Richard Tuttle - Star of Sakova

StarWind was practiced in not showing her emotions, but Lyra clearly saw the fear etched in the spymaster's face. She reached for StarWind's hand and held it reassuringly. I will be all right, StarWind, the Star of Sakova proclaimed. Let us go see what test Kaltara has in store for us.

I will tag along and give what aid I can, offered Mayor Ferde.

You endanger yourself needlessly, cautioned Lyra. StarWind reminded me that my likeness is still posted in the city. If things go poorly, you will be convicted by your proximity alone.

Perhaps your willingness to face danger for the greater good is contagious, grinned Mayor Ferde. I am willing to do what I can to help you.

Lyra smiled at the Omungan Mayor and nodded. If things do go poorly, she said, distance yourself swiftly. Sakova needs you as much as Omunga now. Our peoples must learn to live together and only people such as yourself can make that happen.

The trio exited the inn and walked across the plaza towards the newly constructed platform. StarWind silently scanned the crowd and checked out each of the Sakovans looking to intercept Malafar. Lyra had ordered them to stop her father in any way possible if he was sighted, but the old mage had remained hidden.

The crowd was thick and loud around the platform and StarWind had her hands full just keeping Lyra from being jostled. Beads of perspiration formed on her brow as she sought to protect her Star from accidental harm as well as recognition by the authorities.

The Imperial Guard formed a human corridor at the rear of the platform that extended to the front of the Imperial Palace, but the other three sides were a teeming mass of people. Malafar could be anywhere.

After a time the crowd grew even louder and Lyra rose to her toes to see what was happening.

They are bringing the spies to the platform, Ferde explained. It will not be long now.

I need to get closer, Lyra stated. I cannot see anything from here.

StarWind bit her lip as she surveyed the crowd and shook her head. I don't see how you can get closer without being too obvious. People have been vying for good positions for hours and will cause a ruckus if you dart in front of them. We cannot afford that type of disturbance.

I may be able to help, offered Mayor Ferde. I see an old friend towards the front. Let me go greet him and stand by him. The crowd may make a minor disturbance when I do, but it will quell quickly. After I am place for a while, slip over and stand right in front of me. I will not complain.

StarWind nodded and watched the Mayor depart. She followed his progress and saw him move right up to the front. The crowd did indeed grow boisterous, but when he was recognized as a high government official, the crowd resignedly accepted it. The three spies were being brought up to the platform and StarWind grabbed Lyra's hand and led her forward. While everyone was watching the criminals climb the stairs, StarWind and Lyra slipped in front of Mayor Ferde.

The Mayor leaned forward and whispered between their ears. There have been a lot of Sakovan spies captured this year.

StarWind turned her head and whispered back, Those men are not Sakovan. Just another charade.

Another rise in volume emanated from the crowd as the Katana's Council came out of the Palace and marched down the corridor of Imperial Guards. Half a dozen Imperial Guards preceded them up the stairs of the platform and another half a dozen trailed them.

Is the Katana one of them? asked Lyra. I do not know what Alazar looks like.

Not yet, whispered Ferde. He will make his own entrance.

It was only moments after the Council was arranged on the platform when the horns sounded.

He is coming now, the Mayor stated.

StarWind watched as two dozen Monitors formed a protective square around the figure in the flowing white and gold robe as he marched down the corridor. The crowd unexpectedly dropped to their knees as the Katana mounted the steps of the platform. StarWind hurriedly sunk to her knees dragging Lyra with her, but not before she saw every one of her fellow Sakovans highlighted by being the only ones standing. She cursed inwardly for not minding the Omungan customs better, but nobody appeared to notice. She looked again and expelled her held breath as she saw that her cohorts had recovered quickly.

Another blaring of horns preceded the call to rise and Alazar began to address the audience. His speech was clearly hateful as he lectured about the evils of the Sakovans and the threat they represent to peace. He was barely into the speech when the flash of lightning shot down out of the clear heavens and struck the Katana. Pandemonium reigned as the crowd screamed in unison and panicked.

StarWind saw it all as if it was in slow motion, a second lasting minutes. Some people dropped to the ground and covered their heads. Others turned and tried to run away from the platform, only to be toppled by those behind them also pushing to flee. Screams were everywhere while people fell or stood dumbstruck and open-mouthed. Thunder boomed through the city as she scanned the crowd and sought out Malafar, but still she could not find him.

The lightning struck again and StarWind watched the Imperial Guard looking around in confusion. The Monitors converged on Alazar and surrounded him with their bodies as a high-pitched whine filled the plaza. The pitch increased and people started screaming. A commotion on the platform drew StarWind's attention and she was aghast to see Alazar pushing his Monitors away from him as he scanned the crowd himself.

Temiker suddenly appeared next to StarWind. He is using the same tactics as the last time, Malafar's brother declared. We will know his location when the Winter Wind comes. It is next.

What can we do to stop him? StarWind asked frantically as her hands rose to her ears.

The screaming of the crowd increased and people began to wriggle in pain as the pitch tore through them.

I have a filter over us, Temiker explained as he drew her hands down. The sound will not harm us. The only thing I can think of to stop him is to shield the Katana. Should I?

The howling wind came next, even as another bolt of lightning slammed into the Katana. StarWind watched in amazement as a frost blew across the platform creating thin ice on all it passed. She followed the path backwards and saw Malafar emerge, not from within the crowd, but from behind a pillar on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. Alazar saw him at the same time and the Katana's arm raised and pointed at the old mage.

Temiker's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the platform. The Katana's shields are not shrinking, he stated. The ice is not adhering either. Alazar has had his shields increased. I am not sure that Malafar can even get through them this time.

Everyone saw Malafar now and the Imperial Guards were rushing towards him even as Alazar unleashed his own magical attack. Rage formed on Malafar's face as he realized that the Katana's shields were not weakening.

Malafar will have to divert energy to protect himself now, Temiker said as Alazar's fireballs started hitting his brother. Tell me what to do, little Star.

The Imperial Guards were almost upon Malafar when Lyra spoke. Throw a protective physical shield around Malafar, she ordered. Keep it there no matter what happens. StarWind, gather our people and instruct them not to interfere. That goes for you double.

StarWind started to object, but when she turned, Lyra was gone. She swiftly issued hands signals and spun around to make sure that her people were coming to her, but she could not see which way Lyra had gone. She was searching the panicked crowd for her Star when she heard Lyra's voice booming across the plaza.

Stop! the girl demanded. Stop this madness.

StarWind turned in shock to find her leader standing on the platform between Alazar and Malafar. The high-pitched whine ceased immediately and the lightning crackled to a halt, while Malafar's face contorted in confusion. The Imperial Guards whirled as their sword blows bounced off some invisible shield surrounding Malafar, but Alazar's eyes narrowed as he viewed the obstacle blocking the view of his enemy. StarWind yelled as she saw the power building in Alazar and knew he was going to remove that obstacle and continue his attack on Malafar.