{Fanfic: Less Than a Hundred Years} Company Chapter 3: The First of Many Walks
Less Than A Hundred Years
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The First of Many Walks
Author's Ramblings: You can find this story, which is updated daily, at FF.net. My nick there is nanu107. I feel I've been neglecting my LiveJournal friends lately; forgive me! Enjoy!!
Prompt: Market
The troops were moving swiftly through the open grounds while their general studied the mobilization in silence; the Vice General ever by his side. "My thoughts are dwelling with the High Doctor," said the Vice General, appropriately worried, "Would she mind returning to palace in horseback instead of a carriage?" He halted shouting particular orders while the men followed them. "But she'd never been too squeamish about traveling in horseback."
"No, she isn't." Mused the general, halting and stopping his supervising of the entire operation. "Find a tamed mare, she likes to ride."
"Are you returning earlier or later?"
"We are leaving a day early, but we will wait for you outside the gates of the city so we will be returning with the troops, but I would like the knowledge of the High Doctor's return to be kept from the King, the High Doctor wants it to be a surprise.” They halted, the General studying the weather for a second and finally turned to the vice general. “Where is Dae Man?"
The vice general shouted and Dae Man appeared from the front of several men, hurrying. Choi Young put his hand over the boy's shoulder whispering to his ear. It took longer than really necessary and when the General finished padded the boys shoulder and looked back. "Continue the drills till midafternoon. I'll be back by then."
"Very well sir, enjoy the day." And waving Choi Young left. Dae Man stuttered for a second, got pushed by the Vice General and finally responded. "Didn't he tell you to do something? Move!"
"I just... I th... I do..." The vice general kicked the boy and he went off to do what the General had asked of him.
The General walked up to his room, where the High Doctor had remained to avoid much troubles and because she needed to do something; she was at the window, now wearing a soldier's uniform and looking out the window. Her bright face turned to him, a big smile in her lips.
"Welcome back!" She called loudly as the door closed, this he could get used to. “The drills are not done yet?”
“I sent the Vice General to supervise them.” He sat on the bed, and turned to look at her with a small smile. “We return tomorrow, they will find you a horse so you can ride with us as a soldier, hidden as requested from the King.”
“Why tomorrow?
“There is some place I want to take you to first.” She nodded, understanding and for once not questioning, what had his heart relieved at the moment.
“Young-ah.”
“Yes?”
She walked over to him, and her hands took hold of his hsoulders. “I heard you actually remain under that tree for four days.” His eyes lowered, and a nod was offered. “Why?”
“It was the time that took me to get up from that sudden frozen state I fell into.” He answered softly, without breaking the contact but not looking at her. “I knew that you would return, and since the tree is a part of that path I decided to remain there and wait for you.”
“Every year?”
“Without fail.”
“I got back to my own time, and I ran to get what I needed. The plastic tube, the journal and my projector, that was the last item. And when I hurried back to the portal, and couldn’t find you…” He frowned, not remembering her return obviously shocked. “You weren’t there because I was one hundred years off, the portal lead to some other time...” His hands landed on her hips, as Eun Soo traveled through memory away from this world, so to force her landing. “And then I had to wait.”
“Five years, so the doors opened again?” And she nodded. “Was it lonely?”
“Was it lonely for you?”
He didn’t answer, and neither did she. “Would you like to go out on a walk, the day is so fine and we haven’t gone out for a while.” Eun Soo seemed to think about it.
“I am so busy right now, Daejang, drills and exercise and then weapon marking. It would be hard to make a small time for a walk.” She said making him frown. “But, if you relieve me of my position I might consider it.”
The general stared at her, a small frown in his eyes. There was a short silence, and finally he released her.
“Well then, it can’t be helped. I cannot spare any of the men.” And he stood to leave, making her literally freak out.
“Daejang, Daejang, wait, wait!” She said taking hold of his hand, laughing. “You now sure know how to follow my bad jokes, huh?” He shrugged and smiled at her. “Wait for a bit.” And she hurried away, finding whatever it was she needed to find. There was a loud knock on the door and Choi Young turned.
“Come in!”
Dae Man hurried in, and bowed. “Sir.” And finally leaned to whisper something on the man’s ear.
“Tomorrow? So early?”
“Yes, apparently they had someone know you would come and they have been waiting for the General and the High Doctor for a while now.” And he handed the General a piece of parchment. “The monk who talk to me sent this.” Choi Young took the paper, not dismissing the boy, and read the characters quickly.
“Hurry and find a tamed mare for the High Doctor, we leave before sunrise.”
“Yes sir, I will tell everyone…”
“No, just the High Doctor and I will be leaving, you leave with the others as scheduled, tell no one about this.”
“Yes, General.” And with that the man hurried away. Choi Young saved the note away and watched as Eun Soo returned.
“What that Dae Man? I heard you talking to someone.”
“Yes, a morning report, nothing much. Ready?”
“Yes.” And she leaned onto him, wearing her purple robes to cover the black outfit she wore, her hair loose and messy, and her lips glossy. How she did it, Choi Young wasn’t sure, but he liked it. Offering his arm, Eun Soo wrapped around him, and they walked out of the room.
.
.
The market place was small, not as big as the one that now adorned the street of Goryeo, but with the required variety of items he needed. Eun Soo tasted herbs and medicines, the food from several stands, and then the clothes of a lovely lady who continued to wear the coat she’d given her in exchange of her first set of Goryeo clothes. He bought her some clothes, sending them off to the inn they were staying, then some shoes, and little trinkets for her hair and to be worn as jewelry. He even bought her a hair piece in hand carved jade that she liked. They ate grilled fish, and Choi Young offered to show her how to fish.
“It’s not for me; I don’t like to stay still in one place for too long. But if you go with me I’ll behave myself.” He gave a smile and turned to look at the sky; “What is it?”
“Rain is coming, and the men must still be out.”
“Can’t they train under the rain?”
“They can, but still…” He didn’t finish the sentence, and she smiled. He worried about those children as a father, and with a smile she stood.
“Then let’s go and be sure they are not too sore. I have to put away all of this, I have no idea how I’ll carry this home.” He swallowed hard, turning ot her. HE stared for a second, how I’ll carry this home, the palace was her home. And she was here. And they were going home. Grateful to the heavens for having returned her, a prayer left him, thanking for her existence and her love for him. A knot on his throat, Choi Young simply stood, and offered his arm, mute for once. She took it, grateful, and they started to walk. “Maybe you should buy me a bag for all these little trinkets?”
“Does Imja want a bag?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then let’s find Imja a bag.”
They ended up buying four bags, only because Imja couldn’t make up her mind in which she liked more.
.
.
The mare was gray, tall as the horse the General had, and well kept. It was young and it had cost very little for the party of soldiers of Goryeo. Eun Soo watched the animal with interest, as Choi Young stopped to talk to Dae Man about it.
“It’s a bit big, don’t you think Dae Man?”
“The others were a wild horse and a mule, General, I took my chances.”
“It will have to do. Is it broken yet?”
“Yes, the farmer told me it was used by his younger children.”
“Fine. Feed her well, then have her ready for early morning. The High Doctor and I will leave early.”
“Yes sir.” And turning Choi Young pointed towards the inn, so Eun Soo went in. Leaving early? She didn’t remember anything about leaving early. Deok man received her and was already carrying the items Choi Young had carry from the market for her.
“The General told me to escort you, this way please.”
“Deok Man, you look so much mature.”
“Thank you madam, I have been working a lot lately.”
“But to me you look just the same, a little hairy perhaps.” And she laughed, making them an laugh and offer to help her up the stairs. “I’m fine, thank you.” And she started to climb. “So this is Goryeo territory now? For how long?”
“This was one of the first provinces the King and General decided to reclaim for Goryeo, then all the way towards the river.”
“Ah, and you train here often?”
“It’s a special holiday for us. That’s why there’s so few of us. Our ranks are now more than you remember, madam.” Eun Soo walked to the room she shared with Choi Young and her new things were set over the nearby table, Deok Man bowed and left, wlhie the woman thanked him. She took off her shoes first, because her feet hurt, and sat on bed sighing with delight. She was very tired.
The door opened, and closed, and the smell of her general filled her nose. “You are here?”
“Yes, we must talk.”
“Yes?” He pulled a chair close, and setting the sword beside the bed, took her hands.
“Tomorrow, we leave very early; before the break of dawn. We must visit a small shrine that is a few miles there.”
“Why?”
“I have sent word to them to prepare for our wedding.”
“What?!” She cried, standing up and looking down at him. Choi Young’s eyes were fixed on her, and her outburst made them widen. “Wedding?”
“Yes,” And she was pulled to a sitting position. “But the monk there sent me a note, saying we must go there because there is someone waiting for us there.”
“Who?”
“Someone who knows you have returned. So I must ask, did you talk to someone while walking to find me? Anyone at all?”
“Only to a soldier in this very inn, not even the Vice general or the puppies who I saw. How…?” She asked softly, wondering out loud. Choi Young frowned and sat back, hands still linked. "You don’t think someone is out for revenge do you?”
“Who? they are all dead.”
“Even the fire woman and the flute man?”
“Yes, I killed the man and my aunt managed to kill that woman.” Eun Soo was relieved, if she had to see that woman again she had no idea how she would react, but fear was more than a probable factor. Choi Young leaned, and touched her cheek tenderly. “Do you not say you wanted to marry me?”
She smiled. “I do, but it’s so sudden. You psycho, marrying me with such hurry when I’m not going anywhere.”
“I won’t take chances; I will chain you to bed if need be.” Here his eyes narrowed and he gave her a half smile. “I might do some terrible things to you if such is the case.”
“Pervert.” She whispered, and then stuck her tongue out at him, he leaned and kissed her forehead, standing up.
“Be sure to pack everything well; the boys will be taking our things but if you wish to take something with you.”
“I will.”
“I must go out and give instructions, I will be back in an hour’s time.”
“Yes, Daejang.” And mocking a salute she watched him walk out and smiled, this man was so incredibly impulsive!
She just loved him.
.
.
As promised, before the break of dawn, Eun Soo was been forced over the seat of her new horse, making the mare shake as it took a step to the side. Wide awake now, because it’s been long since she rode a horse, she watched the men helping her bow and leave. Deok Man slapped their heads and then stood beside the doctor. “I know its unnecessary to say, but just stay with the general and let him guide you.”
“I know.”
“We will see each other back at the castle, I can’t wait to tell the Suribang!”
“I will see you there, be safe.” From the side the General appeared over his horse, holding the reigns. The Vice General bowed to the doctor and she offered her hand for him to hold, the man took it quickly. “Be sure to take care of them, and yourself. Don’t get harmed.”
“Vice General!” Called Choi Young, making the man turn, but his hand was not released by the woman. “Remember my command and be sure to leave at the time I told you.”
“Yes General!” And the man turned to Eun Soo. “High Doctor, take care of him.”
“I will.”
“Let’s go.” Said the General to the Doctor, who squeezed the Vice General’s hand and released with a smile.
“I will see you all soon.” She whispered, watching her Daejang’s face turn with a little annoyance. The mare was instructed to move forward and with a smile she followed his black horse. She managed to catch up with him a few minutes after they left the lighted path and entered the dark road, horses moving in an easy trot side by side.
“What did you tell that punk?”
“What? Oh, the Vice General? Why, are you jealous?”
“Didn’t you know I was the jealous type?”
“No, I didn’t. And you are so cute while been jealous; I must do it more often.” And with a scoff of disbelief Choi Young pulled at his reigns and ordered the horse to a faster pace. Behind him Eun Soo let out a laugh, and urged her own horse to follow close.
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The First of Many Walks
Author's Ramblings: You can find this story, which is updated daily, at FF.net. My nick there is nanu107. I feel I've been neglecting my LiveJournal friends lately; forgive me! Enjoy!!
Prompt: Market
The troops were moving swiftly through the open grounds while their general studied the mobilization in silence; the Vice General ever by his side. "My thoughts are dwelling with the High Doctor," said the Vice General, appropriately worried, "Would she mind returning to palace in horseback instead of a carriage?" He halted shouting particular orders while the men followed them. "But she'd never been too squeamish about traveling in horseback."
"No, she isn't." Mused the general, halting and stopping his supervising of the entire operation. "Find a tamed mare, she likes to ride."
"Are you returning earlier or later?"
"We are leaving a day early, but we will wait for you outside the gates of the city so we will be returning with the troops, but I would like the knowledge of the High Doctor's return to be kept from the King, the High Doctor wants it to be a surprise.” They halted, the General studying the weather for a second and finally turned to the vice general. “Where is Dae Man?"
The vice general shouted and Dae Man appeared from the front of several men, hurrying. Choi Young put his hand over the boy's shoulder whispering to his ear. It took longer than really necessary and when the General finished padded the boys shoulder and looked back. "Continue the drills till midafternoon. I'll be back by then."
"Very well sir, enjoy the day." And waving Choi Young left. Dae Man stuttered for a second, got pushed by the Vice General and finally responded. "Didn't he tell you to do something? Move!"
"I just... I th... I do..." The vice general kicked the boy and he went off to do what the General had asked of him.
The General walked up to his room, where the High Doctor had remained to avoid much troubles and because she needed to do something; she was at the window, now wearing a soldier's uniform and looking out the window. Her bright face turned to him, a big smile in her lips.
"Welcome back!" She called loudly as the door closed, this he could get used to. “The drills are not done yet?”
“I sent the Vice General to supervise them.” He sat on the bed, and turned to look at her with a small smile. “We return tomorrow, they will find you a horse so you can ride with us as a soldier, hidden as requested from the King.”
“Why tomorrow?
“There is some place I want to take you to first.” She nodded, understanding and for once not questioning, what had his heart relieved at the moment.
“Young-ah.”
“Yes?”
She walked over to him, and her hands took hold of his hsoulders. “I heard you actually remain under that tree for four days.” His eyes lowered, and a nod was offered. “Why?”
“It was the time that took me to get up from that sudden frozen state I fell into.” He answered softly, without breaking the contact but not looking at her. “I knew that you would return, and since the tree is a part of that path I decided to remain there and wait for you.”
“Every year?”
“Without fail.”
“I got back to my own time, and I ran to get what I needed. The plastic tube, the journal and my projector, that was the last item. And when I hurried back to the portal, and couldn’t find you…” He frowned, not remembering her return obviously shocked. “You weren’t there because I was one hundred years off, the portal lead to some other time...” His hands landed on her hips, as Eun Soo traveled through memory away from this world, so to force her landing. “And then I had to wait.”
“Five years, so the doors opened again?” And she nodded. “Was it lonely?”
“Was it lonely for you?”
He didn’t answer, and neither did she. “Would you like to go out on a walk, the day is so fine and we haven’t gone out for a while.” Eun Soo seemed to think about it.
“I am so busy right now, Daejang, drills and exercise and then weapon marking. It would be hard to make a small time for a walk.” She said making him frown. “But, if you relieve me of my position I might consider it.”
The general stared at her, a small frown in his eyes. There was a short silence, and finally he released her.
“Well then, it can’t be helped. I cannot spare any of the men.” And he stood to leave, making her literally freak out.
“Daejang, Daejang, wait, wait!” She said taking hold of his hand, laughing. “You now sure know how to follow my bad jokes, huh?” He shrugged and smiled at her. “Wait for a bit.” And she hurried away, finding whatever it was she needed to find. There was a loud knock on the door and Choi Young turned.
“Come in!”
Dae Man hurried in, and bowed. “Sir.” And finally leaned to whisper something on the man’s ear.
“Tomorrow? So early?”
“Yes, apparently they had someone know you would come and they have been waiting for the General and the High Doctor for a while now.” And he handed the General a piece of parchment. “The monk who talk to me sent this.” Choi Young took the paper, not dismissing the boy, and read the characters quickly.
“Hurry and find a tamed mare for the High Doctor, we leave before sunrise.”
“Yes sir, I will tell everyone…”
“No, just the High Doctor and I will be leaving, you leave with the others as scheduled, tell no one about this.”
“Yes, General.” And with that the man hurried away. Choi Young saved the note away and watched as Eun Soo returned.
“What that Dae Man? I heard you talking to someone.”
“Yes, a morning report, nothing much. Ready?”
“Yes.” And she leaned onto him, wearing her purple robes to cover the black outfit she wore, her hair loose and messy, and her lips glossy. How she did it, Choi Young wasn’t sure, but he liked it. Offering his arm, Eun Soo wrapped around him, and they walked out of the room.
.
.
The market place was small, not as big as the one that now adorned the street of Goryeo, but with the required variety of items he needed. Eun Soo tasted herbs and medicines, the food from several stands, and then the clothes of a lovely lady who continued to wear the coat she’d given her in exchange of her first set of Goryeo clothes. He bought her some clothes, sending them off to the inn they were staying, then some shoes, and little trinkets for her hair and to be worn as jewelry. He even bought her a hair piece in hand carved jade that she liked. They ate grilled fish, and Choi Young offered to show her how to fish.
“It’s not for me; I don’t like to stay still in one place for too long. But if you go with me I’ll behave myself.” He gave a smile and turned to look at the sky; “What is it?”
“Rain is coming, and the men must still be out.”
“Can’t they train under the rain?”
“They can, but still…” He didn’t finish the sentence, and she smiled. He worried about those children as a father, and with a smile she stood.
“Then let’s go and be sure they are not too sore. I have to put away all of this, I have no idea how I’ll carry this home.” He swallowed hard, turning ot her. HE stared for a second, how I’ll carry this home, the palace was her home. And she was here. And they were going home. Grateful to the heavens for having returned her, a prayer left him, thanking for her existence and her love for him. A knot on his throat, Choi Young simply stood, and offered his arm, mute for once. She took it, grateful, and they started to walk. “Maybe you should buy me a bag for all these little trinkets?”
“Does Imja want a bag?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then let’s find Imja a bag.”
They ended up buying four bags, only because Imja couldn’t make up her mind in which she liked more.
.
.
The mare was gray, tall as the horse the General had, and well kept. It was young and it had cost very little for the party of soldiers of Goryeo. Eun Soo watched the animal with interest, as Choi Young stopped to talk to Dae Man about it.
“It’s a bit big, don’t you think Dae Man?”
“The others were a wild horse and a mule, General, I took my chances.”
“It will have to do. Is it broken yet?”
“Yes, the farmer told me it was used by his younger children.”
“Fine. Feed her well, then have her ready for early morning. The High Doctor and I will leave early.”
“Yes sir.” And turning Choi Young pointed towards the inn, so Eun Soo went in. Leaving early? She didn’t remember anything about leaving early. Deok man received her and was already carrying the items Choi Young had carry from the market for her.
“The General told me to escort you, this way please.”
“Deok Man, you look so much mature.”
“Thank you madam, I have been working a lot lately.”
“But to me you look just the same, a little hairy perhaps.” And she laughed, making them an laugh and offer to help her up the stairs. “I’m fine, thank you.” And she started to climb. “So this is Goryeo territory now? For how long?”
“This was one of the first provinces the King and General decided to reclaim for Goryeo, then all the way towards the river.”
“Ah, and you train here often?”
“It’s a special holiday for us. That’s why there’s so few of us. Our ranks are now more than you remember, madam.” Eun Soo walked to the room she shared with Choi Young and her new things were set over the nearby table, Deok Man bowed and left, wlhie the woman thanked him. She took off her shoes first, because her feet hurt, and sat on bed sighing with delight. She was very tired.
The door opened, and closed, and the smell of her general filled her nose. “You are here?”
“Yes, we must talk.”
“Yes?” He pulled a chair close, and setting the sword beside the bed, took her hands.
“Tomorrow, we leave very early; before the break of dawn. We must visit a small shrine that is a few miles there.”
“Why?”
“I have sent word to them to prepare for our wedding.”
“What?!” She cried, standing up and looking down at him. Choi Young’s eyes were fixed on her, and her outburst made them widen. “Wedding?”
“Yes,” And she was pulled to a sitting position. “But the monk there sent me a note, saying we must go there because there is someone waiting for us there.”
“Who?”
“Someone who knows you have returned. So I must ask, did you talk to someone while walking to find me? Anyone at all?”
“Only to a soldier in this very inn, not even the Vice general or the puppies who I saw. How…?” She asked softly, wondering out loud. Choi Young frowned and sat back, hands still linked. "You don’t think someone is out for revenge do you?”
“Who? they are all dead.”
“Even the fire woman and the flute man?”
“Yes, I killed the man and my aunt managed to kill that woman.” Eun Soo was relieved, if she had to see that woman again she had no idea how she would react, but fear was more than a probable factor. Choi Young leaned, and touched her cheek tenderly. “Do you not say you wanted to marry me?”
She smiled. “I do, but it’s so sudden. You psycho, marrying me with such hurry when I’m not going anywhere.”
“I won’t take chances; I will chain you to bed if need be.” Here his eyes narrowed and he gave her a half smile. “I might do some terrible things to you if such is the case.”
“Pervert.” She whispered, and then stuck her tongue out at him, he leaned and kissed her forehead, standing up.
“Be sure to pack everything well; the boys will be taking our things but if you wish to take something with you.”
“I will.”
“I must go out and give instructions, I will be back in an hour’s time.”
“Yes, Daejang.” And mocking a salute she watched him walk out and smiled, this man was so incredibly impulsive!
She just loved him.
.
.
As promised, before the break of dawn, Eun Soo was been forced over the seat of her new horse, making the mare shake as it took a step to the side. Wide awake now, because it’s been long since she rode a horse, she watched the men helping her bow and leave. Deok Man slapped their heads and then stood beside the doctor. “I know its unnecessary to say, but just stay with the general and let him guide you.”
“I know.”
“We will see each other back at the castle, I can’t wait to tell the Suribang!”
“I will see you there, be safe.” From the side the General appeared over his horse, holding the reigns. The Vice General bowed to the doctor and she offered her hand for him to hold, the man took it quickly. “Be sure to take care of them, and yourself. Don’t get harmed.”
“Vice General!” Called Choi Young, making the man turn, but his hand was not released by the woman. “Remember my command and be sure to leave at the time I told you.”
“Yes General!” And the man turned to Eun Soo. “High Doctor, take care of him.”
“I will.”
“Let’s go.” Said the General to the Doctor, who squeezed the Vice General’s hand and released with a smile.
“I will see you all soon.” She whispered, watching her Daejang’s face turn with a little annoyance. The mare was instructed to move forward and with a smile she followed his black horse. She managed to catch up with him a few minutes after they left the lighted path and entered the dark road, horses moving in an easy trot side by side.
“What did you tell that punk?”
“What? Oh, the Vice General? Why, are you jealous?”
“Didn’t you know I was the jealous type?”
“No, I didn’t. And you are so cute while been jealous; I must do it more often.” And with a scoff of disbelief Choi Young pulled at his reigns and ordered the horse to a faster pace. Behind him Eun Soo let out a laugh, and urged her own horse to follow close.