“How far is Muju from Nosong?” Major Pak asked.
“About one hundred sixty li, but over some mountainous terrain. With all our foot soldiers and cavalry, it will take us two to three days to get there. The Third and Fourth Divisions should be there sooner than us and will wait outside the city boundaries for our command.”
“With two divisions heading to Muju, will we be able to supply everyone there?” Major Pak asked.
Kwan nodded. “It’s still lightly populated and a large farming community. We should be fine.”
As the major and Kwan began to talk logistics, Kira turned to Taejo. “Are you ready for all of this?” she asked.
Taejo nodded, his young face looking mature. “I don’t want to hide behind your sword anymore, Noona. I want to fight for my throne. And I’ll do whatever it takes to give my people hope.”
Before she answered, Kwan turned to her. “As we prepare for battle, our top priority is figuring out how we will kill the daimyo.”
“Are we sure that the daimyo is in Nosong?” Kira asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “Our best spies have reported back to us. This is our chance to kill him once and for all. Our brother is leading the entire Iron Army to Nosong, and we will join him at Muju. We’ll leave in the morning.”
Kira suppressed a shiver. She needed to avoid the daimyo at all costs. And yet, if she were to have any hope of freeing her uncle Eojin from the shadow world and winning this war, she would have to kill the daimyo.
But how would she do it without risking being controlled by him? Her visions flashed before her eyes again. All she saw was the death of everyone she loved. She would not let that happen.
Yet what could she do when the mere thought of the daimyo frightened her so much? How could she face him?
14
Kwan had brought a small unit of ten soldiers to escort them to Muju. The party rode out the next day, cutting through the mountainous terrain and heading north. Late afternoon, a scout returned, warning of another armed force on their route.
“Looks like rebel forces. They wear a headband around their foreheads with a black-and-gold dragon insignia,” the scout said.
Surprised and hopeful at hearing the news, Kira pushed forward. “Dragon headband?” she asked. “I know them. That’s the sign of the Dragon Fighters from up north. Take us to them immediately.”
They approached the campsite, where they were stopped by armed patrols. Upon recognizing Kira, they allowed the group to pass. The campsite was quite large. The Dragon Fighters had doubled in size since last she had seen them. Men and women in various colored uniforms, all wearing the dragon insignia headbands. They rose to their feet in wary respect. Kira’s party dismounted and approached a large soldier, barking orders at the others.
“Are you the leader of the Dragon Fighters?” Kira asked.
The soldier pivoted and shouted, “Commander! You have visitors!”
Kira surveyed the area. Beyond the bustling campsite, Kira spotted a small ger, one of the northern tents Shin Bo Hyun had raved about not so long ago. Then someone came out of the ger, standing in the sunlight. At first Kira couldn’t see who it was. When she did, she paled, unable to believe her eyes. Shin Bo Hyun stood in front of her, with the same half smile as always, but looking completely different. His long silky hair was gone, cropped close to his head. It made him look more masculine and intimidating. His eyes gleamed when he spotted her. He walked over, his smile getting wider with every step.
“Are you for real or are you a ghost haunting me?” Kira asked. She reached over and poked his cheek. It had been over a month since she’d last seen him at the Yalu River.
Shin Bo Hyun held her hand against his chest. “See? It’s really me,” he said, his eyes gazing intensely into hers.
Kira snatched her hand away, shaking her head in disbelief. “This is the second time I thought you were dead. But for the first time, I’m glad you aren’t.”
“That’s definitely an improvement.” He laughed. He looked back and waved Chansu over. “Apparently this one had been secretly tracking us. He rounded up the men we had sent off as decoys, and came after us. I don’t think I would have made it if it wasn’t for him.”
Chansu bowed, but his eyes beamed fury and retribution. She remembered him well. His hatred of her was palpable as always.
Ignoring him, Kira turned to Shin. “But why are you here?” she asked.
“I pushed my men as hard as I could to head south to join your brother’s army, as you requested. But instead, I cross paths with you again,” he said. “It’s fate. How can you doubt that we are destined to be together?”