The Eye of Hazeus: Turning Away from the Moon

Astra bent her head into the well and closed her eyes. This was going to be a lonely journey. She was not going to look anyone, or anything, in the eye.

She drew the water from the well, and staring at the ground, walked back to the hut.

The hermit noticed this posture when she came indoors, and remarked, "You looked at the moon, did you not?"

"Yes."

The hermit shook his head. "What did he tell you?"

"He said that I must come back. That Fred, who must be King by now, needed me."

The hermit said, "What is done is done. I will finish making the stew. Are you still determined to go to Aqualaria?"

"Now more than ever."

"I wish you luck, my lady."

"Thank you."

As Rufus prepared the stew and set the table, Astra and he talked about the road ahead. Rufus suggested that she take a certain trail through a forest. There would be few people there, and those that were there might not be gripped as tightly by the insanity of Allaria.

The conversation drifted to minutae about life in Aqualaria. Rufus was happy to hear Astra describe a world that was more like the one that he was used to. As the evening wore on, Astra tired. Rufus, seeing this, bade her good night and retired.

The next morning, when Astra awoke, Rufus was already awake. He told her that her horse was saddled and ready to be ridden.

1. He then said, "Before leaving, I do have one thing that I would like to give to you."
2. Astra asked, "Does that moon ever wane?"

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