Villain Path

Chapter 38. Coffins and Dances

Muan had put off going to the Boneyard-on-the-rock for a long time and didn't move out there until near sunset. Shen eagerly awaited this moment so that he could join him for the spectacle. He had instructed Al to meditate, Annis was still avoiding him at every opportunity, so he could only sigh as he followed her retreating back with a glance. He also left Volchara with them to keep an eye on the children.

Era walked along with Muan and Shen fully equipped: she was apparel in a red and white priestess attire, with a tambourine and a couple of disciples.

"What kind of priestess is she?" Shen was curious and inquired with Muan.

"A sort of priestess of the earth. A nice all-purpose priestess: she has fertility rites, she makes it rain and right now she has supported to depart and find eternal peace."

"You say that with some neglect," Shen remarked.

"Of course. One upon a time she replaced a cooled beldam and she's been paying for it ever since, as if her dances really do make a difference. Not to mention dead, it's ridiculous."

"And the rain?"

Muan answered nothing about the rain, apparently undecided. They talked as they walked along the forest road, having already descended the (meekness-producing stairs). On the right hand there was a sheer rock. The road curved to the right and soon Shen got an intriguing sight: right there were coffins hanging on the rock ledge at a considerable height from the ground on hooks hammered into the solid. Shen guessed that they were coffins. They looked more like boats, covered with lids, carved from a solid trunk of wood. Looking around the Boneyard-on-the-rock, Shen spotted that there were no new burials here, certainly all the coffins were very old.

The road and the small clearing nearby were already crowded with a good number of villagers. Everyone was waiting for the priestess to arrive, glancing anxiously at the setting sun.

"What is this ancient cemetery?" Shen wondered.

"Few generations ago it was believed that this kind of burial would protect the bodies and souls of the dead from being looted and defiled by animals. And it was closer to the sky, so there was less climbing to do."

Shen looked at the coffins in amazement and wondered if the scribbler Yer had established these details into his novel. Because if so he was a goddamn genius and if not how was it even possible? For the mediocre world of a novel to be transformed into such a coherent and richly detailed picture.

"Come here." Muan pulled him by the elbow and drew him aside, closer to the assembled crowd.

"You will not partake of the ritual?"

"I'll take part," Muan sighed. "You wait here."

With these words he left him at the edge of the crowd and walked towards a small altar under a rock. After laying the offerings on it, Muan turned around and remained there. He looked at Era, who had stepped out into the centre of the empty space created for her, and then turned his gaze to the caster, who stood out as a bright scarlet blur in the general background. Confronted by his gaze, Muan turned away, and Shen blinked in surprise and raised an eyebrow.

Era let her hair down and struck a tambourine. She was echoed by the gentle sound of the hand bells. Shen searched his eyes for the source of the sound and was surprised to find that the hand bells were being held by Muan. It was amusing. He had learned so much about Muan on this trip. For instance, nothing in Yer's novel hinted that Muan was capable of using the little bells as skillfully as an immortal sword. Shen seems to have totally misjudidn't the man's aptitudes. But he clearly didn't intend to acknowledge his merits and stop bantering him no matter what.