Girl of Myth and Legend by Giselle Simlett

mean to let his words rile me up. I work so hard to forget, so hard to block out the past, and I do a good job, too. But when he ambushes me like that, when I have no time to put up a wall against his words, how can I remain insensible to the past?
    ‘She saved you.’
    Yes, in many ways she did. But I didn’t save her.
    I rest my head against Pegasus and close my eyes, drown-ing out the world.
    _________________
    The Sandman has been holding out on me lately, so sleep hasn’t come easily. Sunlight filters through the window and onto my bed, telling my eyelids it’s morning. I sit up and find Pegasus on my bed; at least that hasn’t changed. Hugging my knees, I glance around the room. It doesn’t seem as forbidding today, and the scarlet is just that, a colour.
    I keep thinking about Dad’s words last night, about how Pulsar were the sword and shield of the Imperium, and I wonder if that’s why the rebels see me as a threat, because they think I’ll destroy them. Hah! The attack yesterday must have proved to them how weak I am, how powerless and unmagical I am.
    It’s not like I don’t understand a little about my duties as a Pulsar, how challenging it will be, how difficult and consuming and how alone it will be. But that’s what I like about it. I want to be consumed by something. I don’t mind being alone. I don’t. I don’t.
    Even if I did mind, there’s no turning back from the choice I’ve made, the choice to come here. After seeing what I’ve seen, and knowing there’s so much more , I can’t go back to that empty life in that empty cottage. I can’t.
    I climb out of bed, booting out Pegasus as per usual. I thank those stargods everyone’s so crazy about when I find an en-suite. As I wait for the water to fill up the bath, steam rising from the tub, I look into the long, grand mirror standing opposite me. Eyes gaze back that aren’t my own, a reflection that doesn’t quite belong to me. It’s like I’m not Leonie Woodville anymore, but someone different , the legendary Pulsar everyone keeps going on about. I turn away.
    Once I’ve finished washing, I notice my suitcase in the bedroom beside the cupboard. Sersu or Dad must have brought it with them. I was assured when I was back home that I didn’t need my clothes, that they had ‘appropriate clothing’ for me, but judging by the robe fad here, I made a good decision to bring them with me. I quickly dress.
    There’s a knock on the door.
    ‘Leonie?’
    ‘Yeah, I’m here.’
    The door opens and Dad walks in.
    ‘You OK?’ he says. ‘Sleep well?’
    ‘I had a dream about a sock that tried to kill me. How about you?’
    ‘My dreams were less exhilarating.’ He stares at me, hesitant, and then puts on a smile. ‘So! I found out this morning that there’s someone else like you here.’
    ‘Pulsar?’
    ‘No, no. Someone ignorant.’
    ‘Great. Somehow, I’ve got the label “ignorant”.’
    He shifts.
    ‘What?’ I say.
    ‘Hmm?’
    ‘You obviously have something you want to say.’
    ‘Right… well, to be honest, Leonie, it’s only Pulsar that are brought to the Temples of Elswyr when they awaken, but knowing how you’re new to all this, Harriad arranged for someone else who’s just awoken their magic to be brought here, too.’
    ‘Wait, so, only Pulsar come here usually?’ I ask.
    He nods.
    I ‘tut’ but I’m not that bothered being misled. I know that O’Sah, Harriad and Dad are just trying to keep me relaxed, and after what happened yesterday I definitely need to be relaxed.
    ‘He’s at breakfast,’ says Dad, ‘so if we hurry up, you can meet him.’
    I think about it. It would be good to meet someone new—not ignorant—to this world like me. Besides, I’m starving.
    I leave Pegasus and follow Dad out of the room and through the corridors. I get to take a proper look this time. The walls are marble tinted like gold, polished and glinting from the light of the candles. I’ve never seen anything like it, and