Part 13 (1/2)

Wando Palace was designed to suit the nature of the land it sat upon, mountainous terrain that lifted and dipped. It was built in complicated levels connected by flights of stone steps to a hallway that led to the grand paG.o.da. At the foot of the palace, their horses and Jindo were led away and they parted from the captain, who would return to his men.

Entering the magnificent building, Kira gazed about her. Multicolored tiles covered the entire length of the hallway, while intricately patterned ones adorned the ceilings above. Within the paG.o.da, the large, well-lit room had but one simple throne on a raised dais. To either side were corridors leading east and west. The wall behind the throne was a painted mural from floor to ceiling of what appeared to be a great battle on one side and a triumphant ceremony on the other.

A voice boomed from their left. ”Welcome, my young clansmen!”

They bowed at the arrival of a tall, armored man with a large entourage of soldiers and advisers. The king removed his gold-inscribed black iron helmet. He wore long vest armor over a black jacket. An ornate jeweled sword was strapped securely to his left side. Except for the mustache and trim beard, the handsome man bore a strong resemblance to Queen Ja-young.

The king came to stand directly before the prince, placing his hands on Taejo's shoulders.

”It's incredible!” King Eojin said. ”No one can doubt your heritage!”

Eojin then turned to Kira. ”I've heard so much about you. And now I see you in the flesh. The girl warrior who kills demons.” He laughed. ”You are not as fearful as the rumors make you out to be, but you are as beautiful as your mother.”

Embarra.s.sed, Kira flushed and looked down.

The king greeted Kwan with a broad smile. ”Now, you are very much like your father!”

Kwan bowed, a look of pleasure on his face.

”Come, let us walk!” Eojin said, steering them down a s.p.a.cious corridor. ”It's been over twenty years since I've seen my beloved sisters, Yuwa and Ja-young.” He paused and faced them. ”My heart is heavy, as your arrival here confirms the news that I've just received from Hansong. I didn't want to believe it. I thought my sisters would be safe. How foolish I was. No one is safe now that the war has begun.”

They followed him down a long corridor that led to a large inner room with a thick rush matting. Kira was relieved to see that it was an ondol room, with under-floor heating. She sighed with pleasure to sit on the warm floor, letting the heat soak into her chilled bones.

Eojin sat in the middle of the room with his legs crossed and his back perfectly straight. ”We're so far north that word reaches us much slower than it should,” he said. ”Only recently did we hear of the fall of Kaya and the danger to the Jinhan Kingdom. I was worried for Hansong and thought to send an envoy down, but the Khitans have kept us busy.”

”Who are the Khitans?” Taejo asked.

”Nomadic barbarians from the north that keep raiding our villages. They get bolder every year,” Eojin said. ”I myself have just returned from an extended tour of our northern borders. But before I could send anyone to Hansong, I heard the news. I would like to hear what transpired from the three of you directly.”

Kira told their uncle of their return to Hansong and Taejo's rescue. Her throat closed up when she got to her father's death.

”Your Majesty? Will you help me rescue my mother?” Taejo asked.

Eojin patted Taejo on his shoulder. ”Do not fear for your mother, my young prince. She is a strong Guru woman; they cannot break her. And this Lord s.h.i.+n is smart enough to recognize her political importance. An alliance with your mother would mean an alliance with Guru. They won't harm her.”

Eojin rose to his feet. The others followed suit.

”All of you must be very hungry. Let's get you some food.”

”Your Majesty, is Brother Boyuk here?” Kira asked. ”We were told to seek him out.”

Eojin shook his head. ”He was called away to his temple many days ago. I don't know when he'll return.”

Disappointment rushed over Kira. What were they supposed to do now?

Their uncle took good care of them, providing them with luxurious rooms; new, warmer clothes; and even jasmine-perfumed bathing cakes from Cathay. After several hot baths, Kira finally felt human again.

A few days later, at their next meeting with Eojin, Kwan mentioned continuing Taejo's military training.

”Yes, this is very important,” Eojin agreed. ”In fact, I would like to take over his training.”

Kira and Kwan looked at each other in astonishment, while Taejo beamed in excitement.

”If you have the time, Your Majesty,” Kwan said.

”I will make the time,” Eojin said. ”Come, princeling, show me your bow skills!”

Taejo frowned. ”I am not very good with a bow. I'm better with a sword,” he admitted.

”In Guru, archery is our most prized skill,” Eojin said. ”Remember, only the G.o.ds are perfect, young one. For all others, practice brings mastery.”

Kira watched as king and prince left together, easy in each other's company. ”He seems to really like Taejo,” she mused.

Kwan shrugged. ”I think it's because Taejo reminds him of his son who died.”

Eojin's first wife was a princess of Oakcho who died in childbirth, along with the baby. Then he married a Jinhan princess who bore him two sons and a daughter, but an influenza epidemic killed them all three years ago, along with the king's younger brothers. The king was spared because he was away battling the Khitans at the time. He returned home victorious, six months later, only to find his entire family gone. His oldest son was only ten years old when he died.

Kira liked her uncle, sensing his sharp intelligence and his aura of power. He was a mix of her aunt's a.s.sertiveness coupled with her mother's kindness. But once in a while, she sensed a cold ruthlessness in him. She didn't necessarily think it was a bad thing. After all, he was ruler of the largest kingdom in the peninsula. And it was clear that Taejo already idolized their uncle.

If she were to be completely honest, some of her uneasiness stemmed from jealousy. She felt supplanted by Eojin in Taejo's affections and she didn't like it.

Kira shook off her discomfort and asked Kwan to spar with her.

”I have a better idea,” Kwan said. ”Let's go train with Captain Pak.”

Outside Wando, a huge tent city had been constructed. They found Captain Pak in an open field, where he had set up makes.h.i.+ft training grounds. Soldiers wearing a myriad of colored uniforms representing their different kingdoms sparred and trained in organized groups in every corner of the area.

Catching sight of Kwan and Kira, Captain Pak walked over to greet them.

”As you can see, I am keeping these men busy and ready for battle. We await the day that we march against the Yamatos. Do you bring any word from the Guru king?” Captain Pak asked.

When Kwan shook his head, Pak's face fell with disappointment.

”Well, we will continue to train hard and be prepared,” he said. ”I see you've both brought your bows with you. Care to train with us?”

Kwan nodded eagerly. ”That's what I came down for. I feel like I'm getting soft without daily training. I'd ask to come stay here, but I fear my uncle wouldn't approve.”

”That's as it should be,” the captain replied. ”Come then! You both will be a great help keeping our soldiers fit.”

As they walked toward the training ground, Kira stopped.

”Aren't you coming?” Kwan asked.

She shook her head. ”I think I'll go look around.”

Kwan arched an eyebrow at her. ”You mean you'll go looking for someone.”