Under a Starless Sky

The dome was the initial ‘airlock’ that allowed passage into the mountain from outside. Its construction was meant to allow the ritual of the circle he had experienced growing up in Midelay- modified in that a fire pit was in the center of the circle, under a roof. The fire in the circle was ingeniously employed, a tactic of keeping everyone on the circle; no one could be full center. The flames were low, coming up over glass rocks- multi faceted diamonds, and fueled by his the castle’s methane trap. His guest were warmly dressed, boots and coats of rabbits. Staying in this room would likely result in coats and capes needing to come off.

Candace was there, with staff- and foremost ‘present.’ She was raised to full priestess; the rank was earned, not privileged. Éliane and Talatu were with her. They held the signs of being Masters of the Light. With them were two other females, in their forties, and several men; the men held back to the periphery. One of the older women took to the circle next to Candace. Éliane and Talatu stood behind and to the right and left of Candace, staffs planted firmly on the floor.

Shen took the space opposite of Candace; they were 12 and 6 on a clock face, and his friends and family filled in the circle on his side. TL stood to his right and behind him. Jerica stood to his right on the circle, holding an infant. She handed it to him and he accepted, giving baby attention before his guests. There were four other women on the circle. Three were pregnant; one held a new born.

“Welcome to my light, Candace. I see you. If I am not mistaken, I also see Éliane, and Talatu. You all seem well. A little taller since I saw you last, a little weathered. This season has been hard. May I offer you food and drink before we continue?”

“No, thank you,” Candace said.

“I am not familiar with the rest of your company,” Shen said.

“You can’t own property,” the older woman to Candace’s right said, dispensing with, or at least interrupting civil discourse. “You can’t be the holder of the Light.”

Shen bowed to her.

“I will not impede your departure from this shared light,” Shen said. “The egress is behind you.”

She flushed with anger. She opened her mouth to speak, but Shen interrupted her.

“With all due respect, stranger, you are no longer in Midelay. Your customs don’t apply here. I keep this circle and this light as a tribute to your ways,” Shen said. “I may have sparked this light, but it is no longer mine alone. It is here now, fleeting as the days, and owned by all. Welcome to Shangri-La…”

You have defied our ways from birth. You were exiled and yet you linger in a place you’re

get to make the rules here,” Shen said. “As to foreigners, these are

not queer after all,”

company were amused. Shen introduce them.

name is that

for naming babies? It’s a group thing, not a parent thing. Children are

have not changed,” Candace said. “You

asked. He felt Loxy touch his shoulder to

Snælaug. Þuríður was also a Sister of the Light, specializing in herbs and medicines. Ciara had no titles, but

yourself with giants,” the

you, my friends are

will be

argue with her. “Do you have

Tulia,” Candace said. “She is a seer. She was worried by

nested in a pocket made available by the absence of Sleeper Trees. The only beings here that have right away are the Irks and the fire snakes. And you only see the

The Great Ridge falls under the domain of Sinter. They are not welcome. You are

a long time ago,” Shen said. “Lanore gave birth to me. At the least, that makes me citizen of the

were shown kindness by being