Moments later, the ship gently touched down, only a few hundred meters from the mountains. Lyric moved back to join her friends. In the time of the flight, her breathing had become alarmingly labored. It escaped from her mouth in deep rattles and hisses, and Anakin could see that the effort of drawing air was exhausting her. Lyric raised one hand to brush her red ringlets from her eyes.
Anakin gasped. In the last hour, the pink webs on her hands had spread until they reached the tips of her fingers. It was clearly getting close to the time for her changing ceremony. The silver door of the shuttle hissed open. Old Peckhum, Anakin, and Tahiri followed their friend down the ramp. Waiting for them were five Melodie children.
“Welcome,” one of the Melodies began, but he stopped when he saw Lyric.
“Come,” he said, “we’ve got to get Lyric to the cove quickly.”
The look of worry on his face told Anakin all he needed to know. He reached up and took hold of Lyric’s elbow. Tahiri moved to the other side, and together they helped Lyric half walk, half run to the mountains that loomed before them.
“Oh no!” Peckhum cried as he followed the children toward the mountain.
“What is it?” Anakin asked as he ran.
“I forgot some of the supplies I need to transport after we leave Yavin 8,” Peckhum worriedly explained. “It wouldn’t be important, except they’re medical supplies, and this trip has already put me behind schedule. “
“Go back and get them,” Anakin called over his shoulder. “You’ll only be gone for a few hours, and we’ll be fine. Just come find us in the mountains when you return.”
“I don’t think I should leave you. Luke Skywalker wouldn’t be pleased, ” Peckhum said uncertainly.
“Don’t worry,” Anakin replied. “He’ll understand.” He stopped, and turned to Peckhum. “We’ll be careful.”
“All right,” Peckhum said. “But don’t get into any trouble while I’m gone.” He turned and raced back to the Lightning Rod. Moments later he shot into the sky and disappeared from view.
Anakin ran to catch up with his friends. Barely a moment later, the ear-shattering shriek of an avril rolled down over the group. Anakin didn’t have to ask what creature had made the sound. He felt its enormous shadow fall across his back before he looked up to see blood red talons slashing down toward the group. The Melodies quickly formed a circle and began to heave stones up at the creature. Several hit, but only maddened the black bird. Tahiri grabbed a large rock and threw it, hard. Her shot struck the avril directly between the eyes. It shrieked in anger and dove toward her, beak open, talons outstretched.
Tahiri dodged, but not before one of its massive wings struck and threw her meters away from the group. Anakin raced over to protect his friend. But he wasn’t quick enough. The avril dove toward Tahiri, talons outstretched, its scream of attack mingling with her cry of terror. Anakin was too far away to reach her, and dread washed over him in an icy cold wave. A split second before Tahiri was swept away in the avril’s hungry grasp, Lyric, who was closest to her, leapt forward. She threw her body over Tahiri’s to shield her friend.
The avril sank his talons into the orange academy jumpsuit Lyric wore, and shot toward the sky. Lyric hung limply in the air. All who stood helpless on the tundra of the moon could see the look of terror on Lyric’s face as she was borne away.
“Where is it taking her?” Tahiri cried.
Both she and Anakin whirled to face the Melodies.
“There is nothing to be done,” one of the young boys said sadly. “It will take her to its nest and she will be gone before we can ever reach it. “
“But she’s survived before,” Anakin said.
“Yes, but this time she is too weak, she is ready for the changing. If she is not in the waters of the cove before sunrise, she will die,” the boy replied.
“Where’s the nest?” Anakin asked in a voice that couldn’t be argued with.
The boy pointed to a spot halfway up the mountain, and Anakin and Tahiri immediately raced toward it.
“Be here when we return to take us to the cove,” Anakin called over his shoulder.
They’d been climbing for over an hour. Anakin could hear the rasp of his breath, the thundering of his heart. Tahiri was right behind him. She, too, was gasping. There was less oxygen in the air because of the altitude, and several times Anakin had felt dizzy, felt black walls threatening to close out his consciousness, and he’d turned around to make sure Tahiri was still on her feet. They didn’t speak as they climbed. Instead they focused on the dark hole where the young Melodie had pointed. Believe and you succeed, Anakin thought as he climbed.