I woke up the next day on the temple’s cold, hard, floors. My partner and I had kept vigil at night, and somehow, we had fallen asleep. Every muscle in my body seemed to hurt.
Today, we would bury my master, and that would be the end of the affair. Somewhat. Nuwa had appointed an impartial chieftain in this crisis and they had written a letter to the king. The prince and his attendant would be imprisoned here until their summons, and perhaps the princess would return as well. That would be the end of the affair, and I wasn’t sure what would happen next.
I got up. I walked to the coffin to pay respects to my master once more. Master Qiu did a good job of dressing him, and he looked like he was asleep. There was a frown on his face, but in life, he was always ready with a smile for me and always had some grass in his hand. I missed him, and I knew that Horse missed him too. Outside, the leaves rustled and suddenly, I felt that someone was standing next to me.
“Ox, you have done well. Horse, if you please, wake up. I have some news for the both of you.”
My companion stretched and yawned, and his eyes bulged out at the sight of her. He stood up straight away.
“Uh, good morning, goddess.”
“I had not expected the first death to happen, and so quickly too,” she said. “But I suppose now that death will come to all, regardless of whether humans like it or not.
“You are wondering what happened to your master. Don’t fret. You will find out tomorrow.”
“But why this investigation?” I asked. “Why me? Why us?”
“Ox, don’t be ungrateful. The goddess has been kind to us. Accept this boon,” Horse chided.
I looked at the goddess, who was staring at me with calm and serenity, and then I looked at my companion.
“I’m sorry, but I had to ask.”
I looked into the goddess’ eyes, and she smiled. In them, I saw everything. I understood why she created the world and why she had arranged it just so. I understood why my master was the first to die, even if I didn’t agree with it. And I understood why we were chosen and what we were meant to do. I understood my place in the universe, and then some. All the hurt and pain and anger that everyone had felt–he prince’s, Lady Li’s, and all of the people we had encountered–coursed through my being so much that I knelt down, and I noticed that Horse was kneeling down alongside me.
The goddess smiled, and this time, it was a knowing one.
“Rise. Pack your bags and leave now. Walk towards the West, where the world meets its edge. I will meet you there.”