Creed of the Stars:

By Aurora Mandeville

Rosara achieves her dream of being a Captain, but the hard part is yet to come. She has to select a crew, get assigned to a ship, and get orders for her five-year exploration. But as she soon finds out, being a Captain isn't about all the glam and glory, as hard decisions must be made, even something as hard as forgiveness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aurora Mandeville
• Release date: Jan 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370049752

Aurora Mandeville

Hi y'all! My real name is Amanda, and I was born in Louisiana. I've done some moving since then and now reside in colorful Colorado with my family. I've been interested in writing my own stories and poems ever since I was little, though I didn't actually start putting pen to paper until I was sixteen. Many of those stories will never see the light of day, and if they do, they have been thoroughly revamped until they are practically unrecognizable (seriously, my first attempts were not that good). I do write Fanfictions as well, most of which can be found here: https://www.fanfiction.net/~auroramandeville, here: http://rosesnvines.tumblr.com/ or here: http://roseharmony.deviantart.com/, but I aim to have all of my original ideas out as soon as I can. I have so many ideas for both original stories and fanfiction, it can get nuts trying to keep some of it straight. But, let me warn you, though there are many creatures and names you may recognize, expect the unexpected. Imagine centaurs travelling in outer space with myrmidon (ant-shifters) superheroes. Think of a world where fofi (spider-shifters) must rise and save not only the humans, but stories as well. Think of a universe guarded by genies, who must fight even their own kind at the cost of a curse to protect us all. These are just the tip of the iceberg, with a universe of 40 known worlds inhabited by the creatures of myths, anything can happen.

Book preview

Creed of the Stars

The Journey of the Rosemari

Aurora Mandeville

For the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary, and Rosa Mystica. All honor and glory to God most high, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

(For the language, races, flora, fauna, and artwork, please go to rosesnvines.wordpress.com/tag/rosca/.

For Libaria, go to rosesnvines.wordpress.com/tag/libaria)

Chapter 1: Chosen and Promoted

Rosara walked down the corridor, seemingly in a shocked daze. Was it true? Could it be? Had she been chosen to be one of the next Captains in Rosca’s exploration of space? It was almost too good to be true, but it had happened, her dream, her wish, was coming to fruition. The feet of the pixi practically carried her to the college’s little church. She didn’t even pause to wonder why her feet brought her there without her realizing it; she merely opened the door and entered the chapel. She genuflected and made the sign of the Cross before sitting in one of the back pews, her heart bursting into joyous song. Her heart and soul were so full of joy and gratitude that she could not find the words to say as she glanced up at the statues of the crucified Jescariah and the exposed heart of Marielle, surrounded by angels and saints. Instead, she let the song in her heart, her shining smile, and the joy in her hazel-green eyes do all the talking. But, after the initial shock and joy began to wear off, about ten minutes, worries and concerns began to plague her mind. She knelt down immediately and made the sing of the Cross.

My Lord, wonderful God, I thank you so, so much for the promotion to Captain, this dream that You have clearly filled me with desire for. But now, I ask of You, beg You to help me, guide me in finding a crew and granting me the wisdom to guide them. Amen. She made the sign of the Cross before leaving the pew, pausing to make another genuflection and another sign of the Cross before she turned around and left. The light in the church seemed to shift and seemed to make the smiles on the statues brighter. If anyone had seen the change, they would have taken it to mean that Heaven smiled with favor upon the pixi leaving the church; that she was picked for greatness.

Rosara let out a breath as she closed the doors of the church behind her and glanced at the paper in her hand. Apparently, later that evening, one particular Captain already well-renowned in the thirty years since Cosmar Pinoka’s doors opened, the famous Captain Kalmiel, was to give a class of some sort on picking one’s crew. She let out a breath, this time of relief, which was followed by a smile; she was definitely going to be there. She walked off towards her first class, eager to get the day over with and meet one of the greatest Captains to ever sail the far regions of space. Her classmates congratulated her on obtaining the position of Captain when they noticed the purple paper in her hand. She thanked them all before sitting down and concentrating on the class. By concentrating more on the classes than what she looked forward to, she found that the hours seemed to speed by. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the classroom doors behind which Captain Kalmiel was to give his lecture. She took a few breaths, smoothed out her cream, collared shirt, straightened out her black skirt, made sure her auburn hair was still in its bun, and let out one last huff before opening the door. To her surprise, Captain Kalmiel was the only person in the room. He was taking some papers out of his briefcase and placing them on the desk, but glanced up at the door when he heard the door opening. He gave her a bright smile that reached up into his eyes as he came forward to shake her hand. She could see why ladies would notice him, with his charming smile, his luscious strawberry-blonde locks, and sparkling violet eyes.

Welcome to Kalmiel’s first, and only, class of the year! Sorry about being disorganized, but, they did call me in at the last minute . . . literally.

Rosara chuckled. Oh, you’re fine, Captain Kalmiel, I’m just early.

That you are, madam, that you are, but that just lets me know you take this Captain business seriously, he said with a smile before he brought her hand to his lips.

Oh, no, I think my class got out earlier than the other Captains, she replied with a smile.

There is that too. Though, I was informed that Captains and Commanders were taking this class, Corporals only if they wanted to, though with my name attached to the thing, I’m sure they’ll all be here.

Rosara chuckled. Oh, no doubt about that. Do you need any help, Captain?

Kalmiel glanced back at the desk as he ran his fingers through his hair. Well, no, not really, thank you for asking, but, I was only getting some papers out, just some simple things really. Thank you for the offer, though.

Oh, you are quite welcome. I really only asked because I don’t like sitting around doing nothing.

Kalmiel grinned at her as he walked back to the desk. You and me both, madam, unfortunately, sometimes being a Captain means that you have to sit and do nothing. It can get quite frustrating; let me tell you, you want to fix every single problem in the universe that falls into your lap. Now, it’s a great desire to want to fix everything, but you can’t be everywhere at the same time, that’s God’s job, not yours.

I understand.

You say that now, but wait until you have to actually live through it, it’s actually kind of hard to give up control and hand it all to God.

Then I’d better get some practice in, replied Rosara with a smile.

Kalmiel grinned. I like you, I think you’re going to do great.

Just like every other lady you’ve met?

Hey, it’s not my fault that acting like a gentleman on some worlds means I’m flirting. Though, I am of the opinion that needs to change, he quipped before bending down and taking more papers out of his briefcase.

My goodness, you have a lot of paper! Are you sure you don’t need my help?

I’m quite positive, Rosara, thank you. How about you take a seat, your classmates should be here any minute.

Yes sir. Rosara took a seat close to the front of the room and watched as Kalmiel took out the rest of his papers. Excuse me, sir, may I ask a question?

Besides the one you just asked? he asked with a mischievous grin.

Rosara let out a snort. Yes, sir.

Alright, then you may ask it, he said with a chuckle.

Will I be picking my Commander and Corporal today, or at a later date?

Well, you don’t necessarily have to until the end of the semester. You kinda need to get to know the Commanders and Corporals before you make a final decision. But, if the Lord moves you to choose a Commander and a Corporal today, then follow His bidding.

Rosara nodded. Of course, thank you.

That was it? No, ‘how did you do it, Captain?’ No, ‘how did you survive that deadly plant on Forla or the blistering heat of the deserts on Danet’?

Rosara let out a playful gasp. And deprive my classmates of such wondrous tales because you went through them so quickly on my account?

Oh no, I have no problem retelling my stories. If you’ve studied my Captainship, you would know that by now, Kalmiel replied with a grin and a wink.

Rosara laughed. Quite true, quite true. But you never asked if I wanted to hear it more than once in less than an hour.

Ah, yes, an oversight on my part, madam, it would get old hearing it over and over again in just a matter of minutes.

Rosara let out a chuckle. Thank you for understanding, Captain.

Kalmiel shot her a grin. Not at all . . . Captain. Rosara merely chuckled and rolled her eyes as other students began trickling in. Soon the room filled up with all the purples, blues, and indigos of the Officers, everyone chatting away, mostly about meeting the great Captain Kalmiel, who