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Chapter 9

The Cydonian Nocturne

The next day, GoGo and Sygnosis stood on the mountain’s northern terrace, as GoGo called it, a

large flat mesa that provided magnificent views in all directions of the Sahara.

“It’s the perfect place for the party I’m planning to celebrate Omar’s recovery and rebirth,”

GoGo said. “The men need a break from all the uncertainty. Arjumo is two moons from now. I

always liked that day for celebrations.”

But Sygnosis made her wait an extra week for the perfect night, dark and clear, when the

planet Venus started its ascendancy and was visible.

“The Astral vampires named it the Cydonian Nocturne, after my mother, Cydonia Sparth,”

said Sygnosis.

When the night came, GoGo admitted, “It was worth the wait.”

Omar, Sooth, Zuba, and the warriors looked up and marveled at the glorious cosmic

spectacle as they gathered for feast and fellowship. It felt like a real royal affair. The night sky

above the mountain palace was unruly with all manner of celestial bodies. The full moon was

crowned in a radiant aura. The dazzling outer band of the Milky Way was in full glory, dressed in

veils and trains of lacey nebula.

And the stars, oh, the stars . . . the usual party girls were all there: Betelgeuse and Belatrix,

Rigel and Mintaka, all cosmic concubines of the great hunter, Orion. The shiny celebrities of the

sky wouldn’t have missed the regal reception; Polaris the North Star, Vega and Altair in the

constellation Lyra, Antares wore her hooded red fantasia, even the shy Seven Sisters of the

Pleiades showed up. All the luminaries came out tonight for the prince.