Eternal life - Magdalena Wita (best summer reads .TXT) 📗

his liking. Even though he was the noble intendant of this land, as he obtained is as a gift more than 20 years ago, he barely was visiting his property here. It was a hard task to do, regarding, that his last battle as an active participant was merely few years ago and he still didn’t retire.

Nevertheless the village was blooming pretty well. Before it got into his hand it was just a rural area, but after the transfer he has send many of his battle mates and soldiers here to recover from their trauma. Even though the times were not rough, they would always have someone to fight with, even within themselves. Therefore the town flourished.

Right after the first newcomer arrived, the rest of the suite showed up. The general was leading, on his black as night horse. He was wearing suit of armour, with snow pilling up on his helmet. As the horse stopped in front of the bowing people, the pile of snow fell down right in front of general’s face. However he did not flinch, nor blinked. He jumped off of his mount and started to approach one of the people in the crowd, the only that looked at him, not at the ground.

Even though the General was around 50, he did not look his age. He had a sharp face, little scary, with penetrative look. A new wound was decorating his forehead, in addition to many scars on his visage. He had a beard, which was rather thin as stubble, but it was adding a charm into him. He was a fine man, with appropriate height and posture. He was wielding a long sword, tied to his waist. He moved and stopped in front of the man, which was rather the opposite of him. Said man was smaller, rounder and had a soft, friendly face, but his eyes were of miscreant and always restless.

‘My Lord, you’ve finally arrived, it’s a pleasure to welcome you.’ The round man, finally bowing, said.

‘Choi Jeong Ho, my finest subordinate, tell me quickly, how is my son?’ General did not spare time on formalities.

‘Let the main court lady answer you, sir, on this question.’ He turned back to the lady behind him.

She took few steps forward and with her head down, she started talking. ‘Everything is being prepared for tonight’s feast my lord.’

‘But I asked how was he.’ He had a cold tone, sending shivers down the maids spine.

‘Oh, sir, pardon me. He’s eating well and he’s really observative, sir.’

‘That’s good.’

‘It’s his second birthday?’ Choi Jeong Ho asked with nostalgy in his voice.

Shim Dae Song touched is beard. Yes, indeed, his son was already a two years old. He transported him here to rise him and give him a military training by himself, as he had to trust in the capital’s teachers anymore, but it seemed that war is going to complicate that plan for now.

‘That’s mainly why I’m here. Everyone, go take care of your tasks.’ Raising his hand, he dismissed the court. Servants took care of his horse and luggage. Someone wanted to take his sword, but he gave them a flinty look. They run away.

He moved with his subordinate under the roof, because the snowfall was still there. ‘I’ll be gone after 3 days.’ The General spoke.

‘Why is that, my Lord?’ Choi asked with curiosity.

‘Have you not heard the news?’

‘Of course I’ve heard, my lord.’

‘That’s what I’ve liked in you. Always ready to deceive everyone.’ He patted subordinate shoulder. ‘Japan is forcing in. I moved my son here just in time, but had to abandon him so quickly. But I think of it as a training. He should not be attached to me, nor anyone, only to himself. I found it a good opportunity that’s his mother died. It’s even easier this way. And here I have a request for you. Don’t try to befriend him. I might be far away for a longer time, but don’t get close to him.’

‘Yes, sir, whatever you want.’ Choi Jeong Ho humbly bowed. Then, from the silence of the falling snow a cry of a new-born baby could be heard. The subordinate panicked and wanted to quickly pardon himself and run away, but was stopped by the general.

‘Does it come from your household? Another child?’ Shim Dae Song asked, with smirk.

‘No sir…’ The round man stuttered. ‘It’s just a servants son.’

‘Then why are you so stressed? Just punish them after you’ll be back from disturbing the silence. I’m sure that your daughter and older son are already asleep. Didn’t you also once said that you want to have order in your yard and you let this happen?’

‘There were some certain circumstances…’

‘Hahaha!’ The generals laugh was hearty. ‘I’ve always thought your playing around is going to pay off someday!’ Suddenly he widened his eyes. ‘I’ve got an idea! Tell me, how old is this child?’

‘4 months old, sir. But what is your idea? I really can’t get rid of it…’

‘No. You say he’s only a servants child and we’ll stay with that. Forget the request I’ve asked you earlier.’

‘Sir?’

‘Let them grow together, the child and my Woong Tae, but never forgetting about the gap between them, of course. Once I’ve been asked, when I was getting my study, if I would sacrifice my honour to save a friend. The answer should be obvious. I’m sure the time, where he’ll have to choose between those options will come. It will be better if he’ll have someone to sacrifice.’ The general explained.

‘Your ideas are always perfect, my lord.’ Subordinate smiled.

‘Also do you remember about the promise regarding your daughter?’

‘Of course. I think it’s good that’s she’s of the same age as your son.’

‘That’s perfect. Now go, take care of the things there. I’ll go inside and welcome my offspring. I have good gift prepared for him tomorrow. His first sword, with his name engraved on its steel!’

‘Sir, before I go, may I ask you one question?’

‘Go ahead.’

‘Why you have only one son?’

‘Good question! But I’ll tell you. I want to pour everything onto him. I don’t want and don’t like to waste time on repeating. He’ll be my successor. He has to. Now goodnight.’

‘Goodnight, sir.’ He bowed and wandered away, as general came inside his palace.

Chapter 6 - past

The war lasted for 6 years and ended right before Woong Tae’s 9th birthday. All of this time he had not seen his father nor anyone, beside his dear friend. He was alienated as this was general’s order. He only had teachers, which were torturing him with anything that humankind had developed until now. They were no fun and learning was boring. Any spare time he had, he was spending it with Ji Woon. He shared similar fate as general’s son, spending whole of his days alone, but it was to a different reason. As they both found out, after overhearing a conversation between two maids, Ji Woon was indeed a son of his master, Choi Jeong Ho. They didn’t know if that was a truth.

Yoo Ji Woon was told to be an orphan, with neither a father nor a mother. He was told that he was left at this court and he should be thankful that they decided to keep him. He walked always sad, since he had heard those words starting from the time he could understand words. He was also ignored: because of his half noble heritage all servants were cautious of him, but his father and his family were ignoring him because of his half poor blood. He learned really quickly where his place was. There were only two people, that ever paid attention to him, his best friend Woong Tae and Choi Hwa Ryeong, daughter of Choi Jeong Ho and, as it turned out, his sister. He spent all of his days keeping accompany to Woong Tae, whenever he had lessons about literature or foreign languages. He also practiced with him a swordplay. As he was coming back to his home, the only person, that ever asked him, if he has eaten, was Hwa Ryeong.

The days went by and general finally came back. His arrival changed many things: Woong Tae, always trapped within his court walls, was trapped now inside the building, only leaving to get lessons from archery or swordsmanship from his rough father.

Ji Woon was allowed to stay with them, but he couldn’t do anything. When his friend was laying down, with his father pointing his sword at not even teenager son, all covered in sweat and bruises, he had to stay still, not moving or talking.

Woong Tae and Ji Woon grew. They reached the teenage years, only within their own accompany. The outside world didn’t like them, because of their status. But boys also didn’t like them. As they were getting old, they were always taught to believe only in themselves, so they did. They treated everyone as a threat and always approached it with anger.

They fought with every one of their age, asserting their primacy over them. Ji Woon, even if not taught personally, was better at fighting, so Woong Tae took advantage of it and always accosted people around them and let his friend fight with them.

They went through a lot, during their times. Whole town was sick of their violence, but they couldn’t do anything, since one of them was a landlord’s son. They were brave, strong and abusive. But that was only a cover. Inside they were just a two teenagers with no one to advise them.

Inside the Shim court they were changing. Both of them feared Woong Tae’s father, as he was in control of everything. Anytime he came back from the capital, Woong Tae was shaking in fright. His father did not like his behaviour, blaming it on poor military knowledge. He trained him even more in martial arts and swordsmanship, which poor son couldn’t do well. He tormented him with exercises until Woong Tae couldn’t see well or even stand anymore.

‘I’ll never be like you! Understand it!’ Woong Tae said once, after training, kneeling on the ground, supporting himself on the sword he was given when he was a child.

‘I know that. But you have to be good enough to wield a sword of mine once.’ The general’s tone was indifferent, cold and commanding.

‘I don’t want it!’ Boy shouted. His father, once further from him, got quickly to him and grabbed his hair.

‘I don’t accept failures. Ji Woon, practice with him for 2 hours more. His grip is still too weak.’ He abruptly let go of his head, throwing it to the side, causing Woong Tae to fall. Then he walked away.

‘Yes, sir.’ Ji Woon answered and approached his friend with gloomy face. He reached out his hand. ‘Come on, get up. I’ll show you the trick, that may help you.’

General’s son just showed the hand from the front of his face and stood up by himself. He laughed. ‘You are pretty a stickler, aren’t you? You won’t even let up on your only friend.’

‘I just want to help you, it will pay off.’ Ji Woon wanted to persuade his friend, but he instead started to walk away. ‘Where are you going?’

‘I’ll be back in two hours. I really envy your talent. You should’ve been my father’s son, not me.’ His voice started to fade away as he was leaving the court.

‘Wait! But the training…! General’s going to kill me!’ Ji Woon started to run after Woong Tae.

‘Hahaha! I bet he wouldn’t even dare to touch you.’

‘Why?’

‘He recently gave me a lesson. He said that when time comes I have to choose between honour and friends. Mind over a heart. He is keeping you around me, so that one day I can kill you, my friend, just to show how grown and serious I am! Hahaha!’ Woong Tae walked, all bruised, with his hands behind his head.

Ji Woon stopped. ‘Will you do that?’ The second boy also halted and turned around. He smirked.

‘Do I behave like my father?’ Ji Woon shook his head. ‘That’s the answer. Beside how I would do that. I can’t harm a straw dummy with this sword, I’m this bad.’

Ji Woon exhaled his breath shortly, laughing through his nose. ‘So you better not learn my trick’. He started to walk beside Woong Tae.

‘What’s the trick?’ The older boy asked, but the second zipped his lips.

‘Won’t tell. Where are we going?’

‘The fisherman should be arriving right now, we could grab some of his catch and grill