“No,” she said with a laugh. “To mask the smell of incense. His quarters are near the palace’s main temple. He says it reeks of ash and smoke.”
I raised a brow. “How interesting. Well, I have no desire to meet the Lord Enchanter.”
“You’ve met him already,” Ammi said. “He accompanies Lady Sarnai everywhere.”
I froze. The tall, thin man was the Lord Enchanter? He’d looked so young. It was hard to imagine he was a hundred years old—maybe even older, according to rumors.
“He’d tell the most unbelievable stories and flirt with all the maids. But since Lady Sarnai’s arrived, he hasn’t come into the kitchen as often.”
I frowned. “Does he really work magic?”
“Yes,” she said. “He can make a grain of rice turn into a pot of porridge, and a bone become a roasted chicken.” Her dark eyes shone. “Or even make a sapling grow into a tree.”
“You’ve seen this?”
“No, but I’ve heard. The Lord Enchanter was away for years during the war, and he doesn’t make a show of his magic as much anymore.”
“Why not?”
She lowered her voice. “The shansen’s daughter thinks magic is of the demons.”
I felt a stab of fear. Now I certainly couldn’t use my scissors: I couldn’t risk being discovered and offending Lady Sarnai.
“What do you think of magic?” Ammi said, leaning close to me again. She really was taking her time stacking my dishes.
Something clicked in my mind, and I recognized the strange way Ammi was acting. She was flirting with me!
My hand went to my collar, which felt suddenly tight. “I…I t-try not to think m-much of it.”
“You’re turning quite red, Master Tamarin,” Ammi said with a giggle. Finally she lifted her tray and turned to go. “If you need anything, be sure to look for me in the kitchens.”
After Ammi left, Longhai and Norbu appeared at my station. “Seems you’ve attracted an admirer. She’s a forward one. Well, I suppose they have to be.”
“What do you mean?”
Longhai shook his flask and made a face. It was empty. “Life in the kitchen isn’t easy,” he replied with a sigh. “Being the wife of a tailor would be a far better life than working in the kitchens.”
“You’re young,” added Norbu. “You should enjoy yourself.”
I looked at him bleakly. “I’m here to sew, not find a…a wife.”
“Then make friends,” Longhai encouraged. “You won’t find many master tailors your age. You should meet more of the palace staff. The servants are younger, and I’m sure the guards would enjoy hearing your war stories.”
I gritted my teeth. I didn’t have any war stories. “Thank you for the advice, Master Longhai, but I prefer my own company right now.”
“A pity,” Longhai said. “We have the rest of the afternoon off, and Norbu’s invited us all for lunch in Niyan.”
“It’s my treat,” Norbu said enticingly. He was in a jolly mood. I supposed I should be too, since I’d won the challenge. And honestly, the thought of a hot, steaming bowl of noodles made my stomach rumble yet again.
I reached for my cane. “All right.”
“Wonderful!” Norbu cried. “Afterward, we’ll head to the bathhouse. Keton, I need to know the secret behind your marvelous embroidery.”
I choked back a cry. “Actually…,” I began. My chest pounded, reminding me why I couldn’t go with five men to the public bath. “Actually, I really shouldn’t go into Niyan today. I…my leg isn’t feeling so well. And…and all those…those stairs.”
“Are you sure?” Norbu asked. “You should celebrate your victory. The healing waters will be good for you. You can rest those tired fingers and toes.”
“I’m sure,” I said firmly. “Have a good time.”
Norbu slapped me hard on the back. “All right then, young Tamarin. We’ll miss you.”
I forced a smile and waved. “Enjoy yourselves.”
My hammering pulse slowed as I watched them leave. Now I had a full day to consider how to stay in the trial without using my scissors, and to learn more about Lady Sarnai.
I would take up Ammi’s invitation to visit the kitchen, I decided. One of the maids had to know something about Lady Sarnai.
On my way to the kitchen I passed a courtyard, where magnolia and peach trees grew around a pond filled with carp and catfish and little frogs that leapt onto the lily pads.
How Baba and my brothers would have loved this pond. We’d had a small one in our garden in Gangsun—Sendo and I would feed the fish every morning, and Finlei and Keton would compete