Georgetown Public Library

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

by Nahoko Uehashi

Balsa is a female bodyguard.  She is master of the short spear, an expert in martial arts, smart, and totally fearless.  Balsa is unknown in New Yogo until she rescues the Second Prince Chagum from drowning.  The prince’s mother suspects that someone is trying to kill Chagum and hires Balsa to protect her son.  While fleeing, Balsa realizes this job is far from ordinary.  Chagum exhibits strange behaviors from glowing at night, frightening nightmares, switching between two realities, and being inexplicably drawn to water.  Along their journey, with the help of two friends- Tanda and Torogai- they learn the truth of what troubles Chagum.  Chagum is the Moribito- Guardian of the Spirit.  The Water Guardian has laid its egg in Chagum and unless they get the egg to its home in the distant sea, New Yogo will experience a terrible drought.  It will take all her knowledge and skill to save Chagum from those who want him dead- the king of New Yogo and the egg eating monster Rarunga.