The Oath (Kingdom)

XI. Scars

Heavy rain was falling on them, and the road was more and more muddy. Nilah was exhausted but she can't believe she is out of the prison and with Yeongshin. She was laying in the back of the cart watching grey sky. She felt like she can take a deep breath after long time.

They were not talking, Yeongshin was leading the cart towards small village, that they saw in the distance.

She was worried about Yeongshin's wound that was still bleeding. He was soaked with rain and blood was making huge stain on his shirt. But he looked like he didn't even care.

"We stop there. You need rest." He shout over his shoulder and grimaced, when that move stretched his injury.

They found man who let them stay in his house for small price. Yeongshin helped her down from cart, holding her hand and supporting her, when he noticed her limping. Her leg was after time spent in prison in bad shape. She almost can't make a few steps without limping.

They both felt relieved when walked inside, out of the rain. It was just small room, with fireplace and place to sleep. For Nilah it was luxury after her time in prison cell. It was warm and dry.

Yeongshin put down his bag and started to making the fire. He was still silent and Nilah was nervous about it.

Light knock on the door made her jerk with fear. She was still scared that Sang-Ho is somewhere outside waiting for his chance to hurt her again.

"You two looked like you need something warm." calm voice of old man soothed her. "I brought soup and some dry clothes. Don't worry, I will leave it behind the door..."

Nilah opened the door and smiled at the man.

"Thank you sir. You are very kind, but can I ask you, for little favour? Do you have needle and thread?"

Man smiled and give her tray with soups. Next to bowls were thread with needle and clean bandage.

"I thought you will need it. I saw your companion." He nod towards Yeongshin who has his back to them.

"You are very kind."

She closed the door and stood in silence. Yeongshin was facing the flames like statue.

"Can I treat your wound?" She whispered, too scared to broke the silence.

He just nodded and sat straighter. He was still in wet and cold clothes. Nilah sat down in front of him, carefully untying his blue jacket. He was avoiding her eyes, looking on wooden floor.

Her hands were lightly shaking, when she untied his shirt and brushed it over his shoulders, revealing his torso. Her breath hitched and she covered her mouth, when she saw his chest. She knows that after being chakho and his time at war must leave marks, but this was more than she expected.

Three thick scars from his collar bone to opposite hip were roughly crossing his chest. She carefully touch it with her fingertips. It must be old scar, but she was scared that it can still hurt. Skin there was lighter and softer. He closed his eyes and released breath she didn't knew he was holding. His body was like testimony of his hard life.

"I'm sorry." She whispered "for all of these." Maybe one day she will know every story behind each of his scars.

But no matter how sorry she was because of his scars, her eyes were drawn to his form. His strong chest and straight shoulders. She saw a lot of naked man. She lived with soldiers and exposed torso was very usual. But she never felt like this. She wanted to touch and kiss him. To feel his body pressed against hers. To feel how warm his skin is against hers. To let his inside fire heat up her cold body. But suddenly something dreadful woke in her guts. That feeling she had, when Sang-Ho was violently moving inside her. How she felt disgusting and weak after that.