Page 23 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

“Oh.”

“It’s alright,” she said. “You’re new here.” I immediately liked Malia. She seemed honest and kind in this world of eels.

I stuck the needle through the fabric, pretending to do something. Anything. Even if I was doing it wrong, as Pua so keenly observed.

Lady Kanahele talked about dresses and used terms I had never heard of, further proving to me just how little I knew about this world of the wealthy. It was jarring to think about where I came from versus where I now sat. Here I was in this world of petty talk and gossip.

Distracting me from my thoughts, Pua spoke up. "Lady Oliana."

Everyone turned to me.

“Tell us. What quilt patterns are traditional on your island?”

Silence. I had no idea. Kiki had quilted a few things but I never paid attention to what the designs actually were.

Pua nodded sympathetically. "Ah." She paused. Then, “Perhaps you’re familiar with weaving, then?”

I blinked. Weaving? There was only one kind of weaving I knew.

And Pua pointed it out. “Fishing nets, maybe?”

Another roll of snickers filled the room as the women returned to their work.

My palms grew sweaty and I looked at Malia. “That’s Pua from ‘Anolani Kingdom,” she whispered. “She’s just jealous Keanu married you. She’s been vying for his attention since he ascended the throne. Don’t mind her.”

“Are all the women here princesses or ladies?”

“Yes. I’m a princess, daughter of Chief Punahou of the district of Waimea. Usually I don’t come to these sorts of things, but…” She pursed her lips. “You know, with the warlord approaching, my father is running out of options.”

“Warlord?” Saying the word aloud left a bitter taste on my tongue. “Who is that?”

Malia stopped stitching to give me a look. “You haven’t heard of him?” She was so shocked that I felt embarrassed.

“I’m not from here, I’m afraid.”

“Then have you been living under a rock?” Malia looked sorry. “My apologies, Lady Oliana. I heard you were from the lower class, but I hadn’t thought that you were ignorant about…” her voice trailed off and she straightened out. “But… surely your husband has told you of the warlord? Perhaps even just a little? Everyone wants your husband to be their ally, after all…”

I shrugged a little, and Malia swallowed hard, looking around before she leaned in to say, “The warlord comes from the Waipio coast on the island of Hawaii. Many say that he will unite all ‌the islands. And you know what that means, right?”

“No.”

Malia didn’t look impatient. She looked concerned that I didn’t know about this infamous warlord.

“He will kill anyone who opposes him, including people like us–rulers, ali‘i, kings, chiefs. He doesn’t care. All he wants is to rule all the islands. We stand in his way if we choose to fight him, instead of surrendering ourselves and our people to his rule.”

A chill ran down my back. “What is his name?”

“Kamehameha.” She shivered when she said the word, and the very air around us grew cold.

"Lady Oliana doesn't know who Kamehameha is?" Pua spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.

Silence.

I swallowed and shook my head, feeling more humiliated.

“How fortunate,” Pua said.

“What do you mean?”