Preview – Starcaller

Starcaller

Chapter 1 – All That Glitters

This is my chance to do something right, she thought as she walked up the stone steps pockmarked with bits of stars from the far-flung corners of the universe. 

My chance to do something greater. 

Her bag bloated with her belongings dragged against the steps as she pulled it up behind her, making little rocks skitter away, occasionally sparkling with deep hues when the sunlight caught a bit of some metal or crystal fleck inside it.

The gates were more humble than Umbriel was expecting. Finely wrought iron for sure, spun into the spirals of nebulae and the jagged alignments of constellations, but it did not shimmer with rare metals or tower over her as if expecting a giant to push through.

It was also not open. 

Nervous energy flitted in her stomach. Had she been so excited that she had gotten the date wrong?

She tenderly pulled out the letter from her coat pocket and unfolded it reverently. The page was written in a flowing hand and her thumb traced the ridges of the wax seal at the bottom.

Dear Umbriel Haupt,

You have been bestowed the great gift of hearing the Stars speak. As such you have the opportunity to attend Knowsoth Academy where you will be instructed in the arts of Starcalling, Transmutation, Starpulling, Thermic Arts, Gravitational Arts, Illumination, and Divination. The knowledge of the stars and those that have access to them have always been at the forefront of the flourishing of society ever since the first Starcaller heard the voices from the night’s tapestry in the second year of the Rykint-Vall War. You will be participating in a tradition of scholars and leaders who shape the world we know today and into the future. Attend the Academy at midday on the Seventh Dawn of Cool Spring to begin your journey in learning the secrets of the Stars. Room and board provided.

Umbriel had read the letter so many times that she wasn’t sure if she was really reading it or just reciting it from memory. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut for a moment, enjoying the reprieve from the bright light of the sun then looked again. She was sure this was the day.

The straps of her bag were digging into her shoulders and it was making her already chafed neck uncomfortable so she set it down, buckles clacking on the stone, then brushed off her shoulders and front before stepping up to the gate.

Moving closer made the light reflect off the iron right into her eyes and she winced as a fresh spurt of pain traveled from her eyes to the center of her head. She stepped off to one side and placed a hand on the warm metal. Umbriel didn’t dare do more than push lightly to check if it was locked. She didn’t want to mess up on her first day. It was a miracle she was even here, a gift from god, or the stars, maybe. She couldn’t afford to mess this up.

Or it would be back to her small village where she made ornamental feathers that lords and ladies wore to their high fashion events. Back to where they hated her.

She could see the large pavilion beyond the gate that stretched across most of the courtyard, as well as paths and stairs that led to the more distant towering buildings. The pavilion was odd in that its roof let the sun through. While vines grew on the walls of the gated academy, none grew on the pavilion’s white stone pillars.

She spotted someone arranging the cushioned seating underneath the pavilion’s faulty roof. They worked their way towards her and she could make out that they were holding an umbrella to shade themselves from the sun. The person worked very leisurely, with one hand holding the umbrella, they made small, seemingly pointless adjustments to the furniture. They were slender and their blond hair was pulled into a bun. Umbriel was unsure of their gender but they looked only a bit older than herself.

The person paused to examine their work and as their eyes drifted across the courtyard they noticed Umbriel for the first time. She waved at them demurely. The person didn’t respond and stared at her for what felt like minutes before they walked towards her.

“Hello!” Umbriel said cheerily.

Man or woman, whatever they were, up close they were a treat to the eyes. Under the umbrella, discerning blue eyes were framed by soft high cheekbones and strands of their dark golden hair. Hands with long fingers held the umbrella loosely at a jaunty angle. A hair strand had gotten caught on a chain earring that dangled from one ear. A gemstone sparkled on the end.

“Are you a student?” the person asked.

Umbriel nodded emphatically. “I didn’t steal the robes,” she joked.

The person frowned. “Why are you wearing them?”

Taken aback, Umbriel took her time parsing the question. “Because I’m a student? They were provided.”

A puzzled look passed across the person’s face.

Umbriel’s heart sank. “Was I not supposed to?”

“No, it’s technically allowed. Most students don’t until the second day.”

Umbriel picked at a piece of lint on the front of her robe emblazoned with the emblem of the school as well as a smaller emblem of the kingdom of Tethysta, where she was from. “Technically allowed? Is there a reason not to? It’s a lovely material.”

The person stared at her. “Where are you from?” they asked, not answering her question.

“Tethysta.”

A flicker of irritation in their brow. “No, what school?”

“Just the local one. I doubt you would know it.”

That answer drew their eyebrows up in surprise. “Rising Steps School in Lapseth?”

Lapseth was the valley city that Umbriel had just traveled from to get here. “No,” Umbriel replied. “Where I’m from. Danya.”

“I’ve never heard of it. Where is that?”

“I said I’d doubt- Look, I’m beginning to feel like this is an exam.” Umbriel gave the person an easy smile, because despite how scared she was, the joy of being here won out easily. She reached through the gate’s bars with an open hand. “I’m Umbriel. You can call me Brie if that’s easier.”

The person touched the base of her palm with a slender finger and then offered their own palm in return. Umbriel touched the soul line. They seemed to process this for a second before looking up at her.

“Dara. I’m a third year.”

“Oh! You’re a student?”

“I am. Why are you here so early, Umbriel? You got the invitation, right? It says the opening ceremony is midday.”

It doesn’t say anything about a ceremony, Umbriel thought privately. “I know,” she said, smiling sheepishly. “I was just so excited at the opportunity to be here that I couldn’t stay in the city when I woke up.” Reading Dara’s expression, she again felt a lurch of having broken some unspoken rule. “Am I not supposed to have done that?”

Dara shook their head slowly. “Technically you can. I just don’t know if I’m supposed to let you in yet.”

“But you’re a student as well?”

“Yes, but I’m working as a steward while school is on break.”

They both stood in silence for an awkward moment. Umbriel pinched and twisted the robe with two fingers, now feeling terribly self-aware that she shouldn’t be wearing it.

“Your umbrella is beautiful,” she said.

Dara gave her a small smile. “Thank you. I got it in a moment of weakness.”

Umbriel started. Perhaps they were a kindred spirit? “Don’t like the sun?” she asked.

“I overheard an unfounded rumour that the sun’s rays, when absorbed into the skin, would make the stars less willing to speak to you. It was the peak season of Listening and I was terribly behind and losing sleep over it. But yes, I’m also enjoying the relief from the heat.”

Umbriel’s eyes were once again drawn to the earring. The gem seemed to contain inner light, even under the umbrella’s shade. The wind traced down the steps behind her and she heard whisperings in its wake. “Your earring is beautiful too. What a lovely stone.”

Dara leaned in towards her. “You know, in Stethe, where I’m from, it could be considered rude to give me too many feminine compliments back-to-back. Three would be where most would consider it an insult and not a misstep in decorum.”

Umbriel started. “Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t know. To be frankly honest, I was leaning towards believing you were a woman. But now I’m even more confused.”

Dara smiled wide. “Now to us Stethen, that is an excellent compliment.”

Umbriel stared more intently at the gem as it danced from Dara’s minor head movements. She could hear the undertones of something in her mind. Could it be?

“Is that a Star?” Umbriel asked breathlessly.

Dara cocked their head, lowering the stone and looking towards it. “This? Yes, it is. It seems like there is a lot you do not know. Where are you from?” they asked again.

“It’s a tiny village. You won’t know it.”

Dara’s expression once again went to puzzlement. “You grew up there? Why?”

“What do you mean? That’s where I was born.”

Realization crept over Dara’s face. “You never went to a prep school. You were talking about regular school,” they said, dumbfounded.

“Not everyone has that kind of money,” Umbriel said defensively.

Dara patted Umbriel’s shoulder in something akin to pity. “You may have a hard time here. Best of luck.”

“You’re acting like every student goes to prep school first.”

Dara shrugged as they turned to leave.

“But that’s not a requirement. The school welcomes everyone. Progress no matter the source. That’s what they say.”

Dara looked back over their shoulder, “Yeah, technically.”