By the time Eastar arrived at the smith's courtyard, Garret was already waiting for him at the door of his shack, holding a bow stick. It was black, stained with gold and bronze all the way. Even after millions of years, the effects of stardust still fascinated him.
The bow curved at both ends and thickened as it reached the center, where a leather grip was attached.
— Very well. Here it is, boy. Let's try it out and see how you do.
— It was amazing!
— Don't praise it until you've used it, you idiot! Give bad lucky!
— Oh, sorry. — The boy flashed his best smile at the big bearded blacksmith.
— Okay, okay. Help yourself. — He pointed to a long, braided basket near his feet. - I made only three dust strings, so it's good to be careful to not miss them!
Eastar nodded. He took the bow and one of the strings Garret handed him. As he swung his left leg over the pole and tried to bend it, he realized that it was much harder than with a normal bow. He had to push hard to fit the rope. Then he raised his bow to look at him against the sun. The color of the dust changed with light.
— Very well, where do I shoot? — He grinned, turning to the smith.
— See that apple tree across the courtyard?
— Apple tree?
— Yeah, boy. Tree giving apple. Red, round fruit ... never seen?
— Ah! Apple tree .... I understand, I never paid much attention to this kind of food.
Garret raised his eyebrow, not understanding, but decided to ignore that.
— Okay... shoot in that tree. They are over eight hundred meters away. If you can hit the trunk, I think I'm already satisfied.
— I can do better.
— What you mean?
— I can hit an apple.
— Hit an apple? Is barely enough to see them!
— I can see, and very well. I just don't shoot further because of the arm. — He pointed to the bandaged area. — I can't push him so hard.
— Ah, I see. The sirion laughed and shook his head. — Very well then! If you think you can, try it.
Eastar nodded and braced himself.
— Wait! Wait!
The star had already taken an arrow from the basket and was placing it in the bow when the blacksmith made it stop.
— What's it?
— Forearm protection! I had forgotten. It's in the basket here too. The blacksmith crouched and began to scatter his arrows in search of the object. — I know you're super-resistant and don't know what more, but it is an arc of dust, can do some damage if this string go there. He pointed to the boy's arm. — Here, I found it!
Garrett pulled the basket one metal bracelet with band s boiled leather with three straps. He asked Eastar to extend his left arm and tied the bracelet firmly.
— Ready. Let's go now! Shoot it, boy.
The young man smiled and pulled the bowstring, still pointed down, and felt the tension, calculated the force that the shot would have. There was no wind, and that made the job easier.
He concentrated and raised the bow, began to pull the string, but felt the burning in his arm. He gritted his teeth and tried again. He couldn't bring the rope to his ear, but kept his bow steady. Took a long breath.
Shot.
The arrow flew so fast across the courtyard that it was almost impossible for a earthling to follow his course. But Eastar could see, and he smiled as soon as he fired. The arrow came straight and through the apple, tearing it from the tree and continuing its course until it dug a good portion of the stem into another tree several steps behind.
Garret couldn't keep up, but as soon as he heard the sound of the arrow stuck in the trunk, he rushed over to check. A minute later I was back, holding the arrow and eating the apple. Looked at Eastar wide-eyed and, then, put his eyes on the bow.
— Fantastic.
— See? Don't gave bad lucky.
— Yes, yes. — The blacksmith waved the hand holding the arrow and threw it into the basket. — But I did it, so I knew it would be well done. What strikes me most is that you hit this shot. Boy, you're a genius!
The young stellar remembered the weeks in which he trained to exhaustion, felt the calluses on his fingers. He smiled broadly and ashamedly, his hand scratching the back of his neck.
— Thanks.
***
Eastar hurried to the gates, his bow pole dangling from his back, attached by a leather strap. According to Garret, he didn't have to worry about protecting the bow from rain or anything, since it was almost entirely made of dust.
He ran and ate, stuck his bread in his mouth and chewed fast.
He knew his daily meal days were over, and he had been at the table longer than the others to enjoy his last large meal in a good time. He stuffed as much food as he could into the pockets of his black wool pants, and ran to the city gate with a loaf of bread in his hand. He and his father could spend days without eating, and that alleviated the amount of supplies they would need to bring on the trip.
— Hey, guys! I'm here! — said, with his mouth full. He saw the group standing at the gate.
He stopped beside his father. Eight horses were arranged with canvas bags for the cargo they would carry. The entourage was all set in line, coming to the king, his daughter and captain Jorg. The Wild Twins were also there, side by side, at the end of the line, their big hammers strapped to their belts. One of them carried a crossbow over a meter long on his back. They wore their usual open leather vests, showing their red-coated breasts.
After them were Edwin and Allyn, they were dressed in the normal soldiers' tunics, each with a spear through their backs and a long dagger in their trouser belts. Edwin had even shaved for the match.
Eastar was surprised to see Jaime, with his crooked smile and a sword at his waist, his blond hair tied in a ponytail and his brown eyes watching everything. He was a great swordsman and the stellar could rarely beat him in practice.
The boy watched them all, and everyone stared back at him. He smiled, and they noticed the full mouth. Some rolled their eyes, others raised their hands to their faces.
Aros and Remus's laughter stood out.
The king cleared his throat and when they all fell silent and looked at him he said:
— Fine. Now that you're all here, you better not waste time.
He walked over to Aros and put a hand on his shoulder.
— Commander, it was an honor to have you with us at this time, which, unfortunately, became short due to all these adversities.
The two embraced, and the king stepped back, smiling. Stepped for the side and, this time, touched the shoulder of Eastar, who smiled too.
— Eastar, it was a pleasure to meet you, boy, and I hope to see you ag....
The young star hugged the king before he finished speaking. Herimbor was surprised, but smiled and whispered:
— Take good care of my girl.
— I will. — Eastar promised.
The sirion returned to his daughter's side and addressed the rest of the group.
— As for the others, I can only ask you to fulfill the mission I entrust to you and come back all safe and sound.
Finally he turned and looked at his daughter with teary eyes.
— Little Eagle, you know I don't like this idea. — Sindar opened his mouth to rebut, but Herimbor raised a hand and continued. — But I won't say you should stay.
Sindar smiled at his father and hugged him. Then she went to stand beside Eastar. She was beautiful in her hunting suit. A garment made of black leather, resistant but comfortable. Wore a red cape tossed over her shoulders and his red hair was tied in a braid that reached to the end of her back. Her tiara in the forehead, and the gold bracelet on the right arm.
— Ah! Almost forget! Guino finished your clothes. — She go to a paint horse and removed a wallet within a larger canvas bag. — Here it is.
— Great!
The young stellar opened the bag and began to remove the garments. There were black leather trousers with silver threads that ran down the legs. Also a gray shirt with black embroidered lines, which circled the sleeves until it stopped in a circle at the wrists.
— I admit they are beautiful, but he doesn't expect me to wear it on the road, does he?
— Of course not. But I had no time to separate.
A throat cleared in the background, but the two did not notice.
The star removed the next item. A long gray cape with a hood and several inside pockets. The cloak was heavier than it looked, and outwardly simple, but if anyone got close enough would see thin strands of silver that formed the image of shooting stars. A blue star-shaped brooch was attached to the cover.
— Well, now I'm impressed.
— Amazing, isn't it? Did you know the brooch is sapphire?
— Sa what?
— A precious stone, idiot! Now, look at your overalls!
Another throat clearing, this time louder, was ignored.
Eastar took the last piece from the bag. It was a jumpsuit of thick black fabric with silver buckles at the straps. It had a silver band at the waist with a strap to hold a scabbard.
— Wooooo.
— Guino...
Hands gripped the ears of the couple, Edwin's face appeared in their midst with a huge smile... and furious eyes.
— My loves..., could you... wake up and pay attention... in what we need... TO DO?!! — He scream the last word in the ear of they two, who moaned in pain and apologized.
He released both of them, who began to massage their ears, their eyes full of tears.
— You beautiful ones. — The hand stroked their heads and pinched their cheeks. — Thanks.
With his ear and cheek throbbing with pain, Eastar realized that everyone was already mounted and waiting. He and Sindar hurried to mount as well. The princess took the paint horse where she had taken the bag and, for the boy, left an orange horse with black mane and paws.
The group went through the great gate of Londrian. The couple, who passed last, waved to the king and the captain Jorg, who waved back as the gates closed.
— I think the princess's life is over, isn't it? — The star turned smiling at the sirion, who was still staring at the closed gates.
— I think you enjoyed it more than me. I want to see how you'll survive with food rationing.
— Ha! That's why I stole these little things.
From his pants pockets, he pulled out paper-wrapped pieces of cake and some other sweets that came for dessert after lunch.
Sindar looked at him, impressed. She opened her mouth but didn't know what to say, so she just started laughing, laughed louder and louder, making the group startle and look back, trying to figure out what happened.
At the sight of Eastar with a mouth full of cake, they joined the princess in a chorus of laughter.