Page 37 of The Lost Empress

“Wow, that is encrypted, but also somewhat direct,” Gen reasoned, taking a big breath of the fresh mountain air.

“Yes, but the second message doesn’t appear to be as straightforward,” Faraday said, consulting the device in his hand. “I’ll repeat what the interpreter is giving me now. It says: ‘When the sun sets and the stars align, find the archer’s bow—a cosmic sign. Follow its arrow, true and bright, to the fallen star’s resting site.’”

Gen looked out over the mountains to the west where the sunlight was waning. “I guess we should be glad we ventured out here later in the day, closer to sunset.”

“Yes,” Faraday muttered, digging in the bag he’d brought. He pulled out a mobile phone. Gen was surprised that it fit in the sack but more so that the squirrel could carry it all around. He must be as strong as he was smart.

“What else do you have in that bag?” Gen asked, thinking that its size couldn’t hold much.

“Well, it actually is special magitech that allows it to hold more than it seems and makes it all lighter than it is,” Faraday replied, tapping on the phone. “It’s like a TARDIS and bigger on the inside.”

“Or like Mary Poppins’ carpet bag,” Emperor offered.

Gen narrowed her eyes at the two. “Are you intentionally trying to make references I don’t understand?”

“We don’t have to put a lot of effort into it since your gap in references is so large,” the dragon joked.

“Ha-ha,” Gen said with no inflection. She watched as Faraday turned slightly, looking up at the sky and then at the screen.

“As I suspected…” The squirrel mused.

“What is?” Gen asked. “What does the communication mean about celestial sky and following the arrow?”

“I believe they, whoever they are, are referring to the Sagittarius constellation, which is right there.” He pointed up into the sky. “And if we follow the direction that the arrow he’s pointing from his bow, then we are to go that way.”

“Now Sagittarius. There’s a reference I finally understand. I think I’ll like these aliens, or whoever or whatever they are.” Gen started off in the direction Faraday had indicated, excited to see what they’d find next and enjoying the adventure of following the clues.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

DÉJÀ VU IN THE MOUNTAINS

Santa Monica Mountains, California, United States

“By the light of the crescent moon, seek the peak that resembles its curve,” Faraday mumbled, listening to the decoded signal through his earpiece, making out the message and repeating it for Gen and Emperor to hear. “From its summit, the path will be shown, to the crater where the star’s fragments are preserved.”

“We are supposed to be searching for the crash site at night then,” Gen said, working out the riddle she’d just been told.

“I think it will help at some point, but it’s fine that it’s dusk now,” Faraday replied. “But what’s clear is that we need to take to the sky. The next part clearly states that we are looking for a crescent-shaped peak in the mountains. This will undoubtedly serve as a landmark to guide us closer to the crater.”

Emperor lowered down, flattening out his wings and making space for Gen and Faraday. “Go ahead. I’m ready to soar high and help us to locate what we’re looking for. If you point me in the right direction, I’m bound to find the mountain you’re looking for, especially since the sunset is casting a nice glow around the mountains, showing us their shapes.”

“Thank you,” Gen said, looking down reluctantly at the squirrel. “But are you okay with riding on Emperor? I never checked.”

He scoffed. “This isn’t my first rodeo.” The squirrel then bounded forward, running up Emperor’s wing and securing his place just inside the saddle.

Gen sighed, taking the mounting a little more slowly. “I guess I should have guessed, since you do belong to a Beaufont.”

When she slid into the saddle, snug and tight with the squirrel, he looked up at her. “It’s good to note that no familiar actually belongs to a Beaufont, just as you don’t belong to us. We are perfectly designed partners, made to fight for justice and uphold the truths of the world.”

Gen tugged on the reins, smiling ahead. “Yes, that’s what I meant. I just don’t have the words you possess to describe it.”

“In time, you will,” Faraday sang as the purple dragon took off at a running start, commanded by Gen’s silent intention, before bounding into the air and soaring up higher, into the sky over the Santa Monica Mountains.

The rush of wind and the sights around Gen would never get old, not even if she took off on Emperor a thousand times a day. It all was a feast to the dragonrider’s spirit in a way nothing compared to. The blast of cool air, the sea of green around her, the blue of the ocean in the distance—it was all such a gift to Gen’s senses in a way that she’d always yearn for.

Once they were high enough, Gen swerved Emperor in a semi-circle, using her mind, searching for the mountain peak that resembled a crescent moon. She was so distracted by the glow of the sunset over the glistening water that it was hard to concentrate. Thankfully, the squirrel was there to help.

Faraday nearly leapt out of his place tucked between Gen and the saddle. Thankfully, she caught him before his boundless energy sent him over the side of the dragon and falling to the ground.

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