That first night on K-Zito, Sheng-Xin slept poorly.

When he did, finally, sleep, he was beset by dreams filled with imagery and music that felt like it was supposed to be foreboding or foreshadowing, maybe even forewarning.  But he knew he just wasn't getting it.

He was a boy, riding a metallic contraption along a path that followed the edge of a steep mountainside.  On one side was a wash of purples and blues and the sweet scent of summer's blessings.  On the other, a sheer drop to the green fog below.  He wasn't afraid;  There was no reason to be afraid.  He was as familiar with this as with the back of his hand.

The weather was warm--so warm that he could feel the prickly hot sweat along the back of his neck and he tugged lightly at the collar of his hood.

He was on his way beyond the ridge to pick the Krisan fruit from the crevace that was barely ever touched by the sun.

Overhead, in the pink and orange mists that filtered the sun's light, he saw a deep black plume, a contrail or trail of something entering the atmosphere.  It was a big meteor--probably big enough to be an actual meteorite.   He tried to recall his mother's words, about the color of meteor trails, but he couldn't remember...
This message was last edited by the player at 06:22, Thu 03 Feb 2022.

Over the rise of the hill, he clamoured over the scree that built up over the winter, under the grinding force of the receding snows.

At once, there was a huge CRACK! and the air around him shook and pulsated, sending him momentarily to the ground.  The trees downslope shook and he could see small branches and leaves floating down from the shock of the blast.  the echo of the blast carried through the valley.

In the distance, CSX could see a grey plume where the meteorite made landfall.  It was about an hour's run from where he was.

There were ancient stories handed down from his elders of the gifts from the stars, fallout from the war between the Gods, and sometimes messages from the Gods themselves.   Of course, he knew that this was metaphor for space-junk and--probably--communication satellites.

But the era of space exploitation among his people was long since past.  After the Blue Winter, the people had returned to a quieter, more planet-bound lifestyle...

But salvage from the skies was still greatly prized, and if he could lay first claim, then it could offer a great boon to his village.   Or, a small voice said to him, it could bring plague and destruction...  Not all the old stories were about benevolent salvage...

"我虽然行过死荫的山谷，也不怕遭受伤害，因为你与我同在'..." ^*

Thus fortified, the boy picked himself up quickly, and regarded the grey plume with interest.

He was aware that some unbelieving elders of the village talked of such things as being from "gods", but he already walked in the ways of the Sovereign One, and knew better.

He hesitated for but a moment, his only concern being for his family and friends.  But he doubted that the effect that had knocked him down would have been worse for them.

And the possibility of first claim...  The potential benefit to those near and dear to him was a strong motivator.  And, beyond that... his young spirit already had a strong streak of bardic exploration...

With his legs already in motion, the small voice prompted a silent prayer for protection... but he had no doubts about taking the path before him.

^*'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me'...