Barsk: The Elephants' Graveyard

APPENDIX THREE: THE MOONS OF BARSK

Barsk has seven natural moons orbiting it (eight if you count the artificial station that serves as the planet’s export facility and hovers at the top of the space elevator high above the only island situated on the equator). Every schoolchild knows that rain is the greatest constant on the planet, and regardless of the season the skies are always filled with clouds. That said, weather is by definition a dynamic system, and the only true constant is that now and then you have to expect inconstancy. So it is that at times a small patch of cloud will clear and a view of the sky occurs for anyone lucky enough to be there to enjoy it. On exceptionally rare and unpredictable occasions, that brief opening will align with a particular orbit and allow a glimpse of one of the moons. Of course, living within their islands’ respective Civilized Woods, most Fant are not out and about with a view of the sky when such providence occurs. Most females go their entire lives without seeing a moon, and though males are more apt to be in the right time and place while traveling between islands, even so it is considered a moment of profound portents to see a moon.

Pemma—the second smallest of Barsk’s seven moons. It was the third one Pizlo saw, and the moon which (he claims) instructed him to stowaway aboard a cargo pod and travel up to the orbiting space station.

Telko—the largest of the moons. This was Pizlo’s fourth moon, seen from the viewport of the orbiting station.

Wella—the smallest of the moons, it has a more oblate shape, heavier in its bottom half than top. Pizlo believes he will see this moon during the season of dark in the next year. For reasons that are unknown to this author, Wella is always referred to as having a masculine aspect.