Starfall Page 6

  He knew all too well what was said about Wanderers and had experienced his share of insults and shunning from other Eugladians over the years.

  At that moment, however, he simply wanted to learn more about Radianne. Perhaps he had been a little too pushy in following her. But he did feel an odd responsibility toward her for some reason.

  Though she was young and naive, he admired her determination to get the star back to the sky where it belonged, even if the idea seemed like an impossible and somewhat ridiculous task.

  He wondered what her family was like. He wanted to tell her how important family was and how she should appreciate the people who loved her while she had the chance. He wanted to tell her to hold them close and never let go. Because everything could change in an instant.

  But he figured that would be a peculiar thing to say to someone you'd just met.

  Radianne truly was interested in helping the star, but he also suspected she'd been eager to leave home for some other reason as well. He wouldn't ask why. Not just then. He was a stranger and he knew that questions would come in return. And then he would have to open up about his own lonely life – something he wasn't willing to discuss with anyone, any time soon.

  **************

  Radianne could feel Henrick's gaze on her again and forced herself to feign ignorance. Being indifferent and aloof to the man was a must, she told herself. She didn't want him there. She wasn't weak or incapable of taking care of herself. She and Blink would be completely fine without Henrick's assistance.

  Though – she also couldn't help but admire his determination to stay. Determination was an attractive quality. Admittedly, she thought he was annoying and had imposed on her adventure, but he did seem to know a thing or two about travel, from what she'd seen so far. Perhaps the knowledge would ultimately be useful, in the end. Even if she would hate to admit it.

  Blink certainly seemed fascinated with him. Remembering how joyous the star had been when Henrick made the fire moments before, Radianne looked over at her friend. To her horror, she immediately noticed something wasn't quite right. In the darkness of the cave, Blink's light was pulsating.

  “Blink!” she cried, lunging toward him. “What's wrong?”

  The star curled up into a ball. “I don't feel well Radianne,” he moaned, his points clutching at the center of his body. He was obviously in pain.

  Radianne gently picked him up, cradling him in her arms. The electric sensation pulsed through her as well, keeping time with his erratic light. Her eyes filling with tears, all she could do was watch as he writhed in agony. Something terrible was happening…

  “I… my light. There's something wrong,” Blink whispered. He closed his eyes and sighed deeply. “I remember now. I remember those old stories about fallen stars…” He looked up with wide eyes. “The Man In The Moon once said that if a star ever fell to the world below – if it didn't die on impact – starlight would soon be taken. And if given enough time, a fallen star would become like a stone in appearance. I don't know why I forgot that. What if that's happening now?”

  Radianne drew him closer. She refused to allow her new friend to become a stone! His body was still glowing. There was still hope…

  “I think it means I will eventually stop shining and never shine again unless I find my way back to the sky somehow,” Blink said quietly.

  Radianne continued to hold him and waited until his light settled down, until it returned to a still and calming glow. The electric feeling soon became gentle waves.

  “At least we will always have the glow of fire,” he told her, closing his eyes to rest.

  Radianne cuddled him in her lap. She didn't understand all that was happening. Afraid for Blink, she made a vow then and there that she would do whatever it took to get him back to his family. As soon as possible.

  The strange currents that seemed to flow through her body whenever she touched him were also confusing. In the morning, she would have to remember to ask him about it.

  “One day,” she whispered to him, “you will shine your radiance on the world once more. I promise.”

  Blink smiled at her words, his eyes still closed.

  Henrick stood and walked over. Crouching beside her, he examined Blink. “I will do what I can to help you get him home, Radianne.”

  A sharp retort began to form on Radianne's lips. He couldn't know about stars. He couldn't possibly know everything there was to know about everything, even though he certainly thought he did…

  But as she glared at him, and saw the look in his blue eyes, her frown faded. She held her tongue. He genuinely seemed concerned.

  Whatever reason this stranger had crossed her path and had agreed to help them, she realized then that perhaps she need not be so harsh.

  Maybe, she thought, maybe she should be more trusting in her fellow Eugladian and have faith that the meeting could possibly be meant to be.

  As he looked up at her again, her heart skipped a beat. But he was still a stranger, she told herself. Brushing all of the troublesome feelings and thoughts aside, she mumbled “Thank you,” and curled up into a ball near Blink, resting her head on her hands.

  **************

  Henrick took out the light he carried in a hidden pocket at all times. It was made by glo-worms and had been given to him by his father. With Blink's glow being present, he hadn't needed to use it, but the treasured light would come in handy if the star's light completely faded. He turned the switch off and on, playing with the patterns the beam made on the cavern wall, lost in time and thoughts of his family.

  He remembered how beautiful his mother had been. How brave his father… Beautiful and brave. Like his new friend…

  His thoughts trailed back to the girl. Though moments before, she seemed extremely upset, she now looked peaceful as she lay asleep in the firelight. He wondered if she'd dream tonight, and what about. He also wondered again why he had been so intensely determined to help her. She wasn't the easiest person to get along with.

  Even though he knew he'd made the right choice, he'd also avoided spending too much time with other Eugladians over the last several years and was out of practice with how to behave. He knew he would ultimately be better off on his own. Most of them had no clue about Wanderers. They wouldn't understand. Only time would tell where the new and unexpected path was going to take him.

  Leaning back against the wall of the cave, he stared into the dying fire for awhile and then again at the sleeping girl and star. As he watched them, a frightening – but welcoming – feeling washed over him. The change was a good thing, he decided, contradicting his thoughts of just moments before. He was no longer alone.

  For the first time in a long time, a small flame of hope sparked to life inside his soul.

  -7-

  Eustasia

  R

  adianne was fascinated with how much the scenery in Eustasia differed from Eugladia. It had changed so quickly. The air in Eustasia seemed crisper and more fragrant… a delicious scent wafted on the breeze. The smell seemed to be coming from the mammoth flowers she'd spotted the night before.

  In the morning light, Radianne looked up at the giant rainbow-colored flowers with delight. They were no longer eerie. “They're so beautiful!” she exclaimed, happily tossing Blink into the air. She caught him in her arms and danced, feeling that electricity again.

  Earlier, with Henrick out of earshot, she'd asked Blink about the strange feelings. She told him that whenever she felt the current, she felt more energized and alive. Powerful. Unafraid.

  But unfortunately, there hadn't been much of an answer to her question. Blink said it just must be a star thing and left it at that. Radianne decided not to question it for the time being.

  She was especially happy because her friend also seemed to be feeling better and was in good spirits.

  He laughed as she twirled around a purple rose towering above her head. Her long hair spiraled out in waves around her shoulders as she danced.

  She
thought of him dancing with his mother in the sky and all the wonderful things he could tell her and the other stars when he returned home.

  Though Radianne hoped he would remember the dance under the giant rose forever.

  Smiling as she whirled him past a giant blue daisy, she even dared flash a grin over to Henrick. She momentarily forgot she was supposed to be angry and unhappy he was traveling with her.

  “Aren't they some of the most beautiful things you've ever seen?” she asked as he leaned against a giant flower stem and watched her gush over the flowers.

  He smiled back and shook his head, as if confused.

  Radianne supposed men didn't really appreciate the true gloriousness of flowers.

  Happily she turned her attention to Blink again and whirled with him once more. When she stopped spinning, she dizzily paused for a moment or two and then proceeded to examine her surroundings more thoroughly.

  It was hard to believe that Snorgs dwelled somewhere in Eustasia. She thought the land was enchanting – much too beautiful for the likes of them. The idea of such ugly creatures living in such a pristine place didn't make much sense to her.

  Pale brown mountains rose up in the distance, jutting toward a perfect blue sky lined with puffy white clouds. The scene seemed serene, untarnished.

  Could Snorgs really inhabit such a place, and if so, why did they want to conquer other lands? It seemed they had everything they could want, right there in Eustasia.

  She hoped there wouldn't be a Snorg encounter any time soon. After the incident with Blink the night before, there wasn't any time to waste. Growing solemn again, Radianne thought of his pulsating glow. He did seem to feel better, though he also looked even more pale and slightly rock-like in appearance.

  She worried about what the changes could mean, but she had to have faith that once he returned to the sky, he would be completely back to normal. No time to fret about it just then. They had to keep moving.

  The trio set out in the morning light and walked until they came to a field full of enormous white mushrooms.

  How astonishing, Radianne thought. What had moments before seemed to be an endless field of fragrant flowers was now a forest of giant, odd-looking fungi. Rays of sunlight filtered down over the hooded tops and around the towering stems of the giant mushroom forest.

  “What's this?” She raised an eyebrow and looked to Henrick. He would certainly have an answer, she supposed.

  “One of the first things you'll learn as we travel along,” he said, taking a few steps closer to the mushrooms and making a wide gesture with his hands, “Is how the scenery changes very quickly in The Netherlands. Things are often unpredictable and don't always make much sense.”

  As he said the last words, a shadowed look came over his eyes, as if he were remembering something he'd rather forget. He shook it off.

  “This is where the Oodles live,” he continued.

  Radianne frowned. “The who?”

  “The Oodles.” Henrick walked forward into the forest of fungi without offering further explanation.

  Blink looked at Radianne from his position on her shoulder. Shrugging, she trailed along after Henrick and quickly discovered that navigating though the forest of fungi was not at all an easy task.

  Repeatedly, she tripped over their bulky stems and the stench in the air from their spores made her choke. The air smelled awful, like wet mold and other nasty unpleasant things. The putrid odor only intensified and the mushrooms grew darker and crustier in appearance the deeper the trio progressed into the dank forest.

  And then there was a voice. “Good day!”

  Then another. “Good day!”

  And another. “Good day!”

  Radianne paused to listen. She turned her head this way and that, trying to find the source of the sound.

  What was that? Was she hearing things?

  But Blink heard the voices too, so she knew she wasn't losing her mind.

  “Good day!”

  There they were! Turning quickly to her left, Radianne spotted three slimy worms in little black hats, sitting on a smaller brown mushroom.

  They were somewhat difficult to see. She had to squint her eyes to get a good look at them.The creatures grinned at her and bowed, then proceeded to argue about something indecipherable amongst themselves.

  Radianne reluctantly looked to Henrick for an explanation. Standing several feet ahead, he motioned her forward, simultaneously mouthing something.

  “What?” Radianne asked, not understanding.

  “We said GOOD DAY!!” the worms screeched in ear-splitting unison.

  For such little creatures, their voices were completely horrible, Radianne thought.

  Henrick sighed loudly.“Oodles,” he grumbled. “Ignore them and just walk on.”

  But Radianne could not help but gawk at them. They were very peculiar little creatures and, as annoying as they were, she was also amazed by the capacity of their vocals.

  “Very, very rude!” one of the worms screeched.

  “No morning greeting!” another said with a sniff.

  Blink stared. He too had no words for this situation, so he just sat, silent, on Radianne's shoulder as they continued to express their dismay at not being greeted by the forest crossers in their midst.

  Radianne decided to try to appease them as she walked.

  “G-Good day,” she stuttered, trying to untangle her leg from around an especially rancid giant mushroom stem. A chunk of it broke off around her foot. The foul smell instantly wafted up and almost knocked her over. Even Blink covered his eyes. Radianne gagged and pressed on.

  “Good day!”

  “Good day!”

  “Good day!”

  The three worms jumped up and down and excitedly shouted their greetings.

  Radianne, Henrick, and Blink picked up the pace, but as they walked, more of the worms popped up.

  They all continued to shout. “Good day!”

  The sound soon became deafening. The mushrooms seemed to vibrate with each Oodle scream.

  Radianne's head began to throb. Greetings were coming so fast, left and right, from above and below. It all culminated to a ear-splitting unison and she knew if she didn't get out of the mushroom forest soon, there was a good chance she could very well lose her mind.

  Clutching at her head, she tried to run, as if the action would help block the sounds out.

  Henrick turned to see what was holding her up. He noted the mass of Oodles surrounding her, shouting out their greetings relentlessly.

  “I suppose you've had enough,” he called to her, laughing.

  “Good day! Good day! Good day!” the Oodles sang out.

  The forest hummed with their greetings, giant mushroom stems shaking violently from the deafening song.

  Radianne pressed her hands against her eyes and fought back the urge to scream. The urge started welling up in her throat… Blink still had his eyes covered. She was just about to open her mouth and let loose when –

  “GOOD NIGHT!” Henrick shouted.

  Immediately, the chaotic chorus stopped. The Oodles sank to the ground at once, sulking and creeping away, murmuring “so rude,” as they disappeared.

  Radianne and Blink sighed with relief.

  “That's it?” Radianne turned to Henrick with a raised eyebrow. She couldn't believe how easy it had been for him to quiet the nasty little creatures down. “You should have done that sooner! What was wrong with them?”

  Henrick laughed. “I don't know. Just one of those many unique sights you will come across in your travels. I figured you should experience it. I think they just love to be annoying,” he said, and kicked a rotten mushroom stem out of his way as they walked on. “I figured out the key to quieting them down one day when I was passing through. I got tired of them saying the same thing over and over, and, finally, I told them 'good night!' That ended it.”

  “Well I'm glad that's over with,” Blink announced. “Very strange creatures in a very strange lan
d. The strangest beings I've met yet!”

  “I'll take that as a compliment,” Radianne said with a laugh. She was also completely relieved the Oodles had gone, though she didn't like how helpless she'd felt and how Henrick had to come to her rescue.

  What would have happened if she'd been alone? She wondered. She would like to think she would have made it through, but given the fact that she'd just felt on the verge of insanity, she wasn't so sure. The thought depressed her a little.

  But, she decided not to make a fuss about it. She didn't want to seem childish and ungrateful for Henrick's help. Even if she still really didn't want it.

  They walked away from the monstrous fungi forest and crossed into a meadow. The giant flowers reappeared and were a welcome sight. The meadow was also full of tall, white, lovely grasses.

  “Sometimes, in this area,” Henrick said, “there are tremendously large butterflies that pass through. They seek the nectar from these flowers you love so much.” He turned with a smirk to Radianne. “The butterflies are known as the Gentle Giants. You know what would be a good idea?” he smiled. “ We should ask them for a lift. They could easily fly us to the heart of Eustasia, saving us some valuable time.”

  Radianne froze. The heart? Wasn't that where the Snorgs lived? She'd almost forgotten because she'd been too taken in by all the pretty sights. Though, she did suppose they would have to pass through The Center at some point – it was inevitable.

  As for Henrick's new revelation… she had never seen a giant butterfly and once again, didn't feel happy about him making all the suggestions, as she still felt confused about their situation. At a loss for words, she didn't comment.

  Henrick thought her silence a little rude, but intuitively knew she probably didn't want his input. After all, he'd somewhat sabotaged 'her adventure,' though he was only trying to help. He too grew silent as they walked along.

  Blink and Radianne eventually began to talk between themselves, laughing and telling funny stories about things that had happened to them when they were very young. They were so busy chatting that they didn't see the Gentle Giant appear.