Diffraction

Chapter Two: The Light of Life

In darkness when the night surrounds, I bear the Light in me.

    "Quick," Nyalesee shouted. "Lay her on a bench."

    Camden raced across the room and lowered Eledra's body to the wood.

    Nyalesee rushed to his side. Light sprang out of her palms and formed small, radiant spheres. Shadows danced on the edges of the sanctuary as Nyalesee moved..

    Harra stood frozen, eyes wide, mouth agape. "Her light's so dim..."

    "Camden, what happened?" Nyalesee asked, her gaze fixed on the injured woman. "What sort of wounds are we dealing with?"

    "Bandits on the road from Aulivar, Devoted."

    Lyllithe ran to Camden and grabbed his arm. "Where is my father? Is he—"

    "Marten is coming," Camden replied. He laid his hand over hers. "Wounded, but he will recover. They struck him hard, knocked him out. We drove them off, killed two. I left Josephine with Marten when we were in sight of the Woodwall. She will help him get here."

    At least Father is safe. Jo can handle herself.

    The thought gave little comfort while Lyllithe looked down at her mother's body.

    Nyalesee examined Eledra's wounds. The Devoted grimaced, and she glanced up at Lyllithe. "Harra, go see to Marten," Nyalesee said over her shoulder.

    The order jarred Harra into motion, but she moved instead to Nyalesee's side. "Perhaps you need my help to heal Eledra's—"

    "I need you to obey," Nyalesee cut in. "See to the Eldest. This woman is beyond our aid."

    Harra opened her mouth to speak, then snapped it shut at a withering glare from the senior Devoted. Her head dipped slightly. "As you wish."

    Camden hung back, hands folded, eyes cast down. Lyllithe thought she heard him praying. What can a Soulforged do in times like this, she wondered. They're fighters, not healers.

    Nyalesee grabbed Lyllithe's arm and pulled her close. "Child, I cannot heal her unassisted."

    Lyllithe choked. Hope and confusion swirled in her chest. "But you just sent Harra to—"

    "She and I together could not treat these wounds," Nyalesee said. "Not with the noonday sun shining down on us."

    "Then why do you need me? I'm not even Marked, I'm hardly—"

    "Forget all that." Nyalesee's grip tightened on Lyllithe's sleeve. "Forget the Test, the script—forget the rules. You are able. You've healed wounds before."

    Lyllithe shook her head, and Nyalesee continued. "Maybe it's your elemental heritage, or maybe just the grace of Aulis. But you are stronger than any of the Devoted here, stronger I deem than any two combined." Nyalesee's eyes held Lyllithe's gaze. "When properly moved."

    Lyllithe fumbled for words, but none seemed right.

    The Devoted reached out. "Take my hand. Perhaps I can spark your ability to minister."

    Nyalesee guided Lyllithe's hand toward Eledra. Her palm rested on her mother's chest. The fabric felt damp and cold like mud in winter. So much blood. She's not breathing.

    "Close your eyes," Nyalesee said.

    Lyllithe obeyed. There's no heartbeat.

    "The Light is life, and your light is pure," the Devoted whispered. "There is strength in purity. There is brilliance. See it, draw it in and release it. Like breathing."