There is the belief, and legends to uphold it, that there are two celestial relics as well. The only records of them are in the depictions of the great pacts the celestial dragons made tying themselves to humanity.

  “Breathe, Min, breathe.” Tae said. He had pulled Min to him and held his lover close. “It’s okay, we got to them first, the children are okay.”

  “Okay! Nothing is okay!” Min yelled. His fist thumping harmlessly into Tae’s shoulder.

  “We got them before they could carry out the order.” Tae reminded him. He knew Min was not okay. He knew nothing about this situation was okay. This was Min’s worst nightmare coming to life. But Min needed to calm down so they could face it together. Min wasn’t alone, and Tae would not let him try to face this alone.

  “She went after the children Tae!” Min’s voice cracked. Tae just held Min, he wanted Min to let himself cry.

  “And we got them before they could even get near the city.” Tae said. “We know now, so we can do something to protect them. We can keep them safe.”

  “How?” Min’s voice sounded so small, so vulnerable.

  “Well, that’s going to take a bit of planning. We have two targets after all. One is the imperial palace so we can guard the children. The second is the palace where she was banished to. If we deal with her and figure out who is backing her, we can take out any future threat.”

  Min was quiet for a moment. “You have an idea of who’s backing her.”

  “Yes.” Tae replied. “But we’ll need proof in order to take the appropriate action.”

  “Which is why you suggested going to her palace as the second target.”

  Tae didn’t reply, just let Min mull things over. Min had calmed down now and his brilliant mind was working away at the problem.

  “We can’t be two places at once.”

  “No.”

  “So we have to choose a target.”

  “Yes.”

  “Damn it all.” Min slumped into Tae’s arms. Tae didn’t blame him. Min was torn between which target would be better for them to handle and which would be better to send someone else to take care of.

  “Let me take charge.” Tae whispered. “You’re more emotionally attached to this than I am.”

  Min sighed but nodded.

  “First, we’re going back to the Seok clan. We’ve gathered what we can from the bodies here. I’ll take care of the bodies here so there isn’t a trace of what happened in case a follow up group is sent. Then we’ll get some experts to help us manage the rest.”

  Min nodded his assent. He shifted as if to crawl out of Tae’s lap, but Tae tightened his hold. Min looked at him surprised. Tae met his lover’s golden eyes, the pain and fear clear in them, and kissed Min’s forehead.

  “This time, you get to watch me do it.” Tae told him. Curiosity sparked in Min’s eyes. It didn’t chase away the fear, but it did brighten Min up a bit.

  Tae held Min close with one arm, shifting his lover so he could see what he was doing. Tae then extended the other arm out towards the bodies surrounding them. He sent his Qi outwards until it enveloped the entire area their skirmish had taken place. Consume. He commanded it. The bodies dissolved into his Qi, feeding it. He shuddered at the sensation. In mere moments the only traces of the fight was the pile of things they’d taken from the bodies earlier.

  Tae stood, still holding Min. With one hand he bundled the weapons and other bits they’d piled together into a makeshift sack. Holding it in one hand and Min in the other Tae leapt into the air. He didn’t need to be in his dragon form to fly, it just made it easier. This wasn’t really flight after all, he was leaping off condensed Qi platforms at an incredible speed making it similar to flight. While it took them longer to return than it would have in his dragon form, Tae knew that Min needed him. Needed the comfort of Tae’s more human body.

  When they arrived at the Seok compound, Min had fallen asleep. Tae changed directions and went to their room. If Min was able to rest that was a good thing. Tae suspected that Min wouldn’t get much rest or sleep well for a while. It was better for him to get any rest he could whenever possible.

  “Find my grandfather, tell him I need to see him, my aunts, and my uncles, immediately.” Tae ordered the first servant he found. “I don’t care what is going on, you interrupt and tell anyone who gives you trouble they can take it up with me. Tell anyone who tries to stop you that they will face my full unbridled wrath if your message isn’t given immediately.”

  The servant nodded and rushed off. Tae carried Min into their rooms. He set the bundle down in their sitting area before gently laying Min on the couch. He carefully undressed Min, checking for any injuries Min might not have noticed, and only bothered replacing Min’s pants before tucking him into bed. He didn’t bother changing his own clothing. It was better if he didn’t. It would drive home the urgency of the situation if his relatives saw him covered in blood. He heard the sound of running footsteps and turned to face the door. That was quicker than he’d expected.

  Quietly, Min is asleep. Tae used Qi to tell all five as they approached his door. They immediately slowed. Tae kissed Min’s hand before moving from the sleeping area to the sitting room. He opened the outer door and let them in. Their looks of worry changed to panic at the sight of him covered in blood.

  “It’s not mine or Min’s.” Tae told them as he gestured for them to come in. They nodded but didn’t say anything as they entered. Tae took the seat nearest the door to the bedroom, they followed his lead and sat as well. Tae undid the ties holding the bundle together and let it opened on the table in between them. “We found a group that didn’t belong in the mountains. They were headed towards the capital.”

  Everyone tensed at his words.

  “They belonged to the group that took my mother and I captive.” Tae said. Fists tightened. Uncle Kyubok bristled with anger. Grandfather Insoo and aunt Eunsuh didn’t look any less upset than Kyubok.

  “They were just passing through.” Tae continued. “Their target was in the capital, two children in the imperial palace.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Tae took the paper Min had found and placed it on the table for them to read.

  Urgent mission - Imperial Palace

  Targets:

  Han, SeoJun

  Han, Nari

  The imperial prince and princess will be closely guarded. Kidnap both. Make sure the prince watches when you kill the princess. Leave her body on the streets of the capital city to be found. Wait two days and then release the prince. Let him wander until he’s found. Report to the client upon completion. Report to the master immediately afterwards. You are not to collect the payment yourself.

  Client:

  Song, Hea

  Tae watched the faces of his relatives as they read what was written there. Their faces went varying shades of red and white. The outrage was clearly visible on all five faces. Insoo met Tae’s eyes, determination and rage smouldered in those silvery-grey eyes.

  “What do you need us to do?” Insoo asked.

  Tae smiled, it wasn’t a warm or pleasant smile.

  “First, send the fastest runner you have to the Seong clan. I’ll write a letter for them to give to the patriarch.” Tae stood and grabbed paper brush and ink. He quickly wrote out the message and handed it to his aunt. “Second, send a group of your best warriors to the capital. I’ll give you a second letter for Emperor Hanseul-Ji. Your position will get you in without that, but it’ll help him understand the situation better.”

  Tae wrote out the second message and handed it to Kyubok. Hanseul would have a hard time wrapping his head around the situation and would be very emotional. The letter wouldn’t solve things but it would help. Min had barely held it together and he usually had a good handle on his emotions. Tae didn’t have faith that Hanseul would handle this nearly as well.

  “Men from the Seong clan will meet you at the palace. There is no place on this earth they can’t get to, so don’t worry about it if they just appear behind whatever guard you’ve put up. Let them take charge when they get there. This is exactly the type of situation their clan trains for.” Tae continued. “Min and I will meet you there after we’ve dealt with the other variable.”

  “You’re not going to the palace?” Eunsuh asked.

  “No.” Tae told her. He saw the confusion on their faces and sighed. “I’m the only one who can find the traces we’ll need to prove what’s happening.”

  “Why are you the only one?” aunt GaHee asked. Tae gave her a sad smile.

  “Because I spent a decade exposed to their Qi and methods.” Tae replied. “I’m the only one sensitive enough to their traces to be able to find the proof we’ll need.”

  “Is there a reason we need solid proof?” uncle Sang-Ook asked.

  Tae raised an eyebrow at the question. He found it interesting that it was only the two that weren’t blood related to him that were asking about this. The other three seemed to already know and understand based on what Tae read from their faces.

  “Because,” Tae said. “We’re going to war.”

  ***

  Min opened another box excitedly. This one held an elixir vial. He stood and carried it to his mother. Handing it to her before going back to the boxes of presents. He knew that he shouldn’t take any elixir without guidance and there wasn’t anyone he trusted more than mother. He’d opened most of the boxes and examined the sword he got from Hanseul again. He was excited to take it to their next practice. He was sure his brother would show him something fun.

  “Min dear,” Sena said. Min looked up from the sword to his mother. “Do you mind if I take this one?”

  Min nodded his accent and went back to looking at his sword. He had lots of elixirs, if mother wanted one that was a good thing. He had more than enough to share.

  “Do you know where the note on who this one is from went?” Sena asked.

  Min furrowed his brows. He set down the sword and grabbed the parchment, handing it to his mother. There was something about her tone that was off.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t use that one mother.” Min said finally. She looked anxious and Min didn’t like that. “Maybe the doctor should look at it first.”

  Mother smiled and Min felt relief wash through him. She ruffled his hair. He was glad she didn’t think he was strange for talking more like the adults than other children his age. He tried to sound more like a normal child around other adults, but he knew he could safely express himself clearly to mother. Hanseul was safe to talk to that way too. He thought it was fun that Min could talk like the adults.

  Sena set the bottle down and Min sighed in relief. He smiled at her before turning back to his new toys. He was excited to show them to Hanseul later. He looked out the window at the sun to try to guess how much longer he’d need to wait until Hanseul arrived. He’d promised to visit and play with Min today. The Qi from mother spiked funny and Min turned in time to see her fall to the ground. Min screamed as he rushed towards her. In one hand was the now empty elixir bottle, the other held the parchment he’d handed her.

  “Mother!” Min cried. Sena coughed and blood sputtered out. Min could see her Qi beginning to tangle. He used his own to try to stop it. Tears blurred his vision but he kept at it. If he could keep it from fully tangling he could buy time for the doctor to get there.

  “Don’t die, why’d you drink it? It was meant for me.” Min sobbed. He gritted his teeth at the effort of holding off the effects of the elixir. He felt his anger flare. He knew people didn’t like him, that they saw him as a threat. That was okay. But they got his mother involved. He wasn’t strong enough to do anything now, but he would make them pay for this.

  Min screamed when he was pulled away from his mother. He fought against the nanny, biting and scratching. He didn’t stop until he felt familiar arms wrap around him. The familiar Qi calming him from his frenzy. Min gripped the front of Hanseul’s robes and sobbed.

  “Mother… why… it was… meant for… me…” Min said between sobs. “It… should… have.. been… me.”

  The nanny released him and Min clung to his brother. He wasn’t sure what Hanseul or anyone was saying. All he knew was that his mother's Qi was weakening. He screamed and sobbed, unable to reach her. Unable to help. He was too young, too weak. Why was he so weak. He felt his father’s Qi and pushed away from Hanseul. Startled Hanseul let him go. Min rushed towards the bed where they’d placed his mother. Father held her hand while the doctor mixed something together to counter whatever had been in that bottle.

  Min grabbed her wrist. She met his golden eyes with her own. Min felt her Qi resonate with his own. Something inside him surged outwards. He heard gasps and knew others could see it too. He was blinded by the bright golden light. It faded and Min felt his consciousness fade with it. The last thing he knew was Hanseul catching him and calling his name.

  Min startled awake even as he lost consciousness in the dream. He sat up panting. There was a pressure on his wrist and a weight on his lap. Min glanced to see Tae holding his wrist and slumped in his lap. His white hair glistened in the moonlight. It was enough to remind him of where he was, of when he was. Mother was okay, she’d lived though her Qi had never fully recovered. He still wasn’t sure what he’d done that day but he’d been told it had saved her life and kept her from being completely unable to use Qi.

  Min stroked Tae’s hair. Using the soft texture to calm himself. He vividly remembered what had happened before he’d fallen asleep. He was surprised he’d fallen asleep while Tae had rushed them back to the compound. There was something on Tae’s face. Min touched it and realized Tae hadn’t cleaned himself up. Min chuckled and shook his lover to wake him.

  “Min?” Tae asked groggily.

  “What is wrong with you?” Min asked.

  Tae sat up slowly and looked at him confused. Min shook his head with a smile and slid out of bed. He looked down and was surprised to see he was only wearing a pair of pants. Pants of a colour he had not been wearing when they went out yesterday. He sighed with exasperation and stood.

  “You’re coming with me.” Min ordered. Tae followed obediently. Min was a little surprised at Tae following orders so quietly. Min lit a candle when they entered the bathing room and saw the concern written clearly on Tae’s face. Ah. That explained it. “Strip.”

  Tae raised an eyebrow at the order but complied. Min pointed to a bench and Tae sat.

  “You’re a mess and need a bath.” Min said.

  Tae laughed, causing Min to smile.

  Min looked at the cold water and pursed his lips. Qi flared from Tae and the water rapidly warmed until it was steaming slightly. Min looked at Tae surprised. Tae just shrugged. Min glared, causing Tae to laugh again. Min rolled his eyes and got to work. Tae didn’t complain when Min began scrubbing away at him.

  “Now, tell me what happened while I was asleep.”