The main gates of the Southern Palace were decorated beautifully with lanterns and streamers for the initial welcome of the Northern Royals. Word about a possible wedding between Prince Namjoon and the Second Prince of the Northern Isles quickly spread within the palace walls. News of Prince Jungkook becoming the Crown Prince had torn the capital in wildfire as the people were pleasantly stunned. However, murmurs and questions were being raised if the newly announced Crown Prince would present his betrothed at his coronation since it was a custom of the Southern Royal family to do so.
Both rumours about the wedding and coronation of both princes in a way also shifted the prolonged dread people had about the risks of the western border.
"Yes, arrange their rooms in the east wing of the palace and clear out one of the barrack buildings for their soldiers. Also have the water shrine beyond the koi pond prepared as the King wishes to visit with the royal family." Jungkook was speaking to some palace officials when he was unexpectedly interrupted by Yeonjun at the door of his study. The boy's chest was rising and sinking as he lowly breathed in quick breaths before speaking. "My apologies, your majesty but we have an issue" He said, eyeing the officials in the room. Jungkook caught on and asked the officials to step out momentarily and continue with the preparations.
Yeonjun hurried inside once the men left. "Sir we've got news from the guards at the captial's edge that the rogues who've been sweeping havoc in the surrounding villages have been spotted lurking near the bamboo forests on the outskirts the capital." Jungkook sighed deeply and without a word stormed out of his study, along the connecting pathway to his quarters with Yeonjun following right behind. "Go tell the officials to question any further about the preparations from hyung and prepare my horse." He instructed, his tone dropping to grim. Yeonjun halted and with a quick head bow left immediately.
Trouble seemed to be brewing.
As he changed out of his formal clothes into some black attire and belts, Jungkook couldn't help but become more wary than he presently was. The Northern Royals were meant to arrive this evening and if they were going on track with time then that meant they would be nearing the capital's entrance as well. With rogues possibly present in the area.. if they were to confront a sudden ambush.. things would certainly not end well. Arranging his thoughts and recognising the serious gravity of the potential issue, Jungkook finished sheathing his weapons. His sword hung from his waist, throwing knives were concealed on the inside of his forearm by leather straps and a dagger was hidden in his right boot. He fastened his hair back in a ponytail, his bangs falling out in front of his forehead. A criminally beautiful sight to admire but unfortunately not in the moment.
The prince leaped over the stone wall behind his chamber and landed softly right to be met with Yeonjun on a horse, holding the reins for his ride as well. Wasting no further time they rode out, swiftly headed for the outskirts of the capital, raising a trail of dust in the air.
"You didn't tell hyung about the issue right?"
"No, I only let him know there was urgent business and you asked him to attend to the preparations while you were gone."
Jungkook hummed in response, "Give me the information of these rogue bastards and their doings of the past 2 months while I wasn't here" he gritted, anger clearly laced in his tone.
"59 murders confirmed - men, women and children of small villages, their homes robbed of food, money and any considerably expensive belongings" Yeonjun stated, "They've mostly hung around small towns but for them to suddenly approach the capital, knowing that you've recently returned and with the rumoured arrival of the Northern family- something is definitely off. I've prepared the soldiers at the captial gates and deployed a troop to the forest. The General is also present."
Jungkook took in the information. These bastards were soon to cease. Permanently. "Yoongi's there? When was this? Why wasn't I reported to? He was meant to remain at the palace. And if he's already there then I shouldn't need to go." Jungkook hurriedly questioned, eyeing Yeonjun beside him.
Yeonjun remained silent for a moment, Jungkook sharply turned his gaze onto him, his brows crossing, demanding an answer. "The General left 3 hours ago, he suspected that there may be more than just one troop of the rogues and had strictly instructed me to immediately call you when needed. It seems that 2 other similar rogue gangs have been spotted in some villages at the same time. They may be linked. General also said a surviving woman from a recent attack had seen barbarians as members of the rogues.."
Jungkooked growled angrily. He was being told this now?! Yeonjun continued, "General said to not report this to you. Please speak to him about it any further."
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The Northern Royal family were nearing the capital, stepping into the appealing forest of untouched bamboo that rose metres above the surface. A dirt path snaked through the intricate maze which soon cleared into the edge of the capital city. The horses pulled their carriage clopped through with soldiers on horseback on either side, behind them were Taehyung and Jimin on horseback followed by six more armed men.
The path was eerily quiet and deserted considering it was the main route to the capital from the northerly direction. Nothing besides the horses, the shuffling of the carriage and the gentle rustling of the breeze could be heard. It seemed off but as it was foreign for the new visitors, none paid much attention since they all were patiently waiting to arrive at their destination. Well not all of them.
Tae still held his opposing perspective on the marriage and was desperate to talk to Seokjin but as the younger observed his older brother beneath his light-hearted conversations and fake smiles, he didn't find any lingering hurt or distress. The older seemed genuinely content with the proposal. To think this would relieve Tae would be the obvious assumption but rather the outcome was ultimately the opposite. This worried Taehyung more as further frustrating questions rose for him. Since when did his brother decide to give into an arranged marriage proposal made by a man he's never seen or met? What happened to the true love his brother had always wished for? To say Taehyung was frustrated was an understatement. He loved his brother dearly and something as big as a sudden marriage really threw him off.
He sighed. Deeply. Beside him Jimin had been eyeing him the whole trip. With a strange resemblance as to how Taehyung was muddled because of Seokjin, Jimin was experiencing the same with his best friend. Ever since the morning of the family's breakfast Tae's mood had hit rock bottom and his dazed expressions as if clouded by deep thought worried Jimin. His friend was usually more uplifted, fierce and bold, rather contrary to his current gloomy state.
Jimin's face was set in a small pout, his eyes trying to glare their way into Tae's mind with an attempt to read what was inside. But before he could voice himself, clothed men in dirtied rags appeared from in front, beside and behind them, as if emerging from the bamboo.
"What the hell- who are these people?" Tae lowly whisper-shouted to Jimin, not taking his wandering gaze off the cloaked men and not expecting an answer. His right hand reached for his sword, clutching the handle firmly.
The men all swarmed closer to the carriage. Seokjin pulled the sliding shutter window of the carriage open and peered at the alarming scene outside.
"Hyung close the window and stay inside! We'll handle this!" Taehyung shouted, his voice dropping near-growling low as he hastily unsheathed his sword, swung in upright and wielded it single-handedly as his other hand gripped the rein of the horse. Jimin and his men followed, circling themselves around the carriage protectively before any of the opposing men initiated an attack.
Men began lunging themselves at Taehyung, Jimin and their soldiers. The clashing of swords erupted as the latters defended themselves and the royal family enclosed within their boundary.
Taehyung had two men down lying motionless on the dirt, blood pouring from their wounds. He glanced at his soldiers and Jimin, they seemed to be holding out well but the numbers clearly didn't match up. More of the attackers pressed forward, having the royal family and their men surrounded. They'd be able to hold out and defend but for how long? A scream shattered over the swords, Tae spun to see one of his soldiers clutching a deep slash on his arm as he fell from his horse. Seokjin burst open the door and hauled the man in. His horse galloping away from the scene.
Damn it. Taehyung swung his leg off his horse, his robe flowing majestically in the wind alongside his silky hair. His feet met the damp soil beneath, instantly taking a sturdy stance wielding his sword with both hands and beginning to slash out his opponents. His sharp and agile movements as he annihilated his attackers would easily come off as profound skill and training expertise which it was but beside that, for Taehyung it could also be seen as a battlefield on which he could release built up anger and internal conflicts. Almost absentmindedly he was merely taking on the men as if they were his opponents in a spar. The only difference being their life wasn't being spared and neither was it a drill. Taehyung often released his anger and pent up frustrations through duels and matches, whether they be the smallest of conflicts or the biggest of complications. It simply was his way of relieving himself thoughtlessly. Although the situation at hand wasn't bringing relief, the way in which he conducted combat and inflicted his enemies mercilessly with wounds was comparable to his physical training over the years.
Unlike Taehyung, Jimin hadn't unmounted. He used what advantage he could of the horse against his opponents and took charge in guiding the other men. Eyeing Taehyung every now and then to see his friend simply bringing down the bodies of gravely injured men.
They had been holding out well. Three more of the royal soldiers had been injured. Taehyung had streaks of blood smeared on his garments and sword, dripping onto the ground. By rough headcount, around 15 men still faced them. Taehyung had stopped to gasp in long breaths, filling his desperate lungs with air when the galloping of horses were heard coming from the path that led to the capital. Saddled horses and attired soldiers wearing the Southern emblem rode down to the scene of bloodshed.
The remaining attackers immediately halted and stepped back, some instantly taking a run for it whilst others crawled back as they could.
A man dressed in black with a sheathed sword that marked the Royal Southern seal unmounted, alongside him a man who was dressed in the uniform of a General. The man with the Royal sword took strides towards the carriage and Taehyung. His broad shoulders, slim waist and figure were beautifully outlined in the tight attire that wasn't meant to come off as seductive or alluring but rather be more fitting for fights. Yet the former unofficial purpose was what it seemed to be. His face was a piece of work itself, his moles and captivating eyes creating a wonderful beauty that clashed his strong appearance.
Drifting back to the scene at hand, Taehyung began approaching the man as well. He heard Jimin at his heel and also the opening of the carriage door with rustles of feet stepping down. Both the unknown man and Taehyung stood face to face, Jimin beside Taehyung and the man of General Rank beside the man dressed in black.