For Darkness Shows the Stars

dedicated mechanic around here,” Kai added.
    Horatio kept glancing at her, but Elliot refused to speak. What could she possibly say to Kai on the subject that wouldn’t sound ludicrous?
    “The Norths have had some recent difficulty with staff,” Horatio said at last, clearly trying to be careful. Elliot narrowly resisted tackling him to the ground to make him shut up. “They have lost several of their Posts in the past few years.”
    “Really?” Andromeda asked, in a tone that bore no real curiosity.
    Tatiana gave a haughty shrug. “I can’t imagine what is so attractive to them about the enclaves.”
    “I imagine, Miss North, that it’s the opportunities for advancement they would not have here on your estate,” Felicia said. “It’s why I left my estate twenty years ago.”
    But Tatiana was never one to take a hint. “You are a special case, Mrs. Innovation. Surely you can’t deny that the vast majority of these wandering Posts do not achieve the success that you and your husband enjoy.”
    “That is true,” said Felicia. “But it does not change my mind.”
    Tatiana’s eyes widened. “Really? But I have heard such terrible things. Too many Posts who leave the safety of their estates wind up as beggars, or worse. I for one would not be willing to take such a risk, were I in their shoes.”
    “How fortunate for you, then,” said Andromeda in an icy tone, “that you were born a Luddite.”
    “Yes,” said Tatiana, clueless. “I think so, too. I pity the Posts who have left this place.”
    For the merest flicker of an instant, Kai looked at Elliot, as if daring her to speak. The ax fell again, and this time it reached her heart.

E IGHT Y EARS A GO
     
    Dear Kai,
    Happy tenth birthday! Like always, I’m going to save you some of my cake. What are you doing this afternoon? My parents are throwing a party, as usual, but there is some time after lunch and before the party. I thought we could take the cake and go get Ro and have a picnic down near the creek. Did you finish Ro’s present? I know she’s going to like it.
    Your friend,
    Elliot
        
     
    Dear Elliot,
    Happy birthday to you too! I like cake and picnics. I’m supposed to help my da this afternoon, though, so take Ro down to the creek and I’ll meet you there.
    Your friend,
    Kai
        
     
    Dear Kai,
    I know this isn’t one of our usual gliders, but father bought me this stationery specially for all my thank-you cards. Most people bought me dresses. My mother laughed, knowing how rarely I wear them. My father did not find it so funny.
    Onto the thank-you card business. Thank you so much for thinking of me on my birthday. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated. I love the wind-up kitty. I had no idea you were making me a toy also! You are really sneaky.
    Your friend,
    Elliot
        
     
    Dear Elliot,
    I had to. After you told me the Baron wouldn’t let you have a real cat in the house, I knew exactly what you’d like.
    I don’t have fancy stationery, but thank you so much for the books. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated too. I can’t believe that these are mine to keep, that I don’t ever have to give them back. I promise to keep them hidden, like you said, though.
    My favorite so far is the one about the stars. Like I always knew about Alpha Centauri, because it was a Pointer, but I never knew it was part of a constellation that made a centaur. I guess I should have, given the name. I went and found it last night, but I don’t think it looks much like a centaur.
    Isn’t it strange that we know about stars that we can’t even see anymore? There are so many stars in the books that no one on the islands has ever seen. One day, maybe I can build a real glider and you and I can go see the rest of the stars, and the rest of the world, too.
    Your friend,
    Kai
        
     
    Dear Kai,
    That sounds like fun. I have always wanted to see Ursa Major, for example. I wonder if it really looks like a bear. From the outlines in the star book, I think not, since Ursa apparently has a long tail, and bears are supposed to have short tails, I think. I have only ever seen bears in books, though, so how do you know?
    Save room for me on that glider, and some day we’ll go see the stars.
    Your friend,
    Elliot

Eleven
     
    AS THE WEEKS PASSED and the Fleet settled into the Boatwright estate and their shipbuilding project, Elliot was relieved that there were few repeats of those first days. Tatiana seemed to have little desire