The Starlight Lancer

Chapter Two: Hole in the Sky

"These fragments of the greater whole of Riiva are scattered amongst the galaxy's many worlds as shards of something resembling light."

—The History of Lancers, by Scholar Suprema Ignaeus Voltwith

The trip to Ildegor after dinner was short, just over an hour's walk. Despite there being nothing to worry about—rule number one about Demelia was that nothing exciting happened, including piracy, banditry, and general thieving—her mother insisted she bring Kitali along for protection. Zaina wasn't sure what good the spoiled-rotten limphor would be in a fight, but she always enjoyed a walk with her little friend.

Zaina ducked through the dirt alleyways and side streets, cutting through the town circle where Beni Gardol, the Strato of Ildegor, was giving a speech. His wife stood to his right, cradling their infant daughter to her chest. The Town Deputy and Beni's best friend, "Two-dye Tohm"—so named for the two tones of his colored hair—was on his left, nodding along with every word in the speech.

Beni was middle-aged with short, unruly brown hair and pale skin. There was vigor about him; he still moved like a younger man. His arms spread out as he sought volunteers for some new initiative or another. Zaina rolled her eyes and strolled by.

After stopping by Old Man Gorda's shop and picking up the tiller, Zaina took a back alley to a tall stone building outside of the town circle. It had two levels of roofing, the lower of which was accessible by ladder. Leaving the tiller below, Zaina hoisted Kitali onto her shoulders and made the climb.

This was Zaina's favorite spot; she knew every nook and cranny of this building's exterior. There were metal grooves in the tower leading to the second layer of roofing, which was the only flat rooftop in all of Ildegor. She took a deep breath as she reached out for a good hold and ascended little by little. Kitali knew well enough to be still as they climbed.

Once she was atop the building, Zaina sat down with Kitali beside her. They stared out over the northern valley plains, stretching to Mount Dialemor in the distance. The sun was setting over Ildegor, and one of the world's moons was already pulling into view. A deep, relaxed sigh passed over Zaina's lower lip as she took it all in.

The dying sunlight painted the sky a bright crimson with streaks of purple at the edges. Those colors transposed onto the verdant valley of sunset-tinted grass. This was her home at its most beautiful.

A massive, metal orb surged upward from the other side of Mount Dialemor—a ship leaving Ryrda's spaceport, no doubt. It streaked away, exiting the atmosphere in seconds, leaving a tower of smoke and exhaust. Zaina shook her head and chuckled. Why would anyone ever get into a metal contraption and go out into space?

A familiar voice called from below. "Hey, Zaina!"

She peeked over the edge. Beni Gardol was below with a wry grin plastered on his face.

"Uh, hey there, Mister Gardol," Zaina said.

"So tell me," Beni said, "you didn't take Kitali up there with you this time, did you?"

Zaina shook her head. Kitali loosed a yelp, and Zaina glared at her companion. The limphor had a penchant for yapping at the worst moment.

Beni sighed. "Be careful, all right? I don't want either of you getting hurt. And be glad Orna took Eniri home early. She'd have a fit if she saw anyone up there."

"I will. Thanks, Mister Gardol."

"You can call me Beni, you know. You're not a kid anymore."

Zaina smiled, not sure what to say.

Beni waved and said, "Well, give your father and mother my greetings when you see them. And give Deril and Elanta some high-fives from me. How's Dessa, by the way?"