ETHEREAL BLUE

Appa's voice thundere

doorframe. It wasn't as if I had a choice. When the k

ents. Ministers and generals flanked the room, their faces flushed f

I shouldn't have to ca

e, Appa, I'd actually listen," I muttere

eak

ty," I said, barely

e, his voice low. "You're going to get y

try," I

om. "This is not the time for petty squabbles. The kingdom is

asy glances, and I resiste

is glare at General Kwon, a grizzled vete

borders remain unstable. The Buyeo forces have launched several raids, target

t am I paying you for if you c

lomat. "The Buyeo forces are using guerrilla tactics. They

eping across the room. "Are my commanders so incom

pent less time insulting your commanders and more t

l silent, al

his voice dangerousl

rning look from the corner o

u?" Appa's tone was venomous. "You th

gaze. "I think actions make a man.

could react, the force of th

respect this family or this throne,

-

mber, my cheek was burning

outh shut," Seok Hoon said,

napped. "We're fighting wars we can't

n, his voice low but fierce. "But we don't get

. "No one questions him. And

-

ing grounds. The air was thick with the sound

gn," General Kwon informed

I argued, though I

he countered. "And

o the heart of the campaign, witnessing firsthand the brutality of war. Vil

have you?" Seok Hoon asked one night as we

itted, my v

hts to protect," he sa

have an

-

slave trade spread quickly. In the co

gerous," Hyejin war

truth,"

can get you kil

-

mish near the border. We were out

al Kwon shouted, b

loodied and beaten, a sinking realiz

vincibility of the royal c

he soldiers around me began to scatter. The enemy's battle cry grew louder, their f