"AHH, THE BLESSED Observatory," sighed one of the Celestrians. "At long last we are returned."

Another turned to Erik. "Erik, we are in your debt," he said. "Had you not come to our aid, who knows what may have befallen us…"

"But now we are returned to our home in the skies, it is only a matter of time before we are restored to our former strength," said the only woman we'd found in the Goretress. She sighed and sat down.

"You need worry about us no longer," continued the last one. "Make haste to Apus Major and appraise him of the events that occurred in the world below. You must tell him all… The revival of the Gittish Empire, the happenings at the Goretress, the resurrection of Barbarus...and…"

"...of Aquila's betrayal," finished the first Celestrian quietly. Erik went stony-faced at the mention of his master. I could feel him winding tighter beside me.

Since he didn't seem inclined to speak, I said, "Of course." The Celestrians hadn't looked at Nick, Cristine or me once since we'd rescued them. Now that I'd spoken, they couldn't exactly ignore me, but all the response I really got were four looks ranging from mild curiosity to contempt. I rolled my eyes and headed out with the others.

"Celestrians," I muttered.

"They have been imprisoned and exhausted for nearly a month," Erik reminded me. "I believe they can be forgiven small slights under such circumstances."

I snorted. "No offence, Erik, but I've had more experience dealing with Celestrians as a mortal than you," I said. "That's how they always act. I'd figure that rescuing 'em from prison would make them a little better disposed towards mortals." I sighed. "I wish whatever's gotten into you over the past month would go and infect the rest of them too."

"What do you mean, whatever has gotten into me?" Erik asked sharply.

"Oh dear," sighed Cristine. "Let's not have this discussion right now, please; we've got to go talk to Apus Major."

Erik and I both shut up, and we headed down the stone stairs.


"So the Gittish Empire ravages the lands of the Protectorate once more…" murmured Apus Major, leaning back in his seat. "You are too young to remember, but the Gittish Empire was an evil dominion that fell into ruin centuries ago. Its denizens sought supremacy over the Protectorate, but were destroyed by their unquenchable thirst for power."

Not to mention more than a little help from mortals, I thought, but I kept my mouth shut. The old Celestrian was still trying to take everything in. It had clearly been a bit of a shock.

Slowly, he rose. "...Erik," he said. "You spoke before of Aquila's betrayal, and the theft of the fyggs…" He put out a hand, and, with a bright flash of gold, all seven fyggs materialised in front of us. I gaped. Erik's breath hissed in a gasp.

"But behold, the fyggs are here, returned to the sacred bastion of the Observatory," Apus Major said unnecessarily. "And by none other than Aquila himself."

"My lord, I bring you the lost fyggs in Erik's stead," echoed a familiar voice. If it hadn't been for the fact that the others were looking round for the source, I'd have thought it was inside my head.

Then my eyes went wide as I realised that there was a shadowy scene unfolding around us, like a memory. An almost transparent Aquila kneeled between Erik and Cristine. Erik went tense when he saw him, but didn't move otherwise. A shadowy Apus Major stood in almost the exact same spot as the real one. As I watched, the memory Aquila held out the fyggs.

"The fyggs are returned to their rightful home," echoed Apus Major's voice. "You have our deepest gratitude, Aquila. But it was Erik to whom I entrusted their retrieval. Why is it you who returns them to us?"

"Erik and I were reunited in the Protectorate," Aquila replied, "and resolved to work together to seek out the fyggs. We roamed the land separately, locating all seven of them. Alas, we were separated during our return to the Observatory. Surely, though, he will return ere long."

You filthy, lying traitor! I thought angrily. I could feel it building back up inside Erik, too. I wanted to try to comfort him somehow, but there was no way I was touching him when he was getting angry like that and I didn't think that words would do anything. So I just stood and watched.

"Hmm… What can have become of him, I wonder…"

Aquila handed Apus Major the fyggs with a bow.

"Aquila, truly you have done well," Apus Major said approvingly. Now, perhaps peace can finally return to the Protectorate."

Aquila nodded. "Thank you, my lord. And now, if I may, I will take my leave." He bowed and turned to go.

"You do not await the return of your apprentice, Aquila?"

Without turning, Aquila said, "I fear not, my lord. I have business that must be attended to." Then he did turn. "My lord… I pray that Erik will be safe in your care. Farewell…"

As he walked away, his and Apus Major's shadows faded away.

"Aquila returned the fyggs unto us," Apus Major said. He had started pacing. "This surely is not the act of a traitor. But Erik, you are pure of heart, and have nothing to gain from bearing false witness. What can this mean?"

It was clearly a rhetorical question, and he kept pacing like he didn't expect an answer, but I could think of a fair few. Erik could, too; I could tell.

Apus Major sighed and shook his head. "I can make no sense of it. Erik, Celestrian and Guardian… We of the Observatory have a teaching: 'Fyggbloom hails the opening of the Heavenly Gates, and sets the Celestrians on the path to salvation. And lo, it shall be in the celestial carriage that we, the chosen custodians, journey to the Realm of the Almighty.'"

"Yes," Erik said, "I have heard it before. What of it?"

"All the fyggs are returned to the Observatory," Apus Major said solemnly. "It is time. Let us seek out the Realm of the Almighty! We cannot know the extent of the teaching's truth… But we must have faith. If the Almighty Himself is to be found there, surely we are saved. Erik, you will journey with me to the Realm of the Almighty! The Observatory was struck by an ill-omened light, and the Protectorate suffers the resurrection of an evil empire… We cannot know what fate has befallen the Realm of the Almighty. I may have need of your aid. Come, let us make haste, I shall await you at the Starflight Express. Make good your preparations and join me there forthwith."

He and one of the Celestrian guards beside him left. I scowled. "What are we, chopped liver?" I asked. "He does realise that he can't even kick us back down to the Protectorate if he's plannin' to take that bloody train up to the Realm of the Almighty."

Erik shook his head. "It is not in a Celestrian's nature to accommodate the whims of mortals unless he is a Guardian," he said, starting after Apus Major. "Such behaviour is only to be expected."

"Well, since he can't make us leave, I'm certainly not going to miss out on the opportunity to go to the Realm of the Almighty," Cristine said. "Can you imagine?"

Nick smiled. "I wouldn't even know where to begin."

"We can begin by making all haste to the Starflight Express," Erik said. "The sooner this is done, the sooner Apus Major will believe what has been said of Aquila's betrayal."

"Erik," I said, but he'd strode off and I was too quiet. I sighed and followed him with Nick and Cristine.


"You are here, Erik. Good. Now, let us journey aboard the celestial carriage," Apus Major said. We'd reached the top of the Observatory, right beside the Starflight, and Apus Major was ignoring the rest of us once again. "Ah. But before we do, there is something I wish you to confirm for me. Aquila attacked you, and stole from you the fyggs. You are certain of this."

Erik's lips tightened. "There is no shadow of a doubt," he said.

Apus Major sighed. "I know not why he would do such a thing… Yet when he gained possession of the sacred fruits, he delivered them faithfully to me. Such is not the action of an Imperial pawn. Whatever his motive, I know that his intentions are good. I trust in him as I trust in you, Erik."

I snorted. "Well clearly you don't trust Erik too much," I said, "seein' as how you don't believe him when he tries to tell you the truth about his master! Celestrians are bigger fools than I thought." Then I turned on my heel and headed into the Starflight, slamming the door shut behind me.

Erik came in with the others a moment later, and he made straight for me. "What is the matter with you, Tammy?" he snapped.

"What's the matter with me?" I asked. My voice went up half an octave. "I was defendin' you! All four of us saw what happened, and Stella too, and the bloody idiot refuses to believe you. I was just tellin' the truth!"

"You snapped at the leader of the Celestrians!"

"He needed takin' down a peg," I said dismissively. "And if he's too stupid to believe you, it's not my problem." I folded my arms. "What, are you gonna get mad at me for tryin' to tell somebody the truth?"

Erik sighed and turned away. "It is not the truth I have a problem with," he said, rubbing his temples. "You do not understand. I appreciate it, I truly do. But surely there must be some better way than by annoying Apus Major!"

"I've annoyed every other Celestrian to cross my path," I said. "I don't see how this is any different." Then I sighed. "Look, Erik, I'd tell you I'm sorry, but I'm not. I've seen the way this is affecting you and I don't like that people doubt what you have to say about it, especially not since it's the truth. That's all."

Then the door slid open again, and Apus Major came in. I leaned up against the wall, folding my arms, as he looked around interestedly. "Hmm, so this is the Starflight Express," he said. "Please, forgive my intrusion. It is bathed in the same golden glow that envelops the fruits of the Great World Tree. This is truly a creation of the Almighty."

Stella fluttered over to Erik. "Who's this old fuddery-duddery, Erik?" she asked in a whisper that could have been heard from three metres away.

Apus Major's eyes went wide, and he hurried over to Stella. "Ah! You are the sainted stewardess of the Starflight Express, are you not? I am Apus Major, keeper of the Observatory. It is an honour."

I met Cristine's eyes across the apartment and raised my eyebrows. She smiled, shrugging and rolling her eyes good-naturedly.

Apus Major had turned and found himself face-to-breastplate with Sterling. He looked up, craning his head back. "And this is…?" he asked, his voice going kind of small.

"Sterling's the name, sir," Sterling said in a reassuring tone. "Captain and chief engineer of the Starflight Express, and one of Erik's closest comrades!"

Apus Major bowed politely. "Excellent, excellent. Well, Captain Sterling, I have a favour to ask of you. Erik's unstinting efforts have brought the fyggs back to the Observatory. Now the prophecy must be fulfilled. You must deliver us to the Realm of the Almighty aboard the celestial carriage."

Sterling looked up. "Well, sir, the Almighty did once tell me somefing," he said. "'When them fyggs 'ave finally bloomed, you bring them Celestrians up 'ere to the Realm of the Almighty'," or words to that effect. An' I ain't no genius, but I reckon this must be wot that spiel was all about." He looked back down. "So you just leave it to me, sir. Sit back an' make yerself at 'ome." He turned to the console and started pushing buttons. "Next stop, the Realm of the Almighty!"

He pushed a lever, and the Starflight rumbled to life, energy glowing out of every panel.

"My goodness, the Starflight Express, it's…" Apus Major murmured, looking around.

We started moving forwards, faster and faster, and then we looped round and into a smooth ascent. The difference between Stella's driving skills and Sterling's was impressive. I was able to stay on my feet and everything.

Apus Major was at the window. "Incredible… The Observatory is a mere speck below us already. Truly, this is the conveyance of the gods." He turned to look at Sterling. "Captain Sterling, does your command of the Express span many years?"

"I've been at the 'elm since the very day the Almighty put 'er into action, sir!" Sterling said proudly, occupied as he was with the controls. "It's been a while now."

"Blimey, so old fatguts is even more ancient than I thought…" Stella murmured. I couldn't help snickering.

At Stella's words, Sterling whirled round, a fist in the air. Stella jumped back. "Shut it, you!" Sterling roared. "I ain't ancient, and I ain't no fatguts, neither! I'm the captain, got it? Captain!" He turned back in a huff, punching at buttons with a lot more force than necessary. Stella was frozen with a look of shocked terror on her face. I laughed again. Erik snorted and rolled his eyes. Across the carriage, Cristine was laughing into Nick's shoulder.

Sterling pulled another lever, and the glow inside the Starflight began to pulse. I felt us pick up speed and floated up a few centimetres, just in case gravity decided to increase again like it had the first time I'd ridden in the Starflight.

The inside of the carriage grew brighter as we broke through the bank of clouds around the Observatory. We soared upwards and finally began to level out. I looked out a window to see where we were.

My eyes went wide.

Everything was bright and clear and sunny, nothing like the ruined gloom of the Observatory below. Islands carpeted in emerald grass floated in the blue sky like it was a lake. They were connected by bridges of light and what looked like rainbows, which would normally have made me consider throwing up, but here, it was beautiful. On the largest island, up at the very top, was a graceful temple, sky blue and white with golden designs flashing in the sunshine.

The Starflight slowed and grew more level as we looped around the islands. I lowered myself back down to the floor of the train and moved towards the others as we pulled to a stop at the lowest island.

"Ladies and gentlemen, now arriving at the Realm of the Almighty," Sterling said professionally. "All change!"

"At long last," Apus Major murmured reverently. "My most fervent prayers are finally to be answered."

Sterling opened the door. "Follow me, sir."

He and Apus Major disembarked. Stella watched them go. "I suppose we ought to tag along to, eh," she said. "Don't want to be left behind like a bunch of melons, do we?"

We followed them off the train. When my boots hit the grass, I paused, feeling a little thrown off. It was beautifully warm, like a summer day, but something didn't feel quite right. The beauty seemed hollow.

"Tammy?" Cristine asked, turning. "What is it?"

I shook my head. "Nothin'," I said. "I just...thought I felt something odd. It was probably just my imagination." All the same, I couldn't quite relax.

"Such holiness…" Apus Major murmured. "Such beauty… Truly, this could only be the Realm of the Almighty." He looked at Erik. "Erik. Etch these sacred sights into your memory. We know not when we may tread this hallowed ground again."

The longer we stood there, the more certain I was that something was wrong. I shifted uncomfortably. "Erik," I muttered, leaning towards him. "We need to hurry...something's not right here."

He blinked and looked at me. "What do you mean?" he asked quietly. "I can see nothing amiss."

"It's not somethin' I see," I replied, shaking my head. "It's what I feel. This place is hollow. Somethin's missin'."

Apus Major looked at us reproachfully. "Now," he said loudly, "we must offer the fyggs unto the Almighty. Where might He be found, I wonder?"

"The temple's straight up there in front of us," Sterling said. "If 'E's anywhere, the Almighty'll be up there."

I followed them up the path, but it wasn't long before we were blocked. Blue double doors bisected one of the islands, keeping us away from the only path all the way up. Inscribed on the doors were the words Only the pure shall pass.

Well, that leaves me out, I thought, half-joking. But I couldn't help sighing. If the only people who could go through were people who were pure, I really was stuck.

Neither of the doors had handles or keyholes, and even though the hinges made it clear they swung out, they didn't budge when Apus Major pushed.

We tried one by one, and one by one Sterling, Nick, Cristine, Erik, and Stella failed to move the door. I tried, too, but it didn't come any closer to opening for me than it had for the others.

I sighed again, and brought my other hand up to the door. "Please," I whispered, bowing my head. "Please, let us through. I know we're not perfect, but this isn't about us! We have to stop the Gittish Empire, but we can't do it without Your help… Please."

For a long moment, we stood there. I bit down hard on my lip, wishing I didn't feel so much like crying. And then, suddenly, the doors opened. I windmilled my arms, trying to catch my balance. Erik grabbed my arm and helped me out. "Thanks," I said.

"Pass, pure-hearted ones," said a voice, and we all looked around. "Go to your god."

Slowly, we started moving up the path again.

Outside the temple, all of us paused. I couldn't help the shiver that ran up my spine. Here, it was even more obvious that something was missing.

"So herein dwells the Almighty…" Apus Major said, looking up at the temple. "Finally, my prayers of countless millennia are answered. Finally, we shall meet…"

I took a deep breath to steel my nerves and stepped through the wide doors with the others. And then a sense of wrongness hit me like a punch in the gut. I gasped for air.

There was a huge dark crack in the floor of the room, big enough that Sterling could have fallen through without hitting any of the sides. A massive throne lay on its side, one arm almost broken off. The place where it had probably sat before was punched through with a huge hole.

"Wh-What is the meaning of this?" stammered Apus Major.

"What's gone on 'ere?" Sterling asked. "The temple's smashed to bits!"

A sudden foreboding came over me. "Oh, no," I whispered. "I think… I think I know what happened…"

Nick, Cristine, and Erik looked my way, but Apus Major was absorbed in his own horror. "What has befallen this place?" he said. "What has become of the Almighty?" He took a hesitant step forwards. "This rupture… It cannot be… Surely the light which ravaged our own realm cannot have penetrated so far…? O, Almighty One!" he cried then. "Heed my call! Where art Thou? Hast Thou forsaken us?"

I shivered. "If He was hit by that light," I whispered, "I'm pretty sure that any forsakin' was involuntary." I stepped closer to the others. "This is wrong…"

"Almighty One!" called Apus Major forlornly. "What can have become of Him? Why does He not heed my call?"

Stella shuddered. "Ooh, I've got a nasty feeling about this," she muttered. "We should never have come to this flapping place…"

"Wot the bleedin' 'eck's 'appened 'ere?" Sterling wondered. "Wot kind of toerag'd do somefing like this, eh?" He scowled and made a noise that sounded an awful lot like a growl. "Any'ow, we'd best 'ead inside and see if the Almighty's in there."

Nick and Cristine grasped hands. I reached for the hilt of my sword, though I didn't draw. We headed up the stairs to the left of the throne, which led up to a peaceful-looking area with springy grass as flooring. In the back of the room was a raised area with a strange, soft glow.

"Truly, it is a sublime light that shines here," Apus Major said. "Perhaps this is where we must make an offering of the heavenly fruit." He placed a hand on Erik's shoulder. "Erik, my child, you must offer up the fyggs."

Erik looked at him in shock, but Apus Major just handed him the fyggs and said, "Now, make the offering."

So, swallowing, Erik stepped into the light. I could feel it through him - soft and warm and gentle, like a lover's embrace. It depressed me that I only knew what that felt like secondhand.

A warm stillness ran through him, just like it had when we'd touched hands in the Goretress. He raised the fyggs into the air, and they started to glow. Then they vanished.

"O, Almighty One! Take these divine fruits we offer unto You." Apus Major's voice echoed through the room.

But nothing happened.

There was a collective drop of heart in the room. Apus Major bowed his head. "We offer up the fyggs," he said, "and still nothing. Still our call is not heeded. What can this mean?"

"Erik, Celestrian and Guardian…"

My head snapped up. This voice was familiar, somehow. There was a musical undertone, a tune which I recognised from the first time I'd set foot in the Observatory. It was beautiful.

"And Apus, keeper of the Observatory… Canst thou hear my voice?"

"Is this the voice of the Almighty?" whispered Apus Major.

"...Alas, I am not the one whom you Celestrians call 'Almighty'..." replied the voice, with a tone like the speaker was shaking her head. "Benevolessence born of pure mortal hearts caused fyggs to bloom on Yggdrasil's boughs, and the celestial express to find this realm… And now, Erik, you and your companions have returned the fyggs to the Realm of the Almighty… And so I am awakened from my slumber of countless aeons… Now return to me, my Celestrian children…"

Then I couldn't see for the soft, golden light which surrounded me. I was alone, as far as I could tell, but for the first time I didn't feel alone. The woman who spoke was all around me, and I knew then that she was the one whose love I'd felt when I'd stepped off the Starflight and collapsed.

The light cleared, and we were standing at the foot of the tree that crowned the Observatory. It was glowing.

"Wh - Eh? Are we back at the Observatory?"

"What is this light that bathes mighty Yggdrasil?"

The light grew brighter.

"Welcome home, my Celestrian children…"

A tall, elegant, beautiful woman with golden hair appeared in Yggdrasil's branches, smiling down at us. "I am she whom you have heretofore known as Yggdrasil…" she said. "I am the only daughter of the Almighty Himself, the Grand Architect Zenus. I am the Goddess Celestria…"

"Wh - My… Can this be…?" whispered Apus Major.

Celestria smiled. "My dear Celestrians," she said warmly. "Long have you tended to the Protectorate and offered me the benevolessence you gathered there… And your diligent efforts have finally returned me to consciousness… You have my deepest gratitude… And you, Erik…"

Erik started and looked up at her. I wasn't sure what I felt from him. It was deep-seated, slow and quiet, but whatever it was, it was strong.

"You retrieved the fyggs, which we had thought found, but which were lost once more… We are eternally in your debt..."

"Lady Celestria - I hope I may address You so - what can have led to Your transformation into Mighty Yggdrasil?" asked Apus Major.

Celestria looked down, closing her eyes. "I did so to protect the mortals and their realm..."

My eyes went wide. Us? She did that...for us?

"...My father believed the mortals a flawed creation, and resolved to erase them from existence…"

The Observatory seemed to fade away, replaced by a vision of the throne room in the Realm of the Almighty. It was whole and clean, and someOne sat in the throne. I couldn't look straight at Him. I knew instinctively that He must be the Almighty.

"Yea, the mortals are not fit to inhabit my Kingdom," He said. He raised His arm, and a red light formed around his hand. "They are an aberration. From dust they came, and to dust I shall return them!"

He gestured, and the light soared towards earth with deadly purpose. My heart froze in my chest as it drew closer, and I instinctively reached for someone, anyone, for support. That light would mean the end of everything if it hit -

But it didn't. A softer light, blue, intercepted it, seemingly just centimetres above the face of the earth. "I beg of you!" cried Celestria. "Stay your hand!"

"Wherefore do you defy me?" roared the Almighty, and I saw the throne room again. Celestria stood before the throne, back straight, chin high. "What cause have you to give them succor?"

"Father, I - I have faith in the mortals," Celestria said. "You cannot - you must not - lay waste to their realm… I beg of thee…"

"You dare question my will?" I was willing to swear that the entire temple shook with the force of His yell. "You dare obstruct my purpose?"

Celestria stood fast. Then, I realised with a start, she began to glow.

"Celestria! What is this insolence!?"

Branches and leaves began to grow out from her body, enveloping her and branching out, until Yggdrasil stood in her place and only her head and torso were still visible in the trunk. "If it be the only way to save mortalkind," she said, "I shall take on this form… I shall become Yggdrasil, the World Tree. My body shall be restored only when the good that lies within mortal hearts is proven… There is purity in the mortal soul… There is good… I will prove this to you, though it cost me my freedom..."

"Impetuous child!" cried the Almighty. "You know not what foolishness you contemplate, Celestria! If no such proof should present itself, you will be cursed to eternal slumber!"

But Celestria paid no mind. The trunk closed over the last of her body.

"My child…" murmured the Almighty. "What have you done? ...So be it. Your rashness has stayed my hand. The mortals shall live." Here, His voice took on a different tone - more layered, more authoritative. It was a tone of creation. "Let there be beings to serve your purpose. Let these beings stand ever-vigilant over mortalkind, awaiting proof of the purity within… But know this, Celestria: the day of your awakening may never come…"

The throne room faded away, and the Observatory returned. I realised suddenly that the person I'd ended up grabbing onto was Erik, and that he'd put an arm around me in return. We jumped apart awkwardly.

"The benevolessence you gathered was the very proof of mortal purity I had awaited…" Celestria said, smiling down at us. "I assumed the form of Yggdrasil to persuade my father of the goodness within the mortal heart… When benevolessence was offered unto me, in time, the fyggs would bloom… And when the fyggs were delivered to the Realm of the Almighty, I would awaken once more… Zenus created the Observatory and you, my Celestrian children, to serve me… To watch over the mortals… To gather benevolessence… To offer it unto me… To gather the fyggs that would one day bloom, and by their power, to awaken my from my slumber…"

"So this has been our calling all along…" Apus Major murmured. "But...what of the Almighty Himself? Could He be…? The ill-omened light that struck our realm, and His also… Is He in fact…?"

Celestria smiled, shaking her head. Her glow enveloped the Observatory as she said, "...Fear not. Had my father ceased to be, I too would have passed into another realm, and this world would have ceased to exist… He is somewhere, although He is not to be found in the Realm of the Almighty…"

Her tone changed now. She grew more serious, and she looked around at us. "My children… There is something I must convey to you… The light that violated the Realm of the Almighty… The being from whence it came… He wishes to destroy our world… It is he who brought the Empire back from the forgotten reaches of time… His hatred emanates from the palace at its heart… Erik, Celestrian and Guardian… Tammy, Fae's daughter..." I started. "Cristine, brave minstrel… Nick, caring priest of my Father… You must journey to the heart of the Gittish Empire and deliver mortalkind from the evil that dwells therein…"

She closed her eyes and clasped her hands in front of her chest. "I shall open the way before you…"

A bright glow, a flash of blue light.

"This tree of purest blue shall guide you to the lands of the House of Gitt…"

She was glowing brighter. I almost couldn't stand to look directly at her any more. "When the evil that lies at the heart of that land is quenched, the world…will be...safe once more…"

The glow faded away, and Celestria along with it. "Please… You must…deliver...the mortal realm...from evil…"

And then her voice faded, too. All that was left was a faint hint of song.

"Flapping flip!" yelped Stella, making us all jump. "Well, who would have thought it! I'm all of a flutter after that! Seems like everyone's accounting on us, eh? Well, we can't go cooking the books then. You'll have to get to work!"

Cristine gave a shocked half-laugh that sounded like it had been building for a while. "You're not understating," she said.

Sterling turned to us, a grin on his face. "So you're the only ones who can save the Protectorate and the Observatory from certain disaster, eh, treacle? Well, you've only got the weight of two worlds on yer shoulders then, eh?"

He laughed at the worried looks on our faces. "Don't let 'em get you down, will ya? Right, I'll be waitin' on the Starflight. We'll 'ead off when yer ready to rumble. See you in a bit!" He waved cheerily and headed down with Stella.

"Ohh," I groaned, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

"This is insane," Nick agreed, running a hand through his hair.

Cristine smiled weakly. "That's an understatement."

Erik just shook his head.

"Oi," I said then, quietly. "What's up with the real old fatguts over there?" I nodded over to Apus Major.

Erik gave me a reproachful look. "Apus Major," he said, taking a step towards him.

Apus Major shook his head. "Such tragedy…" he murmured. "Such benevolence… That the goddess Celestria should sacrifice herself to protect mortalkind… It is well indeed that we served the Great World Tree through all the millennia. She is more than a worthy mistress." He turned to Erik. "But now, the mortal realm is in peril once more at the hands of the Gittish Empire. Only you are able to save them. You must go to Gittingham Palace and extinguish the threat at its source." His eyes ranged over Nick, Cristine, and me, and even though I felt a flicker of doubt from him, he hid it well. He nodded almost respectfully at us.

We left then, heading back down to the Starflight.

Stella accosted us the instant we walked in. "So if you go to the Gittish Empire and get rid of the baddies there, the world will go back to normal again?" she asked. "Well, it looks like you'd better get crackling then, eh? You can't expect me and everyone else to wait around forever to be saved."

I snorted. Erik rolled his eyes in agreement.

Sterling shook his head. "You've got one 'eck of a fight ahead of you, treacle," he said. "The 'old world's countin' on ya. Good luck, yeah?" He clapped Erik on the shoulder and gave us all an encouraging, if somewhat grim, smile. "Right then, let's get down to business…"

"Sterling?" Erik asked as the captain moved towards the controls. "Would you mind taking us down to Alltrades Abbey for the time being?" His gaze flickered to me for half a second. "It has been days since either Tammy or myself has had a proper sleep."

"O' course," Sterling said comfortably. "To Alltrades!"


We spent the rest of the day in Stornway, trying to relax a little bit. When it finally grew dark, we headed up to bed. I crashed in Cristine's room; Erik was going to share with Nick.

I got into the bed and moaned softly. "Almighty, that feels good," I said, and burrowed into the sheets. "Mmm…"

Cristine smiled sympathetically and climbed onto the other side of the bed. "I really am glad you're back," she said. "Nick and I were both so worried. We spent every morning at the church praying you and Erik would get back safe."

Warmth bloomed in my stomach, and I scooted over so I could give her a hug. "Thank you," I murmured.

She laughed quietly. "Go to sleep," she said, wriggling out. "I know you need it. You look absolutely exhausted." She blew out the candle, leaving the room dark except for the little chink of light coming in through the door.


Erik was walking past the girls' room when he heard his name. "...different between you and Erik," Cristine was saying quietly. "Did something happen after Barbarus attacked?"

Erik froze. No, he thought. Tammy, please, say nothing -

"What d'you mean?" Tammy asked, almost stumbling over her words.

There was a rustle of fabric, like Cristine had shrugged. "I don't quite know," she said. "You two just act differently towards each other than you did before."

"Mm."

There was a long moment in which nothing was said, and Erik started to feel himself able to move again. But before he did, Cristine spoke. "Tammy...are you in love with him?"

Something thick and warm stole through Erik's chest, making his heart rise. It beat faster as Tammy seemed to struggle for words. "I - I- I...wha… No! No, of course not. Why would you think that?"

And everything went icy cold.