Part 2 (2/2)
She frowned, unsure of what he meant. ”No one knows what the prophecy means,” she said.
”No one knows for sure, but there have been many interpretations, including Master Ahn's,” the monk replied. ”We believe that the *one' of the prophecy refers to a royal descendant of the Dragon King-the Dragon Musado, a warrior who will unite the kingdoms and save us from the Demon Lord.”
”A royal descendant of the Dragon King? That would explain why they're a.s.sa.s.sinating the royals,” Kira said. She laughed derisively. ”And why is it always *the one' that saves the world, like some fairy tale? One man against the Demon Lord and his legions of evil soldiers? Unbelievable! Good luck finding that poor guy. If he's smart, he'll either kill himself or run far, far away.”
Brother Woojin tut-tutted as he frowned at her. ”Young mistress, this is no laughing matter.”
”I'm sorry, Sunim. But it's just too ridiculous,” she said. ”Father, you don't believe this, do you?”
The general stepped away from the map he'd been studying, a troubled look on his face.
”Who's to say if any of this is true? No one has ever been able to clearly decipher the prophecy,” he said. ”What knowledge we have is shrouded with myths and legends, to the extent that we can't know what is truth and what is fiction. I've been trying to study the prophecy myself. But ultimately it is all conjecture and interpretation.”
”It's more than theory, General Kang,” the monk said. ”These myths are real; the prophecy is true.”
General Kang sighed. ”Perhaps. But one thing I do know is that we are weaker divided. If the Seven Kingdoms were united, as we once were under the Dragon King, the Demon Lord would find it harder to attack us. Instead, we must rely on some myth about a royal savior-”
”Dragon Musado,” Brother Woojin interrupted.
”-who will save the world.” General Kang rubbed a hand over his eyes and turned back to the large wall map. ”Whether or not we believe that there is a savior is irrelevant. What is important is that the daimyo believes it and is not taking any chances. And neither will we.”
Kira absently gnawed on a fingernail, her eyes fixed on the map. Hansong appeared so vulnerable, hemmed in by danger from all sides. ”Then the prince is in danger also,” she said.
”As are you and your brothers,” the general said. ”All three of you are possible heirs to the throne.”
”Yes, but the greatest danger is to the prince, for he is descended from the Dragon King through both his mother's and father's lines,” Brother Woojin said. ”His blood will run purest. It is why the demons have targeted him from birth.”
The general waved his hand, irritated. ”He is but a mere child of twelve years!”
Kira started in surprise. ”What? Do you believe Taejo is our savior?” Taejo was just a boy. What could the monk be thinking?
Brother Woojin clucked his tongue in reproof. He spread out his book on the table again, his fingers flicking through the bamboo strips until he reached the middle. He motioned Kira closer to read the inscription.
”The last time the Demon Lord entered our world, it was all the G.o.ds could do to keep a few of us safe.” He pushed the book away and faced the general. ”This is only the beginning. We must protect the prince, or all is lost.”
With one last bow, Brother Woojin left the room.
”Has the world gone so crazy that even a rational being like Sunim would believe utter nonsense?” Kira pulled at her hair. ”Or am I the mad one for not believing?”
General Kang dropped down onto the padded stool. Buried in the piles of scrolls and books were several jade figurines and his heavy gold seal. He picked up the small statue of a haetae, a mythical fire-eating dog. With its round head, long hair, and ma.s.sive body, it didn't look much like a dog. Kira liked it because the haetae was the guardian of justice and protector from disasters.
She could see the deep grooves that worry had etched into her father's forehead and around his eyes. Even as she knew she should not add to his already heavy burden, the words slipped from her mouth.
”Father, did you know about my aunt's plan to betroth me to s.h.i.+n Bo Hyun?”
He gazed at her, no expression on his brown, weathered face.
”Yes, I knew.”
Kira's stomach lurched with a deep sense of betrayal.
”Father! I can't marry. I will never marry! I'm not wife material!”
”Don't belittle yourself,” her father said. ”You will make a wonderful wife and mother one day.”
Kira's hands curled into tight fists as she glared at him. ”I'm a warrior, not a court lady. My duty is to protect the prince.”
”Your mother keeps reminding me that you're also a woman,” her father said. He put down the statue, still gazing at it fondly. ”But I've treated you no different than your brothers. My soldier girl.”
He sighed and then faced her. ”Just like your brothers, you have a duty to marry well and have your own family. But not with s.h.i.+n Bo Hyun.”
The sudden relief unknotted her stomach.
”Thank you, Father!”
”Don't thank me yet. It's nearly impossible to say no to the queen. It was Lord s.h.i.+n who broached the idea of betrothing his nephew to you to Their Majesties. And you know how protective the king is of his friends.h.i.+p with Lord s.h.i.+n. He never lets us forget that he's the king's oldest and closest friend.” The general grimaced.
Kira was well aware of her father's opinion of Lord s.h.i.+n. The senior adviser had tried to disgrace her father ten years ago, and they hadn't gotten along ever since. Lord s.h.i.+n Mulchin was once a contender for the throne of Hansong. The previous king had no children and no siblings. s.h.i.+n was the king's heir from his paternal line and related to the Kudara royal family. Lord Kim Yuri descended from the prior king's Jinhan maternal line and married Guru royalty, Kira's aunt. When s.h.i.+n's line fell out of favor, the last king chose Yuri as his heir.
Kira always wondered why s.h.i.+n would remain in Hansong after such a disappointment or why he and her uncle were such close friends. She had, however, heard a rumor that s.h.i.+n had saved Yuri's life when they were boys.
”But I don't understand why Lord s.h.i.+n would wish for this betrothal. He's the one person who hates you more than he hates me.”
”He doesn't like anyone. To be honest, I'm not sure he is even that fond of his nephew, other than for whatever political gain he can provide,” her father replied. ”But you are the king's closest eligible female relation; it only makes sense to push for such an alliance. And as Lord s.h.i.+n's nephew, Bo Hyun has ties to the Kudara royal family that the king may be interested in promoting.”
Kira snorted. ”I'm far from eligible!”
Her father stood up and came to stand before her. ”Kira, you are my only daughter and my pride and joy. I have seen you grow into a strong, intelligent, and brave young woman. Be proud of who you are, my child.”
She dropped her eyes and spoke in a whisper. ”I'm so different. I terrify people.”
”Your differences are what make you unique. They're what make you special. You have nothing in common with these ignorant wretches who thrive on superst.i.tion and fear. You were meant for greatness. Why, I would be less surprised if you were the Dragon Musado instead of the prince.”
Kira could feel her cheeks flus.h.i.+ng in pride.
”That's impossible. I'm not a leader-”
”You're a warrior. And nothing is impossible unless you believe it is so,” he replied.
”Why are we even talking about this?” she asked. ”There's no such thing as a Dragon Musado. It's just a fairy tale that the monks are making up!”
With an abrupt turn, her father marched toward the large map of the Seven Kingdoms.
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