Chapter 6: The Cost of Loyalty

The sky was striped with soft gold as dawn broke, and Jin-Ho staggered into a clearing in the woodland. Every breath seared like fire through his chest, and the spot where Zhen's blade had grazed his side was covered with blood. Stumbling forward, he touched a palm to the wound. He had to go to safety.

The excitement wore off, leaving only betrayal and confusion until he finally passed out close to a tiny creek. His sibling in bloodless form, Zhen, was with the assassins. And he had been spared by Zhen. Why?

Jin-Ho clenched his jaw, attempting to ignore the inquiries. The priority was survival. The repercussions would be dire if the Crown Prince's missive failed to reach its intended recipient. Then he pulled a piece of linen from his tunic and pressed it against his wound. The bleeding slowed, but the pain lingered. The wound wasn't just physical it was personal.

Yun Zhen returned to the main hall of the assassin guild's secret compound, his face unreadable. Leaning forward from his chair, Master Chu watched Zhen as a cat might watch an injured bird. Chu whispered, "I hear that the royal envoy slipped away," his voice like a silk-wrapped dagger.

Zhen nodded slightly, a mask of disinterest covering his features. "He got away."

Kaida sat close by, one eyebrow up in laughter. "How unfortunate," she muttered, but it was clear from the sparkle in her eye that she suspected the truth. "You held him in your hands, but still..."

Master Chu's eyes grew gloomy. Here, Yun Zhen, failure is not tolerated. I trust your judgment was not impaired by old allegiances in this case.

Zhen did not flinch when he looked into his master's eyes. "It will never occur again," he stated bluntly.

Chu's meaning-laden quiet was long and drawn out. At finally, he added, "See that it doesn't." "Or you will no longer be useful."

As Jin-Ho lay under the trees, scarcely cognizant, his world flickered in and out of focus. He was awakened by the sound of leaves rustling—Mei Lin was kneeling beside him, her hands moving swiftly as she checked his wound.

"Just in time," she said, applying a cold herbal paste to the wound. Jin-Ho groaned softly and winced.

"You're not supposed to be here," he said.

With a little smirk, Mei Lin answered, "I could say the same for you." "But you must be kept alive by someone."

As she completed dressing his wound, her face became serious. "Pay close attention," she added in a quiet voice. The adversaries of the Crown Prince are observing. They were aware of your mission.

Jin-Ho scowled as his thoughts raced. "The killers..."

Mei Lin gave a nod. It wasn't a haphazard assault. Jin-Ho, you've entered a much bigger game. You risk becoming a pawn, or worse, if you are not careful.

That night, Yun Zhen was called to Master Chu's private quarters. Chu's smile was as thin as paper, and there was a lot of incense in the air. The elderly guy said, "You're a great asset, Zhen, but assets are only good when they comply."

Zhen remained still as Chu went on. "You will murder Kwan Jin-Ho the next time you see him." He lowered his voice to a low, lethal murmur. "If you hesitate again, there will be no place for you in the guild. Do you get it?

Zhen nodded curtly, but his thoughts were racing. Could Jin-Ho be killed by him? Assuming not, what would remain of him when he was cast out by the guild?

That night, Jin-Ho sat by the fire, his side hurting under the bandages. He was troubled by Mei Lin's admonition. Zhen's involvement was not an accident, and the attack had not been a coincidence.

He gazed into the fire, feelings of rage and grief churning within him. He had lost the boy with whom he had grown up. An assassin took his place.

Jin-Ho muttered to the fire, "I won't hold back if we cross paths again." Feeling the cold steel of resolution sink into his heart, he clinched his hands. Friendship had become irrelevant. He was now at odds with Yun Zhen.

Knowing that it would be the moment that defined them both the next time their paths crossed, he fastened his sword to his belt. Not one of them would walk away.