“Come, let’s hurry before the best food is gone,” said Hasho.
“Pick up more grilled fish, will you?” Yotan called to us. My other brothers decided to stay back and help the twins with the kite. The competition started in half an hour, just enough time for Hasho and me to explore.
Children in masks squeezed between us, squealing as they ran toward the gaming tents to win porcelain dolls and silver-finned fish in glass jars. Back when I was their age, the games were what excited me most too. Now it was the food.
I inhaled, taking in the aroma of fried mackerel skewers and tea eggs, of battered shrimp and pickled bamboo shoots, of glass noodles dipped in peanut sauce. For a so-called glutton like me, heaven.
“Princess Shiori,” the vendors exclaimed, one after another, “what an honor it is for my humble stall to be graced by your presence.”
“Don’t you think we should head back?” Hasho said after I’d gobbled up a plate of noodles and battered shrimp. “The competition’s starting soon.”
Father and Raikama were already strolling toward the central courtyard, where the kite competition would be held. On his way to join the emperor, Lord Yuji waved to Hasho and me.
“My, my, you’re looking more like your mother every day,” he greeted me pleasantly. “Young Bushi’an Takkan is fortunate indeed.”
“Is he, now?” said Hasho. “Her looks are one thing, but her manners…”
I elbowed my brother. “Hush.”
The warlord let out a throaty laugh. He had always reminded me of a fox, with sharp shoulders, little teeth, and an easy smile. “The North could use some of Princess Shiori’s famous troublemaking.” He clasped his hands, then gestured at my dress, plain compared to his opulent robes. “I heard you fell into the Sacred Lake not long ago and lost your father a fortune in silk.”
“So I did,” I said, and my tone took a tighter turn. “I’m afraid I also lost the sash you sent. I’m made to think it was quite valuable, given how it distressed my stepmother.”
“Did it?” Lord Yuji said. “That is news to me, but worry not, Your Highness. Sashes are easily replaced, and my sons and I only thank the gods you were found and returned home safely.” He leaned close. “Though, between us, I am expecting a shipment of silk from my A’landan friends shortly—I am told red is your favorite color?”
“It is the color the gods notice most,” I replied cheekily. “If I’m to be sent north, I will need all the attention they can spare.”
He laughed again. “May the luck of the dragons be with you, then. Red it shall be.”
As he left, I let out a sigh. Lord Yuji was generous and wealthy, and more importantly, his castle was just outside Gindara. Sometimes I wished I were betrothed to one of his sons instead of Lord Bushian’s. If I had to be forced into marriage, at least I’d be closer to home—and not promised to some barbarian lord of the third rank.
“Alliances must be made,” Father said whenever I dared complain. “One day, you will understand.”
No, I’d never understand. Even now, the inequity of it made my stomach roil, and I stuffed my last rice cake into my mouth.
“You’re eating so fast you’re going to get indigestion,” said Hasho.
“If I slow down, all the food will be gone,” I replied between mouthfuls. “Besides, sewing takes up energy. Go on back—I know you’re itching to watch Wandei test out the kite. I’m still hungry.”
Without waiting for him, I traipsed down the aisles, heading for the rice cakes.
A fresh batch awaited me, neatly decorated in a large wooden bowl.
“Specially made for Princess Shiori,” said the vendor.
I scooped it into my arms and grabbed a helping of sweet potatoes too, tucking the little sack under my arm. I made it halfway back to my brothers when I spotted a boy in a dragon mask lurking behind the grilled-fish stall.
His robes looked outdated, the sash too wide by a generation, and his sandals were mismatched. He was too tall to be a child, but he darted about the festival like one—or rather, like someone who wasn’t supposed to be here. Oddest of all was his hair, streaked with green.
The kite competition would begin soon, and my brothers were waiting. But I wanted a better look at the boy’s mask.
It was blue, with silver whiskers and scarlet horns. He was fast, scurrying about like a lizard, and even greedier than I was when it came to the food.
Everything in the vendors’ stalls was free, offered by the craftsmen to advertise their wares, but it wasn’t polite to take more than one or two plates at a time. This boy was taking at least five. How he managed to balance them on his arm was impressive, but if he kept up like this, the vendors would ban him from seeking more. And now he was angling after the fried lotus root.
I shook my head. Novice.
“I suggest you skip the lotus,” I said, going up to him. “Everyone knows it’s the worst dish at the festival.”
I thought I’d surprised him, but he merely winked, a pair of red eyes glittering behind his mask. “Then I’ll take yours.”
Before I could respond to his audacity, Hasho reappeared at my side, finally finding me. “Shiori, are you coming back? It’s nearly time for the kite cere—”
The boy’s foot suddenly shot out, tripping my brother before he could finish.
Hasho stumbled. As he fell forward, grabbing me to steady his balance, a green sleeve whirled across my side and snatched the bag of sweet potatoes from under my arm.
“Hey!” I shouted. “Thief! Thief—”
The words hardly made it past my lips. Hasho and I toppled over each other, my half-eaten plates scattering across the street.
“Your Highnesses!” people cried. Hands outstretched to help Hasho and me up, a crowd gathering to make sure we weren’t hurt.
I barely noticed. My attention was on the masked boy.
“You’re not getting away so easily,” I muttered, scanning past the onlookers. I spotted him edging along the outskirts of the gaming tents, then disappearing into the bushes. He moved even faster than Benkai, his steps so light they left no imprint on the soft summer grass. I started after him, but Hasho grabbed my wrist.
“Shiori, where are you—”
“I’ll be back in time for the competition,” I said, wriggling my hand away.
Ignoring Hasho’s protests, I rushed after the boy in the dragon mask.
CHAPTER FOUR