Gray Moods (Yeoun & Nayh)

The afternoon was a little chilly. The winds were whipping around, pushing a storm towards the southern part of Telgar Hold. They might be getting more rain, which would only dampen her mood further. After all, she had a meeting to attend, when all she wanted to do was sleep today.

While she might not have wanted to meet with Yeoun, she knew a couple of young ladies who were quite excited to see him again and so soon. Why did her friends have to go and crush on the same boy? Neither had admitted any feelings of course. Sorcha mostly used to observing people understood what certain actions or lack thereof meant in relation to what was happening around her. And of course they wouldn't want to expose their feelings and neither would Yeoun if he knew what was good for him.

Sorcha didn't say anything about any of it. Sometimes it was better to pretend she didn't know anything. It kept her from stepping on anyone's toes. Managing where the other two were going to be while Yeoun was there would help though. He seemed quite taken with Kaeyah so she had to make sure that she wasn't part of the meeting. It wasn't that she didn't trust the other girl but too much distraction was bad for meetings in general. She told Kaeyah she could see Yeoun after Sorcha's meeting. Nayh of course was attending the meeting since she had helped to set it up.

She had already had a room prepared for the meeting and was not dressed to go out, like she normally was when Yeoun came by. She was wearing leggings and a long gray sweater which hung off of one of her slender shoulders. Her wool socks kept her feet warm on the cool stone floors. A fire was going and she allowed her eyes to rest on the fire. Something she did when she was thinking. She was standing, pacing every so often, like a caged feline stalking the people outside her cage. She had the grace of wild animal and the same look in her eyes at times. It was a good comparison. She would tug at a strand of hair but it was all up out of her face in a loose bun, still damp from her bath.

While she waited for Yeoun to arrive, she looked back on their last conversation. He was frustrating her as much as he seemed to be frustrated with her. Better to tell people how one felt, right? Well he was certainly going to get an earful if he came with a similar attitude today.

Sorcha greeted him customarily but her greeting lacked any of her usual teasing nature. She wasn't going to treat him like a friend if he wasn't going to treat her like one. If he insisted on acting like a child, she wasn't going down that road with him. "Please make yourself comfortable."

They were going to be there for a while, so he may as well. Tucking an errant strand of brown hair behind her ear, she sat back more comfortably in her chair. He might think he could act like nothing had happened and she would go on like that were true. Sorcha however was not the forgiving sort. She was more the vindictive, rain down her wrath via death and bloodshed.

He might just see the monster inside of her today. "You wanted to talk." She said, giving him the floor to speak what he had come here to say. Sorcha had said her piece the other day it was his turn. Also it couldn't hurt if he started with an apology for being an ass.

She would probably never hear anything akin to an I'm sorry from Yeoun. Her gray blue eyes settled on the fire. There was a restlessness inside her eyes that the calm of her body was very good at hiding most of the time. This however was not most of the time and she was more agitated than normal.

Yeoun had always been the type to suffer in silence, so deriving offence from his quiet nature was useless. And Yeoun could sense that Sorcha seemed upset today, but wasn't sure the extent of it or exactly what had her so agitated. If this was about Sorcha still feeling that he was not taking things seriously enough with the Chorong, she was wrong. But he felt no need to prove it to her.

The young man had nodded appreciatively when she gestured for them to be seated, moving to sit near the fire as she had done. Eyes resting on her for a short time, even as she gazed into the flames, his were filled with the many thoughts that had been occupying his mind over the past few days.

After a moment, Yeoun finally spoke, "Tomorrow... I am going to see your father. I won't be in Southern Telgar for at least a couple of days. Since Harvest Gathers are approaching, the Blood Moon Squad has been given some time for leave; I'll be spending that time with him."

Yeoun was certain that Galedon had order to give him. He was certain that there would be much to be said and done in that short time they would have together, and honestly, Yeoun wasn't sure there was any way to fully prepare himself for it. Honestly... he had no real idea what to expect.

Sorcha was surprised he was telling her any of this really. Not because of the other day but because he didn't seem like he wanted to share information in general. At first she nodded, because there was nothing really to say to him that he didn't already know. Sorcha wasn't being rude or trying to be anything other than understanding.

"He will want to discuss many things with you." She paused to look at him, "You realize after this time with him he will expect some sort of show of loyalty before he fully believes you are ready to train to succeed him." Sorcha was referring to what she had mentioned previously.

"Anyone you care about is at risk of being your challenge. If you have a best friend.." She said as if she didn't know that Yeoun did in fact have a best friend, "he is most likely a good choice to prove your loyalty is to the Chorong and not to the Guard or anyone who serves the Guard." She could be nice, she could keep the harsh truth from him but Sorcha was not in her core a very nice person.

Every so often she did something that was nice but it was not normal for her to tip toe around other people's feelings. "Other than that is there anything in particular you are concerned about?" She asked because she would give him what insight she had. Why she would give him what he needed to know came down to wanting Yeoun to trust her.

While Sorcha continued speaking, Yeoun leaned forward over his knees onto elbows where hands clasped before him. His eyes traced a lazy path across the floor hesitant to glance up again to meet her gaze. Perhaps thoughtful in that moment, of the things she tried to make him realize, and perhaps avoidant,... he would rather that she simply stop speaking such things. Even if it were true, what Galedon would require of him, it was a fear he did not yet want to have to face.

Let it wait until he knew just what Galedon would ask of him.


Yeoun was quiet as she shared with him what she thought was to come. Perhaps he should want to prepare himself for the worse -and he had been considering those things- but for now, there was no use in dwelling on it. At this point, there was nothing he could do about it.

In response, finally lifting his gaze to find her, he asserted -as much for his own benefit as for that of she and her father, "The only place I want to be, is with the Chorong."

Though that admission pained him to the very core, he went on, offering no sign that anything less than his greatest resolve lay behind those words, "Last we met, you asked me to make that decision, so I have. I promised my life to the Lord General because it is only through him that I would ever discover the truth about my father and learn how to take my father's place." He stopped there for a moment, the expression in his eyes growing more stern. "If that is something only obtainable by blood, then I will take it."


A fairly well-read young man, Yeoun remembered that once he'd come across a passage reading, ...To be great, a man must be as heavy as the mountains and as quiet as the sea...

It was a passage that Yeoun had considered as of late, and decided to make it his goal. He knew that in order to accomplish those untold things that lie ahead, he would have to stand as immovable as the mountains and as undetectable as the changes in a silently surging ocean.

He would become like that -like the mountains and the sea. And then no one would be able to stop him from taking over his father's legacy.

Sorcha could see he was serious about his statement but he had yet to truly grasp what would be required. Not that he couldn't understand but that he wasn't ready or prepared to deal with it. She had seen that look before, the avoiding her gaze before, and it had all ended very badly. You could lead a runner to water but you couldn't make him drink.

"I'm sure Lord Galedon will fill you in on the details." Sorcha said, although she did not mention where her own loyalties might lay. There was no need for her to prove herself any more than she already had. "He will be pleased you are prepared to do what must be done in the name of your cause."

Her opinion did not matter. She had no desire to lead the Chorong. Nothing she had done had been to garner the respect of the Rebels. She originally wanted to use the power of the rebels to protect her so that she might get her friends out of the life they now lived. Actually, garnering the respect and trust of the Chorong had been easy for her. She was using her previous life and her new life together and to kill people, was not hard. She'd made it clear that she loved no one so no one would ever be harmed by her death or her life.

It also meant her targets could be more political and less personal.

Taking a deep breath, "Be careful there, it is easy to lose yourself in a dream, in an ambition." Sorcha's eyes seemed clouded for a moment, but she shook her head and looked back at the fire. she was a bit wistful, there must have been a time when she actually was innocent of murder, or thoughts of murder. She couldn't remember it. She was a killer. He could easily become one too.

Without wasting a breath, Yeoun filled her in, "I won't be the only one going. The Lord General asked that I bring you with me. That's all I know, so there's no reason in asking what for. Maybe we're both in for a surprise." A coy smirk lifted the corner of his lips a bit lopsidedly, at that.

"If you want to pack a few things, I'll have a runners prepared for us by first light. Since the guard is tight right now, I asked Swift to procure us a couple of false badges of identification should they be necessary. I'm sure you'll be happy to know it is easier for us to move in and out of the Hold disguised as a married couple. We should both dress the part, so not to attract attention to ourselves unnecessarily.

"Of course... if you'd rather travel separately..." Of course, for the long distance they would have to travel to get to the Chorong Headquarters, it would be better to travel in a group -even a small group, should something happen. And Yeoun was sure that Galedon was well aware of his daughter's stubbornness and pride, should she decide to make her own way out of the city.




((Eehhhh.. wasn't sure what else to put, sooo,.. lol roll with it I was just making stuff up >.> ))

"Lovely." She said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "A father would have many reasons to meet with his daughter." She said, not hinting that she had any idea why she would be summoned either. Even if she did. Even if she was going to be hailed as the best assassin ever when she got to camp. He didn't need to know and since he had been in cahoots with Swift probably for days about this, she saw no reason to be nice.

Nodding, she did not argue but they both should have known she didn't like to be left out of plans concerning her. She didn't feel very safe. Nothing that she could do about it now though. Her irritation was hidden as best as it could be. She stood up and walked over to where Yeoun was sitting, placing a delicate hand on his forearm.

Her sweetest smile on, "Oh darling, you know I'd much prefer to be with you." It was convincing but then Sorcha was an actress in many senses of the word.

"I'll go get ready husband." She laughed, it was almost incredulous, as she walked out of the door into the hallway. "Oh and there is someone who wants to see you. Kaeyah." She said, motioning the girl into the room. "You can keep Yeoun entertained for a little while before he prepares for his travels."

The only reaction the Blood Moon member could muster was silent consternation since at that point, he wasn't quite sure what else to make of Sorcha's little act. He'd almost expected much different from her, but the girl was convincing enough that it made him second guess just how reluctant she was about the whole idea. As in.. not at all reluctant.

Was that the case? It had been all too easy.. He didn't even have to talk her into it.

Did she have something up her sleeve?

Anyway, many thoughts flitted through his mind just before Keayah entered, exchanging presences in the room. Yeoun however, had not come here today to be entertained, nor to relax himself in the young lady's presence, so he just as quickly dismissed her.

"I don't want to be in Lady Sorcha's debt any more than I likely already am. That will be all, for today." And just to what extent, he was unsure, but she might pay him back for all this later, so he wasn't about to want to add to the current tab.

With that, Yeoun rose from his seat and bid both Nayh and Keayah a polite, if not curt, farewell before leaving the Mask.

When she made it to her room, she wanted to shout. She'd deal with Swift later but for now, well Yeoun was going to have to deal with her the entire trip to the Chorong camp. She'd like to say it would be pleasant but most likely not since he seemed completely oblivious to anything or anyone but what he wanted. Fucking typical male.

Seething to herself, she made sure to pack appropriately. Only one spare outfit was needed. Her father wouldn't care what she wore as long as she was ready to be debriefed. She might have information he wanted or he might want to talk to her about the timeline of events.

Ermon's death was unfortunate but necessary and certainly wasn't her call. She had nothing really against the man other than he was the sort to use women for pleasure for a price. Or should she say, use her. She didn't particularly liked the men who did use her even if outside of their time together they were polite and kind. They were still assholes in her mind.

Sorcha dressed down, so as not to attract attention, as Yeoun wished. Her cloak was a bland light brown, her shoes looked worn in and her dress was made from a common fabric and cut in a very normal, poorer end hold style. It was a light almost gray blue which did bring out her eyes a little.

She had one of the other girls braid her hair into one french style braid which would keep it from her face and make her look more like she was working class. Not that she didn't work but she often appeared to be more of the upper echelon of society, type.

The only problem was she still had soft hands without any callouses. Nothing she could do about that before dawn. She was ready and waiting come morning light for Yeoun to come by with the runners and the badges.

The next morning, Yeoun arrived a little after dawn, riding runner back with a second saddled mare in tow. His own travel pack was situated across the rump of his runner, behind him, and his swords wrapped in a cloth bundle with it. Yeoun was never defenseless however; he had his needlethorns handy, tucked secretly away.


Having left his barracks that morning earlier than any of the other squad members would rise, his departure, he was certain, went unnoticed for the most part. He did warn the other members of the Blood Moon Squad however, that he'd be leaving for a couple of days while there was a sizable gather going on that sevendaysend. Of course, he'd come up with some perfectly acceptable explanation for his being gone in that time, so he didn't think it would be questioned. And he'd told the boys just a day or so prior, giving them little time or opportunity to consider it or question him, either one.


Dismounting his runner, Yeoun tied them both to a rail intended for such purposes, and went inside Inamourata's Mask. There, he was hastily greeted by one of the girls he'd seen before, but never really met.

"Sir, let me notify Lady Nayh of your arrival."

"Actually," Stopping the girl from rushing off, he explained, "Inform Miss Sorcha, instead. If she needs help bringing her things out, let me know, and I'll come to her room to get them for her."

Of course, he didn't want to intrude on the only space in her life that was secluded for her, so he waited.

Sorcha did not wait for the girl to inform her that Yeoun was there. She heard his voice clearly enough to know he was there. Besides, she had been waiting and ready. Sorcha came down the stairs looking quite ordinary. Well, as ordinary as she could look.

"Good Morning."

And whether that meant good morning or it was a good morning or it was a good morning whether he liked it or not, well that really was left up to his own interpretation as she didn't really add on to it right away.

"I will not need any help. I packed light." Sorcha did not add, in case there was trouble. Her pack was slung over her shoulder and really was not heavy at all. It should be pretty apparent to him that where they were headed might require them to ditch the runners or part ways at some point in order to remain safe.

"We should probably get going. The sooner the better. The Guard is in the middle of changing rotations..." It would be easier for them to leave unnoticed. "Do you have my badge?" She asked as she walked out of the doors, towards the two runnerbeasts.

Nodding appreciatively when Sorcha reassured him of packing appropriately for their long journey, Yeoun watched her make her way down the last of the stairs and toward him.

Reaching under the breast of his tunic then, he glanced down to be certain that he was about to hand her the right badge, before passing it into her hands.

"Yes. Here. Both of our identities are of deceased persons, but in life, they were married, so if questioned, it will provide a means for them to identify us by, given that they will have a marriage and family registry together." Hopefully the guard wouldn't think to search the obituaries. Of course, with two live persons standing before them, most would not find it natural to think Are you really dead?.

Indeed.


Leading them from the Mask, Yeoun went to where he'd tied their runners at, and when Sorcha was beside him, offered, "Will you be needing assistance?" Of course, he meant assistance mounting the runner.. but Yeoun wasn't about to say assistance mounting because the innuendo would simply be too strong, given her occupation as a pillowcrafter -even as a high class one.

Anyway, Sorcha might find Yeoun detestable on some level or another because of his curtness, but he was a polite person when it came down to it.

Taking the badge, she placed it gently into her bra, where it would be safe from being lost or damaged and would stay on her person while they were traveling rather than with her bag. "You never know. We might be dead sooner than later." She said sardonically.

As cynical as it may seem, Yeoun would understand that what she said was honest. They might not come back from this meeting. They might not even make it to the Rebels. They might make it back and face trouble here. Everything was a gamble when you were at war with a Lord Holder.

She was able to strap her bag to the runner without issue. Checking the girth to make sure it was still tight before she prepared to mount. "Thank you for the offer but I can do this myself." Actually she could mount anything without his assistance. She was lithe and agile, as much as he was.

Underneath the dress she had some leggings to make sure she could sit astride without issue. As she had mentioned previously, she mounted the runner easily and without need of any assistance. She had the beast in her control the moment she was in the saddle.

"Ready when you are." This was going to be one horrible ride. Yeoun was so horribly quiet and duty bound. They weren't going to have any fun. Even if she had plenty to think about, she still didn't think not conversing with people for days would be good for her.

Sorcha might be okay with accepting death at such a point as this, but Yeoun had too much to accomplish still to die now. A plan was forming in his mind -gradually. Piece by piece, he would realize how to accomplish his goals as those goals became clearer to him. As of right now, all he had was a general direction to head in. But soon, things would not be that way.

Clarity would come as his knowledge and insight into the Chorong Rebel faction grew; he would get his hands on all the pieces of the puzzle soon enough. Until then however, he would do whatever it took to position himself for the future he was focused on. Whether that meant he had to betray a friend, or whether that meant he had to forget what pride he possessed and grovel before the Lord General, he would suffer it. Indeed, he would bow his head a million times if he had to, but losing his focus, nor giving in to death just yet, were either one an option.

Maybe Sorcha was underestimating what resolve he had mustered this early in the game. In any case, if the girl wanted to die out there, then he wouldn't stop her -but he wasn't going down that path with her.

Yeoun made no further move to assist her once Sorcha indicated she was fine on her own. He was sure she expected little courtesy from him, nor desired it, so he wasn't going to go out of his way. Especially when her dear pride seemed to depend upon that independence. Honestly, he didn't find the need to insult her pride, either.

Nodding as she indicated she was ready for their travels, Yeoun was quick to mount his own runnerbeast, tugging the reins to guide his steed back into the streets.


The streets of Southern Telgar Hold were only just beginning to come alive with other early risers, so it didn't take long for them to make it to the West gate, through which they would make their way toward the rebel headquarters.

Stopped there for routine checks, though every person seemed to be met with some whit of suspicion given the recent ongoings, Yeoun's ever-collected self was hardly effected by the nervousness that might have gripped a weaker soul. Ready with his carved badge of identification, Yeoun presented it while easily answering their questions. He seemed no more bothered about their threats to search what bags they did have packed, with them, and was soon able to dispel the Guardsmens' worries.


Once they were beyond the gate, Yeoun rode in silence for several minutes before addressing Sorcha again. "The Chorong... you really don't care for them do you? And your father... Do you plan on leaving his service soon?" Of course he knew what course of action that might pertain normally, but he had no idea how keen she was on arranging her father's death just yet; and of course, situations could change, and plans could change, after whatever she decided to tell him now. Honestly, he wasn't sure how honest he expected her to be on the matter, but he was curious.

For Yeoun, he was being rather direct. Some questions must be eating at him, or perhaps he just wanted to take the extra time for thought between here and there, because, though they had some distance to travel over the next day or two, he'd certainly come right out with it.

The whole journey was going to be like this, she thought to herself as boredom took over her mind. She hated travelling with other people. Mostly because she had to communicate and act like she actually cared one way or another where they made camp, when they slept etc etc. She just wanted to be at the camp already. None of this was Yeoun’s fault but of course she could still blame him. The last person she wanted to talk to right now was her father and he wanted to pay the man a visit so then her father decides she should come along as well. Sorcha had other things to do. She did not have the kind of free time it seemed that Yeoun and Lord General Galedon had. Maybe because she actually had to earn marks to support the people who actually did care about her; now there was a concept.

Sorcha could not decide if her father would be elated or angry. Honestly, she had killed the Lord Holder’s son and it had been a bit ahead of the time table. There was never going to be a better opportunity. She knew that. Her face drew into a slight frown while she thought, ignoring anything that might be going on around her except when they had to go through inspection points. Then she acted like Yeoun’s spouse without going over-board on the act. She passed for a very young wife. And by the looks she was receiving perhaps younger than they would marry their own daughters off as. Then Sorcha did sometimes look younger than her age and it really did depend on a person’s rank and ambition as to when they might be married. Some people were likely engaged as children, arranged for by their parents for some kind of material gain.

Still thinking to herself, she was a caught off her guard when Yeoun said something.

“Why should I care about anyone?” Or any cause for that matter. Since when had anyone cared about her or what became of her or what would happen if she was involved in the Rebels? If her father had loved her, he would not have risked her life as much as he did. He would certainly not have had her kill someone as highly ranked as a Lord Holder’s son. He could stew over that a while, and when he came to the conclusion that no one cared about her enough to save her from herself, he would realize she had no reason to align herself with anyone or anything.

Her eyes watched the area around them, suspicious that even the trees might hear what she said, “I will be leaving his service one way or another eventually. And I simply intend for it to be on my terms and not his.” She did not feel she needed to elaborate on what the other alternative was. To her it was obvious. When she was no longer useful, they would need to tie up their loose ends. Eventually, when one went around killing people, one got caught. Then either she would be allowed to be put to death by the Lord Holder or her own father would order her death so that they could not link her activity to the Chorong. Either of those options ended in death. She intended to live.

"So you see, as a matter of self interest and a keen desire to be alive when this is all over, I have to make my own future." For a sixteen turn old girl, she sounded rather grim and determined. She sounded much older than she was. If it was bothersome to her to speak about it, she didn't let on. Death was an easy subject for her. Life was much harder.

Accustomed to her way of diminishing the concern of others in her life, it was quite the answer that Yeoun expected.

Though quietly thoughtful for a moment, Yeoun soon continued the conversation without any remark for her lack of concern for the people around her. Anyway, its not like he could be judgmental of her decision to hate people in general. Her circumstances were less than favourable; it was a survival tactic. "We will both have to create a new future for ourselves."

Another pause came in his speech, as his eyes scanned down the road ahead of them, though it seemed as though his attention was fixed more inward. "In that way, you and I are the same. There is no escape from our fate, even if we try to run from it; so we must find some other end. We will have to create a future of our own determining or there will never be a way out."

With an almost grim sense of resigned finality, he went on; but only because she'd assured him that she too. was willing to create her own path getting through all of this. In which case, she was not all for single mindedly fulfilling her father's will. And that was good enough for him.

"As for me, I will have to become the Chorong's most skilled Agent. Then I will be able to take my father's place... and take your father's place.

"In my path though, there are still those stronger than me -kike your father. So, no matter what the Lord General asks of me, I must do it. For now, all I can do is express my deepest loyalty, and in the process, continue growing stronger, so that one day, I will stand at the top -as impassable as a mountain. Then, no one will be able to stand in my way, keeping me from fulfilling a destiny of my own choosing.  If anyone tries to keep me from it, I will take them down without mercy, and by whatever means necessary."


It was a lot for him to say, all of that. Yeoun never spoke much in regards to his inner thoughts, keeping those things very much to himself. Though, there could very well have been some ulterior motive for saying as much, it certainly made the time less dull for Sorcha, no?  Yeoun was okay spending his time in silence, so to him, it mattered little whether they conversed in general. So, surely, he must be trying to tell her something.

Returning to her initial answer to his question previously, he brought up, "Though I don't think I can view the world from the same eyes through which you see them," Meaning that he concerned himself over the lives of others around him more deeply than she seemed to, "I will learn to concern myself over others where benefit is mutual." Those who were necessary to get him to where he needed to be. And of course, in the end, he would not forget the part they played in his success. He would have to repay them.

Of course, that kind of attitude she should be able to understand well enough.  Perhaps saying such a thing, for her ears alone, was his way of suggesting that he was willing to work in league with her to make those futures they desired possible. But she would have to bite at the bait first. And he had no idea just what she might already have planned, so she might not be interested.

“Yes, well, the idea of changing ones fate is much easier than actually achieving it. I need your assurance you will not mention this or anything we say on this journey to my father. There are several matters I need to discuss with him.” He couldn’t possibly know how Sorcha felt about the people around her. If she came off as selfish well, perhaps she was in some small way thinking of herself but there were people more important to her. She didn’t want the Lord General to know that because he would use it to his advantage.

Despite what he might think of her, she had never been against him. In fact she would much prefer him to lead the Chorong than her father who was out of touch with the people after fighting so long against a seemingly corrupt government. She didn’t care about governments. The power of a government lay in the power of her people and if the people were so against the Telgar Lordship, there would be more than one group vying for the chance to bring them down.

For her part, she did believe he was determined enough to see it through but she did wonder if he really thought it was as simple as it sounded. To become the best one had to do a lot of unsavory things. What if Galedon did in fact order him to kill off the others in the Blood Moon Squad? How far was he really willing to go? Sorcha had fewer misgivings about killing than he did and she would still balk at the idea of killing the girls at the Mask.

“And I will help you, where I can but I cannot be seen to be too helpful. I hope you understand.”

She was a little hurt, just a little that he thought she cared about no one. Very few people cared about her. Yes she wasn’t allowing herself to grow too attached to most people she met. There were reasons for that, good reasons. Maybe he thought she didn’t care about the girls at the Mask. He would be wrong though, they were the ones she had to protect. The world of assassins and spies was not a world she wanted them all involved in when she could help it. On the outside, she supposed she had pulled off the cold-hearted killer very convincingly.

“And you think you will get to the top without hurting the people you might care about?” She said with a shake of her head. “Yeoun, as I’ve said, I will help you, when you allow me to but if you think that you will go through any sort of initiation into the Chorong without coming out a different person than you went in, well that is where I think you will find yourself most wrong.”

Pausing another moment, she said softly to herself, “If you kill bad men because they are bad, you become the monster just as much as they were.” One bad deed did not deserve another but revenge felt good while it lasted. And that was why she was a monster and not a human being with a heart. Sorcha had made the decision long ago that she would rather have her revenge than anything else.

She would rather steal men’s secrets and use them when she saw it best suiting her circumstance than to allow them to use her as a simple whore. She was anything but simple, she was more than they wanted to believe she was and while she was still very young, she knew better than to believe there was any way out of this situation for her. She would always be the monster inside, she knew she was.

Maybe Yeoun would get his revenge and realize that there was nothing after revenge but an empty gaping hole in one’s heart. “I guess you have already decided avenging your father’s death, having your revenge, is more important than living the life of compassionate human being. " Sardonically she added, "Welcome to the realm of monsters and madmen.”

Yeoun let a silence pass between them before answering Sorcha, either in contemplation over those things she'd said, or perhaps sorting through his own thoughts before revealing them.

"I'm glad.  That you and I can work together. I think that before all of this is over, we will need to have many allies, and in as many places as possible. Because you and I aren't fighting only on one Front; we are fighting on Two: Telgar's Guard, and" Pausing there, Yeoun obviously hesitated to say it aloud, but they both would have known it was the truth, "... and Galedon."

Eventually, Yeoun thought that perhaps they'd be able to use that to their advantage -fighting on two fronts simultaneously. He and Sorcha had already determined they were creating their own side to battle on, they just needed to bide their time for now, so that things worked to their favour. They could very well arrange for Galedon and the Guard to have to fight head to head, thus cutting themselves out of the middle, allowing Telgar's Guard to do the work for them, if they so chose. That would eliminate themselves as the bad guys in that instance, and also create a nice clean opening for Yeoun to take control of the Chorong.

Likewise, if the Guard were not suspecting that there were any such leadership in reserve, already awaiting to take charge, they would anticipate that they'd be able to sweep in and knock the remainder of the Chorong out of play; but that wouldn't be the case. They would quickly be caught off guard, and the rebels would once more gain the advantage to make whatever move they wanted. Telgar would have no idea how well organized the Chorong still were at that point.


Those thoughts occupied him for a moment longer than they should have perhaps, so Yeoun spoke up a little more hastily. "Galedon is arranging for me to be the primary contact between the Chorong and the Traders we receive supplies and other aid from, as well as other Crafters. You and I will soon have many allies. I will ensure their loyalty to the Chorong, and as their main point of contact, their loyalty to Me, so that when we need them most, they will have no choice but to act on our behalf."

Those words were spoken with such surety, it might make one wonder just how long Yeoun had been contemplating all of this. He'd obviously been thinking about it a lot, and though he was just getting his feet wet so to speak, where the Chorong were concerned, he seemed to be taking right to the task -as though that very revolutionary-oriented blood of his father coursed through his own veins just as strongly. There was no doubt that he was Chorong's son.



As for her concern“And you think you will get to the top without hurting the people you might care about?” She said with a shake of her head. “Yeoun, as I’ve said, I will help you, when you allow me to but if you think that you will go through any sort of initiation into the Chorong without coming out a different person than you went in, well that is where I think you will find yourself most wrong.”

Yeoun's tone of voice and even his expression seemed to turn very grave, though also very resolute, because honestly, his next words pained him the most. "As for me, I fully intend to change. I will become one of the Chorong." In both thought and action; Though he hoped it would be a change for the better. "And I fully intend on hurting them -those people I care about. Because I know that in order to deceive my enemies, I must first deceive my friends.  And that is the only way I will be able to take over the Chorong.

"Even if my friends cannot understand me, and come to hate me, it is for a worthy end that I now have no choice but to see through. I can only hope that somehow, those people I hurt in the process -those who have known me- will see through my overt actions and understand what I am doing is for them."

After the briefest pause, just enough to replenish his breath, Yeoun went on, "You see, the thing that I seek is not revenge. I am the only one responsible for my father's death. I am the one that ended his life. What I seek is to set things right with the Chorong again. And in the end, perhaps to find some form of redemption. Not just for me, but for any who have wished for a new beginning. I think that is what my father would have wanted."

Yeoun knew however, that that course of action would take him down a path of no return. In fact, he knew he'd already started down it. But his heart was set on achieving those things, because his heart could only be set free once he'd made everything involving the Chorong right with the world again.

His father started it. Yeoun would end it.

So, like his father, he would now have to seek out his own revolution.

She had no qualms with the Guard. She never had. They did not abandon her, they were not the cause for her suffering or that of the other girls in service with her. Despite it all, she did not necessarily think the government could do much at all about what was going on in the underground. She did however take issue with that asshole who called her daughter. He’d never made any attempt to save her from her situation, but rather used it to his advantage. It didn’t disturb him at all what she had become. He was glad she was in a position to help the cause. What did it matter that she had been used by men, over and over again? Obviously he did not care.

She nodded, “I do not know what he will ask of me, but I can assure you, he won’t let you go to any meeting without another with you. He may accept that you are his friend’s son however he will not trust you until you prove to him you can be. Even when he feels you are trustworthy he might still feel the need to send someone else with you. While he seems to welcome you with open arms, keep in mind that it is a deception and what you see in front of you is not the danger. It is the hidden blade that most often hits its mark.”

Allies, hmmm? She would not mention her own allies. She trusted very few people at their word but for some reason, a reason she wasn’t even sure of herself, she had decided to trust Swift. It could be that became a mistake later on but again, she had a strong feeling that he would not betray her if he could help it. She had hoped their conversation had been enough to reassure him of her seriousness in considering him as a close ally. Not that he couldn’t become Yeoun’s ally separately but she rather hoped he would side with her if Yeoun let the power of running a group of men go to his head. She wanted to believe that Yeoun had her best interest at heart but as she had said and as he then admitted, he planned on becoming evil.

Redemption? Such lofty goals! She would not mock him though, at least he planned to bring some things to the attention to the Lord Holders and wasn’t just in this for revenge. Even if redemption was beyond the group as it was now. Maybe he would be successful. They could only wait and see. Realizing she was being rather quiet, she added, “I will do what I can to help but I want a clean break with the Chorong when it is time for that to happen.” She sighed, “It is exhausting working two jobs all the time…” A fact which he was certainly finding to be true by now.

Yes, they would have to wait and see. None of these words would be enough to assure any of them of a more desired outcome; it was their actions, in the end, that would prove them. So, lucky for her, if Yeoun decided to let power go to his head, he would lose sight of all his own personal goals -and there was no letting that happen.

Perhaps she'd been right though, thinking that Yeoun had been naive to think that the Lord General would not ask more of the young man to prove his loyalty -if not just to demonstrate his true ability. Considering Yeoun was rising to be one of his best men, he was going to take Galedon's own place one day -and that was no small thing. Still, Yeoun had hoped... and until they reached the headquarters, he would probably continue to do so.

Still, to some extent, Yeoun was excited to be on his way to the Chorong leader's hideout. Few people knew its location, in the grande scheme of things, and not everyone who went there was allowed to leave.


Knowing that the Sorcha beside him worried even in some small regard for his state of mind, might have been touching to him, but Yeoun already considered himself evil. After discovering that it was his hand that drove a blade through his father's chest, able to recall such images, Yeoun had lost the faith in himself that allowed him to feel as though he might be a better person; so, it was easier while thinking that way, to let himself follow this path laid out before him. He believed that his heart had been corrupted long ago. Perhaps it was in his blood -that shared blood of his father?

Well, there was no real knowing, but it pained Yeoun to think that way, and the way he'd begun planning out a future of redemption for them was his way of making up for that. For making up for everything. Everything that he may have done wrong in the past, and everything he was going to do wrong in the future -but in the end, it would all be for the better. And whether he lived or died, he would pay for those sins -the sins of the Chorong that his father had started.


As Sorcha went on, coming out of her own thoughts to speak up again, Yeoun couldn't help but smirk a little lopsidedly. Letting his breath go too, in a silent sigh before replying, Yeoun offered her what little assurance he could on that account, "Then we're agreed. We'll both do what we're able..." And in his own mind, Yeoun agreed that he would not let those caught up with the Chorong's affairs willingly or not, down in the end. He could not. Once he'd taken Galedon's place, everything and everyone involved with the Chorong would be passed on to him to bear.

He didn't have anything to say to the two jobs comment, but understood that if it were anything like he trying to keep his purposes a secret amoungst the Blood Moon Squad, then it was quite trying at times -indeed tiresome.

For a while longer, Yeoun remained quiet, simply observing their surroundings as they passed through an area populated more thickly by trees, keeping eyes open for sign of ambush or anything of the like. Of course, they were expecting none, and as they neared Chorong territory, shouldn't find anything of the like in wait for them. Galedon knew the two of them were coming.

Eventually however, Yeoun did speak up, perhaps just to break the silence, since it usually went against his character to ask such personal questions; but, it would give them something to talk about -and he was curious... "Sorcha. Do you have any siblings? I think... I think I have one sister, and she might be about your age."

They would do their best. It was all either of them really could do. There were people who held power all around them and at this moment all they could do was strive and be patient for when it would be within their reach. When it was, she was certain, Yeoun would allow her to leave the Chorong Rebels peacefully.

She was in deep thought for a while, considering what had to happen in the future and how the game of strategy was coming together. Her father was good at strategy. He was amazingly patient too. He waited till now, when he knew the son of Chorong would be old enough and mature enough to join and lead the Rebels in order to start acting more aggressively.

The question caught her off guard. Sorcha was a bit startled at first. She never talked about them, she didn't remember too well. She knew she had had siblings. She knew they had abandoned her. Their names were there like shadows in her mind but she could never filly grasp them.

"I was three, when my mother left. I remember that quite clearly." She said softly, "I remember my brothers, vaguely. Both older than I but I was sick and passed out at some point. When I regained consciousness I was abandoned by them and in the employ of the manager of a Pillow crafting Establishment." Her gray eyes darkened just a little bit.

"They better cling to hope that I never find them."

It might have been a little obvious to Sorcha that something had tipped Yeoun off, in order to start asking such questions. It wasn't like him to get personal without a need to, and there were plenty of other things he could have chosen to bring up for the sake of conversation. Even if he was just avoiding more 'serious' topics.


After Sorcha responded, he mused silently to himself, growing quiet again; though it wasn't prolonged.

With a bashful sort of lop-sided smile that somehow brought out then almost boyish innocence in him, he finally said, "I have a friend you sort of remind me of. He's in the Blood Moon Squad. He would be older than you, but it's probably a little crazy to make that sort of connection, huh?"

The Blood Moon member didn't reveal that he'd yet to do any searching for his own sister. Perhaps he'd been the one to abandon her; just like Sorcha's brothers left her. That made him feel a little guilty over the matter but.. like Sorcha, he didn't know his sister's name. Even if he had some sort of identifying information, he wouldn't know where to begin searching for her. Would he be able to utilize the Chorong informant networks in that manner? To find his sister?

For now, he put the thought aside. There were other, more pressing things at stake for the time being.

The topic of conversation was a touchy one so Sorcha very rarely thought about it. Now that she had, she knew that she might be curious about what had happened to her siblings. However her curiosity did not outweigh her anger with them. They would probably be better off never meeting her, as she had said.

When Yeoun brought up someone in his squad, she didn't know what to say. Again the topic being what it was, she had never spent much time dwelling on her brothers or what became of them.

"Are you planning on searching for her?" Sorcha asked, mostly just because she found that interesting. If he was searching for a long lost sister, she might be the perfect person to enlist in helping him. She knew a lot of people. She held on to a lot of secrets and information. While she might try to use the whereabouts of his sister to gain things she wanted, she doubted very highly she would need to. Yeoun would likely rather die not knowing than to give into any kind of bribe.

"How did the boys in your squad get chosen? I mean they had you all in that camp, isolated." And she only knew that because her father had given her a nonspecific idea of where Yeoun had come from, in order to better speak with him on joining the Chorong to begin with.

The information might go a long way to help her decide whether she wanted to check into the men in his squad. See if perhaps her brothers were there. The information might direct her into deciding how much of a grudge to hold.