Leap II

He didn't know how long he was out for. He did notice that the black behind his eyes slowly turned white but he couldn't feel his body or see his surroundings. 'I can't believe I died from falling from a horse!' Nam Mu was fuming but there was nothing he could do about anything. He started to feel sorry for himself. 'I wonder if they will mourn me?' After what felt like hours, he began to wonder when the Reaper would come to get his soul. Hours later there was still no Reaper. His eyesight has also still not returned. Before panic took him over he heard voices getting louder and louder. He closed his eyes and acted like he was passed out. He had no idea why but he felt like that was the best solution for now.

"What should we do! What should we do! That damn stupid horse! What was he thinking!" "Shut up, you were the one who was supposed to watch him. Wang Hwanin is going to kill you. Just you wait'' ”It happened too fast. Look! See. That beast just acted on his own." "It doesn't matter anymore what's done, is done. We can’t change it." "Should we tell Master Baekso?" "Yes, tell him. I’m sure he would want to know and get Wang Hwanin in here straight away." “I’ll go!” "No, you stay. You've caused enough headaches." "How many times do I have to tell you, it's not my fault! The horse..." "That's what you always say" "Both of you shut up. You... go and fetch Wang Hwanin and tell Lord Baekso what has happened." “Brother, you’re mean! How…” “Shh…Damn... I think he’s awake. … Kid, are you awake?” Nam Mu opened his eyes but his sigh was still gone. ”Uhm...Yes. I've been awake for a while. Could you tell me where I am?”

“Brot…?” “We are so screwed... Don't worry, kid. You’re somewhere safe.” Nam Mu wanted to ask more but he was interrupted by noises outside. “What happened!” The voice was full of authority and power. Nam Mu wanted to stand up but his body wasn’t listening to him. “Uhm… he’s awake.” He heard the new voice let out a deep sigh. "Who's..." "He fell from the horse..." Nam Mu heard thunder in the distance. "Sir... Could you tell me what is going on? Am I dead? Why can't I see or move?" The new voice answered again "My son, you're not dead but somewhere safe. It's not time yet for us to meet, that's why you can't see or move. When the time is right you'll return here again. We will explain everything then. I'll send you back now." "But..." "I know you have many questions but they really need to wait. It's not good for you to stay here too long. I promise we will answer all your questions when you return." Nam Mu wanted to protest but he could feel his body getting heavy. After a few seconds he could hear Nam Gil's voice.

"Nam Mu?... Son? Can you hear me?" Nam Mu opened his eyes again. He saw Li Jie and Nam Gil looking at him with concern. "Thank the gods! You're awake." Nam Gil gently rubbed his head. "You had us worried." Nam Mu tried to sit up but everything started to spin. "Don't move yet. You hit your head pretty hard." Nam Gil gently pushed him down. He pushed the covers under Nam Mu's chin. "Don't do anything. Mule is getting a doctor." Nam Mu looked at ferns trying to remember what had happened after he had passed out. There was nagging him but he didn't know what. "How long was I unconscious for?" Nam Gil looked at Li Jie. Li Jie shrugged. "It was actually chaotic but I think you were out maybe ten minutes."

Nam Mu closed his eyes before opening them again. "I... I had a weird dream... but I can't remember a thing." Nam Gil patted his shoulder. "It was just a dream." Nam Gil looked at him full of curiosity. "It's not important yet. I'm sure you'll remember what it was, someday." Nam Mu turned to Nam Gil wondering if Nam Gil knew what he had dreamed about. They turned towards the door, when they heard footsteps. A round belly man and Mule came wheezing and puffing into Nam Mu's room. He stopped to look around in amazement before walking towards Nam Mu's bed. "I heard you fell from a horse and hit your head?" Nam Mu wanted to nod but it still hurt. The doctor asked him day, year and month.

He also asked Nam Mu's name and his birthday. "Everything is alright but he lost consciousness. His brain needs time to properly heal, so rest is key. Don't do any activity today." He gave Nam Gil a woven sack. "Give it to him if he has pain, also have someone check on him during his sleep. He's not out of the woods yet." The doctor turned and left again. "What... What happened with the horse?" Nam Gil's face turned dark. "I'll ask somebody to take him back to Jeju. I'll get you a new horse." Nam Mu wanted to agree with Nam Gil but instead he heard himself say something completely different. "I want to keep him. There might be something that scared him." Everyone looked at him in shock. Nam Gil thought that Nam Mu was a brave boy. Li Jie looked at Nam Mu like he had gone crazy. "A...Are you sure?" Nam Mu wanted to scream no but again his body didn't listen, nodding instead. "That's my boy. You just have to show Saja that you are the boss. Rest well. We'll start over next week." Nam Mu didn't want to start over! He wanted to kill Saja. He wanted to protest again but his eyes became heavy. Before he could utter a word he fell asleep.

Nam Mu got bored after lying in bed for four days but the others were adamant that he stay in bed. "The doctor said you need your rest. It's better to be safe than sorry. Nam Mu tried to protest but it didn't help at all. Nam Mu was forced to lie in bed the whole time. While lying in bed, Nam Gil and Li Jie taught him Hangul writing. Nam Mu was making leaps and bounds. He could now have complex conversations in Hangul with them. On day six Nam Mu tried again. "Dad? Can we get a doctor to see if I'm doing well?" Nam Mu looked at Nam Gil with teary eyes. This was the first time that Nam Mu had called him Dad. It didn't feel forced like the times he called him father.

Nam Gil felt like his heart was going to burst. "I'll ask Mule to fetch the doctor." He stood up and walked out the room to find Mule. Li Jie looked at Nam Mu with a smirk. "Are you becoming a daddysboy'' Nam Mu glared at Li Jie. "S... Be quiet, you. I... I don't feel comfortable anymore. And we're supposed to be father and son." Li Jie shook his head. "That hit on the head was actually a good thing." Nam Mu was ready to slap him. "I hope you fall off a horse too so you can act more nicely." Li Jie laughed and scratched his chin. "I don't mean to tease you but you seem much more relaxed." Nam Mu understood what Li Jie meant. He felt like the voice that kept reminding him of his fears and anxiety had shut up. Now he was full of hope and dreams. "That is what a near-death experience can do for you." Li Jie burst out laughing. "Don't overreact, you just had a concussion. You didn't die."

He stopped laughing when he saw Nam Mu's face. "I was there, you didn't die!" Nam Mu wanted to ask how Li Jie was so sure but Nam Gil, Mule and the doctor walked inside. The doctor did some tests. "He can slowly begin to do some activities but not too demanding." Nam Gil nodded. "Can he do archery and sword fighting? What about horse riding?" The doctor taught about it for a few minutes. "I think archery is not a problem but sword fighting and horse riding has to wait." Nam Mu was happy that he didn't have to ride Saja for a while but he knew that he would have to eventually. The doctor smiled at Nam Mu. "You can start at the end of next month." Nam Mu nodded before thanking the doctor. Mule escorted the doctor back to the guild gates. "At the end of the month... You'll have one month before the test." Nam Gil was scratching his head. "Dad, is sword fighting and horse riding really important for the test?"

Nam Gil didn't really know if it was important. He looked at Li Jie. "It's not important but afterwards there is a chance that you might be invited to join the King or the Crown prince for a ride or a friendly duel. It would be unfavorable if you couldn't do it. People are promoted after showing their talents during those activities. At least that's what I got from the gossip around town." Nam Mu felt like he had no other choice. "I'll do my best."

The next day he started archery again but after not taking up the bow, Nam Mu could feel that he had a harder time shooting the arrows. Half an hour later he felt his hands tremble. "Let's take a break!" Nam Gil walked over with some water. "You'll be back to normal in a few days. You haven't done anything for a week." Nam Gil patted Nam Mu's head. Nam Mu wanted to believe him but he wasn't really sure. "Let's call it a day. You can try tomorrow." Nam Mu shook his head. "I'll try another 30 minutes. Then I'll call it a day." "Just be careful. If it doesn't feel good, you have to stop. We don't want you to ruin your arms." After taking back the water bag, he walked back to let Nam Mu start shooting again.

Nam Mu would go to the shooting range everyday. In the beginning he would stop after an hour and start again after resting for two. After a week he could shoot for two hours and rest an hour. At the end of the month he could shoot half a day with an hour rest. "I think we created a monster!" Li Jie looked at Nam Mu with fear and awe. He knew a few people who could do the same as Nam Mu and they were all serving in the military. Nam Gil also looked at Nam Mu but he had a big smile on his face. "He's perfect. I'm sure that sword fighting and horse riding would be just as good, maybe even better." Li Jie was thinking the same thing. Nam Gil beckoned Nam Mu over.

"The doctor is waiting for you. We'll see if you can start the other activities." Nam Mu was secretly hoping that the doctor would tell him to wait again but that was not the case this time. The doctor gave him a clean bill of health. Nam Gil looked very pleased. "Alright. Get a good night's rest and tomorrow will go to the sparring and riding fields." Nam Mu didn't mind the sword but after what happened his fear of horses had tripled. After a sleepless night Nam Gil brought him back to the sparring field. After swinging the sword a few times Nam Mu felt comfortable to start sparring with Nam Gil. Just like with archery, Nam Mu arm began to ache after deflecting Nam Gil's attacks for an hour. He was panting and sweating like he had run around the guild compound ten times. Nam Gil shook his head. "You did well. Let's rest for now and then we'll go horse riding. Nam Mu turned pale when he heard those words.