Chapter 22

"SHIN!" Yoon-Yi cried out in panic.

She felt Shin's body becoming limp, pressing down onto her. Not able to sustain his weight she almost fell over. Jun-Ho got there just in time to catch them. He pulled Shin from around Yoon-Yi and put him down gently.

Finally free of his hold, Yoon-Yi turned around and let out a horrified gasp. An arrow was stuck out of Shin's back, streams of blood staining his white overcoat, making the red appear even more vivid.

She and Jun-Ho turned to look as one of the guards, one of the two that were still alive, came from behind the archer and slashed his body. The man crumbled to the ground, his bow falling next to him.

"What is happe…"

Jung-Hee, who had just gotten out of the palanquin stopped and stared petrified at the scene. Then her eyes took in the rest that had happened around them and she clasped her hands over her mouth. Her eyes instantly teared up at the sight of death and blood.

"This is horrible. How could this have happened? Why?" Jung-Hee cried behind her hands, tears flowing through her fingers.

"Jung-Hee, I need something to stop the bleeding. Do you have a handkerchief or something?" Jun-Ho asked his sister.

His tone was meant to be calm and confident. Despite his attempts at composure though, his hands were trembling, and his breathing was shallow. He took the white cloth Jung-Hee handed him and he turned to look at Yoon-Yi.

"I need you to hold him for me. This will hurt, even though he is unconscious."

"Alright." Yoon-Yi nodded and knelt beside Shin, pressing her shaking hands against his shoulders.

She knew what was coming. She knew it from the moment she saw the arrow. Jun-Ho was going to have to pull it out, otherwise it could become dangerous for Shin. Sure enough, a moment later, Jun-Ho sucked in a breath and swiftly pulled the other end of the arrow. As soon as the metal tip left Shin's back, his body wrenched, and Yoon-Yi had to hold him down. She heard him wince and his eyes fluttered open.

It appeared that yanking the arrow out of his body woke Shin up. He tried to move, and the blood gushed through the wound, startling Yoon-Yi into letting him go.

"It's alright. It only hit the muscle, but you shouldn't move just yet." Jun-Ho was telling him.

He expertly pressed the cloth over the wound. The white fabric got soaked instantly, becoming a sickening red. Shin's face turned paler and Yoon-Yi reached out to touch his cheek. His skin felt cold and she repressed a shiver.

"How could you do that?" She said feebly, her fingertips gently sliding across his face.

From the position he was in, Shin raised a hand and grabbed hers, pulling it away from his face slowly.

"Stop… making… such a fuss." He breathed hoarsely.

He let out another wince and fainted. Jun-Ho cursed under his breath and Jung-Hee cried out in her hands. She seemed unable to do anything else at that point. Yoon-Yi could barely blame her. Her own brain seemed to be stuck, unable to think properly. All she could process were Shin's blood and his white face. She clenched her hand, wrapping it tighter around his fingers.

In the meantime, Jun-Ho got up and was walking towards Shin's last enemy. The guard that killed the archer was following him closely, while the other guard was checking the attackers' bodies for any sign of life.

Jun-Ho reached the man and pushed him faceup with his foot. He was still alive, but barely. His breaths were rasped, and he struggled to keep his eyes focused on Jun-Ho's face.

"Why did you attack us?" Jun-Ho asked, barely controlling his angry voice. His eyes were shooting daggers at the attacker.

"Ha! What would it help knowing?" The man jeered, the effort of talking making him cough. Blood trickled out of the side of his mouth.

"Don't be stupid and answer me! Tell me what you wanted with her." Jun-Ho gestured towards Yoon-Yi, who was still knelt beside Shin and was watching the scene with terrified eyes.

"We…" the man coughed again. "We found out Kim Jong-Seo's family would pass by here and wanted to get his daughter… for ransom."

"Don't spout nonsense and lies!" Jun-Ho yelled, losing all composure. His eyes were mirroring the fury he felt inside, and his hands snapped at the man's throat. "You tell me the truth, or you will face something worse than death."

"There is nothing you can do. There is nothing worse than death." The man coughed again, and more blood gushed out of his mouth.

"But there is. Knowing you will die here like a traitor instead of having a warrior's death. Now tell me who you are and why did you attack us?" Jun-Ho asked with an icy cold voice.

"I… We… Kim Jong-Seo's… family…"

The man stopped, his eyes filling with panic and pain. A second later he shuddered and remained silent, his eyes widened, his mouth slightly open. He was dead.

"Dammit!" Jun-Ho growled between gritted teeth, then he turned to the guard close to him. "Are the others dead as well?"

"Yes, young master. One of them was still alive but died just a moment ago."

"Great. Next time we should really try and keep them alive long enough to interrogate them." Jun-Ho said with a sigh.

"Jun-Ho, we really have to do something. We need to help Shin, or he'll die as well." Jung-Hee said, snapping her brother out of his thoughts.

"The next city is quite far from here and going back is not an option either. Is there anywhere we can go?" Yoon-Yi asked in a trembling voice.

"There is a temple nearby." Jun-Ho said, frowning as he debated the possibilities. "I think Sinwonsa temple is our safest choice at the moment. Bring me the horse and help me with Shin." He said turning towards the two guards who were now waiting for his orders.

The men nodded and complied. The three of them hoisted Shin up on the horse's back, then picked up their weapons, including Shin's sword. During this time, the girls kept close to Shin, each holding one of his arms and making sure he doesn't fall off the horse.

They advanced slowly through the forest until they finally reached a stone shrine.

"This is it. We are nearly there." Jun-Ho said, walking in front of the small group.

The stone shrine signaled that a place of worship was nearby and, sure enough, after walking a bit further, they could see the buildings of Sinwonsa temple.

Despite feeling scared and drained, Yoon-Yi could not stop admiring the beautiful complex laying in front of her. The central structure of the temple was made out of a main building. It was a tall and imposing construction, painted in the brightest green Yoon-Yi had ever seen. On each side of it, as well as opposite the main building, stood small annexes meant for housing the monks, a kitchen and storage house. They all had the same unnerving aspect, looming over them as they walked into the courtyard.

Several monks turned their heads, stopping in their tracks to stare at the newcomers. Seeing the wounded man on the horse, two of them hurried towards them, while the rest scurried away.

The Head monk came towards them a minute later, followed by two other holy men. They were all wearing grey clothes and their heads were shaved. Wooden beads hang around their necks like strange necklaces. Due to the lack of hair and same style of clothing, it was nearly impossible to guess their exact age.

"Take the wounded man inside." The Head monk said in a low, slightly raspy voice, gesturing towards one of the annexes.

The monks, with the help of Jun-Ho, slid Shin's body down the horse's back and carried him slowly towards the building. They placed him gently on a straw mat, careful not to touch his wound.

"It was an arrow." Jun-Ho explained before anyone could say anything.

The Head monk nodded silently.

"Do you think you can help him?" Jun-Ho asked, his eyes widening with concern. The corners of his mouth were dropped, and he barely could contain a tremor.

Seeing his worried expression, the Head monk smiled and nodded again, like an old man knowing more than he let on.

"The young man will be safe here. You all should come and eat something before anyone else collapses. They will take care of him." the Head monk added, noticing the reluctance etched on every one of their faces. They clearly did not want to leave Shin alone with strangers, even if they were monks.

"They are the best healers we have here." the Head monk added before turning his back at them.

He led the small group into another building where food was already placed on short tables and left them alone. Thanking the monks for their hospitality, they sat down on the floor and ate the meal in silence. No one dared to say anything. Until then, they had not realized how hungry or tired they were. Their minds had been too absorbed by the earlier events to think about anything else.

After finishing the food, they continued to remain seated. Each of them was absorbed in different thoughts, but they all centered around the same person, Shin.

Jun-Ho stared out the door at the courtyard, gazing at the passing monks with a blank expression. His face was set into a composed mask, but behind it, worry and fear battled endlessly.

Jung-Hee was sitting in a corner with her back leaned against the wall. She had her eyes closed and a tear slid down her white cheek.

Meanwhile, Yoon-Yi was in a state of agitation beyond her control. She kept fretting and wringing her hands, getting up and sitting down again. At one time she even made a move to go out in search of the Head monk, but Jun-Ho's guards, who were just outside the door, stopped her. Cursing under her breath, she went back inside and flopped onto the floor with a loud huff of frustration.

Half an hour later, the Head monk returned, accompanied by one of the healers.

"It is safe to see the patient now. He is awake. He said in the same raspy voice as before.

"Nevertheless, he will not be able to move for a while. He needs rest and constant treatment if he is to recover his strength." The healer added in a surprisingly young voice.

Yoon-Yi jumped to her feet and was the first one to follow the Head monk as he took them to where Shin was resting. He was lying on a clean mat, his head propped against a wooden block. When he saw them entering, he made an attempt to move, but a sharp pain stopped him midway. Wincing and breathing heavily, he collapsed on the mat.

"Shin!" Yoon-Yi cried out, hurrying to his side, followed closely by the brother and sister.

For a moment he looked startled seeing her so close to him, but the pain made his mind unable to think straight. He smiled at her, trying to convey he was happy to see her safe. He then moved his eyes towards Jung-Hee. The girl was standing right behind Yoon-Yi, sobbing quietly.

"How are you holding up?" Jun-Ho asked Shin, giving him an inquiring look.

He knew Shin would never be honest if his condition was really dire, especially not in front of the girls. Thus, he wanted to catch his eyes and see the truth there.

"Fairly well, though it hurts like hell." Shin replied in a feeble voice.

Good, he is not lying. Jun-Ho thought and smiled at the man he called brother.

"He has a fever! Why does he have a fever?!" Yoon-Yi cried out in panic. She had just placed a hand on Shin's forehead. His skin was hot and covered in cold sweat.

"His body is fighting. If the treatment works, the fever should subside by tomorrow." The Head monk said quietly.

"What if it does not?" Yoon-Yi insisted.

"It will. If his will is strong enough, he will survive." The Head monk said cryptically.

'Well, that is reassuring.' She thought mockingly.

It was just the type of answer Yoon-Yi never liked. With her it was either you know, or you do not. She always disliked people who talked in riddles or avoided a direct answer. She let out a frustrated huff and frowned at the holy man as if he had done her a personal wrong.

"He is right, Yoon-Yi." Jun-Ho said patiently, giving Shin another analyzing look. "He will be strong enough to survive. Shin is stubborner than anyone I have ever met. I have no doubt he will pull through."

During this time, Shin was falling in and out of consciousness. His breathing became shallower and he winced in pain, making Yoon-Yi start.

Just then, one of the healers came into the room carrying a basin full of cold water and a clean cloth.

"We should leave the patient alone for now." The Head monk said, turning to leave. "I will show you where you will sleep. You are welcome to stay for as long as you wish."

Yoon-Yi hesitated at the door. Glancing back at Shin she felt a sudden urge to run back inside. Opening her mouth, she spoke hesitantly, as if afraid she will be scolded.

"Could I… would it be alright if I stay with him?"

"My child, he will be well taken care of. There is no reason to fear. Besides, you need to rest as well." The Head monk told her patiently, like a parent trying to convince a child to go to bed.

"I know but… I would like to… stay with him… if I may." She finished quietly, looking straight into his eyes.

Sighing deeply, the Head monk agreed to let her stay. Perhaps there was something in Yoon-Yi's stare that convinced him. Regardless of what it was, she was grateful to him and returned to Shin's side, feeling her mind more at ease.

Throughout the night, Shin kept struggling, tossing, and turning, breathing heavily, and crying out in pain. His face looked flushed from the fever and his hair was damp around his forehead. Sometimes he would open his eyes and move, but Yoon-Yi and the healer would gently push him back down. Even after he finally fell asleep, he kept mumbling in his sleep, calling out to someone and whimpering.

Every time Yoon-Yi would hear him, her heart would tighten. She felt his pain most keenly, especially since she was the reason he was in that state. If he had not tried to save her, he would not be lying here fighting for his life.

Yoon- Yi did not close her eyes the entire night. Even after the healer left, she kept rinsing Shin's face with cold water, pressing the cloth against his forehead.

"You have to survive, Shin. You have to, otherwise I will never forgive myself." Yoon-Yi whispered to him.

The guilt she was feeling was rising in her throat, tasting bitter and poisoning her thoughts. No matter how hard she tried to convince herself, she just could not let go of the fact that if she had listened to him, maybe this would not have happened.

Exhaustion finally took over her near dawn. The two healers found her curled up beside Shin, with one hand holding the wet cloth, and the other one wound around Shin's fingers.

A fleeting smile graced their faces, as they tried to pry her away from Shin. Feeling their touch, Yoon-Yi jerked away and let out a wince.

"We have to clean his wound and apply the treatment. You should go and rest now." One of the healers said calmly, but rather firmly.

Yoon-Yi realized it was futile to resist, and she indeed felt too tired to do anything helpful. She was no good to Shin in that state, so she went into the room where Jung-Hee was sleeping soundly. Looking at her, Yoon-Yi realized the young woman had fallen asleep crying. Tear stains covered her face, making her look younger than she was. Another guilty thought stabbed her heart. Because of her, Jung-Hee's brother could have been dead.

As if that could appease her conscience, she promised to herself never to be placed in that situation ever again. No one would be hurt because of her. She thought of a plan and was determined to follow it through. But until then, she wanted and needed Shin to be safe.