Part 18 (1/2)
She inclined her head. As she turned away, her eyes caught Jaewon's.
”Be safe,” he said.
She walked after Taejo and the monk as they followed the trail. The sharp peaks, which had glistened with snow and mist, now glinted like the jewels they were named after. All around, the forest bloomed vibrant and lush.
They walked along the course of blanketed green, the sweet smell of honeysuckle and peach heavy in the air. The music was louder now, as were the laughter and melodic singing of the unseen beings.
”What is this place?” Taejo asked.
”We are walking into the playground of the G.o.ds,” Brother Woojin said. His excitement was palpable and contagious. ”When they first appeared in our world, they came here to the Diamond Mountains and p.r.o.nounced it the most wondrous place.”
The trail snaked around a jutting mountain. Across a large river, an elaborate golden bridge encrusted in jewels stood near the tallest waterfall she'd ever seen.
”Nine Dragons Waterfall,” Kira said with an awestruck breath. ”It must be nearly a quarter of a li high!”
A heavy ribbon of water coursed between the shadows of two large mountains. Mist sprayed up into Kira's face, soothing and refres.h.i.+ng.
”Sunim, why is it called Nine Dragons Waterfall?” Taejo asked.
”Legend has it that nine young sea dragons left their ocean home to seek wives. They flew all over the world but couldn't find anyone that took their fancy. Until they reached the Diamond Mountains. Here, they came across eight Heavenly Maidens, each more beautiful than the other. But there were eight maidens and nine dragon suitors. Unable to choose fairly and unwilling to fight one another, the dragons decided that they would take no wives. Instead they would guard the pool of the maidens so that no one would ever disturb them while they were bathing. It's rumored that the nine dragons live here in this waterfall, always ready to protect their maidens.”
”I wish I could see them,” Taejo said. ”I've always wanted to see a dragon.”
Kira shook her head. ”Yes, but nine of them at the same time? I think that would give me heart palpitations.”
As they crossed the bridge, Kira leaned her face into the spray, enjoying the tingling sensation of the cool water before hurrying after the others. She missed the warm weather terribly. Camping out in the winter elements taught her one thing-she hated the cold.
They stopped short before a staircase, as ornate as the golden bridge they had just crossed, that appeared magically before them in a steep incline straight up the mountainside, each step made of pure crystal and framed with gold.
”Is it real?” Taejo asked.
Kira stepped forward and ran her fingers over the ornate handrail. She grinned. ”Come on, let's climb!”
Jindo barked and whined. The big dog cowered away from the stairs.
”It's all right, boy. You stay here!” Taejo said. Without any hesitation, he began to climb after her.
Kira felt the music pull at her, giving her the confidence to ascend the delicate stairs. For a brief moment, she looked down and felt an intense wave of vertigo. Gripping the golden handrails tightly with both hands, she continued to climb. No one spoke, but it wasn't quiet. The air filled with the roar of the waterfall and the music from above. All she could see were clouds and mist. She walked out into a valley where a series of jade pools, linked together like beads on a necklace, fed the waterfall.
A narrow trail ran alongside the pools. Taejo hesitated, looking to Kira as if uncertain of what to do.
”I'm scared,” he said.
”I think we'll be fine,” she said. ”Come on, let's see where this leads.”
The path curved around a bend and brought them to a large pool.
Kira stopped short in astonishment. Beautiful women dressed in lavish robes of jewel-tone colors sat on the edge of the pool, their small, delicate feet dipped in the water. Some held instruments, while others just lounged, singing along to a melody unknown to Kira. Their long, flowing hair shone in colors she had never seen before, and their skin tones were as varied as their hair. One maiden had skin as dark as night, while another had hair as white as snow. Behind them, the valley stretched around the mountain bend with more pools connecting to one another like s.h.i.+mmering jewels.
The music stopped abruptly as the women became aware of their presence.
”You have arrived!” one maiden said as she rose to her feet and approached them. She was very tall with long black hair, which shone as if lacquered.
”Welcome, Prince Taejo, Lady Kira,” she continued. ”I am Lady Mina. We have been expecting you.”
32.
Kira eyed the creature before her, not quite sure if she was real. Who was this beautiful woman, and how did she know their names? Were these the Heavenly Maidens of Brother Woojin's story?
Still dazed, Kira followed as Lady Mina led them toward the now silent and motionless group. She was relieved to hear Brother Woojin coming up behind them. Although she sensed no danger, she was nervous and intimidated by these strangers.
”Is this who we have delayed our trip home for, Sister?” an arrogant-looking maiden asked.
Lady Mina nodded. ”They come in fulfillment of the prophecy.”
”Oh, our saviors!” the other maiden mocked as she idly plucked at her zither. Taken aback by her coldness, Kira decided she did not like the arrogant maiden.
”Don't mind Lady Mei,” Lady Mina said. ”She's tired and wishes to return home. We've been waiting here for nearly a month.”
”I'm sorry,” Taejo stuttered in reply.
She laughed and clapped her hands. ”But you are here now, and that is what matters!”
Lady Mina said, ”I'm so happy to meet you both. Especially you, Lady Kira! You must be the prettiest warrior I have ever seen!”
Several of the other maidens burst into laughter at her comment, causing Kira to flush in angry embarra.s.sment. They were so beautiful and graceful, and yet Kira could sense the power they possessed. It flowed through the air, a sort of magnetic pulse that made Kira aware of her own humanity.
Lady Mina placed a comforting arm about her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. A tall, dark-skinned maiden approached them and embraced Kira.
”Never be ashamed of what you are, child,” she said in a voice of deep authority. Her handsome carved face did not smile, but she radiated kindness and compa.s.sion.
”Lady Morrell is a warrior-queen in her own lands,” Lady Mina said.
”In her own lands?” Kira repeated.
”We are the Eight Heavenly Maidens, sent down to care for our lands. The natural world is our domain, and each of us is responsible for different regions. Lady Morrell's lands are vast and hot, where part of the region may be desert, while another part may be rain forests. There they wors.h.i.+p her as a warrior-queen and protector of the wild.”
Lady Mina pointed to a maiden with snow-white hair and skin, and eyes as blue as the sky above. ”Lady Rowena oversees the far northern lands, where ice and snow are daily concerns. Lady Mei is Cathay's maiden, while Lady Gwen is in charge of a faraway land you have never even heard of.”
Lady Mei was the maiden Kira did not like, while Lady Gwen was a pet.i.te maiden with yellow hair the color of ripe grain, who played a lovely melody on a bamboo flute.
”You are the angels the monks talked about!” Taejo exclaimed.
Lady Mina laughed. ”Yes, we've been called that, too. Come,” she said. ”You must be hungry.”
They followed her to a path that led to the other side of the mountain. In an outdoor pavilion, a lavish spread covered a large banquet table set with delicate china, golden chopsticks, spoons, and jeweled goblets. The feast held many familiar and unfamiliar items. Roasted meats piled high on platters surrounded by vegetables. Mounds of rice and noodles sat next to plates of whole fish and hot pots of spicy, simmering stews. At the far end, platters of rice cakes, pastries, and sweets sat next to bowls filled with peaches, apricots, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits, many of them strange and unfamiliar.