The Nightly Arrangement
By all external accounts, the evening proceeded well. Shauni and her two younger daughters served the family and guests readily, offering a wide selection of well prepared fish and flavourful vegetables to accompany the usual sustainer. One of Ginko's few remarks throughout supper concerned the highly notable taste of the usually bland rice.
"That's thanks to our cultivation techniques. We use everything in our fertilizers. Besides, the rainwater coming down our mountain runs over uniquely dense and varied foliage. Something in the leaves gets carried to the soil and, eventually, the food. Our rice is the best… people have come from villages around to try it," said Karashunni.
"I've dined with royalty, and this food stands proudly beside," agreed Kahazuke, the older mushi master. Expressions of gratitude, denials of accomplishment and confirmations of sincerity shot back and forth around the table, ending with laughter and cheer. Outwardly, Ginko took no part in this beyond offering a distracted smile.
"So, Ginko, what about you?" interjected Shauni. "You must have many exciting tales to tell as well."
Ginko was so deeply absorbed in thought that he nearly forgot to answer. Most of his mind was analyzing the similarities between Karashunni and Kahazuke; they were nearly identical in all major facets of personality. Both emitted a nearly blinding confidence that irritated Ginko. Both stood tall with a large frame. Both conversed in a loud and domineering fashion often about self. Still, they were both interested in others – the householder a little more than the guest, Ginko thought. Most fascinating of all, they got along with one another.
Surprising, thought Ginko, wondering how well he would harmonize with his own character's mirror image. He soon found the answer in the mild hostility of the young man sitting across from him.
"Umm, yes, stories. I've seen many things in my few days as a mushi shi, or mushi master, but I'm a little wrapped up with this right now." He hated to be no fun and reject Shauni's kind attempts, but he simply wasn't in the mood.
"Straight to business. Good! Kids, leave us and do what you will for the rest of the evening.
"Thank you daddy." The two girls bowed and left the room. The sun stood up reluctantly and slid out of the room next while Shauni collected the dishes. At last, the three were left alone in contemplative silence.
"Here it is, Mushi masters. It's not the worst sickness in history, but it's bad. As I said earlier, Kahazuke, and as my wife told you, Ginko, I keep waking up. That's it. It's been happening for the last three or four months. Every hour or so I come back, and I'm fortunate to get four or five hours of sleep a night. It was just an oddity at first, but I feel myself weakened during the day now. That's all."
"Insomnia, the inability to attain a deep, lasting sleep… these have many causes," said Ginko.
"And I assume," said Kahazuke, "that no physician has found a cause or cure."
"Right. I've checked with physicians from miles around, and nothing. So I suspect mushi are involved."
"That could be the case," stated Ginko, "we'll have to see. Do you mind if I… we… observe you during sleep this night?"
"Sure, though I'll have even less with you two watching me."
"Are you thinking of Refayim, Ginko?" asked Kahazuke. Before Ginko could reply, Karashunni inquired.
"What's Refayim?"
"Refayim are a mushi that… would you, Ginko?"
"No, no, go on," said Ginko, sure that Kahazuke would wind up amending or correcting Ginko's explanation anyways.
"Refayim – a mushi found in the head around the brain casing of all humans and some of the more intelligent animals. They are very rarely seen floating about on their own."
"In my head? Can you see it right now?"
"Yes, as we can see each other's Refayim. At night it glows a pale yellow with activity. Its tendrils will even dangle out the ear at times, invisible to most and immaterial to all."
After a moment of silence, Karashunni asked, "Is that all?"
"For now. We'll have to observe you tonight."
"Guys, I have a hard enough time sleeping as it is. With you two watching me…"
"We'll peek every 30 minutes or so. You won't notice."
After a moment of deliberation, Karashunni accepted. "Okay. Sundown's in an hour."
The two nodded to one another. Ginko stood up while saying, "see you guys in an hour."
---
The salty sea air refreshed Ginko as always during his leisurely walk. He bumped into one of the men he'd met earlier and learned he was a tool maker and blade sharpener by trade. Of course, the occasional katana Ginko had seen in people's homes were decorative in nature; there had been no serious conflict on the island for decades prior to his birth. It was relieving to know that he lived in peaceful times. At the same time, it almost surely meant that less peaceful times were ahead.
Seeing the sun and the villagers retreat to their nightly abodes, Ginko hurried back to Karashunni's house. Stepping in through the front door he saw that everyone had already gone to sleep – except, of course, Kahazuke, who made a stool out of a dried up tree stump in one corner of the open concept room. Ginko slumped over in the corner opposite and next to his own pack, hoping this would provide adequate excuse for choosing the furthest possible spot from his elder.
Unconcerned by anything, it seemed, Kahazuke informed him. "I'm checking into something via mail."
"I see. Those eggs are amazing," said Ginko.
"Yes. It is a marvellous use of mushi for practical benefit, without harming anyone."
"What were you checking up on, specifically?"
"In due time, young man."
Oh boy, thought Ginko.
The next half an hour passed in silence between the two as they got some rest without allowing sleep to overcome them. It was difficult; the rhythmic, almost hypnotic sound of the crickets' chirping was hard to resist. At length, Kahazuke lit a candle and declared, "It's time."
The two crept upstairs in total silence, thanks to the meticulously cut and placed wood panelling underfoot. They walked down the short hallway to the furthest sliding door and stationed themselves at both ends.
"Let's take a look," whispered Kahazuke as he slid the door open.
Within the room slept a man in good health and spirits and his happy but concerned wife. He was accomplished in his work, was happily married, and had three children he loved. He would wake up in about an hour, and in the short duration of his sleep, a brilliant golden glow radiated from within his skull.