Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia (天幕のジャードゥーガル)

Long ago, scholars used geometry to learn the size and scope

of the Earth for the first time.

In which case, is it also possible to use geometry to determine

the size and scope of the fate we hold in our hands?

This is the story of a witch who made a vast continent her plaything.

Jaadugar

And just where are you trying to fly to, my little bird?

You are such a handful, child.

A.D. 1213 Tus Eastern Iran

Tus

All That Is in the Heavens and All That Is in the Earth

I love how full of life the bazaar is.

Mistress.

When your iddah mourning period for the late master ends, let's come shopping.

Good idea.

For today, though, I hope Allah will lead us to a fine slave.

Not as fine as you, of course.

All of them are hard workers.

This woman, for example, is skilled at cooking.

This one is a skilled seamstress.

And this one's a talker,

so perhaps she'd make a good conversation partner for you, Lady Fatima.

Perhaps.

But what we most need help with right now is...

The cleaning. That huge mansion is too much for me to handle alone.

Yes, and I still haven't finished sorting through my late husband's belongings.

Ah, say no more.

Then, how about this woman?

She has a true gift for cleaning.

My name is Anis.

Cleaning isn't about what you wish to discard,

but what you wish to keep.

Your days will be neat and tidy. I give you my word.

That would be wonderful.

How much for her?

I'll let you have her for 800 dirham.

I know slaves aren't cheap, but my goodness...

Mr. Ahmad, please. Can't you go a little lower?

I would normally refuse,

but I could make an exception and let you have her for half price.

What?

What?

But in return...

Come.

Go on. Do as I taught you.

Oh, how cute.

Who's this?

I acquired her just the other day. Her name is Sitara.

Oh, your name means "star." How lovely.

She's a bit bashful, but as you can see, her smile is quite fetching.

If properly educated, I reckon she could be a servant to someone of high standing.

So here's my proposal.

Lady Fatima.

Yours is a scholarly household,

and Young Master Muhammad's keen mind shines brightly even here in Tus.

Studying in your home will give her real cachet.

So might I trouble you to take her in for a while?

You agreed to his deal?

Please. You're the only one qualified to be her teacher now, Brother.

I'm still in my iddah, and I don't know any teachers outside our family.

Besides, slave or no, seeking knowledge is the duty of every Muslim.

I suppose.

Recitation is the cornerstone of all learning.

The first step on that journey is to recite the Quran properly.

Now, repeat after me.

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."

Now you.

Go on. Try saying it.

It's hopeless. This girl has absolutely no talent.

Try as I might, she just smiles and shows no interest in learning.

But I promised I would take her in.

I'll pay back the discount you got on the other slave.

I'm sorry, Brother.

I'll have him come fetch you. Wait here a while, all right?

Mr. Ahmad's establishment, right? I'll go.

Yes. Sorry to trouble you.

I have to get away.

I don't wanna get sold off to who knows where. I'm going home.

I'm lost.

Where's the way out?

A boy?

And Young Master Muhammad's keen mind shines brightly even here in Tus.

Excuse me.

Where's the door?

Th-This is most improper.

A female mustn't show herself before a man with her hair uncovered.

It's okay. I'm still little.

You're too close.

Besides, you look like you're still a child to me,

Young Master Muhammad.

Who are you, anyway?

My name is—

Ah! There you are!

I've looked high and low after you ran off.

The roses were so pretty, I had to come look.

She was looking for the way out.

Unbelievable. How could you try to escape?

Now, now. My brother will be back with Ahmad any minute now.

I'm so sorry.

You wanted to go back, didn't you?

Not to that man's place.

To the house I lived in with my mother.

My mother died, and her master sold me off.

Then it's not your house.

You're a slave.

If you want a real home to return to,

study hard so you'll be bought by a good master.

Then, I'm never ever gonna study!

I don't wanna study! I won't make cute faces anymore, either!

It only makes me more valuable!

If I study, I'll get sold off again somewhere even farther away than this!

I'm sick of going places where I don't recognize anything!

Little girl. Your name is Sitara?

So that's the reason you came here to study?

Our lots in life might be rather different, and yet...

Say, Zumurrud.

Would you fetch me a water bucket from the kitchen?

The larger the better.

Of course.

Come with me.

Where are we going?

The roof?

Will this do?

Yes, thank you.

I'm going to drop this into the courtyard, okay?

Young Master?

Is that girl really a lost cause?

Wh-What was that? What's going on?

What was that noise just now? Is everyone all right?

Did lightning strike the house?

A-Are you sure we aren't under enemy attack?

Is it those barbarous nomads?

A water bucket?

They're all in a panic.

Young Master, your little prank went too far.

If I might ask, why are you two so calm and composed?

Well, why wouldn't we be?

We knew it was going to hit the ground, so we covered our ears.

So one might say you predicted a future in which there would be a loud noise

and took appropriate precautions. Is that correct?

Well, uh, yes, I suppose.

Perhaps that is what learning is all about.

At this moment in time, you don't know where you are,

what is happening,

or what is going to become of you.

Your life is full of unknowns.

In a way, my uncle and the others down there are the same.

But if you study and become wise,

you will know the best course of action to take, whatever trouble you're in.

That can never be a bad thing.

That's what studying is?

Uncle!

Sorry for startling you! That was me!

This water bucket is all bent and won't stack anymore.

It no longer sparks joy.

Go and have it repaired.

I'll see to the cooking.

Why, hello there, Sitara.

If you have questions about anything, feel free to ask.

I... I will.

Thus Sitara found herself serving in a scholarly household,

while studying hard.

You look so pretty, Mistress!