Following Lord Hein's passing, and with increasing reports of black arrow attacks, it was deemed no longer safe for the family to remain at the northern outpost.
Thura, now the head of the household, made the decision to return home.
Since they were already due to travel to the capital for the Crown Prince's wedding, preparations were quickly made.
The family, along with their servants and ten armed men, departed on their journey.
They pressed on southward without pause, keen to put distance between themselves and the northern hills.
For days they travelled with heightened vigilance, until at last, they reached the lowlands.
The roads were carpeted with fallen spring blossoms, a river of pink stretching before them. The rosy vista of spring brought a sense of ease and the group decided to stay in the village of Kole for the night.
The locals welcomed the prestigious visitors with open arms, sensing the wealth and affluence of the family.
While the servants restocked supplies, Thura arranged for their lodging at the village's one and only inn.
However, the accommodation fell far short of their usual standard of residence. Accustomed only to remarkable privilege and luxury, even the servants were appalled by the shared bathrooms and the questionable cleanliness of the establishment.
"Do not go to the bathrooms," Naing warned his sister. "It's where you'll experience hell."
"What are you talking about?" Sein asked, agitated.
She peered down the dimly lit hallway, lined with numerous doors leading to rooms on either side.
"Lady Sein, it is true," one of the serving girls spoke up.
She was carrying their belongings to the rooms.
"We are to share the bathrooms with other guests. Be prepared."
"We were told this is the best accommodation in Kole," Kan explained. "Unfortunately there is no other choice. We will have to make do."
"What the spirits!" Naing said, folding his arms. "That is truly tragic. And to think I'll have to share a room with Thura."
Deep within the abyss of grief, having lost all his usual patience and controlled composure, Thura spoke up when he heard this conversation.
"Get a grip. We are here for one night. One night, people. It is far safer than being on the road."
This put a stop to the complaints and everyone suffered in silence instead.
The room which Sein shared with her mother was basic. There were two beds and nothing else, not even a window.
Sein hardly slept that night, huddled on the bed, not wanting to touch the sheets covered with ambiguous stains.
She glanced over at the other bed. Her mother, having been overwhelmed by exhaustion and grief, was sound asleep.
Sein wrapped herself in her spare clothes to shield her from the offending bedsheets.
The numbness of loss had set in. She couldn't help but wonder where her father was now.
Was he among the spirits or had he become part of the earth, the sky, the air she breathed?
The finality of his absence settled in as she realised he would never see the sun rise again, never smell the first blossoms of spring, and never taste the sweetness of ripe mangoes.
She curled up, pulling her knees to her chest, into a fetal position. Wave after wave of grief hit her like a tsunami.
The following morning, the weather turned sour. It poured with angry rain, and the wind's temper, ensured all those outside were being drenched from all directions.
They delayed their departure until after lunch, once the rain eased to a tolerable drizzle.
"Let us depart," Thura announced to everyone's delight.
"Finally, we are leaving," Naing declared openly, not caring if anyone outside their party heard. "I certainly am glad we will not be spending another night in this cockroach infested hell."
Kan's forehead crinkled with concerned and enquired, "Lord Naing, were there cockroaches in your room?"
"Yes, one ugly bas-" Naing paused, seeing his mother was present. "One big bug. Thura managed to stomp on it. Utterly disgusting though."
Like the rest of the group, Naing was determined to leave. No one wanted to stay a second night.
They pressed on fuelled by their desire to be back in their comfortable homes, all except for Sein.
Their progress was swift over the course of the next couple of days, finally arriving at Madaya, a town near the junction of the Three Rivers.
Knowing the capital was a day's ride away brought a mixture of relief and anticipation to their faces.
However, the road that ran along the Ayegyi River was submerged in water. A flash flood the day before had consumed the road, along with nearby fields and homes, rendering the route impassable due to its depth.
"This is abominable," Naing vented his frustrations when they learnt of the situation. "It's like a curse is upon us to delay us from returning to the capital."
A couple of the men were a little ruffled at the mention of a curse.
"Don't be melodramatic," Sein said flatly.
She liked the fact a detour would delay the inevitable moment when she'd have to face reality.
Nearly half a year had passed since she last laid eyes on Zeya.
She knew he'd carry himself with the usual composed demeanour and flawless decorum, but could she muster the same poise and self-control when she saw him again?
Her best strategy was to remain in her quarters and avoid bumping into Zeya altogether.
However, she'd have to come up with a convincing illness to miss the wedding entirely. That would negate the necessity to greet the Crown Prince and his bride at the marriage ceremony.
"I've spoken to the Town's Lord," Thura reported back to the family. "The detour will add at least two to three days to our journey."
Several people groaned. Lady Marlar was positively at her wits end. Sein put her arm around her mother's shoulders to soothe her.
"Mama, it is only for a few more days."
"Surely, there must be another route that doesn't require a long detour?" Naing spoke up. "I tell you, this cannot be the only way back to the capital."
Thura was deep in thought. He glanced around the room as if weighing something.
"There is a path through the forest but it would mean we will have to be on foot," he said at last. "Then secure horses and transport at the village of Tan Min. From there it is less than a day to the capital."
"That sounds perfect," Naing said, full of eagerness. "It's a no brainer, right. But it's your decision, Thura."
A few other people echoed this sentiment. Sein didn't say a word.
It was again up to Thura to make a decision as the head of the family, which he spent some time deliberating.
Eventually he conceded.
"We will cut through the forest."
Then turning to the servants, instructed, "Repack our supplies to last for a couple of days. We need to travel light as we will be on foot. Make arrangements for our belongings to be sent when the road is passable again."
Sein changed her clothes and packed a small bag she carried herself.
Seeing this, Lady Marlar exclaimed, "What are you wearing, Sein? Your house clothes? And why are you carrying a weapon?"
"I am wearing comfortable clothes since we are travelling on foot through the forest," Sein explained. "This is my bow."
"Good idea, Sein," Thura spoke up. "It'll be a long walk and I suggest we all wear appropriate footwear."
He glanced at his mother's elaborate shoes.
"And avoid anything unnecessary."
He stopped, aghast, staring at the long, luxurious fabric billowing out behind his mother's skirt.
Lady Marlar was clearly displeased and muttered, "Sein, you look like a peasant dressed like that. At least wear a lace jacket over the blouse or a cape of some sort. And give that thing to Kan. He can carry it for you."
"No Mama," Sein protested, not hiding her irritation. "I will be too hot in a jacket and I am perfectly capable of carrying my bow."
Lady Marlar threw her hands in the air to signal her defeat.
The narrow path into the forest was easily located. The terrain was uneven, dipping and rising unpredictably, with patches of loose soil giving way to hard, compacted earth and slippery patches of leaf litter.
The travellers' journey was made difficult as they were forced to duck and weave, avoiding the grasp of low-hanging branches overhead.
Lady Marlar had to be carried by one of the men a few times to ensure her shoes and skirt remained unspoiled.
However, despite the slow progress, everyone was nevertheless in good spirits, fuelled by the clearing sky, casting a warm pleasant day. The birds chirped and the forest was alive with the scent of spring.
After treading some way in, they saw the spectacular sight of numerous trees, draped in an overflowing cascade of yellow flowers, their branches barely visible.
Together with the fallen blossoms on the ground, the path transformed into a tunnel of pure yellow. The air was thick with its heady floral fragrance, as they kicked up the petals on the path.
"It is like trees from paradise," a serving girl said to Sein. "I have never seen such a marvellous sight."
Sein smiled and nodded. She was caught up in her own world.
Naing, hearing the comment, spoke up, "These trees are spectacular indeed. What are they? Does anyone know?"
"They are cassia trees I believe," Lady Marlar replied to the surprise of her son.
Sein glanced at her mother.
"It is not often one sees these trees in bloom early on in spring. And in such numbers," Lady Marlar went on. "We are indeed lucky to chance upon it."
"Luck is definitely in our favour," Naing chirped. "And we're finally on our way home. Oh I can't wait to get into a bathing pool and have a good soak. All this travelling is tiresome."
After pausing to eat lunch, they carried on. Now the forest fell silent, deafening in its void, as if someone had flicked a switch on nature.
Cassia trees continued to dominate, and as they had climatised to such beauty, they were no longer in awe.
Weary legs prompted a few people to question.
"Surely we should be out of the forest by now. I didn't think the path would be this long."
"At this rate, we may have to camp in the forest," someone else commented.
Thura's face reflected these thoughts.
"Indeed, it seems the forest route is longer than anticipated," he said after some time.
"Could we have missed something?" Naing asked, keeping his voice low, not wishing to worry his mother. "Did we take a wrong turn? What do you think, Thura?"
"No, we have been following one path."
Sein approached her brothers and said, "Something's not right. We seem to be heading east and not south. What do you make of it?"
A touch of tension on Thura's face answered her question.
"Let us take advantage of what daylight is left," he replied. "We will camp here for the night and find a way out tomorrow."
"If we keep heading directly south, we should break through the forest and enter the Central Plains," Sein said, recalling her knowledge of the kingdom's geography.
"I would say keep to the path," Naing said, crossing his arms. "You don't know for sure how far this forest stretches south. It could delay us even further."
"Do we trust the path or do we trust direction?" Sein challenged. "We've been heading east all day and that doesn't make any sense to me. The capital is south of the forest."
"And how would you know," Naing pressed, squaring his stance as he faced his sister.
"Shall we keep a cool head," Thura interrupted, sensing an argument building up. "Let's not use up the arrows before getting into battle."
"Fine," Naing yielded. "It's your call, Thura."
Thura ordered the men to set up a patrol and make a campfire.
The servants took out their provisions for the evening meal. They had purchased a few items from the town, and went about making a hearty stew, a typical dish of the region. To accompany it, mustard greens were fried with dried fish, and in place of rice, there were flatbreads.
It was an odd combination of dishes to eat together but it was the best they could achieve with limited resources.
"What are we going to eat when we get home?" Naing pondered.
He turned to Kan and said, "Kan, will you make some of your coconut noodle soup? I love that dish."
"Indeed, my lord," Kan replied, his kind eyes forming gentle crescents, pleased by the compliment.
Naing's enthusiasm was infectious.
Even Lady Marlar mused, "It would be lovely to have a decent cup of tea and some delicious cake."
"I shall make a semolina cake for you, my lady," Kan spoke up. Then he turned to Sein and asked, "What shall I make for you, Lady Sein?"
Sein was buried in her thoughts and didn't respond.
"Sein, have you fallen asleep? Kan is speaking to you." Naing teased.
The next minute he was deadly serious and said, "Hey what was that?"
All eyes turned to Naing.
"What is it, Naing?" Thura asked.
"I thought I heard something."
Naing slowly rose from his seated position.
In that instant, one of the men on patrol came hurtling out of the trees.
His face aghast as he said between breaths, "Lord Thura… there's... we are—"
"What is it?" Thura said, rising to his feet, suddenly alert. "Take a breath first."
"We are under attack," the man managed at last.
"What the spirits!" Naing cried, incredulous. "What do you mean we're under attack?"
The man motioned to the east.
"We are surrounded by hostile men. When we tried to find out who they were, they fired arrows at us. They have animals with them. Large, dark beasts… I've never seen such a thing before."
The other men immediately stood to attention, seeking orders from Thura.
"How many men and beasts?" he asked.
"We are not certain. At least a dozen men, perhaps more, and two beasts."
Sein stood beside Naing.
"What kind of beasts?" Naing asked. "Why are they attacking us?"
No one answered.
All looked to Thura. He stood contemplating for a moment. His face extremely grave.
Finally he spoke. "Let us not be hasty. We do not know who the enemy is. We may not be their target. Let us proceed with caution. Men, secure a perimeter."
"Yes, My Lord," one of the men spoke up in acknowledgement.
Another, stomped out the fire, cloaking their camp in darkness. A sliver of moon rising, allowed a hint of their surroundings until their eyes adjusted.
"Naing, Sein, stay here and be vigilant," Thura ordered.
Then turning to the man who had come calling for help, he commanded, "Jung, take me to where the trouble is."
"Thura," Sein called out, concerned written across her face.
"Stay with Naing and mother, Sein," Thura said in a reassuring voice. "I will be back shortly."
It was easier said than done. Sein had never been patient and couldn't stay still. She grabbed her bow and a quiver of arrows.
"My lady?" Kan said seeing Sein arming herself.
"Kan, keep an eye on my mother," Sein said in a hushed voice. "Give her some chamomile liquid to keep her calm."
"Yes, my lady."
Being comforted by Kan, Lady Marlar spoke up, "It is as if someone or something is targeting us. Such resentment. I can sense it. What have we done to displease anyone?"
Sein was joined by Naing as she inched her way along the path.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked. "And what the hell is that?"
"A bow," Sein replied flatly.
"Of course I know it's a bow. What are you doing with it?"
"Holding it," Sein responded with a smirk.
Naing caught himself before taking the bait.
Simmering down, he asserted, "Thura told us to stay put. So don't stray too far. Let's keep our eyes open."
Unable to provoke her brother further, Sein grew serious.
"Can you sense anything, Naing?" she asked.
"Nothing at the moment. I did hear Jung's footsteps earlier."
"Your hearing is sharp," Sein commented. "Stay alert. I'll watch this side, and you keep an eye on that side."
"Fine," Naing muttered, walking away to position himself facing north-east.
Sein picked up faint clashes of swords in the distance. Alarmed, she notched an arrow, ready to shoot any enemy who breached the perimeter.
She saw nothing.
As the sounds of combat continued, she began to worry. All sorts of dire possibilities raced through her mind.
Would the men be able to hold off the attack? And where was Thura?
Before long, an eerie silence blanketed the forest. This was worse than hearing the clashing of swords.
"Where are you going, Sein?" Naing yelled. "Stay put. What don't you understand about that? Follow Thura's orders. He will be back."
Annoyed that her brother had caught her, Sein reluctantly moved back into position.
At that moment, Thura came racing back to camp, his feet gliding silently over the petals. His brow was furrowed and his lips pressed tight, as though he were wrestling with troubling thoughts.
Lady Marlar saw her son and called out, "Thura, what is happening?"
Hearing their mother's voice, Sein and Naing rushed back.
"To be honest, I do not know who the enemy is."
Thura let out a long sigh.
"The men are dressed in black and gold uniforms, from what we can see, but I cannot tell which group they belong to. For some reason they seem bent on keeping us here. They refuse to speak with us. Such unreasonable men. Unfortunately, they out number us considerably."
"What! We're totally fu-" Naing exclaimed, catching himself before adding, "Totally far out!"
"We are surrounded, yes. I do not see how we can break away just yet," Thura said, considering his options. "We could do with reinforcements. We are less than a day from the capital if we clear the forest. Someone needs to bypass the enemy and bring back aid from the capital. We will have to hold out until then."
Naing looked bewildered. "How the hell is anyone going to get pass the enemy to do that?"
"Thura, you are the only person capable of evading the enemy," Sein spoke up. "You have stealth training. You will be able to escape the forest if you head south. Trust me."
"That sounds too dangerous," Lady Marlar objected. "I do not like it. Why risk your own life.? Send one of your men instead."
Thura let out a long breath, closing his eyes momentarily.
"Sein is right. I must go," he said at last. "There are ten armed men. They are currently keeping the perimeter secure. Naing, you take charge of them. Sein, follow your brother's orders."
Sein bit her lips to stop herself from objecting to the last sentence.
Instead, she said, "Thura, be careful."
Thura gave a faint smile and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"I will. Hold out until I return."
Thura left immediately, taking nothing except for his blade and some money. Sein kept a watch on her mother while Naing met Jung who was reporting back.
As the two spoke, there was a bloodcurdling scream coming from the east. Sein's instinct was to pick up her bow and quiver. She glanced at Naing.
Was there a breach in the perimeter?
Naing and Jung drew their swords and approached the direction of the scream. Sein followed them.
Heading eastward, they scanned the forest, looking for the men who would be patrolling that side. The moon had risen high in the sky, its light seeping through the canopy but no one could be seen.
Then like a sinister shadow, a large slick figure of a giant cat appeared in the distance between two trunks.
Its hind legs were slightly longer than the front, with two points of lights for eyes. Its long tail moved rapidly from side to side as its powerful legs propelled it at full speed towards the three.
Without thinking, Sein notched an arrow and let it loose.
It struck its mark.
The giant beast didn't stop, however it was no longer graceful in its movements.
Sein fired again. Another hit.
This time the beast slowed. Naing and Jung positioned themselves to strike.
As it neared, Sein shot another arrow straight into its head. The beast crashed to the ground.
As it lay there, the dark fur started to shimmer, and suddenly it was gone.
"What the spirits!" Naing exclaimed. "Are we dealing with cursed creatures that stalk this forest?"
Then turning to Sein, asked with disbelief, "Where the hell did you learn to shoot arrows like that?"
Sein didn't reply, instead her eyes were fixed on a distant target.
"Watch out," she warned. "Here comes another."
She was poised to shoot an arrow at the new beast. In the back of her mind, she noted she had only a handful of arrows left.
How many more beasts were there?
One after another, she let loose her arrows until she heard Naing shout, "Hold, this one is mine."
He leapt ahead and landed a strike, cutting the beast's head cleanly off its body.
As before, the mysterious beast shimmered and evaporated into thin air.
"This is not good," Jung began, beads of sweat rolling down his face. "If we are dealing with people, we can cope. But unnatural beasts!"
"We must hold out until Thura comes back," Sein urged, repressing the terror from taking root. "We can do this."
"Yes, if we stand our ground…" Naing started but stopped.
An eerie buzzing noise interrupted their conversation. Its vibration was felt on the ground beneath their feet.
Sein, Naing and Jung peered at their surroundings.
It was too dark to see anything in the distance, but then something approached.
As it drew closer, the shadowy outline gave way to a raging dark mass. The noise emanated from this indistinct shape, hovering above the ground.
When it was almost upon them, they realised it was a swarm of thousands of flying bugs.
Naing tried to deflect the insects, batting away with his sword. Jung did like wise, swiping madly. Sein stepped backwards.
"Sein, run," Naing called out. "Get away from here."
But Sein stood her ground. Despite finding her brother somewhat obnoxious, she wasn't going to abandon him.
She grabbed the bow by its end and used it like a bat, swotting the insects. One slipped past and stung Naing.
"Damn it, it's a stinging wasp or something."
As he said this, Sein felt a sharp stab on her neck. It was as if someone had sliced her throat with a hot knife.
To the amazement of the three, the flying insects which had formed a sinister ring around them suddenly disappeared.
They were left in utter silence. Only the chorus of frogs were heard.
"Did you get stung too, my lady?" Jung asked.
"Sein, are you hurt?" Naing said, a little unsteady on his feet.
"Yes, it got me too," Sein replied, overcome by weariness, she fell to her knees.
Jung caught her arm and pulled her up.
"Come," he urged. "Let us go back to the others."
Sein let Jung guide her, glancing back at her brother as he staggered behind them. She wanted to ask Jung to help him, but her chest tightened and her throat went dry.
Lady Marlar's voice was heard.
"What has happened? My darlings. Naing? Sein? Are you both hurt?"
Kan rushed forward to guide Naing to a sitting position.
"They were stung by wasps," Jung responded. "But no ordinary ones. Some kind of cursed insects."
"Cursed insects? Somebody help!" Lady Marlar called out, prompting the other two servants to rush over.
"What can we do?" they asked in unison.
"Get some water," Kan said. "Be quick."
He carefully laid Sein down beside Naing. Both brother and sister were weak now, shivering with fatigue.
"What kind of evil has befallen us?" Lady Marlar cried out, her voice frantic and high-pitched.
Kan examined Naing, then Sein.
"They are sweating profusely," he said. "They have a fever."
One of the servants rushed over with a water skin. Lady Marlar stepped forward and seized it.
She tried to give Naing some water, but with little success. He could not swallow. The water spilled from his mouth as he coughed, a harsh wheeze escaping his throat.
Sein felt her heart race and noticed her breathing becoming difficult. Each breath was a struggle, like breathing through a narrow bamboo pipe.
As she laid still, Kan tried to give her some water.
A couple of men guarding the camp, approached.
"The enemy has disappeared," one of them said to Jung. "We are no longer surrounded."
"What! Are you sure?" Jung asked.
The men nodded, then their eyes-widen at the sight of the brother and sister.
The relief was short lived as everyone's focus now returned to tending Naing and Sein.
More footsteps were heard. One of their men brought two old women with him.
They looked to be part of a hill tribe, dressed in distinct woven fabric sarongs and wearing head scarves concealing their white hair.
"Who are they?" Kan asked the guard.
Before he could answer, one of the old women replied, "We heard your calls for help."
Her teeth were stained from chewing beetle nut. Kan recoiled at the unsightliness, stepping backwards.
"We have come to help," the woman said.
They approached Naing and Sein. But Lady Marlar, on edge and suspicious, rose to block their path, her instincts driving her to protect her children.
The old woman with eyes as dark as night gazed back with compassion.
"We mean no harm," she said.
Lady Marlar sensed no ill will and allowed the woman to crouch beside Sein and Naing.
The old woman held out a hand and lightly touched Sein's forehead. Then she looked up at Lady Marlar, her expression grave.
"They have been stung by a spirit insect," she said. "We have an antidote for the poison but it is only enough for one person. You must choose whom I should give this to."
She produced a small vile of liquid from her woven bag.
There was a long pause, slowly all heads turned to Lady Marlar. Her eyes darted between her two children.
"You are asking me to choose which child should live and which child should die!" she wailed. "No mother should have to choose."
Overwhelmed by the weight of the decision, she wept, hiding her face in her hands. One of the serving girls stepped forward to steady her.
"We will pay for the antidote," Kan said. "Surely you can find more? Enough for both of them?"
"Time is of the essence. You must decide quickly or they will both die."
Sein could hardly breathe now. Each breath drawing in less and less air.
That feeling of constriction in her chest was somewhat similar to how her heart felt, thinking about Zeya.
In just a few days, he'd be married, and she'd face the daily agony of seeing the man she cherished, in the arms of another.
It was punishment for playing the dangerous game of desiring someone out of your reach.
She saw nothing but a bleak future ahead, stuck in the palace compound to live out the rest of her days by herself. As she had no intentions to marry, she'd only be a burden to her mother and brothers.
There was nothing to keep her in this life.
With one last struggle, Sein formed the words, "Save my brother."
The old woman, peering down at Sein, nodded.
Then she turned to Naing. From a small tube, she poured the liquid into his mouth, forcing him to swallow.
Sein heard him choke and splutter.
A long moment passed, and Sein wondered if it had worked. Then the familiar voice broke the silence.
"It stings. What is it? My throat stings."
"Stinger plant liquid," the old woman replied. "You will be fine."
Hearing this, Sein was satisfied that her brother would live. Peace settled over her, and she was able to let go of the rope of life and surrender to the darkness.