Starfall Page 3

  “Of course.” Miss Lugia stood up and waved her hands around excitedly as she paced back and forth around the room. “It would have to be them. Only they could do it. Their wings are powerful, enabling them to soar to unfathomable heights. However, the only Pegasus who would truly be capable of such a feat as to reach the stars would be The Queen,” she said, nodding her head. “She has the greatest wing strength. Though I'm not sure how willing to assist others she is these days. From what I hear, the Winged Ones are trying to keep a low profile. ”

  Filled with excitement at the prospect of traveling to Shondalina, Radianne didn't bother to ask Miss Lugia why The Queen of the Winged Ones would be unwilling to help out or how she knew the Pegasus were trying to keep a low profile.

  “I remember the tales from my childhood,” she said instead. “The stories that told of kind-hearted, winged horses. I'm sure they would help us! Please, Miss Lugia. Tell me how to get to Shondalina.”

  “I think I have an old map somewhere around here,” the ladybug murmured. “Let me check.” She scurried from the kitchen and left Radianne and Blink sitting at the table.

  “This sounds very confusing to me,” Blink admitted. “My world is very different from your own. Maybe I should just resign myself to a life here in Eugladia. At least I'm still alive. That's a surprise and that's something.”

  Radianne frowned. “Your mother will miss you. And as much as I do already like you, you don't belong here, in such a boring place. You are a shining star, who rightfully belongs in the sky. Eugladia is no place for such magnificence. You deserve more! It will turn out for the best Blink. You'll see.” She patted him.

  Blink wondered why Radianne didn't appear to be very fond of her homeland, but he didn't have time to question her. Miss Lugia ran back into the room at that moment, waving something in her hands and wearing a triumphant smile.

  “I found it! Now let's take a look, shall we?” The giant ladybug unrolled an old and yellowed map and spread it gingerly across the table. Girl, star, and ladybug studied the faded parchment and tried to make sense of the print and images.

  “We are here,” Miss Lugia pointed to one spot on the map. “And Shondalina, the land of the Winged Ones, is here.” Her fingers trailed across the printed images and came to rest upon what appeared to be a mountainous region with deep valleys, surrounded by clouds.

  From what Radianne could gather from the markers on the map, the journey would take many weeks or, perhaps, even months. The route would lead them through several of the Nether Lands. There would be dangers for sure. Her heart quickened at the thought.

  “The going will be long and treacherous,” Miss Lugia warned, looking up at Radianne with concern, as if reading her thoughts. “The way will be difficult. Please don't tell me you are attempting this on your own?”

  Radianne smiled, trying to reassure her. “My dear Miss Lugia, I will not be alone.” She gestured to her new star friend. “Of course, I'll have Blink with me. I have to get him home. I have no choice as it is the honorable thing to do.”

  “Ahhh!” Miss Lugia shook her head and rubbed her antennae vigorously, obviously stressed. “Going it alone would be ridiculous and unwise. You should have more sense, young lady. The Nether Lands are ever-changing, and quite mysterious as well. It will be easy to get confused, lost, or much worse. I would accompany you myself… but in my old age now…” she trailed off.

  “I think I'm up for a little danger,” Radianne countered. “I know I'll be fine. Please don't worry.”

  At least, Radianne told herself, she would act confident until she believed it. “May I have this map?”

  With an eyebrow raised, she waited for Miss Lugia to challenge her. While she was grateful for the ladybug's assistance, now that she knew how to get Blink home, nothing would stand in her way.

  Sighing, the ladybug reluctantly rolled up the map and handed it over. “I suppose no amount of trying to talk you out of this foolhardy endeavor will change your mind.”

  She shook her head again.“I know you can be quite stubborn when you put your mind to something. But you're not a little girl anymore, that's for sure.”

  “I'm not. Thank you. I will return it when I myself return.”

  “Do you plan on leaving today?”

  “Yes.”

  “I suppose your parents don't know about this either.” Miss Lugia wrung her hands nervously. “They'll have my shell for this! The very least I can do is pack you some food. I feel so guilty for my encouragement.”

  “That won't be necessary.” Radianne waved her hand dismissively. “You've been so helpful already. And don't worry, this is all my choice. No one is forcing me into anything. You'll never be to blame.”

  “Nonsense! I'm packing you food and a large flask for water.” Miss Lugia bustled around the spotted room, throwing random items into a sack. “You must promise you'll be careful. I've known you since you were a child and I also know how daring you can be. You must be sure to use your intelligence.”

  “Of course.” Radianne smiled, feeling a bit of pride well up at the idea that Miss Lugia thought she was intelligent. Most of the time she felt like her own family thought she was foolhardy and dimwitted.

  The ladybug handed her the sack of food and embraced her.

  “Thank you so much,” Radianne said as she kissed Miss Lugia's cheek.

  “I should have never shown you the map! If anything happens to you I will be to blame!” Miss Lugia wrung her hands again, her large and heavily-lashed eyes growing wide with fear.

  “Again, this was all my idea,” Radianne assured her. “Besides, nothing is going to happen. Just an adventure!”

  Laughing, she tucked the map securely into her bag. “I suppose we should be on our way now,” she said, placing Blink on her shoulder. “There is no time to waste. Thanks again for all your help, Miss Lugia. Wish us luck!”

  They said their final goodbyes and Radianne and Blink left the giant mushroom house and its ladybug occupant behind, venturing off on the first leg of their quest, into the great unknown.

  Miss Lugia watched the way the girl and star had gone long after they had vanished into the woods.

  -4-

  Leaving

  T

  he sun was hot. Very hot. Scorching, unrelenting rays stretched out across the land, striking out at whatever crossed their path with claws of searing and suffocating heat.

  Radianne wondered, fleetingly, how far along the day was. She'd walked many miles and slept under trees for several days, Blink sitting on her shoulder the majority of the time. She knew they were still in Eugladia. She'd also stopped to eat, refill her flask, and rest several times – Blink hadn't been inclined to eat any food since Miss Lugia's and seemed to be fine – but had mostly kept on walking, trying to leave Eugladia far behind. However, it seemed to her that leaving was taking forever. She was done with Eugladia and was growing very impatient.

  Up ahead, she spotted a lake. “Let's stop over there,” she said to Blink, pointing toward the shimmering body of water.

  Walking over to a soft patch of green grass near the water's edge, she sat down and removed her boots. The water felt wonderful as she lowered her feet into its refreshing depths. “Oh, this is nice,” she sighed contentedly, wiggling her toes in the coolness.

  Blink hopped down and scampered off, settling himself a comfortable distance away, eyeing the unfamiliar substance nervously. He knew very little about large bodies of water or what they would ultimately do to stars. There were legends, of course. The older stars would often tell the younger stars horrible stories about ancestors that had fallen from the sky and had instantly turned to smoke when they'd touched watery elements in the world below. Blink didn't want to take any unnecessary risks in this strange new world he had fallen into.

  Radianne examined the map closely. If her calculations were correct, she speculated they would arrive in the land of Eustasia very soon. She recalled that the heart of Eustasia was also the home base of the Snor
gs. “Hopefully we don't run into them,” she muttered.

  “Who?” Blink asked.

  “The Snorgs.” Radianne glanced at him and noted his confused expression. “I suppose I should explain who they are.”

  She told him the tale as she trailed one hand slowly in the water. “The Snorgs are awful, evil creatures who have tried to conquer our land numerous times. Ogres of sorts, with some troll mixed in as well as something else. Though I don't expect you would know much about such creatures. And supposedly, they've been destroying many other lands as well. Those could just be rumors though. Anyway, as nasty as the Snorgs are, I'm not really afraid of them.”

  “It is true, I don't know much about other creatures or all the dangers of your world here below,” Blink said. He looked out at the water and shuddered a little. “But I do know what it is to be afraid sometimes. So if you are not afraid of these ogre creatures, what is it you are afraid of then, Radianne?”

  “Well,” Radianne thought carefully for a moment.

  “I'm starting to think I am afraid of living an empty life. You know, one without true meaning or adventure. I'm tired of doing the same thing every day. I really do want to help you, which is, of course, the main reason for heading out on this quest. But… ”

  She paused and looked away, feeling a little uncomfortable with what she was about to say next. “I'll be honest with you and also say that my life is desperately in need of a little adventure. It is quite dull, actually. So there you have it. This is also exciting for me,” she blushed. “I also know it is difficult for you to be here, away from your mother, and I'm sorry.”

  Blink was quiet for a moment. He thought Radianne seemed much too young to be so disappointed in the life she lived. However, he also had an inkling of understanding. There were many moments he himself had wistfully wondered what lay beyond the world of the stars. Now he wondered if he'd ever be able to get back to his world again.

  “I think I understand what you mean,” he told his new friend. “But I also believe there is something good and comforting doing the same routine, day after day. You do come to appreciate it after awhile. The things we take for granted…”

  He looked away from her then, a faint smile on his face as his eyes focused on something far away, a distant memory.

  “Stars live for ages you know. I am quite young in my world. We remain with our parents for a long time. My mother and I, we have a nightly routine. We slowly spin around in circles, round and round, amid the other stars. It is quite lovely and we've done that for as long as I can remember. I can't imagine ever growing tired of such a routine.”

  Radianne looked at him a little thoughtfully and said nothing for a few moments as she reflected.

  There were things she did like about home… one being her family, of course. But she had to admit she felt she was outgrowing her life in the family tree. And if she was being completely honest, she was also curious about something else. Something she had yet to find and knew she probably wouldn't find in Eugladia…

  Her cheeks flushed as she thought of it. Well, perhaps she could tell her new friend. He probably wouldn't know much of such things anyway. She opened her mouth to speak.

  “I suppose if I'm being completely truthful, I'm also afraid of never finding true love,” she admitted to Blink. “Do you know what true love is? Do stars fall in love? The kind of love I'm talking about is the love I've seen between my mother and father. Or that I've read about in books.”

  “I don't know much about that kind of love personally,” Blink said, staring up at the sky, a little wistfully. “Stars leave their parents when they find their mates. I know my mother and father were in love. But my father was a falling star, like me, and vanished when I was much younger. I never had the chance to really talk to him about such things.”

  The star grew solemn and lowered his eyes sadly. “He never came back you know,” he added, with a whisper. “I don't know your love stories. But we stars do have our own beliefs about love. I know what love is. In the sky, certain stars are automatically drawn together, in a force that spirals out of their control. When this happens, they align. The magic begins when they find their mate. That's how stars fall in love. That's all I know.”

  Radianne was saddened to hear of Blink's father and thought it was such a terrible tragedy that the same fate had befallen Blink. Had his father been pushed as well? She asked him as much.

  “No,” Blink said. “He caught a rare star illness and grew too weak to stay. It was from natural causes, you could say. ”

  “I am so very sorry to hear about your father Blink,” Radianne said softly. It was tragic. “But hopefully, at the end of this journey, you will be home again, see your mother, and have the chance to fall in love with some lucky star.”

  As they sat together, Radianne solemnly thought about what Blink had revealed to her about his father and star love. His description of stars in love was fascinating and sounded so romantic. She sighed dreamily and imagined his world, again, a world so completely different from her own. How lovely it would be to travel there…

  “Well I have another question for you,” she said wistfully, as she looked down at him. “What's it like to be up there and see for an eternity, beyond and below? And how does it feel to know that you yourself shine your light over it all? What a lovely thing to light the world. ”

  Blink smiled. “It is a nice life. But we can't see anything below except a dark void. Beyond, we see the vastness of The Outer Space. That is quite nice, but stars often do talk about what the land and water rumored to be below are like. Now I know! Or at least, I know a little.” Blink smiled sheepishly.“Even though I do want to go home, I'm actually having a good time being here with you. Seeing new things I never imagined I'd see…”

  “It is nice to experience different things, isn't it?” Radianne grinned. “I never imagined I'd be having a conversation with a star!”

  “And I never imagined I'd be having a conversation with a life form other than another 'burning ball of gas',” Blink joked.

  Radianne laughed with him and thought about how suddenly her life had changed. She had already experienced something unique and special in finding Blink. He was a friend unlike any other.

  Lost in their conversation, Radianne and Blink didn't notice the lake mermaid leaning up against the grassy rocky river bank and scrutinizing them. That is, until until a melodic voice interrupted their discussion.

  “Hello,” the mermaid said, popping up near Radianne's submerged feet.

  Radianne gasped and jerked her legs back in fright. As her eyes focused, however, her frown relaxed into a smile.

  Leaning forward, she studied the mermaid. The creature was beautiful. Her long dark hair swirled in curls around her shoulders. Aqua eyes framed thick, black lashes – lashes Radianne coveted. She suddenly felt a little jealous and self-conscious about her own looks in comparison.

  “If only I were so beautiful,” she thought. But she pushed the thoughts aside.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “My name is Pearl.” The mermaid extended a delicate ivory hand to her.

  The siren's hand felt cold and clammy, exactly as one would expect a mermaid's hand to feel.

  “I'm Radianne.”

  Pearl smiled and eased herself up onto the grassy bank beside the young woman, her greenish-blue tail scales sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight.

  Blink stared at the jewel-like scales, fascinated. The mermaid flipped her tail in the water, sending little droplets scattering around like gems. Blink gasped, hoping none of the water would land on him.

  Radianne motioned to him. “This is my friend Blink.”

  “Hello.” Pearl studied the star quizzically. “You appear to be a star, from what I can gather. Though it seems very unlikely, and nearly impossible to comprehend.”

  Her mouth formed a slight frown. “What is a star doing in Eugladia?”

  Blink felt small and insignificant under the mermaid's gaze. She intimi
dated him. Never had he seen a more unusual and beautiful sight than the lovely creature that was before him at that moment.

  “I was pushed from the sky by another star,” he said, lowering his eyes in shame. He did not like to admit to the defeat.

  “Well that's horrid.” Pearl tilted her head to one side. “I hope the other star was punished. And I do hope you can find your way back. I do wonder though, as this is my only opportunity to ask… how is it that we can see the stars, as small as you are, from way down here? I always imagined stars to be so much larger. And burning balls of fumes, of course. This is very mysterious and difficult to understand.”

  Blink blinked. These quick questions from the Eugladians confused him as well. He was also very surprised. Everyone kept referring to stars as burning balls of fumes and he did not really have an answer to such things. He had also never considered his size before. “I suppose some things just cannot be explained,” he offered. “Maybe there are some questions better left unanswered? I don't know. I also suspect a star's glow is supposed to be a mystery, like many other things The Creator made in life. Some things just don't have simple answers.”

  Radianne smiled at her new friend's response. He certainly was wise. But however wise he was, she could also tell some of the conversation was making her new friend a little uncomfortable. Clearing her throat, she tried to change the subject.

  “We are on a quest to try and find a way to return Blink home,” she told Pearl.

  “I wish I could help,” the mermaid said wistfully. She sighed and then pouted and pointed to the water. “But I'm trapped. That's my cage. My life is so boring down there in those depths. If only you knew… it's not even the ocean!” she wailed. “That would be something. Oh, the life of a lake mermaid!” she moaned again, bringing her hands up to her forehead dramatically.