Edweena’s Muse

The Tales of The Seekers is a collection of short stories set in The Seekers universe. Feel free to comment so I can improve them. If you want to learn more, please do read my published books in the same universe: The Seekers: Soul-Ties, Kirin, and Perrin Peters. And if you don’t want to buy my books but still want to support me, I’m on Patreon. And if you prefer one-time payments, you can Buy Me A Pizza or a Coffee.

The poem was written by Mina Howell (Substack). She can write a poem for you as well if you go to her Ko-Fi page.

Artwork is by Maryk (Bluesky, X)

The smell of fresh straw in the morning always brought a smile to Edweena’s face. Standing on all fours all day was tiring, so the arnu needed to lie down on something soft and clean from time to time. Edweena used her pitchfork to move fresh straw from the wagon to a fenced-off portion of the pens. A few small arnu came closer to watch her work, making cute little noises. The rest of them were cleaning each other’s fluffy brown fur somewhere in the corner.

“Slackers!” Edweena chuckled, continuing her work. “We’ll just wait until you grow, and then put you into all kinds of sausages!” The imaginary taste of savory goodness made Edweena lick her black lips even though she had just eaten breakfast.

Once this patch of the wooden floor was covered with a layer of fresh straw, humming a cheerful tune, Edweena moved some of the animals, cordoned off another part of the pens, cleaned it thoroughly, and repeated the process of straw-laying.

She stopped developing sweat during this type of work some time ago. Do something for long enough, and your body and mind adapt. Yet, Edweena still enjoyed taking an occasional break. Today’s sky was of an exceptional hue of scarlet, obscured only a little by thin clouds and Land crumbs. Everything was peaceful and quiet in the village, just as she liked it during the day.

As the straw-lying was done, she began distributing the feed from the buckets hanging from the wagon. The hungry arnu rushed towards the fence where the tray was, pushing each other and making a racket. Edweena smiled, looking at them, but before she could grab the second bucket, the sound of hoofsteps came from behind.

She turned around to greet her guest, and something in her mind clicked, making her heart race and cheeks and ears hot.

The white hooves were soiled generations before Edweena was born. The strong legs went on and on, restlessly taking on the weight of monumental responsibility. The strong body was chizzled not only by toil, but also by the swords of raiders back in the early days of the village. The perfect purple skin was so dark it almost seemed black, yet it reflected a bit of the scarlet sky, for a chief had to be a beacon for her people. Smooth white horns that pierced many an enemy framed the gorgeous dark face, and the white lips gave it even more character. The simple leather shorts and jacket showed no indication that Star was the chief, yet everybody in the tribe knew her very well, and she knew each and every one of her people.

The stare of Star’s white eyes spoke of politeness, but Edweena suddenly wanted to see something else in them. Even this gentle gaze was almost too much, making her struggle not to look away.

“Morning, Edweena,” said the familiar, gentle voice.

Edweena was supposed to wonder what errand Star could have for her today. She was supposed to worry that maybe Mora complained about something, and she was now in trouble. Yet, none of these thoughts came.

“What’s the matter?” Star asked as her eyebrows furrowed. “You usually can’t stop talking and singing. It’s alright, tell me everything.”

What should Edweena say? She knew exactly what she wanted, what she needed, but was it right, all things considered, and why today? Star was constantly surveying her village, and Edweena saw her multiple times each week. Was today’s sky color what changed everything? The weather? The food she ate for breakfast?

No answers came. She had to make it work! And so Edweena kneeled before Star, lowered her head for a second, then gazed into the shining white eyes, and said it plainly.

“You are the matter, Star. You’re strong, kind, smart, and wise. I’ve always known that, but today I also saw just how beautiful you are. I want to be yours, and I want you to be mine. With all your qualities, why are you single? Why can’t I be the one who completes you? Tell me, Star, and let it be the naked truth.”

Afraid to breathe, she looked up at the person she esteemed and now adored, yearning for reciprocation. Star’s face showed exactly what Edweena expected: surprise, confusion, and then awkwardness. Chief or not, no one ever knelt before her, and the confusion probably ran deeper than this.

“Maybe I do know the answer.” Edweena stood up to make it easier for Star and to face her properly. “It will feel weird for both of us, I know. You founded the tribe long before I was born. You were there when I was but a child, teaching us everything you knew. You watched me grow while I learned the extent of your wisdom and experience. You are still our mentor, not just our chief, so the way I saw you today is strange. It feels abnormal, and maybe even a bit wrong, and yet, it doesn’t prevent me from wanting you.”

The end of the speech felt abrupt, but Edweena didn’t know what else to say. Her heart was in her throat, still hammering as she was waiting for an answer.

Star closed her white eyes and let out a quiet sigh. The spiked tip of her tail jumped into her hands, and she began playing with it while looking into herself. Edweena immediately became aware of her own tail, which cowardly snaked around her leg. No, not cowardly, but hopefully and longingly. She waited for an answer in front of the person of her newly awakened need. A need that never burned brighter. A need that never felt so right and yet so wrong.

Star’s eyelids opened, and her gaze met Edweena’s. “You’re right.” Her voice was not much louder than a whisper. “The lovers are supposed to be equals. How can we be equals when I’m your chief? Even if we try to make this work, something will always be off. Someone will be jealous, and others will accuse me of giving you special treatment. And if they won’t do it, I will accuse myself.”

Edweena shook her head. “The Lands aren’t perfect, Star. We can try our best to make this work, and this will have to be enough. As for special treatment — yes, this is exactly how we should treat each other. One person in the entire village should get such treatment, and it’s alright.”

Star took a step back, pressing her hands to her chest, and looking away. “Maybe. I need to think. Till later, Edweena.”

She strode away without saying what she wanted. An empty feeling filled Edweena’s chest as she watched the back of the person she’d chosen. The words and cadence of the voice still rang in her ears. And suddenly, the emptiness was no more, replaced by something hot and fuzzy.

It wasn’t a no.

It wasn’t a no!

Edweena stared at the Land crumbs lazily making their way through the scarlet sky, but she didn’t see them. She didn’t hear the noises of the village. Instead, she saw Star lit by the bright lights, heard her voice, and it was exquisite.

She didn’t remember how she moved to clean up the stables and take care of the equi, or how she moved to the verri barn. All her thoughts were about Star. The evening came, and she found herself back home. Her family on the first floor was probably lively, and Mora probably gave her some tasks for tomorrow, but none of this was on her mind.

Edweena dug through the mess on her desk, searching for a clean piece of paper among the drawings of costumes and sets, among half-finished poems, songs, plays, and music. She wanted to convince Iskrila to take the role, but now she had a new star in mind. Her hand quickly scribbled down the poem that had circulated in her mind for hours, then she jumped back to her feet, grabbed the dress made by one of Iskrila’s apprentices, and ran with it to Star’s place.

People on the evening streets turned their heads as she zoomed past them. The familiar road wasn’t terribly long, and yet it stretched for ages. Her hand knocked on the familiar door. The fast hoofsteps came from the other side, then Star’s lovely face appeared, sending a jolt of lightning down Edweena’s spine.

Star looked at her, saw the piece of paper and the dress, and stepped back to let Edweena in.

“You’re alone? Here, try this on!” Edweena pushed the dress into Star’s hands and sat on a bench deeper in the room.

The mistress of the house opened her mouth, but no words came out. She looked at the dress, then at Edweena again, and then did as she was told.

The dress sat perfectly on her! Made of a heavy red fabric and adorned with black lace, it had a square window above the breasts. The wide skirt with a long side cut and lace patterns almost reached the floor. Not many people even knew the word “dress,” so it made it a perfect garment for theater plays: exotic, expensive, and beautiful. And when a gorgeous person was wearing one, well, that was something else entirely…

Star looked down at herself, touched the fabric, smiled, moved a bit, and then whirled around, sending both the skirt and Edweena’s spirit flying. The whirlwind of red, the black and white, the confidence and grace of movement — Star was absolutely gorgeous!

“Lemme guess…” She came closer to Edweena, making her breath halt and her heart pound against her ribcage. “The dress is for one of your plays? You know I’m a lousy actress.”

Edweena shook her head, unable to stop staring into those amazing white eyes. “No, you’ll be perfect!

She showed the piece of paper in Star’s hands and kneeled before her once again. The poem was as fresh in her head as ever, and she was burning to finally read it out loud.

Perhaps it is the skies of red,

  or the promise swimming in your eyes.

    But my head spins with words unsaid,

      begging me to vocalize.

This desire has made up its mind,

  and burns a hole through my soul.

    This longing for you, forever enshrined,

      Despite my unease, it’s taken control.

If you’re willing, I make this vow,

  forever your heart will be held.

    A shoulder to cry on, if you will allow,

      your every doubt will be repelled.

All I ask is for your heart,

  my leading lady, my shining Star,

    Promise me we’ll never part,

      that you’ll always be my co-star.

The stage is set,

  the spotlight, shining,

    Will you ignore my minuet?

      or do you see our lives entwining?

Stop worrying what others will say,

  all you’ve sown, you can finally reap.

    Do not wait for love until your last day,

      come with me, take the leap.

As Edweena recited the contents of her soul, she watched Star’s expression change from surprised to awkward, then delighted, then to awkward again, all to settle on something quiet and weird. She pulled Edweena to her feet, then sat both of them on the bench.

The closeness made Edweena’s head spin. She could feel Star’s breath, and so stopped breathing herself. Those gorgeous eyes were so close, she almost lost herself in them. She flinched as Star’s hands held hers tightly but gently. Star’s white lips moved, and Edweena’s heart stopped, for she was listening very intently.

“If memory serves me, you are the first person who insisted on creating this bond. Many fancied me, and I fancied some, but when I explained to them why it was a bad idea, no one tried to convince me otherwise.” She shook her head, and her eyes and voice reflected a bit of sadness. “Maybe you are right? Maybe it is okay to have one exception, one person who will be special to me?”

Maybe you are right? Rang in Edweena’s mind, and she could barely hold herself seated. One person special to me…

Star continued, “I’m willing to try this, Edweena. I’m willing to try to see you in a new light. Shit, I’d have to see myself in a new light.” Star scoffed, shaking her head. “If it works for me, I’ll become ready to finally choose a lover. If it works for both of us, that lover will be you.”

It sounded complicated and uncertain, but it also rang true. As true as Star ever was. As true as Edweena needed her to be.

And as Edweena got her hands free, so now she could be the one holding Star, her mind was racing. It was the best day of her life. Star’s voice and image were forever etched into her memory. Whatever was coming, she was ready.

The End

Anton Anderson, 2025-2026

If you want to know a tiny bit more about Star, Edweena, and Iskrila, you can read my first fantasy book, The Seekers: Soul Ties.