Page 188 of Keeper of the Word

Elanna, Daughter of Light. Your time diminishes.

“Wait!” she yelled, the others shushing her. She whispered to the stars, “Cannot you wait? We’ve come this far. Do not leave the realm without hope.”

With the bare branches above, she could make out several stars. Their light oscillated as if in decision. “Do not leave the realm without hope!”

A crash of movement ruptured onto the green, and several men in combat came into view. In the darkness, ’twas difficult to detect everyone’s identities. Alvie was easy to spot, he being shorter than the others. Was that Hux? But who did they fight? For it did not appear to be Crevan’s Brones. Regardless, their fray put them in the very spot of the stone that Kyrie had carved.

Casta and Maristel crouched to the ground. Maristel’s sobs of fear grew louder.

“’Tis all right,” Elanna whispered.

Humankind has grown cold. Hope is but a candle’s flame waiting to be snuffed out.

“’Tis not so bleak,” she returned to the stars, her gaze fixed on her favorite star. “Show us what you will. Show us!”

Others joined the combat, and Elanna could scarcely ascertain if they were friend or foe.

She stood. “Hux, you must move this fray away from here!”

The dark form she knew to be Hux gave a curt nod and moved his opponents—stars, he fought three—away from the green. Alvie did the same.

Suddenly, roaring into the battle came Tolvar and a man of the same build, which had to be Ghlee. “We have Tara!” Tolvar shouted.

“Elanna! Where are you?” Tara’s silhouette came into view.

The fray had shifted away, but only a little. But no matter. Elanna would show the stars where hope lay.

“Come!” She raced out of the trees and found the stone. “Tara, here!” She motioned for Tara to join her. “Quickly!” she shouted.

The night diminishes.

’Twas true. The first fragments of dawn approached.

“Hurry!”

The Five knelt together, the battle surrounding them. Maristel bawled in fear. “Hush, Maristel! All will be well!” Elanna gripped Tara’s and Maristel’s hands, who gripped Kyrie and Casta.

Their circle was complete.

The battle’s roar was a monster in their ears.

“Gaze up. Do not falter!” Elanna shouted.

Stars. ’Twas too loud. Maristel lost her grip, and Elanna seized her hand.

All at once, the night sky became light itself.

Five shall there be,from two separate lands

The gift of the stars’ Sight held in their hands

The Way is shown to each one hence

Together, they keep fortune’s providence

First,a solitary star of glorious gold

Will have the missing map to behold