“That was it. A needle.” He laughed. “What’s your name?”
I hesitated. It was not wise to identify myself, yet I wanted him to know me. The wind blew my hair to my face, ruffling my bangs. I arranged my hair carefully with my fingers, hoping the wind did not mess it up. I had taken care to style my hair in Cloudy Chignon that morning, and I hoped I still looked presentable.
He leaned against the haystacks. “I’m Pheasant, like the bird. That’s what my brothers call me.”
This was Pheasant? I remembered his comment that girls were like horses. “So you are the heir’s groom.” He looked confused, and I explained. “I heard you talk to him in the Forbidden Park once.”
“The heir? Right… Is he finished with the ceremony? It was boring, wasn’t it? Whoever sits through that ceremony should be crowned as a saint, not just an adult.”
A fair statement. I laughed, liking him.
He took out the straw in his mouth. “I like the way you laugh.”
I stopped. I had forgotten to cover my mouth. Was he criticizing me for showing my teeth? I did not think so, but still I was displeased. “Well, you should be careful. Someone might tell the Emperor what you were doing here, and he will not be happy.”
“You won’t tell.” He stepped closer to me. His eyes were bright, shining the limpid color of newly brewed ale, clear, light, and inviting. “And you are not supposed to be here either, sweet face.”
I studied him. He did not look menacing. “All right,” I said. “I’ll keep your secret if you agree to keep mine.”
“That’s fair.” He nodded and then froze.
I froze too. Faint voices came from the corridor outside the garden. They were heading toward us.
Pheasant raced to the door and opened it a crack. Then he closed it. “It’s the Captain of the Gold Bird Guards.”
My heart raced faster. If the Captain found me, I would be doomed. He would perhaps punish me, and I would never see the Emperor again.
“You should go,” Pheasant said.
“Go where? I don’t have time.” I looked around for an escape, wishing I had never gone there in the first place.
Pheasant hesitated. “Come. Help me move this.” He sprang toward the haystacks in the corner and lifted a square bundle of hay.
“What are you doing?”
“You’ll see. Quick. They’re coming.” He heaved, and behind the bundle a small hole appeared. A hideout.
“You go in,” he said. “I’ve never told anyone else about this place. Saving it for a special moment.”
I peered inside. The opening was too small for two people. “What about you?” Was he not afraid of getting caught?
The footsteps grew closer, and a man’s voice rumbled. Louder now. It sounded like the Captain who had escorted me to the palace. “Where is the intruder?” he asked.
There was no time to think. I ducked under Pheasant’s arm and went inside the opening.
“I’ll be fine.” He moved to close the haystacks behind me.
Squeak. The door opened.
“Captain!” Pheasant said. “What’s wrong? Is your horse hungry?”
“I’m searching for an intruder. Someone reported it to me.” The Captain sounded suspicious. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to get some hay for the horses. Who are you looking for?”
There was a pause, and the Captain said, “Guards, take him. Keep him until I get back.”
“What did I do wrong? Watch out. Hey! Get your hands off me. I only came to fetch some hay…” Pheasant’s voice grew lower, and it soon faded in the corridor.
No one in the garden spoke, but the Captain and some of his men were still there. I could hear someone stomping across the ground, a sword slashing here and there. So nervous, I could hardly breathe.
“Search the haystacks,” the Captain ordered, and a chorus of voices answered.
Perspiration poured down my forehead and ran into my eyes. Tightly, I pressed my back to the haystacks. My arm swept something solid, and I heard a rattling sound. There was a secret door beside me. Elated, I pushed it open, and fresh air sailed to my nose.
I peered out. In front of me was a long corridor with latticed windows and a vast courtyard, and at the end stood a house with a blue roof and red beams. The Altar House, where the Adult Ceremony had taken place.
No one was in sight. The ministers must have been feasting in the hall. It was quiet too; only wisps of gray incense smoke spilled from the ceremonial bronze pot.
The Captain shouted something in the garden. I scrambled out of the hideout, stood up, and swept straw off my face. My tunic and my undergarments were soaked with perspiration, but I was relieved. If it had not been for Pheasant, things would have turned out badly for me.