The Weight of New Bonds

[Nora Saint-Clair]

So that was easier than she expected. Did this cult just let anyone off the street join up? Seemed like a red flag to Nora.

She did allow herself to be escorted aside with as much flexibility as she could muster. She half expected this Seraphis lady to lock her up in a cubby under the stairs; there was just something about her she couldn’t place. It felt like they’d met before, but she would have remembered it.

For a split second, she pondered sharing a fake name before uttering, “Nora Saint-Clair.” It felt odd to admit out loud, but this woman was unlikely to recognize her family.

Seraphis nodded, but the way she looked at Nora made her feel as if she could read her like an x-ray. 

Then Seraphis said something that made Nora’s jaw drop slightly. “You’ve channeled before, Nora. I can sense it in you.”

“Um, yeah, actually. How did you know that?” Nora asked.

“It’s something us Veilwardens are trained to sense. I will teach you in time,” and she pat her hand. “How long ago have you channeled? Do you have the Sickness?”

Nora cleared her throat. “I’m not sure, but actually, I came here a while ago to help with the Sickness. That’s why I am back, I guess. To help others like you helped me?” She tried to say it as confident as possible.

Seraphis just looked at her as if she was the most patient person in the world, but behind those eyes Nora wondered what she was thinking. “Well, Nora, we are pleased to have you with us. Since you were previously a Seeker, you may undertake the Ceremony of Reflection whenever you’re ready, and your status will then be as an Ember, to carry the spark forward to your brothers … and sisters.” She added with a coy smile.

Nora suppressed a sigh. “What’s this ceremony about?”

“It is that one may demonstrate that they have confronted their innermost doubts and demonstrate the ability to self-reflect. Afterward, you will nurture the spark of the faith.”

Nora actively had to suppress rolling her eyes. Self-reflection? Innermost doubts? She was nothing but doubts!

“Very well,” she agreed. “Show me what to do.”