This story was chosen, along with stories by other international artists, to be distributed at the World Fantasy Convention in 2014
O WESTERN WIND
Once -not in this place, not in this time, but long ago and faraway- there were two brothers, Princes of the Eastern Kingdom, who did not like each other.
After the contention that arose after the death of the king their father, the most noble Prince Min Ho -whose mother had been a lowly slave- found himself even more derided. Although the former king had forbidden the appellation, now all (especially the Crown Prince) delighted in calling him the Bastard Prince. It was no secret the Crown Prince desired the death of his brother, but Prince Min Ho was likeable, wise, honorable and good - and ridding one's self of a bastard half-brother is a complicated matter. So the Crown Prince could not without much trouble dishonor or assassinate him.
While the Eastern Kingdom busied itself with the Crown Prince's coronation and ascension to the throne, the king of the Southern Kingdom took the opportunity to declare war - a debate about the Dragonfly islands and certain territories which both kingdoms claimed. The royal advisors thought it best that Prince Min Ho be sent across the seas to command the king's armies. There, whether the Bastard Prince lived or died, he would be far from his royal brother's gaze and the palace could have peace.
But Prince Min Ho did not die. Instead, he proved himself a victorious warrior. Loved by his men, gentle toward his captives, honored by the inhabitants of those disputed isles, his fame reached far and wide. And of course it returned to the ears of the king his brother.
As the king sat in his council room, he listened with agitation as his councilors praised his half-brother's decisive final victory.
"So it is done?" he asked. "My half-brother has given us victory over the kingdom of the south?"
"The king of the Southern Kingdom now covers his head with shame, Your Majesty," Minister Kim declared, beaming.
"Ah," the Crown Prince said, not taking care to hide his displeasure.
The aged Minister Woo approached, his red and yellow royal garments glowing like the eastern sunset. "Your Majesty, no doubt, this victory has won us peace for many years. But, I fear this Southern Kingdom's relentlessness. It will not remain defeated long. In ten years, this king or his son or some pretender will again rise up against us. Have they not always done thus? I suggest the question of these territories be settled once and for all." Minister Woo paused to look about at the officials, advisors, generals, and courtiers. "Give me leave to speak all my heart."
The king answered, "Say on."
Minister Woo bowed low, kept his gaze toward the floor. "My King, your dislike of your brother Min Ho is no secret. Although he was the son of a lady-in-waiting, a woman who was a captive slave, the boy showed the distinctive marks of all the king's legitimate sons - small ears and a pointy earlobe. Moreover, he did not share the same illnesses of his mother's other sons, her older two son dying in their youth, and her youngest doing the same. Thus the king honored Min Ho as he did all his bastards, raising him with the royal princes and the sons of his concubines- even with you, the son of the Queen. All know the rumor that your mother, the Queen, was poisoned by Min Ho's mother. But Min Ho is keen of wit, wise, humble and kind-hearted. So he has earned a special place in the people's heart despite all the evil his mother committed."
Minister Woo paused as audible gasps rose up among the councilors, but the king bade his trusted advisor continue.
Minister Woo kept his head bowed. "The kingdom has passed onto you, O King. And, now that Min Ho is determined to return home, you are discouraged because he has not died in the war. Worse, you fear that the accolades this Bastard Prince has received will cause the prince to walk haughtily toward you and to treat you as his equal. But, Your Majesty, Min Ho is a scholar and a warrior. He honors you as his king and does not desire to take what you firmly hold. Yet, my King, I fear for his life."
Again, gasps echoed through the chamber, but the king leaned forward. "And why do you fear for his life?" he asked.
Minister Woo lifted his head and looked directly into the king's face. "Because, My King, you are a man like myself. You love justice. Perhaps it is your greatest fault. Many of your father's enemies - even those who committed crimes long-forgotten- have lately died under curious circumstances."
"Indeed?" the king asked, a half-smile playing on his lips.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
More groans echoed throughout the council room.
"Therefore, My King," Minister Woo went on, "as I pondered all these things on my bed, it seemed to me that an answer rose to my heart."
"And what might that answer be?" Minister Kim asked, glancing from the king to Minister Woo.
"No doubt His Majesty desires to be free of -and to simultaneously humiliate- his brother," Minister Woo answered. "And we cannot concern ourselves with internal warfare between our princes, or fears of warring kingdoms while this cholera epidemic decimates our land. I suggest, therefore, that a delegation be sent with terms of peace, and that Prince Min Ho be allied in marriage to one of the princesses of the Southern Kingdom. After their marriage, let them rule the Dragonfly Islands. Both kingdoms thus joined, peace will be forever attained. Thus, all will be pleased - the Eastern Kingdom, the Southern Kingdom, and the mingled inhabitants of the Dragonfly Islands, who are the descendants of both our peoples."
Minister Kim looked from Minister Woo to the king. "What think you of this, Your Majesty?"
"You're my advisor," the king said. "What do you think of it?"
"Our citizens will not be able to reproach you for your decision," Minister Kim replied. "Min Ho will have a kingdom to rule - a very small, unimportant, kingdom. Yet, he will be humiliated by having to marry a dark wife. When he rises and when he sleeps, he will see this dark thing beside him. It is a most subtle humiliation, My King, and worthy of a worthless bastard son of a traitorous, murderous family."
The king leaned back on his satin and mahogany throne, stroked the silken sleeves of his black and gold royal hanbok. "I have wise ministers, indeed," he replied. "Call the ambassador of the Southern Kingdom. Let the marriage preparations be made. No doubt they will be surprised and relieved that we have asked so little. . .and given so much. . . a very prince of our lands."
The marriage alliance made, Min Ho was informed of it.
The Bastard Prince read and re-read the parchment as he sat in the Barracks with his generals and captains. "So I am married?" he asked at last. "And to one of these dark women?" He threw the missive to the ground. "Nevertheless, there is peace. Peace between my brother and myself, peace between our two kingdoms. Peace for the people of these islands who have had to suffer bloodshed and war these four years. If peace is to be attained at such a cost, I will comply."
"General," Tae-Yung, his armor-bearer answered him. "It is better to be married than dead, is it not?"
"I have heard otherwise." Min Ho looked out past the stables toward the Great Sea. "And you, my friends who have warred by my side. It is now time we part. For you all are able to return home but I must abide here."
Many in his company bade him goodbye but others declared they had no one in their homeland who awaited them and that they had found the island life freeing and its women comely enough, though - they admitted- less comely than the women of their own land and certainly more comely than the dark women of the Southern Kingdom, whom their new king was now forced to marry.
Among those who stayed were Tae-Yung, the king's second in command and Kyung-Tak the king's third captain.
"We will remain here with you," Tae-Yung said, "and will be the first to honor you as our new king, even of so small a region."
And Kyung-Tak added, "Your Majesty, we will set up a palace that will rival the royal palaces in our homeland."
Min Ho gazed past the barracks and the palm trees at the shore. "This dark princess comes from a rich land. Although her father was our enemy and we have had many wounded on both sides of the battle, I will do my best to honor her, although I cannot imagine ever loving her."
