Chung Jo and the Sea Dragon

By Erica Laurie

The lonely sea dragon, Yong, wants a bride

Chung Jo wants her father to regain his sight.

They will strike a bargain, and Chung Jo travels to Yong's palace beneath the sea.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erica Laurie
• Release date: Jun 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9781540158949

Erica Laurie

I love reading, Korean dramas, and dragons. In fact, my love of fantasy (dragons) and Korean dramas influences my writing. In my spare time, I like to visit the fairies, forest elves, and dragons with my kids. I've been dragon searching since I was a kid with my dad, and so far the dragon has yet to be awake to let us in to their enchanted caves.

Book preview

This story takes place in an imaginary Korean inspired fantasy world.  It is not meant to be historically accurate.

If you would like to know more about the history and people of Korea, please visit your local library.

Glossary

father

abeoji (ah bu ji)

mother

eomeoni (uh mu ni)

father-in-law

abeonim

nari

honorific used by commoners for someone of higher status.

mudang

female shaman

baksu

male shaman

imugi dragon

a type of wingless lesser dragon

Chapter 1

The sea is vast and changeable, controlled by the moods of the great sea dragon, Yong. Calm and forgiving; stormy and unforgiving. At times merciful in the midst of a squall, and other times, cruel.

One afternoon, a certain doomed sea vessel sank to the bottom of the ocean. A young man on the ship cried out to the great sea god, asking him to return him to land. I can’t die like this. I have a bride waiting for me. Please, don’t let me die.

At the same time, far away, a young maiden dreamed her lover had died at sea, and she cried out to the gods to allow her to be with him. Yong took pity on them. He was aware of how lonely eternity could be when spent alone. So, Yong instructed the maiden to head to the tomb at his temple and sleep within. The maiden did as she was bid. When she awoke, she discovered she had been granted a fish tail, and was now under the sea.

Find him, and claim this love of yours. If he allows your claim, I will return him to you. Should he refuse, you’ll forever be a mermaid.

The maiden swam the waters, searching until she found her lost lover.

The sailor, surprised to see her as a mermaid, demanded that Yong tell him what the meaning of this was.

Yong gave a small smile, and said, All who perish at sea are mine. A claim has been made for your soul. Do you accept it?

The bride tried to speak but found she could not in the water. She reached out for the sailor, pleading. Her skin was cold and clammy like a fish. Repulsed by her fish tail and cold shimmering scales, he pushed her away.

A claim for my soul? My soul is mine, and mine alone. Thinking of the various women he could spend cold nights with in the port cities, he turned away from his bride. No, I do not want to be dead. The sailor paused, believing that the dragon himself wanted to claim his soul. My soul cannot be claimed. I will trade my soul for hers.

Yong’s anger flared. Done, he said. Never again shall you find the warm embrace of a woman, and forever you will remember what you have lost. It was she who laid claim to your soul, and you threw her away.

As to the mermaid, Yong promised her a dowry fit for kings if she could find the one who would claim her heart and soul. She tarried a while, and Yong enjoyed the company. He hadn’t known he had been lonely, until she left, having found someone who loved her.

The lonely silence grew unbearable for Yong.

Sitting alone in his throne room, Yong wondered what it would be like to have a bride of his own. As the years went by, his despair turned to pain. Glancing toward the ocean’s surface, the dragon decided he would find a bride of his own.

Chapter 2

Chung Jo closed the gate to her family home with a click, and headed toward town. Gray clouds were gathering on the horizon, and she wanted to get her errands done before the rain fell. This trip would be easier if they still had the family horse, but that was long gone. Also long gone was much of the family possessions.

Chung Jo’s father had lost his eyesight to a fever three years ago.  The doctor told him it was possible his sight would return during the first few months. Instead, his eyes had dimmed further, until he could see nothing but darkness. With the loss of his vision, he lost his government position and his income. To keep Chung Jo from having to seek work, he had, little by little, sold off his possessions. None of this seemed to bother Chung Jo. Or at least, she didn’t let her father hear her sadness. The tears he could not see, and for that, Chung Jo was grateful.

Once in town, she purchased a small measure of rice, and headed home. Several young men rushed past her, knocking her to the side.

Get out of the way, one shouted as she fell, her bag of rice spilling. You should watch where you’re going!

With a sigh, Chung Jo looked at the spilled rice. As she was scooping up the grains, she heard a moan in the alley. What did those brats do? With the rice picked up, she went to investigate.

Oh no! she cried when she found a well-dressed man sprawled on the ground, his brightly colored silk robes torn, blood on his forehead. Not knowing his title, but aware of his social status she addressed him politely. "Nari! (Sir) Are you all right? Chung Jo dropped to the ground and set her rice aside. Nari?" 

The man groaned again, and wincing, sat up. I’m all right. He checked his face with his hands for damage.

What happened?

The man regarded Chung Jo. I’m not sure. A small boy in rags asked for a handout. I handed him a coin, and then continued on my way. He touched the back of his head and winced.

It appears a thug walloped you in the head, Chung Jo said.

You don’t say, he said. Checking his robes, he added, They took my money.

I’m sorry. But at least you’re all right. Can you stand up?

Yeah, he said, struggling to his feet. His face turned ashen for a moment, but he remained standing.

Will you be able to get home on your own? Chung Jo asked. The gray sky chose that very moment to begin to rain, drops falling on her head, and running down her face.

He looked up at the sky, and said, Yes.

Darn this rain, Chung Jo said, shielding herself from the rain with her arm. The man took a few wobbly steps, and stumbled. Chung Jo took hold of his arm. Here, let me help you.

"Nari! a worried looking man called, rushing toward them. He was dressed in simple coarse spun clothing, but still of quality. He must be the man’s servant. There you are, Master Joo Won!"

Kang-chul, Joo Won said, patting Kang-chul’s shoulder. They locked eyes in understanding. Joo Won turned to Chung Jo, and for a moment looked like he was going to speak.

Kang-chul gave a bow to Chung Jo, and then fussing, pulled Joo Won away. Chung Jo watched them leave, grateful that someone had come to help. The rain didn’t appear it was going to stop anytime soon, and she needed to get home before her rice was totally ruined. Picking up the bag of rice she turned towards home.

Chapter 3

Joo Won left the next morning for the port. Word had come that his merchant ship was in and he wanted to be there when they unloaded. He had traded in his silk attire for more roughly spun clothes. He wore his long hair pulled back from his face, and it reached midback.

The ride gave him plenty of time to think. Alone with his thoughts, he couldn’t help but think of the pretty girl who had aided him.

The day had started off as any other day often did. After breakfast, he had done some reading. For lunch, instead of eating at home, he had gone over to Mrs. Oh’s. She had recently taken in an orphan, and the extra income he gave them by being a customer helped. Not to mention, Mrs. Oh’s fish soup was one of the best for miles.

Giving a coin or buying food for hungry kids wasn’t out of the norm for Joo Won. His sister, before she had married and left for the capital city, liked to prepare food and take it to the impoverished people living near the village. He felt that whenever he bought a meal or gave money to those who needed it, he was carrying on his sister’s belief that those who were blessed should help the less fortunate. So when a small boy, in torn and dirty clothing, had asked him for money, he hadn’t hesitated.

And that was when he was struck from behind. Blinking through the stars in his vision, he first felt the vicious kicks to his ribs and head, before blacking out. The next thing he remembered was the dark eyes of Chung Jo asking him if he was all right.

Joo Won arrived at the docks where the ship’s captain and mudang greeted him. His family was one of the few ship owners that employed a mudang, Ji Eul, and an imugi dragon to sail. He found that having one of the small dragons present helped bring the blessing of the great sea dragon.

Joo Won took a wrapped piece of dried beef out of his pocket. He unfolded the cloth and offered the meat to the blue and gold imugi dragon perched on the mudang’s shoulder.

Iseul says thank you, Ji Eul said.

Joo Won bowed to the little dragon in reply.

Another safe voyage, the captain said.

I’m glad to hear it. I heard that the sea dragon wasn’t as benevolent to Lord Kim’s vessels. He lost one of his fine ships.

That’s terrible news.

The men were silent for a while. The sea has been getting more treacherous to ships lately. It unnerved him to be honest.  Lord Kim would probably take advantage and raise his prices accordingly.

Joo Won’s heart wept for the lives lost. Good men who had left their wives husbandless, and children fatherless. He said a quick pray for the families.

Breaking the silence, the captain said, Why don’t you come inspect the shipments? Once we’ve unloaded, I told my men they can take a two-day shore leave.

Joo Won raised an eyebrow. Only two days?

Yes, the captain said. Iseul is saying that the seas will be bad this winter... I’m thinking if we left in two days, and the wind is true, we can get in another shipment of silk and salt.

I leave it to your judgement, Joo Won said, lowering an arm to let the captain know to lead the way.

***

Abeoji, did you want to walk with me to the market? Chung Jo asked her father, stepping out into the courtyard.

Are you sure you want me hobbling alongside you? Mr. Sim asked, turning to face the direction of her voice from where he sat on the porch.

You know I don’t mind. Besides, you enjoy our walks. With all the recent rain, I’m sure you’ve missed getting out.

Mr. Sim smiled, and checked his hair, paying a little extra attention to the topknot. Do I look presentable?

Yes, you do, Abeoji. Let me get a basket. I thought we could buy some fresh vegetables. Just give me a moment. After watching for her father’s nod to acknowledge her, Chung Jo went back into the house to fetch the basket. It was old and starting to fray, but it would do.

Returning to the yard, Chung Jo and her father headed out for the market, one