Part 19 (1/2)

”It's disappearing!” Taejo said.

Without stopping to think, Kira ran to the banquet table and grabbed a bowl of fruit, which she piled high with more food.

”What are you doing? We have to get out of here!” Taejo shouted.

Kira threw in the meats and vegetables in a big pile, picked up the bowl, and ran after them. They raced back to the waterfall staircase, which had not yet begun to disappear. Kira looked behind her to see the pavilion had become a mere s.h.i.+mmering mirage. Through it, the winter-clad mountains could once again be seen.

Taejo and Brother Woojin scrambled down the steps first, cautious not to fall. Kira found it hard to maneuver with only one hand, but she was determined not to let go of the bowl. At the bottom of the staircase, Jindo stood, barking and waving his tail madly. Taejo and the monk jumped down and raced for the bridge.

Kira held tight to her bowl and crossed the flickering structure. Once all of them were safely over, it disappeared in a s.h.i.+mmer of light, leaving behind an old rickety bridge in its place. Spring melted back into winter, and the cold wind pierced through their flesh. They trudged through the snow until they reached the boulder where their winter coats lay in neat piles. With freezing fingers, they pulled on their coats and returned to camp.

As they emerged from the forest trail, they observed the glow of the large campfire and three people racing toward them.

Kwan reached them first. ”Thank the G.o.ds! I was so worried about all of you!” he said.

Jaewon and Seung looked relieved to see them. Seung's eyes lit up.

”Where in the world did you get that food?” he asked. Kira pushed the large bowl into his hands and sat down before the fire. Delighted, Seung hugged the bowl to his chest. He pa.s.sed out several large yellow pears to Kwan and Jaewon, who eyed the fruit in bewilderment.

Seung began to eat as the others collapsed before the fire.

”What happened?” he asked around a mouthful of juicy pear.

Kira closed her eyes as Taejo and Brother Woojin tried to explain the wonder they'd observed.

Mother, I know what to do now. I will not fail you. She took a deep breath. I swear to you, I will not fail you.

33.

Breakfast consisted of a hot rice porridge mixed with meats and vegetables, and a meatless version for Brother Woojin, from the food Kira had brought back. Everyone ate with gusto except Taejo.

”What's the matter? Is it not to your liking?” Seung asked with a worried expression.

”No, I'm just not that hungry,” Taejo replied.

”Today is a momentous day. It is important that you be well nourished,” Brother Woojin said.

Taejo shoved a large scoop of food into his mouth with his small, flat-headed spoon before putting the bowl down.

”Who will you choose to go with you?” Brother Woojin asked.

Taejo's face scrunched tight and his lips pulled into a deep frown. It was clear he didn't want to go.

”I'll go with him,” Kwan said. ”I'll watch out for you, little cousin!”

”No!” Taejo said. ”I'm taking Kira.”

Kwan's face fell in disappointment. ”Of course, Kira is a good choice.”

”Apparently, the prince feels safer with your little sister than with you,” Jaewon teased.

Kwan glared at him and stalked away, causing Jaewon to laugh.

Kira ignored them. She was thinking of the journey and wondered what they would need to bring along. The Heavenly Maidens had been obscure, and Brother Woojin was typically unclear. She worried that without any knowledge of what was ahead for them, she couldn't adequately protect her cousin.

But more distracting was that she now knew how to free her mother. Last night she'd dreamed of the shadow room again. Her mother and the other shadows had appeared, but they didn't know the name of the shaman who had cursed them.

”He is a Yamato. A soldier close to s.h.i.+n,” her mother had said. ”You will find him, little one. I have faith.”

It was the last she heard before all the shadows faded away. She woke up and joined Kwan on the early-morning watch. They'd spoken at length about what to do, and they agreed that they must return to Hansong.

But for now, she had to focus on the task before them. She willed herself to forget about s.h.i.+n and the shaman, smothering the hot anger and grief that simmered within her.

”What do you think we will need?” she asked Taejo.

Taejo hunched his shoulders and huddled down by the fire. Part of her wanted to hit him and make him snap out of his fog; the other part wanted to lock him away from danger. Now that she knew the Heavenly Maidens had marked him as the Dragon Musado, she could feel the weight of her responsibility. She'd vowed to keep him safe. It was a vow that she would keep at all costs to herself-and others.

She picked up her water bag and her leather satchel, throwing in a few wrapped packages of food and dried fruit before rising to her feet. Strapping on her sword, she hesitated over her bow and arrow case.

After a long moment, she asked Jaewon to hold them for her. He nodded in reply and slung them over his shoulder.

”Come on, let's go!” she called over to Taejo.

Once again Seung stayed at their campsite, wis.h.i.+ng them luck on their journey.

They traveled the same path they had taken the previous night. This time, however, the way was treacherous with snow and ice. When they reached the waterfall where the wondrous golden bridge had stood, only the rickety wooden one remained. They crossed it one at a time, taking care not to step too heavily on any one slat. Unlike before, the waterfall was quiet, mostly frozen. The trail was rocky and slippery. They observed a large gaping cavern clearly through the narrow flow of water. Brother Woojin lit a lantern and pa.s.sed it to Kira, who waited patiently for Taejo.

”What am I supposed to be looking for?” Taejo asked.

The monk placed his hands on Taejo's shoulders and patted him. ”What you seek will come to you.”

Kira rolled her eyes, exasperated. She carefully climbed up the rocks to the edge of the waterfall. Stepping behind a curtain of water, she was enveloped by a dank, musty odor with faint undertones of sulfur and mold. The contrast of the light s.h.i.+ning through the waterfall and the darkness of the tunnel behind it unnerved her. It was not merely the idea of going deep into the mountain itself that made her throat tighten up, but the thought of what they would find in the cavern below.

Taejo reached her side, an alarmed expression on his face. Jindo leaned close to him.

Unsure of how to calm her cousin, Kira held the lantern high, s.h.i.+ning it down into the dark tunnels before them. Jindo took one look down the pa.s.sageway, whined, and retreated. Taejo tried to command the big dog to come with him, but Jindo refused to enter, hiding behind Brother Woojin. No matter how much Taejo pleaded, cajoled, and commanded, he wouldn't budge.

”You're not a dog! You're a great big chicken!” Taejo yelled.

Brother Woojin laughed and said, ”Jindo is embracing his cowardliness. Leave him be, young prince. It is not in an animal's nature to go where it senses danger.”

Taejo swallowed hard and muttered, ”Lucky dog.”

”Come on, it'll be all right,” Kira said.

As they entered the cave, Jindo let out an encouraging bark that echoed into the darkness after them. The tunnels were narrow but tall, with crevices that glowed eerie green.