Abyssal Road Trip

Amdirlain’s PoV - Chaos streams between planes.

After the last light from creating the Plane seed vanished, Amdirlain closed her eyes and floated. Nearly an hour later, with her overstressed body healed, Amdirlain turned off Phoenix’s Rapture and remained in utter darkness. Once the experience would have been a sensory deprivation tank, a silent dark location with her body weightless, hair drifting in a halo about her face, limbs relaxed. Yet the darkness was alive with music that squealed and chimed with its possibilities. Overall, the energy possessed a lesser potential than the primordial forces she’d encountered within the Abyss, yet it was still an environment that would break unprotected mortals.

Aware that she’d been gone from the monastery most of their evening, Amdirlain resumed her Wood Elf form and donned the bracelet of shadow vines. As the dark green silk sheathed her form, Amdirlain brushed back her azure hair and braced herself before she shifted back to the Outlands. The bright sunlight was a brutal assault on her eyes after being shrouded in darkness while recovering from her exertions.

The fields had relatively few early workers scattered throughout, but they were already busy offloading wagons filled with seedling trays and placing them at the ends of rows. Most appeared to be in their late teens, but a few sleepy children also did their best to assist. The workers brought an empty wagon to the first tier and towed it to a warehouse past the grain stores.

I wonder what the villagers think of being moved to the Outlands with its eternal sunshine.

The temptation niggled at Amdirlain, but she hesitated, knowing their rulers likely hadn’t allowed them a choice. As it was, the themes within the workers seemed content if a little unsettled, and Amdirlain opted to let it be.

They’re safer inside Livia’s Domain than in places I can think of on the Material Plane, and while it’s not my responsibility to rescue everyone, I still want to ensure they have options.

That thought drew Amdirlain’s pondering back to the memory of Ori’s rescue of the trapped entities and the pain their entry into the realm had caused. A sharp ache surged within, and she winced.

The songs of millions of trapped entities just waiting to die wounded her. No, worse than waiting for death, they were waiting for annihilation. They had no options or hope, trapped in a world its maker had abandoned. Is that why she arranged for the dammed souls to be managed the way they are? The worst fate she could imagine she gave to those continually abusive to others in life. What made her strip her strength away, effectively giving up on the realm?

Unsure if she wanted an answer, Amdirlain flew to the monastery gate and was waved through without delay. At the hall, Klipyl was busy practising the previous day's exercises. Though there were errors to be corrected, the former Succubus demonstrated a highly precise execution of the assorted attacks and blocks. When she spotted Amdirlain standing nearby, she finished the latest sequence and stopped.

“Hey, boss sis,” chirped Klipyl, giving Amdirlain a cheerful wave. “I came to get an early start, but you weren’t around.”

“You can call me Am,” responded Amdirlain, and she came over to hug Klipyl.

Klipyl quickly brought her arms up around Amdirlain and sighed happily. “Shucks, a cuddle without even asking.”

“I used to hug a lot,” Amdirlain informed her, enjoying the Archon’s buzz of happiness.

“Not anymore. I noticed you’re selective about who gets a hug, so I’ll take it as a compliment,” gushed Klipyl. “Can I call you Sis? Oh, since I successfully adopted you, does that mean I also get to claim Sarah as a sister?”

“You’ll have to discuss the logistics of that with her,” hedged Amdirlain. “I’m fine with it. I often did that to Ebusuku, so I can't complain without it being hypocrisy.”

“Ebusuku loves it when you call her sis,” advised Klipyl.

“She does?” asked Amdirlain in surprise as she stepped away from the hug.

“Yeah, she misses her Oath Link to you,” advised Klipyl. “Having you still call her sis is the last link Ebusuku has if you ask me. Also, I’m pretty sure she treasures you saying it.”

Amdirlain blinked. “I’ve been careful about not listening to her theme.”

“If our little talk about adoption was just a joke, I understand, it’s okay,” said Klipyl tentatively.

Amdirlain frowned in concern at the sudden stab of desperation in Klipyl’s song. “I didn’t say there was an issue, and I certainly didn’t reject you, Klipyl.”

Klipyl waved her hands out from her sides helplessly. “No, but…”

“But nothing, little sis,” said Amdirlain. “Adoptions have no take-backs. Which adoption do you think you can escape?”

“Oops,” grinned Klipyl, and she tucked her hands behind her back and looked at Amdirlain coyly. “None?”

“Too right, you won’t get away that easily,” huffed Amdirlain playfully, brushing a loose strand of hair behind Klipyl’s ear. “I always wanted a proper little sis. Though, best talk to Sarah when she’s back about whether the adoption includes her.”

Klipyl nodded. “Okay. My hunting partner liked things done her way, so it’s unsurprising that hasn’t changed.”

“Sarah’s pretty consistent in her feelings and approach to life,” said Amdirlain.

“Especially with you,” agreed Klipyl. “She’s the one who pushed me to give sex advice to folks. Said I needed to improve myself to be worthy of your trust and that helping others improve would help me figure out what I wanted instead of quick sex that left me craving more all the time.”

“And it did,” agreed Amdirlain. Though she remembered their prior discussion, Amdirlain didn’t change the topic as there was a sense of anticipation in Klipyl’s posture.

Klipyl nodded eagerly. “Yeah, but I thought she was playing me. I hoped it was true and things could change but, for months, I thought it was a con. Yet every time I got Mana through my morning prayers, your energy told me it wasn’t and that I could be more. When I pull in Mana from the environment, it doesn’t have the same acceptance as what I receive during prayers.”

The wellspring I made in the Domain still conveys self-belief and respect to my priests?

“I’m glad it gave you the confidence to continue,“ said Amdirlain, and she caught the sparks of excitement leaping in Klipyl. “Now you are here instead of caught in the loop of carvings.”

“Yep, so going to teach me, sis?” asked Klipyl, and she motioned to Amdirlain to bring it on.

Amdirlain nodded and squared off against Klipyl. “As I returned, I noticed you were trying to push the strikes out fast.”

“I was just trying to duplicate you,” replied Klipyl. “I blink, and you’re done.”

“I should have caught that,” apologised Amdirlain. “Don’t try for speed. I want you to focus on getting the motions right. When you don’t have to consider what you’re doing anymore, the speed will come naturally.”

“No premature speed,” quipped Klipyl.

“Yes, steady motions,” replied Amdirlain, trying to keep her composure against the mischief in the bright notes dancing through Klipyl’s theme.

“Oh baby, yes,” squealed Klipyl. “Show me what you want me to do with my hands.”

“I think I need to put sound barriers in place,” quipped Amdirlain.

Klipyl’s gaze widened, and biting her lip she blinked innocently. “Are you going to make me moan?”

“How about groaning?” asked Amdirlain.

“That has possibilities,” breathed Klipyl dramatically, and she fluttered a hand at her throat dramatically before he sighed. “But I get the impression you don’t mean from fun exertions.”

“You attack, and I’ll block at your pace,” instructed Amdirlain, holding back her laughter.

“Should I accept a transition so I’ve got a Class slot to use for Monk?” asked Klipyl.

“No, you’ve more strength you can gain,” replied Amdirlain. “Plus, do you imagine yourself as a Monk?”

“No, but...”

Amdirlain smiled. “Then that is the answer: No. I want you to do is what is best for you, and in return, I promise to endeavour to look after myself.”

“We’re both hunting our best future selves?” asked Klipyl eagerly.

Amdirlain nodded in agreement.

With a confident nod, Klipyl began, and Amdirlain took her through each move again, before switching Klipyl to blocking.

After the training wrapped up, Amdirlain raised the subject of the villagers with Klipyl.

“You want to know what opportunities they have to escape being peasants?” asked Klipyl. “Is that something you escape? I mean, it’s not like a terminal condition. They’re just born that way. Or did you improve their station in life?”

“At present, they’re subject to someone else’s orders and their livelihood is very reliant upon manual labour. Doesn’t that seem like something people should have the option to escape?” asked Amdirlain.

Klipyl giggled. “Yeah, tell that to a Dwarf. Then again, I used to get plenty of orders about what handicrafts to deliver.”

Amdirlain groaned.

“Too soon?” asked Klipyl innocently before she laughed mischievously. “Or is that a different kinda issue?”

“Come again?” quipped Amdirlain.

Klipyl laughed harder before she held up her hands and smiled wryly. “I’ll see if the villagers get an education. Knowing more is one of the best moves towards improving your life.”

“I’ve not seen signs of it yet, but I’ve not been here long,” allowed Amdirlain.

Klipyl clicked her tongue. “You’re not just going to ask Livia?”

“Our upbringing shapes our perspective. To her, people without an education, doing menial or field work might be normal, as it was in Rome,” explained Amdirlain. “They likely have options within the monastery, but I want to know how hard they are to access and how often someone manages it.”

“Okay, sis, I shall gather intel,” said Klipyl. “After all, I have the Scout Class.”

“I won’t mention the others you could use to gather information,” teased Amdirlain.

Klipyl pushed out her bottom lip and batted her eyelashes.

“That’s so not working,” advised Amdirlain, but her voice was rich with suppressed laughter.

“That’s because you like males,” huffed Klipyl. “I’d offer to change my shape, but I still don’t think I’d get accepted.”

“Wise,” declared Amdirlain.

With a glum nod, Klipyl sighed. “If you found Torm reincarnated somewhere, and he was an established adult. What would you do?”

The question didn’t stir a ripple from Amdirlain, and she shrugged helplessly. “Nothing. I’d let him live his life and continue mine.”

Sadly Klipyl brushed her face before she gave her a friendly peck on the cheek and headed off.

When her next guests arrived, they found Amdirlain sitting cross-legged on the same bench Cyrus had chosen for his lesson. The warm sunlight failed to compete with her inner glow that obliterated all shadows within the courtyard. As their jaws dropped, the glow vanished in a rush of Ki being drained away into the crystal within her hands. It flared and vanished, leaving them blinking in the aftermath. All four of them had the dark green hoods of their robes pushed back, and their now metallic-hued hair colours were on full display.

“You’re back to lighting up a room,” observed Nomein. “Heck, you were glowing brighter than the sun here, even though I couldn’t make out your sigil.”

Sarith shrugged. “Know that I feel it’s much better than coating it in her blood.”

“That was a thorny situation,” said Amdirlain before she greeted them and motioned towards benches in a triangle formation in the corner of the courtyard.

“Know that your sense of humour still needs time in the infirmary,” declared Sarith after she’d sat across from Amdirlain. “Under full-time monitoring.”

“I’ll help out with that,” gushed Nomein, giving Amdirlain an adoring look. “Your Ki’s glow was like watching a sunrise. The Outlands is nice, but after Limbo's constant sky, the sunlight is just a mirror to it. I already miss watching the sky change colour at dawn. Do you like to watch the sunrise?”

Amdirlain nodded. “The changes of colour are beautiful on many worlds.”

“We could...”

“Know that Amdirlain will never take you up on that offer,” interrupted Gemiya. “Know that you should practise some discretion and stop.”

Nomein laughed. “I can live in hope.”

“Know that is Lezekus’ line,” grumbled Sarith.

“I can’t help it that her beauty makes me wish otherwise,” huffed Nomein.

Femme Fatale is under control. Maybe I should just take on the form of a crone.

Sarith tapped her fingers against a thigh and glared at Nomein. “Yes, you can. Know you’re being rude, and Amdirlain isn’t the only one uncomfortable with you not taking instruction.”

“How are you all this morning?” asked Amdirlain, seeking to derail the topic of conversation.

Lezekus’ composed expression didn’t match the mirth in her gaze. “We’re well, Amdirlain. Don’t mind these three wild novices.”

“That’s so rude, Lezekus,” protested Nomein. “I’m merely open to new opportunities. One thing is sure: if you don’t ask, you will certainly not get.”

“If you ask too often, you’re at risk of a three-on-one sparring session focused on you,” countered Lezekus. “You caught Amdirlain’s meaning in the bath at Xaos, so don’t be a leech.”

“Indeed, I don’t float that way,” said Amdirlain.

Nomein sighed dramatically and put a palm to her forehead. “I’m so heartbroken I’m down with a fever, but I’ll pull through, I promise.”

“Know if you’d like me to arrange it so that she doesn’t, you’ve only to say,” Gemiya hopefully told Amdirlain.

“Wow, you four are well-rested and right to go, aren’t you,” laughed Amdirlain. “Has Nomein gotten under your skin, Gemiya?”

Gemiya twitched a finger to indicate a negative. “Know that she made some valid points in our discussions last night that I find unsettling. Know it’s more how than what she said that has my hackles up. Have you ever found someone’s conduct particularly irritating after they’ve smugly proven themselves right?”

“Know that she hasn’t proven herself right yet,” argued Sarith. “Know a valid argument alone isn’t proof. However, I believe she’s right after some time to consider the matter.”

Amdirlain raised an eyebrow, wondering what she’d missed. “Might I know the valid point you made, Nomein?”

“It wasn’t one point it was a series of them. If we’re back to being our people’s original species—and according to our legends, all of them were enslaved—that means no male elves of our species exist, so we’ll never have families to pass our talents onto,” said Nomein. “It also means that, potentially, we can’t have children with anyone among our former people.”

The details that Analysis returned to Amdirlain on their situation knotted her stomach.

[Tambë Elf

Realm population: 4

Average life expediency: 2,000 years

Note: They were local to one of many worlds where the entire populace of every species was changed at a genetic level.]

“I might be able to help,” advised Amdirlain. “Only might, and there are risks involved. It would be far safer for others to pursue acquiring an evolution back to your species.”

“Only one option?” enquired Lezekus.

“No, there are multiple options,” corrected Amdirlain. “I had reason to study elven fertility and to correct it for an impacted species. I don’t claim to be an expert.”

The words echoed Ori’s denial of that role to Nicholaus, and Amdirlain held in her groan of frustration.

Do I follow her pattern of behaviour in denying my proficiency?

Amdirlain cleared her throat and went on. “I am familiar with methods to maintain or introduce new traits and bring back missing elements in your species. There also isn’t a rush, as you’ll all live far longer.”

“Because of your Ki?” asked Sarith. “Know it was a very kind gift, but we can’t keep expecting you to restore our youth.”

“No, because your elven species is one of the longer-lived ones,” clarified Amdirlain.

Gemiya glanced at the others but then gave a quick head twitch. “Know we intend to help you, not see how we might benefit further. To that point, would you like our assistance progressing your psionics?”

Amdirlain smiled gratefully. “You’d stop your progress to help me?”

“Why are you so surprised?” asked Nomein.

Sarith tilted her head slightly. “Know that Amdirlain determines her self-worth in helping others gain choices but doesn’t expect it in return.”

And getting psychoanalysed doesn’t have me shouting for joy, but at least she’s more qualified for that than most who think they’re helping. Can she be objective, given our history? Should I try?

“Are you looking to get employed as my Healer?” asked Amdirlain before she could dismiss the thought.

“Know we can speak of that later,” said Sarith. “Know I have no allegiance to the Winter Queen, which I understand hampered things for you previously.”

“Your teacher mentioned that?”

“Know her only comment was that it was a point of frustration since it obstructed her from completing a full treatment,” advised Sarith. “Know she considered it an unimportant detail that you obsessed over.”

“Her patron came to see me in the monastery,” said Amdirlain. “It most certainly wasn’t unimportant.”

Sarith blinked, and her mouth briefly hung open. “The Winter Queen was in the dormitory, or elsewhere on the grounds?”

“The dormitory,” clarified Amdirlain. “And I know some of why she’d love to get her hands on my past life memories, and she is mostly certainly not my friend.”

“Perhaps we should leave such discussion aside,” proposed Nomein nervously. “What techniques have you made the most use of? Have you been breaking demonic balls?”

The reference to Amdirlain’s initial string of failures with learning Far Hand had the group exchanging shared chuckles that eased the tension.

“While I extended some techniques we learned together for Telepathy, in handling thought chains and mental assaults, I’ve had alternative options with other skills,” said Amdirlain.

Nomein gave a sharp nod of understanding. “Alone, you’d not need any Psychometabolism techniques, and you have alternatives for the Metacreativity and Psychoportation.”

“The Psychometabolism techniques ensured I made it out of the Titan’s Maze. I don’t just want to abandon my studies in any of them,” said Amdirlain.

“I didn’t say you had to, just that I could understand why you’d have little reason to have progressed them,” replied Nomein. “Might I ask what your goals are for your psionics?”

Amdirlain briefly chewed the inside of her mouth as she considered what to share. “I’ve got a lot of past life memories in my Soul, and I need to ensure I’ve got a strong mental stability while I recover them. I’ve reason to believe I’ll also need to sort out mental fortress techniques.”

Once I’m no longer a Hidden, my thoughts will be accessible by those stronger, I’ll need to figure out how to protect them properly.

“The second will be hard to practise with you, and past life memories are more in the realm of the Immortal paths that Master Cyrus teaches,” noted Nomein. “Though there are telepathic techniques that cover sifting through someone else’s memories.”

“We covered those together,” said Amdirlain, and she gave a tight smile. “Unfortunately, I’ve had extensive need of those techniques, but they won’t accomplish what I need.”

Nomein smirked. “You remember the punishment for using techniques outside the monastery walls before passing your test on them?”

Amdirlain gasped and pretended to faint. “No, don’t cast me out. Wait, I already left, and I doubt they’d take me back.”

The four of them snickered faintly before Gemiya nodded. “Know that white marks have been set against your name in the monastery’s rolls for failing to attend the fifth-year exams.”

Burn, my first ever failed exams and I wasn’t even there for them.

“Any other techniques that can help stand between my perceptions and the rising memories?” asked Amdirlain.

“Know that there are others that healers learn that might help,” interjected Sarith. “Do these memories intrude upon your understanding or personality?”

“Yes, but in sometimes beneficial ways. For example, I’ve regained some of my capabilities with particular powers and skills that I also possessed in a past life,” explained Amdirlain. “I do not want to block them from coming forward; rather, I want to ensure they don’t alter my current perspective unknowingly.”

“Know these might remove such benefits,” cautioned Sarith. “Know the purpose of them is to stop a patient’s trauma influencing the Healer’s reactions, effectively establishing a selective mental fortress.”

“Selective? Is that because the Healer is in the patient’s mind rather than their own and you’re continuing the healing process even when there is risk?”

Sarith nodded tightly. “The technique taps into the patient’s symbolism to constrain their mind away from you, rather than the mental imagery you used to keep an intruder from your thoughts.”

“Would you take me through them?” inquired Amdirlain. “Or are they restricted to those who have taken a Healer’s oath?”

“Know among our former people, they are bound under such,” confirmed Sarith. “Do you detect the keyword in that statement?”

“Former,” sighed Amdirlain. “You don’t think they’ll be accepting of your evolution?”

Nomein snorted and motioned to herself. “Do any of us look like we’re now carrying our family’s lineage? If we’re not careful, we might be attacked or start wars, even among the more relaxed community in the City of Glass.”

“Why did you accept the evolution then?”

“It felt right,” stated Nomein. “That doesn’t mean those who didn’t see the Class vision will agree with my perception of the offer, even though the others felt the same way.”

“Know we all accepted the offer without consulting each other,” said Sarith. “Know it felt as if I was seizing what had been stolen from my people, but the more time passes, the more certain I am that the masters will disagree.”

The other three signalled their agreement with Sarith’s assessment, and Amdirlain hummed thoughtfully. “If any of you want to start a family, I can ensure that your children will retain the potential for psionic talents.”

Lines crinkled around Gemiya’s eyes. “Know that I’d put off having children for one reason or another. Do you think all near-death experiences in the last eight years make me concerned about having children? Know I hadn’t any thoughts of them in the decades prior.”

“People are ready to have a family when they’re ready. It doesn’t mean you valued your life any less than you do now,” reassured Amdirlain.

“As you said, we’re in no rush now, so we’ll be here helping you with your training for as long as you need us,” said Nomein. “I don’t expect you’ll take it any easier on yourself than you have in the past.”

Amdirlain chuckled ruefully. “I do tend to push myself.”

“Do you have time for lessons now, or is there something else on your agenda?” asked Nomein.

“I’ve got a lesson with Kadaklan shortly,” replied Amdirlain. “Would lessons after the monastery’s evening meal time be agreeable? At present, I’ve morning lessons with Kadaklan and afternoons with Cyrus.”

They all mentally murmured agreement, but only three stood to leave. After Amdirlain saw them out, she returned to where Sarith lingered on a courtyard bench.

“Know that I find this oddly ironic,” said Sarith.

“That my influence got the four of you cut off from your people?” asked Amdirlain, deliberately poking at the conflicted emotions she felt in Sarith.

Sarith huffed. “Know for an incredibly bright person, you sometimes say stupid things.”

“That’s an odd admonishment from a Healer,” said Amdirlain. “Is this a particular type of therapy?”

“Know you’re not my patient at present, so I’ll speak to you like my friends,” countered Sarith. “Know you have some particular blind spots.”

“Such as?” asked Amdirlain.

Sarith huffed. “Are you aware you can be emotionally dense sometimes?”

“Yes,” replied Amdirlain, opting to be deliberately provocative. “Why do you ask?”

“You think I’m unaware of your tension about our changed species? Know then you’re being blind,” said Sarith firmly. “Know there were options for the same combining of classes without the evolution of species.”

“Why didn’t you take those options then?” asked Amdirlain. “It would avoid the upcoming drama.”

Sarith’s hands twitched. “Know there was a fundamental rightness in the option the Class vision presented and its sense of renewal. How to explain this? Would you not want to feel whole in your skin for the first time? Do you think all four of us chose the same racial evolution by chance with no discussion?”

Her confidence assured Amdirlain that she could let the matter go. “As long as the choice was yours.”

Sarith’s gaze narrowed with sudden suspicion before she relaxed and sighed. “Know I truly appreciate the options you arranged for me—all the options.”

“What do you feel about your situation now?”

“Know in a way it is fitting. I left behind the path my Father had planned for me, and now I’ve moved from the route my ancestors’ enslavers forced on us,” replied Sarith. “Know that if you wish I’ll listen to whatever haunted your gaze earlier. Was it one of those memories you wish to stabilise your mind against?”

“You’re very perceptive,” noted Amdirlain. “Is that part of your training?”

“Know you were always far easier to read if I had taken the time to look instead of judge,” replied Sarith. “Are these memories worse than what you dealt with at the monastery?”

“None of the memories I’ve recovered from my past life come close to the worst of those traumas I resolved. The intimidating part is how many billions of years of memories there are involved,” admitted Amdirlain. “Also, it’s not just one life. It’s multiple.”

After a long exhalation, Sarith steadied her nerves and nodded repeatedly in acceptance. “Multiple lives that long?”

“No, the eldest life was that long. Others ranged from short to a few centuries from what bits I’ve stumbled across,” clarified Amdirlain.

“How many of these lifetimes are there?”

Not wanting to get into the details, Amdirlain shrugged. “A hundred odd, scattered among dozens of species.”

Sarith frowned and brushed a thumb along her jawline. “Know then there is another possibility besides the Healer’s techniques.”

“Another option to explore is good,” said Amdirlain.

“Know that the larger cities in Limbo have populations exceeding twenty-five million, and there are times when every adult combines into a gestalt. Know the primary challenge for the individual serving as a gestalt focus comes in three parts: form the whole, keep it on track, and then separate cleanly afterwards without their mind remaining awash with another’s thoughts.”

“Do you know the techniques they’d use to prevent other minds from overwhelming their viewpoint?” asked Amdirlain.

“Know that while I’m aware of their existence, I don’t know the details at present,” said Sarith unhappily. “Given my status, who would entrust them to me? Know that neither a failed student nor a Healer is expected to climb the ranks of the Anarchs and maintain a city.”

“But you know who to ask?”

“Know that I do, and it’s not my former teacher,” reassured Sarith.

“And the other technique you mentioned knowing? Are you sure about teaching me this Healer’s technique?” asked Amdirlain. “I don’t want to get you in trouble with any oaths you’ve taken.”

“Do you promise that you’ll only use this technique while handling these past life memories you’ve mentioned?” asked Sarith, her gaze gleaming with seriousness. “Know I wouldn’t want to teach you if you’re seeking to implement it with someone, as there can be unpleasant results if you touch another’s mind and cannot safeguard them properly.”

“I promise,” said Amdirlain, and she leaned forward. “Though I would appreciate you explaining the risks?”

“Did you come across a reference to dissociative identity disorder in your self-studies while at the monastery?” asked Sarith.

“Not while studying at the monastery, but it’s a mental situation I’ve heard of elsewhere,” replied Amdirlain. “How fractured can the other person’s mind become?”

“Know that the technique is intended to keep memories at an arm’s distance from the Healer,” explained Sarith. “Know that it’s possible to cause the patient's mind to no longer identify with their own memories.”

“Yet they still have the memories?” asks Amdirlain, and she continued when Sarith nodded. “What happens to the memories then?”

“Know if the fracturing is slight, they might just forget chunks of their life, but if severe, the patient’s subconscious would try to make sense of the memories and form new personalities around whatever grouping of memories they could stitch together through however tenuous a connection.”

Amdirlain winced. “I noticed you didn’t mention logical groupings.”

“Do you know how infrequently a traumatised mind ever considers anything logically? Know that emotional state, location, or something as simple as a common fragrance could determine the groupings or all of those options.” clarified Sarith, and she motioned Amdirlain to relax. “How long before your lesson with Kadaklan?”

“He should be here at the next bell,” advised Amdirlain.

Sarith smiled shyly. “Would you like to begin with the fundamentals now? Know you need to connect with my mind since yours is untouchable.”

With no tones of betrayal or hostility in Sarith’s theme, Amdirlain reached out mentally.