Under a Starless Sky novel Chapter 3

The world was a much different place in the day. Near the cliffs of Midelay were orchards. Lanore, Tesh, and Keila gathered fruits as they departed, just enough to fill their bags. They had also been given seeds, each of a different fruit bearing tree, and as they walked, they planted. With each seed, they sang a prayer. The path from Midelay to Easterly Harbor could be dated by the growth of fruit trees defined the path. The oldest trees were likely planted by Lanore herself. She didn’t claim any as hers. They were all beautiful to behold. She wondered if she would live long enough to see the entire path from Midelay to Easterly one long orchard.

It was well after noon when they arrived back to Easterly. The outskirt of their small village had the clear defined orchard with a variety of fruit bearing trees, incorporating Elder Trees that had been intentionally left standing. The rows of trees came off the Elder trees in concentric circles, clearly planned, but also an attempt to mimic nature. Two of the oldest Elders were Evergreen, and ground around them were brownish red with needles. Pinecones were a commodity that was sent back to Midelay, and from there dispersed out. The largest Elder Tree was considered a ‘Sleeper’ tree. It was a strange looking thing, like lightening shooting up into the sky and branching out. It was rare to find such a large Sleeper so far from a Sleeper Forest, but it was more than ideal. It was the first Omen that cemented Lanore on making this space hers. Ten of the trees they had planted on first settling were now bearing enough fruit they had a surplus.

Easterly Harbor was a series of step cliffs that went down to the beach, enfolding around a serene bay of blues and green, tapering off to the darker blue and black of the ocean beyond the land. The steps going down were cultivated gardens. The Eternal Flame of Easterly was at the highest peak, providing a beacon to any ocean travelers, but also a visible connection back to Midelay.

It was six seasons after Easterly Harbors Lighting before the first ship came. Ships were still sparse. Ocean life was much harsher than land. There were rumors of city ships that had gone years without sight of shore. Rumors and stories were great commodities; someone who could pen it down, providing names, and sources, and witnesses could make a good living.

Lanore had a good living. It was too good, and it was a struggle not to grow too fast. As it was, Elders beyond Midelay were speaking of her impending doom, that she was too arrogant, too successful for her age. But the sea provided food. Their gardens took. There were fruits and rabbits and squirrels enough to keep even the poorest beggar alive, with minimal efforts. How could one not thrive in such a paradise?

“Every Paradise has its snakes,” Elders warned.

Lanore could not argue this, and she was wise enough not to, though there was a want. If God made Paradise, and placed all the creatures in that space, then weren’t snakes also a necessary part? Could one learn to be an adult without facing adversity, or confronting snakes? If a snake got the best of you, and you learned from the experience, then were you not wiser? Was there a snake handler ever that was never burned? The one never burned is the one who becomes complacent.

Candace came running down the path to greet Lanore, crying “L’Ma, L’Ma,” breaking her out of her fruitless philosophizing. She chided herself: fruitless only if not shared. Pen your thoughts, allow others to test your thesis.

Lanore was met by Candace with hugs. Others gathered as well, as Lanore approached a circle of stone just outside the gates going into the village. Men lingered in the back ground, but didn’t approach.

“Are you well, L’Ma?” Candace asked.

“I am, thank you,” Lanore said.

“I missed you. And we have visitors from the west. Dark people, Darker than the ocean people that came. They came in after the rain, and C’Ma has been caring for them. And Larc burnt the breakfast this morning, and C’Ma has been very cross,” Candace said.

“Really? Why is Larc cooking the breakfast and not Ginder?”

“Ginder isn’t feeling well,” Candace said.

“Poor old fellow,” Lanore said. “I guess we’ll just have to make him better, won’t we?”

Ceolla arrived at the gates, catching just enough of the conversation to make conclusion. She was accompanied by an elderly woman. She, too, made assumptions. “I say we put ‘im out of his misery.”

“Mother, I won’t have you talking about father like that.”

“He isn’t worth a single ferret. Between his old age, and Larc’s incompetence, it’s a wonder we don’t starve,” G’Ma complained.

“We don’t worry about the hunt anymore,” Lanore said, putting her daughter down. Lanore took off her back pack and pulled out a two kits. “Candace, it is time for you to start training.”

Candace screamed and swept up the two kits. G’Ma came over to examine the two frail little animals. They looked around timidly, as Candace held them both up.

“It’ll be months before they can even catch their weight in rabbits, much less a full grown one,” Ceolla complained.

“That’s what this one is for?” Lanore said, pulling one last ferret out of her pack. “This one will hunt, and should offer us a few more kits by spring.”

“I think you over estimate Ratchet,” G’Ma said, and disappeared into the house.

“Candace, take Menace here and put her in the cage. And, be careful not to squeeze her, cause she nips.”

“‘Kay,” Candace said, putting the two kits in her pockets. “And can I keep the kits in my room?”

“Yes. Have Larc fetch the small cage out of storage,” Lanore said. “Run along.”

Tesh had been growing inpatient and now that Candace was out, she went direct to business. “Tell us about the strangers you’re harboring.”

“They knew the ritual,” Ceolla said. “Three women, one man. They came just after dawn, yesterday. It was a fierce storm.”

“From where?”

“They say they’re from the south,” Ceolla said.

“There is only ocean south,” Keila said.

“They came along the shore,” Ceolla said.

“No one comes from way of the sleeping forest,” Tesh said.

“Are they Walking Bears?” Lanore asked.

“They denied knowing anything about Bears,” Ceolla said. “One of them is definitely a snake charmer.”

“You saw her with snakes?” Tesh asked.

“The burn pattern on her arm suggest snakes,” Ceolla said.

“I suppose I should meet these strangers,” Lanore said. “We’ve treated them generously?”

“They know the ritual. They carry lights,” Ceolla said.

Lanore nodded and proceeded towards the dome that would most likely be commandeered to accommodate guests: the inner men’s barrack. It would have a central room with a hearth, and three private rooms, and one small water closet. There was a gas lamp on the outer wall were the dome was cut to allow entrance. Passing through revealed the stone wall to be just over 40 cm thick. The inner wall was textured as if painted by sack cloth. The three women were having breakfast at a table. The man was having his meal on the floor. The three women stood.

Lanore greeted with a sign. One of the three women stepped forwards, mirroring the heart gesture, bringing up a hand that blossomed into an open palm. She was a Master. A coil of burn mark scared her arm.

“Welcome to our home,” Lanore said.

“You put us in men’s rooms?” one of the guest said.

The Master looked at her, and the look cowed her into submission. She lowered her eyes, but did not assume an apologetic look.

The Master brought up her other hand, revealing empty palms. “We are grateful for the respite, and the food,” she said. “I am Tell. These are my apprentices Sheen and Abeth. Forgive Sheen. She is not happy I brought them on an impromptu journey into the night.”

“Please, sit,” Lanore invited. She sat with them. There was a spare bowl, which she used to provide herself soup. She frowned at the taste. She looked at Ceolla. Ceolla bit her lip. “I’m sorry about breakfast. If you stay, I promise our next meal will be immensely improved.”

“The sun has returned. I would like to continue my journey along the shore,” Tell said. “Would you share a map with a wayward traveler?”

“I will share what we know,” Lanore said.

“There is nothing to know,” Tesh said. “We are Easterly. There is only water forever that way, Sleeping Forests above and below us, and Midelay West. No one passes through the Sleeping Forest.”

Tell listened. She was also observant. Lanore didn’t correct her, the way the guest had her apprentice. She nodded, gratefully. “Thank you, Master.”

“I am…”

Lanore raised one finger slightly. Tesh fell silent.

“I detect sarcasm,” Lanore said.

“You will address me, but not your apprentice?” Tell said.

“She may not be raised, but she is a sister,” Lanore said. “She speaks truth. The flavor could be seasoned. I have brought a light here. I will share my map. I am worried, seasoned traveler, you will find it inadequate to resolve your quest.”

“You are Heart Path. You grow as slow as the trees,” Tell said.

“We grow as the food grows,” Lanore offered. “The trees were here before us. They will be here when we are gone.”

“I know of vast stretches where there are no trees,” Tell said.

Lanore tried to understand how such a place could sustain civilization. She forced herself to accept it, remembering stories of how everyone once walked the world.

“You don’t strike me as nomadic,” Lanore said.

“We are,” Tell said.

“And yet, Sheen is so accustomed that she feels we have disparaged her?” Lanore asked.

“I have already apologized…”

“Please, I am only reporting confusion,” Lanore said. “I am seeking clarity. Ceolla, go fetch my ark.”

Leona forced herself to eat, grimacing. She sighed.

“It is really uneatable,” Lanore lamented. She put the bowl away from her. “Tesh, bring us fresh fruit. If there’s a rabbit cooking, bring that. If there isn’t one cooking, put one on. Bring dried fish for them to sample, and if they favor it, bring them a bundle to carry.”

Tesh bowed out.

“Larc, take this food away. If the men can stomach it, they can eat it. If not, give it back to earth and apologize profusely, for poisoning her and for wasting,” Lanore said.

Larc began to clean the table.

“Why do you even let the men cook?” Sheen asked.

Tell gave her a cross look.

“Tell, I don’t know you. I don’t know your ways. It’s not offensive to me if she asks questions,” Lanore said.

“It is to me,” Tell said.

“I will trade. I will not judge them for their apparent lack of discernment of your expectations, if you will forgive that meal,” Lanore offered.

Tell softened. She nodded. Ceolla arrived with an ornate box. She sat it at the other end of the table, where she waited until Lanore took custody. She backed away. Lanore motioned for Tell to join her. They sat opposite of each other. Fruit and dried fish arrived as they sat down. Tesh used a knife to cut an avocado, and demonstrated how to eat it. There was bowl for seeds and bowl for peels.

Lanore opened the ark and brought out a book. She also brought out ink, choosing it from several options of colored ink, provided fresh, unused quills, and free paper. The feathers were mostly pink, tapering off to lavender, iridescent blues, shades of green that came out as the quill turned. Tell clearly favored the feather, but she was more interested in the paper. Tell asked for a sheet. She was given multiple sheets. It sparkled. It had a pleasant odor.

“I have never seen the like,” Tell admitted.

“Silk paper,” Lanore offered. “Do you have a book?”

Sheen brought Tell her bag. She retrieved a book, leather bound. An S mark over a line was etched into the leather. Lanore’s book was also leather. The quality of paper was very different. Her mark was etched into the cover revealing gold underlay, a tree, and a symbol for number five.

“You have filled five books?”

“I am not nomadic. I have had the luxury of penning many books,” Lanore said. “This is my 5th attempt to realize the world. Copies of my work have made it to Sinter. If you tarry, I will show my personal library. In this you will find copies of my earlier maps, my updated map, and the most recent maps shared with me. If you allow me, I will add your map to mine. If you’re opposed, I can’t promise you I won’t try to recreate what you reveal to me, either in words or drawings.”

“Fair enough. My book is open to you,” Tell said.

“And mine is opened to you,” Lanore said.

They exchanged books. After a moment of study, Lanore conceded she was lost. She suspected Tell was equally lost, but Tell gave no tells of her inner thoughts. She studied her face as she read her book, delicately turning the pages as if it were a sacred object. She wondered if her face was capable of displaying emotions. She might have wondered if she could read at all, but she had revealed she had at least understood numbers.