Chapter Seven: Kip of the Moonshade

 

Chapter Seven: Kip of the Moonshade

The morning sky above the city of Liora looked like it had forgotten how to shine. Clouds drifted overhead like smudges of smoke, and the soft blue hue of the sky had dimmed to a quiet gray. Ariel tugged her cloak tighter around her shoulders, her boots thudding softly against the polished stone steps of the castle’s outer gate.

She, Boo, and Thistle stood side by side, staring out into the road that led away from the city—a road of shimmering stone that twisted through the golden meadows and vanished into a line of shadow far beyond.

Ariel swallowed. “So that’s the direction to the Shadowlands?”

“Beyond those hills,” Thistle said quietly, adjusting the straps of his satchel. “It’ll be a few days’ journey. That’s if the paths stay clear.”

“And if they don’t?” Boo muttered.

“Then we improvise,” Thistle replied, not sounding as confident as he wanted to.

Behind them, Queen Liora stood with Orlow and a small guard. Her silver hair billowed in the wind.

“You do not walk this path alone,” she said. “The map will guide you. And when you reach the edge of light, may the stars remember your names.”

Ariel nodded, her heart heavy and her feet hesitant.

Boo squinted toward the horizon. “Wait—‘may the stars remember your names’? What does that even mean?”

Ariel shrugged "Her way of saying good luck maybe" and They set off.

The city faded behind them like the last echo of a song. The world outside was quieter—less polished and more wild. The grass no longer glowed, but was thick and tall, brushing against their knees. Trees with pale blue bark leaned over the path like they were watching. And every so often, Ariel caught sight of small glowing insects fluttering in and out of leaves like drifting sparks.

But even those little sparks felt dimmer now.

The world had lost its sense of magic. Ariel couldn’t figure out if it was because they had been traveling for a few days and the wonder was wearing off—or if Lord Umbric’s shadow had already crept into this part of the land, draining the light and joy from everything they passed. The sky felt lower. The breeze less playful. The silence deeper.

She didn’t say anything, but Boo must’ve felt it too—her tail swished low and slow, and she kept glancing at the trees like they were holding secrets they no longer wanted to share.

They camped the first night beneath a wide silverleaf tree. Ariel sat by a small campfire Thistle had made using a strange stone that sparked with color.

“Do you think the map really leads to Umbric?” she asked quietly.

“Hopefully,” Thistle said, poking the fire.

“I’d prefer it didn’t,” Boo muttered. “That way we could turn around and pretend we never saw it.”

Ariel cracked a smile. “You don’t fool me, Boo. You’d miss the drama.”

“I’d prefer tea and a nap. In a warm castle. With curtains.”

They all laughed quietly.

Ariel pulled out two camp beds rolled tight from the bottom of a pack. The Queen had packed them full of supplies—everything she could think they’d need... and maybe more. Thistle and Ariel had been trading the burden of carrying it throughout the day.

"Two beds!" Boo hissed, her eyes narrowing. "Who’s sleeping on the ground?"

Ariel smirked. "Oh, you’re always curled up in my bed anyway—it’ll be like back home."

Boo let out a low hrmmph but said no more.

The next day, they followed the path up a ridge where the ground grew rocky and shadows clung to the crags like old secrets. Jagged stones jutted from the earth like forgotten bones, and thin mist curled around their ankles with every step. Strange birds with translucent wings called to each other in the distance, their songs echoing in a language only the wind understood. The sky dimmed slightly, casting everything in a pale lavender light, and the wind carried a strange scent—half-sweet, like starfruit blossoms, and half-wild, like something older than the trees.

As they climbed, Ariel reached into her side satchel and pulled out the bracelet and collar charm they had found in the chest. The tiny star-shaped gem on the bracelet flickered faintly in the gray light.

"What do you think these are for?" she asked, turning the bracelet over in her palm.

Boo peered at the collar charm suspiciously. "Maybe it’s just jewelry? Weird place to keep fancy accessories."

Thistle shook his head. "Nothing in that chest was ordinary. Maybe they’re enchanted. Or protective. Or... maybe they choose their time."

"Choose their time?" Boo said, arching a brow. "That’s not helpful. What are we supposed to do—wait for them to speak up?"

Ariel chuckled and fastened the bracelet to her wrist. It hummed slightly, like the tickle of a song she hadn’t heard yet.

"Whatever they are," she said softly, "I have a feeling they matter. We just don’t know how yet."

She turned to Boo, holding up the collar charm. Boo eyed it warily but didn’t pull away as Ariel gently fastened it around her neck.

"There," Ariel said. "Now we match."

Boo huffed. "I’m not a pet, you know."

"Of course not," Ariel replied, grinning. "You’re my partner. Besides, I think it looks kind of heroic."

Boo muttered something about dignity but didn’t take it off.

It was just past midday when they met him.

It started with a voice.

“Well now, what have we here? A brave trio on a noble quest? How adorable.”

They froze.

From the shadows of a low overhang, a creature strolled out on two legs, twirling a stick in one paw. He was something like half raccoon, half cat—his fur a sleek mix of moon-gray and soft black, his eyes mismatched: one gold, one icy blue. He wore a patchwork vest full of shiny baubles and a crooked grin that seemed permanent.

“Name’s Kip,” he said, bowing low. “Kip of the Moonshade. Master of mischief, collector of secrets, and occasional tour guide.”

Boo narrowed her eyes. “Tour guide? You’re either lost or up to something.”

“Can’t I be both?” Kip winked. He pointed to Ariel with the stick. “You, though. Ohh you’re special. Got a feeling bout' you.”

Ariel stepped forward cautiously. “How do you know who we are?”

Kip shrugged. “Oh, word gets round. Light’s fading, Starborn’s risen, and some serious darkness is brewing. Everyone’s talking.”

“Do you know the way to the Shadowlands?” Thistle asked.

Kip paused, then nodded slowly. “I know the ways no one else dares to follow. But they’re tricky. Tricky enough to get you good and lost.”

“We have a map,” Boo said flatly.

Kip chuckled. “Maps don’t whisper when something’s wrong. I do.”

Ariel studied him. “Why would you help us?”

Kip leaned in, lowering his voice. “Because I like balance. Light, dark—they need each other. But Umbric? He wants all shadow, no spark. That’s bad for business. And worse for everyone else.”

Boo growled low. “Still sounds shady.”

“Of course it is,” Kip said with a grin. “I’m from the Moonshade. We specialize in shady.”

Ariel glanced at Thistle, who gave her a nervous nod.

“We could use the help,” she said finally.

Kip clapped his paws together. “Marvelous! Then let’s not dawdle. The longer we stay in this borderland, the more curious things become.”

He turned and trotted ahead, tail flicking in the wind.

Boo muttered under her breath, “Great. We just recruited a raccoon-cat with secrets.”

Ariel smiled, her steps a little lighter. “Yeah. But I think we might need a few secrets of our own.”

Kip halted, ears twitching. "What’s a raccoon? And I am certainly not a cat. No offense taken, of course—you're all new here. But I’m a Mooncoon. From Moonshade. Quite different, I assure you."