Prophecy Read Online Free PDF Page A

derisively. “And why is it always ‘the one’ that saves the world, like some fairy tale? One man against the Demon Lord and his legions of evil soldiers? Unbelievable! Good luck finding that poor guy. If he’s smart, he’ll either kill himself or run far, far away.”
    Brother Woojin tut-tutted as he frowned at her. “Young mistress, this is no laughing matter.”
    “I’m sorry, Sunim. But it’s just too ridiculous,” she said. “Father, you don’t believe this, do you?”
    The general stepped away from the map he’d been studying, a troubled look on his face.
    “Who’s to say if any of this is true? No one has ever been able to clearly decipher the prophecy,” he said. “What knowledge we have is shrouded with myths and legends, to the extent that we can’t know what is truth and what is fiction. I’ve been trying to study the prophecy myself. But ultimately it is all conjecture and interpretation.”
    “It’s more than theory, General Kang,” the monk said. “These myths are real; the prophecy is true.”
    General Kang sighed. “Perhaps. But one thing I do know is that we are weaker divided. If the Seven Kingdoms were united, as we once were under the Dragon King, the Demon Lord would find it harder to attack us. Instead, we must rely on some myth about a royal savior—”
    “Dragon Musado,” Brother Woojin interrupted.
    “—who will save the world.” General Kang rubbed a hand over his eyes and turned back to the large wall map. “Whether or not we believe that there is a savior is irrelevant. What is important is that the daimyo believes it and is not taking any chances. And neither will we.”
    Kira absently gnawed on a fingernail, her eyes fixed on the map. Hansong appeared so vulnerable, hemmed in by danger from all sides. “Then the prince is in danger also,” she said.
    “As are you and your brothers,” the general said. “All three of you are possible heirs to the throne.”
    “Yes, but the greatest danger is to the prince, for he is descended from the Dragon King through both his mother’s and father’s lines,” Brother Woojin said. “His blood will run purest. It is why the demons have targeted him from birth.”
    The general waved his hand, irritated. “He is but a mere child of twelve years!”
    Kira started in surprise. “What? Do you believe Taejo is our savior?” Taejo was just a boy. What could the monk be thinking?
    Brother Woojin clucked his tongue in reproof. He spread out his book on the table again, his fingers flicking through the bamboo strips until he reached the middle. He motioned Kira closer to read the inscription.
    “The last time the Demon Lord entered our world, it was all the gods could do to keep a few of us safe.” He pushed the book away and faced the general. “This is only the beginning. We must protect the prince, or all is lost.”
    With one last bow, Brother Woojin left the room.
    “Has the world gone so crazy that even a rational being like Sunim would believe utter nonsense?” Kira pulled at her hair. “Or am I the mad one for not believing?”
    General Kang dropped down onto the padded stool. Buried in the piles of scrolls and books were several jade figurines and his heavy gold seal. He picked up the small statue of a haetae , a mythical fire-eating dog. With its round head, long hair, and massive body, it didn’t look much like a dog. Kira liked it because the haetae was the guardian of justice and protector from disasters.
    She could see the deep grooves that worry had etched into her father’s forehead and around his eyes. Even as she knew she should not add to his already heavy burden, the words slipped from her mouth.
    “Father, did you know about my aunt’s plan to betroth me to Shin Bo Hyun?”
    He gazed at her, no expression on his brown, weathered face.
    “Yes, I knew.”
    Kira’s stomach lurched with a deep sense of betrayal.
    “Father! I can’t marry. I will never marry! I’m not wife material!”
    “Don’t