Welcome to the cereal serial version of Octave of Stars! Episodes will release every Monday and Thursday. If you’re finding this story for the first time, be sure to start at Episode 01 for maximum comprehension, or check out The Index for all available Episodes.
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The open sky for miles, as free as she could be. But those clouds didn't look too friendly, and they were getting closer and darker by the second. Soon her carefree flight was a turbulent storm, buffeted from all angles by fierce winds that wouldn't cooperate. Just as the rain pounded down, cold and fierce, the alarm on Gayle's watch woke her from the fitful dream. She relaxed as she felt the solid bed underneath her and listened to the four walls that kept her as safe as could be. Light streamed in through the thin white curtains, and the neighbor's dog was already up and barking. Or maybe it had never went to bed.
The thermometer attached to the siding out her window told her a long-sleeved shirt would be smart for the day, so that and a fresh pair of jeans made up her outfit. Gayle fluffed up her pillow, then grabbed the bottom corners of the blanket. She heaved up the comforter; it landed straight and flat a foot above the mattress. Once all four corners were smoothed out, she released the pressure and it fell gently to cover the bed.
Still working the pins into her bun, she made her way to the kitchen, careful to avoid the squeaky spot on the floor so as not to wake Ash, snoring away on the couch. Definitely an odd way to start the morning, but she had prayed that she could be helpful, so here they were.
Eggs, bacon, toast, coffee. These smells greeted Ash as he awoke, a familiar complement to an unfamiliar place. In his daze, he thought he might have woken up in a booth at the diner, but instead he saw a couch with a lacy brown cover over it, and a picture of Jesus the Good Shepherd on the wall by the window.
He sat up on the couch. "Good mornin'," Gayle said from the kitchen. "Grub's almost ready."
Ash scratched the side of his unkempt black hair. Normal looked a little different these days. He sat down at the table, fighting off a yawn. Having not brushed his teeth yet, he hoped he wasn't too offensive after all the running around last night.
Gayle set down the plate of food like an expert. "It ain't quite the number eighteen," she said. "Cain't get hash browns to turn out like they do on the big griddle at work."
Ash sipped his coffee at the table. It was good enough for him.
"Okay Gayle, I have a really odd question."
"Like, regular folks real odd, or Stars real odd?"
He considered this. "Regular type. Why does your house look like a grandma lives here?"
Gayle sat down with her own plate of food. "'Cause mine did. We kinda switched. She went down South to live with my folks, and I just took over her place here."
"And you didn't redecorate?" He regarded the tiny porcelain people sitting on a nearby shelf.
She took a breath. "I didn't have nothin' to decorate with. Everythin' I had was… lost in a big storm."
"Oh," Ash said. "I'm sorry."
Gayle steeled herself. "Thanks, but it's past now. Just like the wind."
Ash studied her seriously, which made her a little uncomfortable. "Okay Gayle. If you ever want to talk about it, I'll listen." He took a bite of bacon, and that was that.
Gayle closed the driver’s side door. "We're gettin' Azalea on the way."
Ash had 'borrowed' one of her new toothbrushes and had combed his hair, but still felt grimy inside his thin red jacket. A shower would have to wait until he got to his own place. "From her house?"
"Yep. Good thing you got as shined up as you could, too."
Ash watched an elderly gentleman water his front lawn with a hose while wearing a tuxedo jacket and swimming trunks. "Why's that?"
"'Cause her Pa is home, and wants to meet you."
He pondered a moment. "Should I be scared?"
"Don't think so, but you might end up that way anyhow."
Ash rubbed the bridge of his nose. Despite sleeping soundly last night, he still felt tired. He would have to get some of his coffee from home.
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Instead of pulling up to the curb, Gayle drove right up the spotless paved driveway and cranked down her window to push the button on the intercom box by the gate.
After a beep: "Howdy."
"Hi Gayle, hi Ash too, come on in!"
The wrought-iron gate opened and in they went. Ash still wasn't sure what Gayle's comment about her father had meant, and when he asked again, she had told him to 'wait'n see.' They crossed the cobblestone path from the parking space to the front door, but he was spared the awkward moment on the front step as Gayle just opened the door and walked right in.
Azalea jumped up from the large armchair in the living room as soon as they entered, giving Gayle a hug and waving at Ash. She had chosen a knee-length, long-sleeved brown dress for the day, with hairpins sporting little pea pods.
A finely dressed man followed her, his skin as dark as his daughter's, wearing shined leather shoes, modest khaki slacks and a light green dress shirt. He put on a pair of thin glasses, the color of the frames matching his very short black hair. There was an intensity in his eyes that looked out of place with the friendly smile on his face.
"Good morning, Gayle," he said.
"Mornin' Mr. E," she replied as Azalea pulled her down the hallway. "Where's the missus?"
"Emily got called in early this morning."
"You just missed her actually," Azalea contributed, leading her friend to the next room.
Azalea's father walked right up to Ash, stopping at a particular distance. Far enough to be friendly, but close enough to be slightly uncomfortable, at least to Ash's perspective. "And good morning to you, Mr. Grisarco. Or can I call you Ash?" He extended his hand.
"Sure, Ash, please."
His handshake was tremendous. "Jonathan Evergreen, senior partner." He kept talking as soon as he released Ash's tingling fingers. "So, my daughter tells me you were part of one of their missions last night, and that you encountered a particularly dangerous individual."
"Yeah, he wasn't exactly friendly."
Jonathan nodded, but didn't say anything. His narrow brown eyes studied Ash for a moment longer. "Just so you know, Ash, I'm not a criminal lawyer."
"Uh… okay."
"But I am a father, and my concern for Azalea's safety is paramount. I trust Gayle with my daughter's life, but as I've known you for—" He looked at his gleaming watch. "Two minutes, I need to have some assurance of your ability to protect her as well."
Ash stood up straighter. He'd been getting a lot of practice at protecting lately. "Don't worry, sir. I'll do my best to take care of her."
There were multiple people attached to that pronoun, and Jonathan acknowledged it. "Good to hear, but I'd also like to see it." He backed up a step, then raised his fists like a boxer.
Ash couldn't help laugh in his nervousness. "Um…"
"Come on, but don't burst into flame or anything. I just had the floors cleaned."
Ash relaxed. This was going to be easier than he thought. "Sorry, but I couldn't do that."
Jonathan maintained his stance. "Alright, how about a flaming punch or something?"
"No, I couldn't hit you."
"Why not?" He punched the air. "Is it the glasses?"
Ash looked him straight in the eye. "You're not in my way."
Mr. Evergreen paused, then stood up straight. "Good answer. How about a cup of coffee before you go?"
Ash didn't need to be asked twice. They sat around a low table in the expansive living room: Ash marveling at the various pieces of exotic artwork and paintings arrayed about, Gayle looking out the window at the clouds, Azalea sipping her coffee like an expert, and Jonathan presiding over it all.
"I won't keep you long," Jonathan said, setting down the gray enameled cup. "You'll both need some time to get ready, I'm sure."
Ash sipped the piquant coffee, it tasted like chocolate and raspberries. "Ready for what?"
"Something that Lumina and I have known about for a while," Mr. Evergreen continued, "but weren't sure how to make use of it. Frost Enterprises is putting on a social gala tonight at a hotel, but not just any hotel, one that he owns personally." He looked directly at Ash. "One that he keeps tight control over…"
"Interesting…" Ash said.
"I'll let Lumina give you all the details, but for now, you'll need these." He picked up two square envelopes from the polished table, handing one to Gayle on his right, and the other to Azalea on his left, who passed it to Ash, though a bit reluctantly.
He carefully opened the unsealed flap and peered inside. "Invitations?"
"That's right. It's a little ironic that Frost invited our firm, considering that we're working to put a stop to a dam they're trying to build on a river down South, but maybe that's his way of buttering us up for negotiations. Either way, enjoy a night of entertainment courtesy of Evergreen and Associates."
Ash set the envelope on his lap. He'd noticed that no one had asked him if he wanted to go, but no one needed to. He looked at the senior Evergreen. "Thanks, I won't let it go to waste."
Gayle slipped hers into a large pocket on her jacket, then held her coffee cup close to her heart, to let the warmth seep in. "Yeah, thanks Mr. E. Much appreciated, as always."
Ash drained his cup. "Alright, I've gotta ask. Lumina said that she has a history with your family. Is that because of Azalea?"
"Well, yes." Jonathan reclined in the soft chair. "But also because of my grandmother, Lily Evergreen."
He paused to let the weight of the name have its effect, but Ash didn't seem to react. Gayle shook her head slowly.
"That's right," Jonathan said, "you likely haven't heard any of the stories."
"Which is a real shame," Azalea added, "because Great-Grandma Lily was literally so great."
Jonathan smiled at his daughter. "Lumina learned a great deal about Wood Stars from her, and she kept herself acquainted with my parents, and with me. Which was good, because as soon as I noticed that the grass needed mowing wherever the baby had been playing outside…"
Azalea beamed, producing a lavender flower that she handed to her father, who affixed it in his lapel. "Oh, and what about that time I got into that bag of beans and turned the whole thing into a jungle?"
Jonathan chuckled. "Yes, of course. So, we've been working together ever since. I handle the legal side of things, when her military connections aren't sufficient."
Ash didn't know what to say. It explained a little, but still not enough.
"Oh, oh," Azalea said, "tell them about that time we went hiking and you found me inside the tree."
The rest of the discussion was light, just morning coffee with several new friends, and stories about trying to keep a child contained who had mastery over every plant they could touch. Azalea's unbridled mirth helped keep Ash's spirits up, since there were no such tales about him and his own family.
Keeping to his word, Jonathan checked his watch and announced that he didn't want to keep them any longer. When he shook Ash's hand goodbye, he added an encouraging clap on the shoulder. Ash knew what it meant. Keep doing the right thing.
They got buckled in to Gayle's car. She hadn't said much, which wasn't unusual, but neither had Azalea, which was. Ash noticed she seemed calmer, more settled. He nodded to the backseat as they pulled away. "Your dad's nice."
A childish grin spread over her face. "Yeah, he's the best."
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The next stop was Ash's apartment, so he could do his own getting ready. Inviting the ladies up to his apartment felt awkward, but not as much as making them wait downstairs or in the car. They stood behind him as he unlocked the door, while Azalea looked left and right down the hallway.
"Which one is Cascadia's?" she asked.
Ash pointed to his left. "That one," he said somberly.
"Oh." They followed him inside.
"Make yourselves at home," Ash said, setting his backpack and red jacket on a chair. "Check the stuff in the fridge, though, I haven't gone shopping in days."
"Speakin' of that," Gayle said as she stood near the loveseat, her hands in the pockets of her jeans. "Lumina needs some supplies, so we'll be stoppin' at the store on the way." Ash gave his assent.
Azalea was roving around the room for anything interesting, which didn't take very long. "Do you have a TV?"
Ash got a change of clothes out of his bureau. "No, I just watch the one at Cascadia's place. But I don't think she'd want you over there without at least meeting you first, though."
Gayle moved toward the door. "I'll go watch a movie then, you stay here, hon."
"Very funny," Azalea said, shaking her head at Gayle. "Ooh, Ash, what about your Card Knights stuff, is it in here? I bet we could sell it to a museum."
"Yeah, it's under the bed, I didn't want to put it out in the garage."
"Cool! I'm rooting under your bed now."
Ash closed the door to the bathroom, grateful he had already made the bed. Azalea looked curiously at the little metal spike1 tied to the headboard, then shrugged and grabbed for the plastic tote with promising logos visible through it. While opening the flaps, she caught sight of the framed Bible reference hanging nearby.
"Hey Gayle, what's Isaiah forty-three two?"
Her head was inside the fridge. "I dunno."
Azalea admitted it was a little lazy to ask Gayle when there was a Bible sitting on the bureau beside the bed. She was pretty sure Ash wouldn't mind her using it, so she got it down. "Aww…" she said after locating the verse.
"What's that?" Gayle asked. She sniffed at a container of something that looked like soup, then wrinkled her nose and put it back.
Azalea quoted: "'When you pass through waters, I will be with you, through rivers, you shall not be swept away. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, nor will flames consume you.' That's super adorable."
"Yeah, these two are somethin'." Gayle sat down at the table. "Can I have that when you're done?"
"Sure."
Azalea busied herself looting the trove of Ash's cards, while Gayle had some time with the Lord. She flipped to the end of the Bible and found a few of her favorite Gospel passages, puzzled at how Jesus' words were in black type just like everybody else's. The book also felt a little thicker despite the pages being thin. But it was still Jesus, she still heard his voice in her ear as she read.
While pondering a certain passage, she noticed a brown paper bag on the table. One white sheet had slipped out of the top and declared 'MISSING!' in large letters. She picked it up, reading over the plea for information as to Cascadia's whereabouts, and the picture of her on the bridge near a lake. Different emotions blew in on the breeze of her mind, she paused a moment to let them all settle down. First, sorrow at Cascadia's plight, then anger at Frost for having started all this. That kicked up a little storm of fury at all the other things he'd done. It couldn't end this way, she wouldn't let it. Her and the Evergreens would keep giving them a hard time forever if needed. And with Ash's help, and possibly even Cascadia's too, then that would really be something. But first things first, they needed to help the poor gal who couldn't spend the night in her own apartment next door.
"Gayle, look at this! He has a third edition Percival, that's gotta be worth something."
"Huh." Gayle had been staring out the window, at the sliver of sky she could see from here. Frost had already ruined so much, and here he was, wrecking the life of another happy couple. Bringing pain and heartache. But who was she to talk? She had caused a lot too, and lost so much herself.
Gayle missed her again. She gazed at the picture of Cascadia, imagining what her own sister would have been like at that age. Probably going to college, or getting ready for a wedding. Or the maid of honor at Gayle's own wedding, instead of her best gal from school. The last night she had with her in the hospital drifted into her mind. Everyone else had gone, it was just the two of them and the pinwheels she had wanted by her bed, spinning in the still room. It was all she could do.
A sudden feeling settled over her, a shift in the winds of her heart. It had to be the Lord; that still, small voice that overcame even the worst tempest. That wasn't all, and she knew it. Her sister may be gone, but the girl in the picture surely wasn't. Gayle wouldn't quit until she was back home, no matter what that took. The weight settled on her shoulders, responsibility, duty, remorse. She closed her eyes to stop the tear rolling down her cheek.
Azalea's ears perked up. Gayle hadn't made any noise, but something was different. She set down the antique cards, then hopped to her feet. Gayle was at the table, so she went to stand behind her. She put her arms around the taller lady's shoulders, dark skin against light. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, just everythin'. You know, adult stuff."
"Sure, Gayle." Azalea squeezed her friend a little more firmly, and even triggered her sprouting briefly. Gayle was definitely not a plant, but all living things responded favorably to her power, so she used it whenever petting a cat, or comforting one of her friends who had just gotten dumped, or were experiencing the ennui of being a teenager. Or, on one of the handful of occasions that Gayle was sad. "It's alright. I'm here."
Gayle pushed away the sheet on the table. "They deserve to be happy."
Azalea whispered back: "So do you, Gayle."
When Ash was finally finished with his personal hygiene, he emerged with clean, dark clothing and a new sense of purpose. He had shaved away the encroaching stubble and returned his facial hair to its small goatee configuration. If he had to face down danger tonight, he wanted to look dangerous himself.
The ladies were sitting together on the loveseat, Gayle with her arm over Azalea's shoulder, both reading from a large spiral-bound book in the girl's hands. Gayle was idly playing with a yellow flower with her free hand, and both of them wore little chains of blue blossoms on their heads.
Gayle glanced up at him. "Feelin' better?" He saw a different expression on her face, something closer to happiness.
"Yeah. Feeling ready."
"Good to hear," she said.
"I need to pack up some clothes, but I forgot to ask Jonathan, how fancy is this party gonna be?"
"Pretty fancy."
"So… nice shirt and pants like for church?"
"Nope, even nicer than that."
"Hmm… I think I've got something in the garage."
"I know I don't," Gayle said. She looked toward Azalea. "Looks like we're gonna do some more shoppin' today, hon." She waited for the exuberant reply, and when none came: "Hon?"
"Oh, sorry," the girl looked up from the book. "Sorry, this part is just really great."
"That looks familiar," Ash said, stepping closer.
"Yup, it was under the bed too," Azalea explained, "and I recognize the author's name." She closed it to show him the printed cardstock cover and prove her claim.
"Yeah, she wrote it. That was a proof copy I went through and marked up."
She regarded the cover longingly. "Amazing… Can I take it with us? I only got through the first few chapters, but it's really good."
Ash grinned. "Yeah, I don't see why not. She'd love another critique."
Azalea giggled and opened it back up. "I think I've seen this story before, though…"
"How's that?"
"I mean, a girl named Cecilia lives in a medieval village with her best friend Blaise, and battles a demon-summoning wizard with their God-given water and fire powers, while also keeping those powers hidden so they don't get burned as witches themselves?"
"Well, yeah," Ash said. "It's like they're always saying in her creative writing classes, 'write what you know.' Although, her world is definitely more fantasy-based. Blaise can shoot fire from his hands, which I can't. And Cecilia learns how to freeze water from the Angel of Winter, and Cas can't do that either." He put his hand over his face. "And… I just spoiled something important later on, sorry."
"Don't worry, I'll forget you said it by the time I get there. I wonder if she would put an adorable, quirky plant girl in her next one?" She opened her hand, revealing a new white flower.
Ash's amused grin became firm in moments. "Let's ask her ourselves."
Octave of Stars is currently airing on Substack for free, with two of the 45 total posts per week. It’ll be fully released at the end of April 2024. If you don’t want to wait that long, you can get the entire story right now, in either Ebook or paperback. Every purchase supports the ZMT Books mission of family-friendly entertainment.
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See Episode 04 —Ed.