Their Pieces Were Stars by C. D. Tavenor

Author:C. D. Tavenor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Two Doctors Media Collaborative LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

She shouldn’t have been surprised. The librarians of Roanoke were the best of the best, respected by every citizen of Horizon. Yet late in the afternoon, as the sun slowly set across the western horizon, a crowd formed on the city’s side of the river near the bridge. A few dozen men and women, in addition to the librarians, all armed with personal blades, bolt-throwers, or other makeshift weapons.

And everyone had a lizard, the great beasts resting patiently. Their tongues darted in and out of their mouths, tasting the air.

It was a miniature militia, unlike anything seen since the Farmer’s Rebellion three decades ago.

“Well, I’m impressed,” Carter said, twisting atop his lizard to glance at her. Together, they slowly meandered across the bridge toward the crowd. “They’ll potentially be helpful. Though mostly, I hope they don’t get in the way.”

“I recognize a few faces,” Sanya replied. “A few friends of my father. My own friends. Former colleagues. And is that—”

“Sanya, I didn’t believe it when I heard, but this is magnificent.” The words came from Member Hood, approaching on his own lizard. “You will certainly honor Member Thespis and Master Davinport with what you’ve organized here today. We will avenge them. And we will save your family. I’ve heard the story.”

“Thank you. Seriously, thank you. For your support.” Sanya nodded her head, more out of confused surprise than gratitude. “How many of these men are from your family?”

“Five,” said Member Hood. “You know many of our fields are close to the hills inhabited by the cultists. We’ve let them linger for far too long.”

“Agreed,” Sanya replied. “Again, thank you. It means the world.”

“I would always come to the aid of a Fischer.”

“Excuse me, Sanya?”

She turned, glancing downward. Vietta stared upon Sanya, holding a black, leather-bound notebook in her hand. “I can’t believe what you’ve put together here, Vietta,” she said.

“I’ve cataloged every volunteer. Fifty-four, in total. According to Member Hood, that’s well above the estimated number of people living in any of the mountain strongholds, unless they’ve suddenly consolidated together.”

“Well done,” Sanya replied. “What role do you need me to play?”

“Well you’re the captain of this militia, of course,” Vietta said.

“You want me to lead?”

“They all expect you to lead. They are here to help you save your family, after all. That’s the call to arms we sent out.”

She couldn’t help it. Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away with a sleeve. “Then I suppose I should give a speech of some sort, yes?”

“I think that would be wise.”

The crowd swelled with anticipation, eyes turning toward Sanya, Vietta, and Member Hood. She exhaled, the warm afternoon air humid and sticky. What was she supposed to say? How was she supposed to tell these men and women their actions simultaneously mattered, in saving her family, yet were also irrelevant, given the galaxy-spanning mystery cavorting in the shadows? By the time their little army returned, everything could be different. The mysterious SIs apparently controlling their reality might reveal themselves to everyone at any moment, flipping Horizon on its head.

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