Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

Balsa, a female spear wielder from Kanbal, has returned to the Shin Yogo Empire after two years to have her spear repaired.

Balsa makes preparations to leave the capital with Chagum. She must leave the city without being noticed, a task made difficult by the prince being overcome with the grief of leaving his family.

Balsa discovers that she and Chagum are being followed by the secret hunters, having no choice but to fight against these pursuers while Chagum runs away.

The Emperor is told that the secret hunters failed to capture the prince and finish Balsa off. After Torogai, an elderly magic weaver, defeats Hyoku and Rai, two warriors also sent by the Emperor, she sends a letter to the star diviners, warning them of a drought that is predicted to befall the kingdom and offering her help to prevent this from happening.

Torogai reveals that Chagum is carrying the egg of the water spirit, chosen to be its guardian. Balsa knows that the Emperor will never openly search for the prince, so she comes up with a plan to throw the Emperor off her trail.

Balsa and Chagum, now with his hair cut off, set off and head toward the mountains. Unable to pinpoint the location of the bodyguard and the prince, all of the Emperor's hunters split into separate areas.