Read Episode #1 - "Torn": Star Chasers (Volume 1) for Free Online

that?”
         “Sendian II? Rhyess?”
         Ty shut his mouth before he said anything further. He went to mope about in the foreroom, but, as he walked away, Shilastar came out of her seclusion. “Is it to the ruins today?” she queried as if nothing had happened.
         “Ruins?”
         “Yeah, yesterday was Ttuirre. You always go to the ruins the next day.”
         “Well, not today. I promised Rhyess I’d show him around.”
         “We can go together then, can’t we? I’ll pack an extra lunch.”
         Abruptly, Phaylio came out of his sleeping chamber, his eyes still full of weariness. “So tired lately,” he moaned through a yawn. He scratched his head absently as he set about activating the blinds on the windows. “Sure is bright this morning, isn’t it. Sun’s coming right down upon us...” he broke off. “Would you look at that?” He pointed to a pair of withered, shrunken shrubs right outside the window where he currently fidgeted.
         “Where you off to this early?” he inquired seeing the bag in Shilastar’s hand. Shilastar rattled off a hurried explanation and then swished out the door. “Better get after her,” chided Phaylio. He paused as if he to say something, but in a movement made difficult by age he bent down to pick up something from the floor. “That’s odd,” he said. “Better hurry up,” Phaylio rebuked again. “She’s a fast one, don’t let her get away.” He added the last part, grinning.
         Ty stepped out the door, spinning around on his heel as Phaylio called to him. “Ty! Better give this to her, she’ll be missin’ it I’d say.” Phaylio handed Ty the object he had retrieved from the floor. Cramming it into his pocket without another thought, he started out the door a second time. This time, he spotted his game, which he folded up, and harbored away its pieces, and then stuck it into his pocket.
         Ty glanced back and saw Phaylio watching him through the widow. He offered a wave, which was not repaid. Shilastar stood outside the inn, as he had expected. She wouldn’t set foot in that type of place, a matter of principle, unless provoked or if situations warranted. That idealism suited Ty fine, as long as he knew where he was coming from and going to.
         Rhyess seemed to think the jaunt would prove more engaging than wandering around dusty streets. Introductions were short and proper, but Shilastar scrutinized the newcomer before she set out. When Rhyess wasn’t angered by it, Ty waived it off. She asked him the standard spiel of questions; and when sufficiently satisfied, satisfaction being merely circumstantial, she desisted.
         Shilastar’s pace was slow and ambling today. She was in no hurry, the walk would require most of the morning. For a short space, she was content to rummage through her bag to ensure she had all the necessities. A survey of the sky in the four cardinal directions, once they had reached open ground, met with her approval. Still, she checked her parasol, which had been folded nicely in her bag until now. Folding it and returning it to the sack was a struggle, but she managed to fit it in.
         They spoke little at first, but later Shilastar’s determination to give Ty the silent treatment waned. Rhyess wanted to learn as much as he could about Paliy.
         “I have never really been anywhere and didn’t think I would ever get here,” he explained to Shilastar. He also retold the story of how he had accidentally ended up in Phaylio and that day after the next he would be leaving.
         Subsequent to passing the separation barrier, the countryside became rough and torn. Rock juttings spread and stone walls sprouted abundantly. The three were careful to pick their way amid the obstacles, moving methodically. Ahead beyond a towering rise and a sharp decline, the ruins sat, still hours away.
         “What is it like beyond Paliy?” Shilastar playfully