Chapter 3 

The warm, evening air causes sweat to form on their dirt ridden skin, as their hands grip tightly on their wooden torches and on their rusty pitchforks, kitchen knives, or any sharp object they may find even with their limited resources.

Their scorched leather and ripped linen barely covered their numbing skin, hands shaking in the shivering motion that went down their spine and breathes unsteady at the choking feeling in their lungs.

Dung. The thundering and heavy sound of the metal drum echoed through the thrilling silence of the night, as the common folk roared angrily and exasperated with it.

            “We have to take the King and the royal family away from power!” They said in unison from the top of their lungs, voices hoarse and sharp in exhaustion and impatience.

At least one man from each common folk families from all villages of the North have gathered on this distant, isolated hill up near the province’s capital today, all silently yet shrewdly preparing their rebellion against the royal family from the capital and even their lords who have been ignoring their pleas for decades.

            A dozen of hundreds of fine horses and donkeys from each land have mounted down at the village down south three kilometres away and most of their valued and most pricey weapons hidden in a caravan where only they know the location to.

Dark, green moss trees hovered over them like giants, flowing in a cold, wintry wave of what seemed like a bitter taste of winter even though it was only in the middle of the fall.

A large, wooden torch was held by this frail, skinny- armed boy who seemed like he would drop the burning flame of fire any moment due to its massive weight, and was handed to what seemed like the general of the rebel army.

Carved on the rim of this ancient, heavy torch were the symbols of the dozens of noble houses that remained alive and existing today, even after the tragic and devastating war that had wiped out nearly the entire aristocratic population in the nation.

Dung. Another heavy hit swayed against the majestic drum, its sound echoing repeatedly even with the silence that filled the freezing forest.

Distant murmurs are easily absorbed by the swallowing pain of the falling snow and the height of towering trees that have stood there for centuries, the peasantry gathering together once again to speak of their fate.

A firm nod was made in unison by all of them, and they take a deep breath as they know their lives will change on this very day and were sure.

“Fire!” The general’s booming voice was lost in the explosive sounds of boisterous and deafening bombs, shots of bullets and torches thrown to some of the most valuable landscapes proudly owned by the nobles.

Revolution would start on that very day, though not many were aware.

….

            The wind blew forcefully as the hooves of the horse galloped loudly against the dusty pavement road, ruby red fabric flying in the air pompously that it brushed violently on the branches of the old, wooden trees.

Yoona’s palms sweated endlessly as she gripped tightly on the reigns of her horse, her fingers turning rough and calloused as scratches and cuts form on her then porcelain skinned hands. 

The bronze ring engraved with a red ruby loosely sliding down her slender fingers and dropped ungracefully on the ground, the horse neighing silently as its hooves stepped on them and had been slightly hurt.

            She took a sharp turn to the left after she had seen a dead end found north by the dark, swampy forest and had continued going on where the light had seemed to keep going.

Even during her time serving as a woman in waiting to the Empress of the Qing Dynasty, Yoona had always been an agile and skilled horse rider as if she had been part horse herself, always being way ahead even of experienced archers who had been riding horses for half their lives.

As a child, Yoona would often race against her older brother Yoochun and even her older sister Minyoung in the middle of the large, wide scoped fields of the Qing Dynasty and would often be the victor of those competitions.

            Minyoung was Yoochun’s twin sister, having been three hours before him and was the older one, though she had somewhat had looked nothing like him. Minyoung was known to both her siblings as sweet, very loyal to rules and her allegiances but had also been fun loving and cheerful at times where she had been allowed to.

By the time the twins reached fifteen years of age, Minyoung was sent off back to Joseon to marry the Lee clan heir, Lee Minho and she had never seen her since then. She vowed she wouldn’t let that same fate happen to her again.

            “Calm, Rahee – There is nothing to worry about.” Yoona hushed her exhausted horse gently as it collapsed suddenly on the ground, its eyes half-closed, half –opened and breathed heavily in an unsteady pace.

            “My Lady, we must call the man at the stables to bring the palanquin here for us to be able to bring you back home in time before night comes. ” Her handmaiden, Miyoung bit her lip nervously at the sight of the weakened horse and abruptly stopped her horse from going further..

The Park clan for decades had always been proud of their hoard of horses, ranging horses of the finest breed and of the best training while they were fed with the best food and went on the fastest speeds whenever they were let free for the ceremonies held in the castle.

Some of their best horses had accompanied them to the Qing Dynasty during their tenure in the vast dynasty, even though only a few of the original mares had been able to return back to their homeland in Joseon.

            Yoona shook her head stubbornly, refusing to stand up and leave the side of her beloved horse. “There is nothing to worry, Miyoung-ah. I could just walk the way back.” She quietly muttered, her dying horse’s mane of raven black hair.

A cold breeze brushed gently in the air as they sat there in silence, seeming like forever as Yoona watched her horse close its eyes and lay there in eternal sleep, forever in a peaceful slumber. She stood up and covered the horse’s dead body with dark red fabric and left it there to decompose slowly.

            “You could just ride on my horse, My Lady. I should be the one walking and not you.” The handmaiden jumped off her horse and offered to hand the reins to her lady.

Yoona hesitated and therefore wanted to decline her offer, but instead thankfully took the horse and complied to ride on it for the rest of the trip.

            “Thank you, Miyoung. I hope you are aware that I am nothing without your assistance.” Yoona thanked her handmaiden in gratitude. Lady Miyoung smiled sincerely and bowed respectfully; appreciating the compliment given to her by the noble woman she had served for her entire life.

Lady Yoona and her entourage continued to ride northwest over the flat plains and rough mountains as they needed to be at the manor before sunset, even as the light blue sky turned medium orange as the sun had started to fade out.

            As they reached the crossing at the end of the vast forest, a hoard of horses and soldiers that held a hundred banners of a purple flag that was engraved with golden dragons. The trail of well armoured and equipped soldiers and knights were led by a man with a majestic, pure white horse, his entire body covered in gold and silver, a large banner of his house proudly held in his hand.

 Even though his entire body was covered in armour, one could already feel the charm and influence he brought by the way he even held on his horse.

Yoona was alarmed and intimidated with the sudden arrival of the mysterious and heavily armed man, as she immediately drew back her horse to turn around and ride her horse back to their manor in time before the army makes any move against them.

            “We heed no harm, My Lady. There is nothing to worry and fret about, as my men and I have no intention to hurt you and your humble entourage.” An insistent yet gentle voice spoke to her, and she heard the metal on his armour rattle as she assumed he had kneeled on the ground for her sake.

            “Oh is there, My Lord? All I ask is that I may be set free and that I may get home before sunset.” She mockingly replied, turning around slightly and tilting her head sidewards.

The armoured man takes off his silver helmet and beneath those layers of cloth and hot-helmed metal was a handsome man of masculine and chiselled features ; Round eyes full of wonder and adventure, a long and high structured nose and thick, pouted lips that gave off irresistible charm to a man of such tall stature and muscular build.

            “Where is my courtesies- Lord Shim Changmin of the Shim Clan of the South, My Lady. “ He bowed his head politely and the topknot of his head was clearly seen, being neatly and tightly tied.

Immediately, Yoona was stunned and attracted to this young man – A man of such grace, such courtesies and manners that may even beat the Jung siblings and a handsome and attracting charm that a woman would never refuse.

            “I am Lady Yoona of the Park Clan of the Northwest, My Lord.” Her cheeks flared red in embarrassment and pressure to introduce herself, suddenly grabbing her white embroidered veil and place it over her head after she had forgotten that women in public places could not be seen without one.

            “I will not try to hold you for too long but I and my bannermen have been hunting from the South for our annual festival in our province, but we have gotten lost. Do you happen to know the way back to the village, My Lady? “The lord got back on his horse and called for his handmaids to bring some food for his starving horse.

            “One of my father’s wardens can help you make your way to the nearest village and inns here within the closest radius. If any problem comes across and our household may help you, be not afraid to inform our warden so that we may assist you in the best way in our ability.” She looks away yet sits on her horse with dignity, showing a sweet, coy smile before she and her handmaiden rode back to their manor.

Lord Changmin quietly watched her ride away towards the direction of the setting sun, looking in awe as he had not seen a woman ride a horse in nearly a decade.

            “I myself never thought I would see a woman ride a horse like my mother again.” Changmin spoke solemnly among his horse riders and they agreed in unison.

….

The silver bars of the towering, wooden door were screeched and pulled open as Yoona galloped her way in their family manor up the hill. She was being followed behind by her handmaiden Miyoung and bodyguards from Qing who hides their identity using the pseudonyms Han and Hun.

Yoona’s father, the lord Park Junho had been patiently waiting out in the family garden with an ancient book in his hand, stood up immediately once he saw his youngest daughter enter the manor premises.

“My dearest daughter, I am glad you had finished riding your horse before sunset. I have some good news to tell you, my dear.” He approaches his daughter and offers a hand of assistance as she gets off the horse, yet she instead declines politely as she jumps ungracefully down on the ground.

“And what is this good news we are talking about, Lord Father? I believe we have not heard anything wonderful since the marriage of Minyoung to that Lee lord.” Yoona giggled girlishly as she was next to her father, bowing to him respectfully and grinning brightly at him.

Lord Junho takes out a letter from his pocket on the left side corner, and unfolded it to be able to be shared with his daughter.

            “Your mother Lady Yubin, and your sister Lady Minyoung will be travelling up north from the southeast from the Lee manor to pay us a visit. I’m sure your sister is well enough to have travelled after recovering from childbirth.” He spoke to her gallantly, as they entered their manor’s main doors that have wooden arches that defined the architecture of the entire ceiling.

He laughed. “She wanted to keep it as a surprise until she came back home to visit, but unfortunately I spoiled it for her. She’s given birth to a boy, which made the Lee clan very happy about their relations with us. Your mother wrote to me that his name was Lee Jungshin, and that he looks a lot like his father.”

            “Well the girls who would be born after him would be swooning- Women my age went mad around that Lee Minho. Would he be with mother and Minyoung on the trip to the manor?”

            “Not for now, my dear. He is only a three month babe, still quietly sleeping in his silk- draped crib. Yoona, we shouldn’t stay outside for too long, it will get cold and your mother would not like you getting sick.” He looked at the sky and was surprised that it had gotten darker so quickly, shooing her towards their main chambers.

            “What a pity, Father! There were many things I wanted to share with you about my trip and the handsome lord I came across.” A glow in her eyes appeared as a topic of her interest crossed her mind, and was too excited to even speak about it.

Lord Junho turned around carefully as he heard the words “handsome lord” and crossed his arms in suspicion.

            “And who is this, handsome lord? I would not like any trespasses happening in my province and any lord wandering off without my knowledge.” He spoke seriously, voice rising slightly as if she had broken the law.

            “He’s Lord Changmin of the Shim Clan, Lord Father. Don’t tell me he’s another enemy of ours!” She stood by her sliding door, just waiting for her father to finish speaking to her so that she may change her clothing in time for dinner.

He stopped in his tracks, standing in silence and was deep in his thoughts. “We have not spoken to any person of the Shim clan or of any association with them in centuries”. He thought.

            “You should have at least invited him for tea, Yoona. It may seem either rude or discourteous to his family if we had just let him stay at some merchant’s inn like one peasant child when he is a lord of a foreign province. Tell me where he is, and I will make sure we will give him proper treatment here at our manor.” Junho demanded, still disappointed that his daughter had let the lord of the Shim clan travel so freely like that.

            “He was with his entourage of soldiers and horse riders as well, Father. I don’t think we would be able to accommodate nearly a thousand soldiers here when this manor is only accustomed to three hundred people. Besides, I sent our warden to bring most of his people with him to stay at inns and guide them through the province since all of them still seemed eager for more travelling and riding through the woods.”

            “Now, now – We will continue talking about this after you get changed and washed for dinner. Make sure you dress your best tonight, my daughter. We will have an important guest coming in today, and your brother will be informed.” He sternly spoke to his daughter, as even she tensed up and adjusted her posture as she was about to slide her door closed to get changed.

            “Yes, father. I will make sure all your orders will be followed. Be careful with Yoochun-oppa, he has a rather strong judgement against unknown visitors.”

            “I will make sure I will.”

….

            He took another sip of the freshly-poured soju, clanking his marble glass against his own personal advisor who had been heavily drunk for the past hour.

His entourage and he had stopped at a local inn ten miles away from what he presumed to be the manor of the Park family.

Changmin really did not remember how he ended up so far away from home here at the premises of the Park clan, and any more trouble would get him banished from his own and named an outsider to his family name.

Three brothers before him- all were dead from the previous war that had taken their lives mercilessly. Even as a little child, it already was clear that he for sure would be the one who would inherit the vast and great lands that the Shim clan possessed, even if there were a few jealous uncles and aunts who would throw their daughters at him to marry.

Though, he knew there were more things to explore than just the land he was said to earn in his later years, as all those years of exposure to books from far-away lands with radical and life changing ideas have fascinated him to explore what else was found in the great dynasty that was Joseon.

Revolution: that was the exact term all those left-winged scholars from Sungkyunkwan have been talking about, and it bewildered him if he would be able to start anything like that.

            “My Lord, you have a letter from Lord Park Jungho.” His messenger, all covered in dirt and dung, rushed to the modest inn and offered a cleanly folded letter, a complete opposite to his mud-ridden hands.

Changmin snatched the letter immediately, flapping it open quickly and read the letter thoroughly. Among the incomprehensible characters, the message he obtained was that he was invited for dinner to the palace and for him to stay until he leaves back home.

            “We will be riding to the manor of the Park clan, Lord Eunshin.” He took another whole cup of soju, and prepared himself to travel ten more miles towards the chosen location.

            “But my lord, dinner is to be served at the manor in less than an hour?” Though not entirely sober, Lord Eunshin rubbed his eyes and groggily walked from his seat, still confused on how they would travel once again.

Changmin got on his horse and made sure all his baggage and belongings were with him.

            “The rest of our men will be staying here at the inn. Lord Eunshin and our five main horse riders and soldiers would be staying at the palace with us. Come on – We do not have a lot of time left!” His temper was boiling and was started to get impatient, a glare thrown to all of them and they raced to their horses immediately.

….

            “I’m thankful you were able to accept my invitation for dinner here at our manor, Lord Shim. I apologize that we have given you such a late notice.” Lord Junho spoke seriously to the young lord, taking another sip of his boiling tea from the ceramic teacup.

Changmin shook his head as he laughed, engulfing all the contents of his cup and drinking it all up in one gulp.

            “It is so much of an honour to be invited by you, Lord Park. I am sincerely disappointed of myself for not informing you as soon as possible of my entrance in your lands, and I ask for forgiveness on my foolishness.” He said.

The door slides open and Lord Junho’s eldest son, Park Yoochun appears and notices an unfamiliar guest has entered their premises, and has been in a comfortable stance with his father.

            “I believe you have never met my son, Lord Park Yoochun? He has a twin sister, Park Minyoung who is married to the heir of the Lee clan, Lee Minho.” Lord Junho stands between them to introduce the two to one another, but only seem indifferent to each other instead.

Yoochun stands there, frozen in the moment and looked from above Lord Changmin who was sitting down silently with his teacup in his hands. A polite smile was exchanged for barely a second, and a low bow was made to him.

            “It is an honour to meet you, Lord Shim. You are a handsome fellow, no doubt. I heard you encountered my sister, Lady Yoona. She is quite the spark of fire – Dangerous, lively and adventurous. I’m astonished you were able to ride out before her chasing you.” He makes a great effort to start a conversation, even if he obviously showed no interest whatsoever.

Changmin responded with the same quick, timid grin and presided to bow down to his fellow lord.

            “There is no need to exchange such formal words, Lord Park. I am much flattered by your complements. Your sister is one of a kind, even among the women in Seoul and deserves a great man in her life. I wish the best to all of your family.” Changmin replied, already involved in the conversation and was delighted to have spoken with his new acquaintance.

            “I wish nothing but the best to you and your clan as well, Lord Shim. I believe we would start seeing one another more often. Do not hesitate to send us a letter if you visit us again, even if you may include your family next time.” Yoochun took the porcelain kettle and poured some tea in Changmin’s teacup, before pouring some for his self.

            “ I’ll make sure the Park Manor will always be a place I will never miss out once I go out for my hunting and riding trips. On what terms could we start addressing ourselves as? Yoochun and Changmin?” Changmin smiled, overwhelmed by the sudden friendliness and openness given to him.

Yoochun’s cordial and neighbourly attitude is suddenly turned aloof and distant as he increases his distance from the Shim lord.

            “We can start with Lord Park and Lord Shim.” He replies shortly.

Discouraged by the sudden distance between the two of them, Changmin decides to start eating on some of the snacks that had been offered to him.

The wooden door was swung open excitedly, too quick for what was known as courteous and proper as Yoona ran into the room dressed in her best clothing. Though was alarmed all of them, was how slightly revealing and controversial her clothing were – which may have overwhelmed her conservative father, and her even more conservative brother.

            “I heard you called for me, Father.” Bedazzled in jewelry, rings and an elegant hair piece of a red-orange phoenix, she held a golden fan and waved over herself, clearly disdained by the warm weather.

Yoona had a smirk on her face, the pure passion and fire in her personality shining through and through – the cunning too obvious to be ignored.

….