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Sneaky snoods, frozen troops, and adventure comes encore. Grab the flag and watch your back, before Sagure returns.For legends speak and angels weep, may the best Haishee endure.
I read it two more times, but all I came up with was… huh?
Michaela
Dahlia woke me early enough that I didn’t fight any of her wardrobe or hair choices at all. Warmth and quiet were my only requirements. She could have dressed me in a porcupine costume and I would’ve rolled with it. Once I made it to the dining hall, it didn’t help my mood that every other competitor looked thrilled by the notes we’d received. Meanwhile, once again, I was in the dark.
After picking out a chocolate pastry, I moved to the far side where the other misfits like me had congregated. With so few left, the groups had shrunk. I nudged Sadie while she picked at a croissant. “So, I didn’t know half the words in that little invitation we got. Any chance you can fill me in?”
Blair overheard my question and decided to take it on herself. “It’s all Nolcovian culture. It has to do with our history and folklore, but it’s all pretty complicated to explain. You’ll probably get bored.”
“Basically,” Dagny piped up, ignoring everything Blair said, “the snoods are sneaky and steal things, and Sagure will destroy you if your ram army isn’t in place.” She lifted an invisible sword above her head as if calling on her forces to attack. “Guard the gates and scream Haishee!”
Two others around the room echoed her cry, “Haishee!” like it was a perfectly natural thing to do before the sun came up.
Dagny shrugged. “Hug a Limadith, snork an Aoger, and then you’re dandy.” She frowned and stared at me. “We’ve been playing since we were kids. You haven’t?”
Words had ceased to have meaning. What on earth was she talking about? And since when did everyone act like Dagny was the sane one?
“It’s a game,” Eirene clarified, as she took pity on me “It reenacts one of our battles for independence. One side was trapped and the other came at them. They fought back and prevailed with the help of unusual soldiers and,” she smirked, “if you believe the fairytales, a few mythical ones too. When we play, we make teams and we try to steal the flag of the other team. The winner calls ‘Haishee!’ and the game is over.”
Okay. A cultural round of Capture the Flag. I could get behind that.
“And Haishee means what exactly?”
“She is mighty. Because we are, aren’t we?” Chantal injected herself into the conversation, draping her long arms over Sadie and Blair’s shoulders. “But you forgot the best part, Eirene.”
Blair shook her arm off, clearly not appreciating her presence. “If we’re in groups, the rule won’t stand, Chantal.”
Chantal’s full lips trapped between her teeth as if she had a delicious secret to devour. “You don’t know that, Blair. He might keep to tradition. A girl can hope, can’t she?”
“Or he’ll make us fight to the death for the honor,” Dagny said with a touch too much excitement.
What were they talking about? I couldn’t even claim to be a lover not a fighter, I was a runner and hider most of the time. Especially with Dagny talking about fights to the death. She was nutty enough to try.
“He won’t do either,” Blair snapped. “The prince is classier than that.”
Chantal smirked as if she knew better. “He’s still a man, and it would be his reward as well. This many women playing at once? How can he resist?”
“I don’t… I’m sorry, I just don’t—”
“It’s tradition,” Sadie explained. “When Sneaky Snood is played officially for the royal court, like today, the winner is bestowed with a reward.” She cleared her throat, cheeks reddening. “A kiss from the reigning royal at the match.”
My brain stuttered. It didn’t take long to add up the logic. “But that would mean…”
Chantal giggled at my naivete. “Pucker up, ladies. The prince is calling.”
I rode with Dagny next to me in the van. Again, she took it upon herself to try to teach me Nolcovian history, but she did it in her very Dagny way. Between the sneaky snoods and daring Aogers, I felt like I was in a Dr. Seuss book. I heard something about two hills, flags, and a forest of spirits called Eonix, but she never mentioned if they were friendly, and it left me nervous. This wasn’t some backyard game of Capture the Flag. This was an honor, closer to how an American would view a Gettysburg reenactment.
We piled out of the vans just as the sun peeked out from behind the distant mountains. What started as a sliver grew with every passing second until the mountains became bathed in blinding light. The rays of sunshine sent sparkles cascading over the snow, creating a path that led directly to the prince.
Since I’d arrived, Fitz wore only suits and button-downs with slacks. But there he was, jeans, a hoodie, and a beanie with a matching scarf, looking average in attire, but dashing in style. I had to admit, I liked this version of him best.
The same excited energy radiated in his eyes as well. Was it due to the game or the women he was about to spend the morning with? A shadow of stubble darkened his jawline, reminding me again that he wasn’t the awkward teen I used to know. The slight shadow aged him in the best way, but also brought attention to his eyes, dark and captivating. As we locked stares, my breathing increased, my heart picked up its pace, and I became all too aware of my lips. I broke away first, unnerved by our connection.
Friends, I reminded myself.
I was here to help him find a wife, not become one.
