Part Three
When Angels Fall
Now, the eleventh year of Northern Star's life began as any other. The hard work of his studies and his physical training continued, as usual, but even in these hectic times, young men found time for play.
Northern Star's favorite sport was Ball, a game played by two teams of six contestants each. It was played over a large field which had two baskets on either end, with high poles topped by flags above them. The object of the game was for one team to drop the ball into their opponent's basket while their opponents tried to keep them from doing it. Each team was split into three groups...one attempting to score, and two defending. Normally Northern Star played the game with his friend Morning Star, they being the leaders of either the attacking or the defending team. So it was, on a bright summer's day, that North and Morn and four companions after they had completed their studies, headed for the ball field to meet the opposing team. When they arrived they drew lots to see who would lead the group, and which team would first possess the ball.
Morn drew the attack position, leaving North the defense, while the first ball fell to the opposing team. The game went on for some time with both teams defending well, and, scoring well so that the score was 6 to 6 and only a few minutes left in the game. North was on the high position guarding his goal as their opponants attacked. Swooping above him, the ball carrier threw the ball toward the net, and North dove for it. Suddenly he heard a familiar voice cry "North! North! Turn away!" Instantly he spun in the air, and almost at the same moment, something struck his right wing and shoulder a glancing blow. Pain shot through him as he struggled to maintain flight. Turning his head he saw another boy plummeting toward the ground, completely out of control. Two others were diving, trying to catch him, but North knew they would never make it. He was still trying to right himself when two powerful hands grabbed the shoulders of his tunic and pulled him upward. The ground seemed to be shooting towards him.
"Spread your wings," cried Morn, "don't try to fly. Just break and I'll guide you in!"
North tried to obey, but as he did so, cried out "Drop me Morn! You can't hold me alone. You'll rip your wings and we'll both die!"
"Shut up," said his friend "and get ready to roll!"
"The powerful beat of his friend's wings sent air blasting around North as they neared the ground. Suddenly his feet touched, and he rolled as best he could, but he still hit hard. There was a loud thud as he hit, followed almost immediately by another. North tried to rise, but as he did so, his right leg gave way under him, and he fell back on his face. Picking himself back up on his hands, he looked around and saw his friend Morn to his right, struggling to his feet. He was standing with his wings spread, nothing seemed to be broken. Not until his