The Kingdom of Motokami

The sunlight hit Sachi's eyes, waking her. Himari still lay sprawled out across the bed snoring peacefully.

Sachi went to open the window. The fresh morning air entering her lungs and warming her from the inside. The once empty street from the night before was now full of lively people. Nobu sprung in through the window, cloak on head, and bags in his hands.

"What's that?" Sachi asked.

Nobu closed the window. "Got some food." He looked over to Himari to see her chaotic slumber and sighed. "To think she was a noble at one point."

Sachi's voice was quiet. "Hey Nobu... Do you know where Himari's parents are?" 

"Somewhere on this island no doubt. People of their status most likely live near the castle if I had to guess." 

"Do you think we'll run into them?"

Nobu looked at Himari. "If we do then we will handle it."

"Why do you look out for Himari so much?"

Nobu paused for a moment. "She gave me life so I'm just returning the favor."

"I thought you saved her though?"

Nobu smiled softly. He handed the bags of food to Sachi. "Wake her. I'm going to wash up."

Sachi stood there confused. She had so much she wanted to ask but she didn't want to pry. 

Sachi approached Himari's sleeping figure and gently shook her awake. 

Himari didn't wake up.

Sachi shook slightly harder.

Himari still didn't wake up.

Sachi put a little more force into it. "Himari, wake up."

Himari grumbled in her sleep but still didn't wake up. 

Sachi didn't know how else to wake her without being too rude, so she let Himari sleep. 

Sachi got dressed for the day and placed the water bottles in Himari's bag. 

Sachi finally looked inside the bags of food that Nobu had brought. Inside were a handful of freshly baked pastries with the steam still coming off them. Sachi decided to try one. The pastry was warm in her hands, its golden, flaky crust barely holding together layers of delicate buttery dough. The taste was rich and velvety, sweet without being cloying, with just a hint of tang that danced of her tongue like the whisper of the wind. As Sachi enjoyed her food, Nobu came out of the bathroom.

"Do you like it? Himari likes those sweets, but I wasn't sure if it would be to your liking." Nobu asked shyly.

Sachi smiled. "They're really good. I like them, thank you."

Nobu looked over and noticed Himari was still asleep. "You didn't wake her?"

"Oh, well she didn't wake up, so I figured she needed more sleep."

Nobu's eyes rolled. "No, she just likes to sleep a lot." Nobu walked over to the bed, grabbed the blanket and pulled aggressively, spinning Himari out of the blankets grasp.

Hair a mess, drool on face, and voice all groggy, Himari was finally awake. "Good morning Nobu. Good morning Sachi."

"Good morning, Himari. Did you sleep well?" Sachi replied.

"We don't have time for this. Clean yourself up and get ready." Nobu snapped. "Last night I did some scouting and there's a spot on the east side that has less security. We can try sneaking in somewhere there. What do you think Himari? Do you think it's possible?"

"The east side? If I remember correctly, the east gate is for exporting to the other islands, so it makes sense security would be more flexible. The west gate is where all the imports and merchants must go to be checked. It'll be difficult but I think with the right timing the east side is the better choice. Is that okay with you Sachi?"

Sachi nodded, not knowing what to really add to the discussion. 

Himari quickly rinsed her face and got dressed. She soon noticed the bag of pastries. "Where did you get this?" She asked Sachi.

"Nobu got them for us."

Himari turned to Nobu who was putting his cloak on. "Thank you Nobu. I love it!" Himari smiled widely.

Nobu quickly threw the hood over his head and turned for the door. "You're welcome..." He then left the room to wait in the hall. 

Himari quickly began to eat a pastry and put the rest in her bag. 

"I wonder why Nobu left so fast." Sachi whispered.

"I told you before, he's shy. Must be because he's going through puberty." Himari casually replied.

"Oh, that makes sense... Wait. Puberty? But I thought he was older than us?"

Himari laughed. "I was kidding. He is older than us in terms of how long he's been living in Tengu years. But in human years, he is our age."

Sachi was shocked. She couldn't believe it. Nobu did look young, and he is a supernatural being, but it never occurred to her that he would be their age. 

Himari quickly finished her food. "You ready?"

Sachi nodded.

The two girls left the room to meet Nobu in the hall.

-

The three finally left the pleasure district and took to the streets of the kingdom. 

People in luxurious clothing filled the streets, businesses eliciting potential customers to come to their establishment, merchants transporting quality products of food or jewels, children skating past on wheels of wind under their feet. The village before was not close to the scale of this place. The buildings were taller, as if replicating the trees that perhaps stood there once before. The levels of magic grander and more frequent, from the street performers with their light shows to the transport of people and objects with a smooth gust of wind. 

Sachi and Nobu made sure to keep their heads down and not look anyone in the eye. They both focused closely on Himari to not get lost. 

It was clear the people here lived differently and more lavishly. The whole atmosphere of the kingdom screamed high end. While there were plenty of travelers and those not of high class, the hierarchy was clearly felt. Sachi felt small. She felt suffocated. It felt like she stood out and that all eyes were on her. She didn't fit this place. She was scared. Scared to be seen. Scared to be noticed. 

Himari gently grabbed Sachi's hand as if reminding her that she isn't alone. 

The three of them walked through the crowded streets deeper and deeper into the kingdom. The closer they got to the castle the more frequent the royal guards appeared. The royal guards in their thin armor with weapons made from light magic close at hand. Sachi's chest was tight with anxiety. Her stomach uneasy, threatening to throw the pastry up. Sachi couldn't help but think about what could go wrong. She did her best to go unnoticed and follow Himari quietly. 

-

As the castle came into view, for a second, Sachi's eyes caught glimpse of the same long shiny golden hair walking past her leading a group of royal guards. Her eyes began to follow the golden hair. Quickly, Nobu pushed Sachi's head back down before she could be seen. 

"I'm sorry..." Sachi whispered. She didn't even realize her eyes were following that woman. 

Sachi noticed that Himari's hand was trembling slightly. Sachi didn't say anything but instead wrapped her hand around Himari's tighter, letting her know she isn't alone either. 

Nobu sped up from behind and placed himself in front of Himari, taking her hand, and leading the girls down a different road.

No words were exchanged, just a sense of togetherness. 

With Nobu's lead, they were able to find the east gate in no time. With the sun low in the sky, they decided to wait until nightfall to make a move.

-

"Looks like there's a guard change every hour. During that moment, I will fly us over the wall and then from there we just have to figure out how to stay out of sight until we find an opening into the castle." Nobu explained his plan.

"Don't you think they'll see you fly over?" Sachi questioned.

"It's a possibility but we don't have other options."

"Can't you subtly beat the guards up and then we steal their uniforms and sneak in?" Himari asked.

Nobu sighed, annoyance starting to creep in. "How do you expect me to beat up the guards and not get caught when there's so many of them?"

"You know what, you could just get caught and create a diversion so Sachi and I can sneak in unnoticed."

"You expect me to be bait?!" Nobu yelled in a whisper.

"It's just an idea." Himari shrugged.

Sachi chimed in. "I think we should stick together. If we get separated, we won't know what'll happen to each other."

"You're right Sachi. We can't leave Nobu on his own."

Nobu rolled his eyes.

The guards began to make their change.

"Get on." Nobu quickly transformed and the girls grabbed on. Nobu in his crow state flew as quietly as possible within the shadows over the high castle wall. Even from within the air the castle was grand.

Nobu landed swiftly behind one of the towers in the blind spot of the guards. The girls got off and Nobu turned back to his human form.

"Good job Nobu. I never doubt you for a second." Himari praised him but it didn't feel genuine.

"I don't see any entrances that aren't covered with guards." Sachi said.

Himari began thinking hard. "We're on the east side... This tower is the east watch tower by the looks of it..." Something clicked in her brain. "Quickly follow me."

Himari led them further behind the tower to where a thick patch of thorny bushes grew. Himari stuck her hand out to reach within the bush of thorns. Nobu quickly grabbed her wrist, preventing her from proceeding with her actions.

"Don't do anything to hurt yourself. Whatever you need, tell me." Nobu's voice was stern but gentle just like his grasp.

Himari swallowed. "I think there should be a handle to open a secret door under these bushes..."

Nobu gently let go of Himari's wrist and reached into the thorny bushes feeling for a handle.

Himari rubbed her wrist, not from pain, but from the warm sensation.

Sachi couldn't help but smile at the whole interaction.

Within the thorny bush, Nobu felt a handle and pulled it. A section of stone in the wall began to part before them, revealing a hidden entrance.