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Seer Of Truth And Fire

Branch was writing in his journal when he heard someone close by. He looked up to see Floyd coming towards him. Slipping a little from the steep climb. He leaned his head back when Floyd came closer, feeling the bark tickle him as he did.

Floyd eyed him up and down, noticing Branch's journal, scrunching his eyebrows and gave a concerned look. 

“Another vision?”

He nodded his head, causing Floyd to sigh and give a defeated look. “What happened?”

Straight to the point I guess. “It was another fire one…..but….” he hesitated to finish. Floyd raised his brow, tilted his head and gestured with his hands as if saying ‘go on’. His brother has been doing that a lot lately. Ever since he escaped from…the Bergens. Don't get him wrong Floyd has always been quiet, but he would talk a lot more around him and….Grandma.

He shook his head and sighed, let's not think about that right now.

“But…it was different,” he continued, after realizing he didn't say anything, “I was- it was like I was looking through someone else's eyes.”

Floyd's brow shoot up surprised, “How so?”

He just handed his journal to him to read. He is not explaining that right now. Floyd grabbed it a little clumsy, then started reading. He watched as his brother's face changed to different expressions, before it settled on a mix of sadness and worry.

When it looked like he was finished he said, “I don't know who it was but I don't think they are from the tree.”

Floyd jumped then turned towards him, whoops he must have been thinking. “But whatever, let's go back. I don't want Peppy getting a heart attack when he doesn't find us.”

Floyd laughed and nodded his head, then pointed to the sky, looking a little excited. He didn't need to figure out what that meant.

“Yeah we can stargaze together later.”

_______

The trolls came through a clearing as it has been a few days of traveling, they set up a few tents and got a fire going. It was very silent as they set up. Only the sounds of laughter of trollings playing nearby with Floyd watching them.

A young bird couple were watching the trolls with the raven, “Are those trolls crazy!? They are near the old dead oak tree.”

The raven turned to look at the couple, “That's true but so long as they put the fire out before the wind kicks in, and it sh-” The raven paused for a moment, thinking for a moment, then finished nervously “It should be fine.” 

The birds turned to look back as Branch was looking at them, but more specifically he's looking at the raven and their peculiar markings on his wings. 

The raven flew down and landed right in front of Branch. “Greetings Young Starlight.”

Branch fell backwards, surprised that the raven got closer, and looked up at them, “How can you talk?!”

The raven gave a little bow, “My name is Dabih Young Starlight, and you're the only troll who can hear me because of your star sign.”

“Star sign?” Branch mumble, “What's that?”

“it's the constellation you were born under. We ravens have been loyal to the star watchers of the past.”

“Aren't I a troll?”

Dabih smiled, “You're a star watcher, a troll who was born under the new moon, and the stars were shining bright.”

Branch looked a little confused, makes sense if the little star was never told. 

“What about Floyd?” Branch asked Dabih. Dabih gave a thrilled shriek, “If you have siblings they have star signs as well! But they are different from yours.”

Branch's eyes widened, “Really! How!” the little star can't help but ask. How adorable.

“It's by blood, like my family had always been born with these marks that look like the stars above. The same is in your family.”

“What! That's so cool!” Branch said excitedly. Dabih gave a small smile with his beak when the fire embers leaped at the dead oak tree. The dead tree started to light up. Dabih picked up Branch in a panic, and put him on his back before flying as Branch saw the growing fire. 

“Fire, there's a FIRE!” Branch called out as another troll came over and saw the fire before yelling for other trolls to come help put out the fast growing fire. 

“Tell the other trolls it is too late there is a river close by we need to get over there to make sure no one else is burned.” Dabih told Branch.

He nodded and Dabih flew close as one troll saw Branch on him. “Branch, what are you doing on that bird!?”

Branch looked at Dabih then Branch shouted “Not now, Peppy! We need to cross the river! It's too dangerous to put it out!”

Peppy was about to argue when another troll came up with some young trolls, “King Peppy, it's best that we head to the river now, we can ask Branch questions later!”

Branch nodded, “Thanks Floyd!” Dabih gave a shrill and took off flying as the trolls ran. While some of the faster trolls including Floyd took to finding any stragglers. Dabih flew and the ones that followed him and Branch were at the river edge. Thankfully there were stones that were safe to cross.

Branch got off and waited at the water edge, when King Peppy came up to the little star. “Branch!”

Branch turned to the older troll, “Yes Peppy?”

“What were you doing on that bird?!”

The little star only rolled their eyes, “Let's worry about the fire Peppy, then we talk about bird. Now is not the time to only worry about me, I need to help.” 

What a sarcastic but caring little Starlight. 

“No Branch is too dangerous! What if you get hurt more than you already are!”

I wonder if this King Peppy is their guardian? The King doesn't seem to be happy with the little star, like a mamma bird to her chick. 

Little Star sees that the king won't let him go and continues to speak,“We gotta help King Peppy, trolls need our help. Your subjects need your help.”

The King got visibly startled, then tried to say a few words before slouching in defeat. “You're right.” Little star looks surprised. “I need to think more about what's best for my subjects. Not just you or Floyd and Poppy.”

Little star Smiled and thanked him when Floyd and one troll came with some trolls coughing from the smoke. A younger troll ran up in shock "Where is my mom and dad?!”

The older trolls looked at the distressed trolling, as Felicia walked up to the young troll, “Creek…I am sure your parents will be here soon.”

Creek smiled, “Okay Miss Felicia!”

The fire wasn't stopping anytime soon as the trolls watched Poppy and a few of the younger trolls were playing with Creek. Morning rose and smoke was laying overhead.