Being the immovable rock that she is, Asha is a constant source of humor for me. She's so darned serious—she leaves herself open for it. XD

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Chapter 6: To The Coast

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Though the people knew to expect an envoy of traders from the west, the town of Maris was as it was on any day. Its fish-like people went about their usual business—a buying and selling wares, mending nets on the shore, sailing their boats and catching fish, or perhaps just sailing for their pleasure. It was a fine day for sailing; the autumn air was crisp and clear, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

The only thing that particularly stood out was three figures waiting in the square—one in blue, one in green, and one in shimmering silver—waiting to welcome the traders from Rin, when they finally arrived.

Seaborn of Fisk waited with a grin on his face, excited to see his friends again. Asha of Umbray was unusually antsy, shifting impatiently from one foot to the other. Perlain of Pandellis radiated a similar impatience, though he refused to show it.

Every autumn since the last and most interesting Choosing that Maris had ever seen, the three of them had volunteered before anyone else to greet Rin's trading parties. Honestly, no one was surprised, and no one would have had it any other way. And this year, they had more reason to await the trading party than any year before.

Finding out after the fact that their Rowan had been married had been annoying to them all; and Perlain had been beyond furious to have missed it, because Zeel had been the bride. The news that they had been blessed with a child had been too much for any of them to bear, and so they had made the trip to see their friend when it had happened. It was the only time they had ever seen Star—she had only just been born, barely a week old yet.

That had happened 13 years ago. And now they understood that Star was traveling with the trading party, due to arrive that afternoon. It was enough to drive even Asha to distraction. The waiting was like torture to all three of them.

Hearing the noise and commotion of the wagons finally trundling through town only made the torture more painful. Asha wrapped her arms around herself, trying desperately to contain herself. Seeing this, Seaborn glanced at her in amusement.

"I've never seen you so excited in all my life, my friend," he commented lightly.

"Are you not?" the silver-clad woman demanded incredulously.

"Quite the opposite. In fact, I may jump out of my skin."

Beside them, Perlain snorted. "You may jump out of your skin? Consider how this is for me."

Slightly humbled, his companions ceased their bickering and focused their attention back on the sounds of wagon wheels approaching the square.

The people in the square quickly cleared the way as the first of the wagons rolled through the street, pulled by a shaggy gray beast whose name they didn't know, driven by a lone young woman with raven hair whose name they certainly did know. It was Alanis of the orchard, leading the party in her father's place, smiling brightly and looking very pleased with herself.

"Whoa, Max, ease up," she commanded, calling the beast by its name. Understanding, the beast slowed, and the wagon came to a stop. Behind them, other riders were calling out similar commands, and wagons were halting all over the square. Paying them little more mind, Alanis jumped down from her own wagon and marched up to meet her hosts.

"It never fails to amaze me, how your people have tamed such enormous creatures," Perlain commented politely, walking to meet her.

"They're pretty tame to begin with," Alanis answered, shaking his hand warmly. "Anyway, it's the least we can do to be kind to them—we'd all be dead without them."

Behind her, Max made an annoyed rumbling sound. It made the three Maris slightly nervous; but Alanis reached her hand out to pat his nose reassuringly. The rumbling ceased, and the bukshah looked amazingly content for a dumb beast.

"The diva needs his attention," she explained casually. "He hates to be left out of anything." Returning her focus on her friends, she grinned. "It's good to see you again, Perlain. Seaborn, Asha, you're both looking well."

"As are you Alanis," Asha agreed right away, grateful for a distraction from her impatience. "You are alone this year, we see. Where is your father?"

"At home, taking care of business of his own. He's busy this year, and so he decided to send me by myself."

Of course, they already knew this; the Keeper had already told Perlain, who had told his companions. They were excited for the girl, at the same time as they were slightly saddened to be missing John. They all had a feeling that young, adventurous Alanis wouldn't be as good at keeping peace among her people as her father was.

She somehow noted that disappointment, but misunderstood it, because she laughed softly and said, "It's not me you were looking forward to seeing, I think."

Perlain tried hard to keep his face straight. "We did understand that a certain young person would be with you this year," he answered vaguely.

Alanis planted her hands on her hips and regarded him with a smirk. "You knew my little cousin was coming, then?"

This time, he allowed the barest of smiles to tug at his lips. "As the Keeper's emissary, there is little I do not know."

"Well, Star is behind me, somewhere," Alanis explained, jerking her thumb over her shoulder. "She is under my aunt and uncle's care; so if you find them, you will certainly find her. And they are likely to find you, first."

"That settles it, then," Seaborn remarked proudly. "She will be staying with my family. Believe me, the three of us had fought rather bitterly over who would be hosting the child."

Asha crossed her arms. "I don't see how anything is settled."

"Allun's family always stays with mine, this you know," he explained. "And if Star is staying with them, then she must stay with me. It simply follows logic, which I am sure you, of all people, will appreciate."

Asha glared at him, looking on the verge of pouting like a child. Her glassy eyes darted away though, caught by a flash of brown and red as it jumped down from a nearby wagon. The brown was the hair and dark skin of a girl; the red was her dress, ruffled slightly by the breeze. The girl paused for just a second, her sky-colored eyes taking in everything around her in wonder and amazement. Her face broke into a brilliant, instantly recognizable smile, and she began to laugh joyously.

The girl's laughter caught the immediate attention of everyone who was near enough to hear. Her own people mostly just shook their heads and rolled their eyes at the obvious show of feeling. The three Maris could only stand still and stare, thunderstruck.

"Maris!" she cheered, spinning in the street. "I'm finally here! I can't believe it, I'm really here!"

Asha touched a webbed hand to her heart. "By Orin," she breathed, "there she is."

"And how like her father she is," Seaborn added, equally awed. "I haven't seen that smile in many years, but I would know it anywhere."

Perlain allowed his smile to grow nearly to a grin. "And how like her mother, as well."

"Yes, she's a marvel, for sure," Alanis agreed, smiling affectionately after her cousin. "She's been looking forward to this day as much as you have. She's dying to meet you all."

Still laughing to herself, Star stopped spinning and pushed her long hair out of her face. All at once, she was looking directly at them, and the look of wonder returned, replacing her laughter with a stunned sort of silence.

They were also stunned to silence. All three of them had been prepared to say so many things to her; and now that she was standing mere yards away from them, they couldn't think of anything in particular to say.

She suddenly broke into a run, crossing the distance between them in a flash to throw her arms around Seaborn and Asha. Asha tensed up, unprepared for the uninvited embrace; Seaborn laughed softly and returned it at once.

"It's good to see you, too, Star," he said at last. To him, it was like a long awaited reunion with an old friend.

"My grandmother is alive because of you," she said humbly, tightening her arms around them. "I can't thank you enough."

Moved by her words, Asha finally relaxed and hugged her back. "All in a day's work, child, all in a day's work."

Star stood back a bit to grin at them in thanks and pure joy. She really was a marvel—she had never really met them, or even seen a Maris before, but it was clear that she cared deeply for them anyway. Seeing them for the first time, she hadn't been puzzled by their customs or appearance, both so different from her own. She had greeted them with love, as if they were just an extension of her family.

Because, they supposed, they were.

After a moment, Star released them and turned to face Perlain squarely. With an unusual warmth in his eyes, he opened his arms to her in welcome, and in preparation for a hug that was inevitable.

"You are taller than I remember, Star, and more than I had perhaps expected."

With a little less force than before, and with a few tears in her eyes, she stepped forward and delivered the hug he had known was coming. Indeed, she stood eye to eye with him, and would surely stand above him in another year. That was certainly a trait she had inherited from her very tall mother, and it made him smile inside himself. She was the best of both her parents. Perhaps for a short time, it would be as if they were really with him again.

Though he hoped with all his heart that there were no adventures in store for her here.

Alanis had waited in patient silence, but finally cleared her throat, uncomfortable with all the feelings flying around her. She was very like her own father, in that way.

"There will be more time for this later, Star," she said, smiling in spite of her discomfort. "Right now, we have unpacking to do, and there will be mutiny if you run off without helping."

Star shot her a teasing look. "Forley's probably already run off by now."

"And think of the trouble he'll be in later. He's a terrible example to follow."

At the boy's name, Seaborn looked up to scan the crowd in the square. "I should find my daughter," he said, sounding slightly nervous. "The thought of those two running around unsupervised worries me… I can expect to see all of you at my home this evening, can't I?"

"Of course you can," Alanis agreed. "When has it ever been different? By all means, find Iris and stop her from dragging Forley into trouble. She's always certain to try and succeed."

The man bowed in salutation, and somewhat reluctantly stalked away into the crowd, calling his daughter's name. His companions watched him go with a strange feeling of contentment. Forley was running off, looking for trouble; Star was greeting them as old friends, as if she had known them all her life; Alanis was standing stoically nearby, happy to just enjoy watching them. It was suddenly as if nothing had changed, and everything in the world was as it ought to be.

Asha stepped forward and put her arm around Star's shoulder, guiding her back to the wagon she had appeared from. "Let us get you to unpacking, then," she said seriously. "And let us have it done quickly. There is someone else who wants to see you."

"Who?" the girl asked, her eyes alight with curiosity and excitement.

To this, Perlain chuckled softly. "Have you not guessed? He would have greeted you personally, if he were able; but you know the rules as well as we do."

Somehow, Star's eyes grew even wider as they filled with understanding. "You mean…?"

"Yes, I do. Indeed, let us have your work done quickly. It hardly does to have the Keeper waiting on someone as important as you."

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An hour later, Star found herself walking through the streets of Maris, guided by Perlain toward the Cavern of the Crystal. There was still some work left to be done, but she had been dismissed early for this errand. The only thing she had taken with her was the Book, safe in her shoulder bag, as always; Perlain hadn't mentioned it, but she got an immediate feeling that the Keeper would want to see it.

"There are many things he wishes to discuss with you," her guide commented as they walked, "but he has promised to be brief. He understands from your famous father that you have things of your own to see to, while you are here."

"That is certainly true," she agreed. "On that note, which way is the library from here?"

Perlain stopped and pointed off to his right. "That way, child. You will find it rather hard to miss from anywhere, as it is the tallest building in Maris. I trust you can see it from here?"

Star followed his gaze, and found that he was absolutely right. The details of the structure were hard to make out from the distance, but its domed roof loomed over all the other buildings around it. A surge of pure instinct came over her, tempting her to dart off toward it without a backward glance.

"I can see it. Why are there no other buildings so tall?"

"Because of practicality," Perlain answered simply, beginning to walk again and prompting her to follow. "Anything built taller than the library could easily be destroyed by the hurricanes that often batter our shores in the summertime. This is also the reason why our homes are domed, rather than built straight up and down like yours."

"I've heard of this. Instead of slamming against straight walls and blowing them over, the strong winds blow right over them. The weight of the structure is also more evenly dispersed, to better withstand the force of the gales."

Perlain shot her an amused smile. "Very good, Star. You have been taught well, I see."

She smiled back. "Papa insisted on it. And the ingenuity fascinates my uncle to no end, as well."

"Yes, I remember," Perlain agreed, sounding like he was suppressing a groan of patient annoyance. "Whenever Norriss is here, there is little else he wants to talk about. I notice that he is missing from the trading party, this year—which is of particular frustration to me, as I had hoped he might repair some things around my house. Where is he?"

Star shrugged. "He hasn't been well; none of them have been, actually. Shaaran caught a cold weeks ago, and still hasn't recovered fully from it. Bronden and Norris had been fine until last week, when they finally caught it from her. They had all planned before to come with us, but now they're all sick and in no state to travel. It happened quite suddenly. It's very strange."

"Hm. Strange, indeed."

"Alanis had promised to try and do some trading for them; but she isn't as knowledgeable as they are, and they are nervous about her efforts. They had been looking forward to the trip, if only to see the looks on your faces when I arrived. They were disappointed to have to stay behind this year."

Perlain was silent, perhaps sharing Star's feelings about it. To anyone else, it would have seemed an unfortunate coincidence. But with this set of infamously destined people, there were rarely coincidences or accidents. To Star, the sudden onslaught of illness at the carpentry felt like a trick of fate. Shaaran was of delicate health, and it wasn't entirely surprising that she should be sick for so long; but Norriss and Bronden were almost never sick. The fact that they had all fallen so ill, now of all times, seemed almost unnatural.

Their absence made Star feel slightly exposed, with less standing between her and the unexpected. What if Fate had spared them something terrible, but left her to face it without their support?

She shook her head, trying to push the idea from her mind. Even if there was danger waiting for her around the bend, she would be far from alone in facing it. Aside from her family, her father's friends would never abandon her in a moment of need. They hadn't said so, but they didn't need to. She knew it was true, all the same.

Perhaps the Keeper knew something about it, and perhaps he would give her an answer if she asked for it. Hoping this was so, she resolved not to worry until there was a reason for it.

Anxiety is a crime I am not allowed, she reminded herself. I must remember that. Whatever is destined to happen, I must not be anxious or terrified. Cautious, perhaps, but not anxious. At any rate, Sheba will surely know from afar if I'm worrying, and she will scold me for it when I get home. And that would be a shame, after everything I will have done here.

They walked the rest of the way in silence, and Star took the time to observe everything around her. There was no way she could have found her way back to Seaborn's house without help, because everything looked remarkably alike to her. She didn't know these streets like she knew Rin; but she did know that a Maris would be similarly lost there for the same reason, and that it would be wrong to complain. In time, she knew that the houses would stop looking so alike in her eyes, and she would be able to find her way on her own.

That was an exciting idea.

The Cavern of the Crystal had been described to her many times, and she had thought she would be prepared to see it for herself. The actual sight of it filled her with an awe that she hadn't braced herself for. Its face had been carved from the very rock that surrounded it, the stone polished smooth and gleaming over centuries of wind and sea spray. Fire blazed from the curved platform above it, signifying to all that the Keeper was alive and strong below; the flame would burn lower and weaker as his life slowly waned, and would vanish entirely when his life finally went out—only to flare back to life when a new Keeper was appointed, by one of her own father's descendants.

Hovering in the crashing waves, not terribly far from shore, the forbidding island of the Choosing loomed silent and ominous, devoid of life.

I must remember this view for when I write my final draft, Star thought to herself, drinking the sight in as deeply as she could as she was hurried toward the cavern. Oh, it is nothing like I had imagined! And nothing like what I had written before.

Perlain opened the doors to the cavern with a familiarity that no other Maris would have dreamed of. He was the Keeper's emissary, his messenger and only tie to the world outside, and so spent more time here than anyone else. To enter the Cavern of the Crystal was a rare honor, reserved only for moments of true need or importance; but Perlain did so at least once a week. To him, it was a great privilege, but one he was used to. Entering the cavern meant no fear to him.

He stepped aside, formally letting Star enter first, because she was an expected guest. She hesitated slightly. The Keeper was one of the Titans, her father's brother in magic. All at once, she was very nervous to face him.

Be not afraid, small Star. Come to me. I have been waiting for you.

That split second of hesitation had been felt, deep below her. The Keeper had spoken directly into her mind, with a voice that was warm and welcoming, colored by an almost overwhelming sense of anticipation. Still nervous, in spite of everything, Star took a deep breath and stepped into the dimly lit cavern.

She knew quite well what to expect, from the tales alone. The room she had entered was empty, say for candles burning in fixtures on the floor. The only other thing there was to see was a hole in the floor, with a staircase that led downwards into the Keeper's sanctum.

Of course, you know I am waiting at the bottom of those stairs. Please, make haste. Another second's delay will cause me to expire before my time.

There was an easy, gentle laughter in the voice this time. Even though he was now the Keeper, it was plain that young Doss of Pandellis had changed very little in the last 19 years. Feeling and knowing this put much of Star's nervousness to rest, and she started down the stairs with renewed excitement.

Is it as they've said? She asked him in her mind, picturing the scene her father had described so many times. The pattering waterfall, the rainbows, the—

Yes, yes. All is as he has promised. Come and see for yourself.

Pale, eerie light was gathering as she descended the stairs. She half expected to feel the Crystal's power pulling her forward on a tide she couldn't see, as it had done to her father on his first trip to this place. But her own energy and curiosity was enough to propel her forward. If the Crystal was calling her forward, she hardly noticed.

She reached the bottom of the stairs, and found herself staring into a picture she had often tried to imagine before. A web of light flickered around her in green, blue, silver, and all the other colors of the rainbow, as if she were standing under water. The light flared softly white just before her like a halo, its source obscured by a veil of softly pattering water from above.

Ah. At last, I see you as you are. You burn as brightly as your mother. Please, step into the light, and see me as I am.

Bracing herself for the certain chill of the watery veil, she stepped through the veil. The sudden shock of cold chilled her through, and icy salt water streamed over her head and into her eyes. She gasped in surprise, blinking and rubbing the salt from her eyes, shaking the drops from her hair. Slightly disoriented, she looked up.

And there he was, in all his magnificence. The Keeper stood patiently before her, in robes which seemed white, but flickered with rainbow light. The same light shone all around them on the walls, in a never ending dance of life and utter, mysterious beauty. He had waited for her with a grand smile, and a recognizable, calm gentleness in his face. The wonderful Crystal, held in a loving, protective embrace, shone like white fire.

"Welcome, at last, Star of Rin," he said out loud. "I hope it goes without saying, that I am greatly pleased to finally meet you."

The words were spoken without the pretense that normally surrounded his business. They weren't the words of memorized, ceremonial greeting, as should have been expected by any other guest. The words had come directly from the man's own heart. A heart which was open and full of love for all things. A heart which was very like Rowan's. He must have known Star very well, because he shared an unusual link with her father, and knew everything about his life in great detail; but it was never the same as knowing her in person.

Star was completely stunned by the reality of what she had tried so hard to capture on a blank page. She had been very close to capturing the truth, but she felt like she had still fallen quite short. And she had no words of her own, no idea what to say to the powerful, magical being before her. At a loss, she bowed humbly and tried to think of something to say. Something formal, something planned, that would give her a place to start from.

"Speak from your heart, then," the Keeper suggested lightly. "You will find words there."

He had read her mind. She had known all along that he could, but had forgotten. Even though he was obviously a friend and meant her no harm, it felt like an invasion. She could feel her cheeks beginning to burn with embarrassment.

She didn't dare look up to face him again; but she felt his gaze upon her, and heard him laugh.

"There is little need for formalities here, young one," he assured her. "Your father has cared little for them, in his time. And I sense that you are more like him than just your face."

Finally, she dared to peek up at him, and a bit of her usual sassiness returned.

"I must assume so, for I hear it all the time," she answered.

To this, the Keeper laughed more heartily than before. He reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder, guiding her into further into the rainbow cavern.

"There were many days, when I was younger, that I wished for such a sharp tongue to defend myself with," he commented casually, being shockingly candid and personal with her. "I have little need for that, now. The ability to enter minds at will is startling enough, it seems."

Star was amazed at how easygoing the man really was. She had heard stories of it from her father, and also from Mithren; they said that their brother was almost alarmingly normal in all that he did. He saw no reason why his station should separate him so greatly from the people he was sworn to care for. In the past, the Keepers had been overly formal, overly bound to ceremony, deeply set in old ways. But Doss had been different, and that was why he had been chosen. That was why he was now called Keeper.

Star knew this very well, but seeing it so closely was startling. She hadn't been sure what expect with her father's most intimate friend, but she was sure it wasn't this. As with her hosts, it was as if she were being greeted by someone who had known her all her life.

And, really, he had known her all her life. He had been present in her father's mind when she had been born, and all through her growing up. For someone who had never seen her in person, she supposed that he knew her frighteningly well.

"It is startling," she stammered at last, willing herself to relax. "I should have expected it sooner."

"You have many things on your mind," he answered. "I will certainly allow it. Your mother and father are well aware by now that you have arrived safely, and that you are here, now, with me. Does this help?"

"Oh… Yes, it does," she agreed. Far away in Rin, she knew that her parents had been worrying over her since she had left.

The Keeper shook his head slightly. "Your father worries needlessly, in my opinion. I believe you have things well in hand, whatever his doubts. Please, sit down, and talk with me a while."

He gestured to a couch against the far wall, to which he had guided her, and noticed when she shivered with revulsion.

"It is not the same couch you have written of, where your grandmother lay dying. I made sure of it, as I knew it would pain you. Please, sit down."

The Keeper had thought of everything, as he would have, of course. Not wanting to make him repeat himself again, she sat down at once, and he settled himself beside her.

"As you know, there are many things I want to speak with you about; but, as you also know, I have promised to be brief. Let me begin by saying, I know what you have brought here with you. A thing of great power, in its yet imperfect form. Let me see it, if you please."

Star felt pride swell in her heart, as she took the Book from her bag and handed it over. Compared to the Crystal, it seemed like a mundane and useless trifle. It didn't carry the power to summon storms, or looking to people's minds. But the Keeper took it and flipped it open to a random page near the beginning, his webbed fingers caressing the pages with great reverence.

"Ah, yes. All meet in the dragon's lair," he said softly. "And how true, it is. The heart and soul and energy you have poured into this book…. I can feel its power, as surely as I feel the power of the Crystal. You have forged a mighty tome, indeed, Star."

If it had been anyone else, the compliment would have filled her ego to bursting. From the Keeper, it inspired only humility.

"Thank you," she mumbled, again at a loss for proper words.

He glanced at her, amused by her shyness. "The Crystal allows me to shape my own world, in my own way. My people need that much power to themselves; without it, they would destroy one another. It is a marvelous gift, to be sure. But the gift you have has the power to shape everyone's world. These tales are important to us all, and will spare us much grief in the future. You have an excellent talent, Star. You have every right to be proud of what you have done."

When Star maintained her humble silence, he cleared his throat and continued flipping through the Book with relish.

"Which brings me to the next thing I wished to discuss with you," he said, almost absentmindedly. "You were given a prophecy just before you left Rin. Your father told me so, and your adopted uncle as well. Remind me again, what was it?"

Star knew that he knew the prophecy perfectly well. He just wanted to hear it from her own mouth. At the very least, it would break her silence and possibly begin an actual conversation. It was clear that he was dying to have one with her, and it was a topic she could discuss easily.

"A gleaming pen for writer's hand

Awaits to shape our changing land."

"Yes, that is the one," he agreed, looking up from the book. "You may not have known this, but Rowan is concerned over what this may mean. The thought of you having to shape a changing land troubles him greatly."

Perhaps it was the fact that he had called his brother by name for the first time that startled Star as much as it did. Alanis did so all the time, and it had never bothered her then. This time, though, it seemed like a much bigger deal than before.

"Why does it trouble him?" she asked, a little bolder than before. "I assumed that it meant I was to perhaps purchase a new pen while I was here. The pen with which I would write the final draft of the Book, which will certainly change our world."

The Keeper smiled knowingly at her. "Never assume anything, young Star. It makes an ass of you and me, both."

Star slapped a hand over her mouth to cover her smirk, and to contain a sudden burst of laughter at the Keeper's clever but coarse wordplay. Indeed, what was the word assume, but ASS, U, and ME?

"Laugh away, child," he insisted, chuckling to himself. "It is funny. The Maris are not entirely without their humor after all. My good friend Perlain has gotten the best of your clever uncle Allun many times in the past, as you have written, yourself. And so much time exposed to the mind of a Traveler like Mithren leaves a mark; he is a good brother, but he has a sharp humor."

"It seems disrespectful," she giggled, "so speak of them so."

"Ah, but here, we are alone. Perlain even waits on the other side of the veil, leaving us our privacy. Here, we may speak as we wish."

"Papa may know, in any case, through you."

"Yes, he might," the Keeper agreed with a sigh. "Returning to your prophecy, though, have you not considered what deeper meaning may be behind it? Surely you know, there must be more to it."

Star's smile dimmed, and she sobered as memories from the week before flooded her mind. "I have thought of this," she admitted. "I spent much of the trip here considering it. But I don't see what more it can mean, presently. I fear that only time will truly tell."

"Yes, my brothers and I had feared this, too. We care deeply for you, Star; we would never hope for you to fall into danger. We all wish that we could peer into the near future and tell you plainly what is in store for you, but this future has been withheld from us. The Crystal, normally so glad to show me the clear future, has veiled it from me. The winds bring nothing but silence to Mithren, when he asks; and the Earth Sigil guards is secrets well from your father. We know not why, but I can tell you this: it is all for a reason."

Star tipped her head to one side, puzzled. "What kind of purpose is that?" she asked. "What use is it, then, to see the future?"

"Our talismans know our hearts well, by now, and how we would plan for the future," he said with a faint shrug. "Perhaps they have seen a future they wish us not to plan for. Perhaps, instead of interfering, we are to let nature work its wonders on its own, without our help. I like it as little as my brothers do, but I will trust what the Crystal tells me. Never once has trusting its wisdom and knowledge led me astray—not I, nor any other Keeper to be appointed to it."

"That must be very hard."

"It is a grating task, at times, to wait and be patient while the world goes on turning above me. Oh, I would often give anything to leave this cavern and run to the aid of others in need of healing and counsel. Yet the Crystal begs me to patience, to weave its power into the lives of my people, and so all things work for the best. Far better than anything I might have planned on my own. The Crystal will not fail me, any more than the Earth sigil will fail your father."

"So, then… All we need to do is… Wait?"

"I know, it is not an answer you like to hear. We Titans dislike it, also. But I fear there is little else to be done. As you said, Star, only time will tell, now."

Star couldn't help but be disappointed. The uncertainty in the prophecy had been maddening to bear alone on the trip to the coast. She had hoped dearly that she might find a clear answer here. But the future was as uncertain here as it was in the west.

"Be cheered, Star," the Keeper said abruptly, suddenly much brighter and less serious. "You are young, and there is much time for you to fill. And, if I am correct, you intend to spend much of it in our rather impressive library. You will be very at home there, I like to think. Explore it as you wish, and take time to ask questions of our acclaimed scholars. I had thought once to join them in their work as a child, before a different destiny found me. You will appreciate their work, though you will perhaps find it exacting."

"I don't mind," she answered, grinning at him. "I could use a new challenge. It's the most adventure I've ever wanted."

"Excellent. Much to your father's pleasure, it will keep you well out of harm's way."

It seemed to Star as if he was trying to conclude this meeting and send her on her way. That was odd, she had only just arrived and grown used to him; and he had been so eager to see her. Perhaps the Crystal was telling him something…?

He smiled softly. "Only that you are sorely missed among your family," he said suddenly, having looked into her wandering mind yet again. "Iris of Fisk is nowhere to be found, and Forley the baker's son has gone missing, as well. Their fathers are beside themselves with exasperation, and could use a cheerful pair of hands to ease their minds. I would keep you to myself, if I could, but I fear you are needed elsewhere, presently."

Star rolled her eyes at the idea. "And he says that I'm the irresponsible one. Well, if a cheerful pair of hands is what they need, I certainly have one. I can come back later, can't I?"

"Naturally. I will be here, awaiting your pleasure. If you do not mind it, I would like to keep the Book for a time. I want to read it, experience it—not through the mind of someone else, but with my own eyes."

"I understand," she agreed, rising from the couch, and wondering how she should farewell the Keeper. Would he settle for a simple handshake? Would he insist on a hug like his friends had received?

Seeing that she was still feeling awkward and unsure, the Keeper took her hand in his own and gave it a friendly squeeze. "We will speak again soon, young one. For now, run to your family's aid. It will give me time to read the Book as I wish to; and when you return, I will point out improvements, if you would like it."

"I would love it," she answered brightly. "This is only the rough draft, so feel free to mark anything you want. Any help I can get would be wonderful."

"I am glad to have your permission, then. I might have done so, anyway. I must confess, I am very excited about this. Especially about the parts where I am involved."

"I hope I haven't fallen too short, then. I would hate to disappoint."

"I do not think you will, Star. I am confident that you have done well. Your father has always seemed quite pleased with your efforts. He says that your results are excellent."

"Compared to his version of the Book, almost anything is excellent."

"Come now, child, do not be so modest. Take pride in what you've done. You deserve it."

Star gave him a sheepish but thankful smile. He smiled back, his glassy eyes dancing with rainbow light, and he released her hand.

"I shall see you another time," he said, a clear but reluctant dismissal. "Take time to settle down and make yourself comfortable. You shall be here for quite a while."

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Afterthoughts…

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Having lived on the coast all my life, I really appreciate that the Maris build dome-shaped houses. In fact, I sometimes wonder why we don't build more domed building where I live, like the early, wealthy colonials did when they settled here. The science that Star explains about it is true. If I recall correctly, there was a missionary group which took equipment to Haiti following the massive earthquake, specifically to build such homes for them. Aside from better withstanding hurricanes, the shape is better suited to withstand earthquakes—again, because the weight it more evenly dispersed, and the shape holds its own self up instead of collapsing on itself.

It's really rather genius.

I really like to think that all three of the current Titans have become a little cheekier as they have grown up, at least with each other. When one is so special, one has to have a sense of humor about it. And, as the Keeper pointed out, they do get a lot of exposure to Mithren, who has the greatest humor of them all. (He got approximately 2 lines in the entire saga, so I've had to come up with a character for him all by myself. :/)