Loki Odinson
God of Lies and Trickery
The horror before his eyes was worse than any battlefield he had ever seen. In every direction Soo-won looked, fields were burning. Dwellings collapsed in on themselves, leaving blackened stakes beneath the warm blue sky and smouldering heaps of debris. Bodies littered the ground. Young and old. Trampled, impaled, decapitated. The stench of death was suffocating and seared his eyes, burned into his mind. Soo-won’s mount pawed the ground, tossing its head as if equally disturbed by the scene.
Beside him, General Geun-tae’s gritted his teeth. “Those Kai bastards!” He growled and spat upon the ground.
Soo-won’s fingers tightened on his reigns. “Geun-tae-shogun.”
“…Heika.”
“Take whatever troops you command who are willing.” The young King lowered his voice, tone harsh and unyielding as he gave his orders. “Kill them all.”
The General’s breath came out in a heavy rush of air, from determination or grimness Soo-won could not tell. “Yes, Heika.” Without a second’s hesitation, he jerked his horse around, shouting for his men even as he thundered off.
Soo-won released a shuddering breath of his own. This village, Kinkan, belonged to the Kingdom of Kouka. Former Earth Tribe territory, it had been recently reclaimed rightfully in a swift and decisive victory. The elation that had flooded him, having accomplished such a swift and successful campaign was now gone. Just like the Kouka subjects that laid massacred at his feet.
Footsteps approached making him glance away from the carnage. It was Kye-sook, a grimace in his eyes as he covered his mouth and nose with part of his wide sleeve, long black fringe obscured one eye. “Heika.” The advisor spoke softly, for Soo-won’s ears alone. “It would be best if you returned to the camp.”
Soo-won closed his eyes briefly and turned away from the other man. “No.” He would not retreat and hide away from this.
Kye-sook looked up at him with concern, lowering his hands, the decorated trim of his long sleeves fluttering in the soft breeze. “Heika…”
“I am all right. I shall and will not falter here, Kye-sook-dono.” His voice was flat, firm, and left no room for further discussion.
His advisor frowned, displeasure clear on his face but did not press. Just then, two of his personal guards galloped into view from the east at full speed. He heard their call even before they reached him.
“Soo-won-heika.” The one on the left said between rough and uneven breaths as he tried to steady his breathing enough for his words to come out clearly. “We have come from the village just east of here, closest to the Kouka – er…former – Kouka border. It seems like that village’s occupants managed to fight the invaders off somehow. There are bodies of Kai soldiers everywhere.”
“The people I asked said that a lady with fire for hair and her monster companions saved them. The group was apparently travellers who decided to help from the good of their hearts.” The one on the right pitched in, tone disbelieving. “I would have called lies, Your Majesty, if not for the testimony of the entire village. Although…none of them were able to get a clear look at their faces, obscured as their visages were beneath hoods and masks.”
Soo-won froze for a second, his nerves prickling. Hair of fire and a group of faceless travellers. Could it be… He allowed a brief, bitter chuckle to escape, ignoring the curious looks he received. Even on the run, the two of them were helping the kingdom before he could. If they weren’t here, he would have lost two villages this day. Once again, he was gathering debts to Yona-hime and Hak that he could never hope to repay.
Hak gazed off into the distance, glaive rested against his shoulder as he sat leaning against the trunk of a tree. The skirmish at the Katan village had been harder compared to the first time they fought Kai troops off at another village close to the border. But that was not what concerned him. The sheer number and equipment of the force were his main focus. He was pretty certain the others had neither realised nor taken notice of the significance of this display, but for him with his military upbringing, it was difficult to ignore. He had no doubts the troops they beat back had been an invading party, not a raiding one. Which meant the Kai Empire was openly taking advantage of the fact that a young King was upon the Kouka throne.
The mere thought of Soo-won made him scowl and the familiar flare of anger and betrayal rose slowly, steadily. His fingers tightened on the shaft of his glaive, only loosening when the wound on his left shoulder twinged in protest. The sun was descending slowly, signalling the approach into late noon and soon, evening. He could already hear Yoon’s various pots clanging as he began preparation for dinner back at the campsite. Scrubbing a hand through his drying hair, Hak glared at the sky as he tried to force his thoughts away from the damn traitor. He didn’t want to end up in a berserk rage again and cause more trouble for Yona, especially so shortly after a battle.
But no matter how much he told himself to settle, the anger remained. In a smooth motion he stood, moving further into the woods in order to take his displeasure out on the surrounding trees. That ought to do the trick. It always did.
“Raijyuu.” A large claw coiled around his shoulder and stopped him in his tracks.
Hak winced at the stab of pain. “At least pick the other shoulder, White Snake.”
Kija bristled, making Hak smirk. The white-haired man was always fun to tease.
“Don’t you think about wandering around and cutting trees down until I have washed and mended your clothes, Hak.” Yoon’s voice snapped from behind. Kija half-turned his body, revealing the pretty-boy glaring at the Thunder Beast for all he was worth, hands on hips. “Take off your robes and go sit by the fire. I’ll be done in thirty minutes before I get started on dinner.”
With a grumble, Hak did as he was told. There was no arguing with Yoon when he was in mother-hen mode, he had learned that rather quickly. Shoving his glaive in Kija’s normal hand, he untied his outer robes and dumped it unceremoniously on Yoon’s head before taking his weapon back.
Yoon swatted the clothes into a bundle that filled his arms and turned towards the tents. “Good. Now go sit yourself by the fire.”
“Aren’t you going to treat my wound?”
The boy glanced at him over his shoulder, eyeing the injury for a second. “That’s nothing. Do it yourself.”
Hak snorted and moved towards the middle of the campsite, noting that the flap of Yona’s tent was still down, meaning the princess was still asleep, or at least, haven’t left it since he took over Shin-ah’s watch. He snagged the needle and thread from Yoon’s bag and settled himself a few metres away from the flap, close enough to protect but far enough not to be noticed, then got to sewing the gash shut as he waited for her to emerge.
Beside him, General Geun-tae’s gritted his teeth. “Those Kai bastards!” He growled and spat upon the ground.
Soo-won’s fingers tightened on his reigns. “Geun-tae-shogun.”
“…Heika.”
“Take whatever troops you command who are willing.” The young King lowered his voice, tone harsh and unyielding as he gave his orders. “Kill them all.”
The General’s breath came out in a heavy rush of air, from determination or grimness Soo-won could not tell. “Yes, Heika.” Without a second’s hesitation, he jerked his horse around, shouting for his men even as he thundered off.
Soo-won released a shuddering breath of his own. This village, Kinkan, belonged to the Kingdom of Kouka. Former Earth Tribe territory, it had been recently reclaimed rightfully in a swift and decisive victory. The elation that had flooded him, having accomplished such a swift and successful campaign was now gone. Just like the Kouka subjects that laid massacred at his feet.
Footsteps approached making him glance away from the carnage. It was Kye-sook, a grimace in his eyes as he covered his mouth and nose with part of his wide sleeve, long black fringe obscured one eye. “Heika.” The advisor spoke softly, for Soo-won’s ears alone. “It would be best if you returned to the camp.”
Soo-won closed his eyes briefly and turned away from the other man. “No.” He would not retreat and hide away from this.
Kye-sook looked up at him with concern, lowering his hands, the decorated trim of his long sleeves fluttering in the soft breeze. “Heika…”
“I am all right. I shall and will not falter here, Kye-sook-dono.” His voice was flat, firm, and left no room for further discussion.
His advisor frowned, displeasure clear on his face but did not press. Just then, two of his personal guards galloped into view from the east at full speed. He heard their call even before they reached him.
“Soo-won-heika.” The one on the left said between rough and uneven breaths as he tried to steady his breathing enough for his words to come out clearly. “We have come from the village just east of here, closest to the Kouka – er…former – Kouka border. It seems like that village’s occupants managed to fight the invaders off somehow. There are bodies of Kai soldiers everywhere.”
“The people I asked said that a lady with fire for hair and her monster companions saved them. The group was apparently travellers who decided to help from the good of their hearts.” The one on the right pitched in, tone disbelieving. “I would have called lies, Your Majesty, if not for the testimony of the entire village. Although…none of them were able to get a clear look at their faces, obscured as their visages were beneath hoods and masks.”
Soo-won froze for a second, his nerves prickling. Hair of fire and a group of faceless travellers. Could it be… He allowed a brief, bitter chuckle to escape, ignoring the curious looks he received. Even on the run, the two of them were helping the kingdom before he could. If they weren’t here, he would have lost two villages this day. Once again, he was gathering debts to Yona-hime and Hak that he could never hope to repay.
Hak gazed off into the distance, glaive rested against his shoulder as he sat leaning against the trunk of a tree. The skirmish at the Katan village had been harder compared to the first time they fought Kai troops off at another village close to the border. But that was not what concerned him. The sheer number and equipment of the force were his main focus. He was pretty certain the others had neither realised nor taken notice of the significance of this display, but for him with his military upbringing, it was difficult to ignore. He had no doubts the troops they beat back had been an invading party, not a raiding one. Which meant the Kai Empire was openly taking advantage of the fact that a young King was upon the Kouka throne.
The mere thought of Soo-won made him scowl and the familiar flare of anger and betrayal rose slowly, steadily. His fingers tightened on the shaft of his glaive, only loosening when the wound on his left shoulder twinged in protest. The sun was descending slowly, signalling the approach into late noon and soon, evening. He could already hear Yoon’s various pots clanging as he began preparation for dinner back at the campsite. Scrubbing a hand through his drying hair, Hak glared at the sky as he tried to force his thoughts away from the damn traitor. He didn’t want to end up in a berserk rage again and cause more trouble for Yona, especially so shortly after a battle.
But no matter how much he told himself to settle, the anger remained. In a smooth motion he stood, moving further into the woods in order to take his displeasure out on the surrounding trees. That ought to do the trick. It always did.
“Raijyuu.” A large claw coiled around his shoulder and stopped him in his tracks.
Hak winced at the stab of pain. “At least pick the other shoulder, White Snake.”
Kija bristled, making Hak smirk. The white-haired man was always fun to tease.
“Don’t you think about wandering around and cutting trees down until I have washed and mended your clothes, Hak.” Yoon’s voice snapped from behind. Kija half-turned his body, revealing the pretty-boy glaring at the Thunder Beast for all he was worth, hands on hips. “Take off your robes and go sit by the fire. I’ll be done in thirty minutes before I get started on dinner.”
With a grumble, Hak did as he was told. There was no arguing with Yoon when he was in mother-hen mode, he had learned that rather quickly. Shoving his glaive in Kija’s normal hand, he untied his outer robes and dumped it unceremoniously on Yoon’s head before taking his weapon back.
Yoon swatted the clothes into a bundle that filled his arms and turned towards the tents. “Good. Now go sit yourself by the fire.”
“Aren’t you going to treat my wound?”
The boy glanced at him over his shoulder, eyeing the injury for a second. “That’s nothing. Do it yourself.”
Hak snorted and moved towards the middle of the campsite, noting that the flap of Yona’s tent was still down, meaning the princess was still asleep, or at least, haven’t left it since he took over Shin-ah’s watch. He snagged the needle and thread from Yoon’s bag and settled himself a few metres away from the flap, close enough to protect but far enough not to be noticed, then got to sewing the gash shut as he waited for her to emerge.
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