He stood before her. His hsu guandao glinting in the fading light. A bow and a quiver of arrows were strapped to his back, ready for whatever dangers lay ahead.

"I'm no longer responsible for your safety," Hak said, his voice clear and firm, cutting through the wind's lament. "As long as you stay quiet, Su-Won won't bother with you either."

He turned, his back to her, but she couldn't let him go. Not like this. With a surge of desperate courage, she moved, planting herself firmly in his path, her arms outstretched to block his way.

"Step aside," Hak commanded.

"My mind's made up!" she retorted. She refused to be left behind. She needed to do something, anything.

"Doesn't make a difference. I'm gone, and you're staying put." The finality in his words stung.

She shook her head fiercely, her hair whipping around her face in the wind. She met his gaze, her own eyes filled with defiance.

"Do you have any money? If we leave together, then I'll have to protect you. How would you repay me for making sure you don't get into trouble?"

He paused, letting his words sink in, the unspoken implications hanging heavy between them.

"A man with my skills can fetch a high price for his services. I'm afraid you don't have the coin to afford me."

Then, he reached out, his hand closing around her wrist. He tugged her closer, leaning down until his face was level with hers.

"Unless you're planning to pay me with your body," he murmured, his voice low and husky. The words were jarring, deliberately so. He didn't mean them. It was a cruel tactic, designed to shock her, to break her resolve. He had to make her understand the consequences of her stubbornness.

She glared at him, "I don't have anything to give to you, and you know that."

He stared at her for a long, silent moment, his expression unreadable.

"Well, then that settles it. You're staying. Goodbye, Princess" He released her wrist. He brushed past her, his shoulder just barely grazing hers, and continued on his path.