The Black Stars by Dan Krokos Page A

some stories about you, too,” Tom said.
    â€œIn truth,” Po said, “I don’t like doing what everyone else does. It’s boring.”
    Mason liked Po already; he wondered if they’d just made a solid friend, an ally. They would definitely need one.
    â€œMaster Zin seems nice,” Mason said, hoping to keep Po talking.
    But all Po said was, “Yeah. He is. But make sure Master Zin visits you. You don’t ever want to visit him. ”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œExactly what I said,” Po replied. “And one more thing—I’m assuming you’re both considered pretty skilled back where you come from, but this place is different. There are fourteen million applicants from schools across the country each year.” He smiled slyly. “About a hundred new students get accepted. I hope you brought your brains and your muscles.”
    Mason smiled. “If we were missing our brains or muscles we would certainly be dead.”
    Tom elbowed Mason. “Thanks for the warning,” he said sincerely.
    They walked down another hallway, this one made of warm wood, like a hollowed out tree trunk. It ended at a wide spiral staircase that went straight up. It too was made of warm wood; Mason thought he could feel heat through the soles of his boots. “I thought we have to choose something first?” Mason said. “How can you know where we’re going to sleep?”
    When Po spoke, it was like he was reciting something from a rule book. “In an effort to better integrate the two factions of Rhadgast, students will share sleeping quarters with students of an opposing faction.” He made a snorting sound, like that was the most ridiculous thing in the world. “ Better integrate, yeah right. It’ll never happen.”
    â€œWhy did you split in the first place?” Mason said.
    The wooden hallway now had doors set into the curving wall. “That’s a story for another time. I’m sure you’ll learn about it in Lore class. Not that Lore.” They stopped at the third door. “Here we are.”
    Po pushed the door inward. Inside was a large room with bunk beds lining the walls.
    â€œWait,” Mason said. “Master Zin mentioned preparing ‘the rooms below.’ For what?”
    Po hesitated.
    â€œWe’ve handled bad news before,” Tom said bluntly. Too true.
    Po spoke very carefully. “When students come to this school, they must undergo a test to find out which side they belong to. You have to earn your gloves.” Mason had noticed earlier none of the students were wearing Rhadgast gloves, including Po. Which made him feel a little better about his surroundings.
    â€œWe saved the Will,” Tom said defiantly. “Mason already earned his gloves.”
    â€œYeaaah,” Po said. “I heard about that. Very impressive and everything. It’s just … you have to earn them the way everyone earns them.” He looked pointedly at Mason’s hands. “I notice you don’t have your gloves now.”
    â€œThey took them,” Mason said, a little surprised at how angry it made him. He’d used those gloves to save lives. Tom was right: they had earned them. “Then what can you tell us about the test, if we have to take it?” Mason said.
    â€œI can’t tell you anything. It’s different for everyone. Also, I’d get expelled if they found out.”
    â€œWell how do we get on your side?” Mason asked. “The Blood side?”
    â€œOh, I can’t tell you that either. You have to find it in your heart.” Po widened his eyes, and Mason knew he’d just been given a clue. Maybe not the best clue, but a clue.
    â€œCan you fail?” Tom said. Tom prided himself on not failing tests.
    Po shrugged. “I don’t know. You probably don’t want to. I don’t know . I shouldn’t be talking about it. Just take a second to