The Nez-lah and Teszin Reunion

The Reincarnationist Papers

Bando’s return to Latsei reunites him with Teszin but exposes how much a remembered home can change between lives.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Search Across the Sea A Search Across the Sea from "The Reincarnationist Papers". A Search Across the Sea Bando’s first family Bando tells Juan that he left his African family to find an earlier family he remembers.

A Search Across the Sea from "The Reincarnationist Papers". A Search Across the Sea Bando’s first family Bando tells Juan that he left his African family to find an earlier family he remembers.

A Search Across the Sea Bando’s first family Bando tells Juan that he left his African family to find an earlier family he remembers. His account is difficult to explain, but Juan recognizes a pattern that may indicate a shared condition. A promise to search Juan agrees to help Bando look for Latsei while also hoping to benefit from his silverworking. Their agreement begins as a mixture of loyalty and self-interest. A bond forms at sea Juan protects Bando from the ship’s captain and gives him food and a place to stay. Their relationship deepens as each learns what the other remembers and fears.

Coronado’s Expedition Coronado’s Expedition from "The Reincarnationist Papers". Coronado’s Expedition A march toward unknown country Juan and Bando travel with the expedition led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.

Coronado’s Expedition from "The Reincarnationist Papers". Coronado’s Expedition A march toward unknown country Juan and Bando travel with the expedition led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado.

Coronado’s Expedition A march toward unknown country Juan and Bando travel with the expedition led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. Bando watches the landscape for familiar features while Juan records what they encounter. Hawikuh reached The expedition attacks the settlement at Hawikuh after encountering resistance. Amid the aftermath, Bando recognizes a salt lake and realizes that his remembered home may be nearby. Hope redirects the journey Bando’s recognition turns a military expedition into a personal return. Juan must decide whether to keep following the expedition’s objectives or help his companion reach Latsei.

The Homecoming Rejected The Homecoming Rejected from "The Reincarnationist Papers". The Homecoming Rejected A familiar face in a new body Bando returns to Latsei and claims to be Nez-lah.

The Homecoming Rejected from "The Reincarnationist Papers". The Homecoming Rejected A familiar face in a new body Bando returns to Latsei and claims to be Nez-lah.

The Homecoming Rejected A familiar face in a new body Bando returns to Latsei and claims to be Nez-lah. The villagers see his dark skin and unfamiliar appearance as evidence that he is a threatening stranger. Teszin recognizes him Teszin asks a private question whose answer confirms the identity she remembers. Her recognition briefly creates space for Bando to be heard within a hostile community. Proof demanded publicly The chief requires Bando to recreate a silver collar within two days. Bando accepts, turning memory into a practical test whose result will determine whether he can remain in his former home.

The Village Celebrates The Village Celebrates from "The Reincarnationist Papers". The Village Celebrates A remembered craft repeated Bando completes a copy of the chief’s collar and demonstrates that his hands retain Nez-lah’s skill.

The Village Celebrates from "The Reincarnationist Papers". The Village Celebrates A remembered craft repeated Bando completes a copy of the chief’s collar and demonstrates that his hands retain Nez-lah’s skill.

The Village Celebrates A remembered craft repeated Bando completes a copy of the chief’s collar and demonstrates that his hands retain Nez-lah’s skill. The village accepts him and welcomes him back with a naming and dancing ceremony. Love recognized again Teszin stands beside Bando, and the shared name she once used confirms the intimacy of their earlier life. Their reunion gives Bando a moment of belonging that he had crossed continents to seek. A fragile restoration The welcome cannot restore the exact world Bando remembers. His parents are dead, the village has changed, and recognition depends on surviving a test that no ordinary homecoming would require.

An Epidemic and a Choice An Epidemic and a Choice from "The Reincarnationist Papers". An Epidemic and a Choice A sickness spreads Smallpox moves through Latsei, killing villagers and isolating the survivors.

An Epidemic and a Choice from "The Reincarnationist Papers". An Epidemic and a Choice A sickness spreads Smallpox moves through Latsei, killing villagers and isolating the survivors.

An Epidemic and a Choice A sickness spreads Smallpox moves through Latsei, killing villagers and isolating the survivors. Bando understands that he and Juan may have carried the disease into the community. Bando stays behind Juan urges Bando to leave for safety, but Bando refuses to abandon his people. When villagers attack him, Teszin dies by leaping from the cliffs, and Bando follows her in a final fall. Grief becomes grievance Juan leaves with the jewelry and continues his life, while Bando’s death becomes a wound that persists into later incarnations. Poppy’s later anger at Samas grows from this moment of betrayal and loss.

During the voyage to New Spain

During the expedition’s advance into the Southwest

When Bando reaches Latsei

Two days after Bando begins the collar

Days after the reunion