The journey through Akatsuki no Yona

Reunion and the dragons' unknown powers

[Near the Xing-Kouka border]

The ground was shaking gently. Jiro yawned and rubbed his eyes. He turned his head and looked in the direction of the Xing Kingdom.

"What's with those guys?" Tae-woo asked, when silhouettes started forming in the distance. Jiro squinted his eyes at the marching figures. They were all wearing black robes. They were not soldiers, that was certain.

"Those people are... So they've finally come. " Vold spoke.

"Who are they?" Hak asked him.

"They are from the anti-war faction."

"The anti-war faction... so you are friends?" Hak wondered.

"Ah... yes, though, rather than friends... they are mainly comprised of nobles who are backing princess Tao." Jiro glanced skeptically at Vold. To him, they didn't look noble nor friendly. "They most likely heard that her majesty Kouren came to that town with the army and so came here from Kyuu castle to appeal for peace." Vold run up to them.

It appeared that the anti-war faction came here when they heard that princess Tao has been taken captive by princess Kouren. They wanted to free princess Tao. "Incidentally, who might this be?" Their leader asked and pointed at Hak.

"This person is a former general of Kouka Kingdom, lord Hak. He cooperated with princess Tao and is helping us work towards peace between our two nations." Vold introduced Hak.

"Oh? I'm thankful for that..."

Jiro didn't bother to come near them. To him, they seemed like a shady bunch or even a sect and not pacifists, like they claimed to be. He glanced then at Hak and sighed with relief. He didn't go crazy. The Thunder Beast was just as distrustful, and he rarely was wrong.

[Alice's pov]

We were near the Wind Tribe's camp. I was happily waiting for the moment my feet to touch the ground again. Good thing Soo-won gave us the quicker horses. It didn't take that long to go back to Hak and the others.

"Whoa, there." Algira motioned for the horse to stop. I did the same and climbed down. I planned to do it skillfully, but my legs fell asleep and I fell face down on the ground.

"Are you alright?" I looked up and took the outstretched hand. "You should be more careful." Jiro smiled down at me.

I thanked him and glanced around if anyone saw my fall. Luckily, it was only a few people, since most of them were looking at a bright red Yona in Hak's arms. She pushed Hak away. "I'm fine!"

"Lord Hak, she seems to be rejecting you quite fiercely." Han-dae mocked. Meanwhile, I was busy staring at the guys from the Wind Tribe. It was exciting to meet them all in person!

"Where is princess Kouren?!" Yona asked.

"Kouren is at her estate right now." Hak told her.

"I have to meet her quickly. I met with Soo-won." Hak's eyes widened in shock. Yona told them that Soo-won agreed to open a dialogue as long as princess Kouren and princess Tao would be present. She also told that Soo-won has a few conditions and princess Kouren has to agree if she wants to avoid a war.

"Understood. Let us meet with her highness Kouren." Vold spoke.

When we were leaving, a strange man stopped Yona. Vold called him 'High Priest Gobi' from the anti-war faction. "Princess Kouren informed me that she was going to take a rest before the battle begins. It will be better to meet with her in the morning."