“This is not going to work!” Kwan said.
In the ensuing quiet, the admiral stared at Kira, appraising her.
“To be honest, I’d rather you not go at all. Our intelligence informs us that you are the number one priority for the Yamato. They want you captured alive.”
“This is nothing new,” she responded.
“The daimyo needs you for some reason. He is more interested in you than the prince. Falling into his hands will mean disaster for all of us.”
“I understand, but I have no choice. I must go after the prince,” Kira said.
The admiral seemed to be carefully pondering his next words.
“I must ask you if this is the right thing to do,” he said slowly. “If they get their hands on you, it might be more dangerous than losing the prince.”
“Never say that!” Kira responded fiercely. “He is our future king!”
Kyoung pulled Kira aside and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. She could see the blackened fingers of his left hand, the remnants of his encounter with the Demon Lord’s cursed blade that killed their uncle. She was reminded again of how much they had lost and suffered since the start of the war.
Lowering his head, he spoke to her in a soft undertone. “Kira, he speaks the truth,” Kyoung said. “There can be other kings but there is only one Musado.”
Shaken by his words, Kira pulled away. She was reminded of Shaman Won from Jaewon’s village. The shaman had claimed that Brother Woojin was using Kira only to protect the prince. He’d accused the monk of not respecting Kira and seeking to minimize her role in the prophecy.
“Even recognizing that the girl is the Dragon Musado, your mind seeks a more acceptable interpretation. That she is only part of the prophecy instead of the only one. She is only relevant to you as the prince’s protector. But what you fail to recognize is that everything is irrelevant without her.”
The shaman was right. This was something that she was as much at fault for doing as everyone else. It had been difficult for her to accept that she was the Dragon Musado, and when she did, she still downplayed her own importance. To Kira, Taejo was the prophecy. He was the one she had to protect. When she’d gone to the Diamond Mountains and found the first of the Dragon King’s treasures, the tidal stone, the Heavenly Maidens had told her that Taejo was the future king. It was her job to ensure that he saw his future through. She swore to take care of Taejo. It was a promise she would never break.
“I understand why it is you feel this way,” she said carefully. “I appreciate your feelings. But please respect mine. I made a vow to his father and ours to protect Prince Taejo. I must go after him. I must save him.”
“Then we will honor your oath and speak no more of this. We will do whatever is needed to help you,” Kyoung assured her.
They returned to the group. “The matter is decided,” he said. “She must go.”
With a decisive nod, the admiral began the discussion again.
“I understand that my plan sounds crazy, but here is what I propose. We set sail for Modo tonight, on the evening tide. It usually takes a full day of travel, although the seas have been unpredictable of late. We will arrive from the east, which will keep us out of sight of Jindo. You’ll be dropped off in a small craft as close as we can get to shore. We cannot drop anchor, as we would risk being seen if a Yamato ship should pass by. It will be late in the evening and low tide, so it should be relatively safe,” he said. “Once you get to the island, you have two options. The first is to keep an eye out for the bridge and make a run for it. The second option is to row over to Jindo. But it would take too long by yourself.”
“I’m going with her,” Jaewon cut in.
The admiral eyed Jaewon with approval. “Well, with two of you, it should take only an hour, provided the seas are calm. But that leaves you sitting ducks for the Yamato if they spot you.”
Kwan cursed. “That’s an even worse option!”
Kira rubbed a finger along the scar that ran from her eyebrow to her cheek. “We must pray to the Heavenly Father for a moonless night.”