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King's men had drawn within earshot now. The King straightened up and spoke loudly in a regal voice. "Tell your brother I expect him at the palace soon. You are to come with him."
    But his eyes were twinkling, and Young-sup had to suppress a giggle. "Yes, Your Majesty. It shall be so."

Chapter Eight

    The two boys and their father walked in silence. Under Kee-sup's arm, wrapped carefully in a linen cloth, the precious kite was making the journey to the palace.
    Kee-sup's use of the gold leaf had been daring—and successful. Using a stiff brush and the blunt edge of a knife, he had flicked and spattered the gold leaf over the whole surface of the kite paper. The rain of minuscule gold dots had resulted in a fine sheen that glowed faintly when the light touched it. Once the kite was in the sky, the sun's rays would make it glitter and shine like real dragon scales.
    But this had not been tested. The boys had argued about whether or not the kite should be flown before being presented to the King. Young-sup, of course,
had been eager to try it out, but Kee-sup had prevailed, fearful of damage to the kite.

    Now, as they walked toward the palace, there was little to say. Either the King would like the kite or he would not. Nothing they did or said now could change that.
    But Young-sup knew that the kite was more than just a gift for the King. In a few years Kee-sup would take the difficult series of examinations required of those who wished to be employed by the royal court. Such coveted positions were awarded based on the examination results; however, it was well known that those in favor at the court were looked on with added grace. If the King were pleased with the kite, it would do nothing to hurt Kee-sup's chances.
    Young-sup carried an extra burden of worry as he walked alongside his brother. He had not told Kee-sup about his recent encounters with the King on the hillside.
    The King had come out to fly with him several times, and Young-sup always looked forward to their meetings. At first he told himself that he did not wish to worry Kee-sup by talking about the King while the work on the kite was still progressing. But he knew in his heart that he secretly enjoyed his special friendship with the King, a friendship in which Kee-sup had no part.
    As they approached the gates, Young-sup comforted himself with the knowledge that there would probably be other people at the court when they arrived and that the King would be speaking to him only as a subject. Perhaps he would not have to explain anything.

    The immense gates opened wide, and the crowd of onlookers that always seemed to hover around the palace watched in surprise and envy as the three Lees were permitted entry. They were escorted across the huge outer court by a pair of guards, who stopped before a closed door.
    Here the boys' father left them. "This is for you to do," he said, addressing Kee-sup. "I will see you at home." They bowed to him and watched as he crossed the courtyard to the outer gates.
    With one of the guards the boys stepped into a small antechamber. The huge carved doors opposite them were opened by two other guards, revealing a grand hall. The boys barely had time for a quick gape at the splendid silk hangings and other priceless works of art before they spied the throne at the far end of the hall. At once they dropped to their knees.
    "You may rise and approach." The King's voice seemed to echo down the long empty space.
    The brothers got to their feet and walked toward the King. They saw that he was flanked by several advisers and guards.

    When they were within a few paces of the throne, Kee-sup unwrapped the kite and laid it flat across his two hands. He held it out before him as he bowed his head.
    The King glanced at it without apparent interest. Then he spoke loudly. "Go, all of you. Leave us." The adviser whom Young-sup knew from the hillside seemed to hesitate, but a glare from the King had him hastily retreating after the