SKY OF PAPER: AN ASIAN STEAMPUNK FANTASY

CHAPTER 40

Though the king greeted the Young Emperor, the ceremony was merely a formality, as it was Dae Jung that had been appointed to properly negotiate relations between the Imperial and Royal Families. 

At times the Young Emperor simply sat beside him while he spoke with various court officials and other important people. Other times, Dae Jung spoke in private while the Young Emperor was left to roam aimlessly about the palace. 

All the while, without a ship to fly, I had become nothing more than a decorative piece, subject to the whims and amusements of the people that lived in this foreign land. 

A few days had passed, and I was sitting on a bench in the palace garden while the other chienkuu ko kicked a ball around, enjoying themselves amidst flowers that bloomed in various shades of red and shimmered against the midday sun. Two maidens from the Royal court were sitting across from me, regarding my presence with obvious curiosity. They seemed amused by the silver in my eyes, as they whispered to one another then giggled as if meaning to mock me.  

Kassashimei was in another part of the garden, doing some sort of ritual that involved waving a feathered stick around. She said she was seeking favor with the spirits of this strange land. Ren Tzu, who was more concerned with her strange hobbies than me, watched over her, while I was left alone with my boredom. 

"What do you want?" I said to the two girls, doing little to hide my annoyance. 

They didn’t bother to answer. I doubted they even understood me. 

The older of the two took me by the shoulders and proceeded to push me along to the far end of the garden. Unsure of their reasons, I let them take me to a magnificent looking gazebo that sat at the edge of a whispering stream. Underneath its sloped, stone-colored roof was a wooden floor polished to a fine, reflective sheen. Even the few petals and leaves that drifted onto the floor seemed to accent its simple beauty. 

"I heard that children with eyes like yours can make the leaves dance on a windless day," the older of the two said. "Can you do that here? Right now?"

"Is that why you brought me here?" I growled. 

They laughed, nodding excitedly.

"No, I will not." My tone was just as serious as my steps, as I proceeded to leave the gazebo.

"Are all children from Rui Nan as rude as you are?" she taunted. "Everyone says there's magic to be found on your island and it is children like you that harness it. Maybe it’s nothing more than stories and rumors."

"You think I'm some sort of toy to be played with?" I said facing them. "I may be just a boy, but I know ignorant people when I see them."

I flung my arms in protest. 

They gasped in surprise when a sudden gust blew into the gazebo and cleaned away the debris that lay scattered on the floor. They turned to me wide-eyed and I replied with little care for what they probably thought was more magic than just a coincidental act of nature.  

After a moment, the older one gave a mischievous grin and procured from her sleeve a tamma; my tamma. I immediately looked down and found my tamma bag empty. Somehow, she’d stolen it. 

"Do as we ask of you, or you won't have this back," she chided.

I growled again and went for the object in her hand, but she turned and ran. Spurned by their laughter, I gave chase as we sprinted down the stream, towards the grand steps of the palace. 

Outlining the royal building, there were many smaller courtyards, all adorned with banners that flashed the royal seal and connected by enclosed hallways, which lead to the main palace building itself. Undaunted, we recklessly charged through each individual enclosure.