Girl of Myth and Legend by Giselle Simlett Page A

‘We don’t give so much consideration to every Chosen who awakens in the human realm as we have to you. In fact, we’re not usually the ones who come to your home. We Chosen have much more important things to do then greet newcomers and bring them back to Duwyn.’
    ‘Then,’ I say, ‘why are you?’
    ‘You are not just any Chosen, my Lady,’ he says, and he meets my gaze with unflinching intensity. ‘The reason why your awakening of magic was so great, the reason why your eyes are red and no one else’s are… you are the heir to an ageless legacy, the heir of a slaughtered race. You are the last Pulsar, and we have been waiting for you for two hundred years.’

LEONIE

    A NEW AGE
    I sit with O’Sah, Dad, Pegasus, and the three Chosen around the campfire, watching the flames flicker and burn. While the others are talking animatedly about my arrival, my thoughts remain on the last Pulsar and how everyone had knelt before me.
    The implication of the moment was lost to me. I mean, I didn’t even know what a Pulsar was. O’Sah explained to me that there are four categories of Chosen, each more powerful than the last. First are Zeros, Chosen who possess barely any magic. Second are Phobien, Chosen who have a reasonable amount of magic. Then, there are Thrones, considered powerful and holding many influential positions across Duwyn. And last, the Pulsar, the strongest of Chosen, revered as almost god-like beings.
    I didn’t really understand. I still don’t understand. So Pulsar are powerful? Well, why is that so important? If I’m classed as a Pulsar, then I’m only one person. Compared to hundreds, even thousands of Thrones, I’m pretty sure even one Pulsar would pale in comparison, especially one who is just a kid and doesn’t have any powers to speak of yet.
    But by how everyone had knelt down in front of me, I’m guessing there’s more significance to being a Pulsar than I yet understand.
    ‘If I’m a Pulsar,’ I say, coming out of my thoughts and turning to O’Sah, ‘then what are you?’
    ‘We’re Thrones, my Lady, as is your father. Most Thrones adorn a crimson cloak, like the one I’m wearing.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘A telling of status. It’s tradition.’ He points his chin out importantly. ‘But in addition to being a Throne, I’m also a members of the Imperium Council. This pin here is only worn by Council members.’
    I lean forward to inspect it, never having had the chance to look at it in detail before. It’s small and golden with strange symbols linked together that remind me of a crop circle.
    ‘Cool,’ I say, but with the snarly look O’Sah gives me I’m guessing that wasn’t the response he was after.
    ‘Are you not on the Council then?’ I ask Dad.
    ‘Certainly not ,’ says O’Sah, and Dad smiles.
    ‘I don’t get it,’ I say to Dad. ‘If I’m a Pulsar, how come you’re a Throne?’
    ‘It’s not a genetic trait. Just because I’m a Throne doesn’t mean you’ll be. You could have been a Zero, a Phobien or a Throne.’
    O’Sah takes out his small silver disk, a holographic mes-sage appearing. ‘Excuse me, my Lady,’ he says, and he stands up and walks a little away from us.
    ‘So,’ I begin, turning to Dad, ‘if I’m the last of the Pulsar, does that mean I have to do anything… special?’
    ‘Not right now, no,’ he says.
    ‘But when?’
    Dad’s always been reluctant to tell me about this new world, so it doesn’t surprise me when he hesitates. ‘Your magic’s only just awoken. Your powers haven’t even shown themselves yet. Until then you haven’t got much of a responsibility.’
    ‘And when they do show up, my powers? What then?’
    ‘I suppose you’ll have to train.’
    ‘Don’t look so gloomy,’ I comment.
    ‘I’m not.’
    ‘Sure, you’re the picture of happiness.’
    I watch the Thrones across from us talking to one another.
    ‘Did you know?’ I begin in a whisper, so no one can hear us. ‘Did you know I’d be a Pulsar?’
    It