by C B Samet
“Gift,” I replied.
“Excellent.” He beamed, seemingly pleased to hear it though I wondered if—as a fortune-teller—he would have seen how useful it had been.
I proceeded to ask other questions about the star, which he obligingly answered. He dug through an old faded blue leather trunk and produced a rolled piece of parchment paper. He handed the withered scroll to me:
The origin of the blue Traveler’s Star is not well understood or documented. The Blue gypsies from Bellos have the ability to gift someone with the Traveler’s Star though they themselves do not possess the ability to perform spontaneous travel or bequeath the star unto themselves.
The Blue gypsies are a peculiar group and do not openly share information about whom they deem worthy of a star or how they make their determination. There may exist some limit to the number of stars they can distribute, for this administration has known only one Star Traveler in the last fifty years.
In Bellos, the king has been known to keep a Blue gypsy in his employment. Rumors abound that they may be capable of fortune-telling. Such a gift may explain how they decide to whom they will bestow a star. There is no record of the stars ever being distributed in barter or for financial gain.
Tazo Pine Minister of travel to Queen Rebekah the First Year 6033
Blue explained to me his race originated from Bellos and were gifted with the sight of future later in life.
“A gift or a curse?” I asked. He gave me a strained smile. “Both for most.” He sipped warmed rice milk. “It is hard to be wrong when I can see how to affect the future.”
When he saw my puzzled expression, he continued, “I give you the star tattoo, and you live. I withhold it, and you die.”
I swallowed. “I appreciate your decision.” “You think you do. In death you would never know love, but you would know peace. In life you know love, but also pain and loss.”
Peace with death? Was that scientifically known or superstitious speculation?
I hesitated before continuing. “I began transporting before I knew about the star’s ability. I encountered Malos face-to-face before I ever understood my full role as the Avant Champion.”
I waited, trying to discern my question buried in my statement. Blue nodded slowly. “You and Malos are connected through the Unideit.”
My jaw twitched. Are connected? Not were connected? Perhaps he had simply chosen the wrong verb. We are connected through the universal power that links all matter? What did that mean? This time I hadn’t been drinking moon juice before my visit with the fortune-teller. Even sober I felt baffled by his words.
Not to worry, I had assured myself. Malos remained locked back in his volcanic tomb where I had left him.
<
