The Son of Thunder

Chapter 54

Above is my rendition of Lightening as a full Star Child. I didn't put him in the robe, but otherwise, this is what he looks like as he's concealed with the Star Children.

Yuanshi recognized the man sitting at the gate. He looked much like any other Wolfdrum, canvas leggings and a T-shirt, torn in several places, but this one had curly hair, a round face and deflated nose, huge and flat. That was a face Yuanshi would never forget.

Lightening recognized him too, but his memory was more vague than Yuanshi's. He was most capable of persuading the man to allow them entry, but Fatelle ordered him to be silent. Sit when possible. Walk like a Star Child—ha!—an impossibility.

Eternity approached him. "We wish entry into Thundonia."

"No one goest in, no one goest out."

Eternity threw her hands in the air, as if a genuine effort had been made. Rhysya pestered Eternity with every step they made back toward Valley.

Yuanshi said, "Stay. I'll return soon."

Camilia chased her husband, yelling at him to explain himself. But soon enough, the pair returned and Yuanshi held a long, thick branch firmly, capably and approached the gatekeeper directly.

"You recall some annae ago when you attempted to drown the Son of Thunder in Crystal Lake?" Yuanshi said. "You would have succeeded if you had not received a great blow to the back of the head. Would you enjoy another blow, but to the face?"

The man's eyes enlarged. Yuanshi hefted the branch.

"Thou cann'st hitteth mine person. Thou art a Star Child. Thou dost bluff."

Yuanshi remained perfectly still, a small motion to accentuate his black hair and odd eyes. The man with frisky curls didn't understand the motion, only had a vague knowledge of Star Child doctrine. Yuanshi made a thrust forward, but the Wolfdrum backed up, released the door before he could make contact. His eyes were fixed on the branch. "Thou willst not ever get out."

"If I keep this branch, we will."

Once out of sight, Yuanshi dropped the limb and shivered. Rhysya ran up next to him. "What would you have done if he hadn't opened the door?"

"I would have hit him," Yuanshi said.

Rhysya's mouth dropped open and she stopped in her spot. Lightening drew her forward, laced his arm through hers. The body of Children left the desert and entered the mountain of Thundonia in a congested glut.

Eternity muttered, "I was against the initiation of his mother. She was Jada. She had too much Jesulite blood in her family."

"What's wrong with the Jesulite people?" Lightening growled. He hadn't meant to be answered.

"They are warrior-like people. Even the blood of the most pure Star Child cannot balance the blood of a Jesulite. And his mother was married to that mongrel with the eyes. The Jesulite blood was only thickened by that impurity. You should know that. Shawna's father was Jesulite."

"You murdered Shawna's mother," Lightening spit.

"No one murdered Dagmar."

"What would you call it?"

"Lightening," Fatelle warned. They had the attention of several Star Children.

He quieted. It didn't stop them from staring.And it didn't stop the inferno burning in him.

"The arena is too crowded," Eternity said.

"They will make room," Fatelle said, dragging Eternity forward.