On the next day, as dawn broke and washed Elara's small room with a soft, golden light, she stretched awake, feeling both the lightness of freedom and the slight heaviness of frustration. Lucian, in one of his capricious moods, had declared her training on hold for a week.
His reasons had been curt, almost dismissive, and even though she'd pressed him with questions, he had simply smirked and brushed her off, telling her she needed to "consolidate her powers."
Though her body felt bruised and her mind exhausted from weeks of rigorous training, Elara itched for more. Every pause in her progress felt like precious time lost—a delay that risked her growing strength and, more pressingly, her plan to take down The Order.
Still, she knew better than to argue too forcefully. Lucian's word was final. With a reluctant sigh, she set her sights on another plan for the day.
"If I'm not allowed to train, I might as well make myself useful," she muttered to herself, strapping on her worn satchel. With thoughts of gathering information buzzing in her mind, she headed towards the town square, hoping to uncover any murmurings from the townsfolk about the temple.
"If I can't learn a new ability now, perhaps I can test my current abilities… subtly." Grinning to herself as she felt her idea was really feasible.
Yet, her heart pulsed with concern as she remembered her absence from the temple's daily sermons. Lucian's training had required every ounce of focus, leaving her no choice but to skip the evening sermons for the past two days.
A pang of worry gnawed at her. Luminaries Temple was known for keeping meticulous records of its follower's attendance. Missing even a single day was bound to arouse suspicion; missing two might as well have painted her a target.
"I have to know what they're saying about me," she told herself, winding through the narrow cobbled streets. Though she kept her expression carefully neutral, a quiet tension curled in her chest as she neared the market square.
Her eyes scanned the familiar faces of the faithful—men and women she had once seen as comrades but who were now potential threats.
As Elara approached the bustling marketplace, her gaze fell on a few familiar figures clad in white robes, unique to the temple. They were clustered in tight conversation, the light from their eyes unusually intense, their voices just low enough to hint at the severity of their discussion.
Perhaps they're speaking about me, she thought, heart beginning to beat faster. Masking her nerves, she slid into the shadows of a nearby stall, leaning subtly to overhear.
"...two days now," one of the priests whispered urgently. "Her absence could mean nothing, but the High Priestess has ordered us to be vigilant. We can't afford to be lax."
"Do you think it's true?" a young woman in white robes murmured back. "Could her dedication be...faltering?"
The first priest shook his head. Looking around before leaning closer to the young priestess and telling her in a low voice "Mother Aveline believes that doubt is a poison. Anyone absent from the daily blessings risks falling to corruption. She intends to strengthen the ritual tonight, to purge the faithful and bind them closer to the Order's light."
Elara felt a chill crawl up her spine. She'd heard of the High Priestess's "binding rituals" before, but they were rare, only performed when loyalty was in question.
It was a calculated move—one that forced even the most loyal followers to sink deeper into the Order's grasp, leaving them feeling nothing but gratitude and awe for the temple.
They're fortifying their hold on everyone… because of me. A wave of panic flickered through her mind, but she clenched her hands, steadying her breath. She couldn't afford to let her emotions betray her now.
They had no proof, nothing more than suspicion. If she remained calm, blending in as she always had, they would have no reason to think she had any secrets worth investigating.
Taking a deep breath, she strode confidently into the crowd, brushing close enough to the faithful to hear fragments of conversation but keeping her gaze purposefully indifferent.
A merchant, also a fervent follower of the temple, noticed her and greeted her with a smile. "Ah, Elara, my girl! I haven't seen you at the temple these past two days. They've been concerned, you know."
Elara forced a soft laugh, feigning embarrassment. "Yes, I've come down with a small illness. I didn't want to risk spreading it to anyone. Mother Aveline always taught us to care for one another, after all." She maintained a lighthearted expression, hoping to dispel any doubts about her absence.
The merchant nodded with sympathetic concern. "Of course, of course. Well, make sure to attend tonight's binding ritual. The High Priestess herself will be there. She'll be preparing a ritual that will bring us closer to the Light, from what I hear. It's said to reinforce our faith and cleanse us of any lurking doubts."
Elara barely managed to keep her smile from faltering. A binding ritual tonight, of all nights? It's a test. They're probing for any sign of weakness among the faithful, any who might have begun questioning.
"Thank you for the reminder," she replied, bowing her head slightly. "I wouldn't miss it." She parted from him with a warm smile, but as she walked away, her thoughts began to race. If they sense the slightest bit of doubt in me… tonight could be dangerous.
---
Once she was far enough from the watchful eyes of the townsfolk, Elara slipped into an alley and leaned back against the wall, her mind whirling with a mix of fear and apprehension.
"So they're trying to bolster loyalty to enslave minds even deeper". But, what kind of spell will they cast to the followers? Elara's heart trembled at the thought of the unknown.
The Order's tightening grip reminded her why her patience was necessary, but also why she felt an unquenchable urge to press forward. If she hadn't already planted those seeds of doubt, who knew how many more would have been pulled further into the Order's grasp tonight?
Elara took a winding path back to her small cottage at the edge of town, her mind a mix of calculation and worry. She couldn't afford to reveal anything tonight—not a single slip in loyalty, not even a flicker of doubt. She needed a plan.
Sinking into her creaky wooden chair by the small hearth, she let the faint warmth of the fire steady her, watching the flames flicker and dance as her mind spun through possibilities. How can I be sure they don't sense my unease? What am I willing to risk to maintain my cover?
A strange, nervous excitement fluttered in her chest as ideas came to her, piecing together into something tantalizingly dangerous. She would have to be bold, perhaps even reckless. And yet, the plan forming in her mind seemed… perfect.
Elara sat back, lips curving into a faint smile. She would be ready by nightfall, with every word and movement rehearsed, and every possible reaction calculated.