Diffraction

Chapter Seventeen: Testing

"With respect, given this is an internal report, one discrepancy caught my attention. Several unconfirmed and contradictory accounts exist regarding the subject's admission."

Over the course of the next three days, Jahrin led the group on raids each morning, striking known bandit camps and strongholds around the city walls. They used Lyllithe as bait, just like the first raid several days before. The ruse worked twice, allowing easy victories.

Despite the lack of witnesses who could give away the trick, the bandits adapted. On the third day, arrows flew from the treeline as soon as Jahrin approached the camp with his "captive" in tow. Kristophe's swift Refocusing of aera swept the deadly darts away from their mark—Lyllithe in her Devoted robe.

This time, the bandits fought to the death, crazed and careless. Their white eyes and desperate tactics spoke to Jahrin of a dread that ran deeper than fear of capture. Someone motivated these men and women to sacrifice themselves rather than face justice in the City.

Searching the camps proved unfruitful. No sign remained of Kal, or even his subordinate leaders in charge of the organization. Even with Jahrin's master Joram offering significant rewards for information, no promising leads reached the companions' ears. Descriptions of the enigmatic Kal varied. And in some cases, beyond the eyes and ears of the Milita, some of the wealthy citizens applauded the murderer and confessed a measure of support for what they called the Rebellion.

After a month of raids on bandit camps, with the captive ruse exposed as a falsehood, Jahrin decided they'd remain in the City a few days to rethink tactics and regroup.

And so, the day after Jahrin's decision to stay in town, Lyllithe and Josephine stood before the grand steps leading to the towering structure of the Arcanists' Hall.

Lyllithe fidgeted, constantly tugging and straightening her form-fitting maroon dress with faded gold trim at the cuffs, hem, and modest round neckline. Her one respectable, presentable dress, Josephine noted. The same one she wore to every feast and celebration in Northridge, if she wasn't wrapped in that boring white robe. Josephine knew of the Aulistane family's meager means, no secret in their hometown. The Elder of Northridge tended to his flock, but the congregation certainly did little to care for its shepherd.

"You look nice," Josephine said to calm her friend's nerves. Nice enough at least. Being inwardly honest ought to be enough, shouldn't it? Deception, Camden taught, is unacceptable for a Soulforged. A lie, even a little fib, always looks good at first. But any good that comes of falsehood would pass away like a vapor, or catch the liar in a deadly trap. I will not risk giving any thought to such temptations.

But Lyllithe is clearly unsettled. You brought her along for this, her conscience scolded her. You chose to be a friend. Are you going to support her or not?

"This is a test," Josephine told Lyllithe, "nothing more. Like a sparring match, perhaps. A chance to prove your prowess, but with magic."

Lyllithe scoffed. "I'm anything but skilled, Jo. I've proven that time and again."

"Keep calm," Josephine said. "From what I understand of the arcane, you ought to keep all your wits about you to concentrate on Refocusing."

The pale girl shook her head. "If I guess right, from what little you understand, I should not take your advice in these matters." She offered a disarming smile.