My Eyes Are Stars: Starry Eyes, #1

By J.J.J.W

They were a pair of adventurers. Oscar, a swordsman looking for a teacher in magic, and Penelope, a woman with overbearing strength, looking to make a name for herself in the world.
In a world of magic and legend, their story isn't all that uncommon, but theirs is just one look of many into a place where ordinary and extraordinary are one.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.J.J.W
• Release date: Oct 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223770268

Book preview

The Calm

Staring off into space, all I could see was a single light standing in the distant, dark abyss. As I thought myself traveling toward it unwaveringly, it started flickering. I opened my mouth to say something, but the sound of buzzing snapped me out of my fascination.

Oscar! Oscar! The buzzing soon became a voice. Listen to me, damn it!

Still in a trance, I said, Whatever, buzz off... Something grabbed my collar and pulled me forward while something else rammed into my forehead. Ah! What the hell! I rubbed my head and peered at the girl in front of me across the counter. Her short, bright brown hair sat over deep blue eyes and a scowl. Her name was Danna and all she could ever do was get on my nerves. Was that a headbutt? Who does that?

She stared me down as her eyes turned silver. She never looked me in the eye, but still somehow had a look of superiority. Listen when customers are talking to you, dumbass.

Shut up, I moaned. I’m only here on slow days, so I expect no one. You’re not even a customer, you’re just here to bother me. What do you want?

Danna huffed. No, I’m here to drop off Penelope and you won’t stop staring at the ceiling long enough to even notice visitors. She looked over to where I was staring between the rare and special weapons hanging from the ceiling into a dark corner. There’s not even anything over there, just the ceiling.

In my apathy, I corrected her. Not the ceiling; stars.

What kind of loser stares at the stars indoors?

The kind with imagination and a personality.

Whatever. My sister’s in the back changing so don’t you go peeking, you hear that, perve?

Shut up, I’m not interested anyway. You gonna buy something or not? I gestured to the weapons and armor on display around the shop.

She turned her nose up at me and responded, A talented mage such as myself doesn’t need any of your brutish weaponry. It may suit Penelope fine, but she doesn’t share my aptitude for magic anyway.

Still apathetic, I said, Way to put down the whole shop and your little sister in one breath. If you’re not gonna buy something, then get out.

She let out a sound similar to a kettle and swung her head forward for another headbutt, but I tilted my head to the side and she missed. I only let you hang out with my little sister because she has no other friends so don’t get cocky. I’ll find her a man better than you could ever be. She slammed her hand on the counter with a thud.

In that case... I was going to say something I shouldn’t have. Go get looking and leave me alone.

I’m just here to make sure you don’t go peeking until she comes back.

With a sly smile, I retorted, If I wanted to, I could do more than peek when you’re not around.

What was that!? A spark of electricity ran across her eye, and she pulled out a bronze scepter tipped with a white crystal from a pocket in her blue cloak, brandishing at me as small sparks arced across it.

I lowered my voice. If you strike me with that, you better kill me in one hit. My hand was now laying softly against a straight sword at my hip.

Whoa, I’m gone for a minute and you two start trying to kill each other? Penelope emerged from a doorway behind me in plate mail under a tan cloak with a massive backpack larger than her torso and a weapon handle sticking out slung over her shoulders. She had blue eyes and similar hair to her sister but hers was longer. Also, unlike her sister, she had abnormally long upper front teeth that made for a nasty bite and gave her a slight lisp alongside her stunted growth, making it so she was only chest height to me and barely able to peer over the tall counter I was behind.

Immediately, Danna came up with a well-crafted lie. No, I was just showing Oscar my scepter to see if there was any way I could improve it. She played with it in her hands awkwardly as her eyes faded from silver to blue a little too late to be believable.

I don’t need magic to see through your bullshit. The small woman peered at her sister like a templar would an assassin.

A look of surprise spread across Danna’s face. Oh, you heard that...

No, but I knew you’d find some way to bring it up. If all you’re going to do is start trouble, then get out.

Well... I’ll get going then... The older sister turned and solemnly walked to the door of the shop. Just be careful, okay? She stepped out to the sound of a bell.

As soon as Danna left, I turned to Penelope and said, Sorry about that. It was partially my fault.

Nah, it’s fine. I know she started it; she always does. So, we going out to pick up some chicks or what?

I looked up at the clock sitting on the wall next to the door to the back rooms. It was midday and nowhere close to closing time. It’s a slow day, anyway, might as well. I gathered my things, put on a layer of chainmail under a grey hood, and then went around the shop, locking all the doors before closing it for the day. Penelope followed close behind the whole way.

Before we stepped away from the shop entrance, Penelope pulled out a slip of paper and handed it to me. Here, I got us a job on the way.

Nice. On the paper was a listing for a commission to gather a certain type of stone that could be found deep in the mountains at night.

The first thing we did was head to a nearby cafe. We both ordered a strawberry smoothie and waited from a spot near the back where we could see anybody who entered. Soon after, a tall, slender woman with long black hair and a supple chest entered and sat alone at a booth. She ordered a coffee and stayed to finish it then sat there alone for another minute.

Now’s my time. Penelope stood from her seat and went to chat with the woman, sitting across from her. They soon became lost in conversation.

I watched them while sipping my smoothie and barely noticed a woman with short, curly red hair and a sundae come and sit across from me.

Is this seat taken? Her words snapped me out of my trance.

Oh- uh- you approached me? I nearly stumbled over my words.

You just looked a little lonely. Are you an adventurer?

Trying to be. I smiled and scratched my head. Trying to get around to learning magic too.

You have to be pretty strong to lug around a backpack like that.

I looked over Penelope’s backpack. She left it next to me for safekeeping. I guess. It looks heavier than it is. I patted it to the sound of hard fabric.

So, how much can you lift? She was stirring her ice cream with her spoon and a seductive look.

I shrugged. As much as I need to.

So, do you know any spells?

No, I need a teacher. Haven’t found anyone yet though... How about you?

She raised her eyebrow and said, I can levitate a thing or two.

I raised my brow as well and said, Well, can you teach me a thing or two?

You wanna get out of here? She gave a cocky smile with her question.

We don’t even know each other’s names yet. I’m Oscar.

Cris. She stood. Shall we?

Sure. I stood and lifted the bag, straining my muscles and hauling it onto my back. I was a little winded, but I carried on.

Are you okay? she asked, Did you pack a little too much?

No, I’m fine. I just needed to get it on my back and now I’m cool. I took a few wobbly steps and made for the exit. She giggled and walked ahead of me.

We walked around the shopping square a bit, visiting a few small shops here and there while I struggled to hold the backpack the whole time. At some point, while we sat on a bench in the shade of an ice cream shop, she offered to hold it for me and I accepted her offer. She held it for nearly a second and fell over with a thump. I quickly helped her up and we laughed about it.

Eventually, the sun started setting and we made our way to an inn for a few hours to get lost in each other. Although I’d have liked to enjoy her company the entire night, I still had to meet Penelope at the guildhall.

I sauntered my way down to a building with a slanted steel roof that looked more like an inn than anything with the word ‘guildhall’ in bold red letters hanging over the entrance. Next to the door, I spotted Penelope watching me, nodding with a triumphant smirk on her face.

What took you so long? She put out her fist and we fist bumped.

Hopefully same as you. I handed her backpack to her. So, how’d it go with the tall chick?

She was straight and I didn’t feel like putting in the work to turn her today, but I did come across a cute little blonde. That girl was a freak. She even wants me to bring you next time.

Oh, there’s a next time with this one?

She put her hands on her hips and leaned forward. What’s that supposed to mean?

I put my hands up in defense. I’m just saying you don’t have a good track record with keeping them. But you sure can find them.

She rolled her eyes. Whatever, what about you?

I shrugged and started walking. Catch and release like always.

When are you gonna catch Danna? She secretly likes you, you know?

It was my turn to roll my eyes. Allegedly. When are you gonna tell her you’re gay?

Don’t go there. She punched my shoulder playfully. She’d lose her mind and probably kill you just for knowing.

Please, she’d kill me for less and why would she assume I’d know?

You think I wouldn’t tell her? She smirked.

I shrugged. I think you should tell her regardless.

Nope, she said, playfully.

We made our way out of town and into the nearby mountains, leaving the trail and traveling deeper. I took out the paper in my pocket and shined a flashlight on it. The rocks we were looking for were normally black but glowed purple in the moonlight. The moon was full so we figured it wouldn’t be that hard. After a few hours, we found five and we needed twenty.

Ok, this is impossible. Penelope was digging between piles of rocks we gathered. Why did I pick this one? I should have known it paid too well.

What’s the problem? I asked, also sifting between rocks. If we can’t find enough, we can just come back tomorrow, right?

No, apparently, these rocks only glow in the full moon and only the full moon. It’s on the commission, didn’t you read it?

Oh, I read it with a flashlight, so I didn’t get all of it. If it’s only a full moon, won’t we still be able to come back tomorrow?

Annoyed, she said, Dood, tonight’s the last night of this full moon.

Ah... What? I started looking more frantically, picking up different stones and holding them up to the moonlight, and putting them back down if they didn’t glow or glowed the wrong color.

A few hours later, the moon was starting to fall, and we found six more.

Finding my posture had gone stiff, I stood and popped my back. I hope we can find the rest before the sun rises.

You’re telling me. Penelope yawned and stretched, popping her back as well. At least we haven’t had to fight off any wolves.

Less than a second after uttering that last word, we heard a distinct howling in the distance.

Well, now there’s wolves, I said,