Startica Legends
Chapter One

A boy and a girl stood together on a hill, just outside a small village, on the planet of Jurai. The girl appeared to be about fifteen, the boy perhaps sixteen. They were silent, watching the sunset blazing in the sky, and listening to the noises of the festival going on in the village below them.

Finally, the girl spoke. "You just moved here, then? Where are you from?"

"My family just came from Tren. I was born on Jurai, but I grew up there. I've never even celebrated Startica before now."

"Really? Then you must not know the legend."

"What legend?"

"There's a legend saying that when a boy and girl spend Startica together, they'll be together forever." She giggled. "Are you sure you want to be bound to me for the rest of your life?"

The boy made no answer, and she didn't push. Presently, she spoke again.

"I guess you don't know about the other Startica legend, either. Do you want me to tell it to you?"

"If you want to," he said, pretending to be indifferent.

"Okay." She smiled at him. "This story is about the first Emperor and Empress of Jurai. People say that any child born at midnight on Startica is a descendant of them, and will be very special."

"Special how?"

"Well, if the baby is a boy, he'll be 'chivalrous, friendly, and good,' and he'll have 'courage beyond the ken of mortals'. If it's a girl baby, she'll be 'pure of heart, sweet-tempered, and wise,' and animals and children will love her."

"That doesn't sound very exciting."

"Well, you wanted to hear the story."

"Sorry."

"It's okay." She cleared her throat, and, slowly at first, then with growing confidence, began to recite the tale of Startica.