Characters The Stars Are Dying Chloe C. Peñaranda

Zathrian Profile: The Reluctant Spy and Loyal Friend in The Stars Are Dying

Overview

Zathrian is the first true ally Astraea finds inside Hektor Goldfell’s manor. He enters the story as a trusted member of Hektor’s inner circle, but his loyalty lies entirely with Astraea. Over the course of the novel, Zathrian evolves from a silent observer who risks his position to help her escape, into a secret operative for Nyte and a vital part of Astraea’s support network during the Libertatem. His tragic history—the loss of his family to nightcrawlers—shapes his protective instincts and his willingness to work with dangerous forces like Nyte. Zathrian is not a warrior in the flashy sense; his strength lies in quiet patience, subtle manipulation of circumstances, and an unshakeable devotion to those he considers family.

Plot Role

Zathrian’s primary function in the narrative is to act as Astraea’s anchor. When no one else in the manor acknowledges her existence, he catches her eye, offers small gestures of solidarity, and later orchestrates her first escape. He serves as a bridge between Astraea’s hidden life and the larger conspiracy. After fleeing Alisus, he reunites with Astraea near the Central Kingdom, helps stage her arrival as Cassia, and remains by her side during the Libertatem as part of Nyte’s network of spies. His role deepens when he is revealed to have known Astraea’s true identity (and Nyte’s true nature) from the start, which forces Astraea to confront her feelings about deception in the name of protection.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Zathrian’s motivation is rooted in loss and the need to protect what remains. He lost his sister and parents to a nightcrawler gang attack two years before he met Astraea (chapter 55 evidence). This trauma makes him deeply wary of losing anyone else. He does not seek glory or power; he seeks to shield Astraea, whom he views as a sister.

Key traits:

  • Loyal to a fault: He risks his life by sneaking Astraea back into the manor after her night at Cassia’s (chapter 6). Later, he insists on staying with her during the Libertatem despite knowing she is an imposter.
  • Secretive yet honest: While he withholds his allegiance to Nyte, he never lies to Astraea directly. When confronted, he argues that he acted for her, not for Nyte (chapter 55 evidence).
  • Pragmatic: He accepts Nyte’s help because it serves the greater goal of keeping Astraea alive. He does not romanticize the alliance; he calls Nyte a “deceitful bastard” but still defends him when Astraea lashes out.
  • Stern but caring: He shows irritation at Astraea’s stubbornness (e.g., during training in chapter 21), but his softness emerges in small acts like pulling her into a hug when she breaks down after Cassia’s death.

Chronological Arc

  1. Silent friend in the manor (Chapters 1–9): Zathrian first appears as Hektor’s man, but he signals to Astraea when she should leave the common area. He becomes her only confidant, eventually overhearing Hektor’s plan to trade her and immediately commits to helping her escape that very night (chapter 7 evidence).

  2. Escape and separation (Chapters 10–20): After Astraea kills Hektor and flees, Zathrian stays behind to delay pursuit. He survives and later tracks her to the outskirts of the Central Kingdom, where he finds her disguised as Cassia. He agrees to help her infiltrate the Libertatem, serving as her supposed servant/guard (chapter 19 evidence).

  3. Inside the Libertatem (Chapters 21–55): Zathrian acts as Astraea’s mentor and ally. He trains her (badly, according to Rosalind), bickers constantly with Rosalind, and protects Astraea during ambushes. He is wounded in the confrontation with King Valdris (chapter 50) and later recovers under Davina’s care.

  4. Revelation and fallout (Chapters 55–57): Zathrian admits he has always known Astraea was the star‑maiden and that he was working for Nyte. Astraea feels betrayed, but Zathrian argues that his loyalty was always to her. He shares his tragic past with her, earning her forgiveness. In the final chapters, he is present during the confrontation with Drystan and Nyte, supporting Astraea even when her trust in everyone is shattered.

Relationships

Astraea

Zathrian’s relationship with Astraea is the emotional core of his arc. He is the only person she trusts implicitly for most of the book. He calls her “Stray” as a term of endearment. When she discovers his secret allegiance, she feels deeply betrayed—but she also knows his actions were motivated by care. By the end, she acknowledges his protection was real, and he continues to stand by her side.

Rosalind

Zathrian and Rosalind share a hostile, flirtatious dynamic. He nicknames her “Thorns” (chapter 21), and they constantly trade barbs. Yet he also risks his safety to catch her when she falls after killing the Hasseria (chapter 44 evidence). The tension suggests a potential romantic undercurrent, but the novel leaves it unresolved—primarily showing their mutual respect buried under sharp words.

Nyte

Zathrian is Nyte’s operative, but he does not idolize him. He respects Nyte’s power and strategic mind, but he is unafraid to argue with him. He defends Nyte to Astraea only because he believes Nyte’s protection saved her life. Zathrian’s loyalty to Nyte is conditional, ultimately subordinate to his loyalty to Astraea.

Hektor

Zathrian feigns loyalty to Hektor to stay close to Astraea. He despises Hektor’s control and abuse, and his true feelings are revealed when he helps Astraea escape and later watches Nyte kill Hektor without remorse.

Key Decisions and Consequences

  • Decision to help Astraea escape immediately (chapter 7): This puts Zathrian on Hektor’s kill list and forces him to flee the manor, losing his position and safety. But it enables Astraea’s freedom and her eventual journey to the Libertatem.

  • Decision to work for Nyte as a spy: Zathrian accepts the role because Nyte promises to protect Astraea. The consequence is that he must keep secrets from her, which later damages her trust. However, Nyte’s network also provides resources essential to her survival.

  • Decision to follow Rosalind on Astraea’s request (chapter 27): He reluctantly leaves Astraea alone to guard Rosalind. This shows his willingness to obey Astraea’s wishes even when he disagrees. It also initiates a tentative cooperation between him and Rosalind.

  • Decision to reveal his past to Astraea (chapter 55): By sharing the story of his family’s death by nightcrawlers, he rebuilds the emotional bridge that was broken by the secret of his allegiance. This moment of vulnerability allows Astraea to see his genuine care and begins her path to forgiveness.

Themes and Symbol Connections

  • Freedom vs. Control: Zathrian’s entire arc is a rebellion against Hektor’s control and against the systems that trap people like Astraea. He chooses action over compliance, embodying the cost of freedom.

  • Identity and Memory: Zathrian knows Astraea’s true identity before she does. His role forces both of them to confront the gap between who she thinks she is (a fragile girl) and who she really is (the star‑maiden). He helps her uncover her past by offering a constant, unfiltered mirror of loyalty.

  • Trust and Betrayal: Zathrian’s secret dealings with Nyte form one of the novel’s central trust tests. Astraea must decide whether his deception nullifies all the good he has done. The resolution shows that trust can survive when intent is pure.

  • Sacrifice: Zathrian repeatedly sacrifices his own safety—his position, his life—for Astraea. His story culminates in the admission that he would “die for her” (implied by actions), linking him to the larger sacrificial theme.

  • Love and Redemption: While Zathrian’s love for Astraea is platonic, it is redemptive because it gives him a reason to keep fighting after losing his family. By protecting her, he atones for his inability to save his own family.

Five Book‑Specific Questions and Answers

1. Why does Zathrian keep his work for Nyte a secret from Astraea?

Zathrian believes that the knowledge would only burden Astraea when she is already struggling to survive. He tells her, “I didn’t have to do anything he asked. I did it for you” (chapter 55). His intention is to protect her from additional fear, but he fails to see that the secrecy itself becomes a betrayal.

2. How does Zathrian’s past with nightcrawlers affect his present actions?

His family’s murder makes him hyper‑vigilant about threats. He is quick to act when he senses danger (e.g., overhearing Hektor’s trade plan). It also makes him pragmatic about alliances: he is willing to work with Nyte, a dangerous figure, because Nyte offers a chance to prevent others from suffering the same loss.

3. What is Zathrian’s true role in the Libertatem?

Officially, he is a servant/guard for Cassia (really Astraea). Offstage, he is Nyte’s spy, feeding information to Nyte and ensuring Astraea’s safety. He also acts as a mentor, though his combat training is ineffective—highlighted by Rosalind’s intervention (chapter 21).

4. Does Zathrian ever betray Astraea or always act in her interest?

He never betrays her in the sense of harming her. His secrets are kept because he believes the truth would endanger her. If he had disclosed Nyte’s full plan earlier, Astraea might have refused to play along. His deception is a form of tough love, not malice.

5. What is the significance of Zathrian surviving to the end?

Zathrian’s survival ensures Astraea does not lose her first real human connection. In a world where Cassia dies and Nyte is shrouded in cosmic mystery, Zathrian remains a touchstone of genuine human goodness. His presence at the novel’s end (and the teaser for the next book) suggests he will continue to anchor Astraea as she faces the consequences of the revealed cosmic war.