Saria opened her eyes as the light orbs in her room brightened. With practiced motions she got out of bed and put on her slippers. She walked across the room her dresser and pulled out a thin robe to wear over her pajamas. She looked at a calendar sitting on her desk, sighed, and put the robe back.

  Along with the robe went her pajamas, and instead she pulled out slacks and a short kimono. She wrapped an obi around her waist and walked over to her mirror. Bright white eyes looked back at her ivory skin and silver hair. She grabbed a short obi and tied her long hair into a neat pony tail.

  A knock on the door alerted her to the maid who walked in.

  “Miss Whisperwind, breakfast is ready. You mother is expecting you in her office immediately after you finish.” She said with a bow.

  “Thank you.” The young elf said, bowl in return. She looked at her reflection one last time before leaving the room. She navigated the magically lit hallways and stairs to the small kitchen she preferred to eat in. Another maid brought her a simple meal of cereal and fruit, which she gladly ate in silence. Once she was done, she took the tray of food towards the kitchen, where it was taken from her by kitchen staff.

  She left the dining room and went back upstairs to the office her mother worked in. She knocked, waiting for her mother to invite her in. Saria her mother’s call and opened the sliding door. The office was simple, with a writing board and two desks.

  Saria bowed to her mother and took a seat her desk.

  “You took your time eating.” Her mother commented as she finished writing on a piece of parchment. “Did you do the reading I assigned you?”

  “Yes, mother.” Saria said, grabbing a copy of the nearby texts she had read yesterday. “It was very enlightening to read about the founding of our empire in the context of the God Wars.”

  “Yes, it is enlightening. Our patron God loves us, and it shows in that she secures this land for us.”

  Saria nodded and listened diligently to her mother as she elaborated on what the text had said, pulling references from other materials to corroborate her teachings. The young elf took diligent notes.

  “Alright. Your next assignment is to read the next chapter. It deals with some magic that the first empress used, and we may, given time, do some basic wand work. You’re dismissed.” Her mother finally said. “I’m expecting guests this afternoon, and I want you to attend.”

  Saria cleaned her desk and stood, bowing to her mother. Then she left and headed once more for the small dining room to eat. She had a few hours before her mother’s guests would arrive, so she ate quickly and headed to the small library. There she lifted a floorboard and pulled out one of the books hidden inside. She took it to a nearby couch and curled up. She caressed the spine, admiring the words embossed in the leather, The Adventures of the Hero of Tsushima.

  She opened it to a bookmarked page and began to read hungrily, with more focus than she’d given her mother during the lecture.

  “Miss Whisperwind, its nearly time” a maid quietly said. Saria looked at the window and saw the sun had traveled much farther than she’d thought. She thanked the maid, bookmarked her page, and hid the book back under the floor board.

  She ran to her room, to her dresser and opened it. She found more appropriate clothes for guests and quickly changed into them before much more gracefully leaving her room.

  She stopped in the hallway when she saw her father appear.

  “Father!” she quietly squealed, and rushed to the older elf. Saria leapt into his open arms.

  “My shining flower. How are you?” he said as he spun around.

  “I didn't know you were going to be home” Saria answered. “Are you staying long?”

  Her father set her down and gave her a big grin. “For a few days. I’m here to meet people with your mother, which I guess is where you’re going.”

  “After class tomorrow can you take me into the market?”

  “I think so. I do have a gift for you, this time from the southern part of the country.”

  Saria took a deep breath and put her hands together.

  “But it has to wait until afterwards. Your mother is meeting some very important people.”

  Saria bent backwards and grimaced. “It’s going to be so boring.”

  Her father nodded. “Probably. But the boring stuff is how you earn the money to afford to do the fun stuff. Now let’s get going before your mom finds another reason to yell at me.”

  Saria nodded and grabbed her father’s hand as they walked through the hallways and down the stairs to the large meeting room. The older elf slid the door open and peered inside. He nodded and slid the door further open, allowing himself and his daughter to walk inside. Saria saw the only person inside was her mother.

  “You are late, Koichi.” She said as she reviewed the document in her hand.

  “I’m sorry, Kaoru.” He said humbly, bowing his head.

  “Well, it’s good that you are here. The village elders are being quite obstinate about funding for the summer festival.”

  “So I read in your letter, dear. And I believe I have some valid points as to why they should invest more in the festivals. At the worse, we can match the council. Hopefully that will loosen their purse strings.”

  Kaoru nodded. A maid peaked in. “Some of the Elders are here, Master Whisperwind.”

  Saria watched her mother rise and leave the room to go attend her guests.

  “Father, I want to go to the tower.” She said quietly.

  “I know, my flower. But your mother wants to teach you personally, and she is a great priestess.” The older elf answered without looking at her.

  “I want to go on adventures like you do. Like the hero in the books you leave.” Saria pushed. “I never get to leave the walls unless you are home.”

  “I’ll talk to her tonight. If the elders loosen up, maybe she will be in the mood to discuss it.”

  “Thank you. I love you.” Saria said, smiling.

  “I love you too. Now wipe that smile off your face, this is serious business time.”

  “Yes sir.” Saria said, wiping her face to give it a neutral expression. Soon afterward, her mother walked in, followed by three older elves, two women and a man. Both Saria and her father stood and bowed to the guests, who bowed in turn. Then they all sat around the low table. A staff member came in and placed cups before them all, as well as a steaming tea pot. After a look from her mother, Saria knelt forward and offered her tea, followed by the guests, and then her father and herself.

  “Thank you for joining us this evening.” Her mother said to her guests. “I’m sure you remember my husband, Koichi, and my daughter, Saria.”

  The oldest elf nodded. “Yes. I’ve seen him coming and going with merchandise. I assume business is good?” she asked Saria’s father.

  “Yes. I recently came from far south in the empire with several items I think will sell very up here and in the capitol.” He answered.

  “Good, good. And your studies, young Saria?”

  “I am doing well under my mother’s tutelage.” She said blandly.

  “Of course. Your mother is a well-respected priest. We are honored to have one of the Empresses advisor's here to help in our town.” The second oldest guest added.

  “Indeed. And I correspond with her regularly.” Saria’s mother inserted. “I always enjoy sending her good news of the towns spiritual growth.”

  The oldest guest smirked. “I’m sure you do, and indeed our citizens have never been so industrious in their faith. The temple you maintain has never been so well kept.”

  “I certainly appreciate it. And I know that my family does as well.” Kaoru said. “But I think it’s important not just to maintain the temple, but to also celebrate the festivals, to bring our Goddess to the people.”

  “Yes, but festivals are expensive.” The youngest guest commented. “They take the people away from their work to set up and take down, which stops their production. We provide a large amount of food to the empire and the army; we cannot just stop to celebrate.”

  “But at what cost?” Saria’s father cut in. “I have traveled the empire end to end, and I’ve found that some of the most productive towns take breaks to enjoy festivals; it boosts the morale of the citizens, which increases their productivity. It is one reason why I stop at home regularly, to make sure I do not burn myself out.”

  The oldest council member nodded, sipping her tea. “This is very good, by the way.”

  “Thank you, my husband brought it from the capitol on his last visit.”

  Everyone took a moment to sip and enjoy the light green tea.

  “Well. You and your husband have convinced me.” The eldest said finally. “However, festivals do cost money, which we are tight on with the poor harvests. Perhaps, the Goddess may be willing to assist?”

  Saria’s mother nodded. “I believe she will. I will pray diligently tonight and let you know tomorrow.”

  “Very well. I would like to discuss other matters, which are not for children's ears.” The eldest said. Saria waited for her mother’s signal before rising and bowing to the guests.

  “Thank you for your time.” She said before backing out of the room and closing the sliding door. She slowly walked to her room, straining her ears to hear in the empty hallways. She made it to her room without incident, readied herself for bed, and then knelt at the small shrine next to her futon.

  “Dear Goddess. Thank you for your many blessings. Please help my mother, so that she’ll let me go to the Tower to learn. I want to be a good priestess like her, but I also want to travel like my father. Látom.” she prayed, before getting into the blankets and getting comfortable for sleep.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Saria rolled in her bed to hide her eyes from the lights as they brightened. She smashed her face into her pillow for a moment before rolling out from the bed. She put her feet into her slippers and walked over to her dresser. This time, she withdrew a comfortable robe to wear over her pajamas. Comfortably dressed, she left her room and headed towards the dining room where she usually ate through quiet halls.

  Once there, a member of the staff brought her a simple meal of rice and eggs. She ate leisurely, enjoying the day off from lessons. Once she was finished, she brought her tray of dishes back to the kitchen, where it was taken by the same staff member. Then she walked the same halls back to her room.

  She sat at her desk and pulled the texts her mother had assigned her. Sighing deeply, she opened the book and began to read yet more history of her people, and the many blessings their Goddess bestowed upon them after the War of the Gods. She neatly took notes in a nearby notebook, and underlined several pages in the book she was reading. She worked diligently all morning, hoping that she could impress her mother enough to let her leave.

  A knock on the door interrupted her, and she saw the shadows had grown short as the sun approached the height of its arc. She turned to see the door slide open and admit her father.

  “Are you done studying, my sweet leaf? I have errands to run in town.”

  Saria hopped out of her chair and ran to her father. “Yes, yes I am done!”

  Her father picked her up and spun her around. “I’m glad to hear you are being so good with your studies. Here, your gift.” Stopping the spin and setting her down, he reached behind him and pulled out a hairpin. Saria saw that it looked like a cherry blossom.

  “This is an ivory carved hairpin like a…”

  “A cherry blossom?” Saria interrupted. “It’s so pretty.”

  Her father nodded. “Now, put on something you can wear in the market, and we’ll head out.”

  Saria nodded, hugged her father, and let him leave the room. She rushed to her dresser, taking off her robe and pajamas and putting them mostly neatly in their spot. Then she withdrew a black kimono to wear over the slacks she wore yesterday. The same obi as well wrapped her waist. She pulled her hair back into a pony tail at her mirror, and carefully placed the new hairpin next to her pointed ear.

  She left the room beaming at her father, who smiled back. He took her hand and they left the living quarters of the temple. With her father there the staff who acted as guards let her pass the front gate and Saria entered the town she could only usually see from a high window.

  “Where would you like to go first?” her father asked.

  “Can we get something to eat?”

  “Of course. It is about that time. Let’s go see what’s available.”

  The couple walked down the steps and into the town proper, taking turns that Saria vaguely remembered from her last trip into the town. She saw adults walking to and fro from stores, as well as children running between them. They passed a field and she saw several kids younger than her kicking a ball around.

  “Would you like to get a ball?” her father asked when he noticed her gaze.

  “No. I wouldn't have time to enjoy it. But maybe a new book. I’ve reread The Adventures of the Hero of Tsushima so many times I think I could tell you it word for word.”

  Koichi laughed. “It is quite a good book. We can look around the book store after lunch. Then we have to run my errands.”

  Saria nodded as they finally entered an area with several eateries. Her father picked a nearby one and they sat outside. A waiter brought them water and asked them what they’d like to eat. The young elf let her father order for them, since she so rarely got to leave the shrine’s grounds.

  When the waiter left, Koichi turned a serious gaze onto his daughter.

  “I spoke with your mother last night.”

  “And?” Saria asked hopeful.

  “She is against it. Even when I offered to only let you study for a year abroad. She is adamant you study at home with her, that she will give you a far better education than any other priestess could.”

  Saria puffed her cheeks out in anger, having expected this answer.

  “It’s not fair. All I do is study. I can’t even play with other kids. We have to hide my adventure books after the first one mom tossed out. I want to see the world like you do, papa.”

  “I know dear. I’m sorry you inherited my penchant for adventure. But your mother is right, there are very few I would compare to her in terms of religious knowledge and skill.”

  Saria pouted angrily, crossing her arms. Koichi smiled sadly at her as their food arrived. Saria ate her food, still giving her father angry looks.

  When they finished, her father left some coins on the table and they left.

  “How long are you staying this time?” Saria asked.

  They made a turn and saw the towns bookstore ahead of them. “A few days. Then I’ll be off. But I’ll be back for the festival, probably a few days in advance to help pay for all the decorations and food.”

  They entered the book store together and Saria let go of her father’s hand to rush to the shelves and look at books. She saw several copies of the book she already had, and moved on to others. She saw an equally sized book titled Leaving Kiyosato. She pulled it out and opened to a random page. After a moment of reading, she put it back.

  “Can I help you, Miss Whisperwind?” someone said behind her. Saria turned to see the shop owner smiling at her.

  “I need a new adventure book.”

  The owner tilted his head. “Those aren't very popular these days. Most people like to read romances or poetry.” He looked over all his books. “I’m sorry, young Miss. I only have Takasu.”

  Saria puffed her cheeks. “OK.” She continued to look around the book store, until her father came to stop her.

  “I spoke with Mr. Yamasu. He will keep a look out for another adventure book, and have it delivered discreetly to you, OK?”

  Saria smiled and hugged her father. “Thank you!”

  They left the book store after Saria thanked the owner profusely. Then they walked a bit further on until they came to a general store.

  “Alright, Saria. Could you wait out here for me. I have to organize the sale of the product I brought back north with me. It’ll be very boring, lots of numbers. But I’ll try to be fast.”

  Saria nodded, knowing he would have to do a little work while he was here. While he went inside, the young elf sat on the bench outside and watched people move to and fro.

  She watched as a ball rolled towards her from the crowd. She got off the chair and picked it up, looking for its owner. She was soon met with another young elf, with black hair.

  “Thank you for getting my ball.” She spoke. “Do you want to come play?”

  Saria looked at the door her father had entered, and then turned to answer when she was interrupted by another little girl with equally black hair.

  “Ew. No, we don’t want to play with her. My mommy says her mom is a bitch and we’d be better off without them.” The second girl said. She took her friend and the ball back to wherever they were playing.

  Saria didn't know what a bitch was, but she understood they hadn’t wanted to play with her because of her mom. She slowly backed up to the bench and sat back down, pulling her legs up and hiding her face as she felt tears streaming down her face, and it became harder to breath.

  Someone touched her shoulder and she looked up to see her father. She didn't know how long she’d been crying, but she unfolded from the bench and hugged her father close.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Some… some girls ball rolled…. Rolled over here and one of the girls wanted... Wanted to play. But the other one… she said mom was a bitch and they were… better off without us!” she cried.

  Saria felt her father take a big, deep breath. “Yusuke, I need to take my daughter home. Can you handle the rest?”

  Saria heard some muffled answer and she felt her dad pick her up. She buried her face into his neck did pay attention to where they were going. She felt them going up the stairs to the temple, and she finally looked up at her dad’s face.

  “I just want some friends.” She whispered.

  “I know dear. I know. I’ll talk with your mom about it.”

  “No!” Saria exclaimed, pushing herself up. “You can’t tell her. She’ll just do something and make it worse, and then I’ll never have any friends.”

  “Are you sure? Those kids shouldn't have said that.”

  “You can’t!”

  Saria held her father’s gaze until he nodded. “Alright. I won’t tell her. But you’ll have to come up with some reason for the tear streaks on your face. She’s going to ask.”

  “I could wear makeup?”

  Koichi laughed. “You’re too young for make-up. And I’m not nearly old enough a father to let my little girl put paint on her face.”

  Saria puffed her cheeks out in mock anger at her father, already feeling better. “How about you made me eat something spicy”

  “Hmm. That might work. How about I make you eat something spicy for real to sell it?”

  “Nooooo” Saria cried, pretending to get away from her father as they entered the living quarters. “I hate spicy food daddy. Its gross. And burns.”

  “And makes you cry, which would explain the tears.” He said, setting her down.

  “Blegh.”

  “Well, it’s nearly dinner time. Go clean your face up, and we’ll meet your mother.”

  “Okay. Don’t tell her!” the little girl demanded.

  “I won’t tell her. I promise.”

  “I could make friends at the Tower.” Saria mumbled as she went to her room.