[Chapter Seven: Festival of Kites]
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, dah'ling!
Not many spies would have dared to infiltrate so deeply into Dictator Seto's territory, but the best two of Pharaoh's spies were driven to complete the special mission given to them. Dressed up in the guise of common Draconian monks, no one took a second look at the pair in their customary cloaks. It was a holy day, after all, and everyone was out and about for the festival.
They prowled the alleys, eyes alert and ears open for the possible thieves of their lost little mage.
Banners of dragons lined the Town Square and bright sapphire streamers, occasionally caught by the wind, decorated the stalls. Vendors were selling their finest wares: pewter statues, handcrafted jewelry, and elaborate tapestries. Incense wafted heavily from the temples, in honor of the Great Dragon and the warriors who sacrificed their lives for the kingdom.
Although the people enjoyed themselves, there was bitterness as well. No one dared to openly express such thoughts, for speaking against the war could be seen as treason. However, it could be seen in the faces of widows, orphans, and loners alike, whenever their expressions became haunted thinking of the ones who would never celebrate with them again. Loud talk and laughter pressed them into the shadows as the majority of the revelers were determined to have at least one day of happiness out of the months spent making war.
Hundreds of dragon kites, guided by children and adults on the ground, zoomed high in the air at midday. It was a unique tradition, solely practiced in the Dragon Kingdom.
As such, this meant that it was Mana’s first time seeing the sky filled with such a rainbow of colored paper (though the primary color remained blue). She watched with awe from her room in the attic as dragons of all shapes and sizes flew with wild freedom, at times crossing the path of the sun.
Just as the two magician spies passed under her window, Mana pulled away from the spectacular sight in search of Amelda.
Not many spies would have dared to infiltrate so deeply into Dictator Seto's territory, but the best two of Pharaoh's spies were driven to complete the special mission given to them. Dressed up in the guise of common Draconian monks, no one took a second look at the pair in their customary cloaks. It was a holy day, after all, and everyone was out and about for the festival.
They prowled the alleys, eyes alert and ears open for the possible thieves of their lost little mage.
Banners of dragons lined the Town Square and bright sapphire streamers, occasionally caught by the wind, decorated the stalls. Vendors were selling their finest wares: pewter statues, handcrafted jewelry, and elaborate tapestries. Incense wafted heavily from the temples, in honor of the Great Dragon and the warriors who sacrificed their lives for the kingdom.
Although the people enjoyed themselves, there was bitterness as well. No one dared to openly express such thoughts, for speaking against the war could be seen as treason. However, it could be seen in the faces of widows, orphans, and loners alike, whenever their expressions became haunted thinking of the ones who would never celebrate with them again. Loud talk and laughter pressed them into the shadows as the majority of the revelers were determined to have at least one day of happiness out of the months spent making war.
Hundreds of dragon kites, guided by children and adults on the ground, zoomed high in the air at midday. It was a unique tradition, solely practiced in the Dragon Kingdom.
As such, this meant that it was Mana’s first time seeing the sky filled with such a rainbow of colored paper (though the primary color remained blue). She watched with awe from her room in the attic as dragons of all shapes and sizes flew with wild freedom, at times crossing the path of the sun.
Just as the two magician spies passed under her window, Mana pulled away from the spectacular sight in search of Amelda.