Starcatcher

When the star that guides travelers home falls dying from the sky, a young star-keeper's apprentice named Pim must catch it and lift it back before the night-roads go dark forever.

Pim lived at the top of the village, in the crooked little tower where the star-keeper kept watch over the sky. Every night, old Master Bellwick climbed the spiral stairs with Pim trotting behind, carrying the polishing rags and the long brass listening-horn.

'A star-keeper does not own the stars,' Bellwick liked to say, scrubbing the great window until it shone. 'We only keep them company, and listen when they need us.'

Pim had been an apprentice for one whole year, and still the stars seemed like distant strangers. But tonight the air felt thin and watchful, as if the whole sky were holding its breath. Pim pressed both hands to the cold glass and looked up.