Light From Above

Chapter 5

The plan proceeded with both Rigel and Aldebaran making their way back to their rightful places in the sky. They took the time to speak with the others in their constellations of their plan during the long hours of the night. 

When court resumed and the other Stars were jockeying to catch Endymion's attention, Rigel sidled up next to Polaris.

"Do you think that silly smile is from our antics or because of something else?" he asked curiously, causing the North Star to snort with surprised laughter.

"My hope is that he took my advice and it has led to the smile. But if that is the case, I don't think it has turned out as I hoped," Polaris answered, eyes still fixed on the throne holding Endymion.

"Advice? What advice?" Rigel asked curiously, mind working furiously to decide whether this was good news or not.

"That answer would be best given in private," Polaris admitted, finally turning his full attention to the friend at his side. "If you're interested, we can always find one of the conference rooms. Our presence won't be missed. It has been far too long since we spoke of anything truly important, old friend."

"A conference room it is then. There are many things we should speak of and all of much import," Rigel agreed as he started toward the door, assuming his companion would follow him. 

It didn't take long to find a secluded room. From the fine film of dust on all the surfaces, it was clear the room was seldom used, but it was filled with the same delicate finery as the more used portions of the palace.

The Power that it took to maintain such a luxurious home had to be enormous, though Rigel doubted it was a conscious effort on Endymion's part. That was one reason he would feel better about the plan if Polaris joined them. None of them knew the true extent of Endymion's power for it had never been tested.

"What advice was it that you gave Endymion?" he asked as soon as the door closed, his gaze intense. If the advice had anything to do with the same subject he was about to bring up, maybe they would all be in luck after all.

"I am sure you've noticed the mood Endymion has been in recently. After all, I'm not the only one of us with eyes, and we've been around each other long enough to see the signs of his boredom," Polaris began, keeping a close eye on the other Star and waiting to continue until he saw a nod of understanding. 

"I advised he take advantage of his Power to make an appearance on the surface. I thought perhaps feeling a connection to the people of the surface would pull him from the doldrums. Or that it would increase the attention he gives his responsibilities, or return him to his normal off duty pursuits. 

"Unfortunately, it seems that even though his spirits have been lifted, his attention is still on other matters. I'll think of some other idea to bring him back."

"That is actually similar to what I was hoping we could speak of," Rigel said smoothly, gesturing to the chairs in the room for them to both take a seat. Serious conversations with Polaris were always better undertaken seated, or so he had always believed. 

He had yet to have this belief be proven wrong. 

"We have been watching his habits for a long time and have seen the same signs as you. Aldebaran and I met yesterday to speak on the matter and made our way to a partial solution that sounds as though it might complement the advice you already gave him."

Polaris slowly sank down into one of the other chairs, eyes now full of wary suspicion. "I am listening. When you are finished, I will make my own opinion on the matter."

Rigel took this as his opening, giving a serious nod. 

"Right. So, we were discussing the fact that if Endymion continues like he did today, there will be disaster. If it were not so close to the New Moon, the Sun would have been swallowed this noon. It would have been too late for any of us to prevent anything. It seems that no matter what we do while we are here at his court, nothing is actually helping.