An old teacher once told me a saying so ancient that it had to come from the Old World.
By: Marcus Aguilar
Tags: Fiction, Ya, Astrology, Fantasy, Magic

An old teacher once told me a saying so ancient that it had to come from the Old World. “If you can see them, they can see you.” Every time I think about her, her lessons flood back into my head, but this one was by far the stupidest. I have disproved it, a simple task once you’ve mastered the skill of being functionally invisible.

No one pays me any mind while I on the other hand, take notice of each of them. Some are more familiar, frequent customers of the market. While the new people catch my eye, shining brighter than the Stars I’ve stolen light from.

Poor children, many of whom looked to be even younger than me, but still I took note of them like I would anyone else. Never too young to learn the art of pick pocketing.

Their feet were barren, burning on the hot sand below us. The bodies were thin, familial markings were a rarity, and their hair was never longer than their ears. A few were even bald, shaven clean. Signs attributing to their weakness, born so low in the birth order it would be impossible for them to inherit their families magic or their respect.

Watching them made it harder to look at the brighter and bigger Stars that surrounded them.

The wealthy and powerful families of all ages seemed to line the streets around me, churning my stomach with their mere presence. Back length hair or even going down to their knees to brag about their status without having to open their mouths. That would probably be too much work for them anyhow. Shining jewels lined their sleeves, and their familial markings were highlighted on their bodies. They seemed to tailor their clothes to perfectly show off them off, probably made by one of the bald children in their families.

It was pride for them. Something not only to show off, but to look at and remind themselves where they had come from. Stars need to shine lest they blend in with the night sky.

The other people in the market were the Aids. Tall, hulking people who’s soul purpose is to serve. Their entire bodies covered in dark fabrics, hiding wounds and blood stained into their uniforms. They carried the bags their owners couldn’t be bothered to hold themselves.

Their one job is to help in anyway they can provide. And yet they do nothing for the children around who shamble around, waiting for death to claim them. Nor do they use their gifts to help fight in the war. Their talents are better served waiting on the Stats hand and foot apparently.



This is Dremar, this is the marketplace, this is my home.

And on the dirt roads, under the burning sun, and in between buildings and stands, are people.

I may not know their names, but I know them. The stars in the sky never change, and the Stars on earth don’t either. The only thing that does is what’s in their pockets. In my prime, it took mere moments to pick and choose who amongst the crowd was the best target. And of course, making sure I didn’t take everything for myself. Sometimes, I would laugh to myself at how easy it was.

Thin hands with longer fingers, with swift legs that often took me where I needed without instructions. My body is light, my voice quiet, and my movement are precise. Sharp and quick eyes that could see into the Stars' souls.

With coins to buy new shows, basic medic’s kits, and fresh water in which to bathe myself. My bags will be lined with jewels to trade amongst other children and vendors for items such as clothes and fire starters.

But most importantly, I stole food cards. Given to each citizen, unfortunately I am not one of these citizens. At the time, I didn’t know why. All I knew that my stomach was empty. Now, I know exactly why I, Notrien Tactuvia, was not and will never be granted citizenship. They would never let a Farian have the same rights as them, honestly it’s a miracle they even let me live.

My first theft was one I don’t believe I could ever forget. Everything about it still seems so unreal to me. The way the sun rose that morning was different even and the air was dirtier than normal.

I stood still for what seemed to be hours, the only part of me willing to move was my Concu cloak that swayed in the wind. My legs felt like concrete sand, like the slightest breeze could topple me, while at the same time, refusing to move. From my place in between Achia’s drinks shop and Minih’s questionably legal antique’s store, I watch a cluster of people in the town marketplace. I watched it all day and listened to my stoach ache in hunger pains. I couldn’t stop thinking about what would’ve happened if I got caught. They government and the people may not have been able to kill me then but with just cause, finding me to be a theif, they would have every right to slaughter me.

Still, just before the setting sun disappeared from view, I left my alleyway.

With my cloak covering my body I looked like a Concu child. It was perfect for a theif and was how I perfected my technique. No one looked at me, no one ever looked at binials as they are even lower than dirt. It was an odd sensation at first. To be in the center of the town, with enemies everywhere, but not a single eye on me.

Concu’s are children with little or no claim to their families magic, but have been bought by a wealthy adult. Sometimes as a house slave, sometimes for entertainment, but most often, Concu’s are forced to please their owners. They are seen as nothing but objects to the masses, something so insignificant that a simple cloak could make me next to invisible.

I headed towards the first person I saw. A simple girl with mid-length hair that framed her face in a way that which intrigued me. The girl’s skin looked so perfect in the evening sun. Her golden eyes had three dots under each, the marking of a family I soon learned was that of the Exy family.

With false confidence my legs walked past her and my hands snatched her bag, a rope went through the top to be tied around and worn on the waist. And just as quickly as I got to her, I left. Back to my alleyway.

Looking inside I found an entire stack of food cards! The sheer sight of them was enough to make me salivate. That girl was rich, that much was clear. I made a mental note of her.

Each day after, it became easier. Still I began to question my morality. When I traded their jewelry, cashed in their food cards, bought myself clothes and shoes, I began to wonder; why was it okay for me to take from the Stars?

As each day came to a close, I headed back to my alleyway, hidden between Achia and Minih. Looking up, finally taking off the Concu cloak, and feeling my hair fall to my sides and hit the sand.

I forgot the Stars I had spent the day taking from, simply enjoying the sky. And I made art in the night. Drawing on my legs with stolen pens, trying to figure out what the true stars said. Constellations weaving stories for those of us still awake. Dots of white on the black, dancing to their own silent beat.

I twirled my hair in my fingers and hummed to myself. Son to two prominent Farian families, and yet here I am. Stuck behind enemy lines, fighting for scraps, and without my inheritance. At least one day, I will get my revenge on this two, and show them all what true stars look like.