“... I shall restore Silla back to its glory.”

Hojun brushed her listless hair, which trailed down to her waist. She covered her mouth as she yawned, wearing her usual trench coat and tie. Not many people crowded the morning streets, while silence crowded the air. She waited outside the hôtel lobby, and soon enough the sliding doors opened to Jorge’s footsteps.

“I gotta wear my suit in the morning?...” He itched his neck and rubbed his eyes. “Pagod na ako…”

“I apologize. Is your place okay? I mean, safe from thieves?”

“Thieves wouldn’t touch my tent, because I’m a-”

Hojun gave him a serious look. It only took one before he rewired himself. “Now that the Bakalitos were taught a lesson, they won’t be touching my stuff for a while.”

Borja meowed in confirmation. In one jump the cat landed on his shoulder.

After they ate breakfast, the three of them walked through the streets. Hojun pondered whether to tell Jorge that she was searching for her brother. The entire time she only paid minor attention to Jorge. But how could she tell him that she saved him only to have a lead?

“Jorge. Do you have a dream? Something you want to do.”

“Dream?” He stretched his hands up in the air. “Well, before you were here Borja and I wanted to go to a restaurant, and you fulfilled it. Not only that, you saved me from Bakalitos and an Oksidentano.”

Jorge smashed his fists together, with a grin on his face. “I’ve decided. You’ve been looking for something here in this country, right? Your eyes’ been wandering. I’ll help you with whatever business you have in the Luzokapital.”

“...” She stopped walking. Her bangs covered her eyes, the emotion in her face. She did not know what it was. “What if I told you that I lied. That I saving you was but a coincidence, or perhaps with an ulterior motive?”

Jorge stood in front of her, with Borja on his shoulder. The people stared as they walked by, and the buggies continued their rumbling.

“My parents passed away. Ever since then I don’t want anything more complicated, and just wanted to go to a restaurant. But you treated me to a meal, and gave me a room. In Buhanggilog, a person that treats you to a meal is already a friend.” Jorge looked like a spec in the dust between all the overhanging skyscrapers. “Let me help you.”

In the crowds of people hustling by, she noticed a symbol she’d never thought she’d find. The Ala Shan bird. Hojun spotted it on a stranger’s bag. She immediately took Jorge’s hand and pursued the person.

“... I’m searching for my brother. His name is Tayang.” Hojun tugged on his wrist, and he followed.

A middle-aged man turned and entered the building. The two of them entered the shop. It was cramped, and it only took a couple strides to traverse the room. Inside was a small counter.

“Hello po, what can I help you with today?” The shopkeeper was a young man, who wore a black apron. Hojun remembered his face. The Oksidentano from last night.

She let go of Jorge’s hand. “Greetings. I believe I recognize a familiar face. I have a few questions to ask. What do you know about the company Al-Wa?”

“Ma’am, this is a flower shop.” The Oksidentano’s eyes never once fazed. In the background, the shop’s door opened again as another young man entered. He covered himself in a silver-colored shemagh, which wrapped around his head.

“The Ala Shan bird does not deceive my eyes.” Hojun pressed her hands on the table in front of them. The person with the bag was gone, meaning they must’ve disappeared somewhere into the building.

“What makes for coincidences?” The young man behind them folded his arms, “I’m also looking for Al-Wa. The person with the bag. We saw it, Llorenç.”

The Oksidentano, Llorenç simply turned around. “Your eyes did not deceive you when you saw a person with a bag. But even still, I must protect the clients.”

All of them drew their weapons. Hojun and the young man at Llorenç, Llorenç back at them. Jorge could only spit on the ground and ready his fists. For a moment she eyed the person assisting him, wondering why he was looking for Al-Wa as well.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Hugo, how ya’ doin’?”

Everyone stifled away their weapons, as more customers waltzed into the shop. Llorenç went back to his work, while Hojun and the others looked away. Borja meowed. The young Buhang, covered in silver rags held the door open. Hojun and Jorge soon followed.

“Well, that was quick.” Jorge let out a sigh.

Hojun frowned. She wanted to question the Oksidentano more, but knew better than to. Llorenç did not want any trouble, so she decided to leave the matter be. She turned to the other Buhang.

"You in the shemagh. Who may you be?"

He stared at her with blank eyes. "My name is Suruj."

Jorge looked at him. "Suruj? Wait, the Suruj Zundui?"

"That doesn't matter anymore." The former muqatil turned to them. "What matters is that you're searching for Al-Wa, correct?"

"I suppose that is a part of our intentions..." Hojun settled her arms. Suruj Zundui, one of the last survivors of the tournament in Tasdaha. A tournament that cost thousands of lives. He revealed a Khoitan hat with a conical center and placed it atop his head.

“Whatever. I don’t want to pry about your reasons. But since we’re looking for Al-Wa, I suggest we make a coöperation pact.”

“I think we already found a lead.” Jorge leaned in, nearing Suruj’s face. “You’ve been in exile for a while, so I dunno.”

“You guys will coöperate with me. You have the connections, and I have the information.”

“...” Hojun remained silent. She felt something was off about this man. But there was nothing she could do about it. Besides, she had a feeling that she should trust him. With one look at his eye Hojun saw the same eyes Llorenç had. She knew that her brother was involved in Al-Wa, and the muqatil were taken by Al-Wa.

Jorge and Borja sat down on a nearby stool and waited for Hojun's decision. After a few seconds, she nodded.

“Okay, let's hear your plan then.” Hojun sat down as well.

Suruj pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over. On it was a map of Luzokapital. All the barangays of the capital squished together into one paper. He pointed to a place in Metro Liusung. “A day from now, meet me here at Dunong University. Then we'll talk about finding Al-Wa.”

They accepted the terms, and went their separate ways. To Hojun, it was a big lead to finding her brother Tayang. But still, was it really okay to let Jorge help on her mission? It could be too dangerous for him, Hojun thought. Tayang was the first in line to the Al-Qarakh House. She dreaded the imagination of Tayang leading the House. But she also dreaded the imagination if she left the situation the way things were in the Luzokapital and Jorge.

“Hojun, catch.”

“Huh? Wa-”

A ball of fluff landed directly on her face. She felt the paws of some animal. Hojun let out a squeal and fell to the ground. She grabbed the furry object off her face, to see that it was Borja the cat.

“This is… Borja?”

“Crap I’m sorry… You looked a bit stressed so I thought he’d cheer you up.” He ran to her side, as Borja stayed atop Hojun. She looked at the cat, and stared into Borja’s shiny eyes. Hojun took Jorge’s hand and stood up.

“It’s fine.” She dusted herself off, while Borja weighed on her shoulder. It was the first time in a long time she had been surprised. Her shoulder quivered to Borja’s paws digging into it. “I’m not good with animals, that’s all.”

“M’lady, did I not tell you not to be with the people here?”

They turned around to see Mister Gyeong and the other bodyguard striding towards them. Jorge stepped in front of her again. But this time, Hojun pushed him aside.

“Mister Gyeong, I’ve attained a lead today.”

“Get that feline off you this instant.”

“Yessir.”

She gently placed one hand under Borja’s front legs and the other hand on his posterior and hind legs. Hojun set him down on the floor, to which the cat purred near her leg. Hojun didn’t let any of her swelled emotions escape past her eyes, and stood in front of her guards. Her bangs covered her eyes again.

“Jorge, please leave.”

“What?”

Hojun took out a sack and placed it in his hands. The jingle of money sounded, and Jorge peeked in to see a large sum of golden Yak coins.

“You know what, you don’t need to help me. So take this money with you. I want you to live your own life.”

It was okay. She didn’t need Jorge to be dragged into this mess. It was okay because she wanted him to have his own life, where he could live like a normal person instead of living in an alley. But the only goal she had in the city was to find Tayang, not to help Jorge or anyone else.

“I won’t accept this.” He pushed the pouch back to her, before walking up to Mister Gyeong. “I think you oughta treat your lady with respect. I don’t understand but, I know the name Hojun from somewhere on the radio. Some noble of Al-Qarakh.”

“Step aside, Bangkaño. We’re only here to bring her to safety.”

A slap came across Hojun’s face. She didn’t even process it, and her cheek turned red in pain. With her growing hair and earrings she stayed composed, and stared up at her father in the office. It was littered with everything related to Old Silla, and the current state of affairs in Al-Qarakh Administrative.

“I want you to go to Buhanggilog and search for your brother. If you want to earn respect then do the one thing I tell you.” Her father paced back and forth, examining the detailed papers and scrolls on the wall. “Silla will return, and soon we will have our ‘Golden Age’. But we can’t unless we gather the entire family together before the Laoyuang House gains more power over us.”

“But father, are you sure Tayang is really-”

“Silence! He is the Crown Prince, and you are the second prince. In the line of succession he is the one to guide the House, and Silla after me. Take advantage of the languages you learned from the Laoyuang ordinance and go to that impoverished nation.”