[TWO DAYS BEFORE THE CEREMONY]
MOUNT NAMSAN—home of the sacred array of Buddhist stone treasures. The Head Priestess and her shrine maidens prayed at the top of a small plateau on a dull, gray afternoon, facing the monumental Buddha sculpture carved in a big stone. They had filled the mini-altar with food offerings to please the Heavens. A beautiful young woman as the head of religious affairs might be questionable for some citizens of this Heavenly kingdom. Was she just a pretty face or a child prodigy with exceptional talent and strategy? Well, at the age of eighteen, Lady Jang became the youngest Head Priestess who ascended to the position in the whole Silla history. She came from the finest lineage of priestesses who fought back wicked witches from Goguryeo who cast evil spells in the kingdom. Despite her young age, she had presided over a lot of offerings and festival preparations (approved by the King).
As Lady Jang prayed, she was disrupted by a premonition about the upcoming solar eclipse. In her mind's eye, she saw crowds of people cheering merrily under the bright, late afternoon skies. As she opened her eyes and returned to the real world, a cold wind bit her, sending shivers throughout her entire body. Despite the joy of the scene, she felt a terrible sense of foreboding.
"Lady Jang, it is almost time. The meeting is about to begin," a shrine maiden reminded. The Head Priestess nodded in agreement and began to pack up her tiny altar, sending one last prayer to the Heavens in the hope that the disaster she sensed would be averted.
Lady Jang headed back to the capital together with her assistants. Once in the palace, she went straight to the King's pavilion, to the main hall. Guards were standing on every corner of the pavilion, with their intimidating, inanimate stances. Doors were closed and guarded by two robust guards.
"Has the meeting commenced?" she asked.
One of the guards bowed and replied, "No, Head Priestess. The King has not arrived yet."
The guards opened the door, and she was greeted by the familiar sight of the King's throne room. The dragon throne made up of brick-red wood, decorated with gold and jade stood at the far end of the hall. Incredible architecture, pure perfection. Folded yellow curtains hugged the sturdy crimson pillars and windows, while yellow, circular lantern lamps hung on the ceiling, giving life to the entire hall. She walked down the yellow carpet in the middle of the marble floor and saw two royal secretaries preparing their quills and scrolls on their tables. As her long, white Chima skirt dragged along the carpet; she noticed the skeptical looks towards her of the nine council members, lining on two sides of the carpet. She stopped before them, dipping her head in a modest bow.
Before they could exchange greetings, a palace eunuch stepped regally forward and announced at the top of his lungs.
"King Jae Joong graces us all!"
There—from the front door, the King walked down the yellow carpet with his head held high, looking neither left nor right at his toiling scholars, who all hastily stood and bowed low at his passing (as if a terror teacher approaches and all students must prepare their papers)—Oh no! We better act like real, dignified men here instead of forming a swarm like bees buzzing about our boring lives and wives). Jae Joong wore a red royal Jeogori with a high collar and narrow sleeves, topped with a red silk Duramagi cloak that reached past his torso, with big and wide sleeves—held together with a golden Dae wrapped around his waist. Instead of his ceremonial crown, he wore a golden hairpin in his topknot to signify his status.
All of his subjects inside bowed their heads, stealing glances at each other from the corners of their eyes. Their heads remained down until he had reached his throne. Once the rustling of his silk cloak ceased, the council members and Lady Jang straightened, preparing themselves for their ruler's announcements.
Jae Joong watched them, his face impassive. "Council members, the meeting regarding the final preparations for the solar eclipse prediction shall commence."
He scanned the entire hall, looking for someone. "Does anyone have an update about the Prime Minister? According to his messenger, he would be back from the Tang Empire today."
No one answered, yet their faces expressed disappointment with this missing-in-action, very important person.
He raised a brow and waited for a response. Dead silence prevailed so he continued, "That's quite strange. Anyways, let us not wait for him. Perhaps, he will come later. Going back to the ceremony, I have talked to the Head Priestess; and after four weeks of prayers, star observations, calculations, and rituals, she has confirmed that the solar eclipse is expected to happen in two days, eight gak before sunset. But the thing is..." Jae Joong paused and met each person's gaze.
"It will not occur."
He twitched his arms out from his sides, deftly removing his long sleeves out of his way so he could sit on the throne. Everyone was puzzled with what they just heard.
A council member raised his hand and spoke. Tall, chiseled man in his early thirties with small eyes and dark, thick eyebrows, "Sire, how can you be so certain that the eclipse will not occur this year? This phenomenon happens every thirty-three years without fail. Pardon me for saying this: we do not understand this prediction." He finished his question and bowed. His eyebrows were bunched in frustration.
"Minister Dae Wong, trust me and what I do. I have worked with our Head Priestess closely regarding this matter. She has observed the movements of the stars and noticed something peculiar—isn't it right, Lady Jang?"
The Head Priestess bowed her head and spoke gently, contrary to her dark, mezzo-soprano voice, "The solar eclipse will not occur this year. I know that you have been wondering why."
The council members exchanged nervous whispers. Buzzzz, Swswswswsw.
"In the past decades, my ancestors had felt strange things happening in the alignment of the stars—that is why I observe the night skies regularly. This year, I have noticed that the stars in the Taeyanggye have changed their positions, causing an alteration in the cycle of the solar eclipse." Looking back at Dae Wong, she defended herself subtly. "Please forgive me for saying this as well. Minister, I am well aware that you are confused. So was I, believe me. But this is what I've observed. Something consistent, and I cannot ignore that."
Dae Wong looked away silently, faint lips forming into a thin line. Humiliated, probably yes. But he was more scornful.
He was supported by another council member, Minister Yeol. Tenured by time, the oldest wine. Head of the Treasury Department, and most especially the King's father-in-law. "This is very critical, Your Majesty. We are just worried that a simple mistake could cost many lives of our people and might bring tremendous problems to the whole Silla. If you predicted it incorrectly, it would bring curse and disaster to our kingdom. The finances would be gravely affected."
It had been an ancient belief that the solar eclipse was the Heavens' judgment upon the kingdom of Silla, and its correct prediction had brought great fortune and showed: the king was indeed blessed by the Heavens. Hurrah! The best ruler of this generation. Our lucky charm. Failing to predict the eclipse accurately would bring destruction and doom to the king and his people. Not a simple mistake, but a real, serious, grave one.
Jae Joong looked at everyone pensively. "I know the consequences of the mistakes. Rubbing it in my face was not necessary. As the father of our nation, it is my responsibility to make sure that proper prediction must happen. I understand that this decision cannot be taken lightly, as it is a matter of life and death. Now as my council, your support will be more than appreciated. Have trust in me. Have trust in the process."
Another minister stepped forward and butted in, "If that is what you say, Sire, we will obey it."
Forcing a grin on his wrinkled lips, Minister Hoon, the Head of the Prosecution Department, stretched an arm wide and said, "Everyone, stop these negativities. Let us just trust His Majesty's judgment. He and the Head Priestess have been very busy these past weeks just to provide us with an accurate prediction. We know nothing; they do. It wouldn't be declared to us if it was not properly assessed. As for me, I don't have any protest. You have my full support, Your Majesty."
The King thanked Hoon for his kind words, sweet as a godfather blandishing a son with sweets and pastries. An ugly, embarrassing pause. Evidently, the rest of the council did not feel the warmth of the old minister's words. It came straight from the nose—fake and insincere. Shove it down your big belly, old man. That's not true; we know something—you are disgusting! His words are as hideous as his goatee.
Despite his radiant smile, Jae Joong hoped that everything would go according to his will. He ordered the Head Priestess to return to the Holy Mountains to continue praying. Lady Jang obediently responded, leaving the hall after a soft bow. When she had left, Jae Joong quickly segued his way to his next concern, rinsing out the black mist of discomfiture inside the hall. A very smooth drift indeed.
"Before I forget, can someone update me—how are we spreading this upcoming ceremony?"
Dae Wong stepped forward, "Sire, the announcements have been posted all around the kingdom especially in marketplaces. We have talked to the governors to inform our people about the event. Everything is handled accordingly."
"Good! This meeting is adjourned," Jae Joong announced. The Hwabaek bowed their heads and left the main hall.
Some of the council members went back to their offices but not these three: Ministers Dae Wong, Yeol, and Yoo Min, who was the Head of Arts Department and the youngest member of the council. He shared the same features superficially with Dae Wong—the Second Rank Minister and the King's right hand. Women have said a couple of times like, "Who's more attractive? They're like a fruit sliced into two. One is for me, the other's for you." Same comic response from both of them, "We like each other, go hunt for another."
Together, they left the main hall and paced down the palace grounds, talking about the mysterious Head Priestess. Dae Wong had never been impressed by Lady Jang. For him, she has done just prayers and rituals, estimates and guesses only instead of exact mathematics and principles of astrology. He was not convinced by her statements. Two cents: he believed that this event would require accurate calculations, and the other one involved something even more political.
No one was willing to talk first. It could be because they were still processing the King's decision. Or maybe because they just did not prefer to, respecting each other's 'thinking' solitude. However, as they ambled down without direction—a journey without a destination, Yeol eventually blurted; the itch of frustration was gigantically unbearable! Wished he was more of a blabbermouth. Now his bath time would be longer, thanks to the number of words that he could have said but were shattered by lack of, say, speech skills. "Something is wrong. In my five decades of service, this is the first time I remember the eclipse is predicted to not occur. It has been consistently happening for several years. I feel that it will happen in two days. Want to have a wager with me?"
Yoo Min broke loose, unzipping his thin mouth. An avalanche of composed, repressed thoughts, contrary to his forte as an art guru. Perhaps, the political ambiance tripped his capabilities. "The King seems to have too much trust in her. We tried our best already for the past weeks by reminding him to reconsider his claim and clarify everything about the technicalities of the solar eclipse, but now it is final. Phew! We just have two days left. On another note, I don't trust that frigid woman. That outline of her resting suspicious face, the lines of her jaws, the shape of her eyes... Urgh! Heavens forgive me but they scream evil!" Holding his chin, he could not help but think about Lady Jang's investiture. "Now I wonder why the former king had appointed her as Head Priestess."
There was an awkward silence. The other two ministers looked at each other with the same thoughts clouding up their heads. Yeol cleared his throat. "Must be something related to the King's brother, the council leader—Prime Minister Jung Ho. He was the one who requested to ascend Lady Jang to the position, considering her mother, the former Head Priestess, was very ill at that time."
Yoo Min frowned. "That would explain so much. What an interesting theory!" His astonished face suddenly changed as he opened another topic. A downgrade of emotion. "By the way, that Minister Hoon is a two-faced snake! He always praises the King, but deep inside I know that he ridicules him."
Imitating the old minister's hoarse voice, Yoo Min's chin wobbled repeatedly, as he mimicked, "If that is what you say, Sire, we will obey it..."
He and Yeol laughed boisterously and continued walking, while Dae Wong paused for a moment, thinking very deeply about someone.
"Yes, I remember that—the Prime Minister!" he exclaimed out of nowhere. The two just turned their heads and frowned in confusion.
~~•~~
In a vast grassland a few miles away from Seorabeol, a group of men carrying a crimson royal palanquin, through two inserted wood bars on the sides, marched gracefully in step like following the beat of a steady drum—an escort of royal guards in front and behind. The palanquin was large enough that three people could lie down and sleep inside it. It was decorated with red lanterns, and folded maroon curtains were bunched onto the ceiling as cushioning from unexpected bumps. With a burgundy carpet, beds, and small furniture like cabinets and tables inside, the whole palanquin was enough to be a traveling bedchamber.
Two people sat inside: a nobleman in his early thirties and his elderly, personal palace matron. The nobleman's features were indistinct, obscured by a black velvet divider that separated the two from each other so they could only see each other's outline. The nobleman was reading an ancient brown book while sipping a cup of tea.
"My Lord, I have noticed that you have been reading that book frequently these past days since we had left the Tang Empire. I am just worried about you. You don't get enough sleep. What is that about that you can't put it down?" asked the palace matron, wearing a simple, cerulean robe and a silver pin tucked at the back of her braided hair.
The man frowned. "Who are you to ask?" his voice was soft yet sharp.
Embarrassed, she bowed her head and prepared another batch of tea for her Lord. An instant peace offering (for her not to be thrown out—boy, she would walk—not bad, but deeply unfortunate). Just as when she was about to pour the tea, the palanquin stopped abruptly. She almost spilled the tea. How nervous of her. She opened the window and gritted her teeth wide open like a bull shark ready to ravage a seal.
"What is wrong? Our Lord must not be disturbed while he is reading!"
At the old matron's scolding, the nobleman rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Splendid! Coming from that clean, innocent mouth of yours."
The leader of the 'carrying' group replied to the matron's question, "Please forgive us, My Lady. One of our men here is tired, and we are replacing him at this moment."
"Fix it, quick! Or we're all dead. You know the Prime Minister! He was late for the council meeting because of these same incidents," the matron hissed.
She closed the window and apologized to her Lord, who just folded the book in annoyance. Exasperated by the senseless drama and delay, he raised an arm and drew a slash in the air. The matron bowed her head and relayed the signal to the guards. Her favorite climatic scene.
Outside, a sword rasped from its sheath, and a scream followed. The nobleman lifted a brow and chuckled. "I don't need weak people working for me."
He sipped his tea with a sinister grin. Outside, there were several gurgles and rasping gasps, and then the palanquin began moving once again.
__________
NOTES:
Chima (치마) - a long skirt, dragging on the floor.
Jeogori (저고리) - a royal jacket worn by royalty and nobility in Silla.
Durumagi (두루마기) - an outer coat or cloak with a high collar and big, sleeve cuffs.
Dae (대) - a belt used to accessorize the cloaks and robes.
Tang Empire (唐朝) - a Chinese dynasty that ruled for 289 years. Using their thousand armies, they helped Silla defeat the kingdoms of Baekje and Goguryeo, unifying the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea.
Gak (각) - Silla's way of expressing minutes. 1 gak = 15 minutes. Hence, in the story, the solar eclipse would happen 120 minutes or 2 hours before sunset.
Taeyanggye (태양계) - Korean term for Solar System
Seorabeol (서라벌) - the capital of Silla. It was located in Modern day Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It was located in Modern day Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea