"Well, this is as good a time as any to break for our meal," Seung said. He began to prepare their meager supplies. There was only a handful of dried squid pieces left. Kira and Taejo refused to take any, allowing the others to eat all that they had brought. Seung shared a piece of squid with Jindo, who licked Seung's face gratefully. Within minutes all their food was gone and their water skins were empty.
"Let's hope we find your clan close by," Kwan said. "We are in dire need of supplies."
"But in the meantime, we should rest while we are warm and safe," Kira said.
The gentle motion of their underwater ship was soothing, and pretty soon everyone had fallen into an exhausted sleep but Kira and Jaewon.
"Your hair really does look pretty," Jaewon said.
She ran her hands through her hair. "You don't have to say that, I don't mind losing it."
"I don't mind either," he said. "I would never have known that your hair was so wavy. It suits you, you look less intimidating."
"Well, that's no good," Kira said. "I liked being scary looking."
"Now you have to settle for being charming."
Kira made a gagging noise. "Don't call me that. I'll get mad, and you know what happens when I get mad."
Jaewon raised his hands in surrender. "I'm so sorry. You are not charming! Please don't hurt me!"
They lapsed into a long, comfortable silence. Kira was starting to feel sleepy when she heard Jaewon speak.
"He was a good man," Jaewon said.
Kira looked at him in surprise.
"What?"
"Your former betrothed," he said. "Regardless of what he'd done in the past, he died a hero."
"Don't say that!" Kira snapped. "He might not be dead!"
The look Jaewon gave her was sympathetic. "It would take a miracle."
"Yes, but I thought he was dead before, and he wasn't. I'm not going to make the same mistake again," she said. "He's a great fighter. He could have survived."
"If he did survive, would that change your opinion of him?" Jaewon asked.
"I don't understand-"
"You said you wouldn't marry him. Does his sacrifice change your mind?"
She didn't know how to respond. This was not a question that she wanted to think about, especially not knowing if he was dead or alive. A fresh wave of grief filled her, not just for Shin Bo Hyun but for everyone she'd lost. Throwing up her hands, she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.
"I don't know," she said. "I don't know what to think anymore."
The quiet was broken by Seung's thunderous snores.
"He sacrificed himself to save you," Jaewon said. "He was most definitely a worthy suitor."
Ignoring his words, Kira settled down among the soft cushions and tried to fall asleep.
She was trapped inside a dark cave that had no exits. She stumbled around in circles, pounding on walls, screaming for someone, anyone to hear her. But she was truly a prisoner. Her body was heavy and she had trouble walking. All she knew was that something precious had been taken from her. And she had to get out in order to get it back. She would do anything to get it back. She threw herself against the crack in the wall, feeling the rock give. Her massive body felt slow and lethargic, but she could feel anger giving her strength. Over and over she threw herself against the wall, reveling in the cracks. Laughing as the wall began to break free.
Kira woke up when she felt the movement of the boat change from a quick but level pace to a slowly rising one. She felt the tilt and sway that signaled their landing, and then watched as the doors swung slowly open. She was still bleary and confused from the strange dream. It was not like any vision she'd ever had. She knew that it was a warning of what was to come, but it was as if it had happened to someone else. To something else. She just didn't understand what it could mean. It left her feeling completely out of sorts and off balance.
A cold blast of wintry air filled the boat, clearing her head.
She quickly woke everyone up and picked up her bags. Jaewon was the first one out, closely followed by Jindo. They were on the snowy banks of the Yalu River, in the shadows of the mountains. In the distance, she took in the magnificence of Mount Baekdu, the great white-covered volcanic mountain. Once they were all outside, the river maidens' boat closed itself up and submerged into the water. Kira watched the ship disappear with some dismay. The hours that they'd spent on the River Maidens' boat had been the safest any of them had felt in a long while.
A tremor of apprehension upset her stomach. She had no idea what to expect, but she feared the worst.
23
They walked through the snow-covered landscape, searching for Seung and Jaewon's clan. With the beginning of the third month the weather became milder, allowing the sun to shine through and melt some of the blinding snow. Even the wind seemed to let up. It seemed like the worst of the winter weather was behind them. This made hunting easier, and Kira and Kwan were quickly able to shoot some rabbits and fowl.
Seung dug up edible roots, such as the balloon flower roots, and tubers from the snow, to supplement their meal. She was awed by his ability to cook simple meals that tasted good. They didn't go hungry, but Kira longed for a bowl of hot rice.
The closer they got to Mount Baekdu, the quieter Jaewon became. He was tense and withdrawn and began to eat less and less, refusing to speak of what was troubling him. Kira worried that Jaewon would worry himself sick before they reached his clan.
Early in the morning of the third day of walking, Kira sensed strong shaman magic in the vicinity.
She scouted the area first, finding a new village of roughly built houses and farms and barnyards filled with farm animals. In the center of town there was an expansive communal kitchen area, where many women stood around chatting and cooking. Small children played in the melting snow and ran through the open stalls filled with woodworkers, weavers, blacksmiths, and other tradesmen. It was a bustling village, noisy and boisterous, where everyone seemed to have a purpose.
The magic that was protecting the village was very strong. Whoever their shaman was, he was a good one.
Returning to the others, she quickly told them what she'd found.
Seung beamed in delight. "That must be our clan! We have the best shaman in all Kaya! Possibly of all the Seven Kingdoms."
"Seung, you think we have the best of everything," Jaewon chided.
He stood staring off into space, his nervousness obvious to all of them. They all waited quietly, watching to see what Jaewon would do.
He let loose a shaky breath and put an arm around Seung. "Come on, old friend. Let's go find your family."
As they arrived in the village, they were met with immediate suspicion and reserve. Small children dropped their toys and ran for their parents. The friendly chatter of the women at the open-air stoves died down. Everyone turned and ogled the newcomers. One of the villagers approached them cautiously.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Master Song, don't you recognize us?" Seung asked with a bright smile.
The man froze in place, his mouth opening and shutting like a carp.
"Chief Kim Jaeshik! Chief Kim Jaeshik!" The man ran stumbling across the village center, racing for the largest house.
Kira wouldn't have thought it was possible for Jaewon's face to get paler, but she was wrong. His complexion now rivaled the snow-covered ground, and his uneasy expression made Kira nervous for him. He looked as if he might faint.
Only Seung looked happy. The villagers that had been so quiet at their arrival were now yelling his name in joyful surprise. They embraced Seung and dragged him to a nearby hut. They banged on the door and shouted for the occupants to come see their surprise visitor. Minutes later, happy shrieks filled the air as Seung was surrounded by a group of people who hugged him in a flood of tears and laughter.
Kira and the others still stood by Jaewon's side. The villagers bowed to him with respect and curiosity, but none tried to talk to him yet. It was just as well-Kira didn't think Jaewon could have spoken to anyone.
From the large hut across the village center, a man emerged.
Jaewon closed his eyes, his face a mask of fear and guilt. For a moment, Kira thought he would bolt. She put a hand under his elbow, steadying him as he rocked on his heels.
The chief's jaw convulsed several times as he stood where he was, gazing at his son with a fierce expression. There was a strong resemblance between the two men. Jaewon's father was a tall, broad-shouldered man whose sculpted features were an older version of his son's. No one seemed able to move; the air was tense and quiet.
Kira pulled Jaewon forward, making him walk across the square to meet his father. When they were a horse length from the chief, Jaewon stopped and refused to move any closer. The chief watched them closely.
"So, you have finally returned to us," Chief Kim said. His voice was raspy and deep.
"Father." Jaewon's voice cracked. "I've come home to take my punishment. I know that you can never forgive me. But I'm sorry. So sorry."
Chief Kim made a harsh sound. "Did I raise a son who runs away from his troubles?"
Jaewon's head bent lower, tears coursed down his cheeks.