Sanghyun and Changsun came to the markets glancing around. Sanghyun’s eyes widened as he saw the glint of fresh metal from a stand selling swords.

“Can we have a look?” He asked Changsun who was sampling herbs and spices. Taking out a small stone jar he opened the lid and sniffed the contents. Scrunching his face he lowered the jar.

“Ah that is definitely what they use in their poisons.”

Sanghyun didn’t understand, “Changsun?”

“If you double the amount and add an extra ingredient you could use it to kill someone.” He returned the jar and straightened up. “Sorry what were you saying?”

“I was asking about the swords over there—“

Changsun gently moved past him towards a stall where the owner sold meat. A rather sickly looking cow had been tied to the front. The man was standing there sharpening his carving knife.

Realising that his friend the guard would not give him the time or an answer Sanghyun sighed and followed after him.
“Excuse me,” Changsun said clearing his throat. “We’re looking for someone. Have you seen a woman? About this height, beautiful face, dressed like a e?”

The man put away his knife. “Why does it matter?”

“She’s this kingdom’s princess!” Sanghyun answered getting a rather frustrated look from Changsun who hadn’t wanted it disclosed to everyone.

The merchant’s face changed. It was as though he recalled something from the back of his mind. He spoke. “I think I may have. Was she travelling with two men?”

Changsun’s face furrowed with confusion. “She was in the company of men? What did they look like?”

“One of them was a bit of a ruffian, rough around the edges while the other may have been a rather decent man.”

Changsun’s expression grew worse while Sanghyun became slightly worried. “Why do you say that? What do you know sir?”

“A little while ago, a young boy was trying to bargain with me to buy his cow which is standing next to you.” As if on cue the animal made a moo. “I wasn’t giving him the price he wanted and this rather outspoken woman with two other men beside her came over and offered to buy the animal for more. Having pride as a man I gave in and bought the beast even though I doubt I’ll be able to get even the smallest bit of meat off its scrawny body.”

“Which direction did they leave in?”

The man pointed. “It was a while ago. They’re probably out of town however.” Changsun and Sanghyun nodded before leaving.  They were on the hunt once again.

“And so my father said, ‘no you will not marry her she’s not of age!’” Byunghee had to bite his tongue from laughing as Cheolyong’s conversation with Jinkyong took an amusing turn. The two had been talking happily for a while, the youngster’s personality bubbling over with the subjects he brought.

“What happened then?” She asked, keenly listening to him. Seungho gave a yawn; he’d been sitting opposite them on the other horse, his head still pounding from that morning.

“She was married off to a scholar’s son.” To this Jinkyong reached over to pat him on the back when she wobbled. Seungho had to steer his horse closer to steady her.

“Hey are you trying to break your neck?!”

“Relax Seungho I could have intervened,” Byunghee calmly answered as Jinkyong shifted in her spot to try and remain sturdy. Seungho grabbed his head with gritted teeth. “Is your head still giving you grief?” The fact he didn’t answer proved this was true.

Jinkyong looked up at the sky. “We’re losing light, we should hurry to the nearest inn.”

“That will not happen.”

Jinkyong frowned at Seungho, “and why not?”

“We’re a long way away from it; we’ll have to sleep out here.” Byunghee’s posture stiffened and he silently counted from one to three. Cheolyong who was walking on his own two feet glanced around, clueless to what was about to begin.

Jinkyong’s expression was not pleasant. “Mr Yang, do you really expect me to sleep out here in the open completely exposed?”

“You won’t be exposed unless we take off your—“

“I’m really sick of your filthy tongue! Do you wipe your own bottom with it?!”

“Sounds like you would like to see me attempt it!” He exclaimed in his sarcastic tone. “Fine but it will cost you.”

Jinkyong’s face screwed up in disgust. “You are absolutely vile! I feel my whole being shiver. I’ll have to bathe my soul if I dare say anything favouring towards you Mr Yang!”

“The feeling is completely the same your royal haughtiness!”

The two continued for a little longer. Byunghee glanced at Cheolyong who was observing with wide eyes. “Are they normally like this?”

Byunghee nodded. “You should feel honoured that the princess is actually being polite to you.”

“W-wait…” Cheolyong stammered just like a child. “S-she’s a—“

“Maybe address her as crown princess from now on alright?”

 

That night the four of them lay on blankets near the road close to a field with their horses tied close by. Seungho had wanted everyone to take it in turns to guard them as they slept however Jinkyong had refused instantly and Byunghee insisted to him that he had the best hearing out of all of them. If anyone would try to attack or steal their horses then he would be awake in a flash with a knife next to their throats.

Jinkyong suddenly jolted herself upright with a gasp. Her dreamland had taken the twist of being a dungeon of nightmares. Her skin was slightly damp from perspiration and breathing fast paced. Glancing around she realised that it was not the scene she’d been seeing in her sleep. She was out in the middle of nowhere with three men. One was a criminal, one was a decent man and the third a young boy living through selling livestock.

Glancing around in the dark Jinkyong’s eyes stopped at a silhouette standing beside a tree, watching the road. She knew for an instant it was not Byunghee or Cheolyong, they were asleep. Slowly standing up and hugging herself to keep warm she slowly made her way over to him.

“Why are you awake … Mr Yang?”

Seungho moved his head upwards to the darkness above dotted with a few small stars. “I could not sleep. I need wine to do that.” His answer was a bluff mixed in with some truth. A lot of the time he would fall asleep drunk.

Jinkyong shook her head in disbelief. “You’re awake because you are not used to living like this.” His words surprised her. “You’ve always had a bed, even if it felt like sleeping on thorns.” She decided not to tell him her real reason. He then spoke again shortly after. “Do you know why I cannot for real?” The way he spoke sounded uneasy and with caution.

“It’s your choice whether you disclose it with me or not.”

He lowered his gaze staring at the ground before him. “Will you keep to your word your highness? Will you honestly stay with me until we reach the palace so I can be rewarded like you claim?”

She wondered why he would ask her this or why he would worry about such a topic. Whatever the reason she guessed it was that he struggled to trust strangers. After a while she made a nod to him as her answer.

“And how about you Mr Yang; are you going to honour your word as well?”

Before he could answer a cloud shifted revealing the clear, glowing moon in the sky. It was at that moment Seungho’s eyes had moved to face hers. They now saw each other, both revealed by the clear cold light of the moon.

The two thought they would turn away from the other however something drew them to keeping the gaze. Curiosity or uncertainty maybe was the reason. Jinkyong was the first to look away with Seungho following.

“This… This cannot be,” she murmured with him only being able to hear her.

“You are speaking strangely,” he told her, somewhat curious and confused as to why.

She looked at him with the corner of her eyes, only just catching him in her vision. “You’re a bandit… A criminal… A thief; the sort of people they behead in the centre of the capital. W-why do I stare at you in such a way?”

Seungho raised his eyebrows. “I don’t understand what you’re saying. Yes I live outside of the law but I’m still a human being nonetheless.”

Jinkyong nodded and then made her way to her bed where she fell asleep soon after. Seungho cautiously got back to his and lay on his back. It took a little longer for him to fall asleep than she did but at least his mind wasn’t confused as hers was.

Ah ha would be an appropriate response here right? Anyway I hope we enjoyed this update even though it was a little shorter >_<