When Stars Fall (NaNoWriMo22)

Chapter 35

I had woken up knowing full well that it was not my doing. One of my siblings had taken me to the Dark sisters. But why? What was I supposed to get from their private conversation? I had already known they were estranged. What was different about this time?

In any case, I knew I had a made a mistake in letting my curiosity get the best of me. The one they call Nirvana had seen me. I couldn't be surer of it. It did not matter anyways. She couldn't harm me. When I finally decided to open my eyes, the sun had made its way to the opposite side of us. How long have I been asleep? I move my body slightly, wincing in the process. Riding for hours at a time has caused my body to ache in place I didn't know was possible. "Curses." I grumble, utterly annoyed at my human body.

"I have never heard you say that before," I feel Averett chuckle behind me. "Is that what you say when you're in a foul mood?"

"More or less." I do my best to stretch and get the kink out of my back, but it is no use! "How much farther, Averett? I cannot be on this horse for a moment longer!" I feel his arm hold me tighter. "You're just in luck. Look!" In the distance, there is an array of lights and wagons. Market Palace was literally built on a terrain of rocks. Many kinds of rocks. Before it was the biggest trading market in Realm Beyond, it was a town known for its exquisite unique minerals and jewels.

At thought of it, I feel a warmth emit from the jewel around my neck. I wish I had paid attention to the Royal family more than I did. The history behind that family could've given me some insight on what this jewel is really. I have been purposefully ignoring the weight on my neck. The nuisance it has been is reason enough to forget about it.

"How long have we been riding?"

Market Palace is bustling with business. The wagons from port we came through have still not arrived-I'm guessing-and it already appears to be crowded with people. I am already preparing for the amount of noise I'll have to endure. "A couple of hours," he answers me, "the journey has felt longer than it truly was." I try to imagine the realm's map in my head. I never watched the Southside of Beyond-and that's my own fault-but I thought that it much farther. My perception has never been sharp, especially since viewing everything from the ground.

The winding road took us swiftly up to rocky gate. The structure of this place has always been fascinating. The entrance itself was cut through maroon rock-the inside glittering as stars while we ride through. "It's so beautiful," I reach out, wanting to touch the rough surface, "I wonder what it looked like before they lighted their city. Before they had cut the stones to be the way they wanted." My voice echoed back my words. The soft sounds of the entrance were the last soothing noises I heard before the jarring chaos began.

I wince at loud noises that come from all over. "Humans are really loud." Averett covers my left ear with his hand, pulling my head on his chest. The humans aren't a problem. It's the constant, disruptive noises that they make. The creak of a wheel, the shouts of children, the yelling of adults, the slams of wooden doors. Individually, they are not too bad. But all at once? Excruciating. "This hadn't happened before, has it?" My eyes land on the rock formations that surround the city.

There are maroon-looking bricks in almost every single home and establishment. "No," I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, "I think it's the rocks. The echo." Averett flicks the reigns in response. We ride down a cobblestone street. "How do you where you're going?" We pass all the stands and markets. "I just do." Is all he answers. It's honestly turning annoying.

Once we pull to a stop, I basically throw myself off. "Alcyone?" I would've walked off if it wasn't for the skull shattering voice. "I'm tired of these short and stern answers! What happened back there? Why are you being like this?" Obviously, something happened in that time we were apart. I hate not knowing what his inner turmoil is about. And it isn't like him to treat me so coldly. Averett sighs and takes hold of my hand, leading me to a quieter place. "Nothing bad happened," But? "but, I saw something." The intrigue is becoming old.

"Look at this." He hands me a small breastpin. It's made of leather-which surprises me. A leather breastpin is reserved for a certain type of person. The sigil has been buffed out so there's no point in trying to guess what it was. At the bottom, there are words along the 'V' of the broach. "Shtarika zisik emortimniam." Surprises after surprises. "This is the old tongue of Beyond. The language of Stars. Averett, where did you get this?"

The words have been deeply engraved into the leather. Traced repeatedly. I can't even remember the last time I've seen our language used. Even us Stars have grown accustomed to the mortal tongues. It is very rare for us to use our old languages. "Blood of my blood, magic of his magic." My eyes snap up at Averett. "That's what it means, isn't it? Alcyone, I saw this on one of the horses in that city." I thumb the rough leather in thought. Is this what was bothering him? Why would it-

"This was your father's."

This was in his bag. It dawns on me as my gaze lands on it. Whoever rode that horse may or may not be connected to Averett or his father. I want to ask him why he didn't inquire about the owner or about the breastpin, but I would rather not push him on it too much. "The translation of my old tongue isn't as direct as the mortal's have made it to be. It would be more like... 'the hearts of one'. It holds the same meaning as the mortal translation but more deeply." I give him back his breastpin. "Your father loved you and your mother. I can see that. Love is something that us Stars take seriously. Even if we never have the chance to experience it one day." Averett takes it out of my hand. His eyes avoid mine. "Next time, tell me what's going on with you. It bothers me as much as it bothers you, you know."

He nods his head quietly and walks away. My smile slowly drops from my face at his retreating form. I meant what I said. Us keeping things from one another won't do any good. It'll only cause more damage, greater distrust, and even larger misunderstandings. But there is something about that breastpin that keeps me from telling him more about it. I've seen that little trinket before on someone. Or multiple someones. Maybe that breastpin has the answer at as to why I find it hard to see Averett's future. How many more twists will life give me before I can finally rest in peace?