The Night Of The Falling Stars

It was the hottest day of the year, the kind of day where the air shimmers. My front paws dug into the shadows of the town every breathe of mine was, thick humid like I’m trying to swallow warm smoke.

My fur clung to me it was sticky and damp, suffocating my skin. Mamma never told me it’d be like this. Never said that chasing stars would make my skin itch and my heart pound from more than excitement. The heat didn’t bother me, never did I was a shadow wolf. There for I could hide in shadows which mean it was much cooler. Well it was meant to be cooler but even the dark felt hot today. I’d never experienced heat like this but the heat was the last of my concern, the only thing I wanted was to see the fallen stars. I promised my mamma that one day I would. I really wish she’d be here with me watching them together. I was just outside the kingdom of Eothistra. Close enough to smell the rich, sweet winds that whispered though the high crystal walls, I was so close that I could see the shimmer of its spires that sat on top of that castle, they shimmered in the daylight, like silver teeth biting the sky. it was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen much better than how mamma told me in her stories. I step closer to the wall of the kingdom, wolves are not around inside the kingdom or any beast that roams the outside. It’s the law, magic-bound and old they say beats outside the kingdom are dangerous and most of the time there right, but I’m not just any beast I’m a shadow wolf.

born under a dying moon, fur of ink and silence, we slip between cracks between dreams. If the stars don’t want to seen, we won’t be. And tonight—Tonight was the light fall the once every five year festival where the humans say, the stars come down to dance to give magic real magic. And my mamma used to tell me stories her muzzle pressed into my ear, her voice like velvet and smoke.

shed say “That’s how Eothistra got in its magic pup” I’d curl up against her fur as she’d say “the stars fell and gave it there light”

and I believe her. I still do which is why I’m here…. i want to see it. only thing is wolves aren’t allowed in, but shadows? shadows can slip through the cracks unnoticed. i stepped close to the wall, the large stone structure stood tall and solid. The sun started to go down and the sound of music started to play inside the kingdoms walls. There was a small crack in the wall about the size of a medium sized wolf luckily for me I was a small wolf still a cub technically but I was a 6 months old I still had a year and a bit till I was fully mature but in 6 months I’d be fully grown well that’s what mamma had said. i squeeze though the crack wiggling my body though I just fit— barely. Once I reach the other side I was so wowed by the sight I almost forgot to blend into the shadows, so none of the humans saw me. thanks to my dark fur I mostly blended in the walls shadow, but quickly I activated my shadow fur. Which swam in the shadows like black ink in the dark. There where so many people, each one minding there own business too lost in the moment of the atmosphere. All the festival on goers whee laughing there hands full of some golden fruit I’d never seen. there where lights everywhere sparkling in the night as lanyard floated along the alley of people. And fireflies trained to hover in perfect spirals. music spun though the air like it had wings, and laughter rang in every corner. Stalls lined the cobble streets, their awning bright and fluttering, I smelt spices and meat and a sweet smell of honey. It made my jaw water but I knew any Wong move if I’d been seen I could be chased or worse killed. but still I couldn’t not stare at the beauty of the kingdom, as I crept though the shadows in the alleyway, and under tables that lined the walls, avoiding swinging lanterns and children who danced in the streets with emerald and golden ribbons, their joy so bright it hurt to look at. But above us all, the moon had begun to rise- full and wide a silver blue. My breath caught in my throat, a small whine left me at the sight but I kept it quiet. it was nearly time, so I quiet followed a stream of humans that where moving towards the heart of the kingdom—towards the celestial pool, that’s where the stars fell.

I’d made my way to a roof top that just just above the crowd but still in the shadow so I wouldn’t be seen. The roof was narrow and lined with red tiles that where slick with heat that still fueled the air even though the sun had completely disappeared from view. A massive pool stretched across the center of the courtyard below, the water as smooth as glass, reflecting the moon perfectly. my ears perked up at the sound of drums beating slow and deep, a man dressed in a sliver robe raised his arms and then everything stopped. The music had faded the humans had stilled. I followed people’s gazes upwards and that’s when I saw it, the stars fell.

it was what I had expected, not like fire but soft and gentle. Like feathers of light drifting down from the heavens. There where dozens of then, hundreds of them. Each one leaving a trail of gold in the sky. The crowd gasped as the first star touched the pool and dissolved like sugar in a cup of tea. Then the water glowed, a beautiful shade of silver and blue. it was magic, real magic and I’m seeing it.

i blinked hard my pointed ears now flat to my skull, I wanted to howl, to cry, to call for my mamma and tell her I saw it, that she was right. Magic was real. But I couldn’t, I knew she wouldn’t hear me, she couldn’t anymore.

then I heard soft footsteps, human footsteps join me on the roof, when I turned my neck to look I saw a pair of eyes staring at me from the far end of the rooftop. It was a human, a girl to be exact she was young a cub maybe? She was had paled hair almost white, and on top of her head was a crown of flowers that slipped sideways. she must have climbed up for a better view, but now she stared right at me, not past me at me. my heart thudded, she shouldn’t be able to see me I was using my shadow ability I was blended into to the shadows. She’d only be able to see me if she had magic. The sight of me didn’t scare her, she didn’t scream or run she just tilted her head. “Your not supposed to be here” she whispered. i bared my teeth in warning, but she stepped closer. And her eyes weren’t afraid, they where sad like she knew something I didn’t. “I use to have a friend like you” she said quietly “but he never came back. she moved closer and sat beside me she reached out a hand to pat my fur, I growled in protest. Knowing what the humans where capable of. But she didn’t flinch, she reached out again more slowly.

“it’s okay, I won’t hurt ya” she spoke her voice soothing. I let her make contact with my fur. My eyes grew heavy but I can’t sleep, I won’t miss the rest of the fallen stars. we stayed on the roof for a long time, the girl hadn’t moved she just watched in awe and I wondered where mamma is. Or if her mamma was gone like mine. Do humans get to be stars too? I wondered.