Twelve Years Ago In The South Western Mountains

  Eun walked almost silently following an almost imperceptible path in the snow filled woods on the mountain side. Had it not been for the tiniest scrap of threadbare fabric with bits of blood on it, Eun would have never noticed the trail at all. How someone had managed to make it through this treacherous terrain and only leave that minuscule hint of their passing he didn’t know. If it hadn’t been for the reports of bandits in the area, Eun and his men wouldn’t even be scouting through here. It was within the Seong Clan lands, but only just, and was uninhabited due to the very nature of the area.

  After what felt like hours of weaving their way through the trees, and avoiding the sudden drop offs of cliffs that seemed to appear out of nowhere, they heard the sound of running water. It was very likely that the injured person had made their way towards the water source. It would allow them to clean their wounds and erase their scent to help them avoid becoming prey to the various beasts that called the mountain home.

  It didn’t take them long to make their way to the source of the sound of running water. They stopped just before entering the clearing to get their bearings. Just because someone was injured, did not make them any less dangerous. In fact the opposite was usually true.

  A waterfall filled a pool-like area before continuing down the mountain as a much smaller creek. The side of the clearing with the waterfall was walled by steep cliffs that formed an almost crescent moon shape around the pool. The creek travelled between the cliff and the trees before disappearing from view. The rest was surrounded by the woods where Eun and his men hid. There was about two lengths of a full grown man between where the trees ended and the pool of water.

  Eun carefully made his way towards the cliff face, being careful to stay hidden among the trees. There were only the subtlest signs of the snow being disturbed in the clearing, and he couldn’t make out if it was due to a human or an animal from this distance. He was hoping to get a better idea of the clearing and hopefully a clue as to what lived here by coming at it from a different angle.

  When he reached that side of the clearing, he was glad he’d altered course to come in from this angle. There were large boulders here that he could hide behind as needed. Eun wove his way through them, being very careful as he did so. The snow made everything more slippery than it usually would be. As he circled around the pool along the cliff-side, he noticed a small cave that had been hidden from view by the waterfall and rocks surrounding it.

  He took extra care as he approached the opening in the rocks. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the lower levels of light. When they did he froze in shock. He had imagined finding a dead body, a tiger, wolves, bandits, and an empty cave. What lay before him curled up against the cold hard wall of the cave was none of those things. The boy’s clothes were covered in enough blood that Eun had no idea how the youngman had left so little trail. Eun approached the child carefully. His body was very clearly malnourished, his bones were visible even through what little clothing covered the gangly body. His hair was the color of dirt and was caked in dried mud, it looked as if the boy had done that to camouflage himself.

  Eun’s foot slipped ever so slightly, the sound, though quiet, echoed slightly in the cave. The boy reacted faster than Eun had thought possible. The child went from prone to crouched with his back against the wall. A knife in one hand, and a sharp rock in the other. The child hissed and growled at him. Eun put his hands up and lowered down to the child’s level, trying to physically show that he meant no harm. Eun knelt, keeping his hands up, palms out.

  “I’m not going to hurt you.” Eun said. All he got in response was another hiss. The boy’s eyes narrowed like daggers, clearly distrusting Eun.

  The hollows in the boy’s cheeks gave Eun an idea and he shifted to grab food from his pouch. The boy shifted his legs ready to spring and lunge at him. Eun froze realizing just how high strung the child was. Though weak from malnourishment, Eun could tell from his stance and the way he held his weapons that the child was no stranger to a fight. The look in the boy’s light gray-blue eyes told him that he had killed before and had no qualms about doing so again.

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  They both stayed in their positions. Eun trying to look harmless, and the boy watching him warily, growling occasionally. The sound of footsteps outside the cave alerted Eun to the fact that he’d been kneeling for some time now. The boy stilled at the sound. His eyes darting from Eun to the mouth of the cave as he realized that Eun was not alone.

  “Wait.” Eun ordered. “Do not enter the cave.”

  “Sir?” Si-Woo, his second in command, replied.

  “Toss in some bread, but do not enter.” Eun told him.

  He knew his men would be confused, but he couldn’t risk startling the boy further. He’d beat the child in a tussle, but they’d both come away injured. The way the child moved told him that the boy would be deadly quick with that knife. A moment later there was a thud, and a wrapped bun rolled past Eun and towards the boy. The young man’s eyes fixed on it, the way his pupils dilated told Eun that the child knew exactly what that was.

  Eun slowly moved backwards until his feet hit the far wall of the cave. The boy eyed him, the bread, and the exit to the cave. After another moment of hesitation he launched at the wrapped bread and scurried to the very back of the shallow cave. His dirt encrusted ragged nails ripped the waxed paper wrapping apart. As soon as the bread was exposed the boy bit in. He was crouched over the food, glaring up at Eun between each bite. Because he kept glancing up at him Eun was able to clearly see the tears that slid down the boys face.

  Once half the roll was eaten the boy tucked the remainder in his clothes. He picked back up the knife, but not the rock. There was a bit more sanity in those storm blue eyes now.

  “Who…” The boy croaked. The way the child struggled with just that one word told Eun that it had been a very long time since he’d spoken to anyone.

  “My name is Seong, Eun-U. Heir of the Seong clan.” Eun told him. “We entered these woods after hearing of bandits in the area.”

  The boy tilted his head, and gestured with the knife for Eun to continue.

  “We saw some blood on a cloth while searching for traces of the bandits. I was just barely able to make out a trail and it led us to you.”

  Raw fear filled the child’s eyes.

  “What…” the boy fought to get the words out. “Clan… you… se… uh… what… do…”

  “The Seong clan protects this mountain and surrounding area. We are part of the martial arts alliance, though our clan is more known for their cooking.” Eun gestured to where the boy had hidden the bread. The boy’s eyes had lit up slightly at the mention of his being from the martial arts alliance.

  “What… know… ban… dits?” the boy asked. His voice had gotten more and more hoarse with each word. Eun guessed that the boy hadn’t ventured from the cave in a day or two even to get water.

  “Bandits are enemies of the Seong clan.” Eun said, trying to reassure the child. The boy seemed terrified of the bandits.

  Some of the tension left the boy. As soon as the child relaxed slightly his body revolted into a coughing fit. The cough sounded horrible. To Eun’s surprise the boy spat out blood with the last two coughs. He wiped his mouth with his free hand. Cold eyes watched Eun.

  Eun’s heart broke at the sight. This child was going to die if left here. His paternal instincts screamed against the mere thought of leaving this child to his fate.

  “Would you like more food?” Eun asked. The boy nodded. “If you come with us, we will protect you from the bandits and anyone else who would harm you.”

  “Oath.” The boy said. Eun’s eyes widened, the boy’s voice had been imbued with Qi, making it clear he was asking for an oath made with Eun’s Qi.

  “Seong, Eun-u, heir of the Seong clan, promise to protect the person standing before me from those who would seek him harm until he is able to protect himself.” Eun promised, he let Qi flow into his words. He felt the boy accept the pledge with his own Qi.

  Eun held out his hand to the boy. Still wary the child approached and took it with his now blood covered free hand. Eun slowly got to his feet. The boy tensed, but when Eun made no move towards him and instead led the way out of the cave the boy relaxed. There was a stumbling sound and Eun turned in time to catch the boy as he fell. The boney child was limp in his arms. Eun cradled the boy’s body, it was longer than he’d expected, and carried the child out of the cave and into the sunlight.

  His men’s eyes widened with surprise as he emerged from the cave with the unconscious boy in his arms. Si-woo’s brows furrowed with concern as he noticed the blood covered clothes and traces of blood still around the boy’s mouth. Once away from the rocks Eun’s men helped him tie the boy to his back. He was the only one the boy had met, and on the off chance that the child woke up before they made it down the mountain, he didn’t want anyone else to be carrying the child.