The Stars Between

Ch. 3

The sun basks my skin like a warm hug, causing me to fall behind Echo and Xander. My eyes wander around the land I supposedly ran away from. What would make me want to leave a place that saved me?

Trees sway with the breeze, spreading a sweet pine smell around. They're scattered about, towering over our land. A majority line the perimeter, separating us from evil beyond our walls. Families have built their homes from broken trees that lay as an effect of worldly destruction. Wooden houses blend in with the landscape, surrounded by modestly dressed families who own them.

Sylva's known for a water spring that emerges from the side of the incline I stand atop of, crashing down the center of our land. When it mixes with a gentle breeze, it creates a refreshing mist. Having people of the community gather during the peak of the day, sitting by the stream to feel its mist.

"I didn't have a chance to ask you back there," Xander whispered as I caught up, the two of us strides behind Echo. "Have you told anyone else about your thing?"

"No." I bluntly answer, my eyes darting around for any unknowing ears. It was merely a faint outline, something that went unnoticed to everyone else. Only until I turned eighteen, the outline filled into a shiny gold.

It had felt like an insignificant part of my body, until I read that book. Now my mind has more things to occupy it, as if it hadn't had much already. The thought of an eclipse approaching could be the end of my life or the start of a new beginning.

Which can mean so many things, either way, I walk with a target on my back.

Yet the mask on my face thickens. "I thought you might like your stuff back."

The red in Echo's hair is more visible in the sunlight, eyes striking brighter along with it. She stands beside a carriage, a spear held out for my grasp. Once I take a hold of it, a purple gem is instantly recognized. That along with the initials 'A.M.' still edged in by Xander, from all those years ago. It's hard to imagine my life without a means of armor. Something to constantly protect myself from everyone else, whether that be physical or emotional. "Where did you find it?" I ask, my fingers running down the rough edges.

She just smiles at the sound of my voice, handing me a hooded cowl. "I suppose I'm not the only one going through other people's things." Her orbs instantly flicker over to Xander. He doesn't return her look, but a smirk forms on his lips, confirming he still had heard.

"I suppose we should have a chat, Ayla?" Blue eyes capturing my full attention the moment my name slips her tongue. It looks like I'm not the only one with questions.

I nod my head in agreement, adjusting my cowl over my shoulders. The fabric is soft and worn, noticeably mine. Weapon remains held close to my body as I take the seat beside her. The weight of Xander climbing into the carriage is felt before Echo gently lashes the leather straps connected to her two horses. They oblige to her command, horse shoes crunching the dirt underneath them as they move forward.

We sit in silence for a few moments as she adjusts herself. Her curls are drawn back as the breeze picks up with our speed. "They didn't tell me you were found until this morning." Her voice cuts through the noise, wind softly whistling through the branches. Pine trees visibly sway as we pass by them. I notice the greenery stretches on for miles and it dawns on me that this isn't going to be a short ride.

"I suppose you're going to ask me if I remember that night." A question that has itched my brain from the moment I woke up. Also seeming to be one that is brought up a lot by everyone else.

"We don't have to talk about that." Her words were soft, something completely different from how she presented herself a couple minutes ago.

I look away to avoid her eyes, getting lost in the green we pass rather than the blue beside me.

"Why are you helping me?" I ask, moving on from the subject completely.

Echo only laughs in response. "I obviously owe you one. You've helped me before." I didn't think I had done much to have the community agree to let Echo stay with us. She just so happened to arrive when I was guarding the front gate.

The same spear I grip now was the one I pointed towards her that same night. Moonlight being the main source of light, besides two small lanterns on either side of our gate. She stepped off her carriage, stopping far enough to be noticed but hardly visible.

"I'm Echo." She introduces, pulling the hood from atop her head. A glimmer of diamonds shine from underneath. Echo takes the crown from her head, holding it out for us to see a bit better. "I'm only showing this to prove I'm from Altair. I was hoping your community could help me."

The priceless object is thrown our way, raising her hands in defense as our stance shifts in preparation to fight. I remain my composure, making my colleague inspect the crown. "It's Altairs crest." He concludes, throwing it back to her.

"It still proves nothing." I chime in, my comment having her emerge from the shadows. Dark curls lay perfect on her shoulders, a lace trimmed gown flowing off her body. Golden threads glimmer with the movement of her legs, definitely not common attire.

My partner bows to the identified royal. "You don't have to do that." Echo sighs, a soft smile curving her lips as he signals to the people watching above. The gate creaks open and I relax my stance, eyes still trained on her as she steps back into her carriage.

Stunning blue orbs capture mine properly for the first time as she pulls up right beside me. With the protests from my guard relief, I was tasked to introduce Echo to our Head Guard. The moment I sat beside her was the moment she became my shadow. Now the roles seem to have been reversed.

"Why do they hold a Solar Eclipse Ball?" I ask, breaking from my first memory of her. She had remained in proper posture as my mind wandered, eyes focused forward as we tread along.

A joyful smile spreads across her lips. "It's an age-old tradition! A time of year to dress up, dance under the sky as the eclipse occurs. Fireworks go off just as the sun and moon align, it's a sweet sentiment." She untangles one of her hands from the straps, thumb jabbing behind us, where Xander currently resides. "I'm assuming you and Xander read the book. Altair hopes that one year, we will see it come to fruition."

I nod my head, acknowledging her words without knowing what they actually mean. "Don't worry, I'll find you something fabulous to wear for tomorrow night!" A curl blows into her face mid-sentence, fingers sweeping it back with ease. The uncertainty grows a pit inside my stomach. Darkness climbing deeper when I realize there's no way to prepare.