CRISIS

Queen Seondeok was in her Chambers and the doors were closed as Gopheung stood outside.

A while later, he noticed a Group of Royal physicians that were walking into the room about five in number each holding the an individual kit.

The sooner that they entered they shut the doors behind themselves and there wasn't a single sound that came from inside until a long while later.

Yushin Rang turned up and he stood at the foot of the staircase that led to the Queen's Chambers and waited until after a couple of more hours the physicians stepped out with Boyeong.

"As they descended the stairs Yushin blocked the path.

"Yushin Rang?" Boyeong called as she bowed her head.

"What's wrong with Her Majesty, it has been days but she hasn't stepped out of Her Chambers?" Yushin Rang asked.

"There is nothing wrong with Her Highness, she is just having a cold and she is tending to the affairs of state in private, when she is ready she will see you." Boyeong replied as Yushin Rang stepped aside and The Royal physicians moved away.

behind one of the Palace buildings there was a Royal Guard who stood their and studied the situation until the Physicians vanished.

He then walked into a narrow alley and with a chit he pulled a carrier pigeon from underneath his cloak and he tied it onto it's right leg.

Raising his hands he threw it into mid air and it flapped it's wings away as Yushin Rang who was standing in the courtyard noticed the bird rising from the back of the rooftops he stared at it intensely.

The pigeon descended onto the balcony of the Royal Investigations Bureau and there Yeomjong caught it and removed the small chit from it's legs.

He opened the chit and read through it's contents as his eyes widened and his entire face wore a look of surprise.

Yeomjong hurried into the building and there he found Bidam who was seated with the rest of his officials.

"It has been a while, we need to strike." They said.

"It's not yet time." Bidam replied.

"Until how long have we before we can strike?" They asked him.

"I need to be powerful and influential and we need a justified cause, there is none yet and I am much more reluctant, I am the closest to Her Majesty so of I must I do believe that at a time like this we can not act prematurely for if she is still endeared by the people then there is nothing more that we can do." Bidam said.

"More than three times the Tang Emperor remains unyielding to accept her as our Sovereign, because of this we are appearing as a joke to the people." One of the Courtiers said.

"If the Mighty Tang can not recognize us as a Kingdom with a head then I am much more afraid that at this moment the Queen should be held responsible." Another Seconded.

"If you are courageous then go ahead, how long shall you stand, are there people behind you?" Bidam asked, "Her Majesty has constructed a number of Temples across the kingdom and additionally she has helped farmers sustain themselves, the army believes in her and she posseses the most elite Generals of her time.

Given what happened to your predecessors from their failure you are supposed to learn that it's not about how ready you are but also the power that you posses, what have you to go against Her Majesty?" Bidam asked.

"Our apologies Your Excellency." They said.

"I expect much better from you." Bidam said, "You need to be patient and a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." He added.

At that moment Yeomjong hurriedly walked to his side.

"Your Excellency?" He said as he bowed his head and leaned over.

"What is it?" Bidam asked and at that moment Yeomjong handed over the small piece of paper that was in his possesion to him.

Taking it into his hands Bidam unfolded it and he read the contents as he smiled heartily.

"What is it Your Excellency?" The others asked.

"It appears to me that Her Majesty us very sick." Bidam replied.

They all started looking at themselves.

"What are we going to do now?" They asked.

"Her Majesty is sick so who is capable of running the affairs of State?" Bidam asked.

"Your Excellency, of this is being kept a secret then I am much afraid that it isn't a simple matter." Yeomjong said.

"I heard that the Gorguryeo troops are situated not so far from the mountain." Bidam said.

"Yes Your Excellency." Yeomjong confirmed.

"I believe that we can begin by giving them a chance." Bidam replied.

"What should we do Your Excellency?" Yeomjong asked.

Get as many able bodied men and lead them to the top of the mountain where there is a very huge rock that stands and blocks the path of the Gorguryeo troops.

Do whatever it takes I don't care whether it is the strength of men or of animals that you should gather but I want that stone rolled aside." Bidam replied.

"Yes Your Excellency." Yeomjong replied.

"You shall go and get rust along with water colouring that is poisoned and pour it into the waters that are nearby and let it settle in the areas that aren't frequently struck by waves." Bidam added.

"Yes Your Excellency." The Courtiers replied.

"After all that is done it is high time that someone spread a rumour and we brought back to life the CALAMITY OF THE FEMALE RULER JIN whose reign upon our land has angered heaven it has responded with these symbols that are pertaining to the down fall of the Kingdom." Bidam added.

"Yes Your Excellency." Everyone replied in unison.

"You are dismissed." Bidam replied and at once they all stood up and walked out of the room as they left him alone with Yeomjong.

"Your Excellency, have you had a word with Grandmaster Sal Su?" Yeomjong asked.

"How is he?" Bidam asked.

"He is still unyielding to say a word or even two to me?" Yeomjong replied.

"Her Majesty used the will of heaven and she didn't need the wise counsel or words of an astronomer to claim it." Bidam remarked.

"I am afraid that if I don't do anything he seems to be quietened because there is something very vital that he harbours." Yeomjong replied.

"Perhaps I should go and see him?" Bidam said.

"I am not sure Your Excellency." Yeomjong replied.

"I could give him a more valid reason to talk to me." Bidam replied as he smiled ghastly.

"Your Highness." Damhyeong said as he bowed his head.

"How is Her Majesty the Queen?" Seungman asked.

"There is not much news that is coming from Wolseong Palace however it has been noted that she is spending ba very long time with Royal Physicians there and she handles political matters within her Chambers.

"About how many physicians go inside?" Seungman asked.

"Four or Five." Damhyeong replied.

"Her Majesty is very sick." Seungman said.

"Your Highness, how sure can you be, despite everything that is happening she seems to handle all the state affairs effectively while concealing her appearance." Damhyeong said.

"Think of it, why would she need all those physicians if it was nothing serious?" Seungman asked, "For the state affairs to be handled I am certain that she is receiving assistance from someone who could be habored by the Royal physicians." Seungman replied.

"But how come a word of this has not been made public?" Damhyeong asked.

"If she takes the risk then a lot of people shall be driven into absolute panic and her enemies could use it as an opportunity to challenge her power." Seungman replied, "If news like this lands in the ears of the common people then how long do you think we have left until the Generals from Paekche and Gorguryeo would learn about it?" She asked.

"I see Your Highness." Damhyeong said.

"It's been three times already and the Tang Emperor still remains unyielding to the thought of recognising Her Majesty as the female King of Shilla, the more that I think about the more remorseful that I become." Seungman replied.

"But like Her Majesty you keep hoping that he'll agree one day." Damhyeong said.

"We have to keep on trying but as it is that we know of Her Majesty's health right now we can only hope that this news doesn't happen to land into the wrong ears by any chance." Seungman said.

At that point in time Haesul Rang barged through the doors of the quarters and there he stood face to face as he stared at Seungman.

"Your Highness." He said as he bowed his head.

"You seem to be in a hurry, what is the matter?" Seungman asked.

"Her Majesty." Haesul Rang replied.

"What happened?" Seungman asked.

"She isn't just sick." Haesul Rang replied, "According to the Royal doctors, they were reported to have remarked that there is no amount of medicine and prayers are effective." Haesul Rang replied.

Seungman stood up.

"How is that possible?" She asked.

"Right now the news is all over the streets that Her Majesty has kept her illness a secret from the people, it's result is rather shocking as most are in uproar at the moment and there is still no news from the Palace to render these claims false." Haesul Rang said.

"It's impossible." Seungman replied, "If that were the case then either way the people would demand for an audience or a sight of Her Majesty." Seungman replied.

"Your Highness, how could this be?" Damhyeong asked.

"There are spies within the Palace and someone might have also heard about the Royal physicians as well, however to spread such a rumour that clearly tells how bad Her Majesty's condition is then we can perhaps conclude that whoever bid responsible being well informed is stating a fact." Seungman replied.

"At this rate there is not much that we can do as a public opinion itself matters." Haesul Rang said.

"I agree with you." Seungman said. "It is the people's hearts that should be put at ease right now and we must also stand on guard for anything bad that is most likely to happen." She added.

"Your Highness, what should we do?" Damhyeong asked.

"We need to stand our guard and everything must be handled immediately, to begin with have all the people that are responsible informed that the grain should be divided into much smaller proportions and sent to the smaller state Granaries across the country.

The supplies that are for sale right now should be made scarce so that gradually prices rise.

Let the word go around that we are going to war with Paekche very soon." Seungman replied.

"Yes Your Highness." Haesul replied.

"If right now we can earn as much from the wealth that the people have accumulated over the years then many will buy the food in plenty and store it for the future to guard against the likely war." Seungman said.

"Your Highness, what if the war doesn't come to pass?" Damhyeong asked.

"It shall certainly be there." Seungman replied.

Bidam walked into a small cell and there in the corner there was a man that was dressed in rugs and tied to a series of thick chains.

"You are finally here." The man said as he raised his head to look at the person that was standing right in front of him and convinced that it was the person that he'd anticipated he smiled.

"You must have really cherished me so much to the point of wanting to see me." Bidam remarked.

"You remind me of your late Master." Grandmaster Sal Su said

"What is so special about him that I should boast to possess myself?" Bidam asked with a smile on his face.

"Your gaze is no different from his and so is your grandiose ambition." Grandmaster Sal Su replied.

"Wow." Bidam said, "Everyone seems to notice it now more than ever that even I desire to gain possesion of this country." He added.

"You shall rule this country." Grandmaster Sal Su said and Bidam halted in his expression as he thought about the words that the man had said.

"Pardon me?" Bidam asked.

"You shall rule this country." Grandmaster Sal Su replied.

"You are starting to sound interesting." Bidam said.

"These were the very words that I told Galmunwang Baekban when he was still very much alive but he never listened as always he didn't even make the best effort with the hearts of the people." Grandmaster Sal Su said.

"You really are enlighened Sir and I admire your for that, you know what it is that I want to here, I am not a coward and neither am I a poor strategist like Galmunwang Baekban." Bidam said.

"He wasn't a poor strategist, infact, his only fault was that despite every good effort he invested in the only flow was that his enemies were much smarter than he was." Grandmaster Sal Su replied.

"Then tell me what is my fate?" Bidam asked.

"Your relationship with Her Majesty shall take you to greater heights and at one point there would be no one on this Earth and in heaven above that would singlehandedly contend with your might Milord." Grandmaster Sal Su said.

"That's all that I want to here and I believe that you are right." Bidam said.

"Why are you confident?" Grandmaster Sal Su asked.

"Because I was on my way to see my Queen sooner or later but not so far from today." Bidam replied as he turned around and he walked out of the cell.

Grandmaster Sal Su remained behind and there he gazed as the two vanished without turning and looking back.

"Your relationship with Her Majesty shall take you to greater heights and at one point there would be no one on this Earth and in heaven above that would singlehandedly contend with your might Milord until in the eyes of Her people you'll start to become the very threat to the might of her own." Grandmaster Sal Su said to himself as he smiled while he looked at the ceiling on which drawings of stars had been made by him.

"So High you will rise and twice as much you shall fall and you shall rule this country but your fate shall grant you not itself as your possession." He added as he crazily laughed at himself.

"Your Majesty." The Royal Physician called.

"What's wrong?" Queen Seondeok asked as she sat up in her bed.

"I don't know how but everyone is currently aware of your condition." The Royal Physician replied.

"Let it be, it can't be undone at this moment." Queen Seondeok remarked.

"Your Majesty is already worn out, if you continue to push yourself beyond your initial limit then I am afraid that it won't be very good for your health." The Royal Physician said.

"What's good for my health?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Your Majesty." The Royal Physician said.

"Is it Paekche, is it Gorguryeo, is it Tang and as it Wa?" Queen Seondeok Asked.

The Royal Physician kept quiet.

"Even when I am not old there isn't a person to take care of me with love, when my people worry then deep down instead of themselves I am the one that ends up being hurt." Queen Seondeok remarked.

"Your Majesty, for us your people you must stay alive but however our burdens have become too great they are killing you day by day." The Royal Physician replied.

"Heroes stand with Honour, you have said it yourself that I must stay alive and what are you doing to help me with that?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Your Majesty, it is much harder for me to invent a drug that could permanently cure your disease however with the best that I am capable of you shouldn't wear yourself out too much." The Royal Physician said.

"I'll heed your advice." Queen Seondeok said.

"Thank you Your Majesty." The Royal Physician said as he stood up and he bowed his head.

"Have you finished everything that I have asked you to do?" Queen Seondeok turned to one of the Physicians asking.

"Yes." He replied turning out to be Sangdaedeung Eulje.

"Very well then, you can all leave." Queen Seondeok said.

"Yes Your Majesty." They each replied as they stood up and they were led out of the room when Boyeong returned a short while after their departure.

"Your Majesty." She said while bowing her head.

"What is it?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Bidam Rang is here Your Majesty and he requests to have an audience with you." Boyeong replied.

"Send him away, I do not wish to see or talk to anyone." Queen Seondeok ordered

"Yes Your Majesty." Boyeong replied as she bowed her head and she walked out of the room.

There Bidam stood at the foot of the staircase that led to the Chambers where Queen Seondeok resided.

"May I come in?" Bidam asked.

"No Your Excellency, Her Majesty doesn't wish to see anyone at this moment." Boyeong replied.

"What is her condition?" Bidam asked.

"I can not share with you news concerning Her Majesty's health." Boyeong replied.

"Tell Her Majesty to forgive me but I am not leaving here without at least talking to her." Bidam said as he went down onto his knees while facing the Queen's Chambers.

"Your Excellency, don't make this any difficult for me, regardless of your position I serve Her Majesty and her will is my humble bidding, if you can not leave then I shall summon the Royal guards to force you out." Boyeong said.

"Let them." Bidam said.

"You." Boyeong replied as she looked at him before she turned around and she went back inside where she found the Queen leaning against her bed post.

"Your Majesty, Bidam is unyielding." Boyeong replied.

"He means to defy my Royal order?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"He is afraid of nothing and he is kneeling in front of your Chambers unprepared to leave before he has a word with Your Majesty." Boyeong replied.

"He is quite stubborn?" Queen Seondeok said as she looked at Boyeong fiercely.

"I'll summon the Royal guards and Kim Yushin and have them take care of him." Boyeong replied.

"No need." Queen Seondeok halted.

"What should we do Your Majesty?" Boyeong asked.

"Whatever it takes, don't bother him, it is quite sunny these days and that makes the afternoons regularly hotter than they used to be, leave him be and let him kneel there most probably until he gets tired, if he doesn't then it's up to him whether he stays there until midnight I don't care." Queen Seondeok said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Boyeong replied.

"I need to be alone and gather my strength." Queen Seondeok said.

"I'll leave you to rest Your Majesty." Boyeong said as she bowed her head and she withdrew from her presence.

Bidam knelt there until it was afternoon and the sun shining brightly it was very hot but he still maintained his composure as he stared at the doors of the Chamber.

"Your Highness." Haesul Rang Said as he bowed his head to Seungman.

"What is it?" She asked.

"I am here to confirm with Your Highness that everything has been done as you wanted it to be." Haesul Rang replied.

"Very good." Seungman remarked.

"There is also news from Wolseong Palace." Haesul Rang said.

"News?" Seungman asked.

"Yes Your Highness." Haesul Rang replied.

"What is it?" Seungman asked.

"His Excellency, Bidam us kneeling in front of the Queen's Chambers and he is requesting to have an audience with her." Haesul Rang replied.

"Requesting an audience with Her Majesty?" Seungman asked as she smiled.

"Yes Your Highness." Haesul replied.

"And has Yushin Rang done anything?" Seungman asked.

"Surprisingly nothing at all." Haesul replied.

"As I expected him to be, Yushin is much too obedient and Bidam is rather provocative in nature." Seungman remarked.

"Those to are antagonistic parties is is very hard for them to realize alliance if not forced." Haesul Rang said.

"But they are all Her Majesty the Queen's men." Seungman said, "One thinks about what Her Majesty wants and the other thinks about what Her Majesty needs." she added.

"Amongst them should Her Majesty have a favourite?" Haesul Rang asked.

"Perhaps." Seungman replied.

"In this case Her Majesty would choose the one that is humble and submissive to her will." Haesul said.

"One thing that I learned from life itself is that there is nothing that is always certain." Seungman said.

"What do you mean Your Highness, Her Majesty has walked with Yushin Rang for most of her life." Haesul said.

"For Bidam I must say that he is in deed quite smart though we needn't forget his background, in most cases as it is Her Majesty must as a monarch be impartial but unsuccessful as monarchs are they shall always have favourites that they believe they can trust and these only emerge from the people that they can surely trust and not necessarily childhood friends." Seungman said.

"In your opinion do you think it is Bidam?"Haesul Rang asked.

"You wait and with time you'll see, Her Majesty is known to be most benevolent so I assure you that one way or another if it is the right string that Bidam is pulling then she won't have to ignore him any longer." Seungman replied.

It was getting hotter and hotter and Bidam was sweating under the sun.

Boyeong looked at him as she anticipated the moment that he was going to give up and go away but nevertheless he still stared at the doors of the Palace still determined to have his way.

It occurred that as he raised his head and looked up at the sky it was suddenly darkened.

Lighting streaked across the dark grey firmament and that moment thunder followed.

Slowly by slowly, the rain started to fall down first in droplets which immediately accelerated and turned into mild hail.

Boyeong looked at Bidam Rang who stared back at the door with his gaze fixed there he was struggling very hard to keep his composure until suddenly he started to feel dizzy slowly and slowly.

He touched his forehead and there and then he suddenly fell flat onto the ground.

At that moment Yeomjong who was standing at a distance rushed over to him and started patting his cheeks.

"Your Excellency, please wake up?" He called but there was deliberately no response that came from him given his unconscious state.

"Someone help." Yeomjong said as a Group of Royal guards rushed over and they carried Bidam away.

"What!" Queen Seondeok exclaimed.

"Bidam Rang knelt there the entire time until he passed out in the rain, up to now I heard that he hasn't yet fully recuperated he is still bedridden.' Boyeong replied.

"Why must he be so stubborn?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Even I don't know Your Majesty." Boyeong replied.

"Forget it." Queen Seondeok said, "I am sure that he learnt his lesson." She added.

Hardly had she spoken when Eun Hye walked into the room.

"Your Majesty." She said as she bowed her head.

"What is it now?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Bidam Rang." Eun Hye replied.

"What's wrong with him?" Queen Seondeok asked, "What's wrong with Bidam?" She added.

"Your Majesty, he is back and he is kneeling in front of your Palace requesting for an audience with you." Eun Hye replied.

"Is he out of his mind?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Even I don't know Your Majesty." Eun Hye replied, "It's only been yesterday since the accident and though not in good health he is back and he looks determined even if to die." Eun Hye replied.

Queen Seondeok massaged her forehead.

"Let him be." She said, "My decision remains unchanged." She added.

"Yes Your Majesty." Both Boyeong and Eun Hye replied as they bowed their heads and they walked out of the room.

"Seungman was strolling through the gardens of Ganglyeoghan Palace with Damhyeong walking right by her side when Haesul rushed up to her.

"Your Highness." He said as he bowed his head.

"What is it?" Seungman asked.

"Bidam." Haesul replied.

"He is really that strong willed?" Seungman asked.

"Yes Your Highness, he has barely recovered from the incident that happened yesterday and he is already kneeling down in front of the Queen's Chambers." Haesul Rang replied.

"I had never thought that things would come to this." Seungman said.

"Who would have thought that Your Highness?" Damhyeong asked.

"There is also something else that is wrong Your Highness." Haesul Rang said.

"What more?" Seungman asked as she halted right in the middle of the garden.

"The Large stone on the Southside of the mountain moved." Haesul Rang replied.

Seungman seemed to be interested in the topic.

"It moved?" She said, "How?" She added.

"Perhaps due to the rainy storm that occurred yesterday Your Highness, the water on the Eastern part of the sea has turned red and all the fish in it have died overnight." He added.

"Disaster has befallen Shilla." Seungman remarked.

"Your Highness, there are rumours that are going around right now amongst the people." Haesul Rang said.

"What do they say?" Seungman asked.

"THE FEMALE RULER JIN IS SOVEREIGN IN THE LAND AND HER REIGN HAS ANGERED HEAVEN THESE ARE IT'S SIGNS THAT THE KINGDOM SHALL SOON MEET ITS DOWNFALL." Haesul replied.

"They used Her Majesty's similar trick." Seungman remarked.

"It isn't that hard to turn water into blood but for the people it is most convincing." Damhyeong remarked.

"Regardless of the fact, once again the will of heaven has been used by someone and I am most confident that the rock itself was intentionally moved by someone as well." Seungman said.

"What are you going to do your Majesty?" Haesul Rang asked.

"Nothing." Seungman replied.

"Nothing your Highness?" Haesul Rang replied.

"The sky is not yet falling and the sun isn't disappearing from the sky." Seungman replied.

"Your Highness, how can you be calm and have a stroll in the garden at a moment like this when we are being plunged into crisis?" Haesul Rang asked.

"I told you before that we can never be ready only prepared, the time has come and there is not much we can do except rely on our earlier preparations.

If you can return everything to normal then that is good enough you can let me know when you are done but how long do you think it shall take.

The Rock has shifted on the south side it's like ourselves having opened the door for our enemies, If I am not mistaken this word shall have reached her Majesty by now.

We can at best wait for a military report not so far from now." Seungman replied.

"Nevertheless Your Highness, there is still something that you can do." Damhyeong said.

"To interfere in the politics of the country hasn't yet dawned on me and the hour is still premature, to posses power there must be a couple of things that I should possess in abundance before even daring." Seungman replied as she continued strolling through the garden.

Haesul and Damhyeong looked at her.

"What do you think is wrong with Her Highness?" Haesul Rang asked.

"I don't know." Damhyeong replied.

"The large rock on the south side of the mountain has moved on its own and the water has turned into blood?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Yes Your Majesty." Sangdaedeung Eulje replied.

"How are my people?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Your Majesty, there is chaos within the land as someone is spreading rumours that these are the signs of heaven and we are being punished because of the Female Ruler Jin, your sickness too being known without a public appearance I am afraid that the people question the stability of your administrative everyone believes that the Kingdom's downfall is inevitable." Sangdaedeung Eulje replied.

"If this Kingdom shall fall then it won't be with me as it's Sovereign." Queen Seondeok said.

"Your Majesty, the tumult amongst the people must be calmed." Sangdaedeung Eulje said.

"I understand that." Queen Seondeok said.

"Your Majesty." Sangdaedeung Eulje called.

"War at this point in time is inevitable." Queen Seondeok said, "I want you to have a number of troops consolidated in the mountain valley because if I am not mistaken the enemy shall make an attack there.

If they are not fully settled then we won't have to let them wait and regardless of how long it takes, we should strike them by surprise before they can set up their camp." Queen Seondeok said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Sangdaedeung Eulje said.

"Summon the rest of the Ministers and the Courtiers as well." Queen Seondeok said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Sangdaedeung Eulje replied as he withdrew from the room.

"Your Majesty, you need ro be careful." Boyeong said.

"They have forced me into public much sooner than I expected and the people need me more right now than they have ever before." Queen Seondeok remarked as she looked at Boyeong, get me ready for the Assembly." She ordered.

"Yes Your Majesty." Boyeong replied.

Bidam was still kneeling outside when the doors of the Queen's Chambers were flung open and she walked out descending the stairs she finally halted right in front of him.

"You defied Royal orders." Queen Seondeok said.

"Forgive me Your Majesty but how can my heart be at ease when I can not hear from you?" Bidam asked.

"So you didn't care about your life as long as you would have a word with me and confirm that I was doing well enough?" Queen Seondeok asked.

"Yes Your Majesty." Bidam replied.

"Good." Queen Seondeok said, "My enemies dug a grave for me too early and here I am surviving with my ambition and wit." She added.

"Heaven is with you Your Majesty." Bidam said as he smiled.

"You are concerned and I am happy so please be at ease, I shall reward your good grace and your persistence to set an example for other Courtiers." Queen Seondeok said.

"Your Majesty, my reward is your own fine nature." Bidam replied, "With that alone I dare not ask for anything more." Bidam said.

"I insist." Queen Seondeok replied with a smile on her face she walked by him.

"Effective immediately you Bidam Rang have been created Vice Commander of the Royal troops." Queen Seondeok said as she walked away into the direction of the throne room.

Bidam turning around and looking at her while she vanished he smiled at himself as he got off his knees and bowed his head before walking away.