In the Fallen Stars, Our Hopes Lie

Episode One. Cassiopeia (2)

There was a reason that the work shift at the plains was considered a punishment.

Hard work was one thing; you had to walk during the whole shift, but there were much more tasks that had physical burden, such as bringing water from the nearest stream to the village so that such things as food and laundry could be dealt with.

Then was it repulsive? No, considering the people dealing with waste, work at the plains could be seen as, well, plain.

Then why do people of the village not want to work a shift at the plains?

"You're late."

The first was that the plains were too far away. Arriving at the shift encampment, an angry voice greeted me. The person from the last shift looked at me with glaring eyes.

"I... I'm sorry."

"Well, get to work. I had enough of this today."

I nodded, trying to regain my breath from all the running from the village to the encampment.

"Your shift should be easier; the Moon is full today, so it will be bright. Still, don't forget to sharpen your blade. Who knows, you might need it."

After unloading all of their armaments, the person left.

Weapons were strictly prohibited within the village, so only people who worked at the designated shifts would handle them, only at the designated locations.

Why does work at the plains require weapons? That leads to the other reason why people hate to work at the plains. A reason that is secondary, but great enough to surpass the first.

If the reason you needed weapons were beasts, it would not be so disliked. But that was the job of the hunting squad.

So why would you need weapons if it is not against animals?

"Who likes to aim lethal things against your kind?"

Saying to myself, I checked my weaponry.

Maybe the people who reside at the plains permanently? People who decided to turn their blades against their own neighbors, who were rebels and were removed from the village. Criminals that were seen as dangerous to the local community would be sent to the plains for the rest of their lives.

The job of the plains shift was to keep an eye on them so they could not enter the village premises. Although I had not seen anyone, and thus never had to swing my sword at them, it was not a happy proposition.

A bow, some arrows, a longsword, and a dagger just in case... finishing up the preparation for my shift, my eyes shortly rested on a peculiar object in the corner of the tent. Some metal pipes connected to each other with interestingly shaped pieces, and a couple of wooden boxes next to it.

All I knew of it was that it was a weapon from the old ages and that I was strictly prohibited from even touching it. And also...

"...let no water get near it, was it?"

The first time I came to the plains' encampment, I tried to handle it out of sheer interest. What followed was an angry shout from the other villager who were just ending their shift.

Scolding me, they told me that it was a very dangerous weapon and nobody should touch it, and that it had to be kept safe from everything and everyone, including the rain.

I wanted to ask why, but their facial expression did not allow for more questions.

After fully arming myself, I went outside for my shift, only to find out a slight mist has landed.

The full Moon was shining down on the plains. Where the mist met the grass and settled, small drops of water sparkled, reflecting the moonlight.

"I guess I get to rest a bit before meeting Cassie. Nobody would venture the plains in this weather."

Arriving at the nearest high ground, I assembled a small tent to stay inside during the shift. Water would do no good to the bow and swords as well, so the plan was to stay in the tent until the shift was over, and after returning the weapons, I would go and meet Cassie.

Thinking about Cassie made me recall the conversations we had. Not only the one we had today, but all the chat and quarrels we went through.

Cassie and their obsession over the stars was quite odd.

There was a time when people were all about the stars. People decades, maybe a century ago, had a trend of giving their children star names, such as Spica or Regulus.

But that trend eventually died away, and the only people in the village named after the stars were the eldest of the elders.

Them, and Cassieopeia.

"My name isn't a star. It is this thing called a constallation."

"A... what?"

"A constallation! A group of stars that would form distinct shapes on the sky, sometimes for a purpose."

That was an old conversation between us. When I asked what Cassiopeia's purpose was, Cassie didn't answer.

Maybe that would be today's topic, who knows? Trying to kill time, I looked down at the plains. It was shining with a thousand small lights, originating from the single Moon.

Cassie would have liked to see this. Since they would never do the plains shift, maybe I should ask them over the next time a mist settles.

"That is, if I ever do the plains shift again."

Unless Cassie and I get caught at the Eastern forest yet again, this was my last shift at the plains. I let out a long sigh, hoping what could come would not.