WAR FOOTING
He had just finished speaking like this when his Eunuch walked in.
"Your Majesty." He said as he walked in with a scroll.
"What is it?" King Jinpyeong asked as he took the scroll that the Eunuch had walked in.
"It had arrives from Sokham Fortress." The Eunuch replied as King Jinpyeong opened it and he perused through with His eyes.
He stood up instantly infuriated.
"What's the problem Your Majesty?" Ichan Seulbu asked.
"I need to see the Princess and have all the Courtiers gather in the Court tomorrow." King Jinpyeong said.
"Yes Your Majesty." The Eunuch replied as he walked out.
"Your Majesty what's the matter?" Ichan Seulbu asked.
"It seems that Paekche is going to war with us anytime from now." King Jinpyeong replied.
"What?" Ichan Seulbu asked.
Princess Deokman stood up from where she was seated.
"It wasn't Jeongcheon County, it was Sokham Fortress." She said.
"Yes Your Highness." Yushin Rang replied.
"So they were planning a surprise attack all along." Princess Deokman said.
"The Shilla spies there have sent us the news that the army is as large as 50,000troops." Yushin Rang said.
The doors of her bedroom were flung open and Gopheung walked in.
"Your Highness." He said as he was sweating profusely and gasping for air.
"What is it?" Princess Deokman asked.
"His Majesty requests to have an audience with you." Gopheung replied.
"I am on my way." Princess Deokman said.
"Yes Your Highness." Gopheung replied.
"Tell the Hwarang to get ready." Princess Deokman said as she turned to Yushin Rang. "Tomorrow we are on war footing by daybreak." She added.
"Yes Your Highness." Yushin Rang replied.
"Let's go." She said to Gopheung as she marched away with him out of the room.
Eun Hye and Boyeong were waiting outside along with some of Princess Deokman's ladies in waiting and as she was walking across the Courtyard she came face to face with Queen Sungman who was coming from the opposite direction.
It was dark and the two looking at one another wore serious gazes that went hand in hand with bright smiles.
"Your Highness." Princess Deokman said as she bowed her head.
"Your Highness." Queen Sungman said as she did the same.
"It is dark, you should take good care of yourself and your child and you should test more often because it isn't easy to survive out here in the cold." Princess Deokman said.
"Don't worry about me Your Highness, I was just about to retire but I am also very resistant to such conditions." Queen Sungman said.
"I'm sorry I have to go, His Majesty is waiting for me." Princess Deokman said with a smile on her face as she bowed her head.
With her retinue she boastfully sashayed away as she went into her father's Chambers while The Queen turned around and looked at her going.
"Your Highness, don't you worry." Bora said.
"She is proud but I shall make her humble." Queen Sungman said.
"Don't worry Your Highness, the war to begin with is something that I don't think she'll be in the position to handle." Bora said as they started walking away.
"Is there something that you are not telling me?" Queen Sungman asked.
"My instructions Your Highness were very simple, if we can give up Sokham Fortress then from Her Highness' involvement in military affairs, defeat is coming and when it does whom do you think shall be held responsible?" Bora replied.
"Don't be too excited." Queen Sungman said.
"Can I at least not be happy?" Bora asked.
"Only the result will tell." Queen Sungman replied.
"Your Highness." Princess Deokman said as she bowed her head.
"Sit down." King Jinpyeong said.
"Thank You." Princess Deokman replied as she lowered herself because her father.
"I think you have heard the News." King Jinpyeong said.
"I had scouts placed amongst the soldiers at the borders and I have been receiving a daily report from most of the Fortresses." Princess Deokman said.
"Is that so?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"Yes Father." Princess Deokman replied.
"I wasn't aware." King Jinpyeong said.
"I was only cautious." Princess Deokman said.
"Since when?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"Not so long ago." Princess Deokman replied.
"But are we prepared?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"Yes." Princess Deokman replied.
The King sighed.
"My people had noticed strange movements of the Paekcheans." Princess Deokman said. "Food rations were bring moved towards the borders and weapons were being carried into the camps and the Fortresses there from the Capital.
All these preparations that were being made were certainly what triggered my suspicion and considering the fact that it hadn't been long ago when we took Nangbi Fortress from Gorguryeo and fortified it much as we didn't suffer that much I was confident that upon those grounds the Paekcheans had had enough time to reorganize themselves and declare another war." Princess Deokman replied.
"You did so well." King Jinpyeong praised.
"But there is still something that I wish to say Father." Princess Deokman said.
"What is it?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"Your Majesty, give me the command for this war." Princess Deokman replied.
King Jinpyeong was quite surprised.
"Does the prophecy weigh heavily on your heart?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"It's not about my heart but it is about the people." Princess Deokman replied.
"Don't let it get to you." King Jinpyeong said.
"This could be a scheme but my whole life father was drenched in many stratagems so that I could prove myself worthy, I should give the people no room in their hearts to doubt me as a successor and should it be made public then they need to know best that they can rely on me." Princess Deokman said.
"I understand." King Jinpyeong said.
"Many would think that I am weak and others would perhaps call me the very doom of Shilla but contrary to that this is a God given opportunity to prove my military brilliance and organisation." Princess Deokman said.
"Very well then." King Jinpyeong said.
"I shall have most of the Hwarang leaving with me at daybreak and you can inform the Courtiers that you have already dispatched some troops to go and help with the situation under my command." Princess Deokman said.
"Alright Deokman." King Jinpyeong said, "Whatever happens I want you to look after Yourself." He added.
"Don't worry about me father." Princess Deokman replied as she stood up and bowed her head.
"What's the situation?" Baekban asked Haek Ga.
"It seems that the Shilla troops have been alerted." Haek Ga replied.
"Right an appeal to the Queen and ask her to speak to the King and plead with him to dispatch another force in Jeongcheon County." Baekban said.
"Yes Your Excellency." Haek Ga replied as he bowed his head and walked out of the room.
"Is everything ready?" Princess Deokman asked Yushin Rang.
"As early as 4:00am we shall march out with a battallion of 25,000 soldiers." Yushin Rang replied.
"Let the games begin." Princess Deokman said as she smiled ghastly.
Seungman was asleep when suddenly there was a knock at her bedroom door.
She woke up and yawned while she though that at first she had been dreaming but looking around her room and coming to her senses she realized that the knock had persisted so she walked out of her bed and went and stopped onto the door.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"It's me Alcheon Rang." The one knocking replied and Seungman opened the door.
"What is it?" Seungman asked, "It's quite late." She added.
"Prepare, in thirty minutes you must be in the Arena." Alcheon Rang replied.
"Is this the final stage of the Hwarang games?" Seungman asked.
"We are going to war." Alcheon Rang replied and Seungman's eyes widened while Alcheon Rang ran away before he had even received her answer.
Seungman closed the door.
"War?" She asked herself as the words that her father had told her when they were living upcountry came to mind.
"My first war." A part of her was excited as she walked over to her wardrobe.
Seungman dressed up in her uniform first and she put on her grey armour on top.
She picked up her sword from it's stand and unsheathed it while she looked at it and inspected it.
It looked fine enough for her that contentedly she returned it into it's scabbard as she walked out of the building into the direction of the arena.
Kim Yongsu was dressing up when Princess Cheonmyeong walked up to him from behind and she got his breastplate from the maids that were tending to him.
"Let me do it." Princess Cheonmyeong said.
"Yes Your Highness." The maids replied as they walked away while Princess Cheonmyeong helped Kim Yongsu to put it on.
"Cheonmyeong?" Kim Yongsu said a little bit surprised.
"I am your wife after all, I should do one good thing at least especially now that you are going to war." Princess Cheonmyeong said.
"Are you alright with me fighting alongside Your sister?" Kim Yongsu asked.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Princess Cheonmyeong asked.
"Perhaps you do not want to lose me." Kim Yongsu replied.
"I am confident in your skills and perhaps I love being your wife, you are the father to my Chunchu so that makes you something that I can not bear to bid farewell too.
We could have our differences but we made our oath as husband and wife, even at a time like this it is important for me to stand with you." Princess Cheonmyeong said as she tightened the belt around her husband.
"It doesn't matter to me whether you love Yongchun so dearly and he is the only man for you in your heart, for me as well even as Your Husband I must say that I am most satisfied to have you in my heart." Kim Yongsu said as he spread his arms out wide and Princess Cheonmyeong embraced him in a hug.
"I may not be as fierce and courageous and ambitious as my sister Deokman but even in my virtue it doesn't change the fact that I love Shilla and I want Chunchu to be very proud of his father." Princess Cheonmyeong said.
"Thank you." Kim Yongsu replied as the two pulled apart and Kim Yongsu looked his wife in the eye.
"I promise you that I shall be back." He said to her.
"I'll be waiting for your safe return." Princess Cheonmyeong said as he picked up his sword and then he walked past her while he headed outside.
Princess Deokman was headed from her palace while being escorted by Gopheung and Yushin Rang when she eventually halted at the sight of her brother in law who was coming from her sister's Chambers.
"Your Highness." Kim Yongsu said as he bowed his head.
"It's about time you are here." Princess Deokman said.
"I'm coming with you." Kim Yongsu said.
"I need you." Princess Deokman replied, "Follow me." She added as she continued towards the direction of the Hwarang's Arena while Kim Yongsu followed closely behind her with the rest of the entourage.
Seungman entered the Arena and was greeted by the fairly loud murmurs of other senior Nangdos that had spent more than a year while the new recruits were away except for a few that had participated in the Hwarang games.
The different Hwarang teams had all gathered there already and they were awaiting for the arrival of their keeper.
Seungman walked up to the front and there she stood in wait while she was joined by Bidam Rang.
"Have you been to war before?" Bidam Rang asked.
"I certainly have not?" Seungman replied.
"Aren't you worried?" Bidam asked.
"What good will worrying do me?" Seungman asked.
"You're right, worrying will do you no good." Bidam said.
"I need to be alone." Seungman said.
"Sure I was about to go anyway." Bidam said as she slowly walked away back to his team.
The rest upon realizing the presence of Princess Deokman hurriedly fell into their formation while the Princess walked up to her usual stage with Yushin Rang, Gopheung, Alcheon Rang and Kim Yongsu among some Royal guards.
There she faced them all while they quietened down and Chilsuk and Seokpum Rang's eyes studied them entirely that they were forced to act at their best behavior instantly.
Eventually, succeeding the mild murmurs an absolute silence prevailed while being challenged only by the sound of breathing and the burning torches of fire.
The Princess sighed deeply while she looked up at her people.
"Thank you." She said to them before saying anything else.
"As you are all aware the reason that we are gathered here today is because we have a scourge upon our land." Princess Deokman said.
"Out there beyond the walls of Seoraebeol our Heavenly kingdom of Shilla faces immense danger and trouble as our borders are threatened and so are our farmlands and homes.
You that are here have sworn with all your lives to protect the glory of our florishing Nation and you have chosen to abide by it's laws and it's society.
Those cowards hide behind stone walls and they play tricks just so that they can have victory for themselves but none of them value the grandiose achievement of peace and stability that could follow the Union of all the three Kingdoms of the Samhan, None of them are devoted just as you are and they seek only pride and glory while ours is the desire for our names to go down into the pages of History.
We all are warriors, we all here are great, there's no one that can conquer us, no, that man has not been born yet, stake your lives for your people and you'll live to see the most glorious day, and when the sun rises it becomes our Shilla to the world this day that we shall choose to make.
March with me ye merry gentlemen, death isn't ours to fear like it is for them, waste not your time on granting them your mercies, your invaders must be slain. wresting Victory from them we'll give our soil their blood, you that stand with me at the dawn of this day are the best of the fathers to the Children of this our Samhan." Princess Deokman said.
The Nangdos stamped their feet while raising their swords into the sky they cried out with jubilation and Seungman seeing everything for the first time simply smiled at them as she also indulged herself.
"Onward we march." Princess Deokman said and at once stepping down from the stage amidst the Hwarang and the other troops, she led the way out and there she approached the Palanquin that was already waiting outside the Arena.
The troops followed her while Seungman came up closely to her.
Princess Deokman halted before she could enter inside and turned around to look at her.
"Your Highness." Seungman said as she bowed her head.
"I need you to stay here." Princess Deokman said.
"Your Highness." Seungman was about to plead with her.
"Prior to the war there is something that I need you to do." Princess Deokman said.
"What is it?" Seungman asked.
"His Majesty is well aware that I am sending you to him so I want you to get whatever it is that he'll give and when you are done please make haste and go to Jeongcheon County." Princess Deokman said.
"Yes Your Highness." Seungman replied while she withdrew as she watched the rest of the troops marching out while the Princess got into her Palanquin and it was lifted up and started moving.
Seungman turned around and she looked at the Palace, there she hurriedly rushed towards it.
The Army marched through the streets of Seoraebeol until they were outside while Seungman hurriedly returned to her Chambers.
"How far have we to reach our destination?" Alcheon Rang asked Yushin.
"I don't know." Yushin Rang replied.
"Her Highness seems rather worried." Alcheon Rang said.
"While you were recuperating a lot happened." Yushin Rang replied.
"Tell me about it." Alcheon Rang said.
"There was the prayer that was held for the Queen and her child in Ilsan Palace and there we had a mysterious Priest who intervened, he foretold about the Advent of a female Ruler Jin whose reign would see the fall of a Unified Shilla." Yushin Rang replied.
"It's a scheme of course, someone must have decided to use it as a means of toppling the Princess as they could have come to a realisation that she is interested in becoming King." Alcheon Rang said.
"Actually the prophecy is true." Yushin Rang said.
"Why are you saying so?" Alcheon Rang asked.
"When I think of it there is no other explanation to this but if Princess Deokman succeeds in becoming King eventually other women like her shall follow in her footsteps, when that happens then I am most confident that women could inherit the throne at some point in time." Yushin Rang said.
"So it's possible that the female Ruler Jin is someone else." Alcheon Rang said.
"Whether it is Princess Deokman herself or not one can not be too certain, the only thing that critics shall blame to be the root cause of the downfall of a Unified Shilla shall be the idea of a woman participating in politics and aspiring to become a King.
If someone is to be held responsible then it shall be the one that birthed that trend." Kim Yushin replied.
"I now understand it." Alcheon Rang said.
"We are Her Highness' mirror when it comes to governing the state we must stand by her and show her how most honest we are Alcheon, our devotion towards the Princess is something that we should never at any one point share with someone else." Yushin Rang said.
"Yes." Alcheon Rang said, "Don't worry, I won't." He added as they continued to ride away.
Alcheon Rang looked the opposite way while Yushin still looked at him in the corner of his eye.
"How can I say this Alcheon Rang?" He thought to himself, "You have already lied to me and Her Highness by bearing a great degree of devotion to Seungman." He added as he turned and looked at the Princess' Palanquin which was travelling behind them.
The sun was over the city of Seoraebeol and the Courtiers were inside the Court when the King's presence was announced.
"His Majesty deigns you with His presence." His Eunuch said and King Jinpyeong walked through the aisle and mounting the stairs that led to his throne, he faced them all.
"Greetings Your Majesty." They said.
"Greetings." King Jinpyeong replied as he sat down onto his Throne.
"Your Majesty." Galmunwang Gukban was about to speak when the King halted him with his right hand.
"I know what you are going to say." King Jinpyeong said. "Some of you might not be aware and others might not have received the news but I called you here today urgently to discuss with you and inform you all that we are at war." King Jinpyeong said.
Some of the Courtiers were surprised while Baekban and Gukban were looking at each other throughout the reactions.
"What are we going to do Your Majesty?" One of the Courtiers asked.
"I called you here today to discuss with you that matter but in the meantime I have decided to put Princess Deokman in charge of the first battallion of troops to Sokham Fortress." King Jinpyeong said.
"Your Majesty we can't be hasty when it comes to this." One of the Courtiers said.
"Allow me Your Majesty." Gukban said.
"You may speak." King Jinpyeong replied.
"Your Majesty I believe that there is no question when it comes to this." Gukban said on.
"Yes Your Majesty." Ichan Seulbu said, "It's the welfare of the country and should there be a threat it is much better to administer aid immediately than to delay in our service." He added.
"Your Majesty, I believe that we needed to first assess the situation before marching to Sokham." Baekban replied.
"Why is that?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"Your Majesty, just so that we could be certain before deploying the troops this is something that we must first discuss, Sokham Fortress is surrounded by a rough terrain and that makes it difficult for the invaders to attack.
Sokham if I recall was a major point of Conquest in the reign of King Jinheung and it's Fortification made Shilla impenetrable from it's direction." Baekban replied.
"So what are you saying?" King Jinpyeong asked.
I do not think that Paekche would be willing to lose out many of it's people trying to capture it." Baekban said.
"In your opinion Paekche has made a series of attempts to try and devour Shilla especially from the West, however if in your opinion it is not Sokham Fortress then where could they stand a chance of attacking us from?"King Jinpyeong asked.
"Your Majesty, I think that we should consult one of the field Generals." Baekban said as he turned around and faced Galmunwang Gukban.
"Galmunwang Gukban, what do you say?" King Jinpyeong Asked.
"Your Majesty, perhaps I can not say much but in my opinion, I believe that we should continue marching towards Sokham Fortress." Gukban said.
"No Your Majesty." The other Courtiers refuted. "Yes Your Majesty." Some agreed.
"Why?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"I believe that we have all overlooked the possibility that Paekche could have been preparing for a long time for this fight.
It's possible that they might consider our retreat from the Sokham to elsewhere and that way I believe we shall be in trouble if they cease Sokham Fortress when we haven't manned it, they shall have gained access to Shilla and when Sokham is taken then we'll have only Daeya Fortress to rely on as a last resort." Galmunwang Baekban replied.
"That's a possibility." Baekban said, "But I believe however that if King Mu of Paekche did it before and failed then why would he do it again because as much as I remember more than seven times Paekche has tried to take Sokham Fortress but it has failed." He added.
"This is something that we must reconsider." Ichan Seulbu said.
At that moment, the King's Eunuch walked into the throne room and carrying a scroll in his possession, he handed it over to the King.
"Your Majesty." He said as he bowed his head.
"What is this?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"It is a letter from Her Highness the Queen." The Eunuch replied.
The King took the scroll into his possession and he opened it to read.
His eyes perused through quickly in the presence of the Courtiers that he smiled at them.
"It turns out that Her Highness the Queen has a proposal on this matter." King Jinpyeong said.
"What does Her Highness have to say Your Majesty?" Ichan Seulbu asked.
"Her Highness proposes that we send troops to Amak Fortress." King Jinpyeong replied.
"Amak Fortress?" The Courtiers asked themselves.
"But Amak Fortress is no different from Sokham." Ichan Seulbu said.
"Compared to Sokham Fortress, once Amak is conquered then it is easier to penetrate and reach Seoraebeol in less than three days.
Perhaps Her Highness' worry is that Paekche desires to capture Seoraebeol this time around." Galmunwang Gukban said.
"I believe so too Your Majesty." Baekban said.
"But Her Highness' troops have are far and most probably already in Sokham Fortress, if we hasten right now then Paekche might take Amak Fortress so soon." King Jinpyeong said.
"Your Highness, I believe that we should go with Her Highness the Queen and let us send a battallion of about twenty thousand troops to man Amak Fortress." Galmunwang Baekban said.
"Yes Your Majesty." All the other Courtiers agreed with him.
"What about Her Highness Princess Deokman?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"The Princess' move can be considered a miscalculation Sir, I believe that she should return to Seoraebeol at once rather than staying at the border." Galmunwang Baekban said.
"Alright then, I'll send a messenger." King Jinpyeong replied.
"Thank you Your Majesty." The Courtiers said.
"Then I believe that we needn't have any further deliberation on that and this Court is adjourned." King Jinpyeong said.
"Long Live His Majesty, Long Live our King." The Courtiers said while the King stood up from his throne and he marched out of the throne room.
Seungman stood inside The King's Chambers when the doors were flung open and King Jinpyeong walked in.
"Your Majesty." Seungman said as she bowed her head.
"Who sent you here?" King Jinpyeong asked.
"Her Highness Princess Deokman told me to come to you after the assembly and she said that you are expecting me." Seungman replied.
"Wait there." King Jinpyeong said.
"Yes Your Majesty." Seungman replied as she bowed his head while he walked around his table and went over to pick a piece of paper and and envelope.
He sat down at his table and there he got his brush and started writing something on it.
When he was done he put the paper in the envelope and handed it over to her.
"Go on the fastest horse and no matter what happens make sure that you get to Sokham to give this letter to Princess Deokman first hand." King Jinpyeong said.
"Yes Your Majesty." Seungman replied as she took the envelope into her possession while bowing her head and she dashed out of the King's Palace.
She hurriedly ran towards the Hwarang Arena while Bora who was nearby watched her vanishing from sight.
Bora smiled as she turned around and she went over to Queen Sungman.
"How is it?" Queen Sungman asked.
"As expected Your Highness, the King has sent Seungman to Sokham Fortress I believe with a message for Her Highness the Princess." Bora replied.
"Very well then." Queen Sungman said, "Are the assassins ready?" She asked.
"Yes Your Highness, I believe that in due course they shall have hampered Kim Seungman." Bora replied.
"Before she can get to Sokham see to it that the message is intercepted." Queen Sungman said.
"Don't worry Your Highness." Bora said as she smiled ghastly.
Seungman her stead quickly out of Seoraebeol as she was headed towards the South Western direction.
She carried with her a white flag as she was dressed in a plain white attire and a plain white suit of armor while she rode across the hills and through the valleys.
"Your Highness." Yushin Rang said as Princess Deokman stood with everyone in a camp outside Sokham Fortress.
"What is it?" Princess Deokman asked.
"Why aren't you going into the Fortress?" Yushin Rang asked.
"Patience please." Princess Deokman said, "Trust in me." Princess Deokman said.
"It's already 8:00am, and there is no sign of the Paekcheans." Kim Yongsu said.
"They'll turn up even if at nine or at eight, we are not retreating from Sokham yet until the next one hour." Princess Deokman said.
"Very well Your Highness." Everyone said in unison.
Seungman was still riding her horse when she eventually stopped right in front of a small barricade where about five guards had positioned themselves.
"Halt there." One of the guards said as Seungman looked at them.
"I am a messenger." Seungman said.
"Are you headed to Sokham Fortress to meet her Highness Princess Deokman?"
"His Majesty is well aware that I am sending you to him so I want you to get whatever it is that he'll give and when you are done please make haste and go to Jeongcheon County." She recalled the words that Princess Deokman had told her
"No." Seungman replied, "I am on my way to Jeongcheon County." She said in a very deep voice.
"She isn't a woman." One of the men said as the opened the barricade for her while she rode past them at once without wasting any time.
They watched her as she disappeared while she went around the corner and wound up vanishing from their sight behind the hill.
"I didn't know that Messengers these days put on plain white attires." One of them said.
"Who are we waiting for?" One asked.
"All I was told is that we are expecting a woman here dressed as a messenger." The other replied.
"He looked beautiful." The other said.
"His chest was flat and his voice was deep." The other added.
Princess Deokman had waited for a while and then Seungman finally arrived outside the camp.
She was halted at the entrance by some of the Soldiers who pointed their spears at her while she waved the white flag that was in her hands.
Alcheon Rang walked up to her.
"Let Her in." He said and the soldiers complied while they lowered their spears and Seungman stepped down from her horse Ammal and she walked in.
Princess Deokman and Yushin Rang along with all the others were waiting inside a tent when Alcheon Rang walked in with Seungman following right behind her.
"Your Highness." Seungman said
"Did you get it first-hand?" Princess Deokman asked.
"The net was cast but the fish escaped." Seungman replied as she bowed her head while she handed over the envelope to Princess Deokman who took it into her hands and she opened it.
She pulled out the letter and read through what was inside before she eventually folded it and then she placed it on the nearby candle to burn.
"What did it say Your Highness?" Yushin Rang asked.
"As expected." Princess Deokman replied, "Let's turn around and leave." She added.
"Turn around?" Kim Yushin asked.
"Sokham Fortress isn't the target, it is Amak." Princess Deokman confirmed.
"We should head there right away then Your Highness." Yushin Rang said.
"There's no need, the King had already dispatched another set of troops that shall reach Amak Fortress in time, March at the speed of 25 Kilometers per hour." Princess Deokman replied.
"Where to Your Highness?" Alcheon Rang asked.
"Seungman Rang will lead the way" Princess Deokman confidently replied as she smiled ghastly.