CHAPTER THREE

Kyong was paralysed by the death of their Commander. He screamed so loud in pain but that didn't bring back the Commander to life. He was so carefree that even when the Gi soldiers seized him, he didn't fight. Then Gi soldiers ran into the deceased commander's chambers and ransacked every corner and into the inner room they went. They discovered Baek-Hyun, her sister and about fifteen other girls. "What have we got here?". One of the Gi soldiers exclaimed as he begun taking off his armour. "What are you doing?". Hana asked the man but Baek-Hyun covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh, I think I'll show the rest using you". The Gi soldier said as he moved closer to Hana. "Stay away from her". Baek-Hyun warned but the stupid soldier wouldn't listen so Baek-Hyun drew out her sword and cut off the Soldier's ear. The soldier yelled in pain as he got ready to pounce on Baek-Hyun but she did not even give him a chance to charge, she just aimed at his throat and slit it off. The blood from the soldier splashed on her face making her look even more scary. "one more foolishness from any of you and you all will join him". She threatened the rest of the soldiers who looked at her in awe. "then I guess I'm going for this one". Another soldier said as he moved toward another girl far from Baek-Hyun. "Don't touch any of them". Baek-Hyun shouted at the soldier but the soldiers laughed at her anger thinking it was her wit. She got furious and sent another soldier falling dead to the ground. That was when the soldiers knew that there was no sort of joke attached to her. They each drew their sword but Baek-Hyun knew better than allowing them to prepare. She preyed on them one by one. One of the soldiers sliced through her left leg slightly, which made her crash painfully and bunk her head on the stone stool and she instantly became dizzy. Then the other soldier got a hold of one of the girls that were screaming in fear instead of helping Baek-Hyun. She grew angry and she leaped on the soldier and slit his throat right away. In a matter of few minutes, all the Gi soldiers were killed by Baek-Hyun. She looked so scary and all the other girls looked at her in awe. Hana ran to her and started crying, Baek-Hyun hugged her tight and also poured out her tears. Kyong ran inside the chambers to meet a pile of dead Gi soldiers. He had heard that his sister was good, but not good to this extent, he himself developed respect for her right at that spot. "Kyong". Hana said and ran into his arms when she noticed his presence. "Hana, where's mama and papa". Kyong asked fearfully as if he dreaded the untold answer to his question. "Mama was killed by the arrows; Papa was set ablaze with our house". Hana said without the slightest emotion crossing her face. Kyong wept with his remaining family. All the other girls in the chambers couldn't help but join them as well, for they have also lost a lot that day, but two things that they had all lost evenly was their fortress and their Commander.

By then, the Gi soldiers had started gathering their captives, one hiding spots after the other, they took the Ji-Seok people. Till they bashed into the chamber which had kept Baek-Hyun, Hana, Kyong and all the other fifteen girls hidden. In their vulnerable state, Kyong and Baek-Hyun didn't fight back. They just allowed their hands and feet to be chained up; after all, they had nothing left to fight for except each other.

The soldiers didn't leave without setting the whole Ji-Seok Fortress ablaze. They burnt down everything to ashes. None of the Ji-Seok slaves spared a tear. They cried so much even when they were constantly whipped. They cried for their Commander, they cried because they didn't even have the chance to pay their last respect to their Commander. Baek-Hyun couldn't cry, she was too broken to cry, even though she tried hard to cry so that she wouldn't be judged by her fellow countrymen, but the tears simply refused to fall. She remembered when her mother had yelled at her for going out to play with her friends, when her father scolded her for crying when her brother had to leave home and live in a chamber next to Man-Chun, that was when he found favour in the sight of the Commander who made Kyong his flag bearer to the shock of everyone. Baek-Hyun was quite young in her teenage age then. She had cried so much for her brother, she remembered all the time that her parents blamed her for Hana's injuries; Hana being a rough girl had always incurred injuries or sprains, bruises, scalps… she was just too rough.

That moment, Baek-Hyun also remembered when she told the Commander that her father left without saying goodbye, and what the Commander had told her. He said "they always leave that way". And now he also left without saying goodbye. Finally, tears rolled down her face.

Chi-Yang, the late Commander of Ji-Seok fortress was given the title at a very young age of 18 after he had innumerable proven himself worthy. Using his tactful strategies, the Ji-Seok fortress had won so many battles after they were abandoned by their Capital. He was so young when he started leading older people till their King was killed and their Capital Seok, put the blame on the young Commander and abandoned them in the Fortress. Chi-Yang learned to be strong all by himself with the encouragement of his right hand man who was in his late Forties. The Ji-Seok Fortress cherished Chi-Yang because without him, the fortress wouldn't have lasted that long. During their time of war with Yang Kingdom, Baek-Hyun had met the Commander about 2 years ago when their King was still alive. She was on her way returning from collecting the scrolls when she was attacked by some yang Soldiers. They were a recon unit. They had gone to scout the fortress and return words to their King, but on seeing a pretty young girl such as Baek-Hyun, they decided to have a little bit of fun, but luckily for her, the Commander was on his evening patrol when he heard a girl scream in the bushes. He went closer and realised that some ungodly act was about to take place. He rescued Baek-Hyun who had immediately developed some sense of liking for him. She instantly had become one of the maidens in Ji-Seok who wished to be a wife to such a handsome and young Commander. Till the time of war with Gi kingdom, she never thought that the commander would still remember her.

The Gi wicked King had instructed his army to re-join him and the other Royal soldiers in their Capital after they were through gathering the slaves from Ji-Seok. When they half way reached their Capital after about four days, many of the Ji-Seok people died due to the pain inflicted on them and the long dry journey. Even children died not to mention the old people. The Gi soldiers stopped and separated the young girls from old women as they were instructed by their King. The young girls with Baek-Hyun inclusive were unshackled and put in carts. "be careful not to injure any of them". a royal soldier that was set to lead the Gi slavers told them. The older males and females, young and youthful males and the children were still shackled and were made to walk all through the journey. Kyong who had knowledge of what that meant immediately became sober for his sister and even the older ones that were aware couldn't help but feel sorry for the young girls. "what are you going to do to us?" one of the girls summoned courage to ask the men. "you are going to find out when we get there". One of the soldiers who was compassionate enough answered her. Baek-Hyun despised all of them. she wished her parents didn't have to die during this war. She was determined to make them pay for everyone's pains.

They arrived at the great Gi kingdom. The gate was open for them as they strode into the kingdom. Baek-Hyun was now scared. She really thought they were going to die but she knew it wasn't so smart to not kill them outside their walls. All the Ji-Seok people were weak to the marrow. When they arrived at Gi kingdom, it was only about three hundred people that were left alive. They were taken directly into the dungeon where they were fed with some bulgogi that wasn't even enough to go round twice. But as for the girls that were secluded, they were taken to wide and huge chamber and maids were asked to tend to them. The royal maids came and prepared them a warm and rosy shower. The maids even offered to help them shower but when Baek-Hyun neglected, the rest of the girls rejected as well. They did whatever Baek-Hyun did because she was thought to be their heroine and they looked up to her. "hey". Baek-Hyun called out to one of the royal maids. "why are they keeping us here?". She asked and the maid looked at her in fear. "I do not know my lady but". She said in fear because she knew she lied. "look at me!". Baek-Hyun ordered when she noticed that the maid was at her service, she made it her advantage. "I am a common maid; it is improper to look at you in the eyes my lady". The maid replied. "if I'm caught, I will be thrown into the dungeon". "look at me". Baek-Hyun said in a calmer way when she noticed that the maid was only scared but the maid still refused. "will you not be hanged if they know that you refused my order?". Baek-Hyun said with a mild smile but the maid didn't say a word. She slowly lifted her head and stared at Baek-Hyun. "you don't have to be scared around us. When you are here, you have to be free. By the way, who will tell them, is it you or me?". Baek-Hyun said to her and it calmed her nerves.

"what is your name?"

"my name is So my lady"

"can you swear to me that you have no idea about why we are put in here?"

"I'm in no position to tell you that my lady"

"I just want to be your friend So, what a nice name you have there."

"you can't be friends with a maid my lady"

"what if I can?"

"they want to wed you to the king. The very best amongst you will be chosen as brides for the King". So, the maid finally said and Baek-Hyun almost had a heart attack with the other girls. "oh my God". A girl already started crying. "Thank you So, I owe you. You may leave". Baek-Hyun said to So and she bowed deeply and walked out. "Oh my God Baek-Hyun what will we do?". One of the girls cried to Baek-Hyun. Baek-Hyun too was scared and confused. She didn't want to be married to a king who is responsible for her parent's death, the Commander's death, everyone's agony and the fall of their precious fortress. She only wanted to kill him a hundred times over and still kill him again in hell. She thought no punishment would ever make up for the lives lost. "I don't…, I don't know, I'm confused". Baek-Hyun said sincerely as she fell on the rosy bed briskly. "we are all doomed". A girl said and the rest started sobbing. Baek-Hyun stared at the with hidden annoyance, she didn't know why they acted so childishly.

"I've heard that majority of them are miners great Emperor Woong". Poong, a member of the council said to the Emperor. "yes Emperor Woong, we could put them to making more gold and diamonds for us, or they could even make all the weapons we need for the upcoming war with Hak-Kun kingdom". Bayan, the right hand man of the Emperor suggested. "so be it. The slaves should do both. Bayan". The Emperor called. "great Emperor". Bayan replied. "what about my brides to be, are they ready?" "yes your highness. The selection will be done in seven days' time. I will ask the Court Lady Ki to prepare them at once". "very well then. Soon we will match to Hak-Kun Capital and takeover it as well". The Emperor said.

"I have to talk to my brother, I'm sure he will have some useful information on how to get us out of this mess". Baek-Hyun said. They remained quiet for the rest of the time until they were served with dinner, then they slept off.

The next morning, the girls were woken very early. They were made to shower and dress in tight body hug gowns. Baek-Hyun looked as pure as a dove in the white dress, one could say that she looked breath taking. They were led to a wide beautified hall. There, Baek-Hyun and every other person realised that they weren't the only girls there. There were above a hundred other girls there as well. "Good morning to you my ladies, my name is Ki, Lady Ki. Our great Emperor has given you the great opportunity of being a bride to him. You are in a foreign land and being a wife to the Emperor will keep you and your families alive…. Hm…. if you still have one. I will be tutoring you all on the requirements needed to be a bride to the great Emperor". The Court Lady Ki said to them. "firstly, you are way too much so we will be make some selection right now". The woman said again and clapped her hands twice and just then, about twenty scales were taken into the hall by some hefty soldiers. "I believe you know what that is. You shall climb on them and we will take your weight. If you have no scale before you, you may as well have to wait for the scale to go round". Lady Ki said. "the required weight is Thirty-five grams and below. Above that would be disqualified." The lady said again. She deliberately said such a small figure so that a lot will be disqualified because they were just too much.

About ten minutes later, there were only about forty girls left in the hall. They had reduced greatly even among Ji-Seok's girls. Baek-Hyun wished so much that she was also dropped, but she cancelled such wish few seconds later when Lady Ki told them what will befall those that just got disqualified. "we have succeeded in moving forward but we still have a lot of you. the next thing that we learn is modesty in our steps. You may all have a seat now". The lady said to them. "as the Emperor's bride, you have to be very gracious in your steps. An Emperor's bride does not walk rashly, unsteadily, ungraciously and in a haste. You have to steady your steps and walk graciously. What is your name My Lady?" the woman asked one of the girls that was seated on the first row. "Hyun-Ki". The girl said. "very well Hyun-Ki, can you grace us with some gracious walking steps?". "it would be a pleasure Court Lady Ki". The girl said as she stood up. She was really good at it even though it showed pretty well that she was struggling with the modesty of her steps. "very well Lady Hyun-Ki. That was too good for a start". Lady Ki said to her with a beam of smile. "who would like to go next?". Lady Ki asked the girls but no one indicated interest. They all looked dull and uninterested. "what is wrong my ladies?". Lady Ki asked them. "why should we be forced to marry your Emperor. It's such a dump thing to do. You capture young girls and get them married to an Emperor that probably has about ten other wives, how is it right?". A girl in the fourth row said with clear disgust in her voice. She wasn't from Ji-Seok. "My lady, you should be thankful for this great opportunity. You have been captured and being married to the Emperor is the only way to stay alive and your family would be safe". Lady Ki said kindly to her. "I know how you feel but there is nothing you can do; nobody wants to be married off to a person who took away everything that was precious to you. but you should really keep it low my lady, you don't want anyone to overhear what you just said" the Court Lady said again. "we are going to move forward to book balancing. This is a practice that helps culture you walking posture. Lady Hyun-Ki, would you like to grace us first?". Lady Ki asked and Hyun-Ki stood up right away. "just pick a book from the table and place it on your head. Walk with it to and fro until you are perfect at it, then add another book again and again". Lady Ki said and Hyun-Ki did exactly that. It seemed to everyone that Hyun-Ki enjoyed what she was doing which meant that she enjoyed getting married to the Emperor. "Move along my Ladies and join Lady Hyun-Ki. One book at a time". Lady Ki said but none of the other girls made an attempt to move until the girl that had asked the question stood up and others followed. The Ji-Seok girls didn't go anywhere until Baek-Hyun stood up. She walked to the table and picked up a book and placed it on her head and started walking clumsily to and fro and the rest of the Ji-Seok girls joined her. Baek-Hyun thought she was far more good in walking without the books on her head because she was trying hard to prevent the book from falling off her head and that made her walk so clumsily, worse than every other girl in the hall. "my Lady are you alright?". Lady Ki asked her but she stared at the woman furiously. The frustration she was going through at that time almost made her lose control of herself. The loads of anger, pain and frustration that she was locking away was getting the better of her because she was losing concentration in her focus in supressing those emotions. "You are empowering us to be a better queen with book balancing?". Baek-Hyun unconsciously yelled at the helpless woman. "you should really lock me away now you have the chance". Baek-Hyun yelled again before she hurried out of the hall. "you don't want to try her anger". One of the Ji-Seok girls said to the Lady before they all marched out of the hall in search of Baek-Hyun. The rest of the girls stared questionably at the woman. "classes are cancelled for the rest of the day. See you tomorrow my Ladies". Lady Ki said and left. "are you okay?". One of the girls asked Baek-Hyun after they trailed their path back to their chamber. "I can't believe there are other girls here, how can that insipid ninny of an Emperor go round destroying people's homes just to get concubines?". Baek-Hyun said. "it's not your fault Baek-Hyun, but I think we should really play along, I still have my mother and I don't want to lose her as well, none of us wants to lose the remaining family we have left, that's if we all have one left". A girl named Maya said to Baek-Hyun in tears. "it's alright Maya, everything will be fine". Baek-Hyun said. Few minutes later, breakfast was served. During the day time, some royal maids came to their chambers to call out the other girls who had been dropped from Lady Ki's training. They were all so sober about what they never really wanted to join anywhere. Then later, seamstresses went in to take the measurements of the remaining girls. Baek-Hyun asked that all her dresses should be pure white. She was aware that white and black made her look so elegant but she didn't request for any black hanboks. Then they were given a tour around the palace. All Baek-Hyun ever wanted was to know the way to the dungeon and she did succeed. She tactically asked the soldier to show her and the insipid nitwit soldier didn't even know her intentions. He was busy feeding his heart with her prepossessing smiles that he totally forgot that they were not supposed to know the location of the dungeon. During the night time after their shower, Baek-Hyun sneaked out the chamber. She walked through the lobby ready to escape without being found out. She was too happy to think about the soldiers at the entrance of lobby that led to the various chambers where the prospective brides were kept. She opened the door slowly to peep but she met with a soldier's face who was peeping back. She jumped out of fright and pushed the door ajar. "my Lady, you are not supposed to be here, go back to your chamber immediately". The soldier at the right side of the door half yelled at Baek-Hyun. I'm just lost, I was trying to have a view of the night sky from your Capital". Baek-Hyun lied and the soldiers began laughing which made Baek-Hyun wondered if she had said anything funny. "why are you laughing?" she asked with uncertainty in her voice. "that is so preposterous and unheard of". The other soldier said. "Why?". Baek-Hyun asked again. "Just go back inside my Lady, Emperor Woong would not be happy about this". The first soldier said again and slammed the door at her face. She went back inside the chamber low spirited. She really wanted to meet her brother and also deliver the messages that the other girls had sent to their various remaining families; that is the ones that still have one left. She was very lucky to have two left. Some other girls who came from a family of four or five and six had just one left and others didn't even have any. When the girls saw her return with a sour face, they immediately knew that she didn't succeed. She comforted them and promised to try again the next night. She felt so bad for them especially those who were dropped from Lady Ki's training. Then later in the night, the royal maidens came to drop their night wear. It was a soft long flowing gown that had such lightness that a feather could be compared to it. "we are sorry my Ladies for bringing these late, it took us time to make the selections." One of the royal maids that looked like the chief royal maid said to them. "oh it's okay". Maya said to her with a bright smile which made the woman take a liking to her immediately. "we don't need help changing". Baek-Hyun said when she noticed that they were not leaving. "I'm Sorry my Lady but you would have to accept our help". The chief royal maid said again. "I think I know something else that you could help us with. Would you like to help?". Baek-Hyun asked pensively. "what can we help you with my Lady?". The chief royal maid asked back. "can you tell us what happens to a person who is disqualified from Lady Ki's training?". Baek-Hyun asked the woman and immediately, the other girls who were staring at her with wonder about what she needed help with, they immediately smiled and nodded in unison to the woman. "it's not a pleasant thing to be dropped from that training my Ladies, the disqualified ones would be used as maids, not even royal maids my Lady, common maids. They would be dressed as maids and sent to serve the other soldiers that are not royal soldiers. Sometimes they are taken advantage of and abused, but no one dares to go to their aid". The woman said with ridicule in her voice. The look on the faces of the girls were terrible. Lady Ki had told them a part of the suffering but these ones were odious. "I heard the Emperor himself can reject some of the girls, what if that happens, what is the punishment for that?". Another girl asked with fright on her face as though she did not want to hear the answer to her question. "My Lady, such unlucky ones are killed immediately because they are thought to be useless". The woman replied and the look on the girl's faces changed from terrible to horrible. "oh my God". Maya cried out. She had the weakest emotion because she was the youngest. "thank you Lady … err." Baek-Hyun hanged because she didn't know the woman's name. "I am Ha-So, my Lady". The woman said. "Lady Ha-So, do have a good night". Baek-Hyun said to her and the royal maids bowed deeply to her before they left. But Baek-Hyun called out. "can we borrow So for a moment?". Baek-Hyun asked the chief royal maid. "yes my Lady," and to So Lady Ha-So said "Go immediately So". And she bowed again before she left with the other royal maids. "So, how are you?". Baek-Hyun asked her. "I'm fine My Lady". She said her head bent down. "raise your head So, we do not eat you". Baek-Hyun said to her and the girl as slowly as ever raised her head to look at Baek-Hyun, and then the other girls. "So, I… we need your help". Baek-Hyun said. "what can I help you with my Lady?". So asked back. "hmm… err. hm." Baek-Hyun cleared her throat unable to say out the words which made the other girls stare at her suspiciously. "what can we do if we do not want to marry the King?". Baek-Hyun asked uneasily. "What do you mean My Lady". So asked innocently. "hmm. I mean if anyone decides not to marry the King, apart from being disqualified, what else can we do to go free?". Baek-Hyun asked still with discomfort. "I really don't know my Lady". So said timidly with her face bent to the ground. A real quality of a liar. "Are you sure?". Another girl who noticed her sudden discomfort asked her. "yes my Lady". So replied all in a haste to leave. She was scared that she wold be discovered if she said a word. "thank you So, if you don't mind, you can get back to us if you find it out later on and don't bother about bowing". Baek-Hyun said to her as she walked to her rosy bed to sit. So was really eaten up by guilt that once she stepped out the door, she went back in at once. "I think I know a way". So said to the girls and those were already lying down immediately sat up straight. "the Emperor does not marry a girl with any scar on her body". So said more excitedly to the girls. "wow, that is great news". Maya jumped. "but you have to incur the scar after your training with Lady Ki, for if she sees any scar on you, you would be disqualified right away and I think she will be checking for that tomorrow". So said again with a now cold temperament. "oh thank you So". The girls said in unison though in a little disorganised manner. So was happy. No one had ever acknowledged her for anything before; not even when she was with her parents. Now she wished to take greater risks for them if that was what she would be enjoying. None of the other girls from other fortress were this nice to any maid. They accepted to be dressed up and bathed by a maid. They even took advantage to the maid's meekness and inferiority and sent them funny jobs. Some were really disrespectful even to their Lady Ha-So. While the other few ones that were friendly were supressed by the most outspoken disrespectful ones. But here, everyone seemed equal. They were all nice and accommodative. "that means I'll be dropped tomorrow". A girl said with acrimony in her voice. "me too". Two other girls chorused. "so we are going to have all those terrible things befall us?". One of the girls said already in tears. "Is it that bad?". Baek-Hyun asked her turning serious all of a sudden. "no." they all chorused. "then I think I can fix that". Baek-Hyun said again to the amusement of everyone. "how dow you intend to do that?". Another girl asked her. "don't worry about it". Baek-Hyun said in a very promising way that the girls couldn't help but smile thankfully to her. "So, can you help us with some makeups tomorrow very early before we are called for training?". Baek-Hyun asked So who was already nodding childishly to Baek-Hyun. "thank you so much So, we would pay you back the favour one day". Another girl said to her which sent beams of smiles on So's face. "So, one more thing, this conversation dies away right her okay? We don't want to get you involved in any trouble". Baek-Hyun said to her and after bowing, So left the chamber. The girls slept with a smile on their faces. And above all, Baek-Hyun was happier.