DOKKAEBI

He will be born from an egg, in a well.

He will become the first king of Silla.

He will marry only one, the woman born from the rib of a dragon.

Two of those things have already happened, but I’m waiting for the last, which may never happen, because dragons left the Earth centuries ago.

chapter: i

the fan

There are colorful festivities surrounding me, for one of the sons of Onjo, who is the King of Baekje. Onjo’s kingdom is located to the west of where I live, which is Silla.

I watch the Buchaechum maidens dancing with their fans. When the dance ends, I head towards the market that is filled with silver, gold, silk, and many other tradeable things.

I find myself at the ‘Kim’s Gifts and Goods’ stand, where I notice different types of fans. I think of the future queen I’m destined to marry, as was told to me by my six fathers, many years ago, back in Silla. I choose a fan with chrysanthemums painted on the hard spine, and birds taking flight on the paper. The day is hot, so a fan will ease the heat, as I make my way back to my horse...