Hoof-and-Run

Her intent to delay was clear, but the messenger sighed in frustration.

“You can’t ride a horse?”

“No.”

“Then... can you walk the rest of the way?”

“I’m too weak to walk long distances.”

The messenger’s sigh deepened.

“Then we’ll prepare a palanquin.”

“That would be appreciated.”

Despite being cramped in the enclosed carriage for two weeks, Hwayeong had no intention of making things easier for them, so she prepared to wait as long as it took for the palanquin to arrive. But then, unexpectedly, another voice called out.

“The palanquin is ready.”

Startled, Hwayeong turned her head to see a red-draped palanquin already prepared outside.

‘What? Already? Where did they get that from?’

She bit back a curse as the messenger urgently spoke again.

“Please hurry, the sun is about to set.”

The whole point of this planned drama was to stall time as much as possible, but with the messenger pressing her, Hwayeong reluctantly began to move.

She took her time, arranging her clothes, putting on her hat as slowly as possible, and carefully smoothing the fabric over her face. She untied and retied the strings several times, drawing frustrated groans from outside.

“We’re running out of time, Miss.”

At the messenger’s pleading for her to hurry, she untied and retied the strings once more before slowly pushing open the carriage door.

Then, she subtly extended her hand, signaling for someone to assist her. Sohwa, who had been scanning the area from her horse, quickly dismounted and rushed over to grasp her hand.

Moving at a snail’s pace, Hwayeong began to step out, as if she were learning to walk for the first time. Just then, she suddenly heard the distant sound of galloping hooves. Instinctively, she turned her head to see three horses racing toward her.

The riders, all dressed in simple clothing, were moving swiftly through the market.

‘They must be in a hurry, but isn’t that too dangerous with so many people around?’

She wondered, just as the lead horse veered sharply. The direction it was heading seemed alarmingly close....

“Sohwa!”

Sensing something wrong, Hwayeong quickly pulled Sohwa out of the way just as the rider’s boot grazed her back, his knee knocking her hat off.

“Miss!”

Dazed from the sudden impact, Hwayeong turned to see the rider who had just nearly run her over.

He paused for a moment, glanced back at her, and gave a slight nod before continuing on with his companions, without so much as an apology or a word of concern.

“What on earth was THAT?”

“Miss!”

Sohwa, trying to warn her to mind her words, quickly grabbed her arm, but it was too late. Before Sohwa could even react, Hwayeong pulled away and ran to the horse standing in front of the carriage, quickly mounting it.

“Miss, what are you doing?”

Sohwa shouted in alarm, but Hwayeong ignored her and sped off after the riders.

In an instant, Hwayeong was galloping away at a tremendous speed, leaving Sohwa staring in disbelief. The messenger who had brought her to the capital muttered in shock.

“She said she couldn’t ride a horse....”

The whole way here, she had insisted that horses were too rough for her and that she was too weak to walk. But now, here she was, riding at breakneck speed. The messenger murmured to himself, while Sohwa responded quietly.

“She can even shoot arrows while riding a horse.”

Sohwa, who had been rubbing her forehead in frustration, suddenly realized what was happening and quickly shouted.

“We need to follow her!”

Sohwa’s outburst jolted the messenger and the soldiers out of their stupor, and they hurriedly mounted their horses. But by the time they were ready, Hwayeong was already far out of sight.

* * *

“Stop right there, you!”

Hwayeong screamed at the top of her lungs, furious as she urged her horse to its limits.

Despite her mad gallop, the distance between her and the men ahead hardly seemed to shrink. Their horses were clearly faster, and no matter how skilled a rider she was, closing the gap was proving nearly impossible.

Enraged by this realization, she pushed her horse even harder, teeth clenched in determination.

‘Just wait until I catch you. No matter how fast your horses are, you’ll have to stop eventually.’

Her anger was fueling her relentless pursuit. After a few minutes, they had left the noisy marketplace behind and were weaving through narrow alleys lined with buildings.

The men she was chasing seemed to know the layout well, navigating the winding streets with swift precision. Hwayeong, equally skilled, deftly maneuvered her horse to keep up.

After what felt like an eternity, with the distance between them refusing to close, Hwayeong’s frustration peaked. She continued to race after them when, suddenly, a massive gate loomed in the distance, filling her view.

The men ahead finally came to a stop before the imposing gate. Whether it was their destination or they were simply waiting for the gate to open, Hwayeong didn’t care. Seizing the opportunity, she spurred her horse forward one last time.