After a satisfying meal, the few women and men retired to their tents to rest early.
On the other hand, Angel decided to linger a while longer by the tranquil lake. She unfurled her blue sleeping bag onto the lush green grass and reclined, using her arms to support her head.
Agilus, perched on a nearby tree, watched her with its piercing eyes, while the little furry desert cat curled up on her stomach.
Lying quietly beside the lake's still waters, she was captivated by the vast stars scattered across the night sky. The lake's calm surface reflected the shimmering of the million diamonds above, creating a mirror image that made the twinkling stars seem to dance on the water's surface.
Angel was lost in the beauty of the cosmos. A gentle breeze stirred the cool night air, brushing against her skin, but she barely noticed it. The night sky in the desert was like an artist's handiwork, something she failed to see in the world she knew for twenty years.
"Mayari has awakened from her slumber and is slowly rising," a deep, resonant, and clear voice said beside Angel. Then she felt someone sat beside her.
She turned her head slightly but continued to lay on the sleeping mat lazily.
The man's legs stretched out in front of him, and his hands lightly rested on the grass. He picked up a pebble and threw it in the middle of the lake, creating a ripple that distorted the reflection of the black velvet canvas dotted with myriad lights representing the constellations, planets, and the faint, milky swirl of distant galaxies.
"Mayari? Do you refer to that moon, Dr. Reeves?" Angel raised her hand and gestured toward the east, where a crescent appeared.
"Well, I am fond of reading ancient mythology, and there is one that resembled the four moons that we saw a few days ago. The biggest of the moons was called Mayari," Gavin Reeves explained. "Can you stop calling me Dr. Reeves, but just call me Gavin?" he added disappointedly.
Angel rose from her lying position. She gazed at the face of the man to her right. "I will call you that if that is your real name."
Gavin Reeves stiffened. It took him a long time before he answered. "What made you think that it is not my name?"
"Gut feel. Just like I feel that you are of this world." Angel spoke softly, then rose to her feet and picked up her sleeping bag.
"Have a good night, Dr. Reeves. Rest well."
Angel turned around and bumped into a wall of hard flesh. She looked up at a handsome face bathed in the silvery glow of the moon's beams. The faint light and delicate shadows on the sand created a mysterious ambiance, making the man appear more enigmatic.
Angel was stunned for a moment. When she regained her senses, she stepped back but lost her footing.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist, keeping her in place and pulling her closer to him.
"It is getting late; why are you not asleep yet?" Leoric said in a smooth and warm voice.
I am Angel thought she was hallucinating. How could she not feel the chill in his voice?
"I am not still sleepy. It is so rare to watch such a spectacular scene at night. Who knows if I would not have a chance to see it again." Angel replied curtly. She walked to the other end of the lake and set down her sleeping bag before lying down languidly on it.
Leoric followed her with his gaze before turning to the man still sitting on the grass beside the edge of the lake.
"Dr. Reeves, since you are outside, why don't you guard for a few more hours? Then I will wake up Alec or the Captain to replace you. I'll accompany you."
"You are not fully recovered yet. It is important that you rest. Everyone depends on you, Mr. GrayStone." Dr. Reeves answered without hesitation.
Leoric wanted to protest but swallowed his words. He glared at the man before walking toward the tent.
The doctor was right. He still fell unwell and needed to recover his strength, as he did not know what challenges lay ahead.
Before his hand reached the tent's flap to open it, he felt a sudden urge to look up at the sky. He was astonished to see a bright star in the Northern Hemisphere and was mesmerized as the star changed colors as it blinked.
Gavin Reeves wanted to join Angel at the other end of the small lake, but her leaving meant that she wanted to be by herself.
Gavin Reeves lay on the grassy patch, his hands under his head. He sought the brightest star in the North. It has a yellow glow, then turned deep red and blue in a fraction of a second. What a kaleidoscope of colors!
Mario Diaz was looking at the same skyscape on the other side of the lake.
Four people were entranced by the same star, having different thoughts.
'I always thought that stars have just a white or yellow glow and nothing else. That star, however, changes colors. Is that Sirius, and visible by the naked eye in this world?' Angel pondered.
'Aren't those your favorite colors, Tala? From now on, I will call that star Tala.'
After some time, Angel decided to go inside the tent and have a proper rest. She took up the spot farthest from the tent opening beside Mary, the middle-aged steward who previously handled housekeeping.
A cumulus cloud covered the crescent moon, and the oasis quieted down. Everyone was in deep slumber. Even Dr. Reeves, who was supposed to be on guard, had fallen asleep, perhaps due to exhaustion.
"Stop poking me. I still want to sleep." Emily whined as she tried to turn to her side and pull the blanket over her head.
Rosette, who was sleeping beside Emily, felt something poked her chest. She opened her hazy eyes and noticed that the east had already brightened.
Her gaze shifted to her chest and when she saw what was poking her, she let out a shrill scream.