Flower Girl: A Burton Family Mystery Part 13

Dalisay had left the package from Sister Cerice on the kitchen counter, and I eagerly opened it while the dogs enveloped me, wagging their tails vigorously. Once they've had a good pee, it's all about attention.

Sister Cerice's request for Rhyly and me to a.s.sist in decrypting two ancient doc.u.ments dovetailed nicely with our renewed interest in Korean folklore and history and ancient cultures. The tour had sparked our interests in all things related to Korean women and now there was my proposal to Rhyly.

Sister Cerice's message was quite detailed. It read: "Recently two ancient doc.u.ments were recovered from a tomb on Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju. Other artifacts revealed the tomb to be Queen Seondeok's. We had the doc.u.ments carbon dated and results showed the paper and ink to be from the 7th century. That synchs with Seondeok's time as the first Queen to rule Silla. However, the diaries are written in some mysterious code that we have not been able to decipher. The diaries may provide evidence of the formation and significance of the Wonhwa during the Silla dynasty. Detractors are declaring them to be forgeries, carbon dating be d.a.m.ned.

"One particularly vociferous complaint of forgery came from Dr. Sincere Park at the Asian Linguistics Conference recently held at the Jack Nicklaus Club in Incheon. He publicly claimed that these two doc.u.ments are forgeries, even though no one has been able to translate them.

"A group of women scholars from Ewha Women's University, who saw evidence of your linguistic skills in what you did during our recent Gyeongju tour together, have asked me to approach Dr. Raincrow and yourself to a.s.sist in deciphering the ancient code used in these two doc.u.ments. As long as no one has deciphered them the forgery claims are getting attention in the academic community.

"Clearly these Wonhwa were spiritual women with the skills to lead and fight for their Queen or King, loyalty to rulers and to family being amongst the highest of Buddhist values. We have only scratched the surface in uncovering lost and destroyed evidence of the contributions of women to the development of a nation. Please help us to continue the good work at Ewha Women's University.

"Let me remind you of the history of the hwarang, flower boys, after which the martial art is named. In the Silla era, before there were hwarang, there were Wonhwa, original flowers. Women who were the original palace guards, educated in the fine arts and in music as well as martial arts. These Wonhwa were taught the values of Buddhism and they later became the spiritual leaders of bands of male hwarangs a.s.signed to protect royal families. Much of this story has been lost or destroyed over the centuries, and my colleagues and I suspect that the Parks are actively involved. We are hoping that a decrypting of the two diaries will verify the contributions of the Wonhwa."

"Chinese culture has always been a heavy influence on Korea due to close geographic proximity. And, during the first of the three kingdoms, the Silla kingdom on the peninsula ruled from the first century to the seventh. However, while all three kingdoms were greatly influenced by Buddhist culture, art and values, during the Silla years, the Silla kingdom did not rapidly absorb Chinese culture and embrace Buddhism until the sixth and seventh centuries. In 660ce the Silla rulers allied with Chinese forces and defeated Paekche and Koguryo.

"I shall begin with the 6th and 7th seventh centuries as I tell you the tale of the 'original flowers,' the Wonhwa. They were a group of young women initiated and trained by King Juenjong 534-570ce and fostered by Seondeok, the first Queen of Silla who ruled during the 7th century.

"The two diaries are written in an unknown coded language; however, my colleagues suggest that the language is much like the ancient Chinese women's languages written on fans, called nushu. That alone is a clue that they were written by women to women. Men had no need for writing in coded languages.

"Our team of women scholars requests your a.s.sistance in restoring these women to their rightful place. Kamsamnida!"

This restoration theme might be just the ticket to persuading Rhyly to travel back to Gyeongju. Sister Cerice's request, along with Angie's wedding plans and request for flowers girls, started my search for historical information on what flower girls symbolize in Korean weddings and Korean history. They traditionally walked in front of the bride scattering flower petals on both sides of the path. This thought brought me back to thinking of Angie's wedding plans and I finally put in a call to Hamish about hiring some flower girls and making other wedding plans.

Angie was nearly brought to tears when she learned that none of the hotels featuring wedding/honeymoon packages on Cheju-do had an opening until late in the fall of 2015 after the weather turns cold. I relayed this info to Hamish.

Angie, long blonde version, and Clemson were at my house for lunch when the kitchen phone rang. "There's no caller ID. Shall I answer that?" Angie asked.

"Put the call on speaker," I replied.

Angie said, "Good afternoon."

"Dr. Angie, I'm Hamish MacIntosh, a colleague and friend of the Burtons."

"Hamish. May I call you Hamish? I've heard many wonderful things about you from Shannon," Angie replied.

"Please do. I am calling this morning, 5am KST in Seoul that is, to ask if you and your fiance might be interested in the dates of 1-15 June 2015ce for your wedding and honeymoon on Cheju-do?" Hamish asked.

"You must be clairvoyant. Clemson and I were just talking about postponing until next summer," Angie replied.

"I have contacted the Chosun Cheju-do Hotel, a five star establishment, thought by many to be the finest of wedding and honeymoon packages in Cheju-do, and they have an unexpected cancellation and thus an opening for those dates," Hamish said.

"Crimminy, next June is perfect," Angie said with a huge smile. "Clemson is upstairs. Let me get him on the line so we can give you an answer right now," Angie said, then shouted "Clemson! Hamish is on the phone and he has a surprise for you."

"Coming!" Clemson came online saying, "Anyung has.h.i.+m nika Hamis.h.!.+ Good morning y'all!"

Hamish repeated the wedding reservation option, adding, "My private cell number is 16-588-123-4569. Please feel free to call at your convenience. However, I fear that this reservation must be confirmed soon," Hamish said, adding," and I will of course intercede on your behalf in making any additional arrangements. Shannon told me you want flower girls. I will also make a deposit with the hotel's bank to confirm and ensure all arrangements."

Clemson said, "This sounds great. What do you think, Angie?"

"Let's do it," Angie replied eagerly. "Oh, Hamish, you're fabulous. Thank you, thank you. No wonder Shannon has been bragging about her G.o.dfather. This is really perfect." Angie said, turning to me. "Clemson's partner, Agent Newsome, will be able to attend our wedding and so will his aunt."

I was thinking that when Reddy got back from where ever he disappeared to next, he would be thinking exactly what I was. Agents Newsome and Clemson doubled our quandary as regards Reddy's mountain hideaway on Cheju-do.

After Hamish rang-off and Angie and Clemson departed, Reddy popped out of his bas.e.m.e.nt workshop and said, "I think it best that Chip and you and I check in at a nearby hotel to keep my place on Halla-san Mountain from being discovered by the CIA. I'll have to keep a low profile at the wedding."

The next morning, Dalisay was the first one up and she greeted me with a hug before heading to the clinic. Comet and Shy were both licking my bare knees as I got as far as sitting on the edge of the bed. They couldn't wait any longer. I slipped on some sweats, an old pair of Asics, and a cap. After five minutes of stretching, we took off on our morning run. There was a light mist and fog that normally would have chilled me to the bone, but after Kamchatka, it felt like a balmy spring day.

Chapter 13: Persuading Rhyly.

Back to thinking about how best to persuade her to join the women at the Gyeongju dig, I texted Rhyly, "I have just received copies of the two ancient diaries from Sister Cerice; however, they are written in some secret hieroglyphs. How shall I best send them to you? Please call back."

The secure phone in the kitchen announced Rhyly's call. "I'll need to see the two doc.u.ments before I do anything else. So I would like you to send them to me by secure courier. I have a three day break next week."

"I'll ask Dalisay to send them from her Oakland clinic where the Tiger Air courier makes deliveries and pickups every day," I told Rhyly. "You should have them by tomorrow, along with my reminder that Chip Moriga might prove useful in deciphering them since the language or code has me and the Ewha scholars stumped, temporarily. Burton's will reimburse you for expenses and pay for an accidental death insurance policy in the amount of $2 million. Our task is to detail the authenticity of these 'forgeries,' and the first task is to break the code."

Three days later, Rhyly called again, saying, "I'm not having any trouble thinking of nasty names to call you right now, so I'll settle for tease and meanie." Rhyly added, "I've read Sister Cerice's notes and examined the two diaries. I get it. Flower girls equals original flowers equals the Wonhwa case. These exceptional women deserve historical recognition."

"Exactly!" I replied. "The diaries are written in a code that will be difficult to break without a key. The characters are similar to ancient Chinese but they have been rearranged according to some codification scheme, so I'll do what I can to research the key."

"I agree with you. We could sure use Chip Moriga's help. He's the best I know for encryption and decryption." Rhyly replied.

"Grab your overnight backpack and a laptop and be ready to travel on short notice," I told her.

"So Burton's Family Business is expanding into women's getting proper credit for their historical contributions." Rhyly's voice reflected excitement, "Validating and decrypting the ancient doc.u.ments sounds like an intriguing task, you sure know how to bait the hook, girlfriend."

"Let me explain the plan a bit further. The Gyeongju dig site may yield more artifacts from the era when these Silla era diaries were first created. Reddy has a contact who may prove helpful, a geomancer by the name of Chungsik, I'll arrange an introduction when you get there. The Ewha scholars already have government permission to dig at the original gravesite of Queen Seondeok in the seventh century. And Chungsik knows the grave mounds in that area as well as anyone."

"Well, a.s.suming I believe in geomancy, one strategy is for me to make contact with Chungsik and find out what he knows about the Wonhwa and discover if he has any theories about who wrote the original two diaries, and about the key for deciphering them," Rhyly said, adding, "Maybe, if I can arrange to meet with Chungsik, perhaps I can persuade him to share what he knows about the secret key for encoding and decoding the diaries."

"Clever girl!" I replied. "I a.s.sume you will return to River View before catching a flight to Berkeley, then back to Cheju-do for Angie's wedding in June."

"I'll need you to arrange for me to meet with the scholars who originally found the two diaries and to return to the same place where they discovered them." Rhyly pointed out, adding, "Okay, the mission is clear. Remember the story I told you in PKC?" Rhyly asked. "I remind you that Henrietta Turtle Woods made a significant contribution, many centuries after the Amazonian culture and history was largely lost and destroyed. And, women in general have had their roles expunged or forgotten in many cases, for reasons we can only speculate about today."

"See, you're already getting in the spirit of it," I replied.

"Hamish and Sister Cerice have already guided us on a tour and briefed us on the history of Korean women and the Wonhwa and their roles in developing Korea. It almost seems like you planned this whole Wonwha Case for months." Rhyly said.

"Visiting some of the fabulous national treasures and locations at the old Silla capital city of Gyeongju, you know, the Mommy Bell and Queen Seondeok's star gazing tower, has now become even more valuable than just providing you and Reddy with a cover story." Rhyly said, adding, "I have a few things to clear on my calendar and then I'll call you with my travel plans."

Three days later, Paladin's tune plays on my smart-phone as "Crow" appears on the screen. "I'm all in!" Rhyly said with enthusiasm in her best poker player's imitation. "Convincing my graduate a.s.sistant to cover for my cla.s.ses was easy; however, Laz, well, he wasn't easy. I do believe he is fearful for my safety, especially after the past shooting attempts on my life. And, Professor Craft, my boss, wants me back on duty at RVU within 4 weeks. Together they insist that I check in by phone every day I am in Korea. Does Reddy have a spare satellite phone I can borrow? I'll fill you in when we meet."

"Bated breath, girlfriend, bated breath!" I replied, adding, "I have Reddy's spare satellite phone, I'll check with him."

Rhyly then said, "Meanwhile, I'm giving a character lecture this morning at Amundsen Hall. Sorry none of you will be in attendance. However, Matte and Craft will be there."

"Who's the character you'll be portraying?" I asked.

"Princess Deokman, later Queen Seondeok, the first woman ruler of the Silla dynasty," Rhyly replied, adding, "I only have an hour and a half before I'm scheduled to give my Amundsen Lecture over at Anderson Hall. So, here's the gist of it."

"d.a.m.n!" I said, adding, "When you say 'all in' you mean it. You've been a busy researcher, and, now you're off to deliver a character lecture as Princess Deokman and Queen Seondeok."

"That's not the half of it, Ms. Clemmie has already made a flight reservation for me from Chicago's O'Hare to Incheon for next week."

"The story of my research at the Namsan grave mounds of Gyeongju really started at Professor Craft's office at the Track in River View the week before I flew to Incheon," Rhyly continued nonchalantly. "Following our morning run, I toweled off Rogue and Wolf, then I hit the showers and was drying off in the locker room. I tossed my pile of rain soaked sweats in the dryer along with the towels.

"Professor Craft's most excellent executive a.s.sistant and museum curator Ms. Clemmie popped her head in the door and told me there were three outfits laid out on the throne and the ottoman in Professor Craft's office for me to try on. She'd make any needed adjustments before my lecture. So I began by dressing the part of a teenage peasant girl, actually, a student, my cover for the time I would be spending in the countryside around the Namsan mounds, visiting with locals. The coat was a cream yellow color and Ms. Clemmie explained that such garments were worn when students attended government exams or ceremonies or festivals. Pantaloons, white leggings, sandals, and a hat that reminded me of the Quakers completed my outfit.

OK, not quite completed, next, Ms. Clemmie handed me a jang bong, a long fighting stick. Then she gave me a pendant, a norigae, that could be traded for additional clothes and food as needed during my stay or to enhance my lecture. It was typically worn on the outer coat skirt or waist of the skirt, and its original purpose was as a good luck charm that brought eternal youth, wealth, or many sons to the family. It was later used as a fas.h.i.+onable accessory worn by Korean women either in the royal court or by commoners.

"A norigae is made up of four parts: a top ring, a jewel, a knot, and a ta.s.sel. The shapes are taken from nature or items used in everyday life. Ms. Clemmie wrapped it in a silk scarf and placed it in an inner pocket of my garment where she said it was safe. Of course, Angie's the one who needs this. She's the one getting married and starting a family," Rhyly said. "When I see her in Cheju-do in June I'll give it to her as a wedding gift. Oh, and by the way, the traditional dress is called a hanbok and consists of a s.h.i.+rt and a skirt while the hat is called a gwanmo.

"Koreans often dress differently according to social rank; however, this tradition is fading in the cities. Colorful but sometimes bulky costumes, stuffed with cotton in the winter, were worn by the royal family. Common people were often restricted to colorless or white plain clothes. Basic everyday attire was shared by everyone; however, ceremonial dresses were worn on formal occasions, like a wedding or a funeral. Special dresses were made for officials or shamans attire.

"Ms. Clemmie suggested that I wear the red outfit for my role as Queen Seondeok for my lecture, change to the green to enact the role of Princess Deokman, and then change to the more common yellow and white student garments when I needed to.

"After dressing and admiring my new get-up in the full length mirror on Professor Craft's wall, I picked up my lecture notes and went over them one more time. I was making one final review of what I needed to know about the Silla Kingdom and Queen Seondeok, the Wonhwa, and female shamans before my lecture."

"I get it, you're already getting prepped for your visit and research back in Gyeongju." I replied with a large hint of incredulity in my voice, and then I added, "Fly safely and keep the paranoia meter running."

Reddy reappeared and asked, "Do we have lift off on the Wonhwa case?"

"We do if you can figure how to get this spare satellite phone to Rhyly before she takes off for Korea next week. We may still need some of your smoke and magic mirrors."

"No need, I'll arrange for Hamish to meet Rhyly at Incheon, he can provide her with a secure sat phone. I a.s.sume you want Hamish to introduce Rhyly to Chungsik."

"d.a.m.n, were you listening in on our private conversation?" I asked, adding, "More smoke and mirrors?"

PART IV: THE WONHWA CASE - THE ORIGINAL FLOWERS.

Chapter 14: The Wonwha Case: Rhyly's Search.

I settled down in my favorite deck chair on the back porch with Comet and Shy curled up at my feet. We started to doze off in the warm sunlight after our run, and still savoring the after taste of espressos and cannoli cookies stuffed with cheese and peanut b.u.t.ter consumed at the Beastro. I ate one once; it was delicious.

At 8:30am PST my wrist.w.a.tch alarm waking me with a jolt. I had dozed off in the deck chair. Two seconds later the secure sat phone buzzed in the kitchen. Reddy came up the bas.e.m.e.nt stairs just as I punched the speaker phone.

Yesterday, accounting for time zones, Rhyly began her high risk adventure to discover the key to deciphering the coded language of the two diaries recently found at a tomb on Namsan Mountain in the ancient Silla capital of Gyeongju.

"Anyung has.h.i.+m nika Burtons. Hamish met me and gave me this neat sat phone, how do I sound?" Rhyly said, adding, "I'm bushed, but as promised, this is my first daily call. Tomorrow's call won't be until after Hamish and I get settled in at the Hilton in Gyeongju."

Reddy said, "You sound more than just bushed."

"When I am not the pilot, flying is exhausting and the jet lag from a flight across the Pacific is the worst. It takes a day or so to reorient," Rhyly replied, adding, "Reddy, I'm glad you're there. I want both of you to hear what I have discovered at the Gyeongju digs on my first day, thanks in large part to Chungsik, Hamish and your geomancer friend. He's a short stout man similar in build to Hamish, but not as powerful, speaks excellent English, however, we have also been conversing in Korean, and he dresses like a monk.

"When I woke this morning and went out for a run in a nearby park, I was overwhelmed by the smell of kimchi, the national dish of Koreans, pickled cabbage and meat stock. The aroma continued as I ran a few miles outside the city and came upon a row of clay pots next to a small shelter on a river bank.

"I agreed to meet with Sister Cerice and her colleagues at a picnic area on the edge of a river that meandered east and west as best I could ascertain. I guessed it to be the Naktong River that flowed from Lake Andong to Pusan. During our recent tour with Hamish as guide, we had crossed this river when driving around the Silla capital city of Gyeongju to Seoul. I was somewhere along that river, probably a few miles west from Gyeongju. I recognized nothing from the tour and Hamish has left me on my own for the day. There were no public facilities. This had me worried.

"It was a balmy morning and I was first greeted by a bite on my neck. 'd.a.m.n mosquito,' I said in English, looking around to see if anyone heard me. A small man wearing the robes of a Buddhist monk was seated beneath a gnarly tree whose roots were exposed along the bank of the river.

"The monk seemed to be praying, in a trance, or meditating. He did not acknowledge my sudden appearance for several minutes. Then his head rose and he smiled at me with the kindest brown eyes. 'You have come from afar. Welcome to my river camp on Namsan Mountain,' he said.

"He rose and balanced himself on a long staff I a.s.sumed to be his walking stick; however, it looked more like the jang bong I had with me, thanks to Ms. Clemmie. You know, the one you showed me and used to instruct me in bontoogi fighting.

"Seeing me admiring the staff, he said, 'I see you have a long stick much as mine. Do you know the art of stick fighting? he asked, adding, 'The hwarang and before them, the Wonwha learned stick fighting when they were deemed by their instructors to be ready and strong enough. I have learned the skill of the fighting sticks while visiting in China from the ancestors of the Han who were great fighters centuries ago.'

"I was pleased to learn that my own skill with the long stick would hold me in good stead," Rhyly said. "Thanks again for the stick fighting lessons, Shannon."

"You are most welcome girlfriend," I replied, while thinking how envious I am of her experiences.

Rhyly continued, "My memory flashed back to your story of when, as a mere girl, you had defeated and thoroughly embarra.s.sed a teenage boy at long stick fighting one day at the local dojang."

"It was Sincere Park whom I defeated when I was eleven," I replied, "He was humiliated."

The next day Rhyly continued her tale "Let me tell you more of my meeting with Chungsik," Rhyly said as she came on line.

"He told me his name is Chungsik and that he will be one of my teachers and the he said, 'we shall call you Rhee.'"

I told him I liked the name Rhee, Lee being my middle name, and that I was pleased to meet him. I wondered why he felt I needed a made-up name; however, I did not want to be rude. I also wondered who this we was.

"As if he was reading my mind, he said, 'Another will join us shortly, and she will be your primary teacher and together we will fill a void created over time.'" "Chungsik then said. 'First, we shall enjoy the green tea of this region.'

"Chungsik was a small man; however, I noted that his weight was never born by the staff. Although somewhat hidden by his loose robe, his feet were located in a balanced position whenever he stood or walked. He walked lightly, or I should say he flowed. So did the figure gliding towards us, out of the golden and red rays of dawn's first light, coming over the hill walking steadily with the use of a tall walking staff.

"It seemed to me that the figure was that of a woman in her forties or fifties. She wore a long orange coat tied at her bodice by a woven cord that covered most of the white dress that flowed loosely over her sandals and simple garments. She wore a black hat that resembled mine. Tucked in her waist cord was an object that looked like a fan and hanging from the cord was a noreiga much grander than my own. Ms. Clemmie had taught me well. These were the clothes of a muyeo. She had a glow about her that never left her during the days ahead. I didn't think she was a spirit; however, her aura was powerful, perhaps the powerful female shaman of which Chungsik spoke.

"'Greetings, Brother Chungsik!' she said in a soft throaty voice. 'I see our guest has arrived.' Our guest, I thought. They have been expecting me. How is this possible? Of course, Hamish must have told them to expect me. But why the school girl disguise and why Rhee?

More importantly I soon sensed that they knew the script for my adventure and why I was here.

"'Greetings, Winter Blossom. This is Rhee. Mother Li sends her greetings and prayers from China, along with the gift of a new long stick.' Chungsik told her. 'I have felt your prayers and now we have need of your knowledge and skills so that together we can teach Rhee and a.s.sist her with her search. In the meantime, we must protect her as these are dangerous times and strangers are often thought to be spies of the Park's clan.'

OK, a little patience and I now had my answer, Rhee will do just fine, and they already knew of my search.

Chungsik said, 'Winter Blossom will be your primary teacher.'