Virgo looked across the lake to the scene of Killyria, the four contestants and the latest arrival. “Here we go again. Person from Down-Below goes saucer-eyed at Celestial Maiden.”

  “One…” Andromeda began. “Two….”

  “Yeowch!”

  “Happens every time,” they both chuckled, backing away from the pillars. “Killyria won’t stand for it.”

  “Well, it is understandable,” Astraea said from one of the chairs the far side of a round crystal table. “Even at first quarter, some of us would give them a fright.”

  “Why you,” Virgo began, twinkling.

  “Now, now, Astraea,” the woman seated on the couch across from her said. “We don’t want to start off on the wrong cluster. This could be awhile.”

  “Well said, Callisto,” added Andromeda, as the woman rose and glided to the section of the pillars that Virgo and herself been looking out of. “Ah, so he’s the one from Jūnichinatsu,” she began. “Killyria doesn’t hold back, does she?”

  “Look who’s talking,” said Virgo, then saw, not only Andromeda and Astraea but Callisto looking at her as if she had soaked them all with buckets of water. Looking, and in Callisto’s case, accompanied by a low growl.

  “I think I should… go back to bed….”

  “Nice try,” said Andromeda. “If we’re in this, you are too.”

  “Any females, Callisto?” Astraea said, stirring a cup of what smelt like warm honey and lavender.

  “All male,” the cream, grey and green swathed Princess replied. “Although two could pass for ladies if Andromeda got her hands on them; three if she put her mind to it. The one she wouldn’t have a chance on looks like one of the deep thinkers from the island with the jewellery, ballads and bonfire kings.”

  “Winswall?” Virgo said as Andromeda fixed her amethyst gaze upon Callisto.

  “That’s the place. Have the javelin-throwers who make steps in walls and the swordsmen who run up the steps and can chop trees in half.”

  “How can I forget,” Astraea groaned. “Tried to chop me in half.”

  “This one is far older than he looks. Must be a Hermitorian Lord - and one of high standing.”

  “Shame Brylee - no, Demeter’s not here,” said Virgo. “She’d know who he is.”

  “Can always send her a name. Once we have it.”

  “So that’s a retainer from Jūnichinatsu and a Hermitorian Lord from Winswall,” said Astraea. “Red Admiral and Purple Emperor….”

  Virgo looked at Andromeda.

  “She makes the pieces,” Andromeda thought-whispered. “Still don’t know how she does it.”

  “And the other two?” Astraea asked.

  “Well, the first one looks so bright and cheery you’d think the sun had come to join us,” Callisto began. “Or did until his fellow contestant got knocked.”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Occupation?”

  “Could be anything from a tailor, merchant or multi-town barber. Countrywise, Farrismarrai would be a good candidate. Sunshine, bustling towns; lavender fields and vineyards. That or the Republic next door - Gelervindon.”

  “Farrismarrai will do,” said Astraea. “Peacock will apply nicely.”

  “And the final one?” said Virgo, glancing at Astraea.

  “Can’t be…” Callisto said, stepping back from the pillar.

  “Meronesé?” said Andromeda, joining Callisto by the pillar. “That would be a sur-what in Celstaran is this…?”

  “Got me curious now,” said Virgo, getting up. “Who is it?”

  “What is it more like. Face like a pale moon; clothes dark as shadow. Eyes full of youth; yet have seen a hundred winters. Child of those who forsook the Light and accepted that of which the Dark is but a shroud.”

  “A Darkyrie,” Astraea exhaled, as Virgo stared at her, then out through the pillars. “Camberwell Beauty with an Executioner’s clock ticking…”

  * * *

  “Ow,” Naritsune said, sinking to the ground and rubbing his left shin. “I’ve got guards on and it still hurt.”

  “It’ll hurt a lot more if you don’t stop,” Killyria replied. “Haven’t you heard of self-restraint?”

  “But you didn’t have to kick me. I could bruise from this.”

  “Better not give you a tap, then,” Killyria said, walking over. “Might end up the lake.”

  “Killyria….”

  “I’m withdrawing,” Killyria said, retreating to reveal the blue-gowned woman Naritsune had been looking at in the first place. “I can leave them in your hands if you like, Serencia,” Killyria added, drawing alongside her.

  “There is no need for that,” Serencia replied, eyes closed. “Breathe instead of kick.”

  “Breathe?” Killyria repeated. “Am I in a Calming Class?” then noticed Serencia’s eyes were open; a gaze laced with flame. “Message received.”

  “Good,” Serencia said, as Naritsune hopped over to a chair next to Kyray. “And now,” she added, glancing at the pavilion on the island, “Shall we begin?”

  * * *

  “I don’t believe this,” Callisto said, looking again between the moonstone pillars. “My eyes can’t be lying to me.”

  “Shouraian from the look of him,” said Astraea replied, standing next to the table, yet able to see the lakeshore. “They’re the most lunar - or corpse-like - of the lot.”

  “Can’t say I care which Kingdom he’s from,” Andromeda growled. “He - it - shouldn’t be here.”

  “Delft blue hair’s unusual though,” Astraea continued. “Especially with the blue-violet.”

  “Matches you for the hair,” said Virgo. “Or is yours indigo?”

  “In the Celestial Realm,” said Callisto. “The abode of Stars. Not Dreary-Weary-Terra-Firma and all that goes with it.”

  “Including Darkyries,” Andromeda added. “Who in all the Spheres chose it?”

  “Same one who chose us to be their Patrons,” said Astraea. “And remain, patrons, until this comes to an end.”

  “Picked wrong this time,” Callisto rumbled, stepping back and glowing. The forward stride was halted; first by Andromeda and then by Astraea; the latter moving almost within a blink.

  “Let me get it. Let me get it!” Callisto growled.

  “We can’t - let you get it,” Andromeda said, hands around Callisto’s wrists. “There won’t - be any of it - left.”

  “But that thing needs to be extinguished.”

  “Not before he’s gone in,” Astraea added, adjusting her grip. “He’s a Selected for Celestica’s sake.”

  “Before or after; they all die.”

  “Do you want some honey,” Astraea continued. “With some lavender? It’s Virgo who usually gets like this.”

  “Cheers,” said Virgo, also upright. “Give the Innocent Bystander a label.”

  “You can help instead of being a Bystander,” said Andromeda. “And don’t even get me started about Innocent.”

  “I’ll overlook that,” Virgo said, glancing across the lake. “Why don’t you have a pause, Callisto. Serencia is about to start and you can always Go-Ursa afterwards.”

  Callisto stopped and was carried back by Andromeda and Astraea. But from her came a growl like approaching thunder. Like a troop of malevolent bears.

  “Go... Ursa... Virgo …?”

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