Jaewon rubbed absently at a callus on one of his fingers. “My father is really good at carving these cute little animal figurines,” he said. “I was always asking him for the scary tigers and bears and monsters. But my brother loved the cute ones.”
He paused. “When we were at North Wagay, I asked if he was carving again. But he creates more artistic stuff now. I should have asked him to teach me how to do cute ones. Then I could get Gom’s face right.”
Kira didn’t respond, letting him talk uninterrupted. He spoke easily and with clear affection for his father. Unlike the awkwardness that would arise when he mentioned his mother. Not that she blamed him. It was hard to even think of the insane woman she’d met in North Wagay as Jaewon’s mother.
“Maybe I should give it up and stick to carving dogs,” he finally said as he leaned back with a sigh. “You want to try?”
Kira shook her head. “I have no artistic talent at all. When my mother tried to teach me to embroider and paint, she realized quickly that it was not my forte. I’m very efficient. I can sew straight and evenly. But I seem to be missing the ability to create beauty.”
“Why don’t you try? Even if it’s bad, the effort of it can be quite calming,” Jaewon said.
As she opened her mouth to say no, a vision of Taejo flashed before her eyes. She felt the worry and guilt start to rise within her again. Wondering how he was and how the monks were treating him. Just the thought of Fulang started to make her blood boil. She stood up abruptly and went to sit by Jaewon’s side. The idea of carving something suddenly appealed to her. It was a much-needed distraction.
“Show me,” she said.
They spent the second night on the island carving up wood and talking in contented friendship. For once in her life, Kira felt completely relaxed with someone not a member of her family. As he showed her the intricate cuts he would make into his carving, Kira spent more time gazing at his expressive face, enjoying the play of firelight that lit his eyes with warmth. She loved the way his dimples would flash in and out with his words. The one on his left cheek was a deep indentation that made her want to poke her finger into it.
“Are you listening to me or are you too busy admiring my beauty?” Jaewon asked.
“Something about your face makes me sleepy,” she said.
“I’m not sure if that was an insult or a strange compliment,” he remarked.
Chuckling, Kira set her blanket beside the fire and yawned. “It’s a good thing. You are very relaxing,” she said. Closing her eyes, she felt Jaewon lean over and brush her hair from her face.
“I wish I could say the same about you,” he said. “I’m fairly sure you’re going to give me a heart attack.”
“At least I will never bore you,” she said, before she fell asleep.
4
On the fourth day since the dragon had kidnapped Taejo and Gom, and their third day on the island, Kira and Jaewon packed up their bags and remained hidden in the brush on the northwest side of the island.
That evening they watched the path appear. The sun was low in the sky as patches of the wide muddy path peeked through the water. Kira studied the path, the twists and turns. She wanted to make sure there would be no surprises. They had only six more days to get to the Tiger’s Nest Temple.
Right at dusk, they began to see the beginning of the phenomenon. A faint glimpse of black sand peeked through the turquoise waves. Then the seas parted and a sandy path slowly appeared between the two islands. Several torches were lit on the Jindo shore as the patrols switched to the night crew. From what Kira observed and the admiral had told her, the end of the pathway would open on the Jindo side closer to where the mountains began. Fortunately, the patrols were congregated several li away.
Half an hour had passed and the fading sunlight still marked the horizon, making the widening sandy path clearer to see. “Can’t they see the path?” Jaewon asked.
“Not unless they know to look for it,” Kira said. “The path is dark and they aren’t close enough.”
Anxious, they waited some more.
“If we don’t go soon, the tide will get us,” Kira said.
Jaewon looked at the vast ocean surrounding them. “Can’t you use the tidal stone to keep the tide away?”
“I wish it was that easy,” she said. “As soon as I use it, the stone will heat up and shine brightly. I don’t want to risk being caught.”
“And I don’t want to risk drowning,” Jaewon said.
“I promise I won’t let that happen,” Kira replied.
She eyed the streaks of sunlight still shimmering over the horizon. She cast Jaewon a grim look. “Let’s go.”
They strapped their bags onto their backs and headed down the pathway. Just then they heard a muted roar and screaming. The tiny figures of the Yamato patrol were racing down the beach, away from their exit point. Fire blazed in the darkening sky, smoke billowing into the air. Something was burning just beyond their vision.