CEMETERY

A large circle of stones has been placed under the trees here. In the center is an altar, and directly around this, a trench has been dug into the earth. Wooden planks bridge the altar and nearby pathway. Several CROWS hop on the altar, investigating, pecking at the stone.

TAB'RIN, a young girl about seven years of age, sits, crying, against a nearby trunk. She rubs her eyes angrily, looks about as if spurred by an internal dialogue, and picks up the wooden training SWORD lying next to her. With fervor, she sprints the circumference of the mass grave, pretending to slice many invisible foes. The crows silently watch her.

In the distance, a BELL sounds several times, and the shouts of children fill the air. TAB'RIN freezes, turning to face the commotion, contemplating.

TOWN

A string of YAKS – hairy, camel-like draft animals with large hooves – slowly make their way down the main road, overloaded with satchels. CHILDREN ride atop as well as following alongside. The escorting MEN help the exhausted-looking CHILDREN down from the saddles as MONKS and OLDER CHILDREN rush to meet them, leading them by the hand.

CEMETERY

TAB'RIN looks down at her sword and slices another foe.

A solitary PRAYER, sung in an operatic, throaty tone, approaches the CEMETERY. The CROWS caw and hop gleefully, now perching on the stones. TAB'RIN leaps, startled, and dashes behind a tree.

ESCORT carries a small GIRL, dead, in his arms. A MONK sings just behind him, arms folded; he retrieves a small cymbal and clangs it as they pass the circle, cross the planks, and lay the GIRL upon the altar.

MONK
(unknown language, with English subtitles)
Her spirit has been freed from the suffering of the mortal realm.
(clanging cymbal)
Break free of these bonds to sing with your spirit brothers in the vast sea. Return to us in a new, blessed life.
(clangs again)
Arise!