"Chit, wake up. It's time to go home," Maiah said, gently rousing her daughter who had fallen asleep on the bamboo mat, despite the rowdy singing and dancing by the villagers.
Palm toddy and rice liquor flowed freely, ensuring a merry conclusion to the Festival of Spirits. Even Maiah's cheeks were rosy as she walked a little unsteadily. Sein remembered her one and only experience with alcohol and steered cleared of the drinks being passed around.
It was well into the night when festival-goers began making their way home from the village centre. Sein emerged from the tent and glanced skyward to observe the full moon, its generous glow draping the road ahead in silver. A crisp breeze stirred the air, carrying the scent of parched soil, mingled with the earthy aroma of sun-baked grass. She turned back to see Kin La attempting, with limited success, to coax a sleepy Chit forward.
"Come Chit, I'll give you a piggyback," Sein offered and knelt down before the girl who clambered onto her back.
"May I be of assistance? I am walking this way too."
Kumbi, one of the festival attendees and an acquaintance of Maiah, spoke up.
"Much appreciated but Chit is not heavy," Sein replied.
"You are stronger than you appear. Are you staying with Maiah?"
"Yes I am. Maiah mentioned you visit the village once a year. Do you live far from here?"
"I live down in the valley towards Yamayo."
"You have a long walk ahead of you."
"Not to worry. I am faster than I appear," Kumbi chuckled.
As they veered left along the narrow path, winding slowly westward, she and Kumbi took the lead. Maiah and the two girls fell behind, recounting the night's festivities.
They continued to exchange a few polite words, sharing a moment of mutual appreciation for the celebrations. Then, without warning, Kumbi stated, "You are not a mortal."
"…" Sein was startled, causing her to abruptly stop before resuming her pace.
With a genuine smile, Kumbi continued, "I am not a mortal either. I am Spirit of Harvest. And you are?"
"I am… I am Spirit of Cloth." Sein felt weird saying it out loud.
"I am delighted to meet you," Kumbi said, his smile radiated warmth, eyes crinkling into gentle crescents.
Sein bowed her head in return and observed him with keen interest. At last, another spirit. And yet, he seemed so utterly human. Was this how she appeared to the villagers? She'd heard of Spirit of Harvest, mainly from Ungyi. He was the guardian of the region's crops, ensuring their success year after year.
Kumbi looked neither young nor old. His face had the kind of contentment that only those who had made peace with their lives possessed.
"You come in person?" Sein remarked. "I mean, rather than embodying the spirit dancer, to grant blessings?"
"Yes, I attend the celebrations in person as I am currently residing in the mortal world. In this state, I cannot embody the spirit dancer so I am here to watch and grant blessings from the audience," Kumbi chuckled lightly. "To be fair, the spirit dancer does a good job of representing me. I occasionally give him a few pointers, you know. It is the least I can do."
His laughter was a deep, hearty sound that could soften even the sternest of tempers.
"I see," Sein mumbled, her curiosity growing as she asked, "How were you able to tell I am not a mortal?"
"I have lived many lives. And I have met many spirits," Kumbi chuckled softly. "Over the course of time, I could sense another spirit. A spirit can always sense another spirit."
"But I did not sense you."
"Ah, you must be open to it," Kumbi explained, tapping his temple lightly. "Let your mind expand. You are currently restricted in the mind of a mortal. Once you open your whole being and accept yourself as a spirit, you will be able to sense other spirits."
"I see. You are the first spirit I have met. I have been living in Sagyo for the past year."
She peered at him again, noticing his expressive face, with lively eyes and a wide grin that seemed ever-present.
"Do you live with mortals too?"
"I do. I live with my current family. I have two daughters and a son."
This surprised Sein. She didn't think it was possible for a spirit to have a family in the mortal world. She asked, "Is your wife a spirit too?"
Kumbi shook his head, a hint of melancholy in his eyes.
"No, she is mortal. If she were a spirit, we could not have a family."
He paused, chewing on a few words.
"I will have to face losing her one day. I will carry on living but she will not."
Then he brightened up.
"I make the most of my time with her. I count myself very lucky, in fact. It is better to have spent one life time with the one you cherish than none at all. Even when she is gone from this world, I will carry her in my memories. She will also live on forever."
Sein could only smile, reflecting on someone she cherished. From what she could gather, nearly five years have passed since she became a spirit. Zeya would be married to Princess Nanda, and by now they would surely have a family, living the life planned for them. The memories of her time with Zeya would stay with her forever, but instead of comfort, it only sent fresh arrows through her heart.
Sein refocused on the present moment and enquired, "Does your wife know who you really are?"
"Ah yes. We have no secrets between us. It would make a difficult marriage if I had to keep my spirit status hidden," Kumbi admitted.
He glanced up at the sky, soaking in the beauty of the moon and sighed, "Hmm… I am fortunate to have found someone who is accepting of me. Not all mortals would embrace a spirit as their partner. Not all mortals have an open mind."
"How about your daughters and son? Are they mortals?"
"They are half mortals, half spirits right now. They will continue to grow and age normally. But when their mortal half dies, they will become full spirits. Then they'll be able to live in the spirit realm. That at least is acomfort to know. My children will always be with me."
Kumbi giggled, then added with a knowing smile, "Though, I suspect, they'll want to forge their own paths after centuries of living with their old man."
Talk of children stirred an unfamiliar longing in Sein's chest. Was motherhood even possible for her? She had never given the question much thought. When she was a mortal, she had no intentions to marry and have a family. Now for some reason, she found herself yearning for it. Did such a wish have meaning, or was it merely a cruel desire of what could never be? And if it were possible… was there someone who could truly accept her?
Burying these thoughts quickly, she asked, "Are there many spirits like us wandering the earth?"
"Most definitely," Kumbi nodded, then he added, "How many I cannot say. There are indeed many roaming the earth. Some, like us, wield specific powers, while others simply wander. As with mortals, there are those who are kind and those who are cruel. And, of course, there are the three supreme spirits."
"Do they rule the Spirit Realm?"
"Whoever commands the most followers wields the greatest power in the Spirit Realm," Kumbi remarked, his gaze shifting to Sein. Chit stirred slightly but remained asleep.
"Naturally, Spirit of Love and Marriage rules us all since every being on earth desire love and belonging. But we still have agency to do as we please. As a spirit it is up to you what you do with your power. You may use it for your own pleasure, or you may use it to shape the world and leave your mark on the lives of mortals. One is only limited by one's lack of imagination."
After speaking with Kumbi, Sein went to sleep that night, her mind toying with possibilities. So she was no longer mortal, a reality she was slowly beginning to accept, embracing her spirit-hood rather than clinging to the past. But uncertainty lingered. What did the future hold? And how would she bear the passing of endless centuries?
When sleep finally took hold, Sein dreamt of a small child, no more than two years old, with big amber eyes and dark hair. She knew instinctively that he was her son. Holding him close, she felt the warmth of his soft cheek against hers as she spoke to him, pointing out various flowers and at a dragonfly drifting lazily through the air.
Someone from behind said, "What nonsense are you talking about with our son?"
That voice was unmistakably familiar, but as she tried to spin around and see the speaker, she woke with a start and a swiftly beating heart. It felt so real; she could still smell the gentle scent of bergamot citrus and lavender.
What's my mind doing, tempting me with the ripe mango I can't reach! she chided herself.
The following morning, most of the adults in the village were a bit worse for ware. Still recovering from the previous night's celebrations, many had taken the morning off from chores, leaving the village centre empty and quiet. Only the young and those who had not indulged too much were up and preparing for work.
Sein waved to Kin La and Thiri as they left for the fields, then busied herself with the morning's chores. Chit's cheerful presence kept her from dwelling too much on her dream. The little girl's infectious energy was a balm, soothing the ache that had settled in her chest. When they returned from the well, Maiah was awake, though visibly in some discomfort.
"I'm not used to drinking alcohol and I'm getting too old to do so," Maiah offered an explanation when Sein had a concerned look on her face. "I'll be fine in a few hours."
"Why do you drink it when it tastes horrible and makes you ill?" Chit spoke up.
"You have a good point, Chit. I'll remember it for next time," Maiah said, chuckling softly.
Sein brought over her healing cloth and asked, "Maiah, where's your discomfort?"
"Oh it's my throbbing head," Maiah replied, wincing as she pressed her hand to her brow.
Sein gestured for her to sit on the bamboo mat while she wrapped the fabric around her forehead, and channelled her cloth power. She was practiced in healing minor ailments with speed, causing Maiah to look astonished.
"Is this the power of Spirit of Cloth?"
"It is," Sein replied, unravelling the cloth.
"It's so powerful. I had no idea," Maiah commented. "Much appreciated. I will add offerings to the spirit altar this afternoon."
"There's no need. Chit and I have already contributed enough for the whole family."
Sein gave Chit a wink.
Just as Maiah was about to leave for the fields and Sein readied herself for the day's laundry, distant shouts broke the morning calm. Both women paused, peering outside the house, just in time to see Thiri sprinting down the dirt road.
Without hesitation, Sein immediately dashed over to meet her, calling out, "What's happened?"
The poor girl was out of breath and in between gasps for air, Thiri replied, "Maung! It's Maung. He's been hurt."
"How badly? What happened?" Sein asked.
"Oh spirits, I don't know. He's been hurt by a bull. And Kin La… she's gone to see him."
At this point, Maiah reached their side and urged, "Sein, your spirit healing cloth. Use it to help Maung."
Sein gathered her thoughts and responded, "Right. Let me see what I can do. Thiri, show me the way to Maung's house. Let's hurry."
Thiri and Sein ran all the way through the village centre, following the dirt road north until they reached a house perched on a raised mound, surrounded by fields. Perhaps it was the training she had undergone, or simply the fact that she was a spirit, but Sein found the run effortless and was not out of breath when they arrived.
A handful of people gathered outside the house, chatting in hushed voices. Sein took in the familiar faces, acknowledging them with a small nod before making her way inside.
She was met with the sight of Maung lying motionless on a mat in the dimly lit front room. A semicircle of elders sat cross-legged around him, their voices rising and falling in rhythmic chants, the scent of smouldering incense thick in the air.
Sein knelt beside Maung, her gaze lifted to Kin La, who sat opposite, hands pressed together in silent prayer. One look at her stricken face told Sein the injury was indeed serious.
"What has been done?" Sein asked Kin La.
"They're using healing chants and herb potions. Maung has taken one but he's still very weak," Kin La replied, her eyes red from crying. "I know it's not enough to heal him, Sein. The wound needs to be cauterised to seal it. Compressing it with linen hasn't stopped the bleeding. If only my father… if only my father was alive. He could save him."
Sein nodded, then lowered her gaze to the thick floral printed blanket wrapped around Maung's middle. It was drenched with blood, staining the white magnolias into red ones. He was losing too much, that much was obvious. She must stop it immediately. Then what? She didn't know whether her cloth power would be enough to save Maung but she had to try.
She clenched her jaw and instructed, "Pray to Spirit of Cloth to heal Maung."
Kin La and Thiri did so immediately, while the elders gave puzzled expressions before catching on.
Sein hoped their prayers would bolster her strength. She pulled out the white cloth and laid it on Maung. Blood immediately seeped into it, turning it crimson. The sight made her queasy. She steadied herself, forcing deep breaths to calm the adrenaline surging through her veins. Maung's wound was severe; she could sense it with startling clarity. Healing minor injuries was one thing, but this? Right now, doubt was a luxury she couldn't afford.
Breathe. Trust. Act.
She closed her eyes, drawing upon the depths of her determination. Her mind raced through everything she had learned on human anatomy: the intricate map of veins, muscles, and bones.
Her mind reached out, searching for damage to his internal organs, tracing the source of the internal bleeding. She guided his body to constrict the torn vessels, then purified the wound's path, ensuring no infection could take hold. When she mapped the injuries beneath the skin, they were not as severe as she had feared: a bruised bowel, a torn muscle wall, and vessels leaking where they shouldn't.
Firmly, she coaxed the injured areas back into place, sealing each blood vessel one by one and reabsorbing any lost blood. When the bleeding was finally under control and the damage contained, she closed muscle and skin, layer by layer, willing them to mend, and knit themselves whole once more.
The effort drained her, each second stretching into eternity. When exhaustion finally overtook her, she let out a shaky breath and glanced at Maung.
"What… what has happened? I feel alright again," Maung spoke, his face expressing astonishment.
One of the elders rushed forward to embrace him, presumably his family.
The colour in Maung's cheeks had returned and the blood soaked spirit cloth was white again. It had worked! A slow, incredulous smile spread across Sein's face, her hands trembling slightly as if to grasp the reality of her achievement. Pride, relief, and an overwhelming sense of fulfilment filled her, leaving her elated, boosting her confidence in her power.
Kin La's face lit up with pure joy and tears rolled down her cheeks as she reached out to hold Maung's hand. As Sein took in the scene, a long-buried memory surfaced. It was the time when she found herself seated by Zeya's bedside.
***
When Thura mentioned the Crown Prince had been injured during training that day, Sein's stomach clenched.
An injury? How serious was it?
Her thoughts spiralled out of control, conjuring every possible worst-case scenario. Appetite abandoned her as worry consumed her mind entirely.
"What happened, Thura?" Sein asked casually, picking at the prawns on her plate.
"I was working on a new sequence and may have pushed too hard," Thura admitted. "Though, to be honest, I think the Crown Prince was distracted. He's never like this. His reaction time is normally flawless. Today, however, he was off. Fortunately, it's just a strain, nothing too serious."
Sein didn't want to ask any specific details as it would raise suspicions from her brother. She wondered whether Zeya had been preoccupied with the events of the night before when they were blessed by Spirit of Love and Marriage. It had been looping in her mind all day, like a melody on repeat, refusing to fade into the background.
Having read numerous scrolls on healing, Sein was well-versed in various remedies made from herbs grown in the palace garden. Recalling one particular medicinal flower which was known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, she set about preparing an ointment after supper. For some reason, she felt the urge to see Zeya and sooth his discomfort.
Sein had gathered the delicate yellow arnica flowers while they were in bloom. Zeya had helped, a memory that made her smile. To preserve their potency, she had steeped them in oil, capturing their essence. Now, she retrieved the small bottle from her cabinet, a space cluttered with her various experiments and carefully collected ingredients.
She blended the infused oil with beeswax, handing it to Kan to warm until the mixture melded smoothly, ready to set upon cooling. Satisfied with the result, she fastened a cape around her shoulders, took the bottle in hand, and slipped out of the apartment silently.