Starlighter (32 page)

He tucked the pendant under his shirt and let it rest against the litmus finger. Now bright blue, it pulsed against his skin, though not painfully. Would it become a guide again in the coming journey? Only time would tell.

“Let’s see,” Jason said slowly. “I was wondering what happened with that black egg. What was it saying to you?”

“Oh, that.” Koren dangled a hand in the river. “He reminded me that if I came back to him, even though I would have to wear chains for a while, he would make sure of my safety.”

“Came back to him?”

“It’s hard to explain. I don’t really want to reopen my wounds. Maybe later.”

Jason glanced at her wrists. Even in the poor light, the bloodstained abrasions were visible. “Okay, I guess my next question is about Elyssa, but you likely can’t answer this one. When will she come back to try to find me? I know she will eventually. And where are my brothers, Adrian and Frederick? I haven’t told you about them yet, but I think they’re here somewhere.”

She drew her hand out of the water and pulled her knees close to her chest. “I think we have plenty of time. Tell me about them.”

Jason looked up at the sky. Arxad flew across the face of the moon, his wings flapping slowly and the bag dangling
from his claws. What a mysterious dragon he was. At times he seemed to be on the side of the humans. His willingness to take them to the mine and his gift of food for the journey gave them every reason to believe it. Yet, when he claimed that he would kill them if they didn’t keep their end of the bargain, his vicious eyes and the clear globe proved that he really meant it. He was a mystery, indeed.

“I’ll tell you about my brothers,” he said, “but I want to learn everything about you and this place, too…Starlight.”

Koren smiled and pointed at a moon setting on the western horizon. “First lesson. That is Pariah, our smallest moon. It is one of three that often rise together. And Trisarian…” She shifted her finger to the opposite horizon where a larger moon peeked above the tree line. “Trisarian is the one that shines brightest, but it’s always alone when it rises to its apex. Sometimes I think Pariah needs to be alone as well.”

“Pariah is a sad name.”

Breathing a sigh, Koren nodded. “It is appropriate. He always seems to be wearing a sad face. It is said that sky rocks constantly strike his surface, and the other moons hurl insults at him.”

“Insults?” Jason suppressed a smile. “Do you really believe that?”

Koren laughed. “No. There are many superstitions that I play along with, but I don’t really believe them.”

Jason laughed with her. Koren seemed so innocent and naïve, yet filled with wisdom at the same time. Maybe her slavish life of poverty and sacrifice had given her more
insight during her few years than most get in a lifetime. She might be able to teach him a few things. “How do you separate superstition from reality?” he asked. “Who is to say what’s true and what’s not true?”

Koren looked up at the rising moon again. “Most of my people can’t tell the difference, but I can.”

“Because you’re a Starlighter?”

She straightened her cloak again, though it was already straight. “No, that’s not it.”

“Then how can you tell?”

Turning back to him, she slid her hand into his. “I have so much to say to you about our ways here, Jason. If you’ll just stay with me, I will teach you, but not all at once.”

Jason looked at their clasped hands. Her hand was rough, hardened from her many labors, but it felt cool and good, a touch of friendship that revived memories of his adventures with Elyssa when he and Adrian stormed the castle to rescue her from the clutches of dragons. “Okay,” he said. “Not all at once. But can I at least have a second lesson? I was hoping for more than just a moon’s name.”

“Very soon. I promise.” She released his hand and took the pole from him. “You look exhausted. Lie down. I’ll guide the raft for a while and sing you a song. The words will be a symbol for our journey.”

“A song?” Jason lay down on the rough logs, keeping his gaze on her. “Sure. Why not?”

As the raft continued following the river’s gently meandering course, Koren looked out over the water and sang.

When hands entwine, two hearts in line,

Impossible things come true.

Together we’ll hold, together be bold,

As long as it’s me and you.

When she finished with a sigh, Jason sat up and slid his hand back into hers. “That sounds good to me.”

“Yes,” Koren said. “As long as we follow the light together, the Creator will help us find our way.”

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