One week later, Night of the Burning Stars

The edge of the blade slid effortlessly through the bandages around her forearm, splitting the fabric cleanly in two and sending both halves to the desktop. Her skin was mostly healed underneath, but little dark dots dimpled the surface like a new gallery of freckles that spiraled from her wrist to her elbow.

“Guess those are gonna be permanent,” Halari muttered, twirling her new knife in her hand. It was an effective, sharp tool, but not exactly what she wanted; Callan had brought back three knives for her to test and this one was closest to what she liked, but it was almost too light. He said that the Scrag Fort trader claimed it was made from some type of local, specialty alloy and would be way more durable than her old weapon, but Halari worried that it might shatter is she tapped it too hard.

“They add mystery,” Viria giggled, leaning forward over the desk and poking her finger into the wounds. They didn’t hurt to touch, but Halari felt them anyways like little points of pressure on her flesh. “You can make up all kinds of stories for other people when they ask.”

“What really happened is already crazy enough,” Halari said, leaning back into her chair with a sigh. She rotated her arm around, inspecting it. “Nobody’s gone that way, right?”

“Uh-uh, fuck no,” Viria said with a vigorous shake of her head. “Big invisible tentacle monsters are a good way to scare off the team.”

“Yeah.” Halari stood up and stretched. “And... no signs of Jora?”

Viria frowned and the shaking of her head turned more sullen, more gentle. “She’s gone, Halari.”

“I figured,” Halari said. “Betrayer’s damnation! I just... where the hell did she go?” Over an entire week of searching produced absolutely nothing of value or even hinted at a lead to follow. The woman, in terms of evidence, had simply walked out of the Quarry and stopped existing.

“I don’t think we’ll ever know,” Viria said, pulling her sister into a light hug. They stayed together like that for a long moment before separating. Halari pulled herself together and turned her mind away from the regretful thoughts. Tonight was supposed to be one of celebration and community, not failures.

“Ready for the party?” Viria asked, a mischeivous glint to her eyes that Halari prayed she wouldn’t act on. But of course, her sister, ever the dramatic, let her mouth rule the moment. “I bet you and Callan are gonna own the floor.”

“Pffft, ha-ha,” Halari chuckled, not allowing her nerves to show. There was plenty of excitement, for sure, but more than a bit of anxiety to match it. She tried to change the subject. “How about you? Going with Davio?”

Viria bared her teeth in an awkward grimace and shrugged. “That didn’t really work out. I’m an open opportunity this year.”

“Oh. Sorry,” Halari said, shuffling about on her feet. Her sister didn’t even skip a beat to keep talking on their way out of their home, so she figured Viria wasn’t all that disappointed. The tension in the air was palpable as the people of Stargazer’s Quarry prepared for the night. Tables were being set up, stores were closing the shutters and moving some good out into the open. Everybody moved with purpose and energy, smiles plastered to their faces while got ready. She saw a couple homes set rigging their very limited stock fireworks to launch.

“I can already taste the Fort ale that the traders brought back last week!” Viria beamed, definitely thinking about how many cups she was going to go through. “And the pies from they got from the caravans a couple days ago.”

“It’s definitely gonna be a good one this year,” Halari said, failing to protect herself from her sister’s infectious grin. They turned a corner and came in view of the Temple where she spotted Callan speaking with a group of citizens. Captain Dalvo, in plain clothes for once, stood nearby talking to some of his men.

“This is where I conveniently find something else to do,” Viria said slyly once they were close to the landing. “Have fun.” Before Halari could protest, the blonde borderline dashed off somewhere, leaving her alone to approach.

It’s just Callan, Halari told herself. Her heart started thudding in her chest like a gravelizer hammer in the mines. We literally had dinner last night. Still, nerves crawled up her toes and spine, but she tried to clobber the shakiness back down. What had she been thinking asking him for a dance like that, half-unconscious and beat all to hell?

The group around him dissipated and he glanced over to see her absolutely confidently step up on the landing, definitely not at all portraying any sign of stress at all.

Callan grinned at her and those nerves stilled in an instant. She chided herself; of course there was nothing to worry about.

“You made it,” he said. “I was beginning to think I’d have to navigate this mess all by myself.”

“Had to take my bandages off,” Halari said with a light laugh, showing her arm. “That new knife you got me really is sharp.”

“Glad you like it,” Callan said. He looked away from her over the town where the people had suddenly disappeared into their homes.

What came next was part of the tradition.

The Rush.

“So when is this supposed to start?” Callan asked.

“Soon.” Halari beamed brightly at her home, counting the seconds. “Real soon.” She bounced up and down on her toes, feeling the buzz of excited furor in her very veins. Building in her skin. It drowned the nagging regret for Jora, the concern ab0ut the gildgrown, the perimeter of danger that surrounded the Quarry. She let it all go as this was the one day a year where she truly loved being part of the community.

And this year she had a dance partner.

“Thanks to you we have the good stuff this year.” She could taste the puddings from Scrag Fort. “Your whole trade system is really bringing in the good stuff.”

“Being a living Cell charger has its advantages,” Callan said, smiling again. Halari realized that his eyes were getting brighter, the amethyst-ruby glow prominent in the dwindling light of the day. “How much ore is left in the current vein your father’s crew is mining?”

“Enough for a while,” Halari said. “And whatever we find in the Spire is really gonna help out”.

“Do you think I’m playing too safe and moving too slow on that front?” he asked. “Not doing enough?”

“No, not at all. Especially since we might get those masks and more people to help.” Halari shook her head and took hold of his arm. “Even if we never make it to the Spire, Callan, you’ve already done more for the Quarry than most.”

“You’re good people,” Callan said softly, gazing down at her. “You work hard when you have a reason to have faith and somebody to stoke your potential.”

“We just needed a good leader.” Halari stepped close to him, eliminating the distance enough to make a point. She could do this, right? Take what she wanted like his faith encouraged? No fear, no hesitation, just an ambitious gambit. “And here you are.” She leaned into him...

A sizzling whistle interrupted the moment, snapping both of their attentions to the sky where a trail of white smoke swirled up above the rooftops.

Halari barely made out the black dot that was the shell before it exploded into deep purple and green sparks with a thunderous crack!

Then, the howl rose up from the city.

And the Rush began.

Halari smiled glowingly while the people of Stargazer’s Quarry flooded from their homes in a manic horde of flailing limbs and trampling feet. Barrels and kegs of drinks and treats were planted on driveways as stores were broken open. There was more than last year since trade was reopened, giving the people more confidence to be a little more giving.

“So it begins,” Callan said while more shells launched into the air and exploded into showers of color. “What’s first?”

“You willing to let somebody else take charge for a little while?” Halari smirked at him, then held out her hand. Callan eyed suspiciously with a small grin.

“Only if I trust them.” He took her hand without another moment’s hesitation, allowing her to pull him into the Jubilee.

Even through their fervor, the people made space for Callan. Some had worship in their postures and even reached out to touch him, others shied away from the pressure of his approach. Halari saw some familiar faces; some of her brother’s gang of zealots were attending, and they glared after them when they passed. No doubt Telero was going to hear about how his sister was seen hand-in-hand with the Storm Devil.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Can’t wait for that talk. She didn’t let that thought dampen her good mood, though. It was time to have some fun and no guaranteed reprimand from that idiot was enough to ruin that.

Halari pulled Callan to the Bellit’s house first. It was already swamped with a huge crowd in their front lawn. The family was known for its wide selection of party games, especially the ashbud barrel hunt.

“Hala!” Viria returned in a frenzy, face and hair already soaked from her turn hunting for buds. Knowing her, Halari guessed that she’d been hovering near the yard to go as early as possible. had one bulbous fruit in her hand, a dud from the look of it. “I got one but it’s empty.” She frowned and flicked it on its fleshy surface.

“Is it supposed to have something in it?” Callan glanced at the barrel with a wary look.

“One of them is an actual prize,” Halari said. “The Bellits hide a piece of jewelry in one each year. Usually an earring or bracelet they make out of scrap metal.” She grinned, an suddenly evil idea popping into existence, and turned to him. “Why don’t you see if you can find it?”

He looked to her, then the barrel of water, then back to her. “Absolutley not.”

“You have to,” Halari said, her smile stretching into something feral, almost manic.

“Says who?” Callan scoffed.

“Says me.” Halari patted him on the shoulder. “You might have taken over as our leader, but if you really want to connect with the people even more, you want to ashbud hunt at least one. It’s essential, I swear.”

Callan groaned like he was in pain. “Very well.”

Great Visionary that actually worked. She covered her mouth and giggled, only feeling a tiny amount of guilt for using his want to connect with the people like that. But this opportunity was way too good to pass up. Callan walked up to the barrel and the crowd hushed, awed to see their Blessed Flame look into the water for a fruit.

With an amused glare in her direction, Callan dunked his whole head into the barrel.

“Wooo!” Viria cheered and clapped wildy, giggling like a madwoman. Halari finally gave in and laughed hard enough to make her stomach ache, then doubled over as Callan came up with a large splash and an ashbud in his teeth. The onlookers hollered and cheered at the ridiculous sight of their ruler joining the party in such a grand way. He grabbed the bud in one fist, studied it for a moment, then struck with two fingers into its flesh.

And pulled out the prize.

Halari stopped laughing when Callan walked back and presented the silver stud earring to her in pinched fingers.

“I found it,” he said, golden hair soaking with water while a smug look soaked his face. He pushed the piece of jewelry toward her.

You sly bastard. In that moment, it became one of the most valuable things she owned. Halari gazed at him and smiled warmly, fixing the stud to her ear. “You cheated, didn’t you?”

“Of course not,” Callan said, dripping onto the street, “but I do have vision perfected by the power of a dragon god, so...” A partygoer came up and handed him towel, bowing as they approached and bowing as they left. He dried himself off and his hair seemed to rearrange itself on its own back to the usual style.

“How does your hair do that?” Viria asked, staring stupefied. “That’s not natural.”

Callan shrugged. “Praise Melokon.”

“Come on,” Halari laughed, grabbing him by the elbow. She felt lighter in spirit than she had in some time and any nerves were completely at ease. Tomorrow was back to work, back into the worries of the war and the world, but tonight was a much-needed break. And it was almost time for the main event. “I wanna see how much you let me get away with tonight.” She pulled him down the street, calling farewell to her sister as they ran off.

They grabbed a couple canisters of the Zaxes’s family homemade alcoholic brew on the way. It was made from fermented beanstalk and ashbud skins boiled in charcoal-filtered water. The Zaxeses made only made enough supply for one day a year.

It was fantastic, warm and sour on her tongue, and heated her stomach pleasantly.

“Tastes like Miller Lite,” Callan said, studying the canister nostagically.

“What’s that?” Halari asked. They were getting closer to the dancing yard now; the beats of metallic pans and notes of string instruments grew in volume on the evening breeze.

“The worst good beer of my time.” He downed a bit of his can in a long drag, a wistfullness to his body language. “We had more alcoholic brews back then than there are people in this city. At the peak of my old reign, you could a twelve pack for six silvers.”

“Sounds like a good deal,” Halari said. Callan chuckeld and shook himself back to the moment.

“Remember to stop me if I reminisce too much,” he chuckled.

“I like learning about your past,” Halari said. “Especially after learning the truth from the Melokide, hearing about the old world from your eyes is like putting a missing screw back in my gun.”

“Anything specific you want to know?” Callan looked hopeful that she had some questions. He didn’t talk about his time all that much, but Halari realized she didn’t ask all that much. This was as good a time as any to learn something interesting.

“Hmmm...” She thought for a few seconds, sipping her drink while she sorted through all the curiosities at her fingertips. “What was music like back then?” She nodded towards the noise coming from the dancing yard. “Hopefully better than this.”

Callan beamed. “Good question.” He took another drink before answering.

“Every song,” he began, “was a love story. I’m happy to see it has persisted so long past the end of the world. Most weren’t very good, but some with truly beautiful works of art.”

“What was your favorite?” she asked. He made it so profound and almost mystical, but then again his way of talking usually did that.

“I was pretty fond of one that argued against living forever,” Callan said. “As ironic as that might sound.”

They stopped outside the throng of dancing Stargazers as the current song came to a raucous close. The live musicians really needed somebody else on the clang plates because the newbie looked like he was just hammering like a brainless machine. Callan nodded along with the loose beat of the music, smiling warmly at the dancers. In the far corner, she spotted Captain Dalvo trapped against the fence, surrounded by a trio of pretty women. The poor officer looked scared, but he seemed to be talking well enough, judging by his audience’s laughs.

“Oh, Callan, we’re not here just to watch.” Again Halari held out her hand. He met her look steadily, but not without some trepidation. “It’s time I redeemed my reward.” She was mildly surprised when he didn’t protest at all and just took her hand for her lead. Callan followed her onto the yard where a new song was just getting into rhythm.

And they danced.

By the Visionary, Halari thought, holding back a giggle when Callan almost stepped on her foot, he’s terrible at this. She tried to show him a simple one at first, a set of moves that sprung from old miners made to keep beat, but a man who spent most of his time in a regal posture didn’t move to music all too well.

After ten or so minutes of hilarious failure that left her breathlessly giggling, the music slowed, and in a perfectly unintentional spin, Halari pushed herself closer to Callan.

And they swayed.

He did that well enough.

Across the way, and much to her surprise, she spied Viria dancing with Dalvo, having seemingly rescued the militiaman from the ambush.

“I hope your toes are alright,” Callan said softly. Halari was happy to see that he looked at ease, a little more content than usual. He was so close to her that she felt him breathing.

“They might need some bandages,” she whispered. “We should work on your footwork.”

He chuckled and smiled, pulling her just a bit closer to him. They swayed quietly untl of the current song, Halari enjoying the warmth he generated like a cooking top that protected her from the chill of the night.

“You wanna get out of here?” Halari asked, looking up to meet Callan’s eyes. “There’s something you should see.”

“Lead the way,” Callan said.

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A few minutes later, she stalled the trawler on the top of a short plateau just north of where the Great Tanks were set into the cliff arround the city.

“What are we doing out here?” Callan asked, looking around at the empty, quiet wasteland. The Quarry’s ambient light illuminated the area enough to show some details like big rocks and skeletal plans. Nothing special, like usual.

Halari unrolled her shiny thermal blanket onto the ground and plopped onto the foil. “Come sit down.” She tried not to let her excitement boil over and ruin the surprise; the look on his face when it started was going to be priceless.

Callan sat down next to her, studying the landscape. Little did he know that it wasn’t the land she thought he needed to see.

“Every year, Stargazer’s Quarry has a big party,” Halari said, tilting her head and staring at the always-empty black smear that was the night sky. “Also once a year, the same night, whatever’s clogging the sky clears up. Just for a little while.” She smiled, proud of herself for timing this almost perfectly.

“What?” Callan looked confused.

“Look.” Halari pointed up. He followed her finger just as the first star broke into existence on the canvas of a dead sky.

Then another.

And another.

And dozens more.

Callan gaped at the sight of a miasma of cosmic lights. They lit up the world with a pure, blueish hue, dwarfing the Quary contribution by a mile. The ground mirrored its distant twin with minerals made by a nuclear forge. Whatever they were, they absorbed the starlight and reflected it back up, making a spectacular mirage that always gave Halari an impression of what it was like to be lost in space.

“Thank you for showing me this, Halari.” Callan’s voice was awed and grateful. His eyes were locked onto the artwork that shone above them and basked them in a clean light. The dismay and grief that always dominated his face when looking at the landscape beyond the Quarry was nowhere to be found, just like she hoped.

“Your world’s still here, Callan,” she said. “Even though it doesn’t look the same or only shows itself for a couple hours.”

“I have been thoroughly convinced,” he said.

“So, you asked earlier if I had questions about the old world…” Halari scooted closer to him, definitely just to synchronize the point-of-views better. No other reason. “I’m hoping you know the names of some of these.” She gestured to the heavenly artwork above them.

Callan laughed softly. “I do, actually.” He leaned back, propping himself on one arm that happened to wrap around her. Definitely an accident that definitely did not make her heart pump.

"That one,” He pointed to a star just in front of them and to her left, “is Muscida, one of the ears of the Ursa Major constellation. Think of a… cragbeast with fur.”

That’s a weird animal. “What about that one?” Halari pointed to one more to her right and slightly lower.

“Errai, a lone body,” Callan said. “And just above that one is probably the most historically important and famous star: Polaris.”

“Why’s it so important?” Halari scrutinized the cosmic object. It wasn’t anything special, barely brighter than its neighbors and just as pearly as the rest of them. “It doesn’t look any different.”

“Old sailors used it to get home,” Callan explained. “It’s the North Star. Whenever they got lost or separated, it would guide them back to where they were needed.”

“Callan.” Her mind moved on instinct, taking over in a moment and getting away from her control. He looked at her, eyes steady, warmth steadier. “If we ever got separated, would that guide you back to me?”

Callan kissed her immediately.

It warm, strong, and all too easy to return. She kissed him back, snaking an arm up and around his shoulders as they relaxed into each other to pull him as close as possible.

Halari kissed the one man she wanted to under a gorgeous stellar mural that only ever showed up one night a year.

It made for one perfect moment.

Just the two of them, adrift in space.