Starfinder

PARTING

MOTH AND THE CLOUD HORSE spiraled up to the very top of the training chamber, the circle growing smaller and smaller with each revolution. Together they had performed the exercise a hundred times, so that now Moth could control the creature with only the smallest movements of his body. Above him, frets of sunlight poured down from the glass roof. Moth released the golden reins, reached up both hands, and touched the warm glass. Here in the Palace of the Moon, above even the clouds, the days were always perfect.

He pulled back his hands, took up the reins again, and slowly wheeled the cloud horse down again. Alisaundra sat with her back against the wall, her knees tucked up to her chest, watching curiously as Moth and the cloud horse glided to the ground. She had spent the morning watching him, no longer spying on him from the shadows or hiding when he called her. Now she was his constant companion. Moth wasn’t sure, but it looked like she’d even brushed her hair.

“You fly like me now!” she called to him. “Only not so well.”

“Soon,” Moth promised, and turned the creature up again in a flaring pirouette. “Once Artaios lets me outside with her, I’ll show you what she can do.”

Alis’ expression soured. “Do not ask him for favors,” she warned. “Remember?”

Moth remembered, but couldn’t help himself. The lure of the cloud horse was everything Artaios hoped it would be, and too much for Moth to resist. With so little to occupy his time, the cloud horse was the one bright spot in his captivity. He trained with the creature every day, spending hours in the glass-roofed chamber, sometimes with Artaios himself. While the Skylord plied Moth with questions—just as Alis had predicted—Moth learned what he could from Artaios, getting to know and love the cloud horse the way Skyknights loved their dragonflies. He had even given the creature a name—Comet, because of its long, glowing tail.

“Don’t tell him I’ve been riding without hands,” said Moth as he steered the cloud horse through the chamber. “I’m trusting you, okay?”

Alis raised a scaly eyebrow. “I cannot lie to my Master.”

“No, but do you have to tell him everything?” Moth brought the creature up alongside her. “Listen,” he whispered, “we’re friends now, right? That’s what friends do. They keep secrets for each other. If you want to be human again that’s part of it.”

Alis nodded. “I understand. I remember.”

Moth smiled, noting her hair again. “You look nice today.” He hesitated. “Pretty.”

Her scaly face seemed to blush. “I… am trying.” Her tone grew confessional. “I remember more things now. Family things. I will tell you later.”

“Yeah, better wait,” agreed Moth. Artaios always arrived for Moth’s lesson promptly, but today the Skylord was already late, and Moth knew he’d come soon. “You should stand up now, too.”

Alis took his suggestion, standing tall and instantly affecting a scowl. A second later, Artaios flew into the chamber, making even Comet jump.

“Egg!” bellowed Artaios as he hit the ground. “It’s time.”

Moth followed Artaios toward the Hall of Convocation. Confused, frightened, he walked behind the Skylord, followed closely by Alisaundra. Korace was already seated on his throne. Moth could see the decrepit ruler across the corridor. Around him, the galleries were crowded with Skylords.

“What’s this?” Moth asked, alarmed.

Artaios paused at the end of the corridor and peered into the arena.

“Egg,” he directed. “Look.”

Moth had to force himself forward. Part of him expected to see a gallows or a headsman. Artaios put an arm around his shoulder, coaxing him out into the arena. In the center of the hall stood Merceron, head held high, smoke curling from his nostrils. Lady Esme rested on his shoulder. Next to him stood Skyhigh, small but ramrod straight, his face defiant.

“Skyhigh!” Moth called. “Merceron!”

The two turned toward Moth without a word. Before Moth could go to them, Artaios grabbed his shoulder.

“Stay.”

“Artaios, let me go!”

“They’ve come to bargain for you, Egg,” said Artaios darkly. “Hold him,” he ordered Alisaundra, then strode out toward the throne. The crowd cheered at his appearance. Alis bent her lips to Moth’s ear.

“Careful,” she whispered. “Mind what you say.”

Atop his massive silver throne, Korace put out a trembling hand for his son. Artaios stooped to kiss it. Together they glared at Merceron. Slowly, the clamor subsided. Skyhigh gave Moth a reassuring nod as Alisaundra led him out.

“Moth, don’t worry,” Skyhigh called. “We’ll get you out of here.”

“Out of here?” Moth looked at Merceron, realizing what was happening. “No! You can’t give up the Starfinder!”

Artaios laughed. “You see, Egg? I told you he would come for you. The one noble thing about dragons is that they keep their word.” He grinned at Merceron, pleased with himself. “But you don’t have the Starfinder, do you dragon?”

“Merceron?” queried Moth. “What’s he saying?”

“It’s true, Moth,” Merceron admitted. “I don’t have the Starfinder.”

A strange sound came from Korace, a wicked, cackling laugh. The creaky Skylord pulled himself up with his cane. “Rendor!”

At first Moth didn’t understand. His eyes bounced from Korace to Artaios, then to the sad-faced Merceron. “Oh, no,” he groaned. “Merceron, tell me you didn’t!”

Merceron looked pleadingly at Moth. “You’ve seen what they are, boy, what they’re like. The Starfinder is safe now. Rendor’s taken it home.”

“Rendor is trapped!” laughed Korace. “Like you!”

“Dragon, you’ve doomed yourself,” added Artaios. “The humans are in Pandera. Rendor has the Starfinder, but he’s betrayed you. They are trapped.”

Merceron lost his arrogant air. The color left Skyhigh’s face. Even Lady Esme seemed to understand their peril. She drew back on Merceron’s shoulder, madly fluttering her wings.

“Esme,” called Korace. “You’re home now. Will you come to us?”

He held out his trembling hand, the very hand Moth suspected had transformed her in the first place. But Esme shunned it, klee-klee-kleeing angrily at Korace. Merceron smiled with a look of resignation.

“You don’t have the Starfinder yet,” he told the Skylords. “If it’s in Pandera, then it’s under Jorian’s protection.” He returned Korace’s wicked gaze. “Why don’t you go and get it?”

“Oh, we will,” promised Artaios. “The noose is already closing around Pandera. Rendor won’t escape it. But first…” He gestured toward Moth. “We have business.”

Moth fought his iron grip. “Don’t bargain for me, Merceron! Skyhigh…”

Skyhigh shook his head. “Moth, you’re coming with me. I have a dragonfly ready to fly us both home.”

“Us?” Moth looked at Merceron. “What about you? What about Esme?”

“Esme’s already home, Moth,” said Merceron. His old, reptilian eyes filled with softness. “This is as far as I go.”

“What’s that mean?” asked Moth desperately.

“They want me, Moth,” Merceron explained. “They want me almost as much as they want the Starfinder. That’s why you’re going home with Skyhigh. And Lady Esme’s staying here, where she belongs.” He glared at Korace. “That’s my bargain, Skylord. Let the boy go and free Esme from your spell. Do that and I’ll end our fight.”

“No!” Moth shrieked. He dashed for Merceron, but Artaios quickly snagged his collar. Moth clawed at Artaios, scratching at him before Alis jerked him back. “Let me go! Alis, please!”

“Hold him!” roared Artaios. He loomed over the struggling Moth, his face thunderous. “He gives himself for you, boy. A lowly human! Do not spit on his sacrifice by wailing.”

“Artaios, please! He’s old. He can’t harm you any more…”

“No, Moth,” Merceron rumbled. “No begging. Not for me.” He shuffled closer. “I am old. I’ve already lived a hundred human lifetimes. You haven’t even lived once.”

“But Merceron, they’ll kill you!”

Merceron lifted Esme onto his hand. “They will use me,” he said. “Blood for blood and life for life. I told you, Moth—I owe Esme for what she did. Let me do this for her…and for you.”

“Merceron…”

“Say good-bye to me, boy.”

Moth couldn’t stop his tears. “I can’t.”

“Go with Skyhigh,” Merceron insisted. “Don’t believe what these beasts say. You’re not trapped. Fight your way home!”

Moth wiped his running nose, trying to control himself. With Artaios and all the Skylords watching, he said, “We’ll fight them, Merceron. I swear we will!”

Skyhigh stepped toward the throne. “Let me take him. Let me fly him out of here.”

Korace waved him away as he sat back on his throne, much more interested in Merceron than another human. Artaios stooped down to face Moth, his wings enfolding them both like a blanket.

“You’ll be safe, Egg,” he said. His voice was surprisingly sad. “Alisaundra will take you both to the flying machine.” He turned to Skyhigh, adding, “Protect him, human. Take him through the Reach. If you don’t, you’ll face me in Pandera.”

Skyhigh smiled mockingly. “Then we’ll see each other again.”

He took Moth’s hand. Alisaundra bowed to her Masters, then urged Moth and Skyhigh out of the chamber. Moth lingered, unable to leave.

“Merceron,” he gasped. “I’m sorry…”

Skyhigh urged him toward the exit. “We have to go.”

“I’m sorry!” cried Moth.

Alis took his arm. “Hurry, hurry….”

Merceron gave Moth one last wink. “I’m not afraid, Moth. Fiona’s trick, remember?”

For a second Moth paused, bewildered. Then he remembered, and with a touch of comfort, he nodded.

“Good-bye, Merceron,” he choked. “My friend.”