Bricolage [3/20]
Title: Bricolage [3/20]
Author: ixjaydee
Pairing: Jongyu;; TaeSeob;; minor!Minkey;; minor!JongKyung
Rating: PG-13
Genre: drama;; action/adventure;; romance;;
Disclaimer: I own the world, just not the people in it.
Summary: Prince Jonghyun, ruler of the Kingdom of Carmadon had his work cut out for him already. In between taking care of the uneasy townspeople, and searching for a traitor in his midst, he must leave his kingdom in the hands of his younger brother and his royal adviser as he prepares to set out on a conquest to the Unknown World in search for a cure for the disease sweeping through the kingdoms.
The journey wouldn’t be easy. The Unknown World was riddled with shady characters: sorcerers, shape shifters, outlaws, assassins, bandits, monsters of every sort. As if that wasn’t bad enough, things get a little bit more complicated when he falls in love with someone that he should have never fallen for in the first place, a love that would bring the downfall of his kingdom.
AN;; My iPod died on me. Like, died died. I wasn't too mad though (after raging all over the place lol), because I'd been meaning to clean it out anyway. On another note, after today, the next time I'll be updating will be the eighteenth. I've got finals all week, plus a wisdom tooth removal >_>
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03
-
The two rulers walked quietly through the town. Their horses were taken to the stables by the ferry boys upon their arrival. Jiyong’s eyes darted around the empty town. “I had them take shelter in their homes. Just in case you were coming with hostile intentions.” Jiyong didn’t say anything for a moment. “Truth be told, I did. But as soon as I saw you, I knew something had gone awry.”
As they neared the town square, Jiyong suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes going wide. Jonghyun looked at him in confusion for a moment. “YOU! You’re dead! I watched you hang yourself!” A strange laughter rang out in the eerie silence that sent chills up Jonghyun’s spine. He turned to the town square and stepped in front of Jiyong.
“Who are you? What business do you have here?” He asked the strange man. His face was hidden under a large hood, as was the rest of his body.
“Just a warning. A warning he did not heed.” He pointed past Jonghyun to Jiyong, who was standing there, frozen in horror and confusion. “No... I watched you die!”
“Did you?!” The man snapped back at him, causing Jiyong to flinch. “Or did you just watch my body go limp?” He opened and closed his mouth wordlessly. The man let out that strange laughter again.
“Do not make his mistake and heed my warning, Prince Jonghyun of the Kingdom of Carmadon. The Gods are not pleased with what the Fates have in store for you. Protect those closest to you. Should you fail, you will set to motion Fates’ hands. Heed the warnings of the plague. No longer shall the living walk under the sun. Should they incur the wrath of the Gods, stricken ‘til the dead devour the day, plunging the world to darkness!” He cackled a little bit before disappearing in thin air.
Jonghyun blinked for a few moments before running over to the town square, looking for the mysterious man. He turned back to Jiyong, who turned a pale shade of green. A hard feat for someone who worked in the sun all day long. Unless...
“Your majesty... you... you’ve met eyes with it, haven’t you. I didn’t notice it before but...” Jiyong trembled slightly before walking towards Jonghyun. “I... I had no idea. I was working late in my study when I kept getting the feeling like someone was watching me. The eyes. It felt like they were taking away a piece of my soul. I don’t have much time left...” Jonghyun took a step back in shock.
“But your people! What will you do?”
“I'll have my adviser run things in town and take care of my people. My knights will search for the vampir. I will have them lock me in the dungeons and give specific orders not to listen to anything I say. Jonghyun... I know this is much of me to ask of you but please... Do not let this plague spread anymore. Do not let it reach your kingdom.” He gripped Jonghyun’s shoulders.
Jonghyun reached up and placed his hand over Jiyong’s. “We are friends. After I have sorted affairs here and gathered more information, I will come see you at Anvilis. Whether you are sane or not.” Jiyong shook his head. Jonghyun looked up, and he could see people peeking out of the windows of their homes.
“We should leave soon.”
--
The knights of both kingdoms were taking a break from training. The sun was proving merciless, and especially since they were in their armor, it made it all the hotter. They still scrambled to their feet when they saw their rulers approaching and bowed respectfully.
“Come men. We leave and return to Anvilis as soon as possible. There are a few things I need to discuss with all of you on the way back...” The knights turned to gather their things to leave.
“I wish you all of the luck in the World. May the Gods be with you.” The two of them shook hands before Jiyong mounted his horse. Minho walked up beside Jonghyun, helmet tucked under his arm. He was sweating profusely, wiping away sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Jonghyun watched their retreating backs until they all disappeared into the forest.
“Sire?”
“We have a big problem. A very big problem. Gather the townspeople in the square. I need to speak with them. I shall speak to the residents of the castle separately.”
--
Jonghyun stood on the raised platform in the middle of the town square. Some of his knights surrounded it, while others walked in lines, shouting for the citizens to gather at the town square. Soon, the town square was buzzing with curiosity and worry. But as soon as Jonghyun cleared his throat, it went deathly quiet.
“A plague has befallen Anvilis.” A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. “The knights will now be patrolling the town during the day. As soon as the sun sets, no one shall be allowed outside. This is for your own safety.” The crowd murmured again.
“If any of you or someone you know, should come down with a sudden high fever, you are instructed to tell one of the knight as soon as possible. The same goes for if you see someone’s skin suddenly become more pale than it usually is.”
“What sort of plague is this?” One of the women shouted. Jonghyun took a deep breath and bit his bottom lip.
“I’m not even sure what type of plague this is. But I’m sure... all of you heard the warning from the mad man?” Shouts and gasps of worry floated from the crowd again. “Whatever this is... it is a punishment from the Gods.” A roar erupted from the crowd. He could hear their frantic cries and feel their fear.
“I will do my best to protect this town. I don’t want what happened to Anvilis to happen to us. Please return to your daily activities. I need to sort out some affairs and gather some information. I will inform you of anything new I find.” Minho started to divide up the knights. Four of them were to escort Jonghyun back to the castle. The rest of them were to do a sweep of the town as soon as the crowd dispersed.
Jonghyun looked towards the castle with tired eyes. Time to spend some quality time in the Archives.
--
If Taemin wasn’t in his study or outside, he was in the Archives. The Archives was a collection of books from every corner of the world. His father was quite the scholar, and seemed to pass down the trait to Taemin. The books ranged from forgotten kingdoms reclaimed by the earth, to the current history of the royal family. Some of the books were so old, they were in a different language, the First Language of the Forgotten Kingdom, a world that existed centuries before its mysterious downfall.
Jonghyun buried himself into the Archives with Taemin, leaving occasionally to get the report on the town from his knights, and to eat and sleep. Taemin, however, never left the Archives. He brought down everything he needed in his study and made himself a spot in the center of the back wall. Food was brought to him because he forgot to eat a lot. He bathed when Jonghyun forced him outside.
He finally finished writing something down into a blank book and dropped his quill, shaking his wrist. Normally, he would just write and be done with it, but he took special care this time to make his handwriting legible. He was taking notes on everything he believed Jonghyun would need to know about the Unknown World.
Deep down, he knew that Jonghyun would be leaving soon, for one reason or another. It made him more anxious, and he didn’t want to add the burden of his worries to his brother’s shoulders. This was the third book he had filled with information.
“Sire? I brought your lunch for you.” Taemin looked up with tired eyes to see Yoseob standing at his desk with a grin on his face. “You’re starting to turn the colors of the pages in the books.” Taemin placed the finished book on a stack with the others as Yoseob pushed the tray of food closer to him.
“I... I wish I had more time. I wish I didn’t feel like this was all some weird dream. I never dreamed that the Prophecy of the Forsaken was... real. It was just something I read in my books. A legend.” He absently started to shovel his food into his mouth, chewing and swallowing without thinking. Eventually, he tried to swallow something too large and started to choke. Alarmed, Yoseob hurried over to his side and started patting him on the back.
Taemin reached for the water and took a large gulp before taking in a deep breath. “Maybe you should relax for a bit... you’re starting to look like a mad man.” He shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “You have no idea of the strange and gruesome things I’ve read in the last few weeks.” He ran his hand through his hair and sighed before blinking rapidly.
“If Jonghyun ventures to the Unknown World, it feels like it would take nothing short of a miracle for him to come back alive. Much less find the cure to this plague. I’ve searched everywhere for an answer! The only books I haven’t checked are... the...” Taemin’s voice trailed off as his eyes went wide.
He pushed his chair back abruptly and ran into the shelves of the Archives. Yoseob followed him with a wary expression on his face. “The only books I haven’t checked are the ones from the Forgotten Kingdom because I couldn’t translate the script! But now...” He climbed a ladder and searched through the volumes, pulling some out one by one and dropping them to the floor, sending out a cloud of dust. Yoseob coughed and took a few steps back.
“But what? Can you decipher it now?” Taemin tried to reach too far for a book and felt his feet slip off of the rung on the ladder. He knocked off a few books from the shelves by accident as Yoseob dived forward to try to catch him, but Taemin was too heavy for him, and they both ended up on the floor.
He groaned, rubbing his head as he felt Taemin’s hands on his face. “Are you okay? I’m sorry Yoseob! I just... I got excited.” He dropped the large book clutched in his hands onto the growing stack. They both stood up and dusted themselves off. “It wasn’t a problem... I imagined something like this would... Sire. What is that?” He pointed to the empty shelves where Taemin knock the books down.
Taemin squinted his eyes and took a closer look. “I... I... Oh my lord. That’s Forgotten Kingdom script! Yoseob! Help me move the books!” The pair of them moved books over to the corner, stacks at a time. Yoseob pulled the shelves out and leaned them against the wall.
Taemin pressed himself against the shelf behind him. Yoseob saw the confusion in his eyes as he looked at the pattern on the wood. It was circular, full of symbols he didn’t recognize. Nothing he recognized except for...
“Sire, this is a T isn’t it? In the olden script?” He took a few steps forwards and pressed his finger to the letter. Taemin looked over his shoulder, jaw slightly open. Yoseob felt the heat rise to his face from how close the other man was standing to him.
“It is. IT IS!” Taemin’s eyes darted frantically all over the symbols on the back of the bookcase. “It’s a codex! I can use this to decipher the First Language of the Forgotten Kingdom! I can finally find out what happened to... Yoseob! This is! This is...” Yoseob couldn’t really share the boy’s enthusiasm, but smiled anyway at the way he couldn’t finish his sentences.
“I need this case moved. Or my desk moved. Either one. It doesn’t matter to me.”
“What’s all this noise about? Taemin! What did you do to this shelf?!” Key stared in horror at the stacks of books on the floor. “I just made a monumental discovery in the history of the World. Don’t start with me, Key.”
“Yeah, don’t start with him, Key.” Jonghyun walked in and leaned on Key’s shoulder before looking around at the books on the floor and the circle of symbols carved on the back of the shelf. “Or maybe do start with him. What did you do to this case?” Jonghyun decided not to press the matter any further when Taemin gave him an exasperated look.
“Where have you been the last week?”
“In Anvilis. The adviser over there... what was his name...”
“Seunghyun. The adviser to the King of Anvilis.”
“Yes, him. He seems to have things under control. The people are scared out of their minds and jump at the smallest things. His majesty, Jiyong, he...” Jonghyun tried to block out the images of the pained expression on his face before he turned wild and tried to attack him through the bars of the cell.
“Did you find anything else on the cure?” Taemin blinked a few times before nodding slowly. “I did. But I’m not going to get anything done unless my desk is moved over here, or this shelf is moved to my desk.”
--
In the end, the three of them, with Taemin directing, moved the shelf to his desk at the back of the Archives. “Whose bright idea was this?” Yoseob said through gritted teeth. The shelf was leaned forward, Yoseob carrying most of the weight in the front while Jonghyun and Key carried it in the back.
Jonghyun chuckled in the back of his throat and shoved the shelf forward a little bit, causing Yoseob to stumble slightly. “You wanted to be in the front. At least you’re not in danger of getting your fingers smashed when we set this down.”
When they reached his desk, Taemin had them angle the shelf, cutting off one of the aisles. “Don’t worry, there’s nothing I need down there.” Jonghyun and Key dropped their end onto the ground gingerly before hurrying over to Yoseob’s end and helping him push the shelf upright.
Yoseob slumped to the ground and wiped some sweat off of his forehead. “Why are you sweating for? We hardly did any work. Ferry boys are just getting...”
“Your Highness and the Adviser walked quite close to the torches.”
“Oh. Well. I take that back then.” Yoseob ran his hand through his hair before getting up. “If there’s nothing else you need Sire, then I shall get back to work.”
“Thank you so much, Yoseob,” Taemin said with a smile on his face. He just shrugged his shoulders and picked up the empty tray of food. “Just doing my duty.”
--
Jonghyun’s eyes moved back and forth over the pages in Taemin’s books. He could hardly believe that his younger brother could do all of this in the time he was gone. Jonghyun was in his father’s study from the time the sun came up until it started to get dark.
He turned the knob on his lantern to light the flame so he could continue reading. No one bothered him save for Key, who came and went to make sure he was eating and to ask a few questions. Taemin was busy translating things in the Archives. But he was sure that Yoseob was taking care of him when Key wasn’t. He noticed the subtle exchanges between the boys and had to wonder if there was something more to them.
A soft knock at his door shook his hands. He looked up to see Key pop his head in with a tired expression. “Are you spending the night here again?” Jonghyun licked his lips for a moment before thinking about his answer.
“Yes. Yoseob brought by another stack of things from Taemin earlier today. I thought I should finish them.” Key nodded slightly before frowning. “Was it that bad? In Anvilis. His highness, Jiyong...” Jonghyun sighed. At that moment, Key had never seen him more tired in his life. The way the light fell on his face from the lantern seemed to age him a countless number of years. He almost looked like his father, minus the greying hair and large beard.
“In the dungeons... He’s locked in his own dungeons. He’s pale white. Paler than I’ve ever seen him. The expressions he makes, it seems like he’s in pain, like he’s trying to control something and failing. The way he flew at me and tried to grab me through the bars, snarling with black eyes. It’s... “ Jonghyun sighed heavily and leaned back in his seat.
“I would be lying if I said I weren’t afraid.” Key walked in and closed the door behind him, making his way to Jonghyun’s side. He reached out and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sorry Jonghyun. But surely you’re not thinking of searching for the cure are you?”
Jonghyun stared off into the distance before his eyes lowered to the books. “I am. And you know that. I told you what the mad man said. Speaking of which. What are you doing roaming around so late? The rules apply to you too!” He punched Key in the side. He took a few steps away from Jonghyun, glaring at him slightly.
“I know. I was stopping by to see how you were before I left for my room.” Jonghyun smirked and waved him away with his hand. “Go away already. I’m behind on my reading. Is Taemin going back to his room tonight?”
“Yoseob saw him back to his room.” Jonghyun nodded slightly. Yoseob again. “He’s very useful these days. I daresay he takes better care of Taemin than I do.” Jonghyun chuckled. “Is there anything going on between them?”
“Nothing I know of. And you know I know everything that goes on in the castle.” He squinted his eyes at the other man. “Really now? If you say so... Now hurry up and leave before I throw one of these books at you.” Key smirked at him and bowed before turning to leave.
“And Key. That means no more midnight visits to each other in the garden either. I mean it. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
--
Prev | Next
Author: ixjaydee
Pairing: Jongyu;; TaeSeob;; minor!Minkey;; minor!JongKyung
Rating: PG-13
Genre: drama;; action/adventure;; romance;;
Disclaimer: I own the world, just not the people in it.
Summary: Prince Jonghyun, ruler of the Kingdom of Carmadon had his work cut out for him already. In between taking care of the uneasy townspeople, and searching for a traitor in his midst, he must leave his kingdom in the hands of his younger brother and his royal adviser as he prepares to set out on a conquest to the Unknown World in search for a cure for the disease sweeping through the kingdoms.
The journey wouldn’t be easy. The Unknown World was riddled with shady characters: sorcerers, shape shifters, outlaws, assassins, bandits, monsters of every sort. As if that wasn’t bad enough, things get a little bit more complicated when he falls in love with someone that he should have never fallen for in the first place, a love that would bring the downfall of his kingdom.
AN;; My iPod died on me. Like, died died. I wasn't too mad though (after raging all over the place lol), because I'd been meaning to clean it out anyway. On another note, after today, the next time I'll be updating will be the eighteenth. I've got finals all week, plus a wisdom tooth removal >_>
-
03
-
The two rulers walked quietly through the town. Their horses were taken to the stables by the ferry boys upon their arrival. Jiyong’s eyes darted around the empty town. “I had them take shelter in their homes. Just in case you were coming with hostile intentions.” Jiyong didn’t say anything for a moment. “Truth be told, I did. But as soon as I saw you, I knew something had gone awry.”
As they neared the town square, Jiyong suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes going wide. Jonghyun looked at him in confusion for a moment. “YOU! You’re dead! I watched you hang yourself!” A strange laughter rang out in the eerie silence that sent chills up Jonghyun’s spine. He turned to the town square and stepped in front of Jiyong.
“Who are you? What business do you have here?” He asked the strange man. His face was hidden under a large hood, as was the rest of his body.
“Just a warning. A warning he did not heed.” He pointed past Jonghyun to Jiyong, who was standing there, frozen in horror and confusion. “No... I watched you die!”
“Did you?!” The man snapped back at him, causing Jiyong to flinch. “Or did you just watch my body go limp?” He opened and closed his mouth wordlessly. The man let out that strange laughter again.
“Do not make his mistake and heed my warning, Prince Jonghyun of the Kingdom of Carmadon. The Gods are not pleased with what the Fates have in store for you. Protect those closest to you. Should you fail, you will set to motion Fates’ hands. Heed the warnings of the plague. No longer shall the living walk under the sun. Should they incur the wrath of the Gods, stricken ‘til the dead devour the day, plunging the world to darkness!” He cackled a little bit before disappearing in thin air.
Jonghyun blinked for a few moments before running over to the town square, looking for the mysterious man. He turned back to Jiyong, who turned a pale shade of green. A hard feat for someone who worked in the sun all day long. Unless...
“Your majesty... you... you’ve met eyes with it, haven’t you. I didn’t notice it before but...” Jiyong trembled slightly before walking towards Jonghyun. “I... I had no idea. I was working late in my study when I kept getting the feeling like someone was watching me. The eyes. It felt like they were taking away a piece of my soul. I don’t have much time left...” Jonghyun took a step back in shock.
“But your people! What will you do?”
“I'll have my adviser run things in town and take care of my people. My knights will search for the vampir. I will have them lock me in the dungeons and give specific orders not to listen to anything I say. Jonghyun... I know this is much of me to ask of you but please... Do not let this plague spread anymore. Do not let it reach your kingdom.” He gripped Jonghyun’s shoulders.
Jonghyun reached up and placed his hand over Jiyong’s. “We are friends. After I have sorted affairs here and gathered more information, I will come see you at Anvilis. Whether you are sane or not.” Jiyong shook his head. Jonghyun looked up, and he could see people peeking out of the windows of their homes.
“We should leave soon.”
--
The knights of both kingdoms were taking a break from training. The sun was proving merciless, and especially since they were in their armor, it made it all the hotter. They still scrambled to their feet when they saw their rulers approaching and bowed respectfully.
“Come men. We leave and return to Anvilis as soon as possible. There are a few things I need to discuss with all of you on the way back...” The knights turned to gather their things to leave.
“I wish you all of the luck in the World. May the Gods be with you.” The two of them shook hands before Jiyong mounted his horse. Minho walked up beside Jonghyun, helmet tucked under his arm. He was sweating profusely, wiping away sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Jonghyun watched their retreating backs until they all disappeared into the forest.
“Sire?”
“We have a big problem. A very big problem. Gather the townspeople in the square. I need to speak with them. I shall speak to the residents of the castle separately.”
--
Jonghyun stood on the raised platform in the middle of the town square. Some of his knights surrounded it, while others walked in lines, shouting for the citizens to gather at the town square. Soon, the town square was buzzing with curiosity and worry. But as soon as Jonghyun cleared his throat, it went deathly quiet.
“A plague has befallen Anvilis.” A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. “The knights will now be patrolling the town during the day. As soon as the sun sets, no one shall be allowed outside. This is for your own safety.” The crowd murmured again.
“If any of you or someone you know, should come down with a sudden high fever, you are instructed to tell one of the knight as soon as possible. The same goes for if you see someone’s skin suddenly become more pale than it usually is.”
“What sort of plague is this?” One of the women shouted. Jonghyun took a deep breath and bit his bottom lip.
“I’m not even sure what type of plague this is. But I’m sure... all of you heard the warning from the mad man?” Shouts and gasps of worry floated from the crowd again. “Whatever this is... it is a punishment from the Gods.” A roar erupted from the crowd. He could hear their frantic cries and feel their fear.
“I will do my best to protect this town. I don’t want what happened to Anvilis to happen to us. Please return to your daily activities. I need to sort out some affairs and gather some information. I will inform you of anything new I find.” Minho started to divide up the knights. Four of them were to escort Jonghyun back to the castle. The rest of them were to do a sweep of the town as soon as the crowd dispersed.
Jonghyun looked towards the castle with tired eyes. Time to spend some quality time in the Archives.
--
If Taemin wasn’t in his study or outside, he was in the Archives. The Archives was a collection of books from every corner of the world. His father was quite the scholar, and seemed to pass down the trait to Taemin. The books ranged from forgotten kingdoms reclaimed by the earth, to the current history of the royal family. Some of the books were so old, they were in a different language, the First Language of the Forgotten Kingdom, a world that existed centuries before its mysterious downfall.
Jonghyun buried himself into the Archives with Taemin, leaving occasionally to get the report on the town from his knights, and to eat and sleep. Taemin, however, never left the Archives. He brought down everything he needed in his study and made himself a spot in the center of the back wall. Food was brought to him because he forgot to eat a lot. He bathed when Jonghyun forced him outside.
He finally finished writing something down into a blank book and dropped his quill, shaking his wrist. Normally, he would just write and be done with it, but he took special care this time to make his handwriting legible. He was taking notes on everything he believed Jonghyun would need to know about the Unknown World.
Deep down, he knew that Jonghyun would be leaving soon, for one reason or another. It made him more anxious, and he didn’t want to add the burden of his worries to his brother’s shoulders. This was the third book he had filled with information.
“Sire? I brought your lunch for you.” Taemin looked up with tired eyes to see Yoseob standing at his desk with a grin on his face. “You’re starting to turn the colors of the pages in the books.” Taemin placed the finished book on a stack with the others as Yoseob pushed the tray of food closer to him.
“I... I wish I had more time. I wish I didn’t feel like this was all some weird dream. I never dreamed that the Prophecy of the Forsaken was... real. It was just something I read in my books. A legend.” He absently started to shovel his food into his mouth, chewing and swallowing without thinking. Eventually, he tried to swallow something too large and started to choke. Alarmed, Yoseob hurried over to his side and started patting him on the back.
Taemin reached for the water and took a large gulp before taking in a deep breath. “Maybe you should relax for a bit... you’re starting to look like a mad man.” He shook his head and leaned back in his chair. “You have no idea of the strange and gruesome things I’ve read in the last few weeks.” He ran his hand through his hair and sighed before blinking rapidly.
“If Jonghyun ventures to the Unknown World, it feels like it would take nothing short of a miracle for him to come back alive. Much less find the cure to this plague. I’ve searched everywhere for an answer! The only books I haven’t checked are... the...” Taemin’s voice trailed off as his eyes went wide.
He pushed his chair back abruptly and ran into the shelves of the Archives. Yoseob followed him with a wary expression on his face. “The only books I haven’t checked are the ones from the Forgotten Kingdom because I couldn’t translate the script! But now...” He climbed a ladder and searched through the volumes, pulling some out one by one and dropping them to the floor, sending out a cloud of dust. Yoseob coughed and took a few steps back.
“But what? Can you decipher it now?” Taemin tried to reach too far for a book and felt his feet slip off of the rung on the ladder. He knocked off a few books from the shelves by accident as Yoseob dived forward to try to catch him, but Taemin was too heavy for him, and they both ended up on the floor.
He groaned, rubbing his head as he felt Taemin’s hands on his face. “Are you okay? I’m sorry Yoseob! I just... I got excited.” He dropped the large book clutched in his hands onto the growing stack. They both stood up and dusted themselves off. “It wasn’t a problem... I imagined something like this would... Sire. What is that?” He pointed to the empty shelves where Taemin knock the books down.
Taemin squinted his eyes and took a closer look. “I... I... Oh my lord. That’s Forgotten Kingdom script! Yoseob! Help me move the books!” The pair of them moved books over to the corner, stacks at a time. Yoseob pulled the shelves out and leaned them against the wall.
Taemin pressed himself against the shelf behind him. Yoseob saw the confusion in his eyes as he looked at the pattern on the wood. It was circular, full of symbols he didn’t recognize. Nothing he recognized except for...
“Sire, this is a T isn’t it? In the olden script?” He took a few steps forwards and pressed his finger to the letter. Taemin looked over his shoulder, jaw slightly open. Yoseob felt the heat rise to his face from how close the other man was standing to him.
“It is. IT IS!” Taemin’s eyes darted frantically all over the symbols on the back of the bookcase. “It’s a codex! I can use this to decipher the First Language of the Forgotten Kingdom! I can finally find out what happened to... Yoseob! This is! This is...” Yoseob couldn’t really share the boy’s enthusiasm, but smiled anyway at the way he couldn’t finish his sentences.
“I need this case moved. Or my desk moved. Either one. It doesn’t matter to me.”
“What’s all this noise about? Taemin! What did you do to this shelf?!” Key stared in horror at the stacks of books on the floor. “I just made a monumental discovery in the history of the World. Don’t start with me, Key.”
“Yeah, don’t start with him, Key.” Jonghyun walked in and leaned on Key’s shoulder before looking around at the books on the floor and the circle of symbols carved on the back of the shelf. “Or maybe do start with him. What did you do to this case?” Jonghyun decided not to press the matter any further when Taemin gave him an exasperated look.
“Where have you been the last week?”
“In Anvilis. The adviser over there... what was his name...”
“Seunghyun. The adviser to the King of Anvilis.”
“Yes, him. He seems to have things under control. The people are scared out of their minds and jump at the smallest things. His majesty, Jiyong, he...” Jonghyun tried to block out the images of the pained expression on his face before he turned wild and tried to attack him through the bars of the cell.
“Did you find anything else on the cure?” Taemin blinked a few times before nodding slowly. “I did. But I’m not going to get anything done unless my desk is moved over here, or this shelf is moved to my desk.”
--
In the end, the three of them, with Taemin directing, moved the shelf to his desk at the back of the Archives. “Whose bright idea was this?” Yoseob said through gritted teeth. The shelf was leaned forward, Yoseob carrying most of the weight in the front while Jonghyun and Key carried it in the back.
Jonghyun chuckled in the back of his throat and shoved the shelf forward a little bit, causing Yoseob to stumble slightly. “You wanted to be in the front. At least you’re not in danger of getting your fingers smashed when we set this down.”
When they reached his desk, Taemin had them angle the shelf, cutting off one of the aisles. “Don’t worry, there’s nothing I need down there.” Jonghyun and Key dropped their end onto the ground gingerly before hurrying over to Yoseob’s end and helping him push the shelf upright.
Yoseob slumped to the ground and wiped some sweat off of his forehead. “Why are you sweating for? We hardly did any work. Ferry boys are just getting...”
“Your Highness and the Adviser walked quite close to the torches.”
“Oh. Well. I take that back then.” Yoseob ran his hand through his hair before getting up. “If there’s nothing else you need Sire, then I shall get back to work.”
“Thank you so much, Yoseob,” Taemin said with a smile on his face. He just shrugged his shoulders and picked up the empty tray of food. “Just doing my duty.”
--
Jonghyun’s eyes moved back and forth over the pages in Taemin’s books. He could hardly believe that his younger brother could do all of this in the time he was gone. Jonghyun was in his father’s study from the time the sun came up until it started to get dark.
He turned the knob on his lantern to light the flame so he could continue reading. No one bothered him save for Key, who came and went to make sure he was eating and to ask a few questions. Taemin was busy translating things in the Archives. But he was sure that Yoseob was taking care of him when Key wasn’t. He noticed the subtle exchanges between the boys and had to wonder if there was something more to them.
A soft knock at his door shook his hands. He looked up to see Key pop his head in with a tired expression. “Are you spending the night here again?” Jonghyun licked his lips for a moment before thinking about his answer.
“Yes. Yoseob brought by another stack of things from Taemin earlier today. I thought I should finish them.” Key nodded slightly before frowning. “Was it that bad? In Anvilis. His highness, Jiyong...” Jonghyun sighed. At that moment, Key had never seen him more tired in his life. The way the light fell on his face from the lantern seemed to age him a countless number of years. He almost looked like his father, minus the greying hair and large beard.
“In the dungeons... He’s locked in his own dungeons. He’s pale white. Paler than I’ve ever seen him. The expressions he makes, it seems like he’s in pain, like he’s trying to control something and failing. The way he flew at me and tried to grab me through the bars, snarling with black eyes. It’s... “ Jonghyun sighed heavily and leaned back in his seat.
“I would be lying if I said I weren’t afraid.” Key walked in and closed the door behind him, making his way to Jonghyun’s side. He reached out and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’m sorry Jonghyun. But surely you’re not thinking of searching for the cure are you?”
Jonghyun stared off into the distance before his eyes lowered to the books. “I am. And you know that. I told you what the mad man said. Speaking of which. What are you doing roaming around so late? The rules apply to you too!” He punched Key in the side. He took a few steps away from Jonghyun, glaring at him slightly.
“I know. I was stopping by to see how you were before I left for my room.” Jonghyun smirked and waved him away with his hand. “Go away already. I’m behind on my reading. Is Taemin going back to his room tonight?”
“Yoseob saw him back to his room.” Jonghyun nodded slightly. Yoseob again. “He’s very useful these days. I daresay he takes better care of Taemin than I do.” Jonghyun chuckled. “Is there anything going on between them?”
“Nothing I know of. And you know I know everything that goes on in the castle.” He squinted his eyes at the other man. “Really now? If you say so... Now hurry up and leave before I throw one of these books at you.” Key smirked at him and bowed before turning to leave.
“And Key. That means no more midnight visits to each other in the garden either. I mean it. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
--
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