Chapter Thirty-Five: Shower of Stars

Eliles intensifies her search for Artus, who has vanished in Skywatch, suspecting abduction linked to the mysterious Gate of Shooting Stars. Dismissing fruitless group searches, she focuses on the starry dome, using the Sliver of Star and prayers to Elinwe to manipulate the sky’s constellations. Successfully contacting Zjin of the Colok through a spectral vision, she urges him to find Solineus at the Omindi Pass, bolstering her confidence. In the library, Eliles uncovers a coded message in the book Elinwe, Show Me the Way, with marked letters spelling "Kelevra" and a number, 2594, tied to the Luxukoni calendar, as hinted by the Touched. Guided by Elinwe, she aligns the stars to Kelevra 5, 2594, revealing the Gate of Shooting Stars—a shower of meteors—through which she steps, confronting High Oracle Temeru. Temeru reveals that nineteen devout Istinjoln survivors, fearing Eliles’ "unholy" Sliver of Star, hold Artus to protect their hidden refuge within Skywatch’s stars. After tense negotiations, Eliles agrees to leave to ease their fears, securing Artus’ release. Reuniting with a cleaned but grumpy Artus, who was well-treated despite captivity, Eliles learns he stumbled upon the survivors’ secret, though details remain vague. Their reunion is marked by relief and banter, with Artus eager for whiskey and food, while Eliles remains determined to unravel Skywatch’s mysteries, now armed with knowledge of the Gate and its guardians.

ToP Chapter 34 — Sinister Suspicions
ToP Chapter 36 — Clouded River
Trail of Pyres - Main Chapter Listing