Shikhari's secrets hide in the stars and under the ground...
Auriga "Rigi" Bernardi faces adulthood with relief and trepidation - trepidation because her mother has Great Plans for Rigi's introduction to society. A plague among the native Staré proves yet another legend true and threatens Staré society until Rigi inadvertently averts a cultural disaster. At the same time, the Crown Navy records communication signals coming from the wrong quadrant of space. Could the two be related? If so, than the ancient death that struck from the stars threatens not only the Staré but the humans of Shikhari as well.
Add in an off-world academic with too many theories and too few manners, and Rigi begins to suspect that adulthood and courtship are not quite as advertised.
Description:
Shikhari's secrets hide in the stars and under the ground...
Auriga "Rigi" Bernardi faces adulthood with relief and trepidation - trepidation because her mother has Great Plans for Rigi's introduction to society. A plague among the native Staré proves yet another legend true and threatens Staré society until Rigi inadvertently averts a cultural disaster. At the same time, the Crown Navy records communication signals coming from the wrong quadrant of space. Could the two be related? If so, than the ancient death that struck from the stars threatens not only the Staré but the humans of Shikhari as well.
Add in an off-world academic with too many theories and too few manners, and Rigi begins to suspect that adulthood and courtship are not quite as advertised.
Then the giant birds arrive...