"Thank your dog," Jaewon replied. "We would not have known of your troubles if he hadn't chased us down. He's a smart one." He reached over to stroke Jindo's head. "Your dog led us here."

"But what are you doing out here?" Kira repeated.

Jaewon c.o.c.ked an eyebrow, causing Kira to mutter an apology.

"No need to apologize," he said, his eyes steady on hers. "We were traveling to Hansong when we spotted a scary-looking army riding toward the city. We decided that our fortunes would be better served going the opposite direction."

"That would probably be the same army that's after us. We've lost all our men," Kwan interjected. "We must leave now."

"Where are you headed?" Jaewon asked.

"To Mount Hwaak, up north, in Tongey," Kwan said.

Seung nudged Jaewon and made dramatic eye rolls at Kira.

Jaewon sighed and said, "We'd be happy to ride with you."

Kwan hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Another bowman would be greatly appreciated."

Relief flooded through Kira. She and Kwan were good fighters, but there were so many of the enemy. They would need all the help they could get to keep Taejo safe. She could not bear the idea of losing him again.

Seung came over to her side. "I feel much safer traveling with you now," he said. He scampered away before Kira could correct him. Safer was the last thing he'd be.

They traveled old forest trails, avoiding the main road and only breaking for water. It wasn't until the middle of the night, the hour of the rat, that the group could finally rest.

They set up camp near a narrow stream. Kira did a quick but thorough check of the perimeter while Jaewon and Seung rubbed down the horses. There would be no fire tonight.

Kira's boots and trousers were still wet and uncomfortable. She slid down onto the ground and rested her head on her arms. Taejo leaned against her, Jindo at his feet. She could feel Taejo's body, shuddering in uncontrollable spurts.

"It's so different when it's real," he said.

Kira nodded. She knew what he was talking about. This was his first experience in battle. It was easy to kill, but hard to forget. For Kira, it was the sounds of death that always stayed with her. The tearing of flesh and bone, the screams of agony, the death rattle. Even after ten years of fighting demons, the sound still unnerved her.

"I'm never going to be a warrior like my father," he said. "How do you do it? Act like nothing happened?"

Kira wrapped her arm tight around his shoulders. "It isn't easy, but you get numb after a while. You have to or you'll start to lose your soul a little each time."

"My father's dead." Taejo's body shook with racking sobs.

Kira held him close, letting his fingers dig into her arms.

"I knew you would come for me," he said.

"Always," she replied.

When he finally stopped shaking, she rose to her feet and pulled him up.

"Go and change into dry pants and shoes. You need to stay warm."

He nodded and stumbled away.

Kira walked over to where Kwan was brushing the dried mud off the flank of his horse.

"Oppa, we must avenge Father's death." Her voice seemed overly harsh to her ears.

Kwan's hands stilled. "Now is not the time."

"Then when? What about our mother and aunt? How will we save them?"

Kwan frowned at her. "Our mission is to protect the prince," he replied. "We made an oath. Everything else must wait."

"I can't wait!"

"You must!" He rubbed a hand over his eyes, but Kira could see his tears. "It is what Father would have wanted us to do. Would have expected us to do."

He opened the supply bag and pa.s.sed out small rice b.a.l.l.s to everyone.

"We'll rest here for a few hours, but then we need to continue," Kwan said. Sitting down, he eyed Jaewon curiously.

"Thanks for your help today," Kwan said. "It was very fortunate for us that you were there."

Jaewon glanced at Taejo and then at Kwan. "Who are you in trouble with?"

Kwan hesitated before answering.

"Let me introduce you to the crown prince of Hansong, Prince Kim Taejo," Kwan said. "The Yamatos have invaded Hansong, and he is no longer safe."

"Your Highness." Jaewon and Seung stood and bowed to Taejo.

"Please don't," Taejo said. "I am prince of nothing right now. I am just Kim Taejo. My kingdom has been invaded, and my father has been a.s.sa.s.sinated." Taejo dropped his head into his hands.

"You are still the crown prince, heir to the throne of Hansong. And when you are coronated, you will be king," Kwan said. "While it would be wise to keep this information to ourselves until you are safe, you should not forget who you are."

"We've lost the captain and all my guards. Demons are after us. How can we escape?" Taejo asked.

"Don't lose faith," Kira said. She put an arm around him and hugged him. "I'll always be here for you."

Kira pulled out some blankets and made up a bed for the prince. Taejo lay down without a word and turned away. She rolled up next to him, watching as the others made their beds, while Kwan paced the perimeter. She chewed on her nail and then spit in disgust. Her hand was grimy.

Reaching into her jacket, Kira pulled her father's gift out of the small pouch that hung low around her neck. "Father," she whispered. She gripped the haetae hard in her fist, trying to shut out the image of her father's death, desperately wondering what was happening to her mother and praying that she was still safe.

No matter how long it takes and if it costs me my life, I will have revenge. I swear to you, Father. You will be avenged.

16.

They reached the Tongey border the next day and rode steadily north, bypa.s.sing the villages they came across, and pa.s.sing several more nights in the forest. Kira's demon-sensing abilities were strained from lack of sleep and constant vigilance by the time they reached Mount Hwaak. She'd killed several imp spies before they could return and report back their location. But she knew she wouldn't be able to rest until Taejo was safe within the temple grounds.

"We need to get up the mountain before the sun sets, or we will never be able to find the entrance," Brother Woojin said.

They rode single file up the narrow mountain trail embedded with tall spires jutting up like rocky daggers. Their horses wove in and out between the spires until they reached a sheer granite face. Brother Woojin dismounted and put his hand under a ledge and pulled on a hidden lever. A stone door swung open to reveal a long, wide corridor that led to a large courtyard, where a fountain sprayed crystal-clear water.

Kira was captivated. They were within the secret valley of the Dragon Springs Temple. Golden-red rays glinted over the shiny granite walls surrounding the valley. The temple building was built directly into the stone side of the mountain. Below it were orchards and gardens and softly sloping hills stretching into a vast sea of green.

Several monks came forward to meet their party and greet Brother Woojin.

"Welcome to Dragon Springs Temple," Brother Woojin said with a tired smile.

Kira was surprised to see how simple the temple was. Unlike Stone Temple of Hansong, with its gold-gilded columns, multicolored eaves, tiled walls, and three-storied paG.o.da, the ancient temple before them was an elegant one-story wooden structure.

Jaewon whistled as he gazed across the entire valley.

"This is a wonderful place," he said. "I wonder how long it's been here?"

"The temple is over five hundred years old," Kira said.

Taejo looked at her in surprise. "How did you know that, Noona?"

She shrugged. "Unlike you, I was listening to Sunim's history lessons." She nudged him as he gave her a reproachful frown.

"It's dedicated to the Mountain Spirit, believed to be the spirit of the Dragon King," Kira continued. "And it wasn't always hidden. The temple was built into the mountain. But as the world around the temple changed, the monks began to fear for their simple way of life. Legend has it that the mountains grew around the temple to keep them safe. The monks only leave the valley to trade with nearby villages, look for new disciples, or go on a pilgrimage. That is how Brother Woojin came to us."

"I feel fortunate to have seen it," Jaewon said. "The prince will be safe here. We can continue on our journey once again."

"You're leaving?" Taejo asked in alarm.

"Yes," he said. "The sooner the better."

"But why?" Taejo asked. "Where are you going?"

Jaewon shrugged. "I'm not sure. Haven't decided yet."

"Then stay with us," Taejo said.

Jaewon didn't answer.

"Noona, don't let them go!" Taejo said. "We need them."

Kira hid her disappointment.

"They've already been such a great help to us. We can't ask for any more," she said.

"But we need them," Taejo persisted. "You think so too, don't you?"

Kira sighed. "It would be great, but it's too much of an imposition."

Jaewon snapped to attention; a small smile played on his lips.

"If you were to ask me, I might change my mind," he said.

Kira blinked in surprise. "What?"

Taejo poked her in the arm, grinning. "You heard him! Just ask him," he said.

"You mean you would stay with us?" she asked Jaewon.

He nodded.

"So why'd you say you'd leave then?" Kira was annoyed.

Jaewon shrugged his shoulder. "It's nice to be wanted."

He nudged Taejo, who began to giggle.

Suddenly, the stress and lack of sleep from the nights on the road hit Kira hard. Too cranky to handle their teasing, she glared at them both before stomping away.

Out in the hallway, she found a young novice who led her to her room. It was so small that once she unrolled the futon and made her bed, it took up the entire s.p.a.ce.

Sliding under the covers, she drifted off.

A moment later, she heard a loud purring and opened her eyes to see the ghostly form of a tiger circling her. It settled down, pressing its warm body against hers.

"My tiger spirit." A sense of well-being filled her as her body absorbed the tiger's healing energy. Kira caressed the soft fur and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

17.

The next morning when Kira and the others walked into the monastery's prayer room, Brother Woojin and another monk were already seated on the raised floor. The windowless interior chamber was lit with hanging lanterns shaped like lotuses. A small gilt-bronze statue of Gwaneum, the G.o.ddess of mercy and compa.s.sion, stood on an altar. Painted on the wall behind it was a large mural of Gwaneum riding on the back of a magnificent golden dragon.

Brother Woojin waited solemnly as Kira and the others stood before him. He was dressed in a formal black robe with a red silk shawl over his left shoulder and tied under the right arm. Beside him sat the head monk, a very old man with small, narrow eyes and a long, pointed white beard, whose intricately designed shawl indicated his high rank. He beamed as Kira, Taejo, Kwan, Jaewon, and Seung stood before them.

"Greetings and felicitations!" The frail monk had a deep, melodious voice. He raised his arms expansively. "I am Master Roshi."

The visitors sat cross-legged before the two monks.