1 The King.

The sun stood at the most center point of the sky, clouds could not hide it's intense glare. The heat seemed to wish to extinguish all life and thus to purge the world. The green glow from the shade granted by numerous ancient trees brought a great deal of comfort.

Under a specific tree, dressed in holes and lost of it's bronze, there were two boys. One wore white and plain clothes, he had a indistinct face and even a casual expression. This boy was surnamed Yu named Gu. Gu looked very ordinary such that even birds would fly to his shoulders as if he were a piece of stone. Gu gently combed the long hair of another boy who laid his head on Gu's lap. The other boy wore a red robe with yellow plum flowers falling down. This boy had an extremely noble appearance with sharp eyebrows and a big chin that emanated masculinity, yet he also had a slim face and small extensions on his face that made him more charming. He looked like a scholar. This boy was Im Tae, part of the Im royal family of the Seven tipped country. The seven Tipped country was one of the four countries that laid on this land. It existed alongside the Deep dead country that laid in the deepest southern point where a frightening chill existed. The myriad red country that was in the most western point and takes it's name from the deep red sun they see. To the East was the country of ruin, there in the east was a shattered country where no rules and regulations existed only the idea of money. Finally in the north was the Seven Tipped country known for the seven cascading waterfalls which looked like an Immortals abode.

In the center of the country was the wandering culture of martial arts. Sects and other martial establishment's equal to the authority of the five countries existed.

Im Tae was the prince of the country. His mother was the concubine of the king, but his younger brother was the son of the Queen. Naturally he had no chance to take the throne, and neither did he want it. He had only one friend Yu Gu of the Gu clan, his mothers clan. The two had been raised as brothers and were closer than close.

Im Tae said softly, "Gu what do you think the reason of life is?"

Gu smiled, but didn't respond.

Im Tae continued, "The ancients say life is to love, or to have success. Do you agree?"

Gu continued his actions.

Im Tae said, "I don't. Why must life need these things? I believe being happy is the only reason to to live. All those dreary things should be expelled."

Gu said, "Prince Tae are you saying that you will selfishly live for happiness and not for your people."

Im Tae raised his hands and said, "It's not my role in life. You remember what my father said, some people are meant to rule and some to be ruled. He said expressly that it's not my right to be king, so why should I live for others. I have no doctrine that says I must."

Gu didn't talk after that.

Im Tae said, "Gu? Why don't you and me just run away? You can do the cooking, I'll do the hunting."

Gu finally sprouted a laugh. Im Tae followed with a laugh.

A duo of blue birds danced in the air above them, as the two laughed.

Im Tae's green eyes looked intently into Gu's black eyes.

Im Tae said with a self deprecating smile, "You really won't?"

Gu said, "Prince please don't make jokes. This old servant can't handle them."

Im Tae mumbled, "Can't you just agree..."

Im Tae looked up. The dancing of the blue birds tore a bit of the foliage covering the two.

A small streak of light fell through and fell on Im Tae.

Frowning Im Tae gripped his hands into a tight fist.

He turned to look at Gu. He opened his mouth as if to talk yet said nothing. He simply went closer to Gu.

Gu was stunned and retreated slowly without realizing.

Im Tae swung his arms around Gu and said, "I command you to stay still."

Im Tae clenched his teeth tightly, the corners of his eyes getting wet.

The two stayed in an embrace for half an hour.

Finally without saying anything else Im Tae left the embrace and silently departed.

Gu felt a strange feeling build up as he looked at the lonely figure of Im Tae.

After ten minutes of being in an idle daze he stood up and left for his home.

The sky had darkened significantly and only a slight tint of orange remained in the sky. The sky was a virgin with no stars coloring the beautiful darkness.

Gu kept that strange feeling in his heart and only felt east as he glanced at the empty sky.

When he arrived he saw a solemn expression on all his family members. Quickly a servant guided Gu to the main study where the family head was.

The family head was slouching on his chair with a cup of hard ale in his hands, a frown constantly on his face. A sigh left his lips intermittently at times and other times a deep and wrathful rage.

Gu bowed deeply and said, "Child greets family head."

The Yu family head had the name Yun and nodded once Gu appeared.

Gu asked, "Father, why do you seem in anger?"

Yu Yun replied, "I'm angry, I'm despondent. I'm tired of these endless ploys and politics. I'm sorry for my sister and Im Tae."

Gu looked shocked and also deeply concerned and asked, "Father please explain."

Yu Yun looked at Gu and thought it over and said, "The king is sick, and seeks to make Im Tae the king. The king doesn't want the crown prince to take the throne yet so as to prevent him being used and controlled. He's making Im Tae a political sacrifice. He won't have any power, yet must carry all the burden! Furthermore I doubt he would forget that for the Crown prince to become King Im Tae would need to killed off."

Yu Yun speaking to this point began to shake and slammed his hand on the table, the glass in his hand shattered and he began to bleed.

Yu Yun said, "The premier is arranging a marriage for Im Tae to his daughter. Im Tae is like a pebble in the sea. He had nothing since he was born even with his incredible feats. He is an incredible scholar and scored extremely high and in the Military examination he performed incredible. Yet he was not given any praise by his majesty and no right to get what he deserves, instead his majesty in fear of Im Tae's qualifications warned him to be quiet as a tree and as insignificant as an ant! How the heavens are unfair! Ah, how much shame I feel for my sister and my nephew! Why must god be so cruel!"

Yu Yun was in tears as he slammed his hand again and again.

Yu Yun said with blank eyes, "Im Tae will have no one, he won't have any confidantes. His Eunuchs will be spy's. Even in his own bedroom he must be careful as if a criminal! How much can his majesty burden Im Tae! I feel so insignificant and horrid, I the military head can't do anything! I can only bow down and not raise a question to this injustice!"

Gu began to tremble and he mumbled, "He wanted to leave. He silently took the burden because he believed he had no option, but he asked me... He asked me to give him hope and I laughed! I laughed at him! How horrible, how despicable of me!"

Gu collapsed to the floor weeping with his eyes open wide.

The wind seemed to be especially cold that night, with the shrieks of ghosts be sounded.

The Moon swayed gently in the celestial sea above.

Im Tae sat in a big room. Two candles had been lit and a golden glow filled the room. Im Tae clenched the blanket over him tightly. Finally he let loose a sigh and his eyes seemed to lose much of their color.

He stood up and went to the side of the room.

There a shrine had been erected. Im Tae lit an incense as he stared at a ink painting. The painting was of a man laying in the clouds, a spear by his side like a good friend.

Im Tae said, "I dreamt of you once and since then I have never forgotten. The smile on your face annoyed me, but I realize it was jealousy. I wish I too could be like you sleeping on clouds. I even learnt the way of the spear just to perhaps become similar to you. If you are real please protect me, if not... Anyway even if my fate is to die, I'll do it all with a smile. Please watch over me."

Im Tae bowed and stood up.

He leaned towards the window. Opening it he saw the bright moon in the sky. Im Tae raised his hand as if to grasp the moon in his hand.

He suddenly felt something fall on his head, he reached up and found a orange leaf. Smiling he held it in his palm and the wind carried it away.

Im Tae said, "The world looks so beautiful under the moonlight. I wonder whether god is making my final night of peace something I should treasure. I wonder if I can still see the joys of the people, I wonder if I can still feel the warmth of the sun. I wonder if I can still be happy. I wonder if I can be allowed to live once again."

Im Tae began to laugh as he remembered all the scenes from his life. "The world beyond castle walls. The chatter of the streets, the loud fights between the old people. The sound of bargaining. The soup with the sand. The beef without proper seasoning. Playing with Gu and the other poor children. All those wonderful experiences, I will hold them deeply in my heart."

Im Tae climbed out the window laying on the small veranda.

Closing his eyes with a smile on his face Im Tae slowly fell asleep. The moon shining on him.

The green leaves seemed to cry as a warm wind coddled Im Tae. All of nature seemed to become lively.

The scene looked beautiful with green trees, birds and insects and finally the moonlight glowing beautifully towards the world.

A few day's passed and the King died and a new King was born.