Astraia pulled her hands away and rose to her feet.
“You may open your eyes now,” she whispered gently.
The girl’s lashes fluttered open. She looked at her arms, her legs, her feet. “I feel so much better. I’m warm. And the red spots…” She glanced down, eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear. “They’re all gone!”
“Yes. You’re healed. But remember what I said—you must never speak of this. Ever. Do you understand?” Astraia’s voice was firm, echoing in the enclosed space.
The girl nodded fervently. “Yes. I understand.”
“Good. Now come with me. You mustn’t stay here. I’ll see to it your parents are honored—but this will no longer be your home.”
Astraia extended her hand and turned her back to the room.
The little girl gave her parents one final glance. No more tears fell from her eyes. She simply turned her face toward the doorway, then took Astraia’s hand, and together, they walked out of the hellscape.
Chapter 2
In the fifth year post-Shattering, the census of the remaining population was half of the recorded peoples pre-Shattering. Evidence suggests the initial impact on the Province of Stellasaltus – now Celestial Wastes – annihilated its people.
A People’s Chronicles of Astradeon
“ALRIGHT, GIRL, TIME TO PAY your dues.” The old woman smiled as she shuffled across the Moonbeam Tavern floor.
Astraia had come shortly after dawn to thank Delphi for helping the girl from the day before and to see what became of her. Astraia hadn’t expected another smuggling shipment, but Delphi was a woman of opportunity. If she saw a good bet, she took it.
“Just tell me the child is okay first, old hag.” Astraia smirked at the old woman and took a sip of the tea Delphi had poured for her when she entered the tavern this morning.
“Ha! Old hag! You better watch your tone, girl, before I throw you to the dogs.” Delphi cackled, and as if summoned on cue, two giant dogs came around the corner to greet their master.
Delphi scratched their ears, and seeing Astraia, they plodded over to receive equal attention. Smiling, she gave both a healthyamount of ear-scratching and received licks on her hands in return.
“Oh, yes, we wouldn’t want that, now would we?” Astraia rubbed the dogs’ ears once more before looking back at Delphi.
“Useless mutts,” Delphi scoffed and returned to her position behind the counter. “The girl is fine. The Orionness family in east Tenebris took her in. They lost their daughter two years ago and have been childless. She will be well cared for.”
“Good. Thank you, Delphi.” Astraia shifted on her bar stool as her shoulders relaxed.At least the girl won’t be in that cesspool anymore.
“Yes, well, I need your particular set of skills, my dear, so it will not be for free.” Delphi eyed Astraia with one brow raised and rested her arm on the bar. The wood was worn from the years of serving ale to passing merchants and Astradeon soldiers who frequented the city. Being so close to the Celestial Court, castle guards also used the Moonbeam as a place of escape when not on patrol.
Astraia stared down the old woman. Delphi might be aged, but there was marked evidence of her beauty. Subtle curves of her dimples were still visible beneath minimal wrinkles. Her brown eyes sparkled with youth and adventure even now.
She bent over, grabbing a teacup, and her braided white hair fell over one shoulder.
“Fine. When and where?” Astraia sighed and rested her arms on the marred wooden bar.
Smiling, Delphi poured herself some tea. The twin daggers strapped to her trousers glistened in the sunlight as she moved—a subtle, yet effective, threat. “I’ll send you the details. But be ready within the next few days.”
“Stars, Delphi. Why do you have to be so cryptic?” Astraia moaned, finishing the last sip of her tea. “Thanks for the tea.”
Astraia pulled her navy cloak back over her head before sliding off the bar stool and heading toward the door. She heard a “humph” but did not look back as she closed the door behind her.
The Moonbeam Tavern sat nestled between a dry goods store and an apothecary shop. Being at the center of town provided an advantage of funneling all kinds of people into the tavern, making it the most frequented in Tenebris.
Although the sun had only just risen perhaps an hour ago, people were already bustling in the street either setting up stalls or opening shops for the day. A few merchants were shouting about what wares they had for sale, while customers haggled prices.
She kept her head down as she entered the throng of townspeople on the street, careful to avoid bumping into anyone and to not get run over by an oncoming horse or carriage. Stealthily, she made her way down the street toward the slums, desperate to bury herself in her work away from prying eyes.
Just as she managed to sidestep an oncoming horse and carriage, an ear-piercing scream split the air.
