Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

Painter jumps up, disoriented by the sunlight and wondering if he is dreaming. Yumi tries to cover herself with a blanket but finds that she is incorporeal, which makes Painter think she might be a nightmare. He has heard stories of nightmares becoming so stable that they take on flesh-like tones. However, he dismisses this idea because she is not violent; he also decides he is probably not dreaming.

Yumi soon calms down enough to point out that they are both wearing the clothing of the yoki-hijo. She guesses that he must be the spirit she talked to earlier. Instead of responding, Painter pretends to understand all this by feigning confidence. He then asks her where he is and why the wagon is mostly empty. She tells him that the yoki-hijo needs no possessions as her sole purpose is to contemplate the greatness of the spirits—this makes Painter uncomfortable.

When Painter looks out the window, he is amazed by the light, the heat, and the floating plants across the skyline. Seeing the daystar in the sky, he concludes that he must have been transported to the planet that was visible through the shroud in Kilahito.

Yumi’s attendants enter the wagon, carrying breakfast.