiseuroobeu.

"Don't." Tanya snaps.

"Why were you together? And don't tell me some training or whatever." He stares sharply at Tanya.

"Uhm ... that's ... " Tanya's cheeks warm in embarrassment.

"Eunsom ..."

"No Tanya. Now that I have thought about it, I am not hearing it." He dismisses her pleading look. He walks away leaving a flustered Tanya.

Could there be anything worse? Tanya cringed inwardly.

The days were busy with the captured men and all. Some were in training and  the others on guard within the perimeters. They were more careful now. Tanya too.

The sun is setting. She glance at Yangcha beside her. It's his shift on the north side. She didn't go with him again. She is careful as Eunsom is more attentive these days on her movements.

"I better get going," Yangcha says. "Or else that man will barge on me again," he added dryly.

"He is just careful. He thinks you still work for Tagon," Tanya says. "Plus the idea thinking you killed his father," she says offhand.

"But I did."

A cold shiver ran through Tanya's body. She stares at Yangcha like some foreign person. "What ... did .. you .. just .. say?"

"I was there, Tanya." He says grimly.