[Arthdal Chronicles] Fight for freedom

FLASHBACK CHAPTER 2 : An angel? (EDITED 06/22)

- Yangcha point of view -

The group we were going to attack was a mixed group in which Sarams, Neanthals and Igutus were living all together. They were hiding well but Mubaek had managed to find them. The others had argued about such a thing being possible: a cohabitation between the three races? It was nonsense for most of them because Neanthals were monsters in their eyes. What a bunch of fools they were, not even knowing the one they followed was the child of one and yet, I didn't follow Tagon for the color of his blood but for his strength, he trusted me with his secrets and I trusted him with my life.

For several days, we were ordered to watch the tribe we were going to attack, to know how many they were, to know how they were organized, to find the perfect moment and tactics to attack. With Neanthals and Igutus, it was better to be cautious, we couldn't lose too many warriors and they were numerous. They seemed to live peacefully, not aware of the danger surrounding them or too confident to believe we would let one of them escape.

We took turns to watch them. And it's when I was on watch that I noticed her for the first time. She was an igutu of my age. I had never pay attention to girls before, I didn't have time to wast with those useless thoughts but that time I couldn't control them: she was really pretty. My eyes were drawn by her. She was really cheerful taking care of the young ones. After she braided the hair of a little girl she tried to slip away from the camp but a Neanthal stopped her. Though I was not an Igutu nor a Neanthal my hearing was better than Saram so I could hear what they were saying.

"Father, please!" she complained.

So that man was her father? We had already identified him as the leader, meaning she was the leader's daughter and a target we couldn't miss.

"No, Enoria, it's dangerous. I can't let you go alone."

Enoria, her name, a particular sounding, not really commun in Arthdal but not surprising for a half Neanthal.

"I will be careful, I know how to use a bow!" she continued.

She had curled her lips and I wondered what was the effect she thought it would have, was it supposed to make her look cute enough for her father to concede to her demand? Did those kinds of things actually work?

"Still no," her father answered.

Of course it wouldn't work, only a fool would have let himself be charmed by such a cheap trick.

- Father, please. If I saw one of those warriors I shoot him in the leg and run I promise.

Was she actually capable of such a thing? Managing to hurt a Daekan warrior wasn't something given to everyone. She was kind of pretentious if she thought we would let her do that.

"Enoria...," her father said in a sigh.

"I was just joking, I know the rules, I don't go too far and if I see one of them I run, hide after making sure they won't find me and I come back only if I am sure I am safe and not followed."

She smiled at her father in a way that finally convinced him and she jumped up and down like a little girl who had succeeded in her mission. She almost fell because of a tree root she hadn't seen but she managed to find her balance under the desperate eyes of her father who told her to go away before he changed his mind. She made sure to walk carefully, exaggerating her movements probably to reassure her father on the fact she did know how to walk without falling, she took a bow and a book, waved at her father, stuck her tongue then smiled.

She was kind of cute and the corner of my lips had raised without me even realizing. When I realized it, I was glad my mask was hiding that reaction I didn't understand. I had not smiled or shown any other type of emotions for as long as I remember, I was known as the emotionless warrior, the one who didn't feel anything, nor pain, nor happiness, I was a weapon only living to serve his master. So why now? It felt weird, confusing, maybe I was sick and should have gone back to the camp but before I knew it, I was following that girl who was happily bouncing through the forest.