Starfinder

A STRANGER

THEIR TINY FIRE HAD LONG died out by the time Moth and Fiona fell asleep. In the nook by the river, Moth felt safe enough to dream. They were good dreams, mostly, about his birthday and Leroux, and how he’d never cared about the Reach before his troubles started. He awoke briefly to find Fiona sleeping next to him. Lady Esme had tucked herself against Fiona to keep both of them warm. Seeing them put a tired smile on Moth’s face as he drifted back to sleep.

It might have been a minute later or an hour—Moth couldn’t tell—when he awoke to the sound of crunching branches. Supposing it an animal, he opened his eyes expecting to see a looming tiger or bear. He held his breath, his eyes adjusting to the darkness, and saw the outline of a man standing over him.

Moth gasped and scrambled back, startling Fiona awake. Her scream sent Esme flying.

“No!” hushed the man. A finger shot to his lips. “Quiet!”

Moth and Fiona staggered to their feet. Head swimming, Moth peered through the darkness as he grabbed Fiona’s hand. “Who are you?” he demanded. “We’re not alone. If you harm us…”

The man squatted down and held up his hands. Moth’s sleepy eyes could barely make him out. “No harm, no harm,” he said quickly. “Don’t be afraid.”

“What do you want?” hissed Fiona. “We don’t have anything to take.”

Moth saw a grin open on the stranger’s face. “I’m not here to rob you, girl. No, no. I’m a friend, here to help…”

He spoke quickly, too quickly for Moth’s drowsy brain. All Moth knew was that he looked unsavory. “Go on!” Moth ordered. “Leave us alone! The others will be back soon. If they catch you here…”

The man cackled. “Am I an idiot, boy? I didn’t know that!” He stood up, the moonlight catching his weathered hat, its wide brim shadowing his grizzled face. “You’re alone. I know you are because I’ve been watching you.”

Fiona let go of Moth’s hand and stepped toward the stranger. “Watching us? Why? I’m the granddaughter of Governor Rendor. If anything happens to me you’ll—”

“No!” said the man, covering his ears. “No names! The less I hear the better for us all.”

“Who are you?” Moth asked again. He was less afraid now, but growing wildly curious. “Why were you watching us?”

“To help you,” said the man. A tall, lanky fellow, he stooped down to face them, his long, threadbare coat brushing the grass. “You need help, don’t you? You’re lost.”

“We’re not lost,” said Fiona hotly. “We know exactly where we’re going. We have—”

“A map,” Moth jumped in, hoping Fiona wouldn’t mention the star machine. “Besides, it’s not your business where we’re going. How’d you get here anyway?” Moth squinted for a better look him. “You’re a human, aren’t you?”

Once more the man laughed, an unsettling, mad giggle that made Moth cringe. “Oh, yes. As human as the day I stepped through the Reach! And proud of that I am, too. But we talk too much…” He scrunched his head on his shoulders and listened to the night. “We should go now.”

“Go? With you?” Fiona folded her arms. “We’re not going anywhere.”

For the first time the man seemed genuinely annoyed. “I know where you’re going,” he said in a dangerous whisper. “You’re looking for Merceron.”

“Who told you that?” said Moth. He slid toward his coat to protect the star machine, then saw Lady Esme already guarding it.

The man shook his head. “No names, no questions.”

“Moth, we only spoke to that mermaid,” said Fiona. “She must have told him.” She glared at the stranger. “Is that right? Did she tell you about us?”

“We’re running out of time,” said the man. His voice was almost pleading. “In a few more hours the sun will be up. Walking to the hills will take too long.” He hoisted a thumb over his shoulder. “I have a boat ready to go. I’ll row you there, but we have to leave now.”

“Why?” asked Moth. “What are you afraid of?”

The man’s face twisted under his wide hat, as if considering how best to answer. “No,” he said finally. “We can’t talk about it.”

“What do you mean, can’t?” said Fiona.

“Can’t! Can’t!” raved the man. “As in cannot! We can’t speak of any of this. I wouldn’t even be here if Serana hadn’t begged me. The more we talk the more time we give them to sniff us out.”

“Who are you talking about?” asked Moth. “Please, you’re not making any sense.”

“No, that’s it,” snapped the man. “Close your mouth and move your legs. Do it now or I’ll leave without you. I’m risking too much helping you.”

He turned his back and started walking toward the river. Moth and Fiona glanced at each other, stunned by what was happening. They were in danger, probably, but Moth had no idea what kind. Or maybe the man was just a lunatic.

“That mermaid told him to help us,” said Moth. “But why?”

“He’s leaving,” said Fiona. “Should we call him back?”

Moth couldn’t think straight. They hadn’t expected to see another human here, and it was still a long, exhausting walk to the hills. A boat ride would make that a lot easier. And if the man knew Merceron…

“Wait!” Moth called after him. “We’re coming!”