2

Two years earlier...

"Kamama! Kamama! Kamama!" yelled a eight year old girl running toward her elder sister who was wearing a pale blue and gray robes and a dark blue belt. The elder sister was sitting on a bench under the blooming wisteria tree with her eyes closed listening to the breeze blowing through the branches.

"What is it, Awi?" Kamama asked annoyed but didn't let it seep into her voice. she cared deeply for her younger sister and spoiled her often.

After their mother died, Kamama took on the role of mother to Awi and her younger twin brothers, Asdaya and Hagata. The three younger siblings rarely gave her any trouble, so Kamama just made sure they were fed and attended classes.

"Uncle Woyi is here!" Awi said excitedly. Uncle Woyi was their mother's elder brother, and the country's best physician. He had quite the talent for storytelling which came useful when he needed to calm nervous and frightened patients.

"Oh! That is news. Do you know how long he'll stay this time?"

"Uncle said that he'll be staying till the festival was over." Awi said excitedly giggled no doubt wondering what new stories her uncle had to tell.

"Well, we better make sure we make all of Uncle's favorite dishes. Does Father know he's here?"

"Father hasn't returned yet."

Kamama sighed taking Awi's hand in hers leading her sister to the main house where her uncle undoubtedly would be sipping on tea waiting for his brother-in-law to greet him. Woyi had a habit of trying to set up meetings between Kamama's father, Sagon, and other heads of noble families hoping that a marriage between Kamama and one of those families' sons could be arranged. Both Sagon and Kamama wanted nothing more for Woyi to stop. Sagon had made a promise to his daughters that they would have the final decision as to who would be their future husband. This was unexpected since most noble families made the decision without the girls even seeing the faces of their grooms before the wedding.

As the two entered the main house, they were greeted by the strong smell of medicinal herbs and the sound of someone whistling. Woyi was holding a small box in his hand and staring at it with a smile on his face. The sight of it had Kamama worried it was some sort of gift from a potential suitor.

"Uncle Woyi, it's good to see you again. I'm afraid Father is still busy training the new soldier recruits." Kamama greeted her uncle with a small smile.

"I figured as much. Sagon always had a difficult time with it this time every year." He picked up Awi and gave her a tight hug to much the delight of the little girl. "I have something for you two sisters. Now don't give me that look Kamama. I bought this myself. Here, go ahead and open it." he said giving it to Awi.

Inside the box was two silver bracelets, one with flowers engraved on it and the second had a crescent moon and stars engraved on it. Awi handed her older sister the one with the moon and stars. Kamama wore hers, and while she was appreciating it she touched her forehead where her birthmark was carefully hidden under her makeup.

"Thank you, Uncle it's perfect!" Kamama said beaming at her uncle. Awi simply hugged him. "So are you going to be telling stories this year at the festival? And which ones?"

"I'll only be telling one story this year, and it's going to be the highlight of the festival I'm sure."

"So, that means..." Kamama said.

"Yes, I'll be closing the festival."

"Great!" the girls were very pleased to hear the news.

The festival was the biggest celebration of the year even the princes and princesses attended. There were the best food vendors from all across the country selling everything from noodles to sugar candies. All sorts of street entertainers would be there too.

But the biggest attraction was the production of a story chosen by the storyteller hand selected by the emperor himself. The storyteller directed and narrated his selected story whether it was he's original work or not. The actors were top notch. No matter the quality of the story, the actors always made it better. Musicians would do their part as well.

Kamama understood that this production took months of preparation on all parties involved to make sure it was perfect down to the last stitch of the actors' shoes that we're almost never seen by the audience. So she knew that her uncle had been keeping this a secret for almost a year. "Well, at least we now know why you've had another physician to work as the primary at the Moon Rose Medicine Shop. Why didn't you say anything about it till now?"

"Well, most storytellers don't announce that they're closing the festival till a few days before the festival begins." Woyi said to his niece with a teasing smile just to see Kamama raising an eyebrow at him. "But it's mainly because it's the palace rule for the festival not to announce it any sooner. However, I'm not going to not until right before the play begins. So I'm going to need you two to keep it secret for me, okay?" he said winking at his nieces.

"Of course. Does Father know?" Kamama asked.

"Does Father know what?" a deep voice said from behind Kamama. She turned around and greeted her father. Sagon was a mountain of a man. He wore dark green robes with a wide brown belt with black detailing. His greying hair and beard only made his dark skin more pronounced.

Awi got out of her uncle's arms to go to her father. "Uncle Woyi is going to be the grand storyteller at this year's festival!" she said.

"Oh, that. I already knew. The emperor made a point to tell me before telling brother-in-law." Woyi and the two girls gave Sagon confused looks. "He wanted to know what story brother-in-law would choose. I told him I didn't know what it would be but I did know that it would be one we hadn't heard in the festival before."

"I'm glad you didn't tell him which one I picked." Woyi looked relieved. "It's not an easy story to make into a play, and the story is not appreciated by all to say the least."

"Don't you worry about that. After our conversation, I believe he's hoping that your story is exactly that one. I for one am looking forward to seeing the reactions of all the ministers and governors" Sagon said laughing. "Not to add anymore pressure to you, but the emperor will be present as well this year. He will be disguised though."

"Yeah, no pressure." Woyi said sarcasticly.