Next he told of the assassins that had infiltrated Hansong and killed King Eojin with cursed daggers from the Demon Lord. He described their escape from Hansong, to keep not only the prince safe but Kira as well. He described Whitehead Mountain and how Kira’s and Taejo’s spirits entered the land of shadows to search out the jeweled dagger. Then Jaewon turned to Kira to tell the rest of the tale. Reluctantly, Kira started to speak.
“In the land of shadows, we found the lair of Fulang, a very powerful dragon who wakes every hundred years to search out treasures and eat humans. He was to be the keeper of the jeweled dagger, which has the power to tear down mountains and cause earthquakes. But he had become greedy and he replaced one of his own claws with the dagger so that he could use its powers for his own covetous pleasures.” Kira paused, unused to speaking before such a large and attentive crowd. This time it was the adults who yelled impatiently for the story to continue. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell them about Nara. But she was worried about their reaction to the idea that she had befriended a kumiho. Nara was too special to her. Kira decided to keep her role in the story private for now.
“I cut off the dagger from the dragon’s claws and used it to escape. But I was stupid,” she continued. “Without the jeweled dagger, I thought the dragon Fulang would be trapped forever. But I forgot his power and his magic. He tracked us from the underworld, shifting his cave so that it would open at the southern tip of Jinhan. He exploded out of the sand, took the prince hostage, and told me to come to the Tiger’s Nest Temple in ten days. That’s why we are here. To save my cousin.”
The looks of fright and concern on everyone’s faces told Kira what she already knew. The temple was dangerous. Gina jumped up and raced over to Kira, hugging her tightly.
“I don’t want you to go there,” she sobbed as tears flowed down her face. “Nobody ever returns from the temple. They’re cannibals.”
Kira rubbed a gentle hand through Gina’s hair. “I know, but I have to try.”
The children gathered around Kira in distress. Kira had never felt so much affection from strangers.
“If you find the prince, will you come back?” they asked.
“I don’t know if I can,” Kira said. “We need to return with all three treasures to where my brothers await me with the Iron Army. We must be ready to do battle.”
“But aren’t you afraid?” Gina asked.
“Yes. I’d be a fool not to be,” Kira answered. “But sometimes we have to do things no matter how difficult or frightening they might be. Because it’s the right thing to do.”
A little girl, no older than four, tugged at Kira’s arm. When Kira looked at her, she raised her arms, asking to be picked up. Kira’s heart seemed to expand in her chest, making her catch her breath. She felt the tickle of tears in the back of her throat as she gathered the little girl into her arms.
“What’s your name?” Kira asked.
“Miri,” the little girl said shyly. “I like your hair. It’s curly like mine.”
“Thank you. I like yours,” Kira responded, tugging at one of Miri’s unruly curls.
Cuddling up against her, Miri asked, “Will you win?”
Kira couldn’t resist holding the little girl tight.
“I’m going to do my best.”
“Good,” Miri said. “Then you’ll win. I know it.”
She leaned her head against Kira, perfectly content in her arms. Her innocent trust and admiration reminded her of Taejo, causing a pang of worry to gnaw at her gut. Kira ran her hand over Miri’s soft curly hair.
Gina pressed closer. “But after you win the war, you must come back. Please?” All the kids began a chorus of please, which made Kira laugh.
“I will definitely try,” she said.
As the crowd began to disperse, Miri’s parents came to take her home. Miri gave Kira a sticky kiss good-bye. Chief Lee waited for everyone to leave and then sent Gina home.
“Gina, why don’t you go and prepare a place to sleep for our guests,” she said.
“Yes, Mother,” Gina said, running off in happy excitement. They heard her tell all her friends that the Dragon Musado would be sharing a room with her that night.
Once her daughter was out of ear range, Chief Lee sat down with a troubled expression.
“Do you have any idea what you will do once you get to the temple? How will you get in without being caught by the monks? How will you find the dragon and your prince? How will you escape?” the chief asked. “This way seems impossible.”
“I have no choice,” Kira said. “This is my fate.”