She inclined her head. As she turned away, her eyes caught Jaewon's.

"Be safe," he said.

She walked after Taejo and the monk as they followed the trail. The sharp peaks, which had glistened with snow and mist, now glinted like the jewels they were named after. All around, the forest bloomed vibrant and lush.

They walked along the course of blanketed green, the sweet smell of honeysuckle and peach heavy in the air. The music was louder now, as were the laughter and melodic singing of the unseen beings.

"What is this place?" Taejo asked.

"We are walking into the playground of the G.o.ds," Brother Woojin said. His excitement was palpable and contagious. "When they first appeared in our world, they came here to the Diamond Mountains and p.r.o.nounced it the most wondrous place."

The trail snaked around a jutting mountain. Across a large river, an elaborate golden bridge encrusted in jewels stood near the tallest waterfall she'd ever seen.

"Nine Dragons Waterfall," Kira said with an awestruck breath. "It must be nearly a quarter of a li high!"

A heavy ribbon of water coursed between the shadows of two large mountains. Mist sprayed up into Kira's face, soothing and refreshing.

"Sunim, why is it called Nine Dragons Waterfall?" Taejo asked.

"Legend has it that nine young sea dragons left their ocean home to seek wives. They flew all over the world but couldn't find anyone that took their fancy. Until they reached the Diamond Mountains. Here, they came across eight Heavenly Maidens, each more beautiful than the other. But there were eight maidens and nine dragon suitors. Unable to choose fairly and unwilling to fight one another, the dragons decided that they would take no wives. Instead they would guard the pool of the maidens so that no one would ever disturb them while they were bathing. It's rumored that the nine dragons live here in this waterfall, always ready to protect their maidens."

"I wish I could see them," Taejo said. "I've always wanted to see a dragon."

Kira shook her head. "Yes, but nine of them at the same time? I think that would give me heart palpitations."

As they crossed the bridge, Kira leaned her face into the spray, enjoying the tingling sensation of the cool water before hurrying after the others. She missed the warm weather terribly. Camping out in the winter elements taught her one thing-she hated the cold.

They stopped short before a staircase, as ornate as the golden bridge they had just crossed, that appeared magically before them in a steep incline straight up the mountainside, each step made of pure crystal and framed with gold.

"Is it real?" Taejo asked.

Kira stepped forward and ran her fingers over the ornate handrail. She grinned. "Come on, let's climb!"

Jindo barked and whined. The big dog cowered away from the stairs.

"It's all right, boy. You stay here!" Taejo said. Without any hesitation, he began to climb after her.

Kira felt the music pull at her, giving her the confidence to ascend the delicate stairs. For a brief moment, she looked down and felt an intense wave of vertigo. Gripping the golden handrails tightly with both hands, she continued to climb. No one spoke, but it wasn't quiet. The air filled with the roar of the waterfall and the music from above. All she could see were clouds and mist. She walked out into a valley where a series of jade pools, linked together like beads on a necklace, fed the waterfall.

A narrow trail ran alongside the pools. Taejo hesitated, looking to Kira as if uncertain of what to do.

"I'm scared," he said.

"I think we'll be fine," she said. "Come on, let's see where this leads."

The path curved around a bend and brought them to a large pool.

Kira stopped short in astonishment. Beautiful women dressed in lavish robes of jewel-tone colors sat on the edge of the pool, their small, delicate feet dipped in the water. Some held instruments, while others just lounged, singing along to a melody unknown to Kira. Their long, flowing hair shone in colors she had never seen before, and their skin tones were as varied as their hair. One maiden had skin as dark as night, while another had hair as white as snow. Behind them, the valley stretched around the mountain bend with more pools connecting to one another like shimmering jewels.

The music stopped abruptly as the women became aware of their presence.

"You have arrived!" one maiden said as she rose to her feet and approached them. She was very tall with long black hair, which shone as if lacquered.

"Welcome, Prince Taejo, Lady Kira," she continued. "I am Lady Mina. We have been expecting you."

32.

Kira eyed the creature before her, not quite sure if she was real. Who was this beautiful woman, and how did she know their names? Were these the Heavenly Maidens of Brother Woojin's story?

Still dazed, Kira followed as Lady Mina led them toward the now silent and motionless group. She was relieved to hear Brother Woojin coming up behind them. Although she sensed no danger, she was nervous and intimidated by these strangers.

"Is this who we have delayed our trip home for, Sister?" an arrogant-looking maiden asked.

Lady Mina nodded. "They come in fulfillment of the prophecy."

"Oh, our saviors!" the other maiden mocked as she idly plucked at her zither. Taken aback by her coldness, Kira decided she did not like the arrogant maiden.

"Don't mind Lady Mei," Lady Mina said. "She's tired and wishes to return home. We've been waiting here for nearly a month."

"I'm sorry," Taejo stuttered in reply.

She laughed and clapped her hands. "But you are here now, and that is what matters!"

Lady Mina said, "I'm so happy to meet you both. Especially you, Lady Kira! You must be the prettiest warrior I have ever seen!"

Several of the other maidens burst into laughter at her comment, causing Kira to flush in angry embarra.s.sment. They were so beautiful and graceful, and yet Kira could sense the power they possessed. It flowed through the air, a sort of magnetic pulse that made Kira aware of her own humanity.

Lady Mina placed a comforting arm about her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. A tall, dark-skinned maiden approached them and embraced Kira.

"Never be ashamed of what you are, child," she said in a voice of deep authority. Her handsome carved face did not smile, but she radiated kindness and compa.s.sion.

"Lady Morrell is a warrior-queen in her own lands," Lady Mina said.

"In her own lands?" Kira repeated.

"We are the Eight Heavenly Maidens, sent down to care for our lands. The natural world is our domain, and each of us is responsible for different regions. Lady Morrell's lands are vast and hot, where part of the region may be desert, while another part may be rain forests. There they worship her as a warrior-queen and protector of the wild."

Lady Mina pointed to a maiden with snow-white hair and skin, and eyes as blue as the sky above. "Lady Rowena oversees the far northern lands, where ice and snow are daily concerns. Lady Mei is Cathay's maiden, while Lady Gwen is in charge of a faraway land you have never even heard of."

Lady Mei was the maiden Kira did not like, while Lady Gwen was a pet.i.te maiden with yellow hair the color of ripe grain, who played a lovely melody on a bamboo flute.

"You are the angels the monks talked about!" Taejo exclaimed.

Lady Mina laughed. "Yes, we've been called that, too. Come," she said. "You must be hungry."

They followed her to a path that led to the other side of the mountain. In an outdoor pavilion, a lavish spread covered a large banquet table set with delicate china, golden chopsticks, spoons, and jeweled goblets. The feast held many familiar and unfamiliar items. Roasted meats piled high on platters surrounded by vegetables. Mounds of rice and noodles sat next to plates of whole fish and hot pots of spicy, simmering stews. At the far end, platters of rice cakes, pastries, and sweets sat next to bowls filled with peaches, apricots, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits, many of them strange and unfamiliar.

At the banquet table, three other maidens approached them.

"I am Lady Mari, and am so happy to see you!"

Kira blinked several times in awe of the three maidens before her. Lady Mari seemed to be awash in golden tones. Her hair, skin, and eyes were the color of rich honey. She introduced Lady Sara, with hair as red as a pomegranate, and Lady Minot, a dark-haired woman with eyes of jade green. Their warm welcomes more than made up for the indifference of the other maidens. But what captivated Kira the most was to see Lady Mari's golden-yellow eyes, so similar to her own. For the first time in her life, Kira didn't resent her differences.

Everyone sat at the table, the Heavenly Maidens all on one side, their backs to the jade pools. The smell of the food was intoxicating, and at Lady Mina's invitation, Kira began to fill her plate with roasted meats and vegetables, sticking to dishes she recognized.

As they ate, Lady Mina addressed Brother Woojin.

"You have done well to bring your charges here," she said. "Another day, and it would have been too late."

"My apologies, my lady," he said.

Lady Mina waved a slender hand. "It doesn't matter. For a Dragon King's descendant is here, and tomorrow is the winter solstice."

"Dongji," Kira whispered. The day of the shortest sunlight and the longest night. The Dongji festival was always her favorite time of the year, when her mother and aunt, uncaring of their royal dignity, would chase the kitchen servants away and make her favorite dish, sweet red-bean-and-dumpling porridge. She felt homesick and noticed Taejo's downcast face.

"Never fear, Prince Taejo; you will see your mother again," Lady Mina said.

Her words caused him to sit up straighter. He began to attack his food with vigor. Kira felt a sharp pang to know that Lady Mina could not say the same to her.

Upset, Kira crammed a large bite of clear rice noodles into her mouth and tried to pay attention to the conversation.

"It is of grave concern to us," Lady Morrell was saying. "Each day, the Demon Lord's powers grow stronger in the human world. Death and conquest feed him. The heads of his enemies, brought back by the shipload in tribute, strengthen him."

Lady Mei sat forward, her hooded eyes staring straight at Taejo. "If the Seven Kingdoms fall, then Cathay is next!"

"You only worry about Cathay?" Lady Morrell scorned. "If the Seven Kingdoms fall, the world is next, or have you forgotten the power of these sacred mountains?"

Mei subsided as the other maidens grew restless.

"These mountains are vital to us. As long as a Heavenly Maiden is here, nothing can enter these mountains without our permission. Four times a year, all eight of us gather here from our lands and revitalize for one week. But once a year, on the day of the winter solstice, we return home to the heavens for one month," Mina said. "Within the human realm, we have magical abilities and may move about the world with the wind. But we cannot return home from anywhere but here, for the entrance to the heavenly palace lies directly above these mountains."

"That means, as of tomorrow the mountains will be unprotected," Kira said.

"That is not entirely true," Lady Mina said. "These mountains have many protections themselves; do not fear. And the true danger only occurs if and when the Demon Lord sets foot in these lands."

"So all we have to do is drive the Yamatos out and kill the Demon Lord?" Kira asked.

Lady Mei laughed. "Kill the Demon Lord? You cannot kill him. He is indestructible; only his human portal can be harmed."

Kira gritted her teeth and nodded. "If we find a way to kill Daimyo Tomodoshi, then that will keep the Demon Lord in the underworld?"

The maidens nodded. Kira repressed a sudden shudder. How could they fight the Demon Lord? One glance at Taejo, and she knew he was in complete panic.

"Do not let fear overtake you, young prince," Brother Woojin said, his soothing voice breaking through the tense quiet. "The Heavenly Father will not desert us in our greatest time of need. That you must always have faith in."

Taejo asked, "What is it we must do?"

The maidens all turned to Lady Morrell, who was clearly their undisputed leader. The maiden rose from her seat, appearing every inch a warrior-queen, and swept her arm over a portion of the table. Immediately the food and drink at the center vanished. In their stead appeared a miniature map of the Diamond Mountains. Small peaks rose up from the table, and waterfalls and rivers flowed throughout. The detail was exact, down to three small figures located beside the string of pools above Nine Dragons Waterfall. Kira realized that the figures were of her, Taejo, and Brother Woojin. Tracing their steps backward, Kira found Jindo waiting at the foot of the waterfall and then their tents with three tiny versions of Kwan, Jaewon, and Seung standing guard in the cold. Unlike their current surroundings, the map showed the true weather, as snow blanketed the entire region.

Her breath caught as she found herself wishing the others were with them now. It seemed so unfair that they could not see this magnificent place or meet these earthbound G.o.ddesses.

"What wondrous magic!" Taejo said. He reached out a hand to touch the map, only to see his hand pa.s.s through it like water.

Lady Morrell pointed to the waterfall and, with a flick of her finger, lifted the ribbon of water to expose a cave at its tail.

"There is a path behind the waterfall that will take you to a cave. Tomorrow, before the last ray of the sun sets on the winter solstice, a descendant of the Dragon King must enter the cave and find what has been lost."

"Alone?" Taejo asked.

"You may take one companion with you."

"But what am I looking for?" Taejo asked.

"Only when you are in the cave will you know what you seek," Lady Morrell intoned. "Good luck to you. Perhaps someday we shall meet again."

Kira wanted to ask more questions. What were they to do with what they found? How would it help them? Why did the Heavenly Maiden have to be so mysterious? But Lady Morrell's stern face intimidated her as much as it did her cousin. They shyly nodded at the warrior-queen.

Lady Morrell inclined her head as a shimmering light haloed above her, blinding Kira and the others with its brilliance. Peering up, she saw Lady Morrell place her hand on a brilliant rope of gold, which lifted her straight up into the sky. Each maiden moved forward, waving a hand in farewell, and they, too, caught hold of the rope and disappeared into the heavens. Even Lady Mei offered them a smile and well-wishes before disappearing into the clouds. The last to leave was Lady Mina.

"Your paths lie intertwined with a greater destiny. What will happen none of us really knows, for far too many factors can affect the outcome," Lady Mina said.

The musical voices could be heard from above, urging her to hurry. As the maiden glided toward the rope, Kira ran up to her.

"Please, my lady," Kira cried out. "What of my mother? She is trapped in the shadow realm! Please, what must I do to save her?"

"You must destroy the one who cursed her," the maiden replied. She gazed at Kira with eyes that seemed to gleam with a deep knowledge. "But remember, revenge for the dead should never occur at a price to the living. Don't give up on the world. Trust in yourself and others. Trust in the heavens that you are on the right path."

Kira was so shaken by the maiden's words that she forgot to thank her. Lady Mina placed her hand on the rope and waved good-bye.

"My Heavenly Father awaits me. Blessings to you all. We shall meet again...." Her voice trailed away as her form disappeared with the rope, and the light faded.

Kira gazed up at the heavens, when suddenly she heard the maiden's voice. "Do not forget your vow to your father; protect the prince with your life, for he is the One."

She started in alarm, but no one else seemed to notice the maiden's voice.

"He will be the true king-the one who will reunite the kingdoms." Lady Mina's lovely voice rang loud in her head.

"I won't forget. I will protect him with my life," Kira whispered. The voice faded, leaving her mind clear.

"Quickly, children, we must leave now!" Brother Woojin said. Kira looked to see the monk pointing at the roof of the pavilion, which was beginning to slowly fade.