| A World Turned To Ash and Ruin

The night that passed by did not dilute Soo-Ah's impressions or her state of shock. How she wished that what she spied through the window was a nightmare weaved by tiredness in the dead of night.

Wishing does not make a truth.

Men's savage nature had been revealed to her. How could she face any of them today? For sure her outrage and disappointment would come bubbling up, making her blurt out some harsh accusations and uncomfortable questions.

Ho-Orabeoni was by far the last one she wanted to see. He was the embodiment of all that was evil. Not at all the kind soul, she thought him to be. Maybe he didn't even have a soul, maybe he wasn't even human.

Soo-Ah spent the morning either laying low in her room or keeping to the hidden nooks around the property known only to her. Meals would be the hardest to sit through. She skipped breakfast by nibbling on last evening's leftovers in the kitchen and running out the door saying she was not hungry anymore when Ha-Rin Noona called her to sit at the table. Lunchtime would be a problem though. Sitting now in the old burrow by the riverbank she waited for the time to pass by and hoped they would eat without her.

Skipping stones was the only way to let go of her frustration. But hunger crept in and gnawed at her insides. "What are they cooking for lunch, I wonder."

She sniffed the air since the house was not so far away and maybe some flavours from the kitchen could reach her as they did when Noona cooked outside on the cooking trivet. There was some murmur coming from the courtyard. They must have been shouting for the sounds to reach her. Were they done preparing lunch?

Then she started to sense some smoke in the air. What were they cooking that needed such a big fire?

But her attention was suddenly drawn to the other further up the riverbank where there was rummaging in the foliage like something big was moving behind them. Squinting her eyes, she started to distinguish the silhouettes of people. Not mere people. Men! Strange-looking men with armour and swords, crossed the river on the shallows to get to the other side where the village was.

The blood froze in her veins. They looked dangerous, so she lay low behind the rocks and then backed away towards the manor, trying to hide her presence. But behind her, from the direction of her home, there was a bright orange sky, too orange for this early hour, and a column of smoke rising upwards. "Grandpa. Fire!"

Soo-Ah dashed back home, feeling helpless. By the time she reached the yard, the few servants were running around, taking items from the house and storage, and throwing them to the centre of the court, as they were coughing from the smoke. Small bits of panic talk reached her ears. "Under attack… invaders..."

"Soo-Ah! Your grandfather is looking for you," shouted Han-Gyeol, seeing her looking disoriented, and then motioned for her to join him. "Come here, girl. We need to flee!"

"I need to get Pow-Pow. He hates fire!" She realised they were trying to save some belongings and she sprinted towards her room to save the only belongings she treasured.

Like a snake, the fire crept on the wooden deck, moving fast and un-discriminatingly, catching on straw baskets, thin panel doors or the floor covers left to air out. It came closer to her chamber door. If she waited any longer she might not have a door to step through but a wall of flames to keep her out. She needed to act now. As soon as she dashed through the door, she went straight to Pow-Pow. But by the time she was inside and had Pow-Pow's box safely in her hands the fire caught up on her. Raging flames started to creep closer and closer, hotter and hotter.

The goddaughter of water was about to be burnt in her spot. Goddaughter of water. Jung-In said she had the power to put out fires with her eyes. A special power that worked when she was in danger. She was in danger now. What if she stared at the flames and put the fire out with the power of her eyes?

She stared and stared, but the flames grew bigger and bigger. She needed to be brave, to hang on a little longer and stare a little harder. But the fire raged on with more hunger. The more it ate its surroundings the more violent it became. Nothing forced it to back down.

She had no powers after all. She was helpless and worthless, like a pile of hay that was to be consumed by the fire. All she had now was fear. Fear of the pain.

She imagined the pain from the fire would be too great to bear, stinging and turning her skin crisp like that of the chicken she liked to chomp on. Poor chicken. Poor her.

The smoke and the hot air scraped at her throat, making her choke. It burned inside her chest. Her veins were pulsating at such intensity her entire body trembled. Fear like she never experienced before made her chest pound, and her inner core liquified and ooze out. Down her leg, staining her pants. She wet herself.

With a loud thud, the door engulfed in flames fell. Hope! There was an opening through the flames.

Ho-Orabeoni's face appeared with ash smudged all over, while his eyes were glistening red as blood, like a Kumiho demon. He jumped into the blazing inferno and snatched her as soon as he caught sight of her shaking figure. When they got out into the smoke-filled courtyard Ho-Orabeoni found his way to the front gate and from there onto the forest on their side of the river, leaving the burning farm behind.

Running away and being held by Ho-Orabeoni, all Soo-Ah had in front of her eyes was the manor in reddish colours slowly disappearing under the flames and smoke. Pow-Pow's box was dangling in her hand like her life had dangled by a thread when she mindlessly went into a burning house to rescue it.

When the young man thought they were far enough, safe under the protection of the old trees, he stopped by a wide oak, put Soo-Ah down and checked her over, asking if she was okay. Soo-Ah did not respond. Her eyes were without any spark and her expression was petrified.

There was no sound she could utter. All she did was tremble, while drops of water gently slid off her cheeks, though she was not aware she was crying. She felt as if she was still there inside that room, engulfed in flames, and there was nothing she could do. She should be dead by now. Slowly she came to her senses. Probably in her agony, she had wet herself; her desperation was now mixed with embarrassment for being such a mess in front of Ho-Orabeoni.

"Why are your clothes wet? Are you hurt?" asked Ho-Orabeoni worriedly.

"No, I ... I let go and wet myself... I..."

"You peed on yourself? Thank the gods, I thought you were hurt ... You seem fine otherwise." He concluded, patting her all over. "Shh, don't cry. It's going to be alright. You will be alright." He hugged the girl in reassurance.

But Soo-Ah showed no emotion except for her eyes focusing on the tips of her stained shoes and on her bright red cheeks which were noticeable even under the smoke trails on her face.

The young master realized she was embarrassed as well as scared. "Wetting yourself was a genius idea. You do know that you can put out a fire with water, right? It was a really smart thing to do from a really smart girl." He grabbed her face, gently nudging her dirty cheek with his thumb.

"I could not put out the fire, Ho-Orabeoni! I tried. I tried to do it with my eyes. There is no water in my eyes. They were no good. It hurt so much; I was so afraid." Soo-Ah, began to cry uncontrollably, the helplessness crushing her all over her again.

"Shh, hush now, my brave lady," and he made her look him straight in the eyes. "I don't ever want to see you scared like this. I will protect you, my young lady. I will be your saving hand, the shield and sword to keep you safe."

He looked at her like she was the only one in the world, and that scared her. She was the only one he could hurt. Soo-Ah remained unbudged and stopped crying for a moment, expecting to see what he would do next.

"Now, we must keep quiet. There could still be some enemy soldiers around. They started the fire, and we need to be careful, alright?" he added in all seriousness.

Soo-Ah nodded in agreement, smothering her cries, while Ho-Orabeoni praised her silently for being so brave. "Your grandfather said he would be waiting for us by the burned-down oak tree near the village road. Can you show me where that is?"

There was a way back to safety, back to her grandfather's arms. Of course.

Soo-Ah tried to recollect herself and slowly became aware of her surroundings. The forest was filled with the sound of croaking frogs, and this meant they were near the shallow pond. Some trees, with their bark chipped from the wild boars, had a familiar pattern. The old burned oak tree? Yes, she remembered that strange event they all thought was a bad omen after a villager saw a dragon in a well. A single bolt of lightning hit the old tree and set it aflame one evening, lighting up the sky but setting fire to nothing else around it. She knew where that tree was. "We need to head this way, I think," and she pointed to Ho-Orabeoni's left.

"Give me your hand and let's go. Your grandfather and I almost got into a fight to come and save you. He must be worried sick."

It was hard to hold Ho-Oraboeni's hand now. It felt cold, wet and sordid. Soo-Ah could no longer cope with the fear and disgust so she slid her hand away.

*

When they reached the small clearing with the washed-out burned tree trunk, Old Master, Hung-Gyeol, Noona and the young master's companion was already waiting for them. Min-Jun walked back and forth, holding his head in his hands as if struggling to keep hope encased there. With them were the horses they had managed to free and the few goods they saved and could carry with them from the manor.

The old man could finally breathe with ease. It took everything he had not to jump into the fire with Ho-Orabeoni to rescue Soo-Ah. As soon as he saw her he clutched the girl tight in his arms, trying to read her eyes, sensing she was shaken.

"It must be those Goguryeo rebels scums. They set fire to the entire village, and they must have cut the road to the capital. It will be a treacherous journey to get back, Young Master," shared Min-Jun with Ho-Orabeoni, on what he could interpret from the smoke he saw from the direction of the village.

"Still, I need to be back, Seonsaengnim Min-Jun. You must have read the same reports I got before leaving home. The Tangs are calling on us to aid with the conquest of Goguryeo and the rebels are not happy. I do not know what they expect by poking us."

"A swift end, I fear. I was expecting my letter to rally at The Northern Garrison," Min-Jun admitted, devoid of eagerness, "but I fear it got lost with all this trouble. I will set for the garrison either way. Soon they will begin to draft men from all regions."

"I guess I should start calling you General Min-Jun again. If only I could come to join you," came the young man's response, a resolute gleam illuminating his expression.

"You should get to the capital and await your orders, that's what you should do," Min-Jun replied, curtly. His heavy sigh almost sucked the life out of his body. He was too old for war now. He'd had his fair share and then some, but it seemed there was more to come. With the burning of his farm, he'd lost a part of himself and sensed there would be no more time for him to rebuild or go back to his peaceful life. But he could keep his faith that the gods were good and just and one day he might.

Hun-Gyeol was hesitant to interrupt them, but he needed to address an important inquiry. "Young Master, if I may have a word? I am worried about my son, Jung-In."

The young Master looked at a shy Noona and smiled as encouragement. "You should come along with me and I will reunite you with your son. The safest place is the capital city. A family should stay together." With the last word spoken his eyes fell on Soo-Ah. "Master Min-Jun, what are you to do about Young Lady Soo-Ah?"

"I have no more relatives I trust to send her to," came his nervous answer.

"My home and my kin might as well become your home and your kin, Master Min-Jun. Allow for Soo-Ah to come with me."

Min-Jun hesitated. "The road – the road is long and dangerous. And it will be hard to keep in touch."

"I can understand your worries about keeping in touch. But I am good at figuring out how to get safely back home. You trained me yourself. You know I will keep the girl safe. Please allow me to repay my debt."

Yes, that would have been the right thing to do. Reluctantly, Min-Jun agreed but there was a sharp pain in his right thigh. Soo-Ah was squeezing it too hard with terror in her eyes.

"Don't send me away, don't send me away," she kept pleading.

Remorseful, he gave her a long hug, whispering to her all that came to mind. To be a good girl, to study hard, to listen to Ho-Orabeoni, to be brave, to never lose hope he would come and get her.

Soo-Ah remained glued to him. He and Ho-Oarbeoni had to unclasp her hands but still. She would not even budge. Until the young master lifted her in his arms to place her on the horse.

Soo-Ah began to scream like trapped in another fire. He put those filthy hands on her like he had done to that woman and she could not bear it anymore.

"No, grandpa! Take me with you! Grandpa! Take me with you!" She hit at Ho-Orabeoni's arms, holding her prisoner. He had to put her down, looking in dismay at how she ran back to Min-Jun's arms.

Something shifted inside the Old Man, and suddenly he was the one who could not let her go anymore. "I guess I could take her with me, then," he replied as his mind swirled around ideas to keep her safe.

The young master's eyes grew wide, as his smile turned to a gaping hole, in astonishment. "Master, war is no place for a child, let alone a girl. She must come with us."

"No!" was what Soo-Ah kept yelling, hiding her face in Min-Jun's clothes.

"Yes, I can keep her safe. The last war did not last long. We will deal with this swiftly. She will be with me until then." Then he tried to find reasons why Soo-Ah should not go in the opposite direction. ". And the capital is so far away. She is safest with me, for now. The roads to the northern garrison should still be safe."

Under everyone's amazed stares he concluded with gentle finality. "Soo-Ah stays with me. We stay together. I will keep her away from any battles. She is my granddaughter, so I have the strings to pull to keep her safe while she is near me." The Old Master pulled Soo-Ah close to him and brooked no argument with his firm tone.

"Then I guess this is it," the Young Master added and looked with sorrowful eyes at the girl. "We should say our farewells now. I am afraid we do not know when or if we will see each other again." He bowed in front of Min-Jun. "Thank you, old master, for everything you have done for me all these years. I pray you will be safe. I will try to keep in contact. Please say you will do the same." His heart was heavy when he said this.

"My dear boy. No. Not a boy anymore. A man. A true man" and Min-Jun came to grab him by the shoulders. "It has been my greatest honour having you as my pupil and seeing you grow up and come into your own. Thank you for the gift you have given me. The gift of your friendship, Young Master. May the gods keep you safe in what's to come."

The old general said his goodbyes to his trusted servants, barely able to shake Soo-Ah's hands off of him. When Ho-Orabeoni came towards her she was ready to flee after her grandfather. The young man leaned to say a farewell but Soo-Ah took a step back, leaving him disconcerted. He carried on nonetheless and kneeled to see her eyes, "You will have to be strong now, My Young Lady. Take care of yourself and your grandfather for me, would you? I hope to see you again soon, so please do not forget about me," and coming closer to her ear he added softly, "and remember our song."

But Soo-Ah was facing away, her lips trembling, and refused to look at him. She had no words to offer back, only resentment churning out of control inside of her. A seed of resentment for all men began to take root in her heart also.

Looking at Ho-Oraboeni as he hopped on his horse and got lost in the distance she felt a tinge of regret. He gave her a song as a present after all, and she was unsure if she would ever see or hear about him again. She could not even remember his real name.