Sky Full of Stars

Chapter Two: The Argon

    It took us nearly five full days to finally reach Basingate, but we had little trouble as we trekked through the forest a day's ride from our farm and finally reached the plains on the other side. We had only stopped in Dragondrift for a night to rest in the comfort of an inn rather than pushing into the forest that evening and finding a place to camp, which would have forced us to use our already limited rations.

    Iadara grinned at me as we finally reach the city, her hold on her steed's mane relaxed while I gripped the reigns of Penny tightly. She was much too calm, too easy to trick, especially in such a large city. I, however, was intent on not letting my guard down for even a moment.

    "Oh, relax, big sister. I have you to protect me, and no one would dare mess with a paladin of Kareem, trained by the very knights of Dragondrift!"

    I rolled my eyes at her. "No one knows that's who I am, little sister. And while I may look intimidating, not everyone is so easily frightened. Keep your guard up, please"

    She huffed in annoyance, but obliged and leaned forward on her steed a little further. She whispered a soft word, and the unicorn's horn faded into nothing, leaving it looking like merely a white horse. That was a trick Mother had made sure she knew. Going into any city or town riding a mythical celestial beast, even simply a magical illusion of one, could be dangerous. Bandits and thieves looking for easy pickings for gold and jewelry often went after the people who looked like they had the most to spare, and owning a unicorn would have certainly drawn that kind of unwanted attention.

    I guided Penny toward the massive airship dock in the center of the city. It looked very similar to a regular dock, except there was no water around it. It was a massive structure, built high into the sky so the airships didn't have to come any lower than necessary. And I had no trouble seeing the very airship we'd be riding.

    A massive ship, with glowing sails of red, blue, green, and grey. It was not difficult to guess which sail was powered by which element. I glanced at Iadara as I dismounted in front of the platform that would lift us to the ship. She dismounted her steed and waved her hand, whispering soft words in celestial before the beast disappeared in a shimmering light. I managed to catch the phrase "Thank you" in her spell, and I smiled.

    "Even kind to simple illusions" I whispered to her in celestial. She grinned back at me, but didn't say anything.

    She stepped on to the platform first, then I followed, leading Penny with a tight hold on her reigns. She was a bit nervous, but after a few soothing words, Penny calmed down and Iadara flipped a switch on the other end of the lift. We began the steady climb to the top of the airship port on the mechanical lift, and I kept my attention on making sure Penny stayed in the center of the unsecured platform.

    In only a few moments, we reached the top and stepped off the platform. Iadara grinned wide as she took in the sight before her, while I was a bit more hesitant than she was. We watched as dozens of dock workers moved about the dock, harmonious but loud. I could hear men yelling at each other, see people dodging out of the way of people carrying large crates, women checking the sides of the ships' hulls for damage, people tossing ropes over the edge of ships to tie them down. And the smell was horrible. Sweat and elemental magic combined to create what it likely the most disgusting smell I have ever had to endure.

    Iadara wrinkled her nose and turned back to me. "Who is it we're seeking, big sister?"

    I looked down at her and smiled lightly. "One of Father's old friends, Gulgram. In his letters, he said to look for the biggest ship..." I looked around and spotted a massive ship at the far end of the dock, in the only spot it would really fit. "That one, I think" I pointed towards it.

    Iadara turned her head and frowned. "Didn't Gulgram try to steal Mother from Father when they first met?"

    I chuckled lightly. "It was reversed, little sister. Father stole Mother from Gulgram. She worked on his airship at the time..." I trailed off, feeling my throat close up as my grief threatened to take hold. I shook it off quickly and pasted my false smile back onto my face. "But they became such good friends after that" I finished.

    Mother had always told me if I wanted to see the world, I needed to be able to hide my true feelings. Now, I would put the lessons she taught me to work.

    I strode toward the massive ship, guiding Penny behind me, and making sure Iadara stayed close. People moved out of our way as I led the way, but only enough to give us space before immediately falling back into what they were doing before. Like a boulder parting the flow of a mighty river.

    I approached a strange looking woman at the base of the massive ship. She was quite short compared to my solid six foot three inches, and even Iadara's five foot seven inches. This woman, a dwarf by her short stature, stood at maybe five foot even. She had long brown hair pulled back in a messy bun and dark brown eyes that studied our every movement.

    After a moment, she smiled warmly. "You must be Tearlar's girls. Gulgram has been expecting you."

    I tilted my head curiously. "And who might you be, ma'am?" Our family always made it a point to learn strangers names, just in case something were to happen to us, or to them, we could get help or track down their families and inform them of what happened.

    "Ah, of course. I'm Gulgram's wife, Nysva" she informed me, smiling bright.

    Right, Gulgram's newest conquest. The man had gone through four women already, and had yet to truly settle down. However, the one difference about Nysva was that she supposedly accompanied Gulgram on his travels. Perhaps number five would be the winner for him.

    I smiled back at her. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Nysva. We've heard so much about you"

    "Hopefully all good things. Now, let's see here..." She scrutinized me carefully. "That's it, you're Rhalta's daughter, aren't you?"

    I stared at her, dumbfounded. "You knew our mother?" I asked carefully.

    "Of course, Nimue. Your mother and I were the best of friends when we were younger. I didn't know she had settled down, let alone had two beautiful daughters, but my you look just like her! Goodness, how has she been?" The excitement in her voice broke my heart.

    "I expect Gulgram hasn't told you... Mother died three winters ago. The plague..." I strained to make my voice remain steady, but it was incredibly difficult.

    Iadara laid a hand on my arm, the most comfort she could really offer.

    Nysva's face fell and her eyes clouded over with sadness. "I'm so sorry, my dears. I know the difficulties of losing one's family in such a way..." She pulled us both in for a tight hug, and despite my obvious advantage if I were to try to fight it, I allowed it. This is the first time since Mother passed that someone had been able to hug me in consolation.

    I cleared my throat and straightened up once she'd had her fill. "Thank you, Nysva. Now, I believe we should be boarding? Where is Gulgram?"

    "Aye, there's me two girls!" I heard that all too familiar voice at the top of the ramp leading on to the ship. I turned to see Gulgram, in all his bearded glory, striding down to us. Five feet and two inches, a long black beard and black hair he kept cut neat around his face. Never had I ever seen a dwarf who cut their hair in such a way, and Gulgram had always looked ridiculous.

    I grinned as I met his bright blue eyes. "Gulgram! It's so good to see you again!"

    "Aye now, how many times have I told you to call me uncle, Great Wolf?" He smiled his kind smile at me. Gods, I couldn't wait to get where no one knows that name.

    "You know I view you as a mentor more than an uncle, Gulgram. But, if it will please you" I bowed my head and grinned. "Uncle, I have missed you. How have you been these last seasons?"

    That brought a bright smile to his face. "Ah, winter was cold as always, summer too hot, and spring was just right. Let us see what the autumn brings us this journey, aye?"

    "Aye, Uncle, we shall see" I smiled back at him. "So this is your mighty ship, then? What is her name?"

    Gulgram grinned. "She be called The Argon, Great Wolf. And I see you've brought Little Bird with you"

    Iadara visibly flinched at the name. She'd made her discomfort with being called Mother's pet name for her known to our family after her passing, but Gulgram hadn't seen her since before Mother's passing.

    "Let us not use those pet names, Uncle. It is too painful" she grit out through clenched teeth.

    Gulgram smiled sadly. "Of course, Iadara. Come, girls, let's get you and your steed settled, eh? I've got only one spare room, but I can move another bed into it for you, if you're willing to share?"

    I nodded. "We've been sharing that tiny three bedroom home for years, Uncle. I'm sure it'll fell much roomier without Elva and Levah to share with too, much as I miss them"

    Iadara nodded her agreement, but said nothing, staring at the ground with her jaw clenched tightly. She hadn't heard Mother's pet name for her since she lashed out at Father for using it at her funeral. I grabbed her hand and squeezed tightly, drawing her attention back to the present.

    Iadara took Mother's death the hardest, after Father. She was with her when Mother fell ill, catching the plague from a man who had stumbled into the inn they were staying at in Dragondrift. He had collapsed on top of Mother's lap, but neither of them knew until later that evening that he was ill. She blamed herself for not protecting Mother from him, but I knew if she had tried she would have died too. None of us could have taken losing both a sister and our Mother at the same time, and Father would have died from the heartbreak.

    She squeezed my hand back and released my hand, lifting her chin and heading up the ramp. I glanced back at Nysva, who smiled and gently took Penny's reigns from me. "Off you go. You'll want to get the good bed, I suspect" she winked and led Penny up the ramp and below deck.

    I took a deep breath and followed after Iadara, settling my gear onto the bed the crew members moved into the room and letting Iadara have the stationary one. Then, I climbed back above deck and stood at the helm with Gulgram.

    "Alright, Argon crew, let's see what she can do!"

    Cheers rang out throughout the ship, and all four sails dropped simultaneously, the magical energy of fire, earth, water, and air filling them immediately. Gulgram steered the airship out of the dock and whistled low.

    "Every time we set sail, I still can't believe it, Nimue. I am truly lucky to have done so well. And one day, you will too. I have faith" he said to me.

    I looked down at him and nodded. "Uncle, have you ever heard of any way to bring someone back from the Great Beyond?"

    He narrowed his eyes at me. "Via necromancy, yes. But that is forbidden magic, and for good reason. Without the use of such evil magic, I've heard it done only once. When Mireille, goddess of Life and Creation as you well know, took pity on an adventurer who had served her and the gods of good faithfully for many years and brought back the adventurer's fiancé. But that is only legend, no one knows if it is true"

    I looked back out to the open sky before us. "Do you think I could earn that for my family?" I asked softly.

    "Nimue, Great Wolf, you can earn that if you truly believe they require Rhalta's love to be a daily reminder and not something they simply remember. But I believe you'll need such a blessing for something much more important for your life"

    "Nothing is more important to me than my family's happiness, Uncle" I responded through gritted teeth.

    "We shall see"