Star Light, Star Bright

The moon shines brightly from her place in her celestial abode. Silver moonlight ignites the white of the stones in this land, making it appear as if mountains are made of silver. Calico Jack slips through the night, large paws alighting on the milky stones without making a sound. Spring may be arriving in the southern lands of Boreas, but here, in the north, winter still reigns. Clouds of steam erupt into the night air as the boy breathes, his warm breath almost freezing as it leaves his nose. There are no clouds to obstruct the silver maiden’s light and stars shine brightly all around her.

Pausing in his slow trot, Calico Jack surveys the land, noting the track that an ancient river once cut through the rocks. Snow blankets the now dry bed, creating a beautiful wintery scene even in the midst of spring. The patchwork boy turns his eyes to the rocky edifice he is climbing, tracing a vein of gold with his eyes. At night, all the veins of various colors are muted, their sparkling brilliance of daytime now dim as if they too slumber. Paws find holds where none seem apparent and the calico boy continues his upward trek.

The veins of once valuable materials are not why Calico Jack is here and he continues to climb toward his reward. He has chosen a small mountain with a mostly flat top and, as he crests the peak, the boy is exceedingly glad that he picked this one. Here, high above the dry riverbed, the calico boy has an uninterrupted view of the night sky. His breath hitches in his chest as the stars shiny with an intensity he has never seen before. Moving away from the edge, he seats himself on the cold stone and cranes his neck back, taking in the full splendor of the cold spring night.

From his seat, the stars appear to be white gems, waiting for him to reach up and pluck them from there dark haven. Eyes trace familiar constellations, finding their shapes and mentally checking them against his knowledge. Softly, Calico Jack says, “Okay, there is Polaris. That means that Ursa Minor is… there and she is pointing to… Ursa Major.” A paw has lifted to trace the stars as he mutters to himself, getting his bearings of the north before beginning to turn and find more constellations.

A sound, as soft as a whisper, tickles his ear and Jack’s head swivels toward it, suddenly aware that he might not be only one up here. Did they come to stargaze too… or are they here to attack the unsuspecting boy? He hopes it is the former and not the later as he softly whispers, “Anyone there?”



WC: 457
Total WC: 457 / 1500


"Calico Jack"