Part 4 (1/2)

Kira swallowed a curse. Not only was Lord s.h.i.+n her father's greatest political enemy, he was the most detestable person Kira had ever met. The joke in the palace was that if the Heavenly Father himself were to grant s.h.i.+n immortality, s.h.i.+n would complain that he'd be cheated of a fancy state funeral. Good moods never lasted long around him. If he weren't such an influential member of the court, no one would tolerate him.

General Kang paced before them. ”I would feel better if Kyoung or I were going with you. But there is nothing I can do. The world is off-balance, and I find myself unsure of what is to come.” He stopped pacing and gazed first at Kira and then Kwan. ”You must stay safe, my children. Be wise.”

General Kang gripped his son's shoulders. ”Even though the king has placed Lord s.h.i.+n in charge of this mission, you are its true leader. I know I could leave the prince in no better hands! Now, go on and prepare to depart while I speak with your sister.”

Kwan bowed and marched off.

General Kang's countenance was still troubled.

”Kira, you have vowed to the king to protect the prince with your life,” he said. ”Now I ask you for something more. You are closest to the prince. He looks up to you. You are more than his bodyguard; you are also his big sister. Promise me that you will always care for him, as if he were truly your brother, and not just your prince. Advise him, guide him. Help him grow into a great king.”

The heaviness of his words and bearing struck Kira with foreboding. ”But you will be there for him, too,” she said.

”Of course,” her father said, a rare smile on his face. ”But he likes you better.”

Kira bowed. ”Father, you have my word.”

”That is all I need,” he responded. He pulled a pouch from underneath his armor.

”I have something for you,” he said. Opening the tiny bag, he took out the jade haetae figurine that always sat on his desk. ”Keep him with you. He has always been good luck for me, helping me make the right decisions at the right times. Now I think you may need his guidance more than I.”

He placed the haetae and the pouch in her hand. He leaned over to touch his forehead to hers and then cupped her cheek. ”I'm proud of you, little tiger.”

She smiled to hear his nickname for her, something he hadn't used since she'd grown so tall. The smooth jade was cool to her touch. She traced the fangs and bulging eyes of the haetae. After placing it in its bag, she hung it over her neck and tucked it away within the folds of her jacket underneath her armor.

In the courtyard, the king called over Lord s.h.i.+n, who was dressed in a gaudy red-and-silver hunting outfit with leather padded armor. Kira couldn't help comparing the senior adviser to his nephew. Where s.h.i.+n Bo Hyun was tall, muscular, and handsome, Lord s.h.i.+n was wraith thin and sharp-featured. And although he was the same age as the king, he looked a decade older.

Kira noted Taejo's unhappy expression and sighed. It was going to be a long trip.

”My old friend,” King Yuri said. ”Take good care of my son for me. Treat him as if he were your own.”

Lord s.h.i.+n bowed deeply. ”Of course, Your Majesty. I will endeavor to do the best I can, to insure the safety of your son at all costs, even if it is at my own expense and were to cause my demise. Regardless of the incompetence of your guards, rest a.s.sured that I, Lord s.h.i.+n Mulchin, will not fail you.”

Kira saw a look of satisfaction replace Lord s.h.i.+n's normally morose expression. How like s.h.i.+n to insult everyone else in his eagerness to kowtow to the king.

Only then did she notice the tall figure standing by Lord s.h.i.+n's side. s.h.i.+n Bo Hyun wore a broad, toothy smile as he made his way over to Kira. He had a way of walking that reminded her of a wolf readying for a kill, deliberate and predatory.

”Kira, I was hoping to join you today for the prince's boar hunt, but my uncle informs me that I am needed here,” s.h.i.+n Bo Hyun said.

Kira scowled and looked around, hoping that someone would rescue her.

He shrugged. ”Ah well, I would have been happy to relieve him of his duty. But as you know, no one can refuse the king's request.” He nudged her with his elbow.

Kira ignored s.h.i.+n Bo Hyun and lowered her gaze. To anyone watching, her response would appear proper.

”Pity about this trip. I've been looking forward to spending time with you,” he said. ”Perhaps one day, we can have our own hunting excursion.”

s.h.i.+n Bo Hyun stepped a little closer, causing Kira to step back with a quick angry glare. She stared at the tips of his black leather boots.

”I'll eagerly count the days till your return.”

”I'm so glad you have something to keep you occupied,” she replied in a low, biting voice. ”But don't let it overburden you.”

His eyes flickered with a flash of humor. ”She speaks.”

”She also kills,” she said.

He let out a low laugh. ”You have no idea how much I look forward to our marriage.”

With a short bow, he sauntered away. Fuming, she placed her trembling hands over her hot cheeks and willed them to cool.

”Gah, I can't stand that man!” She took a deep breath and rejoined the hunting party, catching the end of the king's talk with her cousin.

”Son, you must listen to Lord s.h.i.+n, for he acts in my stead,” King Yuri said. Then with one last wave, he went inside.

Taejo gazed after him, his face as wilted as a poppy flower in a drought.

”It was not his choice to abandon you today,” Kira said, nudging him on the shoulder. ”One day you'll be king, and you'll find yourself making difficult choices, too.”

The smaller boy shrugged and nodded before mounting his horse. Jindo kept close to his master's side.

Kira looked for one more glimpse of her father. Instead, she caught s.h.i.+n Bo Hyun's amused gaze, causing her mood to grow dark once again.

8.

A contingent of thirty soldiers escorted the hunting party along with a pack of ten dogs, including Jindo. Twenty-five were the prince's personal guards. Each wore a knee-length silver tunic of scale armor and carried twin swords in iron sheaths. The other five soldiers were Lord s.h.i.+n's private bodyguards.

Taejo's chief of guards, Captain Pak, and Brother Woojin rounded out the party. The monk was dressed in his usual gray robes, his only weapon a long black staff tied to his saddle. Around his neck, he wore his one valuable possession, a 108-beaded prayer necklace of green jade.

”Captain, tell your soldiers not to ride so close to me; I'd rather not choke on their dirt for the entire trip,” Lord s.h.i.+n complained.

Kira and Taejo exchanged amused glances. ”I wish he would choke on it,” Taejo said. Kira rolled her eyes heavenward.

Several days in the mountains with Lord s.h.i.+n would sorely test all of their patience. For Kira, this trip was difficult in so many ways. While Captain Pak had always been respectful to her and kept his men in check, Lord s.h.i.+n's soldiers didn't bother to hide their contempt. They muttered insults under their breath and spit on the ground whenever she drew near. It was all Kira could do to keep her temper in check.

The dirt road they followed narrowed and widened with the pa.s.sing terrain. It was the beginning of the tenth month, and the trees were vivid with their autumn plumage.

The sun had begun its descent when the tired group came to the outskirts of a bustling village. Farmers drove ox-drawn carts through the dirt streets, while groups of peasant women ambled, carrying hefty bundles on their heads.

Soon they arrived at a large and prosperous inn. A portly man hurried out to meet them, followed by several white-clothed servants.

”Welcome to my humble establishment,” the man said with a deep bow. All the servants bowed in unison behind him.