Papuru Star (revised)

The little girl wore a frilly, yellow dress, as she took her customary seat at the head of the table. Oscar the cat sprinted around the massive library, leaping on and off of bookshelves, chairs, even the cage holding her pet mice. The two mice squeal in fright, while the cat's voice held the hyper edge of excitement.

Oscar

It's storytime! It's storytime!! It's storytime!!!

Girl

Calm down, Oscar! What's the matter with you? Did you just poop or something?

Oscar

I'm so eager for the life and loves of The Dawn. And for your information, yes I did.

Girl

Then you can pick where we start today.

Oscar

Oh, goodie!

The cat had bounded off the ceiling and skids, in a table scratching halt, next to a leather covered book. The girl takes her seat, which looked much too big for her small frame, and uses magic to slide it closer to the table. She slowly flips through page after page of clean, eligible script, allowing Oscar the cat time to scan each.

Oscar

Here! Start here! There are sawhorses.

Girl (sighing)

Anything with animals. Okay, here we go. "I walked into the stable containing the sawhorses approved for the race, which started in a couple of hours..."

PAST

The Dawn walked among the ten sawhorses she could choose from, measuring each animal with an expert eye. She was quite familiar with the horses of her homeworld, but these of the six legged variety, were much more haughty than she was used to. She stopped to stare into the eye of a turquoise sawhorse that was chewing on silver hay.

The Dawn

Pretty horsy.

Her voice came out high pitched, almost child-like.

The Dawn

Nice to meet you. Are you friendly, like the horsies on my world? Braloor, that's where I'm from. Maybe you've heard of it.

The beast returned her look with a gaze she interpreted as irritation.

The Dawn

Okay, I'll leave you to eat. See you later.

She walked to the sawhorse in the next stable; this one was orange in color, with a red, shaggy mane and tail. It stood motionless, regarding her with dark irises.

The Dawn

Hey, there. Not trying to invade your space. I was just wondering, if you wanted to team up.

The sawhorse stomped around in a small circle, shaking it's fiery mane.

The Dawn

I get it, you ready to run right now. I'm excited, too.

The six-legged beast stomped up to her and snorted, then, took off out the open side of its stall. It ran a few yards before turning around to race back at her. She stood her ground, as it slowly cantered up to her, repeating the nostril flare. She calmly placed a hand to its face, staring into one eye.

The Dawn

I promise, if you run with me, it will be fun.

It neighs and runs off again, this time sprinting around the pasture.

At this moment, The Dawn sensed someone in a stall farthest from where she had entered. She was so focused on the sawhorses, that she neglected to ensure she and the animals were, indeed, alone. The woman, brushing the side of a jet black sawhorse, stood a few inches taller than her, with similar colored hair, but lacking any highlights. The Dawn thought she was too thin to be a healthy Pian, yet her muscles looked finely worked. Her clothing was clean and resembled those worn by the common folk roaming the city.

Avia

Fury's trying to impress you. He's a bit of a showoff.

The Dawn

Fury? That's his name? I was going to call him Fire Horse.

Avia

That's...a good name. You're The Dawn, right? I'm Avia Zareil.

The Dawn rolled both shoulders, as if getting ready to do something strenuous, her entire demeanor having shifted; her voice lost that childish edge.

The Dawn

You come for a fight?

Avia

No, I'm here to pick a sawhorse, like you. Any fighting here is sure to spook them. Our time together will be soon enough. For now, I'm fine beating anyone out to race me.

The Dawn paused briefly, then, smiled warmly.

The Dawn

Of course. I'm sorry for my rudeness. It's a pleasure to meet you, Princess Zareil.

Avia

Call me Avia. Princess sounds so... highborn. I'm much more comfortable in places like this.

PRESENT

Girl

From now on, I want to be referred to as princess.

Oscar

It fits.

PAST

The Dawn

Okay, Avia. Is that fine specimen your pick?

Avia finished her brushing and patted the animal. She moved to the next stall that had a sawhorse of light brown fur and continued her conditioning.

Avia

Still in the selection process. Taking time to get to know each, individually. They are wild and independent; expecting the best feed we can grow, in return for their participation. Some are offered a place in the king's stables; otherwise, they return to nature to continue their lives.

The Dawn

You make them sound almost sentient.

Avia

It's theorized they are a step below sentient. Take this one, Brighteyes; the handler who brought her in said she followed him from town to city, after he had already discarded her as a possible mount. He had picked another, when she stormed up to him, neighing and hoofing, then, proceeded to race the other sawhorse around the buildings. Brighteyes won by a wide margin and followed the handler here.

The Dawn

She's pretty smart. What can you tell me about this one.

The sawhorse The Dawn stood before, was on the lighter side of grey, with a black tail. It's rear was facing them, as it ignored the intrusive women.

Avia

She's called Royalty because she acts like a royal. She was leading a pack when discovered and it took the handlers years of bonding to the correct sawhorse, just to get close enough to touch her, without being bitten or trampled to death. She made it clear; any winnings would be enough for the whole pack.

The Dawn

On Braloor, a pack of horses is called a band. Sorry, my instructor instincts kicking in?

Avia

You fight more like an instructor of combat, than language.

The Dawn

I actually instruct a class of ten year olds in the usage of ceremonial magics.

Avia

They start as infants?

The Dawn

In some cases. Wait, no, I forgot; Pians age differently from Humans. My class is full of children, but they can act like infants, at times.

Avia

Okay, now I understand. Here, we spend fifty years going from infant to preteen.

The Dawn

Wow, fifty years as a child?

Avia

We live long. Royalty is around three hundred years herself.

The Dawn

Amazing. How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?

Avia

One hundred seven.

The Dawn

In Human years, you look to be in your early twenties.

Avia

Human lifespans are so short, no offense to you.

The Dawn

No offense felt. What about this big fella here?

Avia moved closer to The Dawn, who had picked up a handful of the hay to feed the biggest sawhorse in the stable.

Avia

That's Grandeur, the sawhorse so full of himself, he grew twenty extra inches to hold his pride. He won't stoop down to eat from the ground in the presence of anyone who can feed him. He's fast for his size, but a bit prickly.

Avia fed the massive animal, as well.

Avia

Grandeur is from the same band as Royalty. Double the chance of victory.

The Dawn

The fact they even know what's at stake is uncanny. Maybe he's here to ensure his leader won.

Avia

Oh, I expect bullying on the course, definitely.

The Dawn

Believe it or not, these sawhorses sound a lot like a few of my students.

Avia

How many in your class?

The Dawn

Sixteen.

Avia

Are they on some kind of break, while you're here?

The Dawn

No, a few select instructors are subbing for me.

They move to the next sawhorse, this one was grey, with streaks of pink, and a pale mane.

Avia

This is Blossomhuff. Very sweet; I hear she travels between a few of the villages here, offering the younglings rides. She is furiously protective of them, however, particularly, those she bonds with.

The sawhorse came up to them and The Dawn gently caresses her grey, pink head.

The Dawn

Definitely sounds like one of my students.

Avia

You really care for them, I can tell.

The Dawn

A child's experience, shapes who they are as adults. For Humans, at least.

Avia

For Pians, as well. I recently lost someone I knew from childhood and in the wake of his death, I realized how our upbringing and outlooks on life, caused us to separate over time. His death still affects me, just like all the rest; forcing me to think about who I really am and how I think. I apologize, I'm rambling. Anyway, my sister, Zella, is much like Blossomhuff. She was so protective of me, growing up, that it just made me want to run away. Which I, ultimately, did.

The Dawn

Do you have children?

Avia

Nope. Never had the desire.

The Dawn

Same here. But, I must say, having my students is what changed me. I became an instructor during a pretty bleak moment in my life. I wouldn't trade the last two years with them, even for my sanity.

PRESENT

Oscar

BORING!

Girl

You picked this section!

Oscar

Skip to the race. Skip to the race!

Girl

For the love of-

She swipes to the next page, scanned it a second, then, turned to the next. She went back to reading.

PAST

Six sawhorses and their riders were at the starting line for the race for the Rising Phoenix elixir. At one end, Avia and Blossomhuff stood ready, next to The Dawn and Fury. Next to her sat Gorjon, on the massive steed that was Grandeur. Nor the Ninshu rode the much smaller black horse, Avia called Daybreaker, who had bloodshot eyes. The lizard man, Fritz, had chosen Brighteyes as his mount, while the Deity of Unluck, Ramza, rounded them out, atop Royalty, both having a regal air to their manner.

Thousands of feet above, dragonflies of various sizes and colors, entered and exited the atmosphere. The Dawn marveled at the majestic creatures' massive wingspan, and how similar to the dragons of Braloor's ancient legends, they were.

The course was a dirt road, flanked by hundreds of cheering Pians. A Pian woman, wearing a dress that was close to see-through, sauntered past each rider, waving a banner with a sawhorse stenciled on it. She gave Avia a sneer, before taking a coned shell from around her neck and blew. At the sound of the louder than expected horn, the six competitors take off.

Thirty seconds in, Gorjon and Grandeur had the lead by a length, with Avia and Blossomhuff and Fritz and Brighteyes on his heels. The Dawn and Fury was a second behind them, next to Nor and Daybreaker. Ramza and Royalty were at the back of the pack, then, they picked up the pace. They overtook each of the others, as if possessed. Gorjon and Grandeur had been preventing the others from overtaking them, but Ramza and Royalty sprint by, despite Gorjon's best efforts to stop them. The crowd erupts at the lead change.

The course took them further north, where the crowd began to thin, along with any type of foliage. The landscape was mostly barron rock, with a green scaled dragonfly, five times the size of The Dawn's streamjet, lay basking in the sunlight. A herd of some type of two legged feathered animals, grazed among a cluster of rocks, to the west. The course slanted down slightly, leading to a flowing river, three meters wide.

The moment Royalty's hooves left the ground for her leap, Ramza lost his perch, tumbling over her rear, and into the river. Royalty made the jump, with meters to spare, and continued her sprint, unconcerned about the loss of her passenger. The remaining competitors made their jumps successfully, while the Deity floated from the flowing water, running hands through blonde hair that glistened in the sun.

Beyond the river, the course stretched for miles and The Dawn signals for Fury to go all out. She and Fury catch up and pass Fritz and Brighteyes, the lizard man's tongue whipping in the wind, between sharp teeth. Avia and Blossomhuff were a length ahead and shrinking. The few dozen spectators cheer on the racers, while booing Avia. They crest a small hill, the trail leading into a forest of leafless trees that looked dark and scary.

The Dawn's heart pounded faster, but she was having too much fun to be afraid. She sees Avia and Blossomhuff try to pass Gorjon and Grandeur, only to be cut off by the bigger sawhorse. A fallen tree blocked the way, causing Grandeur to leap a bit too high. Gorjon's head struck a thick tree branch; which had to be hard as metal, since it knocked the big bodied wrestler right off his mount. Like Royalty, Grandeur kept on going. When Gorjon rose into the air, on winds he called up, The Dawn thought he would go after the sawhorse. When Gorjon flew off in the opposite direction, she remembered Power Styles were forbidden in the race.

Fritz and Brighteyes surge ahead of The Dawn and Fury, in a sudden burst of speed. Almost as if they were being pulled by the Preesling and sawhorse, Nor and Daybreaker hurried past, the scary looking Ninshu's sudden appearance in the shadows of the dead-like trees, prompted a squeal from her. He laughed at her fright, before turning his attention to the racers in front.

The Dawn was angry now, and she coaxed her mount for more speed. Her eyes were fixed on Nor, who drew close enough to Fritz, to speak below a shout. She couldn't hear what was said between the two displeasing looking aliens, but was curious enough to use a spell to sharpen her hearing. Even so, she was only able to catch the final part.

Nor

-or I'll reveal it to everyone.

Seconds after, Fritz leapt into the trees, leaving Brighteyes to continue alone.

PRESENT

The little girl in the yellow dress, sighs loudly.

Girl

I'm tired of the race. Let's see what else we got.

Oscar

Oh, hmph!

She skims through several pages; taking nearly ten seconds to find what she desires.

PAST

The Dawn stood in the center of an empty room; no doors or windows, just four walls, floor, and ceiling. She started to chant the necessary words, while she mimed the sigil, in the air, around herself. She repeated the process multiple times, until mist consolidated within the room. The sigils she had been weaving, become visible, as frost envelopes them. She was almost finished.

Truth had told her, begged her, actually, to not do the spell. He even tried to erase her memory of it, but she caught him. Arrogant jerks always think they know best. What was the big deal anyway? It wasn't like she was doing a forbidden spell; she found it right in the campus library. The Sleep Tight spell allowed for dreamless sleep, something she has not had in five years. She, suddenly, wonders what kept her from doing this in the past and realized it was Truth's doing, the bastard.

Luckily, he was gone, traveling to other worlds in the Coalition Carnage caravan. She's fifteen, old enough to make her own decisions; plus, she had more than enough Talent to prevent a Twilight Effect. After the tournament was done, and Truth got his butt kicked, she would have to take the Plunge. She felt that, in order to survive a journey to the center of Braloor, she needed her first, real, goodnight sleep. She couldn't see how this wouldn't work.

She took both hands, hands she had been training to splinter wood, and struck each frozen sigil, whispering the final phrase. They vanish in wisps of mist, the crackling of ice shards, replaced by silence. No loud noise to signify a Twilight Effect. A second later, there was PING sound, that filled the room. A Twilight Effect! How!? The Sleep Tight spell was only 655,000 Talent; she possessed 5,000,000. Her eyes dart around the room with no exit, afraid to move her head, afraid to breathe, wondering how the Effect would take shape.

She was about to conjure a way out, when flashes of images were shoved painfully into her mind. She screamed, watching and feeling her future self die, over and over again. First, at the hands of the man of shadow; but that's an old nightmare, one she was familiar with. The next death came at the hands of a being composed of the sun. Then, death at the hands of a death Deity. Finally, death at the hands of the heir of the devil. Each death lasting for seconds, before looping back again.

She was unsure how long this lasted, felt like years. Then, all the death was gone and she was somewhere else. A place similar to the Quiet Room she was in before; bare of furnishings, but this had stone interior, and she was chained to the wall. She cursed loudly, struggling against her bonds. She tries to conjure, but fails. Suddenly, a man was there. He was cute, she thought, despite the face tattoo and the fact he was old. Not wrinkly old, gray hair old. He wore the white on gray patterned robes that all twelve of the Wise Men were known to wear.

The Dawn

Let me out!!!

Siad

My name is Siad, Wiseman of the Natu. It is useless to resist; you are in the center of a mage trap and those chains are the strongest my compatriot could manifest.

The Dawn

Let me out or I will kill you!!!

She screams, struggles, and spits; then, she collapses, held up by the chains, like a lifeless doll.

Siad

Your mind is fractured, a side effect of our attempts to detain you. The others restored the barriers The Truth built up around The Set, but splintered your psyche in the process. May I speak to the Instructor, please?

Her limp form stood straight, she looked into her visitor's eyes, through the strands of her hair. She barely registered that some of those strands were now white.

The Dawn

Present.

Siad

How much do you remember?

The Dawn

All I can recall is death.

Siad

You sure dealt out a lot of it; nearly one hundred thousand people, some of our most experienced mages, to boot.

The Dawn

Wh...what are you talking about?

Siad

From what I've been able to piece together, you attempted the Sleep Tight spell, which weakened the barriers The Truth set up, when we stopped you the first time. This allowed The Set to break free.

The Dawn

That mass murderer?! He died years ago.

Siad

No, he is a she and that she, is you. We let The Truth convince us that you were no longer a danger, merely a child. But now, we're doing things my way. Welcome to Firnin's Bane, the highest security prison to be found anywhere. You will never leave again.

PRESENT

The little girl claps, her cat yawns.

Girl

I didn't know that! This is getting good. But, I want to read about The Set stuff. Why does it keep skipping over that?

Oscar

Ho hum.

Girl

Oh Oscar, you big baby.

She flips the diary pages back to where she left off before.

Girl

There, you happy?

Oscar

Thank you, princess.

The little girl hops off the chair, smoothing out her yellow dress.

Girl

You can read the boring stuff yourself. I'm going to go entertain our guest.

Oscar

Okay, I will.

As she skipped from the library, Oscar began to read aloud.

PAST

The Dawn and Fury were leading by a nose, ahead of Avia and Blossomhuff, followed by Nor and Daybreaker. She could just make out in the distance, Brighteyes leaping over Grandeur, who had been blocking her path. They had exited the forest of dead leaves, onto another dirt road, lined by more Pian onlookers; all wore the dressings of those highborn. The shadows of a palace sat to the distant west, surrounded by four crimson red dragonfly statues, wings spread out to touch. The Dawn only noticed its presence, before focusing on Nor and Daybreaker, who were now ahead of her.

With the roar of galloping sawhorses and ruckus crowds in her ears, The Dawn spurns Fury to go faster, to showoff. As if waiting for her que, the red mane sawhorse began closing the distance to Grandeur; the bigger sawhorse was preventing Nor and Daybreaker from passing. She noticed Nor held a thin needle, that, with a casual flick of the wrist, he sent into the backside of Grandeur. The massive sawhorse went down in a heap of spasming legs, baying in dismay. The three racers and their mounts avoid their fallen competitor, Nor, with a cackle.

A new surge of rage pulsed through her and, when she was close enough, tried to punch him in the head. He avoids her with ease, ignoring her, choosing to focus on Avia and Blossomhuff, whose led was increasing. The Dawn still had her sights set on Nor, but she could see the light brown fur of Brighteyes rounding a left curve ahead. She coaxes Fury to slow enough to not throw her off in the turn. Fury and Daybreaker collide, and both the sawhorse and the rider try to take a bite out of her and Fury, but came up short.

The right curve was less than twenty feet from the first, the three pairs jostling for position. When The Dawn saw Nor prepare to use his needles on Avia and Blossomhuff, she dove from Fury's back, onto Daybreaker, just in time to grab his thin wrist and use his own momentum, to poke himself in the tongue. Nor's surprised look turns to sleepiness and he fell from Daybreaker, who never slowed, as they raced the final leg.

Fury was too far ahead for The Dawn to return to him, so she caressed the black fur under her. Daybreaker responded with a burst of speed to join Avia and Blossomhuff in a race to catch up to Fury. Even more people were present at the finish, occupying bleachers of wood and the ever present fog-glass; its smoky interior making it seem the audience was cooking outdoors. Both The Dawn and Avia had smiles on their faces, as they cross the finish, their mounts slowing to a stop.

The Dawn

That was so fun!

Avia

It was, at that! You are a fantastic handler.

The Dawn

I have a horsy friend back home named Maggy. She was a wild horse when we met.

Avia (laughing)

You are one of a kind, The Dawn.

The Dawn

Thanks!

They look around to see Royalty and Brighteyes, eating from a stone basin, painted gold; quickly joined by Fury. It was clear to The Dawn that Daybreaker wanted to join them too, so she dismounts next to Avia. The two women watch their mounts trot over to join their kin. The Pian woman in the sheer gown, who started the race, walks up to Avia and hands her a bird shaped fog-glass container with a pink liquid glimpsed beneath the smoke. The woman walked away without a word. The crowd is silent, until the woman declared into the shell around her neck, that Royalty won the race of the sawhorses, and would receive enough food to feed her pack for a year.

Avia

Guess that means I win the race of us sentients.

The Dawn

You sure did! Sorry, I'm a hugger.

The two new friends embrace in celebration.