Mountain Rose

13. A Sliver of Light

"Me that's like this, you that's like that; we're just enduring another day."

August D, Honsool

Viscount Kim was waiting for me in the main courtyard when I reported to him that morning, sipping his tea as he held a book in his hand.

"Good morning!" I bade him.

"You're late," he replied curtly, "I said at the crack of dawn."

I looked around. "It is the crack of dawn. See, there is a sliver of light right there."

He merely pointed to something behind me. "I see another sliver of light, which means that you're late. What are you wearing?"

I looked down at my clothes. "Do you like my look? I even have a topknot," I asked, "Gayoon helped to make me men's clothes that I can use for training."

"Hmm. You won't be needing it."

"Why-"

He opened his book noisily, cutting me off as he read off it loudly. "No talking, asking impertinent questions, or interrupting, unless I say you can."

He gave me a pointed look as he continued. "No skipping of training, unless you wish to cease it completely," he read out, "And no duelling or fighting, unless I believe you are ready for it."

"No storming off, raising your voice, or expressing your anger ridiculously."

I blew at a stray hair that had fallen over my eye. "Why do I feel like that last one is more suited to Yoongi and not me?" I interjected.

He raised an eyebrow. "Did I say you can interrupt?"

I shut my mouth, shaking my head innocently as I beamed. "No, sir."

He peered down at me. "Also, if you wish to rile me up, you can stop entertaining such thoughts, because it won't work."

I bowed slightly. "Yes, Viscount Kim."

"I'm glad we understand each other. Now, if you would be so kind as to stand in the middle of the courtyard."

I grinned excitedly, sprinting to the courtyard as he told. "Are we doing warm-ups? My brother Jungkook always prepares himself before a fight, I definitely know how to stretch," I said, raising my arms over my head and noticing Viscount Kim's expression, "Oh, right. No talking."

He held a bamboo staff in his hand as he walked towards me. "A warrior's discipline comes not from his physical strength; much of such discipline comes from within," he said, placing the pole on the ground in front of me, "In his mind. And that will be your first lesson today. Sit down."

I blinked. "Sit down?"

He nodded, and I did so. "A warrior must learn to clear his mind before battle, to gather his thoughts and to refocus them into his movements. This mental preparation allows them to muster up his - or, in your case, her - courage and endurance, which helps them to fight and win. Today we will begin your training with a very easy task: meditation. Close your eyes, remain still. We will begin when you are done."

I nodded eagerly, shutting my eyes.

You got this, Eunji.

***

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

Yoongi knew it was past dawn when he woke up, with the brightness of his surroundings permeating his eyelids, and he sat up with a start.