[INTRO — QUICK EASTERN FRONTIER | 7/8 ~126 BPM, 2+2+3 | SHAMISEN: 1–♭3–4–5–♭7 | low DREADNOUGHT] [Female narrator — clear, restrained, storytelling voice] Verse 1 — The Errand Teacher sent her down to market, Rice and lamp oil on his list. Told her take the lower roadway, Come straight home before the mist. Late afternoon she took an alley Running underneath the hill. Six men stepped from doors and shadows. One ahead. Five behind. [SHAMISEN: ♭5→5] Mara stopped still. Verse 2 — Six One held clubs. Two carried knives. One said, [Male — gang member] “Shoreborn. Leave the purse.” [Female narrator] Mara glanced behind her. Then ahead. Set the lamp oil down. [Male] “You deaf?” [Female — Mara, calm] “No.” [Male] “Then hand it over.” [Female — Mara] “I'd rather not.” [SHAMISEN: ♭5→5] Instrumental — What She Learned [7/8 | SHAMISEN: 1–♭3–4–♭5–5–6] [FOOTWORK | WOOD IMPACT] [2/4 HIT] [KNIFE SKIDS ON STONE] [7/8 — three clipped phrases] [HARD STOP] Verse 3 — Over Quickly [Female narrator] First man swung. Mara stepped aside. His club struck empty stone. Second reached. She turned his wrist. Used his weight against his own. Third went backward through the fourth. Fifth lost hold of his knife. Sixth looked around the alley— [PAUSE] And reconsidered life. [SHAMISEN: 5→6] Six men stayed behind her. Mara picked the lamp oil up. Not a cut upon her. Not a word. She headed home. Verse 4 — Teacher [DROP → FREE TIME | SHAMISEN] Teacher listened without speaking. Mara told him what occurred. Where she'd stood. Who moved first. How she'd remembered every word. She waited for approval. Teacher only said, “Enough.” [Female — Mara] “There were six.” [Male — Teacher] “I heard.” “They had knives.” “I heard.” [Female narrator] Mara waited. Teacher looked at her. [Male — Teacher] “You have to leave.” Verse 5 — Seen [SHAMISEN: 1–♭3–4–♭5] [Female — Mara] “What?” [Male — Teacher] “They saw you.” [Female] “So?” [Male] “They saw what you know.” [Female narrator] Then she understood. [Female — Mara] “Because I'm shoreborn.” [Male — Teacher] “Because I taught you.” [PAUSE] [Female narrator] There was no anger in his voice. Somehow that was worse. [Female — Mara] “When?” [Male] “Tonight.” Bridge — The Wayblade [FREE TIME | SHAMISEN: 1–♭3–4→5] [Female narrator] Teacher brought a cedar box And placed it in her hands. Inside lay a short curved sword. Plain guard. Dark-wrapped grip. No ornament. [Male — Teacher] “A wayblade.” [Female — Mara] “You never let me touch one.” [Male] “No.” [Female] “Now you're giving me one?” “Yes.” “Why?” [PAUSE] [Male — Teacher] “Because now I trust you not to need it.” [SHAMISEN: ♭5→5→6] Verse 6 — Leaving [SHIFT → gentle 4/4 ~84 BPM] [Female narrator] She packed before the morning. Not much more than when she came. Teacher waited by the doorway. Neither spoke the other's name. Mara bowed. Teacher bowed. She crossed the yard. [Male — Teacher] “Mara.” [ALL THIN] [Female narrator] She turned. First time he'd ever called her that. [Male — Teacher] “Again.” [Female — Mara, small smile] “Always.” Outro — Belle Rive [SHAMISEN + DREADNOUGHT | 1–♭3–4–♭5–5–6] [Female narrator] At the docks a freighter captain Called his ports above the crowd. North Coast. Black Isles. Then one name made Mara turn around. [Male — Captain] “Belle Rive!” [Female narrator] She looked once toward the mountains. Then down at the cedar case. Walked across the crowded dock And joined the boarding line. [SHAMISEN: 5→6] [BELL — ONE STRIKE] [CUT]
