Light From Above

Chapter 11

The cabin was silent as soon as Ren was left alone with Angel, lit by the golden sun and the steady silver glow from the bed. He took a seat on the side of the bed, thoughtfully reaching out to brush some hair from the now clammy forehead. 

"Now we are alone again," he said easily, speaking to fill the silence. He only hoped Angel could hear him and the words would bring him back to consciousness. 

"Sorry Pearl panicked like that. It's just you started glowing, startling us. Anything startling like that makes her go off to pray to the Moon. Says the Man in the Moon is more caring than the sun and should be thanked for guiding us through the endless night that makes our lives. 

"I think she just doesn't like how hot it gets when we are working under the sun. She does go to all the Moon Festivals when we are on shore. Her favorite is during midsummer. If we miss it, I don't hear the end of her complaints until the next season. It is terrible."

Angel's breathing became uneven as he stirred, moving more easily than he had in the crater. He seemed to be trying to hide his face from the sunlight shining through the window. 

Ren took that as an opportunity to slide closer on the bed in order to close the curtains a bit to shield the pale face from the bright light. 

"If you met Helia, you'd see it is just her rays that are hot," Angel said weakly, voice soft as he opened his eyes slightly, struggling to keep them open at all.

Surprised, Ren turned his full attention to the stranger on the bed. The glow faded and the fast healing of the bruises visibly stopped. He narrowed his eyes at the sight and crossed his legs. He kept his gaze focused on the man as he was filled with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. 

"I don't know who this Helia is, but something tells me that is just one part of the multitude of knowledge you have already promised me. 

"Are you strong enough to tell me any of your story yet? Your ribs look like you might be healing faster I suspected you would. Perhaps if I started the sharing? You can call me Shadowfoot."

Angel's eyes narrowed, the same suspicion Ren felt reflected in their silver depths. "That is not your name," he observed before closing his eyes. 

"Why do you think I will trust you with the truth if you are not going to return the favor? I can see the honor and curiosity in your eyes. I want to know more. But after the way my day has been going, I don't want to confess anything to anyone that is not honest as well."

Ren smirked as he stretched his legs out in front of him once more, and relaxed a bit. "You are the first one to call me out so bluntly for a long time," he laughed. "Can I ask what gave it away?"

"Your name first. Your real name. Then I will tell you everything," Angel said, fighting to stay awake. It seemed that while his body had been focused on healing his ribs, he was still suffering from the effects of striking his head so firmly.

"My mother named me Ren," he answered simply, amusement bubbling through him. The mystery of the man before him grew more alluring with every moment. It was as though he was being given a Festival present and then forced to wait before seeing what lay inside. 

"But very few people call me that anymore. The stories that follow me, and the people who listen to them know me as Shadowfoot."

"Thank you for your candor," Angel said with a small smile, relaxing the smallest amount at the sound of the truth. 

It was only at that moment Ren realized just how tense the young man had become when he had woken. "I know the names of those that have prayed to the Moon, I just am not as familiar with faces."