Part 13 (2/2)
Captain Pak seemed amused. ”If you mean your two friends, then I will show you where they are.”
Walking to the edge of the field, the captain pointed to a large tent near the forest. Kira thanked him and hurried down, eager to see Jaewon and Seung again.
Inside, the tent reeked of the twenty-odd unwashed bodies packed close together around a small table where a baduk game was in progress. Kira pulled the brim of her nambawi low as she pa.s.sed empty tables littered with tins of half-eaten food and joined the large group. Jaewon sat with Seung close by his side, both staring intently at the board.
Kira pushed her way to the front, where she had a clear view of the game in progress. As if sensing her presence, Jaewon looked up and caught Kira's gaze. A slow smile spread across his face. She was surprised by how much she enjoyed the play of dimples on his cheeks.
A pile of captured white stones sat at Jaewon's side. His opponent was a wiry man with a long, thin face and hooded eyes, wearing the green-and-black uniform of a Jinhan soldier.
The stench of the tent became overpowering. She was relieved when the Jinhan man conceded the game. Standing, he tossed a small rope of coins onto the table next to the baduk board.
”You are indeed a master-level player,” the Jinhan man said with a slight bow. ”Where did you say you hailed from?”
Jaewon didn't respond right away.
”Kaya,” he finally said.
”Who was your teacher?” the Jinhan man asked.
Jaewon didn't respond. He pa.s.sed the coins to Seung, who placed them in a small leather pouch that hung close to his body.
”Thank you, Officer Cho. I have enjoyed our game. Please excuse me,” Jaewon said with a courteous bow.
”I know of only one great baduk player of your caliber in Kaya. Chief Kim Jaes.h.i.+k of Wagay,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. ”I recall he had a son. One he bragged about all the time. Claimed his boy would surpa.s.s him.”
Jaewon remained impa.s.sive, but Kira could see his fist clenching.
”We have been playing for nearly five hours, and I have studied your face as much as I have studied the board. It's been years since I played Chief Kim Jaes.h.i.+k, but I have no doubt you are his son,” Officer Cho said.
Kira didn't like the tension between the two men. Glancing over at Seung, she could see that he was anxious also.
”There have been rumors about you, young master Kim. Disturbing rumors.”
Something about the Jinhan man's sly eyes and secretive manner bothered Kira. She moved up next to Jaewon, almost touching him. His tension was palpable.
”I have heard all sorts of terrible things. That you are a murderer and a thief. That you are a coward. It is hard to distinguish fact from fiction,” Officer Cho said.
Kira was shaken by his words. She remembered Jaewon's whispered admission of guilt and loss: His blood is forever on my hands.
”But one thing I know to be true,” Officer Cho said. ”Your father is still looking for you. And there is a reward for information about you.”
At these words, Kira whipped out her bow and an arrow, pointing it straight at the other man. Surprised, Officer Cho raised his hands in mock surrender.
”No, you have it wrong; you need not fear me,” he said with an amused expression. ”I have no desire to turn him in. But it is my hope that one day I will see Chief Kim Jaes.h.i.+k again. And if that day comes, I will tell him I had the pleasure of playing his son and that his son was indeed a master baduk player.”
Jaewon placed a tense hand on Kira's arm, forcing her to put away her weapon. He then bowed and walked off, not waiting for Kira or Seung. As he reached the entranceway, Officer Cho spoke again.
”Strange, you don't strike me as a murderer, but I've been wrong before,” he called after him.
Not responding, Jaewon exited the tent. Kira hurried after him, but the baduk player had already disappeared into the crowd.
Kira stopped Seung before he could chase after his master.
”Is it true?” she asked. ”Did he kill someone?”
”No!” Seung trembled with anger. ”It was an accident, a terrible accident. My master is an honorable man. He never meant to hurt anybody.”
Seung took off after Jaewon.
”I believe you,” she shouted. ”Tell him, I trust him.”
Seung turned and waved and disappeared into the woods.
25.
When she and Kwan returned to the palace, it was in an uproar. Taejo looked relieved as he bounded up to them.
”Where've you been? The Oakcho and Tongey diplomats have arrived and are asking Guru for military aid. I spent the entire day pleading with our uncle to save my mother. This should help our cause,” he said in an excited babble. He led them to a separate building from the main palace while senior Guru military officers and advisers raced through the hallways to join the heated discussions.
The rectangular chamber held several long tables and chairs set along the length of the room, parallel with the walls. A raised dais stood at the front of the room with a formal table for King Eojin and his advisers.
Eojin had not yet arrived, but nearly all the spots on the long tables were filled by the military, diplomats, and their staffs.
Several heads turned sharply at her entrance.
”What is she doing here?”
”Since when have women been allowed in military meetings?”
”It's disgraceful. Get her out of here!”
Kira caught the glare of Lord Yu, the ill-tempered senior diplomat of Tongey.
”Who do you think you are? Away with you, ignorant wench! You have no business here,” Lord Yu shouted, pointing his finger at her.
She heard Kwan cursing, ready to confront the amba.s.sador. Kira stopped him with a shake of her head.
”It's all right, Oppa,” she said.
Kira fixed Lord Yu with a hard glare. ”It seems you believe that you have some authority over me. I fear you are mistaken.”
”How dare you! This is a man's world and you do not belong here,” Lord Yu shouted. ”Guards, remove this creature!”
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