Page 21 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

So I’m replaceable to him.

Another thought dawned on me. Sure, he told me the riddle of how to break his curse, and he said he was confident I could figure it out.

Why, then, did he have me wasting my day with Malakai, and then attending some silly ball that night? Could it be possible that he was distracting me from ‌solving the riddle?

For the rest of our breakfast together, I took mental notes of what Malakai told me, the snippets of his life growing up with Keanu. The two seemed close, and as Keanu’s parents had died from a sickness when he was a youth, and Malakai’s parents died in a storm at sea, they had each other.

Truly, they were the only family to each other.

And in a world of politics and power, Keanu had indeed done all he could to keep his kingdom thriving. Malakai spoke highly of his cousin, so there was nothing particularly suspicious about Malakai or Keanu. But I couldn’t help the nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I still couldn’t be sure about either of them.

I was too ignorant of this world, like a fish out of its reef.

Servants came and took our plates, ending the conversation.

“Come,” said Malakai, standing and offering his arm. This time, I took it, my head spinning. Who could I trust? Keanu, his cousin, or anyone here?

“Would it be alright if I explored on my own?” I asked.

Malakai seemed happy at that request. “We’ll meet at the front of the palace later,” he said. “I’m to escort you to the ball.”

Excitement welled up in me.

I have to hurry.

“Can you take me to the local kahuna in the kingdom?” I asked Alohi. He nodded, and escorted me around the palace and ‘Anolani Kingdom until it was time to meet Malakai again for the ball.

Much to my disappointment, the kahuna here, like in Ka‘u, didn’t know why the night marchers roamed, nor did they have any insights to the riddle.

“Be careful,” said one of the kahuna. “The night marchers are a cursed lot. It seems nobody but Kāne knows the price each one of them must pay.”

I nodded. “Thank you.” So what was the price Keanu had to pay?

CHAPTER SEVEN

True to his word, Malakai helped me into the carriage. He and Alohi sat outside and we made our way to Wahiawa. The ride lasted a couple of hours, and I was so anxious about it all, and tired of repeating the riddle over and over in my head, trying to decipher it, that I closed my eyes and rested.

When we arrived at the palace, nestled between lush, thick forests, Malakai said, “Good luck at the ball tonight.”

“Is there anything I should know?” I asked.

He nodded. “Nobody knows about Keanu’s curse or the riddle, so best keep it to yourself. Don’t want other political leaders to find a weak spot in our kingdom.”

I guessed that earlier, which is why I didn’t tell any kahuna in the kingdom why I asked about the ghost army. “Thank you.”

He bowed, then Alohi escorted me into the palace. Immediately I knew I’d be the oddball here.

Servants ushered us to a room, but I couldn’t help noticing the palace. It was stunning, but not nearly as intricate or lavish as Keanu’s palace. There were no gold-foiled borders, frames, and window sills. The walls were empty of paintings by local artists and traditional feather decorations.

Being here proved to me just how wealthy Keanu must have been… unless he unnecessarily taxed his people and spent it all on his luxurious palace.

I suppose I’ll find out.

“The women have gathered here until the ball,” said the servant, bowing as she pointed to a set of double doors.

“I’m not permitted to go in,” said Alohi. “But if you need me, I will stand guard here.”

And just like that, I found myself in a room with women who were more savage than hungry sharks at sunset.