You must run.
She can’t complain that I’m not listening to her, because I do as I’m told.
I run.
I run straight into the blazing house.
GOLDEN AXE, SILVER AXE
One fair morning on a cloudless summer day, the steady thud of an axe rang out in the deep emerald mountain. A woodsman was chopping down a sturdy tree, not too old and not too young. His body was strong, and his swing steadfast.
His arms burned, and his back ached, but he did not complain, for he took quiet pride in working hard. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his palms grew slippery, but he did not stop chopping.
Just ten more strikes,he promised himself,then I’ll take a break.
But on the ninth strike, he lost his grip on the axe, and it flew out of his hands. As he watched in dismay, it sank into a nearby spring—a deep and fathomless one—with a gentle plop. The woodsman dropped to his knees, burying his face in his hands. Losing his axe meant losing his livelihood. He wasn’t rich, but he made an honest living for himself.
Sanshillyeong, the Spirit of Mountains, emerged from the water in a flowing white robe. His long white hair and long white beard billowed in the breeze. He didn’t have a drop of water on him as he floated above the spring, holding aloft a silver axe.
“Is this silver axe your silver axe?” His question echoed in the silent woods.
“No, that is not my axe,” the woodsman answered in a clear, ringing voice. He was afraid to be in Sanshillyeong’s presence—for he was no fool—but he would not be cowed.
The spirit disappeared underwater and rose again a moment later. “Is this golden axe your golden axe?”
“No, that is not my axe,” the woodsman said once more.
When Sanshillyeong returned with his old metal axe, the woodsman sighed with relief and bowed his head to the ground in gratitude. “That is my axe. Thank you for finding it.”
“You have proven your honor,” the Spirit of Mountains said with a benevolent smile. “The golden axe and the silver axe are yours to keep.”
“But they are not mine.” The woodsman shook his head. “I did not earn them.”
“You have proven your integrity.” Sanshillyeong nodded, his smile growing. “Take the golden axe and the silver axe. I have been burdened with them long enough.”
“Burdened? Are they too heavy for you?” The woodsman rushed to take the axes from the spirit’s hands—to take the burden off him.
“You have proven your compassion.” The Spirit of Mountains laid a hand on the woodsman’s shoulder. “Now you shall rule the Kingdom of Mountains.”
The woodsman’s humble hanbok transformed into a royal gown, resplendent in emerald silk. The golden axe and the silver axe merged in his hands and became a crown of gold twines and jade leaves. He fell to his knees before Sanshillyeong, accepting his destiny with the courage of a true king.
“Rule with honor, integrity, and compassion.” The spirit took the crown from the woodsman’s calloused hands and placed it on his head. “Be worthy of the crown.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The fire burns my fur and singes my skin as I burst through the doors, my nine tails fanning away the smoke. Ethan is crouched low on the floor, covering his nose and mouth with his shirt. He sees me and knows what to do without my asking. When he wraps his arms around my neck, I leap through the flames, out into the courtyard.
Even before I land, I hear the house crashing down behind me, the wooden beams snapping and cracking. I face the ruins of my childhood home, and an icy shudder runs through me. Ethan was in there only seconds ago. I crumple to the ground.
“Sunny.” His frantic face—unmarked by the fire—swims in front of me.Good.He’s not hurt. “Tell me how to help.”
The pain is too unbearable for me to answer right away. But soon I’m able to catch my breath as my skin begins to mend. I raise my head and search the woods with bleary eyes. I sigh with relief when I find it.
“That tree with the oblong yellow leaves ...” I tell him telepathically. “The sap will ... help with the burns.”
I swear the golden axe materializes in Ethan’s hand before I finish speaking. I hear the thud of an axe against the tree. The rhythmic sound calms me, but I hurt too much to fall asleep. Soon I feel the cool press of tree bark against my skin, one by one, as the searing pain seeps out of my burns. I whimper with relief.
I drift in and out as I lie in the courtyard. I feel a warm, calloused palm smoothing down the fur between my ears. I want to lean into thetouch, but I’m too weak to move my head ... I startle awake. Green and silver flames burst from the ruins of the house. The house is on fire again, but I can’t keep my eyes open. Why is the fire green and silver? Where’s Ethan? I try to stand but can only manage a long, plaintive whimper. I feel the hand on my head again. I fall asleep.
