Part 24 (2/2)
For the first time in her life, her sight and her mind were completely clear.
I am the Dragon Musado.
Even the tidal stone had called her master.
I am the Dragon Musado.
Calm filled her. She had no doubt about what she was to do.
Kira threw the stone high into the air, forcing the Yamato to push Taejo away and drop his dagger in order to catch it. As Kira launched herself at Ito, her hands grasped for the stone from the air and her foot slammed down with a force that sent him hurtling down the stairs. He landed on the stone sidewalk next to the dead imoogi, his neck twisted in an unnatural angle.
Kira crashed to the ground, the pain excruciating. But then she heard her mother's gentle voice and sweet laughter.
Thank you, my little tiger.
”Mother,” Kira whispered.
Water splashed on her face as Taejo dropped to the ground next to her.
”Noona!”
Kira opened her eyes a crack and saw Taejo. Tears flowed down his face.
”Noona, you are the Dragon Musado,” he cried out in a choked voice. ”You saved Hansong! You saved everyone! Noona! Did you hear me? I'm glad you're the One. I'm proud you are my cousin. Please be all right. Noona! Please stay with me. Please ...”
Her eyes were too heavy. She couldn't keep them open. The pain in her head caused a ringing in her ears. Then blackness enveloped her, and she slipped into oblivion.
39.
It was early spring and she was at a picnic with her family. Her mother had traveled by carriage while she rode on horseback with her father and brothers. It was their annual pilgrimage to a nearby mountainside lake, surrounded by hundreds of cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Thin, soft rush mats were spread under the shade of the trees as servants laid out a feast of various rice rolls, dumplings, meat, and seasoned vegetables. Everyone sat eating and laughing, enjoying the warm spring weather as gentle winds blew pink blossom showers, which adorned their hair with tiny petals.
Her father and mother sat nearby, watching Kwan tease her by s.n.a.t.c.hing food from her fingers. Kira berated him for being such a pig, while Kyoung administered punishment by catching Kwan by the scruff of his neck and wrestling him in a mock match.
She was so happy to be with them all once again. She had missed them with a fierce intensity that was a physical pain.
Her father stood up and helped her mother to her feet.
”It's time to go,” he said.
”So soon?” Kira complained.
Kira's mother smiled radiantly. ”You saved us. I can now join our ancestors in heaven. My little tiger! We will always watch over you.”
Alarmed, Kira rushed to them, but her brothers held her back as they watched her parents pulling away.
”Please, let me go with you,” Kira begged.
Someone was calling her name, but she didn't want to answer. Already the picnic was fading. She could see her mother and father waving good-bye.
Kira opened her eyes and saw Taejo, Kwan, Brother Woojin, and Jaewon's faces. Seung stood behind them, peering anxiously at her. Turning her head, she noted that she was lying on a large table covered with furs inside a guardhouse. She put a hand to her forehead and found it bound with a tight bandage. She fingered the long gash that puckered across her cheek.
Jaewon pulled her hand away, clasping it between his strong ones. ”Leave it alone. It must heal,” he said. His eyes filled with concern and affection that left Kira feeling warm.
”How long have I been asleep?” she asked.
”Several hours,” he replied.
That explained why she was still in pain; she needed an entire night with her tiger spirit to be completely healed.
Taejo pressed closer, jostling Jaewon in his eagerness to speak to her. ”I'm so glad you're all right,” Taejo said. ”I couldn't bear it if something happened to you too!” His voice caught, and he quieted. Leaning over, he gave her a quick hug.
”I should be mad at you!” Kwan said. ”Here I am risking my neck to save Hansong, and who does everyone talk about? My baby sister! The big hero! The imoogi slayer! What about me? Doesn't anybody want to know about me? Huh?” He gazed at her with bright eyes. ”You've done well, little sister. I'm proud of you.”
Leaning closer, he whispered, ”What of Mother?”
”She is finally at peace,” Kira said.
Her brother closed his eyes in relief. ”Thank the heavens!” He carefully caressed her face, cautious of her injury. ”And I have some more good news for you. There's someone here to see you.”
Kira tried to sit up with Jaewon's help, when another pair of hands grabbed hers. It was her oldest brother, Kyoung. She shouted in glee and immediately regretted it as her head throbbed in pain. He laughed down at her and hugged her.
”Where have you been?” she asked.
”I arrived in Hansong several weeks ago. I've been hiding, working with the resistance,” he said. ”The citizens of Hansong all opposed the Yamatos and Lord s.h.i.+n.”
”The people saved us on the cliff and at the gate,” she said. ”Was that because of you?”
He nodded. ”I'm sorry I wasn't there too, but I had my hands full trying to coordinate efforts with the other Guru infiltrators in preparation for the attack,” Kyoung said. He ran a finger softly across her scarred cheek. ”Forgive me.”
”Never mind that,” Kira said. ”I'm just so happy you are here!”
”So many good people died today,” Kyoung said. ”But they have not died in vain, for they have given us victory.”
Kira said a silent prayer for the G.o.ds to welcome all who'd lost their lives in the battle.
A loud noise at the door sounded the arrival of Captain Pak, who headed straight for Taejo.
”Congratulations, Your Highness! We are victorious,” Pak said with a broad smile. ”General Kim's division is chasing the Yamatos into the Kudara borders, but King Eojin has led his army into the city! The people are already cheering him and calling him the One!”
Everyone in the room broke out in cheers except for Kira. She looked up to find Jaewon watching her. He winked at her before placing a warm hand on her shoulder.
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