Flowerbirth had brought both waves and wind to the shores of Torchline, and though the monsoons sent their rains to bathe the tropical islands on many warm spring days, there were also days of sun and playful breezes.
And on those days the fighting kites were dusted off and brought to the shoreline to battle it out; a riot of colors and designs that bloomed like a garden of rice paper and bamboo in the blue sky above the beach.
Hadama watched the day's matches from a tide pool in the shallows, fascinated by the dance of such delicate constructions even as glass-coated lines ruthlessly cut their competitors down. Some of the more skilled opponents were able to capture their falling prey before the kites crashed into sand or surf, keeping them as trophies or ransoming them back. Most of the others were lost when they fell, damaged beyond repair.
Several kite sellers and builders were doing a brisk business along the beach, trading their wares to those drawn to the spectacle and wanting to give it a try. Hadama had been watching them in between the battles taking place overhead and was seriously contemplating the worth of his kingly dignity against the chance to try flying one of the elegant contraptions himself. Looking around, he tried to spot someone who might arrange a trade for him...
Noe
And on those days the fighting kites were dusted off and brought to the shoreline to battle it out; a riot of colors and designs that bloomed like a garden of rice paper and bamboo in the blue sky above the beach.
Hadama watched the day's matches from a tide pool in the shallows, fascinated by the dance of such delicate constructions even as glass-coated lines ruthlessly cut their competitors down. Some of the more skilled opponents were able to capture their falling prey before the kites crashed into sand or surf, keeping them as trophies or ransoming them back. Most of the others were lost when they fell, damaged beyond repair.
Several kite sellers and builders were doing a brisk business along the beach, trading their wares to those drawn to the spectacle and wanting to give it a try. Hadama had been watching them in between the battles taking place overhead and was seriously contemplating the worth of his kingly dignity against the chance to try flying one of the elegant contraptions himself. Looking around, he tried to spot someone who might arrange a trade for him...
