The Arrow's Flight 11/?
Title: The Arrow's Flight 11/?
Pairing: Changmin/Junsu (Jaejoong/fc, Yunho/Heechul, Yoochun/Yoohwan [incest], Junho/fc)
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Here is another world that I wish existed in a place other than my mind, but it doesn't and I don't own them and I can only place them into this delusion.
Summary: Greed and corruption rule two neighboring kingdoms: The Kingdom of Mountains and the Kingdom of Trees. Two princes are planning a coup. Their success or failure depends on the shadow in the woods, the rogue of the forests, the arrow in the sky.
A/N: Totally inspired by Robin Hood. Can you blame me?
All archery terms are taken from TradeBow.
Warning: het
Part 11:
The Nocking Point
The place on the bowstring where you consistently nock your arrows.
WARNING: This chapter contains rape and incest and a wee bit of gore-y stuff.
“No,” Yoochun said. “Not happening.”
Changmin narrowed his eyes. “I am not sure it is up for debate.”
Yoochun shook his head. “We cannot bring anyone else, not if you want to do this in secret. There is no way that we can get her in there secretly if there are five of them, let alone having them stay secluded afterward. Half of those you want to send are from the Mountains! Jaejoong is being confined to his rooms because of his father’s health. The princess has to join him. It’s the only place where they will both be safe.”
Yoohwan crossed his arms and said, “We were not seen, but Jiyong was. Someone threw a knife at him while he was going back into the castle.”
Changmin stopped in shock. “What?”
Shrugging, Yoochun said, “We were not able to find out who it was without being seen, so we did not.”
Changmin paced over the worn floorboards of his room. The summer sun cast an orange glow, breaking up the shadows from the leaves.
“Have Siwon tell her what she needs to do, the herbs she needs, and she will take them. We have to leave if we’re going to get there before tomorrow night. We will protect her and keep her hidden. I promise.”
Changmin rubbed his face in his hands.
Yoochun knew that Changmin did not want to send Seohyun with so little protection, but he also did not know that Yoohwan had no problem killing even someone that looked at the princess funny. They had their own trails, their own hideouts, their own security. Built over years of being in these woods.
“She will be safe,” Yoochun assured, and Yoohwan nodded.
“So be it,” Changmin whispered. “You’ll leave in twenty.”
He did not turn back around. Yoochun met Yoohwan’s eyes and nodded. They slipped away, leaving Changmin to his pacing.
Yoochun took Yoohwan’s elbow and steered him away from people and to the edge of the village. His brother smirked, like he knew what was going on. Probably did. Yoochun walked until they were on a backside of an empty cabin. He pushed his brother against the wall and kissed him.
“No time,” Yoohwan whispered.
“Fifteen minutes,” he corrected.
“Not enough time.”
Yoochun hummed but kept their lips together. “Even less time once we leave. Shut up. Let me kiss you.”
Yoohwan shut up.
Yoochun tried not to think too hard about their relationship. Not because it was highly immoral to other people, but because it always made him want to cry. Even before Yoohwan had demanded that first kiss, even before they had run from soldiers, even before their family had been destroyed, protecting Yoohwan had been his number one priority. And he knew that Yoohwan’s number one priority was his safety. They worked well together, learned together, cried together.
Yoochun pulled away, blinking rapidly to keep from crying.
Yoohwan smiled and touched his cheek. “The princess is resting in her room. Go get her. I’ll meet you at the first rendezvous.”
Yoochun took a deep breath and nodded. Their lips touched again. “Love you, darling.”
Yoohwan rolled his eyes, but the arm around Yoochun’s waist tightened a little and then they were separated and going in different directions.
Yoochun did not mind that Yoohwan had not returned the endearment. He usually didn’t. Not unless they were naked and alone and Yoohwan could whisper through his pleasure and into Yoochun’s skin.
There was no one else around the princess’s quarters, but Yoochun knew better than to think she was alone. Ryeowook was watching somewhere. He and Yoohwan were good, but Ryeowook was silent. Perfect. Of everyone in their compound, Yoochun saw and interacted with Ryeowook the least. Hopefully, he knew of this plan and did not try to throw a knife at Yoochun while leading the princess away.
Seohyun was sitting up on the bed when Yoochun walked in.
“Let’s go,” he whispered.
Seohyun frowned and then nodded. She stood up gingerly, body swaying from her pregnancy. Yoochun frowned, mind whirring. It was going to be difficult to travel quickly and quietly with her about ready to have a child. There was a lightweight bag wrapped around her body. Yoochun wanted to carry it for her, but he had to have a clear reach for his bow and his sword.
He stayed next to her, and knew he was going to have to through this entire trip. A few birds whistled, and then another that had his brother’s signature attached to it. The whistle repeated.
Hangeng was following them.
Yoochun wondered why. Had Changmin ordered it, or was he doing what he wanted on his own? With Hangeng, Yoochun never knew.
Yoochun returned the whistles, telling his brother to ignore it, but warn him if anything else happened.
“Those are different codes,” Seohyun whispered.
Yoochun smiled at her. “My brother and I have our own.”
“Of course, you do. I doubt my husband has ever said this, but thank you for saving his life.”
“I save and take lives as they benefit me, so I don’t need to be thanked.”
“Indeed.”
Yoochun’s grin widened.
Silence. Relative silence anyway. With the princess pregnant, she had troubles walking, especially over the uneven parts of the ground. Yoochun and Yoohwan did not use the main trails or even the ones used less often, but walked through woods and across streambeds and rugged slopes. They took turns walking with the princess, who needed many breaks, partly because of the pregnancy and partly because her boots weren’t really that good for hiking.
Yoochun worried about Hangeng, who continued to follow them. The part that worried him the most was not that Hangeng did not answer their whistle or hide the fact that he was following them, but that Yoochun did not know why he was there. Why was he following them?
“I’m sorry I am more trouble than I am worth.”
Yoohwan smirked. “Not you. That kid in you. If it weren’t for him--”
“Him?” Seohyun said with a matching smirk. “So optimistic.”
“It’d better be a him,” Yoohwan said, “or your husband owes us. This is all for naught if it’s another girl.”
Seohyun rubbed her stomach. “Maybe. But she’s still precious.”
Yoohwan glanced at her stomach, and then at Yoochun, his mouth widening into a sly grin.
Yoochun rolled his eyes. “No, Yoohwan. God, what is wrong with you?”
Yoohwan chuckled. “Lunch break over?” He turned his back and headed into the woods.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” Yoochun said, unwilling to tell the woman that Yoohwan wanted to cut the child out of her. His brother was ... well, it was mostly Yoochun’s fault. Sort of. And those Mountain soldiers that killed their family when Yoohwan was only seven.
“Come on. We’re wasting daylight.”
An understatement if there ever was one. It’d never taken Yoochun this long to get to the Trees Castle before. Then again, he’d never traveled on foot with a pregnant woman before. But Seohyun never complained. She was obviously exhausted and obviously beyond her limit, but she trudged on, only accepting his help when she needed it. A strong woman, well fit to be a queen to Jaejoong’s king.
“Jaejoong would be a shit king without you,” Yoochun said.
Seohyun smiled. “Make sure you tell him that.”
“I’m sure he knows.”
The closer they get to the Kingdom of Trees, and once they passed that invisible border in the forest, their conversations dwindle, only spoken out loud when Seohyun needed help. Yoohwan continued to scout. Hangeng continued to follow.
The sun set, burning everything gold and orange. The castle seemed so close, Yoochun catching glimpses of its turrets, towers and walls through the trees, but they were still an hour or so off. Yoochun grew impatient. The first time in a long time he had allowed circumstances beyond his control make his heart race and his feet stumble.
Darkness enveloped them soon, and they slowed. Yoohwan moved closer, his bow out and ready. Yoochun kept his over his back, but stayed loose, ready to grab his sword if he needed to.
The north tower of the castle pushed right up against the trees. There were patrols along the wall, above and below, but very easy to avoid if need be. Yoochun felt eyes on him. Being watched. By Hangeng. Or by others. He was not sure. They stopped, Yoohwan holding out a hand.
Yoochun pushed the princess against a wide tree trunk. He unsheathed a knife and handed it to her.
The castle wall was almost close enough to touch.
Yoochun huffed out a breath, a question for his brother who continued to look all around them. Yoohwan tilted his head to the side.
Wait.
Yoochun waited.
Footsteps melded with the sounds of the leaves bristling in the wind.
Yoohwan shifted and moved a little closer. His shoulders relaxed, and Yoochun moved next to him. A moment later, he saw three of Jaejoong’s guards. Jiyong, Seunghyun, based on his body, and the other was either Seungri or Taeyang.
A high pitched whistle rent the silence, and Yoohwan had his bow up and pointed to the west. There was a cry and a thud, and then men melted from the trees, going right for the three guards by the wall.
Yoohwan let an arrow go and had another one in the air almost before the first hit their target. Another arrow from the woods hit. Jaejoong’s guards were fighting a group with swords.
And then Hangeng was next to him. “Go,” he said. “Go. Get her inside now! They do not know where you are. Go.”
Yoochun stared at him as Yoohwan took another out with his bow.
“Go!”
Yoochun turned the other way, and said, “Come on. Go.”
Shaking, Seohyun followed him. Instead of the north tower, he went toward the gardens, toward the hidden break in the wall, covered in brambles from the inside. An arrow whizzed by his head and he cursed. Footsteps pounded behind him, and he turned, sword drawn. Before he got a swipe in, the soldier went down, an arrow in his back. Another rushed at him, and this time, his own knife brushed by his face and buried itself in the man’s face.
Yoochun turned to Seohyun, and she said, “Come on!”
The skirmish had been noticed by the castle guards, and the attackers pulled back, into the trees. His brother chased them. Hangeng right behind him.
Yoochun hurried with her, and then Jaejoong’s guards were there, and one of them shouted, “Cover our backs,” and Yoochun stopped, let the princess go with those she trusted, and turned around, bow ready. He stood near the garden wall, completely exposed, skin shaking, heart thumping. He slowed his breathing, his heart rate, everything. And waited. He heard the hurried steps of the guard and the princes, and then those of someone in the trees.
He focused there, waiting. He could not leave until they were inside and safe. Something glinted in the moonlight.
Hangeng stepped out of the trees, his own bow up and ready.
Yoochun did not lower his bow.
“Where is Yoohwan?” Yoochun whispered.
Hangeng smirked. “Not dead.”
“That did not answer my question.”
“No thank you for saving you?”
“Saving us? You knew,” Yoochun said. “You knew they were waiting for us.”
“I suspected, same as you.”
“You knew,” Yoochun stressed. “Who are they?”
“The only ones that benefit if the princess does not have a boy or a baby at all.”
Jaejoong’s uncle, or his nephew who was too young to be king. “Are you part of them?”
Hangeng did not answer, which was answer enough. A spy, in their ranks. Not completely impossible, but almost. Yoochun knew he should keep asking questions, especially about Hangeng’s involvement on why he helped them but was part of the ones that attacked. It probably had to do with money, not loyalty, but none of it really mattered.
“Where is Yoohwan?”
Hangeng snorted. “Not dead.”
And Yoochun let his arrow go. He took off toward the trees at a run. He paused only long enough to pull the arrow from Hangeng’s face and then went into the trees. The night bird calls he used were to tell Yoohwan he was coming, he was on his way. If his brother could even hear him. He ran faster, listening for noises, for anything. He heard them a few minutes later and slowed. Laughter.
Fucking laughter.
Yoochun moved in close. Still just as silent.
“Hangeng said he’d get rid of him,” the other said. “Don’t worry. We still have this one to demand payment from Max.”
Yoochun had to shut his eyes. They definitely had his brother. Naked, bound, and flung over a tree. It looked like they were taking turns. But it all made sense. Or partially. Hangeng had told him to go with the princess to separate them. He’d meant to come back and capture or kill him. For ransom though? There had to be something else. Hangeng knew where their hideout was. Did these men, too?
Yoochun whistled again, just in case Yoohwan was conscious, but if his brother had been conscious, he would have been fighting them off.
There were five of them.
Yoochun had three knives, his sword, and his arrows. But he had no idea if he could get them all before they hurt Yoohwan. He bit his hand hard as another man moved in behind his brother’s limp body. He had to plan, but he could not, his brain was too focused just on his brother. His brother. His brother belonged to him. Just him. He had to get them off and away from them.
It took too long for him to relax and think. Relax and think. Relax and think.
“Hangeng said he’d be right back,” one of them said, worry in his voice.
“He will be. It’s only been a few minutes. A man like these two does not go down easy.”
Come on, Yoochun pleaded to his brother. Wake up. Wake up. I need a distraction. Wake up.
Another man took his turn, and Yoochun fought down nausea. He turned it into anger. Into greed. That body was his. Only his.
But he could not move. Not yet. Five were too many. He probably could with his sword, most likely, but with his mind spiraling, he was going to make a mistake. And a mistake with five swords meant his brother was dead.
So he waited and his heart broke again and again as the men traded places.
It was so many years, so many hours, probably only a few minutes later, that Yoohwan finally moaned and then jerked in his bindings with a cry. The men laughed, the one behind him yanked his head back by his hair, and Yoochun whistled. Short, quick, and Yoohwan heard him and started fighting.
One man went toward him with his sword, and Yoochun threw his knife at him, another knife went through the neck of the man holding him, and then his last went into the surprised face of another. And then his bow, and a man shot an arrow toward him that Yoochun did not have to dodge. He took him out with his arrow, and then flung himself from the trees, charging the man that shoved his sword into Yoohwan’s side.
Yoochun sliced his arm off and then lopped off his head.
He fell to the log and pulled his brother close.
Yoohwan winced and said, “Fuck. Hurts. Hyung. I ...”
Yoochun hushed him, and as fast as he could, started pulling clothes off the men. He used his bowstring to tie them down, on Yoohwan’s side, pressing against the wound, and then hefted his brother into his arms. A few steps into the woods and he heard horses. No riders. Just what he needed. He went that way, found fifteen horses tied up. Yoohwan held himself up just long enough for Yoochun to get on a horse and then pull Yoohwan into his arms. He clucked at the mare, and moved as fast through the trees as he dared.
Part 12: The Barb
Part 10: The Target Panic
Part 9: The Fishtailing
Part 8: The Sight Window
Part 7: The Aim
Part 6: The Bracer
Part 5: The Fletching
Part 4: The Limbs
Part 3: The Anchor
Part 2: The Grip
Part 1: The Shaft
.
Pairing: Changmin/Junsu (Jaejoong/fc, Yunho/Heechul, Yoochun/Yoohwan [incest], Junho/fc)
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Here is another world that I wish existed in a place other than my mind, but it doesn't and I don't own them and I can only place them into this delusion.
Summary: Greed and corruption rule two neighboring kingdoms: The Kingdom of Mountains and the Kingdom of Trees. Two princes are planning a coup. Their success or failure depends on the shadow in the woods, the rogue of the forests, the arrow in the sky.
A/N: Totally inspired by Robin Hood. Can you blame me?
All archery terms are taken from TradeBow.
Warning: het
Part 11:
The Nocking Point
The place on the bowstring where you consistently nock your arrows.
WARNING: This chapter contains rape and incest and a wee bit of gore-y stuff.
“No,” Yoochun said. “Not happening.”
Changmin narrowed his eyes. “I am not sure it is up for debate.”
Yoochun shook his head. “We cannot bring anyone else, not if you want to do this in secret. There is no way that we can get her in there secretly if there are five of them, let alone having them stay secluded afterward. Half of those you want to send are from the Mountains! Jaejoong is being confined to his rooms because of his father’s health. The princess has to join him. It’s the only place where they will both be safe.”
Yoohwan crossed his arms and said, “We were not seen, but Jiyong was. Someone threw a knife at him while he was going back into the castle.”
Changmin stopped in shock. “What?”
Shrugging, Yoochun said, “We were not able to find out who it was without being seen, so we did not.”
Changmin paced over the worn floorboards of his room. The summer sun cast an orange glow, breaking up the shadows from the leaves.
“Have Siwon tell her what she needs to do, the herbs she needs, and she will take them. We have to leave if we’re going to get there before tomorrow night. We will protect her and keep her hidden. I promise.”
Changmin rubbed his face in his hands.
Yoochun knew that Changmin did not want to send Seohyun with so little protection, but he also did not know that Yoohwan had no problem killing even someone that looked at the princess funny. They had their own trails, their own hideouts, their own security. Built over years of being in these woods.
“She will be safe,” Yoochun assured, and Yoohwan nodded.
“So be it,” Changmin whispered. “You’ll leave in twenty.”
He did not turn back around. Yoochun met Yoohwan’s eyes and nodded. They slipped away, leaving Changmin to his pacing.
Yoochun took Yoohwan’s elbow and steered him away from people and to the edge of the village. His brother smirked, like he knew what was going on. Probably did. Yoochun walked until they were on a backside of an empty cabin. He pushed his brother against the wall and kissed him.
“No time,” Yoohwan whispered.
“Fifteen minutes,” he corrected.
“Not enough time.”
Yoochun hummed but kept their lips together. “Even less time once we leave. Shut up. Let me kiss you.”
Yoohwan shut up.
Yoochun tried not to think too hard about their relationship. Not because it was highly immoral to other people, but because it always made him want to cry. Even before Yoohwan had demanded that first kiss, even before they had run from soldiers, even before their family had been destroyed, protecting Yoohwan had been his number one priority. And he knew that Yoohwan’s number one priority was his safety. They worked well together, learned together, cried together.
Yoochun pulled away, blinking rapidly to keep from crying.
Yoohwan smiled and touched his cheek. “The princess is resting in her room. Go get her. I’ll meet you at the first rendezvous.”
Yoochun took a deep breath and nodded. Their lips touched again. “Love you, darling.”
Yoohwan rolled his eyes, but the arm around Yoochun’s waist tightened a little and then they were separated and going in different directions.
Yoochun did not mind that Yoohwan had not returned the endearment. He usually didn’t. Not unless they were naked and alone and Yoohwan could whisper through his pleasure and into Yoochun’s skin.
There was no one else around the princess’s quarters, but Yoochun knew better than to think she was alone. Ryeowook was watching somewhere. He and Yoohwan were good, but Ryeowook was silent. Perfect. Of everyone in their compound, Yoochun saw and interacted with Ryeowook the least. Hopefully, he knew of this plan and did not try to throw a knife at Yoochun while leading the princess away.
Seohyun was sitting up on the bed when Yoochun walked in.
“Let’s go,” he whispered.
Seohyun frowned and then nodded. She stood up gingerly, body swaying from her pregnancy. Yoochun frowned, mind whirring. It was going to be difficult to travel quickly and quietly with her about ready to have a child. There was a lightweight bag wrapped around her body. Yoochun wanted to carry it for her, but he had to have a clear reach for his bow and his sword.
He stayed next to her, and knew he was going to have to through this entire trip. A few birds whistled, and then another that had his brother’s signature attached to it. The whistle repeated.
Hangeng was following them.
Yoochun wondered why. Had Changmin ordered it, or was he doing what he wanted on his own? With Hangeng, Yoochun never knew.
Yoochun returned the whistles, telling his brother to ignore it, but warn him if anything else happened.
“Those are different codes,” Seohyun whispered.
Yoochun smiled at her. “My brother and I have our own.”
“Of course, you do. I doubt my husband has ever said this, but thank you for saving his life.”
“I save and take lives as they benefit me, so I don’t need to be thanked.”
“Indeed.”
Yoochun’s grin widened.
Silence. Relative silence anyway. With the princess pregnant, she had troubles walking, especially over the uneven parts of the ground. Yoochun and Yoohwan did not use the main trails or even the ones used less often, but walked through woods and across streambeds and rugged slopes. They took turns walking with the princess, who needed many breaks, partly because of the pregnancy and partly because her boots weren’t really that good for hiking.
Yoochun worried about Hangeng, who continued to follow them. The part that worried him the most was not that Hangeng did not answer their whistle or hide the fact that he was following them, but that Yoochun did not know why he was there. Why was he following them?
“I’m sorry I am more trouble than I am worth.”
Yoohwan smirked. “Not you. That kid in you. If it weren’t for him--”
“Him?” Seohyun said with a matching smirk. “So optimistic.”
“It’d better be a him,” Yoohwan said, “or your husband owes us. This is all for naught if it’s another girl.”
Seohyun rubbed her stomach. “Maybe. But she’s still precious.”
Yoohwan glanced at her stomach, and then at Yoochun, his mouth widening into a sly grin.
Yoochun rolled his eyes. “No, Yoohwan. God, what is wrong with you?”
Yoohwan chuckled. “Lunch break over?” He turned his back and headed into the woods.
“What was that?”
“Nothing,” Yoochun said, unwilling to tell the woman that Yoohwan wanted to cut the child out of her. His brother was ... well, it was mostly Yoochun’s fault. Sort of. And those Mountain soldiers that killed their family when Yoohwan was only seven.
“Come on. We’re wasting daylight.”
An understatement if there ever was one. It’d never taken Yoochun this long to get to the Trees Castle before. Then again, he’d never traveled on foot with a pregnant woman before. But Seohyun never complained. She was obviously exhausted and obviously beyond her limit, but she trudged on, only accepting his help when she needed it. A strong woman, well fit to be a queen to Jaejoong’s king.
“Jaejoong would be a shit king without you,” Yoochun said.
Seohyun smiled. “Make sure you tell him that.”
“I’m sure he knows.”
The closer they get to the Kingdom of Trees, and once they passed that invisible border in the forest, their conversations dwindle, only spoken out loud when Seohyun needed help. Yoohwan continued to scout. Hangeng continued to follow.
The sun set, burning everything gold and orange. The castle seemed so close, Yoochun catching glimpses of its turrets, towers and walls through the trees, but they were still an hour or so off. Yoochun grew impatient. The first time in a long time he had allowed circumstances beyond his control make his heart race and his feet stumble.
Darkness enveloped them soon, and they slowed. Yoohwan moved closer, his bow out and ready. Yoochun kept his over his back, but stayed loose, ready to grab his sword if he needed to.
The north tower of the castle pushed right up against the trees. There were patrols along the wall, above and below, but very easy to avoid if need be. Yoochun felt eyes on him. Being watched. By Hangeng. Or by others. He was not sure. They stopped, Yoohwan holding out a hand.
Yoochun pushed the princess against a wide tree trunk. He unsheathed a knife and handed it to her.
The castle wall was almost close enough to touch.
Yoochun huffed out a breath, a question for his brother who continued to look all around them. Yoohwan tilted his head to the side.
Wait.
Yoochun waited.
Footsteps melded with the sounds of the leaves bristling in the wind.
Yoohwan shifted and moved a little closer. His shoulders relaxed, and Yoochun moved next to him. A moment later, he saw three of Jaejoong’s guards. Jiyong, Seunghyun, based on his body, and the other was either Seungri or Taeyang.
A high pitched whistle rent the silence, and Yoohwan had his bow up and pointed to the west. There was a cry and a thud, and then men melted from the trees, going right for the three guards by the wall.
Yoohwan let an arrow go and had another one in the air almost before the first hit their target. Another arrow from the woods hit. Jaejoong’s guards were fighting a group with swords.
And then Hangeng was next to him. “Go,” he said. “Go. Get her inside now! They do not know where you are. Go.”
Yoochun stared at him as Yoohwan took another out with his bow.
“Go!”
Yoochun turned the other way, and said, “Come on. Go.”
Shaking, Seohyun followed him. Instead of the north tower, he went toward the gardens, toward the hidden break in the wall, covered in brambles from the inside. An arrow whizzed by his head and he cursed. Footsteps pounded behind him, and he turned, sword drawn. Before he got a swipe in, the soldier went down, an arrow in his back. Another rushed at him, and this time, his own knife brushed by his face and buried itself in the man’s face.
Yoochun turned to Seohyun, and she said, “Come on!”
The skirmish had been noticed by the castle guards, and the attackers pulled back, into the trees. His brother chased them. Hangeng right behind him.
Yoochun hurried with her, and then Jaejoong’s guards were there, and one of them shouted, “Cover our backs,” and Yoochun stopped, let the princess go with those she trusted, and turned around, bow ready. He stood near the garden wall, completely exposed, skin shaking, heart thumping. He slowed his breathing, his heart rate, everything. And waited. He heard the hurried steps of the guard and the princes, and then those of someone in the trees.
He focused there, waiting. He could not leave until they were inside and safe. Something glinted in the moonlight.
Hangeng stepped out of the trees, his own bow up and ready.
Yoochun did not lower his bow.
“Where is Yoohwan?” Yoochun whispered.
Hangeng smirked. “Not dead.”
“That did not answer my question.”
“No thank you for saving you?”
“Saving us? You knew,” Yoochun said. “You knew they were waiting for us.”
“I suspected, same as you.”
“You knew,” Yoochun stressed. “Who are they?”
“The only ones that benefit if the princess does not have a boy or a baby at all.”
Jaejoong’s uncle, or his nephew who was too young to be king. “Are you part of them?”
Hangeng did not answer, which was answer enough. A spy, in their ranks. Not completely impossible, but almost. Yoochun knew he should keep asking questions, especially about Hangeng’s involvement on why he helped them but was part of the ones that attacked. It probably had to do with money, not loyalty, but none of it really mattered.
“Where is Yoohwan?”
Hangeng snorted. “Not dead.”
And Yoochun let his arrow go. He took off toward the trees at a run. He paused only long enough to pull the arrow from Hangeng’s face and then went into the trees. The night bird calls he used were to tell Yoohwan he was coming, he was on his way. If his brother could even hear him. He ran faster, listening for noises, for anything. He heard them a few minutes later and slowed. Laughter.
Fucking laughter.
Yoochun moved in close. Still just as silent.
“Hangeng said he’d get rid of him,” the other said. “Don’t worry. We still have this one to demand payment from Max.”
Yoochun had to shut his eyes. They definitely had his brother. Naked, bound, and flung over a tree. It looked like they were taking turns. But it all made sense. Or partially. Hangeng had told him to go with the princess to separate them. He’d meant to come back and capture or kill him. For ransom though? There had to be something else. Hangeng knew where their hideout was. Did these men, too?
Yoochun whistled again, just in case Yoohwan was conscious, but if his brother had been conscious, he would have been fighting them off.
There were five of them.
Yoochun had three knives, his sword, and his arrows. But he had no idea if he could get them all before they hurt Yoohwan. He bit his hand hard as another man moved in behind his brother’s limp body. He had to plan, but he could not, his brain was too focused just on his brother. His brother. His brother belonged to him. Just him. He had to get them off and away from them.
It took too long for him to relax and think. Relax and think. Relax and think.
“Hangeng said he’d be right back,” one of them said, worry in his voice.
“He will be. It’s only been a few minutes. A man like these two does not go down easy.”
Come on, Yoochun pleaded to his brother. Wake up. Wake up. I need a distraction. Wake up.
Another man took his turn, and Yoochun fought down nausea. He turned it into anger. Into greed. That body was his. Only his.
But he could not move. Not yet. Five were too many. He probably could with his sword, most likely, but with his mind spiraling, he was going to make a mistake. And a mistake with five swords meant his brother was dead.
So he waited and his heart broke again and again as the men traded places.
It was so many years, so many hours, probably only a few minutes later, that Yoohwan finally moaned and then jerked in his bindings with a cry. The men laughed, the one behind him yanked his head back by his hair, and Yoochun whistled. Short, quick, and Yoohwan heard him and started fighting.
One man went toward him with his sword, and Yoochun threw his knife at him, another knife went through the neck of the man holding him, and then his last went into the surprised face of another. And then his bow, and a man shot an arrow toward him that Yoochun did not have to dodge. He took him out with his arrow, and then flung himself from the trees, charging the man that shoved his sword into Yoohwan’s side.
Yoochun sliced his arm off and then lopped off his head.
He fell to the log and pulled his brother close.
Yoohwan winced and said, “Fuck. Hurts. Hyung. I ...”
Yoochun hushed him, and as fast as he could, started pulling clothes off the men. He used his bowstring to tie them down, on Yoohwan’s side, pressing against the wound, and then hefted his brother into his arms. A few steps into the woods and he heard horses. No riders. Just what he needed. He went that way, found fifteen horses tied up. Yoohwan held himself up just long enough for Yoochun to get on a horse and then pull Yoohwan into his arms. He clucked at the mare, and moved as fast through the trees as he dared.
Part 12: The Barb
Part 10: The Target Panic
Part 9: The Fishtailing
Part 8: The Sight Window
Part 7: The Aim
Part 6: The Bracer
Part 5: The Fletching
Part 4: The Limbs
Part 3: The Anchor
Part 2: The Grip
Part 1: The Shaft
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