Page 51 of Captured on Film
“What’s this? Is our name at stake again? Dares will derringdo!” Josheb hooked his arm through Caleb’s and greeted Andor before asking,“Are the rumors of star wine on these premises true? I feel certain we shouldthoroughly investigate the matter!”
Hesper laughed and rattled off a smiling translation.
Andor beckoned them to the house, striding through like heowned the place.
Josheb, who still had Caleb by the arm, leaned in to relay,“Hot tip from another guest about the true identity of Nessie’s namesake. Let’sadd it to the schedule!”
Caleb paused just outside the door to make a note in hisfield journal, but he did so distractedly. He was honestly more intrigued bythe weight of his new pendant and the terms of his new pact. “Are you close?”
“As can be.”Eri sounded pleased.
“We’ll talk later?”
“Long into the night.”
“Will Iseeyou?” Caleb wanted to see Eri’s facealmost as much as he craved star wine. “I was half sure you were a figment ofmy imagination.”
“I am true,”promised Eri.“And I, too, can liveup to my name.”
Star Potential
Caleb was rarely far from his brother for the rest ofthe evening, but in some ways, they were worlds apart. When it came down to it,Josheb was still a people person, and Caleb was still a hermit. So while onebrother was learning names and coaxing interesting tidbits out of everyone, theother was retreating into corners, hoping for some quiet, ready to go home.
A hazy memory stirred, and his own words came back to him.“I’mhome wherever I can hear the stars.”
With an envious glance at Nessie, who was somehow able tosleep through the din, Caleb found the nearest door and escaped into a warmJune night. The wrap-around porch was nearly as crowded as it had been inside,with the Vale family and their friends—all part of the same enclave—milling andmingling.
Caleb was feeling just a tiny bit desperate when Andor caughtup to him.
In a familiar gesture, the bear clansman rolled his eyes atthe entire doings and lifted his chin toward the lawn.
Nodding gratefully, Caleb shadowed his steps, but hesitatedonce they were beyond the reach of the party lights. With a sense of déjà vu,he called, “I can’t see a thing.”
“I will light your way.”
“Eri?”
Andor hoisted Caleb up and pointed up, presumably into theheights of one of the enormous trees that dominated a lawn that must have takenhours to mow and manicure. Blinking, Caleb tried looking a little to the side.The trick worked. In his periphery, he caught a faint glow, like figment light.“In the tree?” whispered Caleb.
Placing a finger over Caleb’s mouth, Andor … jumped.
It was over too quickly for Caleb to work up a holler.Instead, he swore softly and asked, “How high are we?”
Hands framed his face, and Eri smiled for him.“Not ashigh as I like. But higher than you hope.”
“How …?”
“Save such revelations for a later verse.”Eri softlyadded,“More time and trust are needed.”
Caleb had to ask. “But you can fly?”
“Not I, who left the sky and cannot return.”Eri’swistful tone turned hopeful.“Unless Andor carries me.”
Andor plucked Eri from their lofty perch and like a secondmoon, they rose.
“Won’t we be seen?” Caleb asked. “You really are lightingour way.”
“Hide me.”
