The Sky Men
By Chris R. Vennettilli
Chapter 1: Moving Stars
Date: [[est. January 5, 3235, 2314 hours]]
Loc: [[UKN, Mobian Far Northeast]]
The Broken Moon rose over the horizon. The two brothers of the Uralle clan sat by the fire looking at the constellations as they always had. Both of them were wolves that had grey streaks in their otherwise white manes. The two brothers, named Destius and Hestral, had been sent by the elders of the clan to investigate strange moving stars that had been moving in the skies of the night. They were much brighter than the other stars around them, so it caused a bit of a panic at he village.
The Elders didn't want to scare people by saying that they didn't understand this, but it was clear that the Moving Stars were beyond their knowledge.
The Shamans needed young hunters to go forth and seek where the stars were going. Other tribes heard whispers that these strange lights touched Mobius. It was absurdity, but it was worth looking at.
The Brothers had been out for two nights away from the village, heading to the East towards the mountains. The stars seemed to be moving this way… but it was odd that stars would move in a direction at all.
The fire crackled. Hestral, the younger brother, stared into the flame, trying to contemplate the orange glow of heat and warmth. His older brother, Destius, watched the stars that were not moving, trying to make sense of those.
Destius could pick out shapes of myth and legend: in the west was Zathura, the Huntress who slew three charging bears with a single bullet. She had her rifle pointed towards the charging beasts represented by three bright stars. To the north was Constantine the Conqueror, a name he heard from traders years ago. Lastly, there was the Galen the Enchanter. According to legend, he was the founder of the Uralle clan, who had magical powers to cure the sick. He was a name prayed to along with Aurora, the Goddess of All.
"Are you going to look into the flames until you burn your eyes, little brother?" Destius asked.
"I like the fire. It's comforting, like my pet dog, Yolgan."
"Yes, but remember this: Yolgan may be comforting for a time, but get too close, and he will bite."
"That is wise advice." Hestral said.
"I try." His brother smiled.
Hestral lay next to his brother and watched the sky with him. "Destius, why would the stars want to come to Mobius?"
"I'm not sure." The elder wolf said. "Perhaps they like it here!" He smiled for a second, and then said seriously, "I don't know. Nothing makes sense about this. A couple months ago, nothing like this ever happened. The stars didn't move, they didn't shift; they just woke and slept with the movement of the sun and moon.
"Constantine battles well tonight." Hestral remarked, looking at the fierce combatant.
"Yes, the air is clear this evening. We have a good sight for stargazing, wouldn't you agree?"
"Very much so." Hestral agreed. "Destius, I thought the Elders said the stars only appeared small because they are so far away. These ones are small but they look so close."
"Hestral, I don't know!" Destius said. "Goddess Dammit! The Elders told us to go see where they land, and we will do it! I'm a hunter, not a Shaman!"
"Brother, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
Destius got up and paced. He retrieved his rifle and checked the chamber. "I'm sorry. I'm not acting normally. I suppose this whole business with the stars moving and this strange shipment of new rifles from the west."
"You don't have to act that way."
"I know." His brother persisted. "We need some sleep. We shall rise before the sun does so we get a headstart. I think we will both be in a better mood in the morning."
With that, Hestral yawned. He arched his back and flicked his ears. "I agree. The moon is high. Come brother. Lie down and dream."
"Don't forget to check your rifle before sleeping."
"Yes, Mother." He snickered. Hestral grabbed his Hunting Rifle and cycled the bolt. The weapon was emptied of its charges. Then he held the bolt open. "I pray to the Goddess Aurora and her right hand, Zathura to grant me the aim of the Huntress to fell the beasts to grant me honor and bravery…"
Destius finished the prayer, "… so we rest for the night, and embrace the visions of Galen. We ask you to watch over us while we dream. We honor you with this."
"We honor you." Hestral whispered. He let go of the bolt with a clack as it closed. "Good night, Brother."
"Good night, Hes."
The brothers closed their eyes and let their thoughts drifted. Galen the Enchanter would give them good dreams tonight. In the morning they would hunt for the stars once more. They would do the Elders proud.