Balsa Yonsa

Balsa Yonsa is a wandering spear-wielder and one of the main characters of the Moribito series. She is a woman in her early thirties and originally comes from the country of Kanbal. Despite claiming to be a simple bodyguard-for-hire, in reality she wields her spear in order to save lives in atonement for the eight lives that were taken to protect her when she was a child. Balsa agrees to become the bodyguard of Prince Chagum as her eighth and final job after she happens to save his life. Balsa must protect Chagum from relentless assassins as well as the spirit within her young charge as he attempts to master and understand his own powers. Balsa is a very serious woman, sometimes appearing cold to others though not without reason. Headstrong, wise, and adept at resolving situations where her life may be at risk says the very least of her wide set of abilities. At times she is kind to the various travelers and people she meets alongside her journey, but has a keen sense of knowing how to act when she's in danger. Balsa possesses incredible battle sense, due to natural instinct and experience, so she is capable of holding her own against elite warriors such as the Hunters. However, she is careful not to kill her opponents in battle out of a sense of guilt towards the deaths she indirectly caused and has honed her ability so that she can protect herself and others. Balsa takes on an almost "motherly" role for Chagum after the Queen entrusts his life to her. She cares deeply for Chagum's safety and well-being, while at the same time teaching him what's its like to live as a villager, no matter how harsh or cold the treatment may be. A patient teacher, Balsa is a strict, yet positive role model for Chagum. This supercedes the fact that Balsa does in fact care for him. She slowly opens up to Chagum, and tells him stories of her past, and how Jiguro was like a father to her, just like how Balsa is with Chagum.