The days that followed were busy for Jinki.  He had little time to mull over the incidents in the carriage or the stables and instead tried to put it all out of his mind and focus on his duties.  There was much to be prepared for the upcoming harvest festival and the servants and noble class alike were on edge with excitement and nerves.  The stables were a bustling place year round so the added influx of people and animals during the festival would be taxing on all of them.  

     However, it was in the midst of this that the mare Jinki had been caring for went into labor.  Animals always had an uncanny ability to pick the absolute worst day of the year. It was a universal truth that proved itself over and over again.  The weather was miserable, a soft drizzle pattered relentlessly and seemed to make the cold seep to the very bone. Jinki had spent the night at the stables, the mare started showing signs of birthing early in the evening and Jinki felt it best to stay with her.  His intuition was correct; the horse went into labor late that night. Thankfully, she managed to foal without any issues and the baby dropped without his help. Jinki’s eyes were heavy with sleep and his hair was a tangled mess of straw and sweat despite the weather, but they had a new foal.  The new pair were doing well, the baby had taken some time before he was able to latch on but everything looked in its proper order. Jinki tried to stay back as much as possible, giving the mother and baby time to rest and formulate their bond without his interference. While there were many aspects of working at the stables that Jinki enjoyed, caring for a new foal was by far his favorite.  Horses were such curious and playful animals by nature and it was always a joy to be around the new babies. He was excited for the months to come, to watch their new colt grow and explore his new world. 

     The sun was rising, chasing away the rain and brightening up the day as Jinki was finishing up with the mare, giving her a generous helping of oats, a bit of molasses water and fresh hay to help her through those first few crucial days of recovery. Once he finally exited the stall, the stables were bustling with activity once again. The stable hands were going about their morning routine, food and hay being distributed to the animals and water being brought in from the river. Jinki was exhausted, he wasn’t as young as he used to be and staying up all night took its toll.  He mapped out which chores he had to do himself and which he could pawn off on others so he could go home and sleep; Joonha would be more than understanding. Jinki went to hunt him down, finding the elder in the tack room getting ready to go out for a ride himself.

     “Jinki, you look like death,” Joonha commented, raising an eyebrow.

     “Ay, the mare foaled last night. I’ve been here tending to her,” Jinki explained.

     “All went well?” Joonha asked, turning his eyes back to the horse in front of him while they talked.

     “Ay, the colt is strong and healthy and the mare seems to be fine,” Jinki assured him.  

     “Good to hear.  I’ll pass along the news to the palace,” Joonha responded.  

     “I am going to take the wild one out for her daily training but then, if it is alright with you, I will return home to rest,” Jinki said.  His appearance expressing the necessity more than his words.

     “That’s fine, Jinki-ah. I will have the others take care of your assignments for the day,” Joonha assured him.

     “Thank you hyung,” Jinki responded. Joonha was a good stable manager, guiding the crew with a stern but even hand.  It was always hard when they were short a helper in the stables and Jinki always felt a little guilty about it, but he knew he was useless in his current state.  There had been countless times over the years that Jinki had had to pick up the slack because another stable hand had spent the night dealing with a sick horse or helping with the birth of a new foal.  It was simply how things worked.

     “Oh and Jinki, one more thing,” Joonha said, the faintest quirk of his head drew Jinki’s eye to see Miss Gwiboon entering the stables.

     “Oh gods above, why today?” Jinki muttered but his lips turned up into an involuntary smile.

     “You’d better hurry, she won’t hesitate to give you a good tongue lashing if you keep her waiting,” the elder replied, eyes dancing with mirth.  Jinki nodded with a huff, setting off at a quick pace to catch up with the noble woman. 

     “M’lady, isn’t it a bit cold for a ride today?” Jinki asked to catch her attention as he fell in step beside her.

     “Oh! Jinki!” She exclaimed, surprised by his presence but then she smiled, really smiled, and Jinki’s breath seemed to catch in his throat.  He had grown accustomed to her cold exterior, her words laced with poison and her face hardened with anger. He still wasn’t used to seeing her smile, and definitely not at him.  After their past encounters, Jinki was starting to realize how different Miss Gwiboon really was from the painted mask she wore for the sake of prying eyes. “Yes I suppose it’s a bit chilly today but I have missed my Cheonsa.”

     “Ay, I see. Shall I go prepare him for you?”

     “Jinki, don’t take this as offense but you look dreadful,” Miss Gwiboon remarked, frowning as her dark eyes studied him.

     Jinki chuckled in response, “Ay, I am aware. I haven’t a wink of sleep yet, m’lady. A mare foaled last night so I have been at the stables.”

     “A foal?” Gwiboon repeated, the information piquing her interest.

     “Yes, m’lady. A colt.”

     “May I see him?” She asked, after a pause, biting her lip as if she were nervous to make such a request.

     “Right now? I suppose so.  It’s best not to interact with the mother or baby for a few days though, so we cannot get too close,” Jinki cautioned, leading her down the aisle towards a quieter part of the stables. 

     Gwiboon nodded in understanding, excitement bleeding into her movements as they got closer and closer to the stall.  Jinki gently slid the door open, revealing the new mother and baby. Gwiboon let out a squeal of happiness at the little thing, a dark chestnut color with four identical white socks and a small, off-center star in its forehead.  He was up, trying to get used to his spindly legs and the mother was looking healthier by the minute. Jinki couldn’t help but chuckle at the Miss Gwiboon’s response. It was difficult to believe she was known for her icy stare when he was watching her coo over a new foal, her face alight with tenderness.

     “Oh gods, he is so cute,” she exclaimed.  

     Jinki laughed again, finding he couldn’t help but enjoy this side of Miss Gwiboon.  “Well you will have to visit again in a few days. Once they get settled you are more than welcome to play with the little thing.” He assured her.  It was good for the colt to be socialized and comfortable around new people.

     “Oh I’d like that very much.  I’ve always enjoyed foaling season,” Her tone wistful, sinking off into her own memories.  Jinki nodded in understanding, stifling a yawn as he leaned against the support beam next to her.  “Jinki, are you alright?” She asked.

     Jinki turned to look at her, surprised to find her dark eyes looking at him in genuine worry rather than enjoying the newborn colt like she wanted to.  Jinki forced a small smile, “I’ll be fine Miss. Since I worked all night I’m being allowed to go home early today. I only have a little to finish here before I am free to return home and rest.  Are you finished, m’lady? I can go prepare your horse now,” Jinki said, trying to shift the topic away from himself.

     Miss Gwiboon eyed him warily, “That’s alright.  I think you were correct before, it’s far too cold for a ride.”

     “M’lady?” Jinki questioned, her flippant words were not quite registering in his brain.

     “Are you slow in the head?  I do not wish to ride today,” she snapped, rolling her eyes in annoyance.  “Honestly, I worry about the state of the palace if the servants are all so simple-minded.  Amazing the place doesn’t burn down!” She continued to mutter under her breath as she walked away, not sparing a glance back at Jinki.  

     He continued to stare a little dumbfounded after her; did she just cancel her ride for the day because of him?  Sure, he was tired, but he could manage to tack a horse just fine. She really was a strange noble, Jinki thought to himself, a smile tugging at his lips.

~~~

      Jinki arrived at the stables the next morning well-rested and glad to see that everything had been taken care of in his absence.  The new colt was doing well, growing more confident with his legs and the mare was practically glowing in her newfound motherhood.  There was something about seeing a new life come into the world; the wonder and awe of it all. It warmed his heart. Even now, he couldn't muster up the slightest bit of resentment for the loss of sleep he had suffered.  And really, the colt was simply adorable as he teetered around on his spindly legs and nibbled at everything in his stall in curiosity. With reluctance, Jinki closed the stall door, going back to his work for the day even though he would much rather forget his duties for a bit and play with the little thing. 

     It was just passed noonday when he was interrupted from his duties by a sharp whistle that sank an octave before going back up.  He couldn't have fought back the smile even if he had wanted to. Joon was here.  

     He dropped the brush in was using into a bucket, barely containing himself long enough to latch the door behind himself before he was racing off to find his friend. 

     "Jinki!  There you are!  I've looked near everywhere for you!" Joon called, pulling him into a comfortable hug. 

     "Joon.  You look well.  Come, come. Sit.  We have much to talk about," Jinki said, the smile never leaving his face.  While he enjoyed Joon’s company, he was equally excited to hear news of his family. 

     "Ay, we do."

     "What word does my family send?  My mother? She is well?" The words seemed to tumble off of Jinki’s lips.  Correspondence between himself and his family was slow, Joon only making it to the palace a few times a year and Jinki felt starved for information.

     "They are fine.  Seojin talks of nothing but the wedding and she is absolutely glowing with happiness.  She sends her love and says she understands that you cannot make it. She says there will be no grudge held against you if you send a sizable gift in your stead."  Jinki laughed heartily along with Joon. That did sound like his sister. They were near in age so he had always been closer with her than his younger siblings. Consequently, she seemed to understand him more than the rest of his family.  "Seoyoung is growing like a weed. She's also smart as a whip; she began her studies under the town healer and is learning a great deal. She sent along a small jar of salve for you, says to use it on muscle aches. And your mother is as spry as ever.  She thanks you for the painting and says your skills are improving. She is also working on a new quilt for you and promises it will be ready by my next visit."

     "And Jinhwan?  What of him? Is he still working the fields?" Jinki asked.

     "Ay, but the harvest is near all brought in.  He will be out of work soon which is weighing heavily on him," Joon informed him, his eyes avoided Jinki's.

     "What is it?" Jinki asked, a lead weight seemed to drop into the pit of his stomach.  He could feel the shift between them, there was news, big news, that Joon was reluctant to tell him.  

     "I don't want to worry you needlessly but... there are whispers of war with the east and Jinhwan is at an age where such things look like adventures," Joon said softly, his words heavy with meaning.

     "No..." Jinki breathed.  His heart seemed to stutter in his chest as Joon’s words settled inside him.

     "We must put our hope in the king.  A friend of mine runs the courier route for the military camp stationed near the border.  Peaceful negotiations are in progress so we just have to keep hope," Joon promised him.

     "And if we still go to war?"  Jinki asked.

     "I--"

     "Say it," Jinki demanded, steeling himself for what was to come.

     "Jinhwan made it no secret that he plans to join the efforts if it comes to that." Joon answered gently.  Jinki's head dropped, his fingers threading through his hair in frustration. "I am sorry, Jinki. I shall do my best to talk him down in your stead."  Jinki nodded in understanding. Grateful and bitter all at once. The news only made him miss his family even more and angry at himself that there was nothing he could do.  His little brother... a soldier? No. He couldn't allow that to happen. They had lost their father to death. His family had lost him to a far away city. He would not let his mother and sisters endure yet another loss.  He wouldn't take that chance. 

     "Thank you, Joon."

     "Do not thank me.  Your mother treats me like her own son and I consider you of my blood.  I am just sorry I couldn't bring happier news today. I must go now but I still stop by in the morning if you have things to send?" Joon said, resting a comforting hand on his shoulder.  Jinki knew it hurt his friend to bring such a bleak prospect to taint their meeting.

     "Ay, I do.  See you tomorrow, friend," Jinki sighed, as Joon left him with his thoughts.  While he always worried about his family, he was unfamiliar with the feelings of terror and helplessness that Joon’s words had uncovered within him.  He could do nothing but allow the concerns to take over his mind as he considered what the future held for his brother, for his family.