What?

My blood flushed cold. Make SoWon King of Kouka? No! Why would they? He killed our father! Why are they trying to crown him? He does not need to be--!

"The Fire Tribe?!" 

My heart thumped painfully at the dreaded news. Did the other Tribes not know who killed their King? No. Su-Won wouldn't risk the crown, he wouldn't tell. Hak wouldn't tell. If we did tell, we'd risk our lives.

"It seems from the start, the Fire Tribe and So-Won have been in League with each other, " Mundok said, his frown increasing. "They're putting pressure on me because I didn't acknowledge  Lord So-Won as the King."

Ba-dump! Ba-dump!

My teeth nibbled my bottom lip. Get it together, Rika!  If not for yourself, then...then for Yona! I told myself. Yeah. I have to be strong like Hak. I cannot let myself break in the middle of this.

I see my twin as tense as a quivering tree in a harsh wind. Her arms were slunk around her torso in a cold terror. I could see it in her purple eyes that it was there.

"Princess', " Even I was startled byMundok's voice, "It's alright. I won't acknowledge him. If I were to accept Lord So-Won as the King... I would have to accept the suspicion that Hak killed the King, as well."

I couldn't contain my daze ghast, "That Hak killed the king?!"

My tall friend folded his arms with an unamused expression, "Right. Pinning the crime on me is the fastest way to settle it."

"Don't worry, " I glance at Mundok, his look of determination was almost gut-wrenching and reassuring. "I won't let the Fire Tribe do whatever they want from this point on.

~Up the river~

"Master Kan Tae-Jun, " A dark-haired soldier, Heuk-Chi, approached a long, blonde-haired man with a stone expression. "What's the current state of the Wind Tribe?"

Kan Tae-Jun replied easily, "It seems they're having difficulties because the river is blocked, " He began with his cause and effect, "If this goes on for the next few days, then they'll definitely..." He sighed in aggravation and impatience, "That's going too easy on them." Tae-Jun looked back at his closest soldier, "You're blocking the river, that's all?"

Heuk-Chi nodded, "Yes. That's the order from the General."

Tae-Jun rubbed his chin thinking of his dastardly scheme to ruin the Wind Clan, "I hear there are merchants who frequently come to the Wind tribe. If they buy water from those merchants, then this will have been meaningless, " He grumbled, thinking some more. "Crush the merchants before they reach Capitol Fuuga." The manchild decided.

The soldier knew better and spoke up quickly, but calmly, "But if we do something without permission, then the General..."

"Then you should make it look like the doing of bandits!" Tae-Jun burst out in frustration.

Taking no offense to the outburst of his General's son, Heuk-Chi sighed deeply, "What are you irritated about, Master Tae-Jun?"

"NGH!" He grunted out, "If I had obtained Princess Yona or Princess Rika...the King's throne would have been mine!" Veins bulged from his forehead and tears brimmed his eyes in the temper tantrum. "If Hak hadn't interfered that time..."

Heuk-Chi looked at Tae-Jun with an eyebrow raised and a look of "are-you-serious?" Tae-Jun was fuming about something that happened a few years ago? 

Heuk-Chi still couldn't believe this man was the General's son, as he was a whiny and spoiled manchild.

~Wind Clan~

I didn't want to think about anything. As long as Yona and I are alive, I will definitely be aware of So-Won's existence. He's going to ascend the throne, and all the Tribes, except the Wind Tribe, is acknowledging it.

I open the sliding door to Yona and I's room. My sister was sitting in her corner, her face dug in between her knees. I don't doubt she's dreading as much as I am. Thinking our brains into heavy smoke as we think of the Wind Tribe's condition.

"Lena!" 

I finally notice Tae-Yun in front of Yona. He was reaching out for her.

"Eh?" She looked at him with confusion, just noticing him as I did just now.

"What's wrong? Are you hungry?" He asked, "I've got some food for you."

The boy was so sweet, even at a time of crisis, he's so generous and kind.

"But you're short of water, and yet you're giving me this much?" Yona allowed the boy to take her to a tiny table with food.

"It's okay!" He sprung quickly.

I close the door behind me and shuffle closer to them. I notice how breathless the boy sounds...like he had run two miles along the mountains without stopping. It was strange. Maybe I should--

"Hak said we need to make you guys fatter!" He grinned at Yona and me.

Seeing such a bright and innocent smile, I had to reflect with a smile of my own. He was just too precious! 

"Also, " Tae-Yun stuck out his index finger, "It's the Wind Tribe's style to treat guests with lots of warm hospitality so we can collect money from them..." 

The boy trailed off, his body swaying lightly before he actually collapsed.

"Tae-Yun?!" Yona and I shout out in shock. "Tae-Yun!"

Yona stares at his body in shock. I hurry toward the boy, his body shaking with sharp breaths.

The doors slam open, as if on cue, "What happened?!" Hak and Mundok rush inside.

"Tae-Yun just suddenly collapsed..." Yona said before I could.

I hesitated on moving the boy, I didn't want to make his condition worse.

"It's an attack." Mundok briefly summed.

An attack?

"Tae-Yun has bad lungs ever since he was very young. He sometimes has difficulties breathing. If he drinks his medicine soon, then--"

"But the merchants who are supposed to deliver that medicine have not arrived yet." Hak interrupted his grandfather.

"Bad news!" 

My stomach twisted horribly at the words. I didn't like how those words were shouted with such grimacing panic.

A young man fills the open doorway, a thin sheet of sweat rolling down his temple and heavy breaths, "The merchants who were on their way here were attacked by someone!"

Terror hits us all. No. Tae-Yun... I look at the poor boy by my legs. If his medicine isn't delivered, then what'll happen to him?

"All of the merchants?!" Hak growled out.

"I don't know. It appears they've been seriously injured, and, " The young man grimly shook as he added, "The merchandise has been destroyed."

My heart thumped painfully inside my chest. I see Yona from the corner of my eye. She had the expression of pure horror. Her eyes wide and brimming with tears looking at Tae-Yun and then back at Hak.

"Then-then this means our only way to get water has been cut off?!" 

The panic and despair were near suffocating. It only made my heart hurt more. The river blockage, Han-Dae's injuries, now the merchants that held critical merchandise have been attacked and looted.

Yona scooped Tae-Yun into her arms, holding him like glass, "What about his medicine?"

Everyone in the room became angry with stone expressions. 

"Dammit." I heard one of the men curse under his breath.

~~~~

"It was those Fire Tribe bastards."

A bunch Wind Clan villagers have rallied together, and I know they're not happy. They'd kick out to the mountain tops if they found out Yona and I were apart of why the Fire Tribe is doing this punishment.

"They're looking down on us! I won't forgive them anymore!"

"Young General, what are you being so quiet for?!" 

Hak sat stood silently, watching his clan's actions and words. They turned on Mundok, "This isn't like you, Elder!"

I am sure it wasn't like Mundok to not retaliate, but I knew he wouldn't give in. I hope he had a plan. Hak too. The entire fate of the Wind clan depends on them now, more than before.

I bite my lip, shifting my weight to one leg to the other. We couldn't make enemies with them, the Wind clan would pay dearly for it.

Yona, already curled on the floor with Tae-Yun using her as a pillow, cringed with despondency. 

A bandaged hand suddenly patted Yona's red hair. 

"Han-Dae, you--" Tae-Woo began, actually surprised to see the injured man out and about.

"Calm down, you bunch of hot-headed idiots." He laughed light-heartedly, waving at the others. "You were the one who needed to cool off most, weren't you?" He aimed his sentence at Tae-Woo.

That comment didn't seem to help lower the intensity at all, and I'm sure he meant well to lighten the others up some.

He cleared his throat, "We need to think about what's important. First, we urgently need to get the medicine for Tae-Yun. I'll go to a herbal doctor in the Eastern forest who has that medicine."

"Can you make it there with those injuries?" someone asked with concern.

"I'm suggesting it because I'm the quickest horseback rider in the Wind Tribe!" Han-Dae said quickly before turning to Hak. "Hey, is that all right, General?"

Hak gave him a confident smile, "Just drive a hard bargain on the price."

Han-Dae jumped to his feet, hurrying out of the room, "Leave it to Han-Dae! I'm off!"

"That was quick." 

"He's being reckless." Tae-Woo deadpanned, looking at Han-Dae as he zoomed.

"Listen, you guys, " Hak crossed his arms, closing his eyes with a deep sigh, "I know your anger. However, the Fire Tribe has a fair amount of forces. I will not allow you to wage war with them right now. I will, without a doubt, manage to something about this. Even if the river was blocked, it hasn't completely dried up. Entrust your lives to me, shut up, and wait. These are the orders of the Wind Tribe's leader, " He scanned the many faces in the room, "Son Hak!"

At first, Hak's small audience was silent, but then mischief grins grew on Tae-Woo's face and others.

"Di-did you hear that?" 

"The young General said those were his 'orders'."

The males cheered childishly, "The Lord General Hak who always hated being hassled..!"

"Is so cool!

"He's seriously cool!"

"It'll cost you one hundred Ling per pouch",  Hak said bluntly as Tae-Woo and another clung to his arms.

A small chuckle escaped my lips. It was like the wary atmosphere was washed away. I guess there can be something good in a crisis.

"If we can't have water, then we can just drink alcohol!" 

As the bunch continues to rally each other positively, I lower myself next to Yona, who still clung to the unconscious body of Tae-Yun. Although creased with worry, her face lifted with relief.

The boy looked so pale, like a white cloud. His breaths were still short and sharp, but he was going to be okay, I knew. He had to be! Even with a frail body, he's a fighter and fighters don't give up.

"It looks like he's recovering a little", Hak appeared in front of Yona, knelt down a knee, his arm outstretched, placing a hand gently on his brother's head.

"Hak..." Yona murmured, "Um, " her voice rose a little, "Is there anything I, we, " She glanced at me, "can do?" 

The young General stared into Yona's eyes for a long minute, then flicked his eyes toward me. His eyes twist into thought.

"Well,  Hak began smoothly before his face melted into absolute mischief, "a court lady should do what she can to make herself more attractive."

"Wha--!" Yona growled, unamused by Hak's insults of her child-like body.

"Look at this girl, " A beautiful blonde woman with blue almond eyes was suddenly at Hak's side, "She's the same age as you, but she's obviously different from you here and there."

Sure, the girl had an ample bust, a tiny waist, a pretty face, but I wouldn't exactly call her prettier than Yona. As her sister, I'm obligated to defend our faces, because we share the same face.

"Hak, " I blew out, "You're doing it again." I scold lightly.

Before any of us saw it coming, Hak pinched Yona's cheeks and tugged them outward.

"Hak! I'm being serious!" Yona gurgled out.

The male smirked, "It's fine. Just live here at your own leisure." 

From that point, Yona stared wide-eyed at Hak, trying to figure his motives out.

It was pointless to even try and figure his mind out, you would only end up in a hazy maze of confusion.

~Late into the night~

As Yona, Rika, and Tae-Yun rest peacefully in their pallets, the moon and stars litter the sky. The wind was calm and silent. It was almost as if the mountain were sleeping as well.

Outside of the room, just outside the door, Hak sat like a guard. 

_

"Excuse me, Honorable Elder, " Hak stood in the doorway of Mundok's, in which the elder looked up just in time to see Hak pull out a closed bottle-jar from his sleeve, "Would you like a drink?"

A few minutes...

Hak poured the wine into a small cup and handed it to his grandfather, who complied to the gesture calmly.

"It's surprising that you would offer me wine this good", Mundok commented before sipping his portion.

"Well, it's from your wine cellar collection." Hak deadpanned with brutal honesty.

Mundok nearly spits his drink out from snorting with sudden gagging. He coughed, wiping his mouth and facial hair the best he could.

"So, " The older man calmed himself, looking Hak in the eyes, "What do you need?"

Hak lifted his cup toward his lips, "I've...been thinking." 

A minute or two of explaining--

"If you're left all alone, then you'll probably storm the castle...armed with that spear of yours, or something." Mundok chuckled lowly, "Youngsters shouldn't talk like that about other people."

"It would probably be too much to handle for an old man like yourself, Gramps."

Mundok 'hmphed' at "old man", but said nothing nevertheless. He sipped his wine as Hak continued to speak.

"I, " Hak began lowly, "I have a request." His lips thinned into a tight line before continuing again, "Please accept Su-Won's position...as the new King." 

Mundok found it hard to swallow that Hak even suggesting his request. His grandson wanted him to accept Su-Won as the new king? 

Just before the man could ponder his brain, Hak spoke up again, "Tomorrow morning...I will...leave the Wind Tribe. I'll return the "Son" name to you. You should just think about the safety of the Tribe. If you accept him, the Fire Tribe won't lay a hand on the Wind Tribe."

Mundok squinted with a frown before growing a small grin, "I might turn you in to collect the bounty." He wouldn't really, and Hak knew it.

"That's fine with me, " Hak returned the grin, "I've become Kouka's number one criminal, haven't I?"

"Do you...intend to leave the princesses?" Mundok asked, all smiles vanishing.

Hak fought the urge to hang his head, "Yona, she's gradually gotten to the point where she can smile a bit, I know with Rika by her side, she'll recover just the same. I think it was good that I leave them here...I have another request." Hak hunched forward, bowing to his grandfather. "Please hide Princess Yona and Princess Rika from the castle...and let them live here at Capitol Fuuga, as members of the Wind Tribe...for the remainders of their lives."

"No." Mundok burst.

"Gramps..." Hak grunted with annoyance and total loss of anticipation.

"As long as it is a request from my grandson, I won't listen, " Mundok huffed stubbornly, "I don't intend to let you go; however if it is a command from the head of the Tribe, I will have no choice but to comply."

Hak suddenly tensed, sitting straight up, "This is the final order... of Son Hak, Leader of the Wind Tribe."

Before Mundok knew it, his eye leaked fresh and hot tears.

"As you command."

2620 words.