Elegy for a Star

BEGINNING OF BOOK TWO

“We need to talk,” Kofi pulled Miren aside as they ran into one another in Kravana Hall, “I need to make sure that this is legitimate, Miren.”

“That what is legitimate, Captain?” Of course, Miren knew exactly what the Captain was talking about, but she always liked to play these sorts of games. It was something that she’d learned in the Winter Court: Don’t tip your hand until you absolutely have to. Miren hadn’t yet seen a reason to. These weaklings had never known what it was like to live in the Court—The real Court—or to serve an immortal lord. How much was a life worth when it was relatively so short-lived in the first place? The Corps was her way out of that life of fear and death, but that didn’t mean that she had to like it.

Still, she might as well make the most of it. She’d only gotten to go into the Void once, during her exercise. She had someone there—a friend—that she missed terribly. Miren didn’t make friends easily. It was difficult to do when everyone was so gullible—so immediately trusting. No one had their guard raised. Everyone was so vulnerable. They wouldn’t understand her or what she’d been through, even if she deign it worthwhile to tell them.

“That you have so many points, Miren. That is impossible in the time you’ve been here,” Kofi explained, brow furrowed. She expected Miren to have cheated. It was a fair assumption; She wouldn’t say it out loud, but she remembered her training:

“If you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying. If you get caught, then you weren’t trying hard enough.”

Miren firmly believed in that credo.

“Captain, I assure you, it is the truth,” Miren replied, holding her hands in a gesture of innocence, “I stayed up day and night to accumulate those points for the squad.”

Kofi was still giving her an accusatory glare, “How? You would have to… how much sleep did you get?”

“About four hours a night, Captain,” Miren replied, “Sometimes more, sometimes less.” This time it was the truth. You needed to earn trust before you could use it to manipulate others.

“What did you do to earn the points?” Maupoissant inquired, “This is the same amount that the rest of the squad has earned together in almost the same time that you’ve been here.”

Miren nodded, “I served voluntary extra duty: guarded the parapets, helped with the chow hall, organized the library… I worked as an assistant and tutor for the War of the Courts class.”

“MIren, this…” Kofi replied, shaking her head in disbelief, “Your actions are going to earn us an assignment. From there, we’ll be in the clear.”

“That was my goal, Captain,” Miren replied with a firm nod, “I was hoping to earn my place among the squad. You know how my kind are often treated, so far south.”

A sympathetic look crossed Maupoissant’s face; exactly what Miren hoped for.

Kofi had a smile on her face for the first time in a long while. A concern raised in Maupoissant’s eyes, “There is something I wanted to talk to you about.” Miren nodded her head and Kofi continued, “Gwendolyn is back. I would like your opinion about her in the squad. The others are… Well, they’re too close. You haven’t known her as long, but you have seen what she’s done. I need your opinion so that I can make a choice.”

Miren nodded, “Dame Gwendo-...”

“Just Gwendolyn. She was stripped of her status as a knight,” the Captain instructed.

“Ah… right.” Of course, Miren already knew, but it helped to sound as though she were out of the loop as much as possible, “I believe that Gwendolyn is a valuable member to the team. Not only as a warrior, but as a motivational power within the squad. Removing her might as well remove the others. They are bound together, as far as I have seen. Beyond that, I do think Gwendolyn is a core component of the squad. I would not wish to venture into the Void without her.”

“I see,” Maupoissant replied, “I appreciate your perspective on the matter.” The Captain seemed to think for a while before adding, “And I appreciate your contribution to the squad. This will get us back into the Void and away from College jobs and probation.”

“I am happy to be of assistance, Captain,” Miren replied with a soft smile.

After this interaction, Miren departed to her dormitory room. Her roommate had refused to room with a Winter Fey, so Miren had the entire room to herself. She preferred it that way, of course; more room for her artwork. She managed to get a significant amount of paper from the librarian when she assisted with the organization of misplaced books. After that, all she needed was some charcoal, which was easy enough when she worked the kitchens.

She wasn’t much of a fan of anyone seeing her work, so Miren never invited anyone into her dormitory. She kept it hung upon the walls that wouldn’t be seen if she peeked her head out of the doorway. She only drew one thing. One person. It was all she could do to remember him, to idolize him. She wished that she could be with him, but for that, she needed to venture into the Void. Since her squad was too incompetent to get their own points, Miren would do it for them.

She just needed to find a home. She would live in the Void if that’s what it took to be with him forever. He was the only one to ever understand her, having been through much of the same struggle as Miren. It was so unfair that they must be separated every time she returned. It made her feel ill.

Miren sat down upon the edge of her bed, resting her head into her hands. She didn’t cry. She wouldn’t cry. She couldn’t remember the last time she had shown such weakness, but gods if she wasn’t in pain. “I’m going to find a way,” Miren spoke to nothing in particular, “I will live in the Void for the rest of my life.”