Episode #1 - "Torn": Star Chasers (Volume 1) Read Free Page A

step ahead of them, and he hoped to maintain the count.
         A second aerial burst made him lurch to the ground. He smacked his chin against the rough surface and slashed it open as he did so. As the object faded from sight, he stood, shaking a fist. Blood trickled over his skin. Its waste disgusted him, but he quickly bandaged the wound until the bleeding stopped.
         He was surprised the ship departed so soon. Usually, they delayed for the better part of a day in the Paliy system. A soft hum and an immediate shadow across his path told him why. This time he looked on without fear. War ships were made for purposes he didn’t want to think about, but he knew they did not scour a planet’s surface. He wondered at its immensity and then continued on once more. He knew better than to return to Paliy, which was also used as a wayward station on the return leg from Sendian II, but he was in a hurry during his last departure and had selected rather hastily.
         His pace was quick and pressing even though there was no danger from above now. He disliked the feeling of being under the eye, and enclosed his thoughts even tighter. The village of Phaylio had not changed much since his last visit, he decided upon cursory inspection as he came closer. As he walked through its quiet but worn paths, a face came to mind, and he decided his choice had not been so rash after all. He recalled the face and a name with fondness, trying hard to push the thoughts away, as Shilastar was not yet of age.
         Ty knew enough about the village o know that the inn, first structure on the right, was the only place worth noting in the entire village. The barkeep Triist always kept the mirth and the drink flowing. Ty calculated the days on his hand, using the old way, but nonetheless, it was a practical method as he had no devices with him. He puzzled over whether it was the third or fourth day of the cycle for a while before he decided it was the fourth.
         In the shadow of the great ship, he squatted down on a hillside, looking to the two suns hanging over the horizon and here his determination and stamina waned. He had not slept in days, so sitting down was foolish. His thoughts drifted for a moment as he sat there looking upward. Sleep quickly found him and carried him away to the pleasant land of slumber.
         A fair, sweet voice awoke him. Perhaps he was dreaming. The face had grown even fairer in the season he had been gone. He decided at once, Shilastar had blossomed fully. Her hand felt warm in his as she smiled and helped him up, seeming pleased to see him but also confused at his predicament.
         “You are beautiful!” he said, the words springing from his lips before he could stop them.
         “Yes, I guess I am,” replied Shilastar, touching a hand to her face. “Father is expecting you.”
         “He is? How could he have known?”
         “He said to look for you, so I have, often. And here you are,” laughed Shilastar as she ran away from him into the village. Ty missed the blush upon her face, and regarded her as odd, following her only because he felt compelled to do so. His strength was still in ebb, the short respite had done little for his tired body. He needed sleep soon, and lots of it.
         Shortly, Ty stood before an open doorway. He had stopped to take one last look at the craft hovering overhead and had missed its opening. While he stood there, he inspected the dwelling. He wanted to call it a house, but it was a simpler sort than he was accustomed to. The door opened with a whir, and Shilastar reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him inside.
         Phaylio was tall in comparison to Shilastar, even while seated, but his square shoulders were not as broad as one would think. Ty regarded the two each in turn, the eyes held the family resemblance as well as the smile. Phaylio’s greeting was warm and hardy. New wrinkles atop his forehead told of his encroaching