“I’m counting on you to mind Sook and
the oxen while we’re gone, boy.”
As my face falls, my little sister grumbles,
“Figures.”
“GROWNUPS ARE SELFISH,” com-
plains Sook, as we drive the herd into the
upper pasture the following afternoon.
I silently agree. Dangpo’s only a half day’s
walk away, but Grandfather said there’s no
telling what help Yi’s ships will need and for
how long. That means someone has to stay
with our livestock, and that someone is us.
I glance west, in the direction of Dangpo,
but see only craggy peaks. Mireuk Island
is both wide and high, with ridges looming
through the center. So even though our hill-
top pasture commands sweeping views of the
islands and waterways to the east, mountains
block Mireuk’s western coast from sight.
As I wish I could knock the peaks down
for a glimpse of the armada, Sook grumbles
on. “They could’ve just left you. It didn’t have
to be us both,” she says.
“If Grandfather says we stay, that’s that.
He also said to finish your weaving, so you’d
best get started.”
With a huff, my sister stomps toward home.
But after three steps, she jumps with a shriek.
“Sook,” I snap, whirling. “What—”
My heart stops.
Far to the east are Japanese warships.
They approach swiftly, flying like eagles. As
my knees go weak, Sook points. “There’s
more!”
I tear my eyes from the horizon and gasp.
Anchored in a strait just north of us is the
enemy fleet. The slim Japanese warships look
like a line of spears hovering over Mireuk. I
realize that our own armada, gathering on the