“Pride,” Kira said. “I think this was a test to see what I was like. Now they have some idea of how I fight. He’ll report back to the others. They’ll be ready for me.”
“How did he get past the dogs?” Jaewon asked.
“Good question.” Kira walked to the side of the house where the dogs were penned in. At first she thought the dogs were dead, so still did they lie. But then she heard the heavy snores and realized the dogs must have been fed a sleeping draft. “Well, at least he didn’t kill them,” she said.
Kira sensed Jaewon’s nervousness and concern. She pushed him back toward the chief’s house. “Come on, let’s go get some sleep.”
Inside the guest room, Kira found Gina waiting up for her.
“I’m sorry you were scared,” she said. “Would you feel better sleeping with your parents?”
Gina shook her head, a smile bright on her face. “Are you kidding me? You are the most awesome warrior I’ve ever seen! I’m safer with you anyway,” she replied. “I wish you would stay and teach me all of your moves.”
Kira had to laugh at Gina’s wild movements as she displayed her own fighting tactics.
“I’ll tell you what—when the war is over, I will return and give you training tips,” Kira said.
“You promise?” The little girl was beside herself with joy.
“I promise.”
Kira and Jaewon departed early the next morning, laden down with food, leaving a tearful Gina behind.
“Don’t forget, you promised to come back,” she shouted, her voice breaking. “I’ll be waiting for you.”
Kira had a feeling Gina would still be standing there, waving, long after she could no longer see them.
The weather was warm yet breezy and the island foliage was breathtaking. They walked in companionable silence for most of the morning, both lost in their thoughts. Jaewon was unusually quiet. He seemed stressed and worried about what was to come. Although she knew she should be concerned, Kira was still basking in the happy glow she had from spending so much time with the village children.
“I think you were a big hit there,” Jaewon said.
“They were great,” she said. “I’m going to miss them.”
At home, she’d never spent much time around the little ones. She’d always been afraid that she’d scare them. But the other day had been an experience she’d always remember. Her heart felt full and tight and so happy. They hadn’t been afraid of her. They’d liked her and admired her. The little girls had all told her that they wanted to be just like her when they grew up. She was unused to this type of affection. It reminded her of Nara and the friendship they had. It was a feeling she wanted to experience again and again.
“That Gina.” Jaewon let out a small chuckle. “She really reminded me of my brother, Jaeho. So energetic and full of life.”
Kira held her breath. Jaewon almost never mentioned his brother.
“I miss him so much,” he said simply.
Kira reached out and touched his hand gently. He paused for a moment, his eyes sad but clear. “Jaeho was the most active kid in the whole village. Never sat still. Bossy, but generous and caring. And he was so smart and popular. You would have liked him a lot.”
“I know I would have,” she said.
Jaewon started walking again. “And he would have loved you,” he said. “Just like all those children at Haeyang village. You were their hero. I think you need to go back one day.”
Kira felt the warm glow in her heart again. “I would love to.”
It was midmorning when they heard the whimpers of a small animal. Kira was immediately on alert. She sensed that something was not right. Stopping in her tracks, she was assaulted by the acrid odor of otherworldly magic. It was compelling and powerful. Already, Jaewon seemed caught by its spell. He kept walking forward as if in a daze.
Kira gripped Jaewon by his sleeve. “We should avoid going in that direction,” she said, trying to pull him away from the sound.
“There’s something wrong up there,” Jaewon said as he brushed her hands away and broke into a run.
“Wait!” She ran after him, alarmed as the odor intensified about them.
Up ahead they caught sight of an animal struggling— it was a tiny white Jindo puppy. It was caught in a hunter’s snare and had gotten even more tangled in the ropes.
Jaewon pulled out his dagger, ready to cut the puppy free.
“Stop!” Kira shouted, as she saw what was under the enchantment. “Kim Jaewon! Don’t touch it!”
Jaewon ignored her.
Kira whipped out her bow and shot several arrows at the whimpering puppy.
Jaewon gasped and whirled around in fury. “How could you do that! It was a puppy! How can you be so heartless?”
Kira put away her bow and gestured at the body. “Look again.”
He stared at her hard, his eyes accusing her of a devastating betrayal. It was as if he didn’t know who she was.
“Turn around and see your puppy now!” Kira shouted.
He turned his head slowly, only to jump in shock. “Ai ya! How’s that even possible?”