⊱☯⊰

The day was pretty calm and the inn was mildly full. People came for a drink or food and a good piece of gossip. Hoseok sat at his favorite table. It's been months since he and Jungkook came to Bangtan and stayed in the Inn. They supposed to move on by now, or at least get their own rooms somewhere in the town, but the Innkeeper was fair enough and gave them two comfortable smaller rooms and three meals a day for the exchange of Hoseok's entertainment during the evenings. The Innkeeper couldn't recall the time his Inn was so full, almost every night before Hoseok came in. The guy was a gold maker and the Innkeeper was a reasonable man. So the bargain was struck and the two friends stayed in comfortably.

Even though he was tall, strong and looked menacing with a sword in his hands, Jungkook's big doe eyes had a lasting effect on the Inn keeper's wife, who made her life's mission to mother Jungkook as much as she could, not having children of her own and made sure that he eats regularly three times a day and drink a cup of milk before the bed. Blushing at first, unused at such affection, Jungkook tried to refuse but the old lady's face was too gentle and who was he to reject such generosity.

Yes, Hoseok was sure, that they hit a jackpot with this place. He even liked the town and the people. They were good-natured and hardworking folks and even their nobility wasn't that bad. Not as bad as they could be. Not nearly as bad as some they've met on their long journey. Hoseok didn't think that he would want to stay someplace longer than a few weeks, but here he was, with no immediate plan of leaving... and then there is V, who was constantly appearing in his deepest thoughts. Hoseok was in the middle of imagining V's lips and warmth of his body when a familiar voice called him.

-''Hyung!'' – Hoseok turned to see Tae hurrying towards him, with a worried expression on his face. Hoseok tilted his head, furrowing his brow. – ''What's wrong Tae?''

-''Hyung where is Jungkook?'' – He asked and Hoseok's brows furrowed more.

-''I don't know, I thought he was with you. I haven't seen him since yesterday afternoon.''

Tae groaned. – ''I can't find him anywhere. Shit.'' - Tae runs his hand through his dark hair, huffing.

-''Tae, you seem worried, what's wrong?'' – Hoseok asked, now worried himself.

-''Oh...'' – Tae shifted. – ''It's nothing...it's...just... do you have any idea where he might be? I need him urgently.'' – Hoseok never saw Tae so nervous before.

-''No, honestly, I have no idea, but he must be somewhere around. He never disappears for long. Maybe he went for a walk, brooding and stuff. Damn it Tae, calm down, you look like a wreck. Did you two had a fight?''

Tae didn't answer but kept looked around the Inn, trying to catch somewhere the sight of his lover. Hoseok placed his hands on his shoulders, turning him gently to face him. – ''Tae, something is not right, I can see it...you don't have to tell me what it is, just tell me can I help you?''

Tae looked at him carefully and then shook his head. – ''No Hyung, you can't, I'm sorry.''

-''But Jungkookie could?'' – Hoseok asked and Tae nodded.

-''Yes, he might. Listen Hyung.'' – Tae placed one hand on Hoseok's chest and lean closer, speaking in a hushed tone. – ''Something came up and I have to leave for a day or two. V isn't here or I would ask him to go with me. Tell Kook, when you see him, not to look for me and both of you keep low until....'' – He made a short pause, gulping slightly, before continuing, but Hoseok sensed that the situation is much more serious than it seemed at first. – ''...until me or my brother return.'' – Tae finished and squeezed Hoseok on his shoulder.

-''Tae you are scaring me now.'' – Hoseok began, but Tae shook his head. – ''Don't worry Hyung, everything is going to be alright.''

-''Tae...what's going on?''

-''Gotta go Hyung. Look after yourself.'' – Tae gave him a quick hug, but before they've moved from each other, Tae whispered into Hoseok's ear. – ''Tell Kookie I love him.''

-''Tae.'' – Hoseok's eyes were alarmed when they let go of each other. – ''You sound like you wouldn't be coming back.''

Tae just licked his lips and huffed again, before he smiled unconvincingly. – ''Of course, I will Hyung. Gotta go. Bye!''

-''Tae wait!'' – But he was gone, expertly evading a few people before he ran through the door.

-''Where did Master Tae ran off to in such haste?'' – The Innkeeper came closer, with a broom in his hand, which he used previously to swipe the floor. Hoseok looked at him and then at the door Tae just disappeared through and with the sense of dread, answered.

-''I had no idea.''

⊱☯⊰

It was quite an uneventful day for Yoongi. Some people could almost say quite boring actually. He got up after three hours of sleep, took a few bites of the old cold broth he cooked two days previous and made a new batch of the sleeping draft that was commissioned, which he poured carefully into small vials and packed up for the courier who waited patiently to pick it up. It took the entire morning and the rest of the afternoon, but Yoongi was mildly satisfied.

Just as he was contemplating what to do next, loud banging at his door and shouts... – ''Hyung! Yoongi Hyung are you in there?''...were heard and Yoongi groaned because he knew that voice very well and it was never good when Tae shouts like that. He went to open the door, grumbling in advance.

-''If this is again about your brother dying Tae, I don't give a...'' – He jerked his door opened and stop in a mid-sentence as soon as he saw Tae's face expression. – ''Fuck Tae, what happened?''

-''Hyung, I need your help, please.''

-''Come in.'' – Yoongi moved to let the younger man in and look left and right at the dark corridor before he closed the door behind him. As he turned, he was met, up close, with Tae's wide nervous eyes. Yoongi jerked.

-''Shit Tae, you scared the shit out of me.'' – He said, holding his heart and pushing the young man away so he could walk pass him into the room.

-''Hyung. It's Jin Hyung.'' – That made Yoongi froze instantly in a mid-walk. He turned to look at Tae again. – ''What happened to Hyung?'' – He asked the dread was gripping him fast. He knew perfectly well who Jin was and of the constant danger, he was in. Yoongi never asked, but he knew. He also knew that the man like Jin must have had many enemies who wanted him dead and by looking at Tae right now, something is terribly wrong. Tae came closer, grabbing at Yoongi's hand.

-''You got to help me Hyung. V is not here, he is on the trip and I can't find Jungkook, otherwise I wouldn't be troubling you, but I can't think about anyone else who could help and I can't do it by myself, because I don't know how many of them are there, or what weapons do they have or...'' – He was rambling now and Yoongi gripped him by his shoulder and gave him a little shake. – ''Focus Tae, what happens to Jin Hyung?!''

-''They took him!''

Yoongi furrowed his brows. – ''What do you mean they took him? Who? Took him where?''

Tae took a deep sigh closing his eyes, calming himself sufficiently enough so he could make some sense.

-''I've got the news that some pirate captured Jin Hyung and took him somewhere. Now, I don't know why, but I've been low key following Hyung's whereabouts for the past several months since I haven't heard of him for quite some time. He was on Stigma for this entire time.'' – Tae said, his voice slightly wavering. – ''This person has been asking about Hyung's location for some time now and it's not good. V knows about this. He told me not to worry much, that Jin Hyung knows how to take care of himself, but I couldn't be calm Hyung. I just had that inner feeling that something was wrong, so I asked around, off the grid.'' – Tae licked his lips nervously. – ''My informant tells me that the pirate Captain finally caught up with him and took Jin Hyung someplace unknown.''

Yoongi jerked his head at this. -''Wait, did you say a pirate Captain?''

Tae blinked confusingly for a second before nodding. – ''Yes, he says it's a pirate Captain of...of...'' – Tae scrunched his eyes and snapped his fingers a few times, trying to remember the name. – ''Oh yes....the 'Sea Monster'...but...'' – He tilted his head, pouting slightly. – ''...that mustn't be right...I mean, the name of the ship... must be wrong, right?''

-''Fuck no.'' – Yoongi gasped.

-''But Hyung I thought that ship was a legend, a tale-tale.''

-''Oh that's not tale-tale Tae, that ship is very much real and you're right...it's legendary.'' – He turned, running both of his hands through his own hair, huffing loudly. – ''I warned him this day will come.''

-''Hyung... you... you knew about this?'' – Tae brow was furrowed as he stepped closer to Yoongi and as he didn't answer, Tae took him by the elbow and jerk him to face him. – ''Hyung how did you knew about this?'' – Tae's voice was deep now, which means they crossed the dangerous line now.

Yoongi looked at him, taking a deep breath before answering.

-''I know because I was there on that ship long, long time ago.'' – Yoongi said quietly and Tae gasped. Yoongi removed Tae's arms and lean on the nearby table, looking at the floor.

-''My father was a sailor but was charged wrongly of piracy and was hanged by the neck on the docks when I was six. Ironically, a couple of years later, when I was still a child, barely ten years old, trying to find a way to survive, I was captured with a few other smugglers, helping them to smuggle some goods to sell. I was about to be hanged just like my father when the pirates attacked. To make the story short, the pirates saved us and they took me in. '' – Yoongi left the part when the Captain made him, a ten-year-old, to take a magic blood oath of life servitude. He was the old man's slave in many ways, even though he wasn't treated as such. He was mainly kept to keep Namjoon's company, but to Yoongi, a life sentence of servitude is still a prison. – ''That's when I met Namjoon, the old Captain's grandson, now the Captain of the 'Sea Monster' and the same person who took Jin Hyung.''

-''You know him?! But what he's got to do with Hyung?'' – Tae asked confused but immersed in the story. He could never believe how many layers of secrecy Yoongi had, but this one he could never imagine.

-''It was a year later that Namjoon was captured one day, while in search of...something. He managed to send us the location and we rescued him, but he wasn't alone. Jin Hyung was with him. He was so young back then. We all were.'' – Yoongi said, looking at Tae to gauge his reaction. His eyes were round and wide, his face blanks as he stared at him.

-''Jin Hyung was.....was on 'The Sea Monster'?'' – Tae asked. Yoongi didn't answer. There wasn't need, his expression was answer enough. 'Fuck it!' Yoongi thought Namjoon got Jin. Yoongi always wondered what would happen when Namjoon found out. Yoongi knew Jin was involved in the old Captain's death. He didn't know much back then. It all made sense later on, but for Yoongi, the news of The Cap's death, meant Yoongi's freedom, so he didn't say the word to anyone. The blood oath was broken and Yoongi decided to leave 'The Sea Monster' with Jin that day. He never turned back. Now, it seems, his past returned to hunt him, just like it did to Jin.

-''But...what does he wants from him?'' – Tae asked and Yoongi sighed looking at his feet again.

-''Revenge I guess.'' - He lifted his gaze towards Tae, biting his lips nervously.

-''For what?'' – Tae asked impatiently.

-''Probably for his grandfather's death.''

Tae widens his eyes. – ''You think Jin Hyung got something to do with it?''

-''I know he did. He was the one who killed him.''

-''But why, he helped Hyung.'' – Tae was shaking his head slowly, disbelieving, but Yoongi corked his head.

-''The Order.''

Tae jerked his head so fast that Yoongi wondered how it didn't snap.

-''What do you know about the Order?'' – He asked and Yoongi licked his dry lips.

-''I know it's there and I know Jin Hyung is their member. As I presume, are you and your brother, if I'm not mistaken?''- He said after a slight pause, looking at Tae, not managing to read anything from his blank expression, but he found the spark in the man's eyes.

-''Oh c' mon Tae, what do you think I am, stupid? All that orders you made and near death experiences you two had... the wounds...the trips...I know something is up and my bet is usually correct. I don't need you to confirm it, just don't take me for a fool. I lived much longer than you.'' – Yoongi went towards one of his trunks and took out a bag. He started packing.

-''What are you doing Hyung?'' – Tae asked after a moment, silently observing the other man.

-''What does it look like I'm doing?'' – Yoongi answered exasperatedly.

-''It looks like you are packing. Are you going to help me?'' – Tae asked carefully. He honestly didn't know what to think about Yoongi anymore. He thought he knew him, but now he realized there was much he didn't know and even more he will never know about his friend.

-''How smart little Assassin you are.'' – Yoongi teased, but then his tone became sharper.

-''I know where Namjoon took Jin Hyung. There is only one place near Stigma where he could have taken him and that's not his ship. No, Namjoon would want to be alone with him, with the only a handful of his man.''

-''We got to hurry then! Hyung's life will be in danger.'' – Tae said as he approached Yoongi, who kept rummaging through his stuff.

– ''Don't just stand there, help me!'' – Yoongi ordered and Tae jumped. – ''Go and get the small purple vials... pack ten...upper right shelf.'' – Yoongi said, pointing at the shelf and bend down to open few drawers. Tae went hurriedly to fulfill his task. A moment later he was at Yoongi's side. -''Here.'' – He placed first five of the purple vials and then the other five, carefully on Yoongi's outstretched hands. – ''Now what?'' – He asked.

-''Behind the barrel, in the corner, there is a small trunk, inside there's some sleeping drafts, some remedies and the stuff you usually ask of me, go get it.'' – Yoongi barked and went to the other room, where his bed was, reaching under it and pulling out a small casket. Inside there were two silver guns. He took both out, together with shield harness. He put it on, carefully tucking in the pistols and tying the small pouch with the ammunition. He opened his closet and found his old leather coat that he hadn't worn for almost eleven years. He put him on, closing his eyes as he ran his hands across it, becoming reacquainted with his old friend.

-''Hyung, I packed it all, what else do you want.....me....'' – Tae stopped when he saw Yoongi. He looked so different in this attire, that Tae was speechless. He looks much older too. Tae was lost for words.

-''Hyung you look...woow....''

-''How eloquent.'' – Yoongi smirked, pulling out some clothed roll. He tossed to Tae, who caught it, startled by the sudden act.

-''It's for you, use it.'' – Yoongi said and went rummaging through his room in search of more weapons he hid during the years.

Inside the cloth was gorgeous throwing knives. Seven of them. Tae wondered at the odd number, reaching to take one when Yoongi's voice stopped him. – ''Watch it, the blades are soaked with poison. I would be extra careful if I were you, here.'' – He gave him two specially designed leather harness for each of his thigh. Each had three slots where the knives usually laid shielded.

-''But there are seven blades, but the only six....''- Tae started, but Yoongi pointed out the small ankle harness among the two big ones.

- It's for your boot. It's smaller, so you can hide it easily inside.'' – Yoongi said. He stopped for a moment to look at Tae starring at the knives.

-''Do you have your own equipment under that robe of yours?'' – He asked and Tae raised his head to look at him, nodding slightly and then after a few buttons he opened his robe and Yoongi shivered. Tae was wearing all black, pants and shirt black as night, wrapped by all sides with a harness of different designs and sizes, filled with so much weaponry that Yoongi was taken aback. He never saw the Assassin in a full combat mode before and Tae with his handsome strong body and face of an angel, did something to Yoongi's chest, it excited him beyond everything. He reminded him of V so much right now.

-''Hell Tae...you look...'' – He bit his lip and then turned hurriedly to get something, murmuring. – ''Hurry up, put these on.'' – He pointed at the knives. – ''We need to go.''

Tae just smirked, bending down to get the harness and to put around his thighs. They fitted perfectly. When he was done, Yoongi gave him his bag to carry and went into his laboratory. Tae looked at the bag and then Yoongi. Sensing the question coming to Yoongi answered calmly. – ''You are bigger, you need my help and I'm your Hyung, that's why.''

Tae chuckled and followed silently, carrying the bag.

-''Hyung we could go by horse to the Eastern side and then hire a vessel to take us to Stigma.''

-''I don't like horse riding, they stink and bite.'' – Yoongi said, grabbing his way out of the halls and onto the streets, Tae at his heel.

-''The horses are magnificent and graceful creatures Hyung.'' – Tae protested.

-''They still bite and stink.'' – Yoongi said defiantly. In truth he loved animals, but after a bad accident with a horse, he was wary of them. He preferred cats and dogs over big animals anyway. Still, he did admire them from afar, but he would never admit that to Tae.

-''They will not bite you, I can guarantee that, but I can't do anything about the smell, although mine smell less bad then the others, because I groom them often.'' – Tae said. – ''Still, it's the fastest way.''

-''No, the carriage would be fast as well.'' – Yoongi was stubborn and Tae gritted his teeth.

-''Hyung, I disagree, trust me on this.''

-''Taehyung...'' – Yoongi began exasperatedly, stopping in his tracks to turn and glare at the younger man, only to be met with eyes filled with cold fury.

-''Hyung...'' – Tae said in his deep dangerous voice. – ''Our Hyung is taken and he is tortured in all probability as we speak, so pardon my lack of respect towards you Hyung, but we will go by horseback with or without your consent and try to catch the best wind for tonight.''

This was spoken in such a tone that Yoongi was speechless, mouth gaping as his stomach stirred. He always liked the dominant man and even though he thought of Tae as nothing more as a beautiful nuisance for most of the time, he couldn't deny that this was hot.

-''So please stop fighting me and trust me. You've been in that hole of yours for a long time. You know the underground, but I know the outside World and I've traveled a lot to know the fastest way to go. Now, chose, will you have the horse of your own, or would you like to ride with me?''

Yoongi gulped, blinking away as he fought with his own thoughts and fears.

-''Jin Hyung needs us.'' – Tae said and that was enough for Yoongi's weak resolve to do whatever the younger man wanted of him.

-''I don't like horses and they don't like me.'' – He said slowly, taking a deep breath. – ''I'll ride behind you if that's alright?''

Tae grinned shortly. – ''Of course, it is Hyung. I'll strand the bags on other horse. Don't worry, I won't let them bite you.''

Yoongi didn't believe that at all until he saw Tae with his horses some fifteen minutes later. Both animals just tilted their ears when they've heard him approaching and neigh softly to welcome him.

-''This is Yoongi Hyung.'' – He told them gently, patting their rears. – ''He is a bit nervous around you, but that's only because he doesn't know you yet. Be extra good to him, he is very dear to me.''

Yoongi felt his stomach clenching warmly at those words, but he gulped again when he saw one horse eyeing him carefully.

-''Nika likes you. Are you sure you don't want to ride alone? She would be nice to you.'' – Tae said, patting affectionately a chocolate brown mere. Yoongi just shook his head.

-''No, I'm fine.''

-''As you wish Hyung.''

-''I don't wish, but I have no choice...'' – Yoongi started murmuring under his breath, thinking that Tae could not hear him, but Tae just smiled, hearing every single uttered word.

The black stallion was truly a wonderful sight to see. He was tall and magnificent.

-''That's Ruu, V's horse. Nika is mine. We will go with Ruu since he could carry both of our weights effortlessly. Nika would carry our bags.'' – Tae said, brushing Nika's snout gently with his palm, before fastening the bags on her back. He felt Ruu nudging at his back impatiently.

-''Let's go Hyung, we have some miles to cover before reaching our destination.'' – He reached his hand towards Yoongi, palm up. Yoongi approached tentatively, eyeing the black animal carefully. V's horse, of course, it would be something powerful, Yoongi thought. He could feel the power of those muscles under the dark velvety coat and the animal's eyes reminded him so much of his owner, but instead of icy blue, they were pitch black.

-''Hyung.'' – Tae urged him quietly and Yoongi swallowed loudly. He glanced from the horse to Tae's hand and then at the horse again, reaching out to place his palm on Tae's and other on the horse saddle. He was hoisted up, feeling the animal under his thighs and then soon Tae's strong back in front of him.

-''Hold on Hyung.'' – He said, pulling both of Yoongi's hands around his chest. Yoongi could feel the weapons under the black robe Tae was wearing. He slid his fingers down slightly, feeling his way until they found their place on Tae's stomach, where strong muscles were flexing. Yoongi spread his palm across Tae's abs and tightened his hold, putting his cheek on the latter's back.

The corner of Tae's mouth curled up in a silent smirk, but he said nothing. He gave a sign to Ruu and Nika and both horses jumped fast down the road, carrying them fast to their destination.