The following afternoon, as Sein neared the Palace Archives, a royal steward stepped into her path, bowing deeply before lifting a note clasped in both hands. The crisp white paper, folded into thirds, was sealed with the royal insignia and, to her surprise, addressed directly to her.
Intrigued by the sender's identity, she broke the seal and unfolded the page with care. It was a hand written message from Zeya, requesting her presence.
When Sein glanced up from the note, the young steward who looked to be about the same age as her, indicated for her to follow. She paused briefly, then fell into step behind him, as they threaded through the meticulously sculpted gardens and into the compound of the royal family.
With another bow, the steward motioned to the door, signalling for Sein to enter. The realisation struck her. It was the Crown Prince's private quarters. A nervous flutter stirred in her stomach, but it was tempered by the unshakable belief she held in Zeya's integrity. Sein approached the door and the steward stepped forward to open it, sneaking a glance at her face.
The entrance hallway was brightly lit by shafts of light from ceiling vents, leading to a large, opulent room. Sein passed teak pillars lining the sides, each intricately carved and decorated with gold leaf. She paused in front of a raised platform in the centre of the room which housed a low, jade topped, table. Surrounding this were floor seats furnished with silk cushions and draped in beautifully woven cloth.
Quite an impressive stage to entertain visitors, Sein thought.
Then her attention shifted to the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Sein," Zeya called out. "I'm delighted you came." He welcomed her with a warm smile.
Sein curtsied and returned, in a playful tone, "Your note was vague and mysterious so I was intrigued."
"Well, I must say, I'm rather pleased to know I've managed to spark a bit of intrigue," Zeya grinned, then added, "Come with me to speak with Saw Win." He waited for Sein to approach and motioned for her to go through a doorway heading into another room. He followed a few paces behind.
This long room was filled with lavishly carved screens, elegantly partitioning the space into several distinct areas. In one section, Sein observed an enormous daybed positioned next to a large window, offering a stunning view of the gardens. Another area was arranged for the prince's dining, with ample seating to host a large gathering. An intricately carved doorway, featuring a sliding door on one wall, hinted at the entrance to his bedchamber. As they reached the end of the room, it seamlessly opened into a modest kitchen.
"Your Highness. My Lady," Saw Win bowed, his thick curly hair momentarily covering his eyes.
"This is Lady Sein," Zeya made the introductions. Saw Win bowed to Sein, who returned the courtesy.
"Saw Win, repeat what you told me this morning to Lady Sein," Zeya commanded, crossing his arms casually.
Saw Win, who was two years older than Zeya, had the kind of manner and temperament that made people around him feel at ease. He began with, "His Highness asked me if I knew of anyone who might have knowledge about the tale of Spirit of War. I do not. However I do have a friend who is a friend of a spirit medium. This spirit medium is highly regarded for his ability to communicate with Spirit of War and he is the person to go to if you wish to receive blessings. He also conducts possession ceremonies to allow devotees to communicate in person with the spirit."
Sein's eyes turned to Zeya, understanding his intentions, she asked, "Is Your Highness thinking of communicating directly with Spirit of War?" She wasn't aware how much Saw Win knew of their quest so she was vague.
"Exactly. You've read my thoughts." Zeya was delighted that they were on the same page. "Saw Win will take us to this spirit medium. Will you come?"
"Yes," Sein answered, surprising herself.
Understanding the concerned look creeping across her face, Zeya added, "There's no need to worry. Our families won't have a clue. We'll slip away from the palace without a soul noticing. Even Khin Yu, my guard, doesn't know of our plans. It's a complete secret."
"My Lady," Saw Win spoke up. "I have taken the liberty to pick out suitable clothing for you to wear. It is best that My Lady and His Highness are inconspicuous in the streets of the capital."
"Absolutely," Zeya said. "I'll change my clothes too."
Sein followed Saw Win into the kitchen and was introduced to a young girl, similar in height to her. The girl curtsied and ushered her to a section of the building which housed the servants.
Sein entered a modest room, where a long skirt and blouse were laid out on a low table. They were of simple style, not that dissimilar to Sein's house clothing. The quality of the fabric and craftsmanship were obviously not to the kind of standard Sein was used to, but the clothes were a good fit.
She came out only to be called back in by the serving girl, "My Lady, I am instructed to put your hair up in a suitable fashion."
After what seemed like a long time, Sein's hair was pulled into a twisted top knot, allowing a few stray strands to frame her face. It made her appear older than seventeen.
Sein met Zeya in the main room again. Despite dressed in casual ordinary clothes, Zeya still looked refined and striking.
It's hard to disguise a diamond, Sein thought.
Zeya's eyes traced her outline in a quick, subtle sweep, and said, "Perfect. Shall we go? Saw Win, lead the way. But let's depart from the south gate, away from Khin Yu's eyes." The men grinned at each other like mischievous children as they cleared the archway of the royal palace wall, and out onto the city streets.
Sein and Zeya walked side by side in silence for a while. The mere fact that Saw Win was within earshot made them act formally with each other. Their conversation, usually a lively weave of wit and banter, was reduced to the basic thread of weekly events and weather observations.
When there was another long pause, Saw Win glanced back and commented, "People only have eyes for the beautiful lady."
Sensing it was a compliment, Sein's cheeks grew hot. Zeya noticed it at once and tried to ease her discomfort by joking.
"Saw Win, stop that. You're making Lady Sein blush."
Sein became aware of being watched by those sitting outside their houses and by the street vendors, pausing from their work to stare. Rather than glare back, she reminded herself that she was in the presence of the Crown Prince and chose to appear unaffected.
"I'm not blushing," Sein protested then added in a jovial tone, "This is my natural healthy glow when I'm walking."
"If you say so," Zeya said, with a hint of mischief in his voice. "Saw Win is right. We only have eyes for the beautiful lady."
Sein swiftly glanced at Zeya, meeting his gaze. Her heart raced, wondering if he meant what he said. Was he just teasing her?
Saw Win stopped outside a small, unassuming house built on a raised foundation, like all houses in that area. Being in close proximity to the river meant the streets in the Western District had the tendency to flood during the rainy season. They became temporary canals, carrying shrimp and fish in their current. Children sailed paper boats and baited tiny creatures that swam in their watery playground.
Today, there was no evidence of that, except for a large rectangular stone placed outside each residence, above the water level, as a step to reach the entrances. The visitors climbed up to the front porch where a sliding door lay, wide open.
Saw Win called out, "Hello? May we enter."
A moment passed before a slender man, wearing a vest top and a richly decorated sarong, walked out. He looked to be about thirty, his hair was long and tied up in a top knot, similar to Sein. It was a mix of masculine and feminine attire. They didn't know what to make of him.
"Come in, come in. I am Lan Shin," the spirit medium greeted.
Saw Win began the introductions, "This is His—"
"I am Zeya," Zeya quickly interrupted. "These are my good friends Saw Win and Sein."
He thought best to not reveal who he was.
"Ah…yes. Do sit."
In the centre of the room lay a large woven bamboo mat, its slightly coarse texture characteristic of the weave found in modest homes, yet it was in immaculate condition. With no chairs in sight, Sein and Zeya hesitated, uncertain where to place themselves. Were they meant to sit on the floor?
Saw Win took the lead, giving them a small gesture of the hand. They lowered themselves onto the mat in a neat row, feeling the oddness of sitting so casually in the presence of a stranger. In the palace, doing so would be considered improper, if not rude, but here it seemed the real world followed different rules.
Sein's eyes surveyed the sparsely decorated room. A couple of low wooden tables were positioned against one wall. A nearby cabinet stood proudly, displaying an assortment of various items related to spiritual worship, such as delicate porcelain figurines of the three Supreme Spirits, a small brass bowl with intricate engravings, several leather-bound books with pages weathered by time, and a decorative head dress worn during spirit ceremonies.
"One moment," Lan Shin excused himself before disappearing to the back of the house.
In one corner of the room, an incense coil slowly burned. Its smoke curling upwards in spirals, filling the air with the sweet, earthy fragrance of sandalwood. The three visitors waited, listening to the gentle murmur of passersby mingled with the constant, cheerful chirping of sparrows outside, creating a familiar backdrop to an otherwise unfamiliar setting.
Lan Shin returned fully dressed in a lace blouse that showed off his toned arms.
"Now when do you wish the ceremony to be held?" he asked, sitting cross-legged before the three visitors.
"We were hoping for a private possession," Zeya began.
"I see. I do not usually do requests for a marriage blessing. You will need to seek Spirit of L.M."
"…"
"…"
"…"
The three looked puzzled and glanced at each other.
Lan Shin continued, an ambiguous giggle escaping. "Spirit of Love and Marriage. L.M. Are the two of you newlyweds?"
Zeya flicked a glance at Sein. She raised an eyebrow at him. He responded, "We are not."
"Ah…then looking for a love match?" Lan Shin gestured to Saw Win who sat on the other side of Sein.
"No, we are not together," Saw Win quickly spoke up.
"None of us are married," Zeya clarified, a little exasperated. "To each other. Or to anyone."
Sein became impatient and got to the point, "We are hoping to communicate with Spirit of War."
"Right. What is it you wish to communicate about?"
"We have a number of questions we would like to ask, if you would be so kind," Zeya responded in his usual amiable manner. "Your esteemed reputation as a spirit medium precedes you, and we are prepared to offer any price for your assistance. It would mean a great deal to us if the ceremony could be arranged for today."
Lan Shin was astonished. He asked, "What questions do you have?"
Sein was affronted by such directness. She and Zeya flicked a look at each other, and having made a nonverbal agreement, Zeya answered, "We should very much like to speak with Spirit of War, if you would grant us the honour, about the night of his passing."
Lan Shin looked at him oddly as if he was being asked to pull out his own teeth.
"Particularly the last moments before his death," Sein added.
Lan Shin frowned and said, "I thought the story is well known. You do not need to communicate with Spirit of War to find out. I will tell you at no cost. He was a gallant young prince defending his kingdom. After a successful battle, he died in his sleep. A peaceful death which is unlike most spirits' ending. Upon his death, he was made Spirit of War for his bravery and talents in battle. What more do you want to know?"
How interesting, Sein thought. His version of the tale is the same as in the history scrolls.
Not deterred, Zeya pressed on, "We are most grateful for your candour and the story you've shared. It would mean a great deal to us to have the chance to speak directly with Spirit of War. Do name your price. Whatever is required to make this possible, we are prepared to meet it."
Lan Shin didn't take the bait. Instead he folded his arms and straightened his back.
He spoke after some thought, "I cannot command Spirit of War to embody me as I wish. He will come if he wishes. Most often he does not. I represent his personality and perform spirit dances for blessings and at festivals. That is all I can offer."
"I see, you mean to say we cannot speak with Spirit of War today," Zeya clarified. "A pity, though one never knows what the future may hold… and we would very much like to think the door is not closed entirely."
"He has not come to a possession ceremony for a long time. We are living in times of peace and prosperity. You will have better luck speaking to Spirit of Prosperity or Spirit of L.M. I can direct you to the spirit mediums for them."
They left shortly after finding out they wouldn't be able to achieve their goal. Nevertheless, Zeya left generous amount of gold coins as donations for their visit. When he saw the enquiring look on Sein's face by his act of charity, he shrugged.
"Well, you never know," he explained, when they were outside again. "We may well need his assistance down the line. My uncle always says, take it as a 'not yet' rather than a 'never' and be sure to leave a good impression while you're at it."
"Your uncle's advice is always spot on," Sein commented, wishing she had a smart uncle to advise her. "And you're right, perhaps Lan Shin may be able to help us in the future, should Spirit of War embody him again."
"Exactly. For the moment, it appears we've hit a bit of a dead end," Zeya said. "But I've no doubt we'll find another way forward. There always is one, usually hiding in plain sight, waiting for us to trip over it."
"Totally," Sein chuckled, catching the prince's optimism. "There's always more than one path. Perhaps we can find someone who's a super devotee of Spirit of War. Would that be your father?"
Zeya shook his head and replied, "I suspect my father knows little beyond what is commonly believed. He learned from the same source as everyone else. We'll have to continue our search for someone outside the palace walls."
The three walked back weaving through the bustling streets as the late afternoon market was in full swing.
Rows of stalls stretched endlessly before them, offering a mix of culinary delights, vibrant rolls of fabric, and a diverse assortment of knick-knacks. Many sellers shouted out their wares, attracting Sein's attention and she paused to peer at the produce on offer.
On a few occasions, Zeya blocked the path of young men clearly admiring Sein, his icy gaze delivering a message. They quickly understood his meaning and backed away. Sein was oblivious to any of this, her sole attention was focused on Zeya.
Once they arrived at the Crown Princes' quarters, Sein changed into her own clothes, thanking the serving girl and Saw Win for their assistance.
Zeya was waiting for her when she returned through the kitchen. He asked, "Will you stay for some tea?"
Sein simply nodded.
"I had such high hopes for the spirit medium, but it seems I was overly optimistic. Honestly, who remembers what they ate last week, let alone a thousand years ago? Perhaps the better plan is to track down descendants of those who were close to Prince Amptu," Zeya suggested. "Surely, someone, somewhere must know something."
He motioned toward the daybed for Sein to sit. A low table occupied its centre, with extra cushions on either side for added comfort. Sein sat down on one side and Zeya reclined leisurely on the other.
"Knowing you're in on unraveling this little mystery, I can't help but feel… confident we'll find the answers," Sein said.
"Absolutely. Though I must admit, it's the chase I look forward to most. Reaching the destination is simply a pleasant excuse for the journey, wouldn't you say?"
Before Sein could think of a playful response, tea was brought out on a lacquered tray by the serving girl. She saw that the tea was northern style, and the cups sparkled with emerald liquid. She took a sip, her eyes closed in bliss, and a gentle moan escaped from her lips like a purr of pure contentment.
"…."
When she opened her eyes, Zeya was looking wide-eyed.
Recovering quickly, he said with a broad grin, "I'm delighted you approve of the tea."
Sein's cheeks coloured as she realised she'd been too vocal with her pleasure. It was simply too embarrassing for words but she felt the need to explain quickly.
"The tea's delicious. I've never had tea this good. I thought the tea at the Tea Hall was incredible but this is another level."
Zeya continued to smile. "This is from my mother's personal tea reserves. The finest of the finest."
Their conversation paused as Saw Win approached. He was carrying a plate full of what looked like diamond-shaped green and white jewels, arranged in a subtle heart shape.
Flashing a warm smile, he said, "A little sweet treat?"
He set the plate on the table and bowed.
"What's this, Saw Win," Zeya jested. "Are we trying to get into Lady Sein's good graces?"
"Certainly, Your Highness," Saw Win responded, with a cheeky grin. He bowed once more before leaving the pair.
"I think you might like these," Zeya beckon for Sein to help herself. He watched her intently as she took one. She inspected it before taking a dainty bite.
Sure enough, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "Delicious." After another nibble, she mused, "It's… coconut… and pandan… and something else. What is it?"
Smiling with delight, Zeya replied, "One of the palace's own creations. I have no idea what's in it to be honest. It's tremendously good, isn't it? It's one of my favourite treats."
He appeared relaxed, sitting up with his chin propped up on one hand, as he continued to gaze at Sein.
"Are you not having any?"
With a boyish glee, Zeya replied, "I'm simply observing you, curious to see if you'll make more of those delightful sounds."
Sein gave him one of her stern looks and he laughed softly. Then he straightened up and said sincerely, "You remind me how fortunate I am. You know, to have these treats all the time."
"You're indeed lucky," Sein said. "My mother disapproves of sweet treats. Ladies ought not to indulge too much. We must look after our figures."
She thought better of ranting and stopped.
Zeya read her agitation and said kindly, "Mothers can be terribly harsh, but I suppose only because they insist on us turning out properly."
Sein raised her cup to her lips, savouring the last sip of the tea.
Zeya continued thoughtfully, "Though sometimes, harsh words can make one feel that no matter what one does, it's never quite good enough."
Sein was surprised by this.
How can Zeya ever feel not good enough?
Her eyes traced the gentle curve of his Cupid's bow, lingering on the slightly fuller contour of his lower lip, when she realised too late that he'd caught her admiring. She quickly shifted her focus to the scenery around them, her demeanour studiously nonchalant.
"We can't please everyone all the time," Sein spoke up. "We can only do the best we can."
"True enough," Zeya sighed.
They both gazed out through the window, watching the soft fading light filter through the leaves, casting shadows on the grass.
Sein realised it was getting late and said, "It's nearly supper time. I must return home before my mother sends out a search party."
"Perhaps you'd consider having supper with me one evening?" Zeya asked.
Seeing Sein hesitate, he continued, "I'd love a chance for a longer chat, though of course, you're not obliged if it doesn't appeal to you. Actually, I was thinking we could go out into the city, perhaps? You know, explore the neighbourhoods. There's a particular street, renowned for its food stalls, and I've heard only the best things about the fare there. I thought, maybe, you might enjoy that? I certainly would. Does that interest you? Would you care to join me?"
Sein let Zeya waffle for a while, curious to watch him lose his usual composure, before she couldn't help but break into a joyful smile. He paused and asked, "Is that your yes face? You're smiling so that's encouraging."
Naturally, she wanted to spend more time with him. Her heart was caught in a whirlwind being asked to dine out.
Oh, get a grip! You're just a friend to him, Sein scolded herself.
She replied calmly, "Of course, I'd love to go, but it might be a little difficult to disappear for a whole evening without being noticed."
She couldn't possibly tell her parents she had dinner plans with the Crown Prince.
Zeya understood her concerns. Ladies didn't have the same kind of liberties as the lords.
"Do you by any chance attend the music evenings at the Audience Hall? Maybe we could disappear during one of those events," Zeya suggested after some thought.
"I've been to one before. That's certainly a possibility," Sein agreed, wondering if Zeya took other friends out to dine. "How about leaving the palace?"
"Not a problem. We can trust Saw Win to help us slip away quietly. I've every confidence he'll see to all the arrangements. Just say the word, and I'll make it happen."