Young-hee and the Pullocho (27 page)

Young-hee settled close enough to Tiger to use his large furry side as a pillow, but far enough to avoid his dangerously indiscriminate mouth. “Wow, I've never seen such a selection,” she said.

“Thank you,” said Sanyeo, blank-faced and empty-voiced as ever. “We do try to be good hosts for our
special
guests. But I wonder if Tiger did not want our hospitality.”

“I suppose we should be flattered,” said Gumiho. “What is it they say about delicious food? ‘When two are eating, one wouldn't know if the other person
died
'.”

It was a famous saying, but Young-hee did not like Fox's emphasis. “What are you doing?” she whispered to Tiger.

“What?” he asked between mouthfuls.

“You're eating before your hosts invite you to start. Everyone is staring.” She smiled at the ladies, trying to look relaxed.

“I've been in a hole for days, starving,” said Tiger defensively. And you shared barely enough to quell my pangs. This is a real feast. And ‘an eating person is never guilty,' as they say.”

“Is that what they say?” said Young-hee, annoyed at so many old maxims being flung around.

“Maybe there's a beggar in his stomach,” offered Samjogo.

“I've heard that before,” said Young-hee. She casually but firmly set her left hand on top of Tiger's right paw, before he could grab another bite. He reluctantly stopped. She gave the ladies another strained grin, which they returned with disapproval. “As I said, it looks lovely. So many delicious dishes. We
all
appreciate the hospitality.”

“Sister, please,” said Gumiho to Snake. “I'm sure Tiger means no offense. Sanyeo is proud and cares about protocol and manners. We've prepared foods good for humans, Tigers, and spirits alike.”

“One hundred and eight dishes, I can't help but notice,” said Samjogo, disapprovingly.

“It was one hundred and eight,” said Gumiho, glaring at Tiger. “Now it is one hundred and six.”

“Please, eat well and enjoy,” said Ungnyeo. “We can talk of more serious things later.” She reached a big hand across the table and, with her chopsticks, pushed choice dishes toward Young-hee. Her grandmother had passed away before the family left for Argentina, but Young-hee was warmed by the memory of the ancient tiny woman pushing bowls of food at her and Bum.

Surveying the impressive bounty—pickled vegetables, meats marinated in unusual sauces, dumplings steamed and fried, rice cakes of all different colors, shaped into half-moons, stars, and all sorts of shapes—Young-hee couldn't help thinking of Bum and the goblin's cookie. The apartment guard had warned against food and presents—
except
those given in hospitality, which the animal sisters had clearly extended. Certainly Tiger seemed okay, and the ladies were eating everything, too, so the food was not poisoned. Assuming the animal women could be poisoned. None of her worries
seemed
right. Samjogo started eating, too, if perhaps a little warily, so Young-hee dug in, too.

When the long meal was finally done, the servants whisked away dishes, cloths and decorations, broke up the table like a jigsaw puzzle, and removed it. They spread pillows and cushions across the floor so the room resembled a sultan's tent, with only a small table in the center holding a few light desserts and a couple of large candles. At last it was time to talk.

“This is a really beautiful hanok,” Young-hee repeated. “Have you been living here long?”

“Very long,” said Sanyeo. “Even by how time works in our world—so different than in yours—we have been here a long time.”

“And not, it should be noted, entirely by choice,” added Ungnyeo.

“After some … disagreements with the other creatures, both above and below the heavens, it was agreed that it was best if we stayed here.”

“Are you prisoners, then?” asked Young-hee with sympathy.

“In a manner of speaking,” said Sanyeo. “We can leave these walls; but our safety outside is not … guaranteed.”

“That's terrible. But at least your home is amazing.”

“The most beautiful cage is still a cage, Ms. Young-hee,” chided Ungnyeo.

“Of course. I'm sorry,” said Young-hee. Samjogo was strangely quiet, and Tiger looked like he was in a food-induced coma.

“I cannot remember the last time I left,” said Ungnyeo. “And my man never visits.”

“Oh, here we go again,” said Sanyeo, eyes rolling.

“Uh, you have a man?” asked Young-hee. “Like a husband? Do you mean Hwanung?”

“Not Hwanung. A man. A brave hunter who pursued me for many days through the wilderness, over hills, across rivers. He captured me by trapping my shadow. But he loved me so. We had two beautiful children, who … drowned.”

“That's horrible,” said Young-hee, shocked.

“He was a fisherman. Hard-working and resourceful. He loved me, but a storm swept him out to sea …”

“I thought he was a hunter.”

“There's more,” added Sanyeo, obviously annoyed.

“He was the most pious and kindly man,” said Ungnyeo, “so remarkable that he was adopted by a lord of heaven. But his father disapproved of our union …”

“So, which one was your true love?” asked Young-hee.

“All of them.”

“That is Bear's story,” explained Sanyeo, “to always love a man and lose him.”

“That's horrible.”

“They always die,” said Ungnyeo, sadly.

“But that is Bear,” said Sanyeo. “That is what always happens, and what she always says.”

“I'm sorry she's so sad so often,” said Young-hee.

“That's very kind of you, daughter,” said Bear. Young-hee disliked being called “daughter,” but manners silenced any objection.

“I should change my clothes,” said Sanyeo.

“And that is what my other sister always does,” said Gumiho, her fiery hair spread behind her on a pillow. Sanyeo shot her a look as she left the room.

Although Gumiho had made no threats, Young-hee felt an inexplicable chill. All she knew about Fox, from movies and comics in the real world, and from Samjogo and others here, portrayed her as pretty and deadly, like a newly polished blade. She decided to take a chance. “Gumiho, why does everyone fear you so much?”

Tiger and Samjogo looked aghast. Even Ungnyeo slinked back slightly. Gumiho, however, smirked ever so slightly. “A brave question. But, tell me, what does
everyone
say?”

“Um, you know,” said Young-hee carefully, “stories about Fox eating humans hearts, hurting Tiger, wanting to destroy the world. And how all you want is to become human, no matter how many people you hurt.”

Gumiho, if anything, seemed bored by the accusation. “Human?
Pah.
Yes, there was a time I wanted that, very badly. But times have changed. I've changed. Humanity has changed. Humans ruin everything. When their mud world replaced our realm as the prime, true world, that threw the heavens out of balance. That's what caused the rupture between the old spirits and the younger, between ghosts and fairies, gods and animals. And then humans ruined their own world with pollution and war, with statistics and concrete, and all the rest. Who would ever want to be human anymore?”

Young-hee had expected Gumiho to deny her past, not to confess everything. Plus, much of the time, Young-hee shared Fox's assessment.

Sanyeo returned, wearing a sprawling yellow hanbok. It had trees and mountains, like a painting, embroidered across the large, hanging sleeves. Without comment, she sat on a stack of pillows, close to her sisters.

“So, tell us Bear daughter,” said a languid Gumiho, “what brings you to the home of the dangerous and untrustworthy animal spirits?

“Well, the thing is,” Young-hee began, “I need to find a pullocho. And I was told that you and your sisters might help.” At the word “pullocho,” all the sisters had snapped to attention.

“A pullocho?” said Gumiho savoring the word. “Now there's a magic I have not heard mentioned in a long time, or seen in even longer. Why a pullocho? You are too young to be looking for more life. And I doubt the gold and currencies it would bring are much good back in your world.”

“Oh, it's not for me,” she said. “It's for my little brother.”

“Is he sick?” asked Ungnyeo, concerned. “It is so terrible to lose anyone close.”

“Not sick. He's been captured by a dokkaebi who refuses to give him back, except in trade for a pullocho. So I need to find one if I want to get my brother back.”

“Such a dutiful sister,” said Ungnyeo.

“Do you even know what a pullocho is?” asked Sanyeo coldly.

“Uh, it's like ginseng. The dokkaebi showed me pictures.”

“A pullocho is more than ginseng, girl,” said Sanyeo. “It is the root of life. It is what turned sister Bear into a person. It is the dream that consumed the first emperor of the Middle Kingdom. It is a magic so powerful, its effects could be felt in your world. It is the most precious thing in our world.”

“I had a husband once, a
simmani
,” said Ungnyeo. “He would leave for weeks to dig the mountains for pullocho. And that's how he died.”

“What my sisters are saying,” said Gumiho, ignoring her sister, “is that you may have underestimated the seriousness of your quest. All known pullocho were dug up and used ages ago. If there were any left, the spirits would be lining up to acquire one, certain it would tip the balance of this realm. Why if I had one…”

“You can be sure no spirit would let you have one, sister,” said Sanyeo, pointedly. Gumiho scowled, but held her tongue.

“I had no idea,” said Young-hee, her spirits sinking. “I was told that I might find one beneath the ruins of the Sacred City, in the shadow of the first sandalwood tree. The dokkaebi said you might help me find that.”

“That is an … interesting description,” said Gumiho.

“Does it mean something?” asked Young-hee.

“It doesn't matter,” cut in Sanyeo. “The pullocho is too dangerous to be found again. Give up this quest. Nothing good can come of it.” Her voice cut through each syllable, leaving no room for debate. Bear and Fox looked at her. “That is my decision,” Sanyeo said.

“Sanyeo, dear sister, please don't be so quick to strike,” Ungnyeo soothed. “I know what it is to lose family. A brother's loss is just as terrible as that of a son or husband. We should be merciful to my daughter,” Ungnyeo implored. Sanyeo, however, looked most unconvinced.

All eyes turned to Gumiho, who relished the attention. Something cruel rested just behind her face.
This is where I'll see Fox's true nature
, she feared.
Surely Fox will side with Snake, and Bum will be lost
. Young-hee thought she might be sick. But then something like gentleness filled Gumiho's eyes. “Sisters, I must agree with Bear,” she said. “This bear daughter has traveled far in a clearly noble cause. Even the heavens foretold of her visit. We should help if we can.”

Sanyeo's eyes narrowed, displeased. “You are siding with a human,” she said skeptically. “A true human?”

“It is out of character, I admit. But I feel for her. And Ungnyeo was most convincing.”

Sanyeo stared dumbstruck at her sister. Gumiho tried a kind smile. “Fine,” said Sanyeo, “if both my sisters want to help, I bow to your wills.”

“Oh, thank you! Thank you, thank you!” exclaimed Young-hee, taking Ungnyeo's huge hand and kissing it. Ungnyeo blushed, unaccustomed to such emotion.

Samjogo, however, was less enthusiastic. “I thought you said you didn't know where any pullocho were,” said Samjogo. “Or wasn't that true?”

“None of my sisters would dream of lying,” said Gumiho indignantly.

“It's true, ‘Even the spirits do not know,' as the old saying goes,” said Ungnyeo. “However, someone might help.”

“What? Someone else?” asked Young-hee, seasick from rocking between hope and disappointment.

“There is one possibility,” said Sanyeo, reaching for a
yakgwa
covered in a delicate floral design. Young-hee wondered if Snake was drawing out the subject just to annoy her. “If anyone knows where to find the ruins of the Sacred City and the sandalwood tree, it is Namgoong Mirinae, the astronomer and geomancer. She has the greatest collection of maps and star charts in the land.”

“She is the one who told us you would come,” said Gumiho. “We sisters are not
jeomjaengi
who can foretell the future.”

“I was married to a jeomjaengi once …,” said Ungnyeo.

“And you do
not
want to know what happened to him, trust me,” said Sanyeo, trying to keep the conversation on track. “More knowledgeable about the strange contours of our land than any creature under heaven, Mirinae is also wise. Her huge stone home and workshop has the most fantastical inventions, books, and devices.”