The Constant Star (56)

THE STORY SO FAR

She is one of us and I have to try. I have to try and persuade him to release her to us. The great Jupiter will surely hear my voice. He has to.”

Lucas walks past his elder, in disbelief of the words coming out of his own mouth. The Wise One himself in shock at the disobedience as the young man wraps his hooded cloak around himself and swings his leg over Callio, “If you leave, Lucas, you put yourself in the path of judgement. And the judgement may even fall on us also. You must stay!”

“I cannot. I am sorry Wise One, but in this matter you are wrong. She is one of us, and while we are still able we must try to bring her back. May the judgement of mighty Jupiter be solely on myself.”

He whispers in the ear of his steed and they gallop out of the village. He disappears up the hill and into the night.

The fast paced rhythm puts Lucas’ heart to speed. Callio breathes heavy as he is urged forward over hills and through the outer boundary of his home. Lucas’ mind is consumed with Siff’s safety. As much as he adores and worships the great Jupiter, something did not feel right in that meeting. Surely he would have listened to a plea from his servant. Given it thought at least. He must catch up to them and seek Jupiter’s mercy.

The mighty cracking sound breaks Lucas’ thoughts, and the shockwave throws him and his steed to the ground. They tumble and cry out as the ground is ripped apart by raging fire. Gashes from the ground cover their bodies before the heat of the explosion walks through them. Callio lands on top of him and takes the brunt of the blast; Lucas cries for his beloved steed as he cooks above him, his own flesh catching fire beneath.

Fortunately the cataclysm is short-lived, and the heat quickly dissipates. In wonder at his own survival Lucas puts out the fires on his body. The tears sting his wounded face as he puts a hand on Callio’s burnt flesh. It is only then he dares look up and see the devastation in the village below. His village. His home. His family. A smoldering crater of fire. His soul. His heart. His life. Every movement of his face cracks and hurts, but Lucas cannot contain his grief. He cries out violently with burnt voice until blood comes from his mouth, mixed with the tears of one who has lost everything.

A burning in his soul begins to overtake his mind as the reality of the loss overtakes him. His mother, who only minutes before was tending his wounds. His sister, who had so quickly become Siff’s friend. His family, his friends. Esken. All burned and destroyed by the gods. Anger stirs in his heart and Lucas turns his attention back to the mission, now with new intent. He begins to stagger on. Back in pursuit he chooses to go first to his campsite, where he keeps his sword and spear. Where once was love and hope, now has become grief and rage. He does not know if the gods can be judged, but if so he will surely bring the wrath of justice upon them.

45

The bomb hits and the landscape becomes daylight. A white glow powers through the sky. Siff tries to cover her eyes, but her father forces her to keep watching. The blast turns the village into a crater, knocking trees over as it makes its way toward them. The dust cloud rushes where they stand and strikes them. Siff falls back, but her father remains standing, his armor giving him stability, “Never forget what you did child.” The voice speaks from the blinding dust. Jupiter puts his helmet back on, “We are going back, and you will face justice for all that you have done.”

Jupiter does not wait for Siff to get up, he just starts walking once again. Siff is dragged until she is able to stand, occasionally dropping to her hands in grief, but never being allowed to rest.

They continue their march for hours as the sun begins to rise. A hologram: another falsity in a world that feels so much more real than her own. Tears have stained her cheeks but there are none left to fall. Siff is exhausted as they enter the forest. The monsters don’t come this far down, there are only birds and rabbits and deer playing among the trees. Squirrels scutter about and mushrooms bloom in the healthy earth around them. Siff would have loved this place, so peaceful and full of joy. But they do not stop here. Her legs staggering from shock and fatigue, still not fully healed from her wound, Siff continues her journey back to the ship. They pass through the peaceful places and enter the foreboding forest beyond, where nightmare creatures lay in wait, “Dad. The monsters. They’ll kill us.” He doesn’t respond, but continues to lead her forward. Perhaps his plan is to give me to them. Let these monsters kill me off. Oh god I don’t want to be eaten. She collapses on the dark earth and sobs between the trees. Her eyes are too dry to produce tears, but she is in mourning and she is afraid and she is in pain and she is exhausted.

“Get up child. We still have a long way to go. I will drag you if I have to.”

Is this her father? Is it really the kind man who raised her? Held her when she wept and danced with her when she played? What happened to him? Siff struggles to her feet and continues behind him. Their pace is slowed now: a small mercy from the heartless man ahead.

It is hours still that they traverse the forest floor, following a path that is unmarked to a destination that is unseen. It must be his helmet. Some kind of

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