Diffraction

Chapter Fifteen: Mentors and Students

"Confusion remains unresolved concerning this subject's vocation. Leadership in the City had positive comments. I understand this creates a stark contrast with my first report."

That afternoon, Lyllithe stepped out of the Refuge wearing her Devoted robe, gently guiding Tandy with her Gracemarked hand. The inn stood a short distance from the Abbey, and Lyllithe used the tall steeple peeking over rooftops as a guide.

Tandy's red-rimmed eyes blinked in the sunlight, and her nose made snuffling sounds after hours of tears. The girl's tiny fist gripped Lyllithe's sleeve tight. Her other hand clutched her doll, which she held up toward Lyllithe. Her voice came out in a timid whisper. "Miss Lily?"

Lyllithe paused and leaned down. "What is it, Tandy?"

"Kaela wants to know where we're going," Tandy said.

Lyllithe frowned and struggled for words. After hours of comforting and coaxing, Tandy had told Lyllithe a child's version of what happened at her home. Lyllithe figured out the rest.

They stopped on a walkway between houses and Lyllithe squatted down to Tandy's level. "Well, dear," she finally replied, "when I was a little baby, before I'd seen my first Summer, I lost my parents too."

Tandy's small hand squeezed Lyllithe's. "Was it Fractured? Or was it 'cause you're a Ghostskin an' they didn't want you?"

Lyllithe chuckled at the harsh question innocently asked. "No, it was—actually I don't know what happened to them." She put a hand on the girl's shoulder. "But late at night, underneath the stars, someone brought me to the Abbey of Light, right here in Aulivar. And there was a very nice man ministering for the Night Watch, named Marten."

She pushed down the frustrations and hurt from her last conversation with her father.

"Did he become your Da?"

"Yes, he did. And his wife, Eledra, became my new Mama."

Tandy looked hopeful. "Will she be my Mama too?"

Lyllithe paused. "She—no, precious one, she died too. Bandits."

Tandy's lips pouted, but she nodded as if she understood.

Light, what kind of hold do these raiders and rebels have over us if even the children know loss and fear?

"Are the folk in the Abbey good, Miss Lily?"

"Of course. Why do you ask?"

"People don't like them much right now. Da says they got money an' don't share it. Mama says the Order's only ones looking out for folk."

Lyllithe felt her brow furrow, and forced a smile. She tweaked Tandy's nose. "Someone's heard a lot of stories." I suspect someone from the Order of the Golden Sun has been telling a lot of them too.

"Here's what I'll do," Lyllithe said, and held out her hand. "You see my Gracemark?"

Tandy looked down. "Uh-huh."

"You know what it does?"

"Nuh-uh."

Lyllithe leaned and gave a conspiratorial whisper. "It tells me if people tell lies."

Tandy's mouth dropped open.

"So when we get to the Abbey, I'll watch the Friars and Devoted. And if they lie, I won't let them take care of you, okay?"