Part 21 (2/2)

”It's not safe for you; you can't go,” she said.

His face turned mulish. ”You promised to take care of me! You're supposed to always be by my side! You swore an oath to my father!”

Kira's lips tightened. ”Fine, then I won't go,” she said.

”No, we are all going and we are going to save my mother!”

Kwan heaved a frustrated sigh. ”Listen, this is not a rescue mission for your mother. This is a mission solely to open up the gates for the army. You are too young to-”

”I am not too young, and I am still your prince. I order you to take me!” Taejo said.

Kwan threw up his hands and sought King Eojin, who had stayed quiet throughout the argument. ”Your Majesty, I defer to you on this matter,” Kwan said with a bow.

Eojin studied Taejo. If she hadn't been so angry, Kira would have enjoyed watching her young cousin thrust out his chin and glare at the king.

”I will not stop him,” Eojin said with a weary smile. ”I tried before, and all of you sneaked away. I won't risk that again. Go with the G.o.ds, young prince.”

They left early the next morning. Their group consisted of Kwan, Kira, Taejo, and three soldiers who Captain Pak personally selected. Jaewon and Seung would ride with Captain Pak, although Jaewon had tried to convince Kwan to take him. Her brother, already fed up with Taejo's stubbornness, refused to respond to Jaewon's request.

Kira once again entrusted her bow and arrows to Jaewon. She also left him with her travel bag, which contained all that remained of her home and family. Lastly, she handed over her favorite nambawi. She didn't want to risk ruining it in the underwater swim. He accepted her bow and bag with gravity, but his hands gripped hers hard over her nambawi.

”Why can't I go with you?” he asked.

”It's not your responsibility,” she said. ”It's ours.”

”But I want to help.”

Kira shook her head. ”It would be better for you to help the king.”

”I'm not here for the king, I'm here for you,” he said.

Kira pulled her hands away. ”You know I've never had a friend before,” she said. ”And now I think, so this is what it feels like-to have someone care for you and want to help you. It's a good feeling.” She smiled. ”Thank you for being my friend.”

She gave a small bow and went to Taejo's side. Her cousin was having a difficult time leaving Jindo behind with Seung. Kira almost believed he'd change his mind, so wrenching was the parting. But Taejo collected himself and left without a backward glance. The big dog's yelps of distress followed their departure.

They rode west of Hansong before crossing over and riding back upriver for nearly half a day to get to the mountainous border of the kingdom. Full of cliffs and dense woods, there was no entranceway into the city from this approach.

Dusk had fallen when they arrived at the rocky cliffs of the western wall. They took off all their outerwear and left it with their horses before climbing down the rocky cliff to the river below. Now that they were right outside the palace, they had to avoid detection by the sentries that patrolled the top of the wall.

”Remember, before we go under, take a big, steady breath. Do not breathe rapidly or you will black out!” Kwan said.

Kwan pa.s.sed a glowing rock to each of the team members. Following his lead, they entered the water one after the other. Kira braced herself against the frigid water, trying to ignore the numbness of her extremities. She could see the city walls soaring above her through the overhanging branches of the trees, which s.h.i.+elded their group from the sentries above. Kwan kept them close to the wall, submerged up to their eyes and lifting their heads occasionally for a breath of air. Taejo's teeth chattered. Kira wished she could move about and warm herself, but fear of the enemy kept her motionless. She watched as Kwan dived under for a long moment before reappearing. Her brother pointed in the direction they were to take. Using his fingers, he counted off from three to one.

She took a deep breath and submerged into the murky water. Ahead, she saw her brother and the other soldiers kicking powerfully toward a large opening. Another form pa.s.sed her. Thinking it was Taejo, she followed after him. She swam quickly through an underwater entranceway. It was completely dark, but it took only a moment for her vision to adjust. She couldn't see where the others had gone. Right above her was hard rock. She pushed against the rock, propelling herself forward.

Her lungs constricted as she kicked forward, trying to swim faster. Suddenly, another light cut through the murkiness. She broke into the dank air of the underground chamber, next to an ancient pier. She saw Kwan and the soldiers, but no Taejo.

Kira dived back under. She saw a figure struggling in the distance. She swam as fast as she could and grabbed Taejo's arm. But he continued to flail, fighting her so that she couldn't get ahold of him. Kira knew they were in danger of both drowning. Instinct drove her to reach into her leather pouch and grab the tidal stone. As she focused all her attention on the ruby, it turned red hot in her hand. A huge pulse of water propelled them through and up out of the river.

Several hands pulled the prince to safety before helping her. On the cold stone floor, Taejo lay gasping.

”Are you all right?” Kira asked, kneeling by his side.

Taejo looked dazed and woozy but he was able to nod at her.

”What happened?” Kwan asked.

”I ... I panicked,” he said. ”I forgot to use my glowing rock.”

Kwan ruffled his hair.

”I'm just glad you made it,” he said. ”Come on, we need to get moving.”

Kira took in her surroundings. It was quite dark, except for the glowing rocks that they carried. Kwan headed toward two diverging tunnels.

”This way,” he said, pointing to the right.

The tunnel led them farther into the depths of the palace underground. A streak of bright light shone down upon a wall from between the cracks of a locked door. Kwan inspected the wood, slowly running his fingers over the surface while pressing against portions of the door. Pus.h.i.+ng against a spot on the lower right-hand corner, he worked a long dagger slowly into the wood. The dagger sank in.

”Rotted wood,” he said triumphantly.

Standing up, he lashed out with a strong front kick against the dagger handle, making an opening for them to pa.s.s through. Once clear, the group found themselves in another tunnel, lit with weak lamps. They pa.s.sed storage rooms filled with crates containing cured meats and root vegetables, and earthen ceramic jars, large enough to hide a man, used for storing rice, beans, and millet.

They heard a man's singing voice.

Kwan and the other soldiers raised their swords and waited on either side of the entranceway.

36.

A white-garbed servant trudged in carrying a basket on his shoulder. He froze at the sight of them, his broad face changing from horror to delight.

”Your Highness, is that really you?” he asked. Dropping the basket, he fell to his knees and bowed several times. ”It is you! Thank the G.o.ds!”

Kwan pointed his dagger at the man and placed a finger to his mouth.

”Be quiet,” he whispered. ”Is there anyone else with you?”

The servant shook his head but lowered his voice in response. ”There is no one in this area but me. The Yamatos don't come down this way because they can't stand the smell of the soy bean paste. I came to bring some up for the cooks.”

Kira peered down at the man now smiling up at them. He had drooping eyelids and a flattened nose that looked vaguely familiar.

”I know you,” Taejo said. ”You're Chang. You used to bring me my morning meals.”

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