Warrior(The Dragon King Chronicles)(12)

"No, no, the honor is all mine." Master Hong kept bowing.

Major Pak grabbed the merchant by his arms to keep him from bobbing up and down.

"Take good care of our horses for us," he said. "If we do not return for them by the season's end, they are yours to do with as you wish."

"But of course we will!" Master Hong replied. "And they will always be yours, no matter when you come. We are forever indebted to you."

He peered around the major to smile at Kira who inclined her head. She found herself liking him; his genuine kindness showed on his pleasant face. She was glad Major Pak had helped him.

They left Master Hong behind and headed to the harbor where tightly planked, narrow wooden piers extended into the shallows in varying lengths. They approached a merchant ship that was bustling with activity. The ship was large and well made with two tall masts and rectangular sails. They climbed a rope ladder to get on board, where they were met by a stern faced man with keen, narrow eyes and an air of command.

"Welcome aboard. I am Captain Lee," he said, giving them all a precise bow.

"Thank you, Captain," Major Pak responded. "This is Master Yoon and his brother."

He introduced Kira and Taejo under false names. The captain seemed preoccupied. He hardly glanced at her and she was certain he hadn't recognized her as the Demon Slayer. But to be safe, Kira stayed behind the others and kept her nambawi low over her eyes.

"I am very pleased to meet you both. By saving Master Hong, you have done us all a great service and we are happy to provide you with safe passage to Uju City."

The captain then introduced them to his second in command, a scrawny-looking man named Chong with a scruffy beard who wore his hair long and loose.

Chong led the soldiers, Jaewon, Seung, and Brother Woojin to the cargo hold. Jaewon was already pale and looking sick just from stepping onto the ship. Kira couldn't help but wonder if being cooped up in the hold would be worse for him.

When the captain mentioned sending Jindo belowdeck, Taejo shook his head and wrapped his arms around Jindo.

"I'll take care of him. He won't bother anyone, I promise," Taejo said. "I've done it before. Don't worry about him. He's my family and I'll take care of him."

"And I'll come up and assist him every day," Kwan said.

Kira faced her brother in surprise.                       
       
           



       

"Aren't you staying up here with us?"

"We'll be with the men," Kwan answered. "It's better that way. But we will check on you often."

The captain showed them to a cabin situated aft of the main deck. The cabin was small but comfortable, with two small berths for sleeping and a desk with several chairs set up in the middle of the room. Kira appreciated the privacy that she and Taejo were given. She knew that Major Pak and her brother wanted to keep them as far away from the crew as possible.

"We have a strong wind," Captain Lee said. "The sooner we leave, the better time we'll make."

"While you are expected to stay in your cabin for most of the voyage, you will be allowed on the main deck twice a day to enjoy the air. One of our crew members will come get you. Please stay inside your cabin for most of the journey. It is for your own safety." With a short bow, he departed.

Taejo tugged on Major Pak's sleeve. "Is it all right if we watch our departure?"

"I'll ask the captain," Major Pak said.

Within the hour, the ship was pulling out of port. Kira and Taejo walked onto the main deck and stood breathing in the cold sea air. The sun peeked over the mountains, sending shimmering light across the blue seas. Major Pak and Kwan were on deck, speaking intensely with the captain

Jindo barked as the cold ocean spray hit them. A chilly wind blew across the deck, sending the ships flags fluttering. Kira breathed in the clean, salty air and found it refreshing.

Now that the sun had risen, Kira noticed that the crew members were eyeing her with growing alarm. She had been recognized.

Kwan came rushing over. "I think you should return to your quarters right now," he said.

Before she could leave, the captain arrived, Major Pak in tow.

"It appears that we have the Demon Slayer on board with us," he said in a neutral tone. "Which must mean, then, that we also have the great fortune of having the crown prince of Hansong sail with us."

He bowed to Taejo who nodded in return, thanking him gravely.

"A word of caution, Your Highness," the captain said. "It would be best for all our sakes if your bodyguard were to stay unseen as much as possible. While my men are a good and loyal crew, they are very superstitious and the Demon Slayer is alarming them. They've already begun speaking of her presence as a bad omen."

Kira was irritated that Captain Lee avoided speaking directly to her.

"I will do my best to avoid upsetting your crew, Captain," she replied.

"I would appreciate it," he said grimly.

He waited before her until finally she returned to her cabin, sighing in frustration.

While Kwan and Major Pak kept Taejo company above and below deck, Kira remained secluded for two days. None of the crew would come near the cabin. She had to rely on her brother and Taejo to bring food to her.

The constant whispering voice of the Demon Lord grew louder the longer she was alone. Frightened, Kira decided to go belowdecks and check on the others.

Jaewon sat huddled under a blanket, leaning against the bulkhead, his face an unhealthy shade of pale. His faithful friend Seung sat nearby, trying to get him to drink some water.

When she came to sit by his side, Kira grew alarmed. Jaewon was so sick he didn't notice her presence.

"Hey." She brushed her hand across his loose hair. It was soaked through with sweat. "You'd better not die on me or I will hunt your spirit down and beat you senseless."

A slight smile quivered around the corners of Jaewon's parched lips. "Only if you can catch me," he whispered.

"Oh I'll catch you all right," she replied. "A one-legged grandmother could catch you, you limp noodle."

He moaned and then cracked open one eye to peer feverishly at her. "Please don't mention food, evil one, or I fear my revenge will ruin our friendship."

Kira caressed his pale cheek. "Don't be silly, nothing could do that."

But Jaewon didn't hear her, having fallen into a feverish sleep.

The wind was strong but steady and was pushing them through relatively calm seas. To Kira, the motion was a slight and pleasant rocking. If they were to hit rough waters, how would Jaewon survive? He already looked deathly ill. Concerned, Kira turned to Seung.

"Is there anything we can do?" Kira asked Seung.

Seung shook his head. "The most I can do is give him a few pieces of dried ginger to help his nausea, but there is no cure for him but getting off this ship."

"I will pray for smooth sailing so that we can arrive at Uju as soon as possible," she said.

But by the third day, the weather took a sharp turn as the winds picked up and the waves began to buffet the ship. Kira could hear Captain Lee shouting at his men.

"I've never seen a storm as big and as fast as this before. The waves are as tall as mountains. It's as if the heavens themselves are seeking to crush us!"

The sailors began to pray to the gods. From the window of her cabin, Kira saw the angry glances they sent in her direction. She didn't need to hear the mutterings to know that the sailors were blaming her for their misfortunes. She wasn't surprised, but she was beginning to worry. The storm was getting worse. Kira took out her tidal stone. Could it help them in this situation? Brother Woojin had pulled her aside before the voyage and warned her to never reveal the stone to anyone. That in no case was she to use the stone during their voyage or it would let the demon lord where they were. Closing her fist, she let it drop in to its pouch with a heavy heart.

Peering through the window again, Kira marked the frequency of the glares and desperation on the face of the sailors. Her gut churned and the sense of danger grew strong.

"Quick, let's go belowdecks to check on the others," she said.

Taejo and Jindo hurried after her as she headed belowdecks. She ran to the hatch, hearing the sailors cursing at her.

Belowdeck, Kwan and Major Pak were making the rounds with their men, trying to ease their minds. Most of the men looked queasy, but it was Jaewon, Kira worried about the most.

Jaewon's face was clammy and leached of all its normal color. His eyes were sunken into his sockets and his teeth were clenched so hard, Kira could see his neck muscles straining. He had rolled himself into a ball, shivering under a heavy blanket.

"Is he going to be all right?" Taejo asked Seung.

Seung looked really worried. "He hasn't been able to eat any food and has only drunk a little water. He can't keep anything down. We've got to get him on to land."

Jaewon retched. Kira felt helpless watching her friend suffer. She reached over to touch his face and found him burning hot with fever.

Grabbing the water gourd she motioned for Seung to lift Jaewon up as she pried his lips apart and poured a little water in his mouth. He moaned and tried to fight them off.

"You've got to drink or you're going to die," she said. "And I told you that I was not going to let that happen! Now drink!"