"It's disappearing!" Taejo said.

Without stopping to think, Kira ran to the banquet table and grabbed a bowl of fruit, which she piled high with more food.

"What are you doing? We have to get out of here!" Taejo shouted.

Kira threw in the meats and vegetables in a big pile, picked up the bowl, and ran after them. They raced back to the waterfall staircase, which had not yet begun to disappear. Kira looked behind her to see the pavilion had become a mere shimmering mirage. Through it, the winter-clad mountains could once again be seen.

Taejo and Brother Woojin scrambled down the steps first, cautious not to fall. Kira found it hard to maneuver with only one hand, but she was determined not to let go of the bowl. At the bottom of the staircase, Jindo stood, barking and waving his tail madly. Taejo and the monk jumped down and raced for the bridge.

Kira held tight to her bowl and crossed the flickering structure. Once all of them were safely over, it disappeared in a shimmer of light, leaving behind an old rickety bridge in its place. Spring melted back into winter, and the cold wind pierced through their flesh. They trudged through the snow until they reached the boulder where their winter coats lay in neat piles. With freezing fingers, they pulled on their coats and returned to camp.

As they emerged from the forest trail, they observed the glow of the large campfire and three people racing toward them.

Kwan reached them first. "Thank the G.o.ds! I was so worried about all of you!" he said.

Jaewon and Seung looked relieved to see them. Seung's eyes lit up.

"Where in the world did you get that food?" he asked. Kira pushed the large bowl into his hands and sat down before the fire. Delighted, Seung hugged the bowl to his chest. He pa.s.sed out several large yellow pears to Kwan and Jaewon, who eyed the fruit in bewilderment.

Seung began to eat as the others collapsed before the fire.

"What happened?" he asked around a mouthful of juicy pear.

Kira closed her eyes as Taejo and Brother Woojin tried to explain the wonder they'd observed.

Mother, I know what to do now. I will not fail you. She took a deep breath. I swear to you, I will not fail you.

33.

Breakfast consisted of a hot rice porridge mixed with meats and vegetables, and a meatless version for Brother Woojin, from the food Kira had brought back. Everyone ate with gusto except Taejo.

"What's the matter? Is it not to your liking?" Seung asked with a worried expression.

"No, I'm just not that hungry," Taejo replied.

"Today is a momentous day. It is important that you be well nourished," Brother Woojin said.

Taejo shoved a large scoop of food into his mouth with his small, flat-headed spoon before putting the bowl down.

"Who will you choose to go with you?" Brother Woojin asked.

Taejo's face scrunched tight and his lips pulled into a deep frown. It was clear he didn't want to go.

"I'll go with him," Kwan said. "I'll watch out for you, little cousin!"

"No!" Taejo said. "I'm taking Kira."

Kwan's face fell in disappointment. "Of course, Kira is a good choice."

"Apparently, the prince feels safer with your little sister than with you," Jaewon teased.

Kwan glared at him and stalked away, causing Jaewon to laugh.

Kira ignored them. She was thinking of the journey and wondered what they would need to bring along. The Heavenly Maidens had been obscure, and Brother Woojin was typically unclear. She worried that without any knowledge of what was ahead for them, she couldn't adequately protect her cousin.

But more distracting was that she now knew how to free her mother. Last night she'd dreamed of the shadow room again. Her mother and the other shadows had appeared, but they didn't know the name of the shaman who had cursed them.

"He is a Yamato. A soldier close to Shin," her mother had said. "You will find him, little one. I have faith."

It was the last she heard before all the shadows faded away. She woke up and joined Kwan on the early-morning watch. They'd spoken at length about what to do, and they agreed that they must return to Hansong.

But for now, she had to focus on the task before them. She willed herself to forget about Shin and the shaman, smothering the hot anger and grief that simmered within her.

"What do you think we will need?" she asked Taejo.

Taejo hunched his shoulders and huddled down by the fire. Part of her wanted to hit him and make him snap out of his fog; the other part wanted to lock him away from danger. Now that she knew the Heavenly Maidens had marked him as the Dragon Musado, she could feel the weight of her responsibility. She'd vowed to keep him safe. It was a vow that she would keep at all costs to herself-and others.

She picked up her water bag and her leather satchel, throwing in a few wrapped packages of food and dried fruit before rising to her feet. Strapping on her sword, she hesitated over her bow and arrow case.

After a long moment, she asked Jaewon to hold them for her. He nodded in reply and slung them over his shoulder.

"Come on, let's go!" she called over to Taejo.

Once again Seung stayed at their campsite, wishing them luck on their journey.

They traveled the same path they had taken the previous night. This time, however, the way was treacherous with snow and ice. When they reached the waterfall where the wondrous golden bridge had stood, only the rickety wooden one remained. They crossed it one at a time, taking care not to step too heavily on any one slat. Unlike before, the waterfall was quiet, mostly frozen. The trail was rocky and slippery. They observed a large gaping cavern clearly through the narrow flow of water. Brother Woojin lit a lantern and pa.s.sed it to Kira, who waited patiently for Taejo.

"What am I supposed to be looking for?" Taejo asked.

The monk placed his hands on Taejo's shoulders and patted him. "What you seek will come to you."

Kira rolled her eyes, exasperated. She carefully climbed up the rocks to the edge of the waterfall. Stepping behind a curtain of water, she was enveloped by a dank, musty odor with faint undertones of sulfur and mold. The contrast of the light shining through the waterfall and the darkness of the tunnel behind it unnerved her. It was not merely the idea of going deep into the mountain itself that made her throat tighten up, but the thought of what they would find in the cavern below.

Taejo reached her side, an alarmed expression on his face. Jindo leaned close to him.

Unsure of how to calm her cousin, Kira held the lantern high, shining it down into the dark tunnels before them. Jindo took one look down the pa.s.sageway, whined, and retreated. Taejo tried to command the big dog to come with him, but Jindo refused to enter, hiding behind Brother Woojin. No matter how much Taejo pleaded, cajoled, and commanded, he wouldn't budge.

"You're not a dog! You're a great big chicken!" Taejo yelled.

Brother Woojin laughed and said, "Jindo is embracing his cowardliness. Leave him be, young prince. It is not in an animal's nature to go where it senses danger."

Taejo swallowed hard and muttered, "Lucky dog."

"Come on, it'll be all right," Kira said.

As they entered the cave, Jindo let out an encouraging bark that echoed into the darkness after them. The tunnels were narrow but tall, with crevices that glowed eerie green.

"Let's go back," Taejo said. "I don't like this place."

"We can't," Kira said over her shoulder. "We've come too far to turn back now. I'm sure we're close-I can hear water running." Sniffing the air, she was surprised to note that it smelled briny, like seawater.

Something skittered by, brushing against her foot and running behind her. Taejo jumped and let out a loud yelp, grabbing her arm. Kira shone her lantern on the ground, illuminating the tail of a large rat.

She sighed in irritation at the frightened and disgusted expression on his face.

"You need to calm down and stop acting like a baby," she said.

Hot anger flared in Taejo's face. He grabbed the lantern from Kira's hand and pushed past her to take the lead and stalked down the tunnel.

"Hey! Wait up!" Kira cried out behind him. Suddenly, she heard a surprised yell and a rolling and thudding sound. The tunnel took a sharp turn to the right, causing her to slip. It sloped down at such a steep angle she had to hold on to the wall to keep from falling. Toward the end of the tunnel, she glimpsed the glow of lights, but no sign of her cousin.

"Taejo, are you all right?"

Taejo shouted, and then there was a loud splash. She half ran, half slid down the rest of the way and entered a large cavern with an enormous underground lake bordered by a low retaining wall. Taejo was sputtering and splashing, trying to keep afloat in the murky lake waters. Already, a current was pulling him farther away.

"Kira!" he shouted before going under. Flailing, he bobbed back up. "Kira, help me!"

"Keep swimming!" Kira yelled. She tore off her bag and sword and her heavy outerwear.

Taejo's head went under again and he struggled to fight his way to the surface. Before Kira could jump into the water, a great surge rippled across the surface, pushing Taejo up and out of the lake. Below him swam a ma.s.sive turtle, its ridged sh.e.l.l glinting like polished jade. The turtle's powerful strokes took Taejo to the wall in a few glides. He grabbed Kira's outstretched hands and clambered off awkwardly, trembling from the cold.

Only then did she notice the turtle staring at them from large onyx eyes.

"She's beautiful," Kira whispered. She bowed with deep reverence to the turtle. "Thank you for saving my cousin," she said.

"Yes, thank you very much for saving me." Taejo bowed also, his body shaking from his drenching. "How do you know she's a she?" he asked.

Kira smiled, still staring in awe at the creature. "I don't know. Just a feeling."

She couldn't explain. She sensed a warmth and infinite patience that made her think it was female.

Taejo shivered violently.

"You're going to get sick," Kira exclaimed. "I don't have an extra change of clothes for you, but undress as much as you can." Taejo quickly peeled off all his layers until he stood in an undershirt and trousers. She wrapped her quilted jacket and heavy coat around his shaking form and sat him on the low retaining wall.

The turtle continued to float in the water, watching, waiting.

"Wonder what she wants," Taejo said.

Kira shook her head in wonder.

Suddenly, the turtle dived and resurfaced mere inches from them. Taejo pulled away in alarm, but Kira leaned forward. The turtle opened its jaws wide. Nestled on the center of its black tongue was a ruby the size of a plum. Kira sucked in her breath, her mind flashed back to Dragon Springs Temple. She could hear Brother Woojin's voice telling them of the three treasures-one of which was the sacred ruby tidal stone that controlled the seas.

"It must be the tidal stone!" Kira said. "Quick, Taejo, grab it!"

Taejo hesitated.

"Hurry up!"

He jumped away from the wall, breathing hard. Kira looked at him in disbelief.

He covered his face. "Make it stop staring at me!"

"But you're the Dragon Musado!" she said, even as she realized it would do no good.

The turtle remained frozen in position, its mouth hinged open. Kira reached in and took the ruby, surprised to find it pulsing with warm heat. As soon as she withdrew her hand, the turtle closed its mouth with a loud snap and slowly began to submerge into the recesses of the lake. Kira waved in thanks and farewell, watching until the last bubbles faded and the lake was calm once more. Staring at the bloodred jewel, she sensed a latent power within it, which reached out to her and spoke of tidal waves, hurricanes, and monsoons.

"I knew it. Take a look at this!" she said as Taejo finally approached.

Standing on top of the retaining wall, Kira held her hands over the lake, letting the ruby speak through her and into the water. The ruby began to glow brightly as the calm surface frothed and a large wave formed before their eyes. With a sweep of her arms, Kira aimed it at the farthest sh.o.r.e. The water crashed against the wall with a thunderous clap before becoming tranquil again. The Dragon King's sacred ruby tidal stone, which controlled all the seas, pulsed softly in her hands.

"Let me try!" Taejo s.n.a.t.c.hed it away, but what was once bright and warm, with a radiant inner light, dimmed in his hands.

"What happened?" he asked.

Kira shrugged and took the ruby. It began to glow and pulse, as if it were alive. He grabbed it again, only to find the stone cold and lifeless.

"I don't understand. I thought I was supposed to be the Dragon Musado?"

"You are! I think you were supposed to take it when the turtle first offered it to you. Why didn't you?" Kira asked. She wondered if their actions had changed the course of both their futures.

Taejo shook his head.

"I saw something in its eyes. Something terrible. I can't explain. Maybe it means you're the Dragon Musado," Taejo said, puzzled. "But you can't be! You're a girl."

She glared at him. "Why do you think that would make a difference?"

"But that is the way of things. You know it, too."

Kira shrugged, aware of the truth of his words. How she hated that phrase, the way of things.

Taejo's refusal to take the stone might have transferred its powers to her, but it still didn't change the fact that the Heavenly Maidens had named him the One. That must mean he was the Dragon Musado. The thought dimmed some of her joy at finding the tidal stone.

"I don't understand. Why doesn't it work for me?" he said.

"You should have grabbed it when you had the chance," she retorted. Then, less harshly, "I don't know. Maybe I just need to hold it for you until you get the other two treasures. Think of me as just the keeper."

He nodded, but Kira caught the angry frown on his face.

"Come on," she said. "Let's go."