Sylar
Chapter one
(Present day.)
The midsummer sun streams through Moonscliffe Library’s stained-glass windows, painting the floorboards in rich pools of sapphire and soft lavender.
Up here in the quiet sanctuary of the private study, a galaxy of dust motes dances in the light like tiny shimmering stars.
I pack away my quills and study references, trying hard to ignore the sudden tightness in my chest. Isolde is packing her things as well.
Our final tutoring session is officially over, and the realization hits me in a way I never prepared for.
I turn my gaze to the young Elven lady, offering her a reassuring smile. “How do you feel?” I ask.
She beams at me. “I can’t believe this is the end of our time here together,” she replies in a singsong voice that reminds me of her brother’s confident charm.
Maybe their sunny personalities are just something that runs in the family.
Isolde is smiling as she gathers her books, clutching them to her chest like a treasure.
“Indeed, it’s been a true pleasure tutoring you.” And I mean every word. It really has been wonderful. Isolde is brilliant, passionate about her studies, and quick-witted.
“You’re seriously my favorite tutor, you know.”
I scoff. “You probably just say that because you’re best friends with my sister.”
She smacks me playfully. Now that I’m no longer her official tutor, I let it pass, guiding her out of the private room and into the main library.
“Talia has nothing to do with this. You are so freaking talented, and interesting, and fascinating,” she gushes. “And you make tutoring go by so much faster than any of those old snobs.”
“Isolde! You can’t talk about your other tutors like that.” But even as the words leave my mouth, a smile tilts my lips. “Only you would pay me such compliments.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not the only one,” she mutters under her breath, causing me to narrow my eyes. We make our way through the library. Elves all around us study the ancient texts as we quietly meander between the shelves toward the front exit.
“Anyway, I’m curious why you decided to end our lessons with the story of the Traveler’s Lantern. Out of all the celestial stories out there, why that one?”
Warmth fills my chest when she finishes speaking. She’s always had a curious mind. It’s why she’s one of my favorite students. I like to imagine some of the young elves I tutor growing up and finding their true passions. I know she’ll go far.
“I love that you actually asked why. You’re the only student this year to ask. When I was around your age—”
She barks out a laugh, interrupting me. “Around my age? Dear stars, Sylar, you make it sound like you’re an elder. You’re only twenty-eight, for heaven’s sake.”
“Twenty-seven,” I correct.
Isolde rolls her eyes. “Exactly.”
“You’re even younger than I thought you were. Stop acting like you’re one of those old farts.”
We weave our way down the cobblestone path. “Well, compared to you, I am old, so respect your elders, brat.”
Her whole face lights up as if calling her a brat is the highest praise. A little pang of pain settles in my chest. Isolde, the girl I’ve tutored for almost seven years, might be my only true friend. How sad is that?
“Well,” she nudges me with her elbow, “are you gonna tell me why you chose the Traveler’s Lantern for your last lesson?”
“I was feeling reminiscent,” I reply.
“Hmm. How so?”
“Well, brat, as I was trying to explain, when I was about your age, my astrology tutor used that myth for his very last lesson.”
She arches a curious brow.
Schooling here in Moonscliffe can be quite different compared to other towns and territories in Everend. We tend to have specialized tutors for various subjects, and most of the time our lessons are either one-on-one or studied in pairs.
“Your brother and I were paired together with most of our tutors.”
She rears her head back in shock. “Raylen?”
The smile falls from my face just hearing his name.
My feelings for the cocky elf are quite mixed.
On the one hand, I was always so curious about him.
But he was always so confident, and for some reason, that always made me shy.
Even shyer than usual. On the other hand, I was always so jealous of him.
He’s attractive and makes friends easily.
He’s of noble blood. Wealthy, unlike my own family.
I used to think he never struggled a day in his life.
They were foolish, childish thoughts. It was only later that I discovered he and his sister were orphaned young and raised by their aunt.
It’s why Raylen never celebrated a Nameday.
It wasn’t until he was eighteen that I read in one of those town gossip rags that he chose his name and pronouns.
Although for the life of me, I don’t know why he changed the spelling of his name when it’s still pronounced exactly the same.
“Do you have any other brothers?” I quip playfully.
“No! I just always assumed you two had one tutor together. Not multiple tutors. Honestly, this makes sense now.”
I side-eye her, wondering what that means.
“Anyway, back to the lesson. My tutor ended his session with Traveler’s Lantern.
Like you, I was curious. Why that particular story?
What was the meaning behind it? Out of all the stories we’d learned throughout the years, that one was probably one of the most romantic.
It also happened to be my favorite. I expected there to be some big lesson in life or some undeniable truth I can’t deny as I ended my tutoring session.
Over the next several years, I thought about it.
I concluded that there are several lessons you can gather from the story, depending on what you are going through in life when the myth reaches your ears. ”
“As I said, the Traveler’s Lantern was one of my favorites growing up, so of course I already knew the story by the time my tutor told it to me.”
She laughs. “Of course, you already knew it.”
I side-eye her again. She’s seriously such a brat, just like her brother, I think happily, before the thought causes me to freeze.
It’s not often I think of Raylen with such fondness in my heart.
The cocky little elf used to be such a showoff.
Hell, he still is, if all the gossip articles are to be believed.
“Alright, let me see,” she says, tapping her chin. “I imagine one of the lessons has to do with following your heart or maybe following true love’s path, the way that the two goddesses did. But what else? There has to be something more than just that.”
We make our way around the bend, and my cottage comes into sight.
I contemplate whether I should let her learn things as I did when I was her age, but it’s so nice to chat with someone who has a love for the myths as I do.
I’ve been so damn lonely lately. Something I’m starting to think I need to change.
“Yes, I think there’s a little more to it than just the simple lesson on the surface.
I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong when it comes to choosing your path and finding your passions.
If your dreams push you to travel the world, there’s nothing wrong with that. ”
She glances at me, nodding. “Just like it’s okay if another elf’s goals encourage them to stay. Both paths are okay. Neither right nor wrong.”
“It’s a matter of just making sure you follow your passion,” I continue. “No matter which route you take.”
She nudges me with her elbow again. “Well, did you follow your passions?” she asks, bouncing on her toes eagerly.
Without meaning to, the small smile slips from my face as I think back to my goals and dreams I had over the last ten years.
I don’t have any real friends besides my mother, my sister, and Isolde.
The main reason I stayed here in Moonscliffe and traveled to the edge of the mountain for university is to join the Celestial Society.
It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.
I might have a passion for the stars and myths like a lot of elves in Moonscliffe, but I didn’t just want to learn about my own town’s beliefs.
I wanted to hear all the variations of myths and their constellations out there.
I wanted to study the different cultures that revolve around myths and stars.
Celestial stories are just as important.
To an elf, a creature born of magic, constellations are just as important as the study of mathematics or science.
It’s just as important as everyday charms or history lessons.
And it’s even more important to the elves who don’t have access to their own magic.
Those whose magic is living dormant inside them.
The stars above us are proof that there’s magic in everyday things.
Magic is all around us. Just because one elf might not have access to their magic or believes they don’t have any, doesn’t mean they aren’t just as important as anyone else.
The Celestial Society believes that. They know how important these stories and myths are to all of us.
The books and scrolls I have access to here in town are very limited compared to what the Celestial Society has access to, and I want to be a part of that. I want to learn everything I can about astronomy. I always have.
Despite my quiet demeanor and my shyness, I’ve been eager to apply for a booth with the Celestial Society at the Everend Market. What would it feel like to chat with others about my passion? To find my people. And goddess forbid, to find love…
But applications are rarely taken, and the Celestial Society is even harder to get into. I had one opportunity to apply about five years ago, but I was too scared. Fearful that I wasn’t good enough.
In retrospect, not applying is one of my biggest regrets. Even if I didn’t make it, I’m sure I would have been given a reason. I could have spent the last several years preparing. Instead, I’m just as scared.