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Author: Rowain Long ago, before Buya or Koguryo even existed, two much older Kingdoms stood in their place. They were Pyongsu and Jangsu. Both were powerful in their own right, but Pyongsu was much more so. For many years, the Kings of Pyongsu traded the security their vast army offered for the delicate and beautiful crafts of Jangsu, as well as a percentage of the raw coinage their trade created. This form of vassalship was accepted in both Kingdoms as the norm - a required symbiosis. One of the Kings of Pyongsu was Song Yun. He was believed to be wise and loved by his people. He ruled with a firm but just hand, and was fair to all. Song Yun was good friends with the King of Jangsu, Kim Weon. But some saw the friendship as damaging. One such person was Na Chong, a rich Jangsu Merchant who saw the vassalship with Pyongsu as threatening to business. He advocated the violent overthrow of Kim Weon, and a separation from Pyongsu. Na Chong had a silver tongue, and by working his magical charisma, he organized a rebellion and carried out his goal - regicide. Na Chong thusly became King of Jangsu and Kim Weon was buried. As his first act as King, Na Chong refused to send any more tribute to Pyongsu. Of course, this bothered Song Yun. Seeking a quick end to the problems, he dispatched his son, Song Lee, as an emissary to Jangsu. Song Lee was a reckless, hot headed boy, but Song Yun decided that a sign of royal faith was the only way to cool Na Chong's rebellion. Song Yun also hoped that the experience might help Song Lee realize his responsibilities as Prince. For months Song Lee stayed in Jangsu, debating. Occassionally, mail would arrive for Song Yun, reports updating him on the progress of the talks, which ironically were not progressing at all. Then the reports just stopped coming. Song Yun grew anxious and restless, believing his son dead. Enraged, Song Yun declared war on Na Chong and Jangsu. However, things turned out differently than expected. Jangsu fought back, somehow countering Song Yun's tactics. Eventually though, Pyongsu's greater size won out. Sheer attrition lead to Na Chong's retreat to the capital of Jangsu. On the night before his attack, Song Yun was sitting in his tent when a mysterious visitor arrived. It was a raven. Gliding in silently, it settled on Song Yun's map table. "You must not attack tomorrow," it spoke. "If you attack tomorrow, the dead will die again and all will be lost. You are a wise King, you must remember that blood for blood leaves everyone bleeding. Reason with them, show them the right way and all will be saved." "I am a wise King, raven," replied Song Yun. "And I know that they will rebuild their army and make war in the future if I do not stop them here. They stole my son from me and they must pay!" "You are letting anger cloud you, King. You are forgetting reason and all you have learned in your time." "I have heard your cryptic message! Now begone for I wish to hear it no more!" With a flap of its wings and nary a sound, the raven flew out as it had come in. The following day, Na Chong organized a final charge from the gates of the capital. Expecting this, Song Yun made a countercharge, seeking out the leader. When he thought he had found him, the King of Pyongsu struck him down with his spear. The foe toppled from his horse and his helmet fell from his face. With a gasp, Song Yun stared into the lifeless eyes of his son, who had betrayed him and joined Na Chong. Crippled with grief, Song Yun did not even notice when a soldier of Jangsu ran him through with a sword. The King of Pyongsu collapsed beside his son. As he lay dying, the Raven returned to him. "Blood for blood. The dead shall die again. The Road to Knowledge is long, King and you chose not to follow it to the end. All have suffered for your ignorance. Blessed are the ones who use reason before wrath, but not all learn this before their time." With a flap of its wings and nary a sound, the raven flew away. | |