The Disappearing Sun

Chapter 4

"Her name is Karyan," Ilo murmurs, focusing on the ground. "I knew her from a young age, before my predecessor was even aware he needed an heir.

"When the day came for the Sun and the Moon to choose the next mages of the sky, Karyan and I were both adolescents, free and reckless, caring only to explore the savannah with open hearts and to embrace the wind in our faces. Neither of us had any inkling that we'd be chosen. You're not old enough, that's what the village elders would tell us. The Sun and the Moon must be fiercer than the rivers, stronger than the baobab, and wiser than the longest-lived tortoise. To them, we had no chance.

"The Sun and Moon themselves thought otherwise. They took joy in our passion, our wild abandon, and decided that the benefits of youthful mages outweighed those of older mages. So, when it came time for the heirs to the sky to be picked..." He lowers his head. "Karyan and I were their choice."

If he's checking for a reaction, I give none, keeping my face carefully neutral. "Please, continue."

"When we arrived in the Anderlands... that world was in disarray. Utter, complete disarray. All the beings of the sky - the realms of Day and Night - were shattered by the transition of power. So Karyan and I set to work cleaning it up.

"With a few years, and diligent labor, the Anderlands began to thrive. Karyan held full moon festivals every thirty days, and I still remember... they were so full of music and laughter and dancing and harmony, with baubles that shone silver as she did..."

He pauses and blinks, a glassy sheen to his eyes. "And I would hold feasts swathed in gold and copper, at the beginning of each month, and the drumbeats would send shivers right up to your heart, and I don't know how all that went wrong."

I force myself to say nothing. He looks so crushed, so heartbroken, that I can't help but wonder how benevolent the Moon must once have been - or what connection they must once have shared.

He gathers himself, then glances at me. "Are you ready, chiriku?"

"I don't have a choice," I reply, then soften my tone as if to sooth Masega. "Thank you, Ilo. I didn't realize how good she was... before."

A pained breath leaves him. "I was so proud to rule the sky with her."  Worry creases his face as he glances outside, to the onyx sky and the Moon. "We must leave now. Enough time has already been wasted here."

He re-rolls the scroll and stashes it inside of a dusty brown satchel, then adjusts the rungu on my waist. "Keep these safe," he says. "You will need them."

"You are going with me until we reach the entrance, right?" I ask, uncertain now that our departure looms so near. "You'll teach me how to survive?"

"I gave you my word and I'll keep it," he promises. "But you must carry the weapon and the map."

He opens the door and Sama sticks one paw out, as if testing bathwater. I edge outside around her. The Moon has my family. I narrow my eyes and peer over the jet grasses. I will not let her keep them.

Sama keeps close to Ilo as he emerges from his home, looking determined yet resigned. He tightens a strap on the bag. "We can't have the map getting away from you," he tells me with the faintest wisp of amusement.

The savannah is eerily quiet. As we amble through the grains, Ilo leans on his walking stick, and tells me more about the wonders of the Anderlands.

"Ilo," I cut in as he pauses. "Can you tell me...more about Karyan?" He flinches and immediately I wish I could snatch the words back. "I just - I want to know about how she was so it's not, um, quite as bad when I meet her."