The Lost Kingdom: The Stone of Destiny

8

8

William finally opened his mouth, looking terribly serious:

"I never understood that story of ancestors, if they were all up there, the sky would constantly be a blinding white. There would be far too many stars."

I couldn't help the laughter that escaped me. William turned to me, evidently surprised by my amusement.

"It's such a logical answer!" I exclaimed.

"There's nothing wrong with that," he mumbled.

"No, but I should have thought about it a long time ago. Calador once told me that the stars were a gift from the Enaidi, to guide the travellers and the sailors home when the east and the west disappeared in the night. I..."

My voice became hesitant. It ignited William's attention on me.

"When you came back from your walk just now, I was trying to find the constellations that I know... but I've lost the east, the west, and all my landmarks. I'm completely lost."

William looked embarrassed. He passed a hand behind his neck, ankles crossed, almost relaxed. He pointed at a series of stars gathered in the sky.

"That's the Hunter, with his bow. The tip of the arrow always points north."

I followed his gaze an although I didn't find the shape of a hunter, I noticed the bow and the arrow more easily. Pointed north, where we were going.

"According to Mael, the Hunter always points north because he wants to defend his lady, the Lyre Player, that we can see over there."

I wondered for a moment who was this 'Mael' but I didn't dare interrupt him. He showed me the constellation, but I must have looked as lost as I felt because William insisted with his finger. Getting impatient from my inability to find this constellation, he straightened up, leaning on one elbow, and with his free hand, he caught my face. He leaned a bit closer to trace the shape of the musician.

I held my breath, realising with a mix of horror and emotion our sudden proximity. If it bothered him, he didn't show it.

I nodded to what he explained, about the Hunter and the Lyre Player, without really registering any information. He moved away, letting me finally breathe, and went back atop his cover. He continued showing me a few constellations, the shapes formed above my head, linked from star to star, like a painting coming to life. A life of immortals, eternally spinning in the firmament of the world of Erydd, without ever being able to change their fates.

"If they aren't the souls of our ancestors, what do you think stars are?" I asked curiously after a moment of silence.

William observed the celestial dome, thinking about his answer. I guessed from his expression that he hadn't thought of any theory before, but now, he took the question seriously. I could only admire this intensity with which he considered everything. From all the travellers I had met, few had shown so much sincerity.

"Our dreams, maybe," he answered in a low voice, "It would explain why stars remain so distant and so out of reach, but they still shine of a thousand fires and guide us home."

I wanted to admire the night, but after such words, it was William the most brilliant star.

He glanced at me, embarrassed, and froze. His eyes widened and with the light of the nearby flames, all the nuances of redding brown and bright gold danced there. His cheeks coloured, but it could have been my imagination.

"I had never seen you smile," he stammered as if it was a miracle.

This smile that I hadn't even noticed escaped me. It slipped from my face as quickly as a spring blossom, frightened by an unexpected frost. I looked away, face turned to the sky, but the stars suddenly seemed too far away and too cold.

"Sorry, I... I didn't mean to..."

I didn't have the courage to talk. Not getting any answer from me, William moved away.

"We should sleep, we have a long ride tomorrow," he said.

From the tone of his voice, I could have believed he regretted his compliment, this entire conversation. And guilt fell on me. There had been a time, not that long ago, where I had enjoyed smiling. I hadn't even realised until now that I had forgotten the sensation of smiling. How could I allow myself to smile when my mother and Calador were dead, and they would never smile again?

William turned its back from me. He settled his head between his arms and covered himself with a blanket that wasn't as warm as what we needed.

"I'm sorry, I... It's just become difficult to smile, I hadn't realised..."

"I know what that feels like," he answered after a long pause.

I fidgeted with my hands, feeling gauche after this awkward exchange.

"You have a pretty smile..."

I whipped towards William. He squirmed, as if he tried to force the forest ground to become more comfortable, or perhaps he was trying to bury himself. Almost shyly, he finally threw a look from over his shoulder, his eyes twinkling. Like stars.

"Thank you, William," I answered, "And... I like the idea that stars represent our dreams. It's inspiring."

I paused, conscious that my smile wasn't entirely forced:

"You're less cold and taciturn that I had initially thought, William Smith."

A playful smile appeared on his face.

"And you're wilder and more stubborn than I had thought, Prudence Bunker."

After this conversation, as strange and embarrassing as it had been, sleep came easily.