Starbright: The Complete Series

by Hilary Thompson

  “Abraham always hoped I would forget Stian and marry Caine,” Zarea says quietly, disgust in every word.

  “Your cousin?” I ask, thinking of Caine’s sickening smile.

  She shakes her head. “By marriage, not blood. But that doesn’t make a difference - he’s awful.”

  I stare at the clouds drifting in the expanse of blue above us, thinking of how free Stian’s Tribe had looked when I was trapped underground in Asphodel. How carefree his life had seemed.

  “Is anyone truly free?” I wonder out loud. Nobody answers.

  “So why did you turn us in? You could have denied everything,” Lexan points out.

  “And I would have died for it. Sorry, but I’m not ready to die when there are other options.”

  “You traded your life for ours,” Lexan says. He is being careful with his tone, but I can see the anger in his tensed muscles and the dark flash of his eyes.

  “No. I knew Abraham wouldn’t kill you. But he would have sliced my throat in a second for returning without a completed mission.”

  I flinch a little, although Stian’s words from before stutter through my mind - I would never turn you over to my Tribe. Even if I have to trade my life for yours.

  “It was a fair decision,” Zarea says fiercely. “The two of us could have easily freed you at any moment. You could have freed yourselves too, if Tre used her fire. Besides, until we ran and were exiled, Abraham was pleased with us both. We were home.” She adds this last bit softly, and I feel another pang of guilt at having destroyed someone’s world.

  She looks up and adds, “There’s no sense in throwing away your life when you can still fight.”

  Stian nods, then asks, “How did you get out, anyways?”

  “There are other disloyal subjects in your Tribe,” I answer, then shut my mouth firmly. The girl’s identity will never come from me.

  “So do you trust me yet?” Stian asks Lexan with a grin.

  Lexan chucks a leaf at Stian. It sails with dead-eye aim for a foot, then flutters harmlessly to the ground. “No. But she does, so my opinion doesn’t really matter.” He glances at me with his half-smile. The gesture stings a little because I know what his true smile looks like. But at least now I can tell that the four of us will be able to travel together again, if maybe not trust each other completely. And I think I can tell that Stian is being honest with us, although perhaps Lexan is right and Stian lies to himself about his wants and needs. But don’t we all at some point?

  So our journey continues, now veering slightly to the left of the middle mountain. Still toward Tartarus, but through the territory of Kedesh. Although I’m unsettled by the realization that Stian would save himself first, I can’t say that I would have acted differently.

  Perhaps that’s really why I haven’t found any anger toward him for his actions, although he might deserve it.

  ELEVEN

  There will come three. A child of peace, born in a place of war. A child of right, born in a place of many wrongs. A child of lawfulness, born in a place with no laws. These three will defeat the Fates and lead us to the Garden.

  Saloman’s Prophecy

  Added to Secret Journal of First Leader Firene

  After three days of a punishing pace, even I can tell we won’t make it much longer without restocking our food and finding more sources of fresh water. The desert has snuck up on us, and there are long stretches of reddish-brown dirt and tufted grass between the brief groves of trees. Sometimes we see shimmery brush fires and hazy smoke in the distance. I have nearly depleted the medicinal pastes in Father’s kit that treat sunburn and blisters, and since we left Madna’s I haven’t seen the right plants to restock.

  At night, I’ve been slowly decoding the pages of Firene’s secret journal. Thumbing through, I noticed Lexan’s neat block handwriting in the margin, telling a different prophecy - from Head Minister Saloman. I have no idea what it means, but with Zarea and Stian back, it is now impossible to talk to Lexan alone.

  As the sun is setting, Zarea pauses our group with a closed fist in the air. We fall silent and I peer around us, seeing and hearing nothing.

  She jogs ahead, slipping behind a gap in an outcropping of rocks. A few minutes later she reemerges, followed by two men. They are browner than any of the Tribe members from Hebron, and their hair is straighter and longer and shiny black.

  Stian steps forward and says a few words in a language I don’t recognize. I catch a few familiar words, but all I can do is smile politely when Stian gestures toward me. He is talking with his hands as well, and he points to his temple, then to the sky above us, forming a circle with his fingers.

  The men stare expressionlessly at Lexan and me for several minutes, and I’m beginning to think this was a very bad idea. Finally Zarea pulls a few of the coins from her pocket and the men inspect them with interest, holding them up to the dying sunlight to see the markings.

  They bend their heads together and speak quietly. Lexan reaches over to brush my hand and only then do I realize I’m calling fire within my clenched fists.

  “It’s okay!” Stian finally calls to us. “We’ll be their guests tonight. Come on!”

  We walk to them and the men inspect us like they did the coins, peering for our differences.

  “Pale,” the taller one says, and Zarea laughs.

  “Cave people,” she says.

  “Welcome to Kedesh,” he addresses us. “I am Chatan, and this is Mika. Don’t worry - you will never be prisoners in our Tribe.”

  I grin - welcome words.

  Lexan nods. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

  We follow them for nearly an hour, listening to Zarea and Chatan explain the differences between their Tribes. Hebron travels the hunting grounds and trade routes, splitting time between two main settlements. They keep few possessions and carry their lives with them when they travel. Kedesh is farther south and west: the warmer climate is livable throughout the year, and their homes surround many natural resources. There are many public areas, but each family unit has their own home.

  “Home seems to mean something different to everyone,” Lexan smiles as we finally enter the boundaries of Kedesh.

  A narrow, lush valley spreads before us, strung through with slim silver rivers and enclosed on three sides by steep orange cliffs. As I study the cliffs, I can see tiny pinpoints of firelight at seemingly random intervals and varying heights.

  “Also cave people,” Mika laughs at me, pointing up. “But not underground!”

  We are led up a flight of carved stone steps, nearly thirty feet from the base of the valley, and into a long, shallow room that appears to have been hewn directly from the hillside. Many people sit on benches and blankets inside, eating and laughing. Alcoves along the outside wall hold cooking fires, and small clay pipes guide the smoke out of the room.

  Chatan repeatedly claps his hands in a seven-beat rhythm and soon everyone is quiet. He speaks for several minutes in their musical language. Again, I recognize a few key words: Asphodel, Tartarus, and Hadeon.

  Stian leans toward me. “He is telling your story, although they seem to know most of the prophecy, like Hebron does.”

  “Won’t they want to use our power too?” I ask, still not entirely trusting their motives. The chains from Hebron are still fresh in my mind. Even if they weren’t a true threat, I did not enjoy the feeling of being a prisoner.

  He shakes his head. “Kedesh is not a fighting Tribe. There is no main leader, but an elected group of elders. They desire to shelter and protect, not rule or destroy.”

  Chatan turns to me. “Show us your fire?”

  It is not a command, and I relax at that simple demonstration of goodwill; it does more for my faith in Kedesh than anything else could. Lexan steps up behind me and I call fire into my palms. I keep the flames only a few inches high in this enclosed space, but the people still lean away from us, fear reflected in their eyes. Wrapping my fingers back toward my palms, I smother the flames.

&nb
sp; A child giggles and claps in delight, breaking the tension, and once the fire is extinguished, everyone begins to move closer, curiosity on their faces.

  We are given a comfortable place to sit, and food and thin wine is brought to us. Several young children crowd around, touching my orange-red hair and staring at our diamond implants. I call the fire a few more times for them, keeping the flames barely an inch high. Lexan sends tiny gusts of air to lift their braids and tickle their bare arms.

  “These people are so different from those at Hebron,” I whisper to Lexan during a lull in requests.

  He nods. “Or maybe the people aren’t that different. Maybe it’s the leader who forced us to be enemies.”

  I think of Eamon, and the girl who set us free. He’s right, of course. There are evil people in this world, but there are many more good ones. Ones worth saving.

  People who need a savior, however young and inexperienced I might be.

  But I can’t help but wonder what the people of Kedesh need saving from: they have no harsh leader like Keirna or Abraham, and their lives here seem blessed and safe.

  Word seems to spread quickly that we are here and that we’re traveling to Tartarus. More people gather to listen to Zarea and Stian tell stories, and eventually Mika returns with a group of four adults - two men and two women. All wear intricate ceremonial shawls which protect their shoulders from the chill in the night air, as well as serve as the brightest spots of color in the room.

  The oldest is a man with a thin white beard that reaches nearly to his waist.

  “Thank you for choosing to bless us with your visit.” He bows his head to us, and I feel a pang of emotion that I can’t quite identify. “My name is Onan. We will be happy to give you what supplies you can use.”

  “Thank you,” I say, realizing my eyes are wet with tears of gratitude.

  One of the women pulls a sheaf of papers from her shawl. “If you see these people, we would be honored if you could help them in any way you can.”

  “It would be an honor for a daughter of Hebron to aid the people of Kedesh.” Zarea bows her head and takes the papers. Perhaps a dozen drawings are there - young men and women, and several children. All beautiful.

  “Slaves?” I whisper, and Stian nods. Here is an answer to my naïve question: Kedesh needs a savior because of the evil that has spilled from Tartarus down into their verdant valley.

  I stare at Lexan and his face grows grim. I can almost read his thoughts before he sends them to me.

  Of course we will help them. Why else have we come so far?

  I barely sleep that night for dreams of so many young, innocent faces.

  In the morning, a pair of young girls gathers Zarea and me while a boy leads Stian and Lexan away. We are taken to a large, clear pool at the base of the cliff. There are already several women and children there, bathing and washing clothing and blankets. They are all naked, and unashamed to be seen by us. Zarea wastes no time stripping off her dirty garments, but I hesitate.

  Too many years of Asphodelian modesty.

  “Come on, Tre. Nobody’s watching you. Just enjoy the water!” She dives under the water, then surfaces and begins to gossip and laugh with a group of women. I have no idea what they’re saying.

  I sigh and look around again. Nobody is watching me openly, but I feel their eyes anyways. I wade into the pool in my clothes, then slowly take them off under the cover of the water. A few of the children giggle, but someone hushes them, and I gradually feel more at ease.

  I accept a cake of soap and wash the travels from my body. The water is clear and sun-warmed on the surface, and soaking in the sun restores more than just my cleanliness. Diving down a foot or two envelops me in colder water, more like home. I feel stronger - each hour spent here in Kedesh seems to be strengthening me not only for the remainder of the journey, but for whatever trials and madness await us in the desert depths of Tartarus.

  Later, over a lunch of stewed meat and vegetables, soaked up with slices from hearty loaves of bread, the Tribe’s four elders join us to discuss our plans and dispense much-needed advice. Again, I’m surprised by the generosity and trust of these people. If I could lead Asphodel like this, perhaps I would not loathe the idea so much.

  “We hope to get help from Lord Hadeon, and information on the prophecies,” Stian begins, and the older woman shakes her head.

  “Hadeon only destroys,” she says.

  “Salome, let them speak,” Onan asks her gently.

  “I know he is wicked,” Stian adds. “But so is the Leader of Asphodel. We can’t allow them both to continue to rule. Eventually they will meet and clash. There will be thousands of innocents caught in the middle.”

  “And what of Abraham and Hebron?” Salome asks. “What were Abraham’s plans with the star children?”

  I listen intently as Zarea answers. “My father has always wanted revenge on Hadeon for the wrongs done to our Tribe and others. He is even now making preparations to attack Tartarus as soon as Hebron has grown strong enough. He has begun to stockpile weapons from the old world, and he was hoping to use the star children and their powers to further his goal, but he is wary of Asphodel now. If they rise from the ground, they might attack Hebron, or Tartarus, or anyone at all.”

  “Keirna will attack somebody,” I mutter. I don’t know what her plans might be, but with her admitted hunger for power, it wouldn’t take long for her to identify a weak Tribe and strike.

  Onan combs his long beard with his fingers and seems to be thinking aloud. “If you could convince Hadeon that Asphodel is a threat, he might attack them. Even if he won, it would weaken his army, perhaps enough for Abraham to risk invading Tartarus. We could set our enemies against each other and wait to see who wins.”

  “There are so many innocents in these places. They will be the ones to suffer all these battles,” the other woman protests, speaking for the first time. Her voice reminds me of Mother’s: strong but quiet.

  “We will help protect these innocents however we can,” I say. “But the evil in this world has again grown too strong. It must be burned away.”

  I can feel Lexan watching me as I echo the thoughts from Lakessa’s journal. I’ve been reading it more often lately, and although I can’t always agree with her methods, I feel the same sense of injustice that her words express.

  “The world must be cleansed again - but I promise to bring Justice, not destruction. Then we can establish a new city with better laws, and work for a lasting peace for everyone.”

  Lexan makes a strange choking noise and drops his bowl, splattering stew over the ground. I watch him curiously as he helps Zarea clean the mess - he is so rarely clumsy - but he never meets my eyes.

  “Can you tell us more of the cities? Have any of you been to Tartarus? Does Elysium even exist?” I ask when we’re settled again.

  “Some of us here have been to Tartarus. Many more have gone and not returned. I can call a warrior to give you more information,” Onan answers. He calls to a young girl nearby and instructs her quickly. She runs from the door.

  “But none of us have seen Elysium. A few have gone west to find it, but none have ever returned,” Salome says.

  “Who named the cities?” Stian asks. “It couldn’t have just been random groups of survivors.”

  The other man finally breaks his silent observation to answer, and I can tell immediately that he is a born storyteller. Again, an image of Mother sweeps through my heart. For the first time since her death, my memories are sweet instead of painful.

  “You are right. Our world is never random, even when the patterns are invisible to us. Before there were three cities, there were thousands. But the cities fought brutally against each other, and the human race was in danger. So the gods chose three sisters to save us. When the world was ending, each was given the chance to save a group of people and begin anew. Each sister succeeded, but in very different ways. Aisa chose Elysium and placed her people at the edge of the earth. Clota chose Tartarus
to burn with light in the deserted desert-“

  “And Lakessa chose Asphodel to wait underground for the Starbright savior,” I finish. I wonder about the recurring number three - three cities, three sisters, three children.

  “Then you do know these stories?” He looks at me in uncertainty.

  I nod, dazedly, thinking about how literal Lakessa’s explanation seemed, and how mythological this one appears. And how the two match perfectly. “It’s a foundational myth in our religion, too. I just never believed it was true. And I certainly never thought anyone outside of Asphodel would know the stories.”

  He smiles. “All stories are true, Astrea. By speaking them aloud, we bring them to life. Once words mingle with breath and sound, they become something new and alive.”

  I look over to Lexan, and I can tell by his expression that he, too, is surprised at how well this story matches the one in Lakessa’s journal. How could just one family be responsible for saving the human race?

  Everyone is quiet for a few minutes, then Salome asks, “What do you know of the rebellion of the elements?”

  Lexan and I exchange looks with each other. I shrug, unsure of what she’s asking.

  “Abraham mentioned something of it to me,” Zarea answers. “Hebron has only experienced the heavy rains of spring and the winds we are accustomed to. But some of the wanderers told me of rumors from Elysium.” She glances at me. “The women at the bathing pool were talking about it as well. Evidently, some people believe that the elements - fire, water, earth, and air - are rebelling in the form of forest fires, floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes.”

  “Rebelling against what?” Lexan asks, looking at me sideways. I remember Lakessa’s description of something similar, before the Sickness began.

  Zarea shakes her head. “It’s all speculation. But there are some who have spoken of a new prophecy coming from Elysium.”