After Dark (Prompts)

The Pirate - 1

A/N: I forgot to mention that the Hyun Bin character here would be a cross of King Jeongjo and Lee Chung from Rampant and Fatal Encounter. =)

Part italicized are flashbacks (I hope it doesn't get confusing). Feel free to comment so that I can clarify if something is unclear.

I hoped to make this longer but please forgive me because I had a long day and would need to rest early.

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Yeo Wol stood at the starboard side of the ship and stared at the clear night sky.

King Jeongjo continued to rest in the cabin while they set sail for friendly territory where a known healer could check into his condition. From what she and her men could tell, the King should be out of danger but still they needed to be sure. He was, after all, the King and...

"Captain?" a voice called out behind her.

Yeo Wol turned.

"The King is awake but would not eat or drink," Cheol-bong, one of her men, told her. "A number of us have tried."

Yeo Wol narrowed her eyes at Cheol-bong. "Aish. Stubborn man." Stomping toward the cabin, she threw the door open and found the King sitting up.

In spite of his weakened state, his presence was still daunting. His broad shoulders seemed to cover a huge part of the wall he leaned on, his high bridged nose and chiseled features seemed to be cut by the best artisans of the land, his tanned skin burned from being in the field and muscles defined by battles he had taken on.

At the sound of the door opening, King Jeongjo turned and looked at her warily.

Yeo Wol frowned at the untouched food and water by hid bedside. "My men told me you do not wish to touch the food? Is it not up to your standards?"

"I'm not starving," the King replied.

"You're not thirsty, too?"

The King grunted but did not respond.

Yeo Wol rolled her eyes. She hated his pride but she recognized it very well. Taking the wooden cup that contained the liquid, she held it close to his mouth and urged him to drink. When he wouldn't budge, she scolded him, "We did not save you just so you could die of thirst. Drink. Die on land once we dock if you want."

King Jeongjo was surprised at the brazen comment. "What? Do you know who you are speaking with?"

"Yes. Your title does not matter to the seas," she said matter-of-factly.

Sighing, the man finally took the cup and brought it to his lips.

"Careful. Take slow sips," Yeo Wol reminded him.

When he felt better after the drink, he asked her, "Why have you and your men taken me? Was the ransom demand not sufficient that you had to bring me on the ship?"