Part 25 (1/2)

”The king and your people would like to see the prince. And you too, Kang Kira.” Pak bowed to Kira and gave her a big smile. ”It would be an honor to escort you both.”

Kira grimaced. She had no intention of standing before another crowd.

”Why do you look like that?” Kwan asked. ”Don't you realize who you are? You're the legendary Dragon Musado who saved Hansong from the evil imoogi. They claim that with you and King Eojin together, the prophecy has been fulfilled and the Yamatos will be defeated!”

She put a hand to her cheek and fingered the bandage. She eyed Taejo with a troubled expression.

”It's all right, Noona. I'm glad you are the Dragon Musado.”

”Yes, but I don't understand one thing. The Heavenly Maiden told me that Taejo is Dang's heir, not Eojin.”

Brother Woojin came forward and sat by her side. ”Young mistress, I have been pondering this puzzle ever since you discovered the tidal stone and have come up with a theory. Only the Dragon Musado can find and wield the Dragon King treasures. Yet the Heavenly Maidens have ordered you to protect the prince.”

Kira nodded.

”You accepted the stone from the giant turtle, and you used the power of the tidal stone to defeat the Yamatos. That means you are the warrior, the Dragon Musado. All this time, the monks have believed that the warrior is the One. We followed Master Ahn's theories. But we were wrong. You are the Dragon Musado, the protector of the One, and the prince is the future king. The two of you are the prophecy.”

Kira wasn't surprised by the monk's words. Ever since she'd unleashed the power of the tidal stone, she'd felt the rightness of her actions. The stone belonged to her. She was the Dragon Musado. What Brother Woojin said made sense. She'd sworn over and over to protect Taejo. It was her fate. Yet, she was still troubled.

”I don't understand,” Taejo said. ”The prophecy says *one will save us all.' But there are two of us. How can that be?”

Brother Woojin clasped his hands and laughed. ”Remember, the warrior was never part of the original prophecy. It was part of Master Ahn's interpretation. We monks have put the two together for centuries. But we were wrong.”

”So, I'm no longer the yellow-eyed k.u.miho?” Kira asked with a grin.

Kyoung stepped forward and grabbed her hand, pressing it firmly. ”No one will ever call you that again.”

Kira saw Taejo smiling at her.

”Do you feel up to coming?” he asked, his face hopeful. ”I'd rather you were with me.”

She nodded, watching the relief sweep over his face. With a bow, Taejo walked out, the captain and Jindo at his side.

Ignoring the pain, Kira stood up and followed them. When Kyoung tried to put his arm around her, she glared at him. ”I'm fine, Oppa,” she said. ”Don't hover.”

Kyoung laughed. ”All right, little sister. I'm here if you need me.” He moved ahead to catch up with Taejo.

Jaewon stood close by on her other side. Catching Jaewon's eye, she was relieved to see he was still carrying her bow and arrow case. He placed her nambawi in her hands. Kira was happy to have it back. It was like an old friend. But instead of wearing it, she shoved it into her arrow case.

She smiled up at him.

”Thank you.”

The warmth and steadiness of his gaze made her nervous. She put an uncertain hand up to her face. The bandages covered the damage over her eye, but her cheek was badly scarred.

He leaned close to her ear and whispered, ”It makes you look very das.h.i.+ng. Like a lady bandit. You can be the most dangerous criminal in all the Seven Kingdoms!”

She laughed. ”Then you can be my b.u.mbling sidekick who must do everything I say.”

”But of course, my lady!” He bowed. ”I will even gladly wash your stinky feet.”

”Ya! My feet aren't stinky!”

”Whatever you say, my lady.”

They bickered back and forth as they walked to where a group of soldiers and horses stood waiting for them.

Taejo mounted his horse and gazed anxiously down at her. ”Are you sure you're all right?” he asked.

”Of course,” she replied.

With a nervous smile, Taejo rode ahead with Kwan and the captain. Kira pulled herself slowly onto her saddle, her head aching and dizzy from the small effort. She was relieved to have Kyoung lead her horse. They followed Taejo's group to the palace grounds, with Jaewon and Seung taking up the rear.

The sun was setting, casting the streets and buildings into half shadows, hiding the fallen bodies that littered the street in semidarkness. She heard cheering, getting louder. Thousands of people filled the main plaza before the palace. As the crowd became aware of the soldiers waiting to pa.s.s, they opened up a pathway. The cheering exploded as cries of ”Prince Taejo!” erupted throughout the city.

Kira watched her young cousin greet the citizens of Hansong. She felt happiness and pride mixed with sadness and regret. At that moment, she couldn't have been prouder of Taejo, who rode with great dignity for one so young.

On the steps of the palace, King Eojin awaited him.

Kira, Kyoung, Jaewon, and Seung joined Kwan and the captain, watching the young prince riding through the ma.s.ses. Around them, they heard a new chant: ”Dragon Musado.” Wary and uneasy with the attention, Kira started to shrink down into her saddle, and then she stopped herself.

No more hiding, Kang Kira, she told herself.

She straightened and waved to the people bowing to her.

Kyoung laughed. ”You're a hero!”