With a bow, he slipped away.
Kira shut the door with a smile. After a refreshing bath in the hot springs that washed away her grime and rejuvenated her spirit, Kira changed into her clean set of clothes, washed out her dirty ones, and settled in for the night. She was clean, full, and for once she felt completely safe.
11
In the morning, Kira made both Taejo and Gom bathe. Taejo complained that without clean clothing to change into, it was all a waste of time. But when they were finished, he was surprised to find his old clothing was gone. A clean new blue silk outfit and a brand-new pair of boots were waiting for him. Even the little dokkaebi had new brown shirt and pants to wear.
“Not such a waste of time, huh?” Kira said. “And you both smell much better.”
Kira and Jaewon packed up their bags, surprised to find that everything they owned had been cleaned.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Jaewon said. “I’m very grateful. But where are they? Are they watching us all the time? It’s a little creepy.”
He looked around as if expecting ghosts to pop out of the walls.
“You’re so dramatic,” Kira said, shaking her head. “I doubt they’re hanging around spying on us. It’s not like we’re that interesting.”
“I can’t believe you don’t think it’s weird,” he huffed. He turned to Taejo. “Don’t you think it’s weird?”
Taejo shrugged.
“Ah, nobles,” Jaewon said. “You’re used to having servants underfoot all the time. I guess invisible ones are no different.”
All packed up and ready to go, they entered the shrine. The banquet table was once again filled with delicious food for them to eat for their morning meal, but the Dragon King was not there. There were only three table settings and the unseen hands seemed anxious to feed them. Plates floated quickly back and forth across the table and vanished as soon as they served themselves from it. After they ate, they heard a loud rustling sound outside.
“That must be King Dang,” Kira said.
They exited the shrine and found the great silver dragon waiting for them at the door. His beautiful silver scales glinted in the sunlight like thousands of sparkling diamonds.
“That’s the Dragon King?” Jaewon marveled.
The dragon turned to look at them and inclined his head in a stately nod. Then he gazed directly at Kira.
Come, Dragon Musado, climb onto my back. I will take you all to where you must go.
His voice spoke directly into her mind. With a nod, she urged the others onto the dragon and climbed up front. The dragon took off into the air, undulating through the skies in a slow but steady pace. Little Gom wrapped his arms around Kira’s waist and squeaked in alarm. Kira let out a crow of laughter and flung out her arms. This was even better than riding the chollima. There were no wings that threatened to knock you off, only the smooth rolling sensation of floating in the clouds. It was magical.
She looked down, hoping to see Haeyang, Gina’s village. But they were already too far up in the sky to see.
Not even an hour had passed when the dragon began to descend from the skies. He was heading into a mountain range, green and filled with the vibrant colors of spring. To the south, Kira spotted acres of tea bushes. She wondered if these were the famous tea farms of Kaya that Seung had once talked about so proudly.
They descended lower into a valley hidden by a deep forest.
I believe this is the right place for you, he said. I sense the presence of someone close to you.
“My brothers?” Kira asked hopefully.
Not your brothers, but someone who has been praying for you and the prince. You will be safe now.
“Sunim,” she said. “You have heard his prayers?”
Yes, he is my disciple. He will be coming shortly.
“But he was so far north? How can that be?” Kira marveled.
You must ask him yourself.
Somehow the dragon navigated into a small clearing and landed gently. Kira climbed down and stood before the dragon.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for everything,” she said. Taejo and Jaewon bowed deeply and reiterated their thanks.
The dragon inclined his head.
Musado, I must warn you. The belt is not to be used if one can help it. It is a powerful weapon. Too powerful. While only the Dragon Musado can use it, even the true Musado may not be able to wield its power effectively. For once the dragons are released, they will wage a destructive force more powerful than that which you wish to battle.
Kira was shaken. “Why did I not know this? It would have been better in the temple, then.”
No, I was only ever the guardian. For this prophecy to come true, all the treasures must be together.
“Then I must never use it.”
I hoped you would say that, the dragon replied gravely. But the greater danger lies in you.
“What do you mean?”