"You're very close," Irina told Natalia. "He's somewhere in the market town."
"One mile from the gap in the wall," Sesel added, glancing at the cards her sister was reading.
Natalia rolled her eyes. "You speak as though this is good news," she grumbled. "Do I need to remind you that the village of Wall is not part of our universe? If he crosses into the human realm, the star becomes nothing more than a lump of metallic rock."
"Then I suggest you hurry!" Irina said.
Arthur opened his eyes. Today was Elizaveta's birthday. But after last night, he didn't want to be with Elizaveta. He wanted to be with Yao.
Arthur looked over to where Yao was slumbering peacefully. He planted a tender kiss on Yao's forehead. He took a lock of Yao's hair and cut it, placing it into a piece of cloth. He would present that to Elizaveta and come back here – into Yao's arms.
Arthur quietly got out of bed to get dressed.
When Arthur went downstairs to the reception, he was surprised to find the receptionist sleeping. "Excuse me, but I'm sorry… Could I have a piece of paper and a pen?"
The receptionist opened an eye and groaned. "Can you ask me at a more reasonable hour?"
"No," Arthur said apologetically. "I need to go… but if my friend wakes up before I get back, could you give him a message?"
Yao smiled and rolled over contentedly. He was glowing. "That's the first time I've ever slept at night, aru," he mumbled turning to wish Arthur good morning.
Only Arthur wasn't there. His area of the bed was empty.
"Arthur?"
Yao got up and got dressed. Where had Arthur gone at such an hour?
Yao went downstairs to the reception to inquire about Arthur's whereabouts. "Have you seen my friend, aru?"
The receptionist looked up at Yao. "Oh, yeah – he left really early."
Yao blinked. "He left?"
The receptionist nodded. "He told me to tell you he's gone to see Victoria because he's sorry, but he's found his true love and he wants to spend the rest of his life with that person."
"What, aru? Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"Hey! Wait!" Arthur called out to a slim young woman with chestnut-brown hair.
The lady turned around and smiled when she caught sight of Arthur. "Hello, Arthur."
Arthur caught up with her and bent forward, panting a little. "Happy birthday, Elizaveta," he said when he had finally caught his breath.
"What happened to you?"
"I found it," Arthur told her. "I found your star."
Elizaveta's eyed widened. "I can't believe you did it!" she exclaimed. "Where is it? Where is my star? Can I see it? Is it beautiful?"
"Whoa, whoa," Arthur held up his hand. "Too many questions." He held out the piece of cloth he had wrapped Yao's hair in. "But yes, it's the most beautiful thing I've ever set my eyes on."
Elizaveta frowned as she glanced at the cloth. "It's awfully small, isn't it?"
"Oh, no," Arthur replied. "This is just a small fragment of it. A gift for your birthday."
"Well," Elizaveta looked thoughtful. "Then forget about the star. It's not what I really want anyway."
Arthur stared at her.
"You know what I want," Elizaveta smiled seductively at Arthur.
"Yeah, I do – you want to get married to Roderich, the man you like."
At that moment, Roderich appeared from behind Elizaveta. "Arthur," he said with disdain.
"Roderich," said Arthur.
"You must have a death wish," Roderich muttered with clenched teeth.
"It's all right, Roderich," Arthur said as he lifted his hands in surrender. "She's all yours. You really are a perfect couple. I wish you both the best of luck," he added.
Arthur turned around and began walking away. Back to Stormhold. However he halted when he heard Elizaveta yell in disgust when she opened the piece of cloth containing Yao's hair.
"Why would I want this?" Elizaveta cried. "It's just a miserable handful of stardust!" She threw the cloth back to Arthur.
Arthur's eyes widened as he opened the cloth and a handful of stardust fell from it. It was then realisation dawned upon him.
Yao couldn't cross the wall.
Arthur broke into a run.