Prophecy. Part 25

"The king and your people would like to see the prince. And you too, Kang Kira." Pak bowed to Kira and gave her a big smile. "It would be an honor to escort you both."

Kira grimaced. She had no intention of standing before another crowd.

"Why do you look like that?" Kwan asked. "Don't you realize who you are? You're the legendary Dragon Musado who saved Hansong from the evil imoogi. They claim that with you and King Eojin together, the prophecy has been fulfilled and the Yamatos will be defeated!"

She put a hand to her cheek and fingered the bandage. She eyed Taejo with a troubled expression.

"It's all right, Noona. I'm glad you are the Dragon Musado."

"Yes, but I don't understand one thing. The Heavenly Maiden told me that Taejo is Dang's heir, not Eojin."

Brother Woojin came forward and sat by her side. "Young mistress, I have been pondering this puzzle ever since you discovered the tidal stone and have come up with a theory. Only the Dragon Musado can find and wield the Dragon King treasures. Yet the Heavenly Maidens have ordered you to protect the prince."

Kira nodded.

"You accepted the stone from the giant turtle, and you used the power of the tidal stone to defeat the Yamatos. That means you are the warrior, the Dragon Musado. All this time, the monks have believed that the warrior is the One. We followed Master Ahn's theories. But we were wrong. You are the Dragon Musado, the protector of the One, and the prince is the future king. The two of you are the prophecy."

Kira wasn't surprised by the monk's words. Ever since she'd unleashed the power of the tidal stone, she'd felt the rightness of her actions. The stone belonged to her. She was the Dragon Musado. What Brother Woojin said made sense. She'd sworn over and over to protect Taejo. It was her fate. Yet, she was still troubled.

"I don't understand," Taejo said. "The prophecy says *one will save us all.' But there are two of us. How can that be?"

Brother Woojin clasped his hands and laughed. "Remember, the warrior was never part of the original prophecy. It was part of Master Ahn's interpretation. We monks have put the two together for centuries. But we were wrong."

"So, I'm no longer the yellow-eyed k.u.miho?" Kira asked with a grin.

Kyoung stepped forward and grabbed her hand, pressing it firmly. "No one will ever call you that again."

Kira saw Taejo smiling at her.

"Do you feel up to coming?" he asked, his face hopeful. "I'd rather you were with me."

She nodded, watching the relief sweep over his face. With a bow, Taejo walked out, the captain and Jindo at his side.

Ignoring the pain, Kira stood up and followed them. When Kyoung tried to put his arm around her, she glared at him. "I'm fine, Oppa," she said. "Don't hover."

Kyoung laughed. "All right, little sister. I'm here if you need me." He moved ahead to catch up with Taejo.

Jaewon stood close by on her other side. Catching Jaewon's eye, she was relieved to see he was still carrying her bow and arrow case. He placed her nambawi in her hands. Kira was happy to have it back. It was like an old friend. But instead of wearing it, she shoved it into her arrow case.

She smiled up at him.

"Thank you."

The warmth and steadiness of his gaze made her nervous. She put an uncertain hand up to her face. The bandages covered the damage over her eye, but her cheek was badly scarred.

He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "It makes you look very das.h.i.+ng. Like a lady bandit. You can be the most dangerous criminal in all the Seven Kingdoms!"

She laughed. "Then you can be my b.u.mbling sidekick who must do everything I say."

"But of course, my lady!" He bowed. "I will even gladly wash your stinky feet."

"Ya! My feet aren't stinky!"

"Whatever you say, my lady."

They bickered back and forth as they walked to where a group of soldiers and horses stood waiting for them.

Taejo mounted his horse and gazed anxiously down at her. "Are you sure you're all right?" he asked.

"Of course," she replied.

With a nervous smile, Taejo rode ahead with Kwan and the captain. Kira pulled herself slowly onto her saddle, her head aching and dizzy from the small effort. She was relieved to have Kyoung lead her horse. They followed Taejo's group to the palace grounds, with Jaewon and Seung taking up the rear.

The sun was setting, casting the streets and buildings into half shadows, hiding the fallen bodies that littered the street in semidarkness. She heard cheering, getting louder. Thousands of people filled the main plaza before the palace. As the crowd became aware of the soldiers waiting to pa.s.s, they opened up a pathway. The cheering exploded as cries of "Prince Taejo!" erupted throughout the city.

Kira watched her young cousin greet the citizens of Hansong. She felt happiness and pride mixed with sadness and regret. At that moment, she couldn't have been prouder of Taejo, who rode with great dignity for one so young.

On the steps of the palace, King Eojin awaited him.

Kira, Kyoung, Jaewon, and Seung joined Kwan and the captain, watching the young prince riding through the ma.s.ses. Around them, they heard a new chant: "Dragon Musado." Wary and uneasy with the attention, Kira started to shrink down into her saddle, and then she stopped herself.

No more hiding, Kang Kira, she told herself.

She straightened and waved to the people bowing to her.

Kyoung laughed. "You're a hero!"

Kira shrugged. For the first time ever, the crowds were cheering her. It was all a bit too much. It was such a change, and she wondered if she could trust it. The word trust hung in her mind, a whisper of a memory. They saved us at the cliffs.

She marveled at how different it was to be accepted. Something she'd always wished for but thought would never happen. And yet how strange it was that it didn't matter anymore.

Tuning out the chants, she focused on her cousin, who had now reached the king.

Eojin looked splendid in his black armor. He stood above the heads of the crowd of Hansong citizens. Beside him were several of his generals, all battle worn and grimy, their faces proud and stoic.

At the foot of the palace stairs, Taejo dismounted and hesitated. This was where his father and hers had been executed. In her mind, she urged him forward. He straightened his shoulders and climbed up to Eojin's side.

The crowd became silent, sensing something momentous. The king embraced him. Eojin kept his arm on Taejo's shoulders as he announced, "My good people, I bring to you your prince!"

The crowd roared with wild enthusiasm.

Eojin raised a hand for quiet.

"Today, Hansong has become part of the Guru Kingdom. As your new king, I will provide you with the full protection of the Iron Army. We will fight on, and drive these Yamato devils back across the seas!"

Eojin waited for the crowds to quiet down before continuing.

"On this momentous day, I declare Prince Taejo of Hansong, my nephew and clansman, to be my heir and successor."

This time the response was deafening. Taejo looked up at Eojin in bewilderment.

"Look to your people, young prince!" Eojin said with an indulgent smile.

Taejo faced his audience and seemed to search for someone. His eyes caught and held Kira's. She released the breath she'd unconsciously been holding.

His smile, tinged with sadness, made her ache with sympathy. She knew his grief at losing his parents. She smiled in encouragement, forgetting the pain in her head.

Kira raised her arms in victory. He responded in kind, whooping a great loud cheer.

They weren't done yet. There was still too much to do. The Yamatos had retreated south. Kudara needed to be dealt with. Kaya and Jinhan had to be rescued. And she still needed to find the last two Dragon King treasures. But for now, nothing else mattered.

They were home.

Glossary

Baduk-Korean term for the ancient Chinese board game Weiqi and the j.a.panese game Go Daegam-Your Eminence or Your Excellency; term of respect used for high ranking officials Daimyo-powerful j.a.panese feudal lord Dongji-winter solstice; usually falls on December 22 of the solar calendar Haetae-mythical fire-eating dog Hanbok-traditional Korean dress Hanja-Korean name for Chinese characters used to write the Korean language Imoogi-half-dragon, half-snake mythical creature Jangseung-totem poles made of wood or stone traditionally used to ward off evil spirits; also used as village boundary markers Jesa-memorial service Ki-life-force energy k.u.miho-nine-tailed fox demon Li-Korean measurement unit; 1 li is equivalent to 500 meters, 0.5 kilometers, or 0.31 miles.

Makkoli-milky rice wine drink Musado-warrior Nambawi-traditional winter hat Noona-boy's honorific term for an older sister Ondol-a floor heating system unique to Korea Oppa-girl's honorific term for an older brother Sang gum hyung-double-sword form Saulabi-soldier Suchae-untouchables, the lowest members of the caste system, including actors, butchers, hunters, and prost.i.tutes Sunim-honorific term used for monks Taekkyon-the original martial-art form of ancient Korea that has evolved into what is referred to as tae kwon do Ya-hey; can also mean "you"

Acknowledgments.

While writing a novel is largely solitary, getting it ready to be published is a team effort. I have been so fortunate to have a wonderful team at HarperCollins help bring Prophecy into the world. The very first thank-you is to my brilliant editor, Phoebe Yeh, who believed in my book from the first moment she read it. I believe she is a genius. Big thanks also to the incredible Jessica MacLeish, who is so awesome to work with. To my fabulous HarperCollins team made up of the following amazing people: Emilie Polster, Olivia deLeon, Jenna Lisanti, Stefanie Hoffman, and Molly Thomas. My brilliant art directors, Amy Ryan and Joel Tippie, and Sarah Hoy, who created my beautiful cover. To my copy editor, Kathryn Hinds, and production editor, Kathryn Silsand. And of course to Kate Jackson, editor-in-chief, and Susan Katz, publisher extraordinaire.

This book would never have happened if it weren't for my awesome agent, Joe Monti, who said those four very important words: "I love your book." Joe, you rock! And I'm so fortunate to be part of the Barry Goldblatt agency and have the fabulous Barry Goldblatt and Tricia Ready, who make all their authors feel special.

My infinite grat.i.tude to: My ninja writer buddies, Mike Jung and Martha Flynn. What would I do without you guys?

My wonderful writer friends who supported me in all their various ways, including Cindy Pon, Juliet Grames, Caroline Richmond, Marie Lu, Robin LaFevers, Jenn Reese, Elsie Chapman, Carrie Harris, Kiki Hamilton, Laura Riken, Christy Farley, Lisa Liebow, Michone Johnson, Joy Wiznauski, Renee Ahdieh, Aerin Rose, Richard Levangie, and Charles Gramlich. You guys saw me through the hard years.

The incredibly talented Virginia Allyn, whose kindness and generosity I'll never forget.

Verla Kay and all my blueboarder friends, especially the No Newsers. My Inkies over at the Enchanted Inkpot and my Friday the Thirteener buddies, especially Erin Bowman, who started it all with me.

The supersmart and amazing Stacy Whitman.

Professor Wontack Hong of Seoul University, who so generously shared his time and work with me during my research process.

The best friends a girl could have: Sylvia Lara, who always knew what to say and when to say it, and Anna Hong Kim and Jennifer Choi Um, who were my very own cheering squad.

My dad, who has always been so amazing and supportive; my sister, Janet Poirot, who is an incredible writer herself; my brother-in-law, Laurent Poirot, whose genius tech brain kept me sane; and to my mom, who told me not to be a plain old chicken but to soar like an eagle.

My three daughters, Summer, Skye, and Gracie, who would sit at my feet and listen to my stories, laughing and crying and cheering. Everything I do, I do for you girls.

And my everlasting appreciation to my husband, Sonny, who told me "to just write that book already and buy me a boat!" You are Da Man.

About the Author.

ELLEN OH is an adjunct college instructor and former entertainment lawyer who one day picked up a Genghis Khan biography and was never quite the same again. It was the start of an obsessive fascination with ancient Asian history that led to years of researching, which culminated in writing Prophecy, her first novel. She also loves martial arts films, K-pop, K-dramas, and cooking shows, and she thinks the Last Airbender series was the best animated show ever created. Originally from New York City, Ellen lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and three daughters and is always on the hunt for a decent bagel. You can visit her online at www.ellenoh.com.

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