"The city's turned into a madhouse," Kwan said. "People are leaving Hansong because they don't feel safe anymore. And to make matters worse, more Guru soldiers are deserting and wreaking havoc."
"This is terrible news," Kira said.
"Not necessarily," he replied. "It may be the best thing that has happened to us."
Kira nodded in agreement. He was right. All the commotion would help them slip unnoticed from the city.
"Major Pak and Brother Woojin left the city today. They headed north and then plan to backtrack to Minchu port. They'll find us a boat and crew. We've been sending small groups of our most trusted soldiers into the eastern mountains with horses and supplies," Kwan said. "No one pays any attention to them because they just look like another group of deserters. The trick will be to get you and the prince out safely. I hope Lord Hwang's plan works."
Kira sighed. So much was riding on the minister. It galled her to be dependent on another. She felt useless, and she didn't like it at all.
"One thing," Kwan said. He paused as he eyed Taejo. "Jindo left with the major and Sunim."
"What? Who ordered that! You shouldn't have done that. He needs to be with me!"
It wasn't only anger in Taejo's voice but fear. Kira tried to calm him down.
"There's no way we could have brought Jindo with us," she said. "You know that. And if we left him at Hansong, he'd try to follow you. You know how he is."
Taejo's small face reflected his hurt betrayal. "You should have told me first."
"I'm sorry about that. We felt it was better this way. But don't worry, he'll be safe," Kwan said. "And you'll see him soon."
They saw him wipe away a tear as he ducked his head down into his arms.
That afternoon, Minister Hwang appeared with a group of beautiful gisaeng, female entertainers, and servants bringing an elaborate luncheon. Kira and Taejo stayed hidden in a small inner chamber during the meal. The giggles of the gisaeng irked her as much as listening to them eat and smelling the food while having none of the delicacies themselves. It made Kira cranky.
An hour later, Kyoung ushered in two of the gisaeng. The women bowed and then escorted Kira into an adjoining chamber and closed the door.
"Quickly," the older gisaeng said. "We don't have much time."
The younger one began to disrobe. Underneath her beautiful hanbok she wore a white servant's uniform. She took off her elaborate hairpiece while the other gisaeng tried to help Kira into the discarded hanbok.
"It would be easier, young mistress, if you took off your uniform," she said.
Kira refused with a sharp shake of her head.
"Mija is the tallest of all of us and still you are taller," the gisaeng complained. "You will have to slouch when you leave with us. Especially since you are still wearing your boots."
The gisaeng named Mija then plaited Kira's hair into a low bun and covered it all with the elaborate wig. Kira winced in pain as the hairpins were stabbed into her head.
With all the layers of the hanbok tied into place, the older gisaeng began to apply makeup to Kira's face.
Kira turned her head in agitation. "Must you put that goop on me?" she asked.
"It's the only way you'll blend in," she replied. "But please keep your eyes down. We can cover your scar but not your eyes."
Kira held her complaints and aggravation and let the gisaeng powder her face and rouge her cheeks and lips. When they were done, they began to apply charcoal to her eyebrows and eyes. It was hard sitting still under their determined onslaught. Without the benefit of a mirror, she could only imagine how ridiculous she looked.
Kyoung reentered the room.
"Nami, you must hurry," he said addressing the older gisaeng.
"Patience, General, beauty takes time," Nami answered.
Kira saw her brother gaze at her in surprise. She scowled, causing him to laugh.
"Didn't recognize you for a moment," he said. "That's a good thing."
Still chuckling, he sauntered out.
"Please, young mistress, try not to frown. You are creasing your makeup," Nami said. "If you don't stop, you'll look like one of those masks the shaman use to ward off evil spirits."
Mija giggled. "Then you'll look more like an scary ghost than a pretty gisaeng."
Putting down her hands, Nami gave Kira a careful once-over. "No, not pretty," she announced and continued putting on the makeup. "Never pretty. She's too different to be pretty."
"You are being too hard on her. While her scar is unfortunate, with her looks and figure, she would have made a famous gisaeng."
"I didn't say she wouldn't have been a great gisaeng," Nami retorted. "I said she's not pretty. She's striking, which is much more interesting than mere prettiness. Especially with those eyes."
Mija gave Kira a shy smile. "I had heard that they were an ugly yellow, but it's not true. Your eyes are like a golden honey. I think they are beautiful."
"Um, thank you," she said, blushing. Kira was not used to receiving compliments.
The older gisaeng finally put down her jars of makeup. "There, you are all done."
"But her scar still shows," Mija said.
"Don't worry," Nami said. She opened up another small bundle and retrieved several colorful silk scarves which she proceeded to pin into the wig, letting one purple scarf drape elegantly over Kira's scarred eye.
Both gisaeng pulled Kira up to her feet and circled around her, looking her over. Mija clapped her hands together.
"You look wonderful!"
Kira swallowed her exasperation, not wanting to offend the two women. All she could think about was how itchy the face paint was and how ridiculous she felt. It would be a long day.
Nami nodded before telling Mija to wash her face off quickly. "You must look and act like a servant until we return to our quarters."
Ignoring the other two women, Kira gathered up her weapons and pondered how to hide them under the voluminous skirts.
"No weapons," Nami said, snatching them from her hands.
"I need them," Kira said. "Give them to me."
The other woman shook her head and handed them to Mija. "There are other ways to defend yourself." Reaching up into her hair, she pulled at the end of an elaborate hairpin and removed a long sharp dagger.
Kira had to smile. "That's very nice, but only effective close-up. What do we do if we need to fight?"
"Run," Nami said. She sighed before speaking to Kira with cool proficiency. "Listen to me, it is imperative that you follow my lead. This is not a military mission. We won't be fighting our way through this. If we run into any trouble-" Nami slashed her dagger through the air. "Quick and quiet. That's how we will proceed. If you are suspected, you endanger us all. Is that understood?"
Kira scowled again.
"Stop frowning!" Nami's voice was sharp.
Adjusting her facial expression, Kira nodded.
"I can't leave my weapons behind," she said.
"Don't worry, they will be taken care of with your travel bag," Nami said. She waved Mija over, who wrapped the weapons in a heavy cloth and tied them down. Kira bit her lip hard to keep from protesting.
"You will stay close to me," Nami continued. "If anyone addresses you, do not answer. I will speak for you. You will keep your eyes lowered at all times. Is that understood?"
Kira nodded again.
"Good," Nami said. "Then we have a chance of actually surviving this day."
"I do appreciate all that you have done for me today," Kira said, "but may I ask why you are helping me?"
Nami looked at her in surprise. "Because Minister Hwang asked me to, of course," she replied. "Why else would we do it?"
Kira was puzzled by her response when Mija tapped her arm and began to attach ornaments to her hanbok. Kira was surprised at the change in the other girl. Without her makeup and her gisaeng silks, Mija faded into obscurity with her pale face and white servant's clothes. But then she smiled, and her face was a younger, prettier version of the exotic gisaeng Kira had met at first.
"You look so different," Kira said.
"You too," Mija said. She attached a large, three-part norigae decoration to Kira's hanbok.
"This is what you will use should the need arise," Mija said. The norigae had three decorative components. Two of the decorations were intricate enamel pendants with hanging knotted tassels. The third was a jeweled eunjangdo, a woman's knife. Most women wore them on their hanboks not only as decorative pieces but to help protect their virtue. Kira had never thought they were anything but toy knives. Eyeing Kira's expression, Mija seized the sharp dagger hidden within the mother-of-pearl design. Kira was surprised to see it was bigger than she expected.
"It may look like a toy," Mija said, "but, believe me, it's sharp enough to carve out a man's eye with one move."