Minah | Shrine | Grave

Our progress was slower with the cart but Itzel and I took turns riding on the horse. We finally stopped at the same location we had previously set up camp.

“Itzel, can you get a fire going. Minah if you could please follow me.”

I followed Sae up the hill. Even with the pale winter sun on my face, it was much cooler as we made our way up. I was getting nervous. I haven’t even started and my resolve to get stronger was faltering.

“We’re here,” she said.

Not sure what to say, I blurted, “Y-yes, ma’am,” and came to a halt.

Light streamed down between the branches of the tall trees. At the edge of the clearing was a small shrine no taller than my waist. It was lightly covered in moss and leaves.

It was a grave. She stepped towards the carefully laid pile of stones, wiped away some leaves and quietly sank her knees into the ground. She didn’t bow, nor did she whisper any prayers. She sat still, like the land itself.

Just when I thought she might kneel there forever, she stood.

“Minah, what happened to you and your village has happened before. I believe it was the same people.”

There was a brief pause, and the color in her hair shifted back to its natural red. Her amber eyes hummed with energy.

“There was a village in the highlands called Namaru. They came for us after the men were conscripted for the war. We were captured and separated from our parents.”

A sharp breath caught in my throat. Separated from our parents. The words echoed my own loss with a chilling familiarity.

Sae’s eyes met mine, acknowledging the shared pain.

“It was only through sheer luck that a few of us managed to escape. The torture and experiments shattered our bodies. My older brother didn’t live much longer.”

“Minah,” she continued, “there are people who are ready to fight. But we’re not strong enough yet. Soon, though—we will be. And when we are, we’ll put an end to all this suffering.”

She walked toward me and, looking straight into my eye, continued.

“Itzel told me you asked if I could make you stronger. I can, Minah. Are you ready?”

She extended her hand. Without pausing, I reached out and took it.

She smiled.

“Let’s begin.”

Sae took me hunting that afternoon, I followed behind her again only this time she picked up her pace. She had a bow at the ready and in no time managed to hunt down several horned rabbits. I quietly observed her posture and how she drew the bow string.

We finally walked back to our campsite.

“Your stamina is not bad. Keep at it.” As she said this I was covered in sweat.

“Thank you ma’am.” I replied as I tried to catch my breath.

“Just Sae is fine. I’m not that old.”

Itzel gave me a side eye and smiled. After my body calmed down I began helping her skin the rabbits. Right as I was about to start Sae walked over and handed me the knives she purchased from the blacksmith.

“Minah, use this opportunity to get familiar with them.”

Itzel and I proceeded with our task.

I spent the rest of the day trying to keep up with Sae as she moved through the forest, hunting like she was part of it. She didn’t explain anything—not once—but I got the sense she didn’t want to. Not yet. I think she expected me to watch first, to learn with my eyes before opening my mouth.

That was fine by me. Just keeping pace with her was hard enough.

By the time the sun began to dip, my legs ached and my lungs burned, but the weight of our catch felt like a victory. Two grey-eared foxes and three poison minks were strung over Sae's shoulder, while the rope across my own back dug in with the weight of six horned-rabbits. Sae had only missed a shot once, leaving a single arrow lost to the undergrowth.

We made it back before nightfall. I was muddy and covered in animal blood. Itzel just laughed at me. “Minah, I know where we can get cleaned up, this way.”

At her prompting I put down the rabbits and followed behind her to a spot along the river that was hidden from view.

“We usually clean up around here. You can relax, it’s safe.”

I left on my undergarments but stripped out of the muddy clothing. The water was cold at first, biting my skin but gradually faded the deeper I went in. Itzel waded alongside me shaking out her braid.

“This spot is not bad right? No biting bugs or peeping eyes.”

“It’s freezing.” I shouted back.

I cupped as much water as I could and tossed it at her. She let out a mocked gasp as the water hit her square in the face.

“It’s like that huh?” She said wide eyed in mock betrayal. A second later a wave of water hit me square in the chest.

I shrieked, stumbling backward.

“I chose peace, and you chose WAR!” she shouted while continuing to send splash after splash my way.

We kept at it for a few more minutes, until most of the grime and blood had washed away. When the sun began slipping behind the trees, we climbed back up the bank and got dressed.

We found a half-dry log near the water and sat shoulder to shoulder, wringing out our hair in the fading light. Itzel broke the silence first.

“So... that really was your first time skinning a rabbit, huh?” she said, smirking.

I froze, a hot flush creeping up my neck. “Was it that obvious?”

She chuckled. “A little. But you did fine. Minah, you’re safe here, you know?” continuing, her tone uncharacteristically serious, “There’s lots of stuff for us to figure out. No shame in that.”

Her words settled warm in my chest. I glanced sideways at her, wondering if it was too soon to push back a little—then went for it.

“Oh, you mean like... romance?” I said, trying to keep my voice light. “I think Yun had eyes for you, Itzel.”

She blinked, caught off guard, then let out a short laugh. “What? No he didn’t.”

“He blushed every time you changed his bandages,” I said, grinning now.

“Oh please,” she said, rolling her eyes but smiling. “That boy barely knows how to talk straight, let alone flirt.”

After a bit more teasing and girl talk we made our way back to camp.

The next day we finally made it back to the cabin. Itzel and Sae seemed to be discussing something only between them. When their quiet discussion wrapped up, Itzel walked towards me. The playful light from our evening by the river was gone, replaced by a sad, serious look that made my stomach drop.

"What? Already? I thought..." I trailed off, not wanting to sound like a pleading child.

A sad smile touched her lips. "I know. But there's... something I need to do. A message that needs delivering." She leaned in, her voice dropping. "Listen, Sae can seem like a closed fist, but she's good. She'll take care of you. You just have to trust her. And trust yourself."

Not sure how to reply, I nodded. “You will at least stay the night, right?”

She shook her head. “After I help unpack I’ll be heading out.”

“Are you sure that’s safe?”

“Oh Minah, worried about me now?” Her face changed to a mischievous grin. “I’ll be fine.” she said, holding out her necklace so I could see the pendant. “This protection stone has never let me down.”

I helped her unpack the last of the supplies from the cart, my movements slow. When we were done, she pulled me into a quick, firm hug. "You get strong, you hear?" she whispered against my hair. "I'll be back before you know it."

I just nodded, my throat too tight to speak. I stood at the edge of the clearing and watched her walk away, her figure growing smaller and smaller until the forest swallowed her whole. The cabin suddenly felt much quieter.