Starbright: The Complete Series

by Hilary Thompson

  Keirna smiles and continues. “However, I also believe strongly in the old Asphodel – in our religion and our beliefs. Please, Head Minister,” she turns and beckons to Saloman, who is seated two seats down from me.

  Saloman rises and stands next to Keirna. “My people, I do not yet have a new prophecy for you. When my sight is again opened to the stars, I will share every word. But for now, I want to tell you of an enlightenment I’ve gained – a reinterpretation of the Starbright prophecy, if you will.” The people are growing restless, unsure of his direction. Saloman typically gives us short, hopeful speeches. He is more of a supporter than a teacher.

  He clears his throat. “Perhaps, in the absence of a Starbright maiden, we could look instead to the all-knowing stars and the all-seeing moon. They have already given us another candidate – another Arien, born so close to the Vernal Equinox, that had he been a girl, we would have crowned him instead.”

  It’s about here that my stomach begins to churn. Styx – are they really going to pass me off as a religious figure? Is this the reason Keirna chose me – my birthday?

  “Like the Sun and Moon once split their watch over the sky, our blessed First Leader Keirna has graciously divided her power and created the position of Second Leader. So, my beautiful congregation, please accept my endorsement of Leader Aitan for this new honor.”

  Saloman pauses for a second, glancing back at me. Keirna beckons and I stand, stepping forward slightly. Although I figured Keirna would publically announce my new position, I had definitely not been expecting this. My cheeks feel flushed with embarrassment at how Saloman is profaning our old prophecies. Not to mention the anger surging through my veins because I was not warned.

  Whispers are hissing through the crowd like serpents, and I imagine the worst. Then Keirna holds her hand out to the crowd, and they settle somewhat.

  “People of Asphodel, please join me in welcoming Aitan, not only into his full position as Leader, but also into the new position as Second Leader!” Keirna claps her hands, and the crowd follows halfheartedly. I’m just a boy to them. I have no credibility, other than the endorsements of a dictator and her puppet of a partner.

  I sigh, raising my hand in an awkward wave.

  Keirna motions for me to be seated. “Smooth, Aitan,” Perce laughs under his breath. I turn and scowl at him, even though I can’t help but agree.

  Keirna wraps up the meeting quickly, and the crowd follows as we head to the doors of the Leadership Complex.

  A dozen or more protectors are ready to hold the people back if needed. I stand nearby with the remaining Leaders to see them off into the bright world above. One grand ceremonial procession.

  Keirna enters the Complex, then Perce and Seren, followed by the two hundred protectors. All pass by in a blur, shouts of encouragement and even tears spurring them on.

  I feel like knocking myself out on one of the rock walls.

  Dalen and his master, Corbik, pass by me without a glance, carrying scrolls of paper and a toolbox of straightedges and measuring sticks.

  Then Jasson ambles by, poking me with his elbow as he passes. His face is impassive, but his eyes hold mine for just a second. I realize he must be the healer who volunteered. I’m not sure what Keirna has in mind with that one.

  Finally, it’s over and I bark an order for the protectors to close up the door. Just then, Anyel sidles up to me, placing her hand on my chest in a gesture of ownership. She lifts her chin regally and smiles at the people watching.

  I bite back a snort.

  She has more faces than she has pride.

  The crowd parts for us the way they have for Keirna. Everyone is watching to see how I will handle my new title.

  Then I glimpse Isa in the crowd, her cheeks streaked with tears. And I remember what this procession has just come to mean for so many of the people here.

  They have sent their partners, sons, brothers, and friends into a world we have always been taught is dangerous. Only the coming of the Starbright maiden was supposed to make it safe.

  And instead all they have is me – a reinterpretation.

  I enter the Common Area and mount the steps of the platform where Keirna has just rallied their enthusiasm.

  I clear my throat as gradually the people notice I’m standing there and elbow each other, quieting.

  “People of Asphodel,” I begin, willing my voice not to shake. This is what I’ve always wanted – it just doesn’t seem real. I scan the crowd, looking for…I don’t even know what.

  The people blur into a solid mass before my eyes, and I struggle to take a breath. Will they listen to me? Will I even have anything of value to say?

  Then Isa’s blue eyes fasten on mine, and I realize what I need to say. The words begin to flow as though she’s whispering them in my ear.

  “My fellow citizens. I am deeply grateful for any faith you have to spare. If you will accept me as your Second Leader I will listen to your fears, answer your questions, and attempt to solve your problems.”

  They murmur in assent, and I step away from the platform. I hadn’t planned a speech, and suddenly I’m not sure if that was the right one to make – will the people respect me if I don’t act like Keirna? But Isa still holds my eyes, and she adds her smile. I smile in return, and my heart beats faster at our stolen, publicly private moment.

  Then I turn away, and Anyel’s eyes meet mine. They are narrowed, and she is not smiling. She’s seen.

  “Not a word, adulteress,” I hiss in her ear, and her head whips back as if I’d slapped her. She follows me home in silence.

  As soon as our door clicks shut against everyone else, Anyel turns on me.

  “I’ll not say a word, but I’ll not apologize either. You’re far too cold a person to keep someone like her happy. She’ll realize that eventually. The only love you’ve ever managed is for power.”

  She flounces into our bedroom and locks the door from within, leaving me struggling not to haul her away to the public cells.

  She’s partially right, though. I’m beginning to think I never even loved her – only the idea of how she could help me appear successful.

  But she’s partially wrong, too. Even if it wasn’t obvious to others, I’ve always managed to love one thing more than power – my family.

  And that’s where I retreat now. I gather a small bag from the bathroom and a change of dirty clothes from the wash basket, since Anyel is still locked in our bedroom.

  I slip out of the door without another word to her.

  Mother opens the door and greets me with a tired smile.

  “I hoped you would come visit,” she says, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I sag into her for a brief moment.

  “Can I stay the night?” I ask, my voice sounding defeated even to me. With anyone else, I might act less hurt, but Mother has always known the truth inside my lies.

  “Of course.” She takes the bag from me and pulls out the dirty clothing. “I’ll start on these. You get something to eat.”

  I’m holding a steaming mug of her spiced tea when she returns.

  “So. Second Leader? That was quite a surprise.” She gathers a mug for herself.

  “I know – I should have told you and Pasia. Keirna told me that day, but I—”

  “It’s okay, Aitan,” she interrupts, smiling. Her hand rests lightly on my arm. We sit in silence for several minutes, each seeking the solace of this small ritual.

  “Will you punish Anyel?” Mother asks.

  I snap my eyes to hers, but she only laughs. “I’ve known longer than you, Aitan. But that isn’t something you can convince someone of – and I wouldn’t come between you if there was hope.”

  “There is not hope. There is only the reality of who we are, and where we live.” I sigh heavily, thinking again of how unfair our rules are. Sure, Anyel and I chose each other. But what choice did we truly have? There were only a handful of matches available: by limiting us to our year in school, as well as our astrological signs, Asph
odel ensures that nobody actually has freedom to choose for love alone.

  “Your father and I chose for love,” Mother says. “But perhaps, with this new community of forming some of our laws could be…updated.” She grins. “Have you discussed any of your feelings with Isa?”

  “Isa?” I set the mug on the table too quickly, and some of the liquid spills over the side. Mother’s grin spreads into a light laugh. “Styx,” I say softly. “Am I that transparent?”

  “Only to your mother.”

  “And Anyel, apparently,” I mutter.

  “That woman has no room to talk. She’ll stay quiet, if only to keep up appearances. Her own infidelity makes her feel powerful. Realizing you could do the same will make her more loyal.”

  “As long as I’m in favor with Keirna,” I agree. Mother nods.

  I sit at the table far into the night, thinking about my options. For now, I decide not to involve Isa. I don’t want any of Keirna’s scrutiny to fall on her.

  I need to focus on proving my Second Leader abilities – not just to Keirna, but to all of Asphodel. When Keirna is gone, I want there to be no reason not to accept me as First Leader.

  FIVE

  Saloman’s loyalty is becoming weak. He himself is becoming weak. I worry that I have asked him to bend too far, and he will soon break. Mother warned me once of the fragility of ministers.

  I must remember to ask Gloran tomorrow about the dosage levels for the men. Some of them will be injured soon, and I must be ready to ease their fear.

  Corbik’s designs are wonderful, but too extensive. We don’t have time for his theatrics. Even his apprentice would be more prepared to design the simple structures we need now.

  There are so many new things to be done, and I need to delegate more than ever – but who to trust?

  First Leader Keirna’s Private Log

  In the morning, Pasia is waiting at the table for me, sipping tea and tapping her fingers.

  “Mother’s gone on to the growing rooms. So, it’s great that you got this new job – now you can focus on paying Keirna back for everything she’s done.”

  I blink at her and scowl. It’s too early in the morning for this.

  “Keirna is giving me everything I ever wanted. Why would I try to overthrow her now?” I ask, letting my sarcasm bite through as I sit heavily across from her.

  Pasia shakes her head, refusing to play my game. “Everything? Aitan, Keirna has only given you a shadow of what you hope for. A title, some false authority. What about Father and Lexan?”

  She is trying to force me back to revenge and revolution. Keirna has ruined my family. It’s what she does, and what she is likely still doing, this very minute.

  I sigh. “Relax, Pasia. Keirna will get her payback. But can’t I just enjoy my new authority for five minutes? Learn how to be a good Leader before I begin a coup?”

  “Think about it,” Pasia insists, leaning forward. “By splitting the men from the women, she’s leaving suspicion on people’s doorsteps. She’s sowing fear in hearts. She’s cloaking resentment with excitement, and everything is going to blow up in our faces soon.”

  “Plus our savior is gone,” I mutter, even though I don’t really want to add wood to her fire.

  “Yes, and don’t think for a minute that people won’t eventually remember and realize that. They might be overwhelmed with change right now, but as soon as some man dies topside, or loses an arm or whatever – you’re going to have a full revolt.”

  “And Keirna will be ready to fulfill that savior role, completing her plan.”

  Pasia nods. “And you, big brother, will be left down here in the cold and dark. When Asphodel is united again, a Second Leader is no longer needed.”

  Everything is instantly painfully clear, and I groan.

  “Keirna doesn’t trust me – she’s setting me up as the fall guy,” I mumble. “How could I be so stupid?”

  “Not stupid, big brother,” Pasia says with a sly smile. “Just duped with power. That’s the way she works, isn’t it? Which means you have to take her out before we all go topside.”

  I roll my eyes, but I know she’s right. Keirna is a master at giving you tokens of what you desire, then holding back when it comes to the real thing.

  “Do you know why I partnered with Ezan?” she asks me after several moments of silence.

  I glance up, curious at her change of topic. I actually have wondered that. Many times – the boy is barely half as smart as Pasia, and not exceptionally interesting or nice to look at.

  “He’s simple. He isn’t aware of so much of the bad stuff that goes on here – he’s not stupid, Aitan, but he’s blissfully unaware.”

  “And you thought you could be too,” I scoff.

  She nods, hiding her face with her mug. When she meets my eyes again, hers are shiny. “But we can’t hide from Keirna. We can’t hide from our family’s destiny.”

  “Revolution…” The word crosses my lips before I can stop it.

  “What?”

  “I talked to Saloman yesterday. He said our family’s destiny is revolution.”

  Pasia raises her eyebrows. “Well, there you go. Straight from the expert himself.” She snorts and slips her fingers over mine. “You’ve always wanted power. To be in charge. I never really understood it, because you never seemed to understand it. But maybe this is why, Aitan. Maybe this role is your destiny, and that desire has been preparing you. Now you just have to decide what you’ll be to our people – a dictator like Keirna, or a true Leader like Firene.”

  Her words wash over me like the sunlight – harsh and difficult to open to, but they change everything. I’ve been trying to please Keirna out of fear of losing someone else. But we are running out of time for such cowardice. I must be sure of my actions, but I must soon act.

  Keirna’s belief in sacrificing people for the good of the community isn’t right. Individuals should work together to make the community better – not have decisions stolen and truths hidden from them.

  She slurps down the rest of her tea. “You should know, though, that I’m stepping away. I’ve taken a smaller position in my vocation – away from Keirna. I’ll be staying home more soon.”

  I tilt my head at her, not understanding. Pasia has always been such an ambitious advocate and a true spy when it comes to Keirna’s affairs.

  She stands. “I’m pregnant, Aitan,” she whispers. “I hope you avenge Father – I want it so desperately – but I have to protect my child now. I need to stay out of Keirna’s way.” Pasia’s eyes plead with me to understand, but she slips out the door without saying another word.

  I stare into the mug in my hands. A child. Something I will never have, as long as I am partnered with Anyel, who is barren. I might understand Pasia’s change in priorities, but I’m also intensely glad I won’t ever need to do the same.

  When seeking revenge, it’s best to have few liabilities. I’m down to three – Mother, Pasia, and Isa. I pray that I can keep them from harm while I fulfill my family’s destiny.

  When I reach the Leadership Complex, there is a small group of people waiting just inside the main doors. I push past them as they gape at me, mouths half open as though they want to speak but are afraid.

  Safely inside the private office area, I search for Keirna’s assistant. “What is going on?” I ask, finding her filing papers.

  “Those people are waiting for you to listen to their fears, answer their questions, and attempt to solve their problems, Leader Aitan,” she answers without looking up.

  I curse under my breath, and a hint of a smile tugs at her lips. “I need an assistant,” I say after a long moment. A plan is forming for a different sort of revenge – more personal and petty.

  She whips her head up and glares. “I have been instructed—”

  “Not you, woman! Bring me Anyel. She can have a desk in the lobby area. If she wants to be queen, she can sit and listen to her royal subjects’ complaints.”

  A short laugh escapes
her before she schools her face back to a neutral expression. “As you wish.”

  I hide myself in my office, hoping not to emerge until Anyel has been thoroughly battered with fears, questions, and problems. This solution pleases me so much more than outright punishment.

  Just before lunchtime, Saloman stumbles into my office without knocking and settles himself in a chair across from my desk. He rakes his hand through his hair, standing it up even more than usual.

  “You must stop the people from moving,” he begins, his voice low and agitated. “Aitan – the prophecy is crystal clear that Asphodel must wait. It is our destiny. We cannot move like Keirna wishes.”

  “Then why did you sanction such a move yesterday?” I ask in annoyance, leaning back in my chair.

  “Because yesterday I did not know what has been revealed to me today.” He leans forward, an old man about to topple of his chair. His eyes are hugely round and fear courses through them. “The Starbright Maiden will indeed return – and she is bringing the Scales of Balance.”

  “Astrea and Lexan are coming back. Yes, I know. Anyone could guess this. I’m sure many hope for it. What are you really playing at?”

  “Asphodel is not balanced! We are being split into two communities. And without our full weight for the Scales, we will be judged as wanting!”

  “What does that even mean? When Astrea and Lexan return, they’ll help unite us again.”

  “No…” he shakes his head, floundering. “No. We have to be one people for Justice to be served. We cannot be divided. Keirna must be stopped!”

  I stand, my annoyance starting to twist into real anger. “I seem to remember having exact same conversation with you – on opposite sides! What has changed your mind, you fool of a Minister?”

  He barely registers the insult. Only shakes his head even harder. “Must be balanced. Must be united. The Garden…the Garden is waiting. We cannot enter the Garden until…until…”