Chapter Four: The Outpost an the Eyes of the City

 

Chapter Four: The Outpost an the Eyes of the City

Ariel didn’t speak for a long time after the rhinoceros-beasts had passed. Her heart still pounded from their sudden appearance, and she stayed low in the sparkling bush, watching until the last rumble of their heavy steps faded into silence. Thistle remained crouched beside her, ears twitching. Boo sat on high alert, her tail curled tightly around her paws.

Only when the trail was quiet again did they begin to move.

"Well," Boo muttered, hopping out of the bush with a shake, "I vote we avoid those things from now on."

Ariel nodded, brushing glittery leaves from her pajamas. "What were they?"

"Trouble," Thistle replied. "Big, stomping, horned trouble. And they’ve been showing up more and more often lately. Not good—not good at all."

They followed the trail again, winding through glimmering meadows and hills covered in star-shaped flowers that glowed softly beneath their feet. The sun—or maybe it was a moon?—hung high in the violet sky, casting a peaceful light. But the peacefulness didn’t last.

Up ahead, just off the main road, they saw smoke.

Thistle’s ears perked and his face grew grim. "That’s the Glimmerfen Outpost. It’s not supposed to look like that."

As they came closer, the destruction became clear.

Huts made of woven glass-roots and moonstone were toppled and broken. Scorch marks marred the ground, and the once-shining fountains had run dry. Broken carts lay on their sides. Bits of glowing fruit were scattered across the dirt—half-crushed, half-eaten.

Ariel bent down and picked up a round, glowing fruit with small, silver specks on its skin. "What is this?"

"Starfruit," Thistle said. "It grows in our richest orchards. Tastes like sunlight and strawberries. It’s what gives us our energy and our world it's sparkle."

"Why would they destroy everything just for fruit?" Ariel asked, bewildered.

"Because Lord Umbric doesn’t need the food. He needs the light," said a quiet voice.

They turned.

An older creature stood in the remains of a hut. She looked like a cross between a fox and a hummingbird—small, light, and feathered, with wide purple eyes and delicate wings folded against her back. Her fur was pale green, and she held a small, shaking basket of the bruised starfruit.

"They take the fruit, drain the light from it, and leave the rest to rot," she said.

A younger villager peeked out from behind the remains of a stone oven. He was shorter, more squirrel-like, and looked frightened. "He’s trying to dim the kingdom... one light at a time."

Ariel stepped closer. "Why? What does he want?"

The older villager looked at her, and her eyes widened. "You... you look like her. Like the Starborn."

The young one gasped. "That’s what my grandmama said she’d look like. Bright hair. Silver key. A shadowed guardian at her side."

Boo puffed up. "I am not a shadow. I am clearly fur-covered, thank you."

The villagers just stared. Then the older one bowed. "If you are who I think you are... then maybe there’s hope yet."

Ariel felt a strange weight in her chest—not a bad one, but a big one. She gave a small nod. "We’re going to the Queen. Maybe she can help."

The villagers nodded and gave them a small satchel of clean starfruit. "Safe travels, Starborn. May the light walk with you."

The young squirrel-like villager shuffled forward a bit, his eyes locked on Boo. "Um... can I pet the kitty?"

Boo's eyes widened. "Absolutely not," she huffed, flicking her tail. "I am a guardian, not a house pet."

But the villager gently reached forward and gave Boo a slow scratch behind the ears.

Boo let out a grumble—then a reluctant purr.

"Mmmph. Fine. Just one scratch. That’s all," she said, even as her eyes slowly closed in contentment.

Ariel giggled. "You’re such a softie."

"Am not," Boo muttered. But she didn’t move away either.

They returned to the trail, quiet now, thinking about what they’d seen. Ariel held one of the glowing fruits in her hand as they walked, its light cool and steady. The fruit was smooth and slightly bumpy, like a plum wrapped in silk, and it gave off a soft warmth that pulsed gently in her palm. When she pressed it gently, it gave a little—almost like it was breathing. The silver specks on its skin shimmered with each step she took, casting soft, glittering rays onto her hands. It felt like holding a little piece of starlight.

Ariel looked down at the starfruit in her hands again. It was so beautiful, warm and glowing in a way that felt almost alive.

"Why would anyone want to wreck a fruit so beautiful?" she asked quietly.

Thistle gave a soft sigh. "Because the Rhinos are jealous... and misled. Just like we all can be when we don’t understand the good that can be found around us."

"Wow," Ariel said, thoughtfully. "How do we help them understand?"

"We need to listen with open ears and shout less," Thistle replied.

"I take it that hasn’t happened in a while," Boo said with a dry flick of her tail.

Thistle gave a wry smile. "Not in a very long time."

As they talked Ariel had paid more attention to the fruit then her surroundings.  She looked up just as the road curved, and the City of Liora rose before them.

Ariel gasped.

The city was alive. It shimmered and sparkled like a dream. Towers of crystal spiraled toward the sky, connected by bridges that looked like woven moonlight. Waterfalls flowed sideways, suspended in the air. Floating lanterns bobbed through the sky, shaped like stars and butterflies.

The city gates opened without a sound as they approached, revealing wide, glowing streets lined with tall houses that pulsed with color. The creatures that walked those streets were nothing like humans.

Some were tall and willowy with leafy hair that rustled as they moved. Others had long ears and glowing skin, or hooves and silver eyes. A few glided instead of walked, their bodies trailing mist and starlight. All of them paused when they saw Ariel.

Whispers spread like wind.

“Starborn...”

“Is it her?”

“She’s come...”

Ariel looked around, her heart pounding again—not from fear this time, but from being seen.

Boo walked closer to her side. "Looks like we’re not sneaking in."

Thistle stood tall. "It’s not every day legends walk into the city. Come, the Queen is waiting."

Ariel took a deep breath and stepped into the city.

And the city held its breath, too.