Episode #1 - "Torn": Star Chasers (Volume 1) (6 page)

    
When they rounded a bend in the path, coming almost to the outer street, they froze in their tracks, staring into the shadows. Even Ty sensed something peculiar. His form straightened and he forgot about his sickness. They stood there gawking for a time, unsure what to do, their thoughts reeling.

    
Triist spoke first. “Who is that?”

    
“I’m not sure...” Ty said, moving closer. “I think it’s Rhyess.”

    
“Is he okay?”

    
“He’s just sleeping... Watch this!” Ty said mischievously. Ty staggered over to the figure—half walking, half crawling. He crept next to Rhyess’s ear and shouted, “Wake up!” giggling and turning to Triist. Rhyess didn’t flinch. “Wake up!” yelled Ty again, “Nap time’s over, got to get you to a bed. You are going to be one sorry person tomorrow, my friend. Come on sit up, here... there that’s better... Open those eyesees... There, how’s that?”

    
Triist came over and took Rhyess’s other arm, trying to help him to his feet. “Come on stand up now,” coaxed Ty. “Both feet... what’s that?... Aw, did you have to go and do that, too?”

    
“Ty,” began Triist calm and fully aware now, “Ty, that’s not... Oh, my,” she gasped touching her hand to a wet spot on the ground, “Ty! Ty put him down!”

    
“One more step,” laughed Ty.

    
“Ty, come on! Snap out of it!” screamed a panicked Triist. “Put him down!”

    
“No, we’re going home,” stated Ty sadly. “Come on, Rhyess. Open up your eyes... Rhyess... Rhyess...”

    
“He’s dead,” spoke a voice from the darkness. A form stepped toward the light, shifting uneasily. Triist saw a shimmer or sparkle as the figure came closer, “No,” she cried out, “Put it down! Put it down!” she wailed and shrieked.

    
Ty regained most of his numbed senses as adrenaline surged through him. “Put it down, and back away, slowly,” cautioned Ty. “Do it, now!”

    
“I... I...” stuttered the other, “I... didn’t mean to...”

    
Ty loomed up full on his feet. “Put the knife down and back away...” Ty kicked at the blade as it fell from the other’s hands and quickly lunged for it, fearing the other would grab it again. “Aehrone?” he queried. Ty positioned the blade precariously in his hand.

    
“Yes,” whimpered the other.

    
“Why?” inquired Ty and Triist simultaneously. “Why did you do it?”

    
“I... I... don’t know...” responded Aehrone, seeming confused.

    
Aehrone ambled backward, almost falling as Ty pressed forward. Ty’s expression was cold and angry. Triist followed him, close and cautious. “Ty,” she chided, “put the knife down. It is over.”

    
Ty only glowered. “Please Ty,” she begged. “Put it down and step away.”

    
Then a cacophony of many voices came, as a group of people burst out of a building ahead of them. The newcomers only saw the body and the weapon. Hands groped at Ty, forcing him to the ground. “Drop the knife!” shouted one voice louder and harsher than the others, “Or I’ll break your arm!”

    
“But...” Triist objected, though no one heeded her. “He didn’t...”

    
A heavy boot pressed down on Ty’s arm as the knife was pried from his fist. The heel ground at his wrist and forearm sending deep pain throughout. Ty was spun about by strong hands, only the carefully focused power of his mind kept his arm from breaking, and immediately his eyes met those of Phaylio. Phaylio’s countenance was surprisingly reserved, though his eyes spoke volumes.

    
“Ty, is this what it seems?”

    
Ty’s mouth opened but no words came out—almost as if someone of the first power kept the words from his tongue. Triist stepped between Ty and the others, but Ty could see that she too was no longer in full control of herself.

    
Phaylio pushed her aside. “How could you off all... Do you know what you have done? Not only to yourself but to that poor man lying cold over there... You are marked, Ty, and you must leave, at once!”

    
Phaylio turned and walked away, his head drooping and his face bearing the weight of his many years. He seemed diminished. Triist grabbed Phaylio by the hand and bade him to stop, but he cast her hands away. Triist went back to help Ty to his feet as everyone began to turn their backs on him.

    
“You don’t understand...” she started to say. “It wasn’t...”

    
“I did it,” admitted Aehrone, stepping out of the shadows. “I did it,” he repeated. “I have marked us all.”

    
Phaylio gasped as he turned around, eyes wide with shock. “You?” he asked, pointing at Aehrone. “You did this? Do you know what this means?”

    
Aehrone rose up tall on heavy feet, breathing harshly, “Yes, I do... Is there no way I can make amends?”

    
“There is not,” stated Phaylio.

    
Phaylio came back over and offered Ty a hand, seeing Triist was having trouble helping him up. Ty had pain in his legs and arms. Even though his wrist felt broken, he did not attempt to mend it. He had dared to use his powers one too many times in the presence of others, it would be his undoing. He watched as those around him turned from outrage to dismay. None berated Aehrone for his deed, nor did anyone acknowledge his presence. With the help of Phaylio and Triist, Ty also walked away. He would return in the morning to find a proper resting place for Rhyess.

Life works in cycles that begin again and again; so despite heavy minds and hearts, the day started fresh. A mild southeast breeze swept through the village in small swelling puffs. The sky was obscured in a burden of heavy clouds and not clear until just shy of the noon hour.
Ty and Shilastar took a walk that morning; she carried the news to Ttuirre, and Ty tagged along.

    
Shilastar maintained an especially slow gait, for which Ty was thankful. All the exercise was trimming his rounded belly and slimming his legs. Shilastar noted the change, as she did each time he visited. She liked it. Ty had a good base frame, he just needed to work it better and not let it set to ruin. She gave herself a mental reminder to have Erant give Ty a talk.

    
Shilastar stopped at her customary halfway point, resting more out of habit and because Ty looked as if he could use a reprieve, even though he wasn’t sweating as profusely as he had the last time they had journeyed. She did a little dance as the sun came out bright and bold over head, peeking out from behind scattering clouds.

    
“Ty?” began Shilastar, checking to see if he was listening to her or not, “I know you plan to leave. I can see the longing in your eyes to be away... Yet, I have a question I would like to ask. Would you do me one last favor, Ty?”

    
“Last favor, what are you talking about?” inquired Ty, not understanding the direction of her question.

    
“Would you stay if I asked you to?” asked Shilastar. Seeing Ty’s confusion, she added, “For an extra week, I mean.”

    
Ty stopped stretching his legs and stood still. “Why?”

    
“When I was in Ttuirre the other day, before I gathered the... well, before I told Erant what had happened, well, he asked, and I said—I said I would think about it. And I have. Do you understand what I am saying?”

    
Ty wasn’t taken aback by her confusion of words but by the speed of her speech. He slowly ran her words through his mind again to decipher them. “No,” he answered honestly.

    
“I talked it over with father last night after you had gone to bed. He told me things had changed and it was all right now... I hadn’t told him before then that he had asked, but he said he had guessed it.”

    
“What?” asked Ty, still mixed up.

    
“Erant asked me to marry him, Ty.”

    
“Hhmm...”

    
“I’m going to tell him yes,” appended Shilastar hurriedly, closely watching Ty. She expected him to at least look at her when she told him something so important, but Ty’s head tilted back and his eyes looked heavenward. “I tell you the most important choice of my life and you aren’t even paying attention! Ty! Ty?” shouted Shilastar.

    
“Uh-ha...”

    
“That does it!” Shilastar stomped off, leaving him alone. Ty didn’t even glance at her as she left, making her even more furious. Shilastar turned on her heel and stormed back over in front of him, her arms gesturing wildly, “Ty, you’re not going to get off that easy. I’m not going to let you! Damn it!”

    
Ty returned from his distraction, staying her wrath, not understanding what she was all in a fuss about. He hadn’t listened to a thing she had said, though he had heard her words. Ty pointed skyward at a ship that was not quite there, and if Shilastar hadn’t followed its movement with her eyees, she would have flattened him with her clenched fist.

    
“They...” she faltered. Both ran at full stride back to Phaylio’s village. Shilastar was surprised by Ty’s burst of speed, and she had to struggle to keep up with him for the first several hundred yards, until she outpaced him, and then after she grew tired, they had to help each other along and slacken the pace.

    
Her house was empty when they arrived. The streets were empty, the inn was vacant. Voices carried to them, a growing murmur of unrest. They found the hall full and stepped in. Phaylio stood at the head of the assembly. His face was sullen, and yet raised pointedly. His voice subsided, falling as if from a great height, as he saw Shilastar enter.

    
Phaylio quenched the disquiet, and bade none to speak. He dismissed the throng, took Shilastar’s hand, and escorted her from the hall. Ty pursued them, even though he thought he shouldn’t. Phaylio did linger at the door momentarily, as if he wanted Ty to catch up, but he did not delay long.

    
Ty couldn’t hear what Phaylio spoke into Shilastar’s ear. He did, however, hear her sobs growing more impassioned. He watched as Phaylio put his arm around her and held her close, absently stroking her long hair to soothe her. And then he waited for what seemed hours outside while her father conferred with her. Finally, and ironically just before Shilastar sought him out, Ty wandered away. He was kicking at the dirt in his path when she found him.

    
Shilastar’s teary eyes were red and puffy. Her face was wet and she soaked his shirt as she pressed against him. “He wants to talk to you,” whispered Shilastar in a thin whispery voice that Ty could scarcely discern. “He wants to talk to you,” she repeated.

    
Ty did as he was told and entered the house, while Shilastar remained outdoors for a while longer. He entered the large foreroom, which was empty, coming slowly at last to Phaylio’s sleeping room. The door was closed, but not shut tight, and as Ty knocked against its surface it opened about halfway.

    
“Sit down, sit down...” warmly invited Phaylio. “Good, good,” he added as Ty did so, patting Ty on the back.

    
“Phaylio?” questioned Ty, jumping out of his seat as he watched Phaylio’s lower jaw begin to tremble.

    
“Perhaps you had better come back later, Ty,” remarked Phaylio. “I know, let us watch the sun set tonight, you and I. We’ll go take a long walk, and I will feel much better. Why don’t you leave me now and come back then, all right?”

    
Ty was slow to move, turning and leaving only after Phaylio nodded with closed eyes. He found Shilastar in the kitchen, working on dinner with a frenzy. Ty startled her as he entered, and the bowl she was mixing fell from her hands, shattering against the floor. She bent down to pick up the mess of broken pieces and thick liquid as best she could, then tired to chase Ty out of the room.

    
Ty returned, and set to helping her nevertheless, refusing her angry glares. “Get out, get out right now! This has to be perfect, and I don’t need your help! Go away...”

    
“What’s wrong?” Ty persisted.

    
“What do you mean, what’s wrong? Go, go, go if you want dinner sometime this evening.”

    
“Shilas... what? What did I do?”

    
Shilastar didn’t answer but sent him back into the foreroom, closing the door in his face. A small feast was displayed on the table two hours later, in twelve courses, proof that when Shilastar was flustered, her mind set her hands to work. The table was set. But just after Ty and Phaylio were seated, Shilastar slipped away leaving the two to wait, reveling in the aromas of a wonderful variety of foods.

    
Ty’s mouth was watering, and he was almost drooling as he sat waiting patiently, hoping Phaylio would begin without her. But he didn’t. Ty had just about edged his hand up to a piece of bread, moving it a fraction of an inch at a time, only just touching his fingers into it, as Shilastar returned. His jaw dropped, and he did salivate as he gazed upon her.

    
Shilastar wore a blue gown, ruffled at the bottom, not too high of leg, laced at the top, tucked nicely off the shoulders, and her hair was tied back in a long triple braid. “I’m glad you approve,” she snapped at Ty, “it was my mother’s dress, on the day she and my father were joined. Now close your mouth and raise your glass.”

    
Shilastar filled the glasses and the meal began. There was a renewed sparkle in Phaylio’s heavy eyes as he brought the drink to his lips. He saw hope and he was pleased. Phaylio handled the food almost daintily, unsure which morsel to place in his mouth first or next. Ty followed similarly, he had never known Shilastar could cook so fabulously.

    
“Now,” spoke Shilastar when dinner was at a close, “are you sure you can eat no more? If I carry these dishes back to the kitchen, you will see them no more... One last chance!” She added this with a smile.

    
Ty rolled his eyes and patted his stomach. He couldn’t eat another thing, but he took a small dab just to please her and quell her insistence. He washed it down with the last of his drink, waving away her wish to fill his glass. The thought that he was having a sort of last supper occurred to Ty, but he shook it off.

    
Phaylio helped his daughter clear and cleanse the dishes, but Ty didn’t budge from his spot. He was too full. Ty turned his chair and he watched them. The attire didn’t last long on Shilastar, she quickly returned to her usual style of outfitting.

    
Shortly afterward, Ty and Phaylio took their stroll. There were still several hours before the dwindling day shifted to night, so the two walked for a long while before either spoke. The air shifted from soothing warmth to cool, and the clouds were thick and billowy, dark in many parts. But no rain came.

    
Ty did not notice the far horizon had cleared until now. The pale greens, stemming toward blue and then into violets dazzled and inspired him. The first sun would touch the horizon soon and its sister would follow. The clouds shifted, and their dark presence seemed to enhance to the burst of colors.

    
Even before Phaylio spoke, Ty knew he had stayed too long in one place. Life ambling free from place to place was catching up to him. He had too many ties, too many old relations. Perhaps it was time to start anew. He was just beginning to recount the number of ties he had spread out in the various places he visited now and again, when Phaylio began to speak.

    
“She is beautiful, isn’t she?” asked Phaylio.

    
“Yes, she is.”

    
“The dawn of twelfth era has begun... You witness its birth.”

    
“It is magnificent...” replied Ty, misunderstanding.

    
Phaylio cast a sidelong glance at Ty. “She broke the cycle.”

    
“Phaylio?” queried Ty, but it was too late, the other’s face was drawn and his gaze was distant.

    
“She has eyes just like her mother...” mumbled Phaylio, “You see those beautiful highlights... A touch of glitter here, a sparkle there. Look at the light on her face. Do you see what I mean, boy? It is such a powerful sight. Many things happen beneath their eyes...”

    
Ty stared at Phaylio, unsure how to respond. Was Phaylio talking about Shilastar or the sunset? Or was he talking about them both? Unconsciously, Ty held his breath, and then had to gasp for air as the first sun touched the land. He continued to study Phaylio out of the corner of his eye.

    
“Do you feel the power when they connect? A great shifting of forces... the wind even bows to her strength, turning now in its ceaseless cascade. Do you feel it? Did you know there is a lake way over yonder, on the other side of that ridge? No one goes there now, but we used to. We’d take walks there, gentle amblings as the sun settled from the sky. And we’d get there just in time to bathe beneath the twilight, and in the warm, gentle lake waters. The night breezes were cool on our skin, but we would linger. Do you know how many seasons have come and gone since we last went there together? I held her hand then, it is warm and rough now, but I recalled it smooth and delicate then... I have counted each in another’s eyes marking the changes, each and every one. I knew one day sooner than I hoped, I would tell her, and I would tell her of each and every change...

    
“Forty seasons, Ty, have come and gone since we last swam there; and while the age of maturity for you would hold four more, we are different here... We count the scale the way it was meant to be, and not the way it was changed.

    
“Come, let’s walk some more, I’d like to show you that place. If you hold your step just thus, we will be there before the second...”

    
The two walked in a direction Ty had never ventured and Shilastar had never lead him. There was no path, and high rough grasses corrupted the way. A few hills some low and rounded, a few high and sharp, separated them from the ridge Phaylio had pointed out. The walk was brisk, but not overly taxing. They breached the ridge and had vaulted down its far side, arriving precisely when Phaylio had predicted.

    
The lake was small, and its water lapped gently against a rough shore. But one place held an abundant supply of sand, and this where Phaylio lead Ty. He brought Ty to the very edge of the water, a place precariously close for Ty, who preferred his water only for drinking and cleansing.