Knight Garrick had been right. While it had been surprisingly easy to sense the magic veins within her, actually telling them apart was a different story. Knight Garrick told her to concentrate on just one but so far she found the magic too overwhelming. She would try to focus on one of the veins only for the magic to surge over her like a tidal wave and her concentration would break. Then she would have to start all over again.

Still, knowing that she could sense her magic and use it to grow made her excited. She was sure it would help her to unlock her other abilities faster. She considered whether to continue practicing her barrier ability in lieu of the new information. After some thought, she decided she would continue. She was sorely lacking in defensive abilities so having the barrier ability unlocked was pivotal. She would add it to her routine when she practiced sensing and untangling her magic veins.

Satisfied, Ember made her way to the guardhouse and reported in with her new schedule. She also informed them she would be starting work tomorrow. She could've started that day but she decided to visit the infirmary. She needed to build a relationship with Allyana and, if possible, see if she could gather information about Meri's kidnapper. She suspected the information had already been gathered by the knights and guards but she doubted they would share it with her.

She paused. Or maybe they would now that she was employed with the city guard. Since she had saved Meri, it wouldn't seem unusual for her to ask about it. She would have to talk with the guard tomorrow about it.

When Ember entered the temple infirmary, she found several acolytes and priests treating the patients inside. While the priest took care of the seriously ill or injured, the acolytes either assisted the priests or cared for recovering patients. The infirmary was surprisingly busy, not overwhelmingly so, but a steady stream of patients filled the place. Despite that, it wasn't hard to spot Allyana in the crowd.

The noble was like a golden beacon. Even as she treated patients, people would walk over to talk to her. Allyana always patiently spoke with them but managed to do so without ignoring or neglecting her patient. As Ember watched, the elderly woman Allyana was treating laughed at something Allyana said. Not far from her, Acolyte Richard kept an eye on Allyana and redirected the people heading towards her if it seemed like Allyana was becoming overwhelmed. It was clear the pair had a system going to manage patient care and speak with the people excited to see the noblewoman.

Ember's attention turned away from Allyana and began searching for Meri. She figured her best bet was to speak to Meri first. It would be easier without her friends. She knew the conversation wouldn't be pleasant and she didn't need them interfering. When she spotted Meri, Ember was surprised to see a familiar face next to the girl.

"Patricia, what are you doing here?" Ember asked once she reached the two girls.

"Hi Ember," Patricia said brightly.

"She's been visiting me nearly every day," Meri piped in and she seemed much more cheerful than she had before.

Ember looked at Patricia in surprise.

Patricia flushed. "Besides my Oracle studies, I don't do much, so I come here to visit and help out in the infirmary."

Ember was impressed. Patricia really was kind. She had free time and she decided to help people. The Akashic Tree really had chosen the right person to make its oracle.

"How are the oracle studies going?" Ember asked.

"At first it was a lot but I'm getting the hang of it. I'm trying to do what you told me." Patricia looked shyly away and then back at Ember. "It's hard but I think it's working."

"Good," Ember said. "Keep at it." Ember paused and then let her curiosity get the best of her. "Have you had any oracles come to you?"

Meri leaned in at the question, just as interested.

"I'm not allowed to talk about them unless it's approved by the Merclen Archbishop, but I've had at least three."

Ember's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That many already?"

Patricia nodded. "The Akashic Tree has a lot to say."

"I wonder why it took so long for it to pick an oracle then," Ember said, thoughtfully. "Also, you have to get permission to share your oracles?" She didn't like the sound of that but it wasn't completely unexpected.

"It's probably to prevent panic," Meri said, defensively.

Ember looked at the girl. It was clear she was protective of the Order. She expected as much from an acolyte, but not all members of the Order were like that, especially in the Hekral temple which had a more scholarly focus.

"That makes sense," Ember acknowledged.

Meri seemed to relax at her words.

Patricia looked between them nervously. "You don't need to worry. What the Akashic Tree says comes first. If the Akashic Tree directs me to tell someone I'll always do what it says first, otherwise I don't mind leaving it in the hands of the Archbishop."

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Ember reached out and gave Meri's hand a squeeze. "As long as you're fine with it. I'm fine with it."

Patricia smiled brightly and then looked at Ember curiously. "Why did you come to the infirmary? You're not ill, are you?"

Ember shook her head. "I actually came to see Meri."

Meri looked at her in surprise and then embarrassment. "Oh. Sorry about before."

"It's fine," Ember said gently. "After what you've been through, I think it's good to get it all out."

Meri smiled bashfully. "Thanks. Still, it was pretty embarrassing."

"How are you holding up?"

"It's hard. I still have problems with men coming close but I'm trying to get better. Allyana suggested I try having someone I know come and visit but that hasn't worked out."

"Too hard?"

"Yes, but it's also finding the right one. Richard and Allen are the only ones I'm around regularly and to tell you the truth Richard scares me a little. It would be easier with Allen, but..."

"He's busy?" Ember asked.

Meri nodded.

Ember suspected that might be the case. She wondered if Meri had a crush on Allen. Unfortunately for Meri, it looked like Bridget was winning.

Ember decided to change the subject and get to the reason she had come to see Meri. "Meri, do you mind if I ask you some questions about what happened?"

Meri stiffened and then her body trembled. Patricia reached out and held the girl's hand and some of the trembling stopped.

"What do you want to know?"

"Whatever you can tell me," Ember said. "I've started working for the city guard and if I can find any clue about your attacker I'm going to try to help."

Patricia looked down at her lap. "I don't know much. He kept my eyes covered and barely spoke. When he did his voice was rough and distorted."

"Do you think he was trying to disguise his voice?" Ember asked.

"Maybe," Meri said. "It was strange. He was hiding who he was but sometimes...it seemed like he wanted me to know."

"Why do you think that?"

"He would ask me to guess."

"Guess?"

Meri shuddered and scrunched in on herself. "Guess who he was. At least I think so. I'm not sure. He would just say guess. I don't know what I was supposed to guess." Meri dug her nails tightly into her arms. "Do we need to keep talking about this?"

Ember shook her head. "That's enough. Thank you for telling me."

Meri nodded, still trembling. "You should be careful. He's dangerous, really dangerous. He can hurt you without touching you."

Ember's eyes widened and then narrowed. Did that mean he had an ability to cause pain? That worried Ember. The Akashic Tree gave out a variety of abilities, some dangerous and some helpful. But all the abilities the Akashic Tree gave were not violent on their own. For example, the fire element could destroy or give warmth. An ability based on swordsmanship was an extension of a desire to grow stronger or protect. While not all abilities were positive, they were at least neutral or natural extensions of a person's talents. So, an ability that simply caused pain wouldn't be something the Akashic Tree would bless a person with.

This meant either the ability wasn't one about pain and that was just a side-effect or the ability wasn't an Akashic Tree ability. Ember frowned at the thought of the last one. If it wasn't an Akashic Tree ability then it was a Shade ability. That was even more worrisome. The first sign of a Shade ability happened about three years from now in the capital. Was the timeline happening faster than before and why in Hekral? No, that didn't make sense. The kidnapping had always happened so that can only mean the Shade had always been active here and no one discovered it or the ability wasn't a Shade ability.

Ember bit her lip. If a Shade ability was involved then things had gotten much more complicated.

"Why is everyone looking so serious?" Allyana asked as she and Richard joined them.

Meri's expression brightened at the sight of Allyana and then she looked around, a hint of disappointment on her face. "Allen didn't come?"

Allyana shifted uncomfortably. "He's helping out in the research facility." The 'with Bridget' went unsaid.

Meri couldn't hide her disappointment. "Oh." She sunk deeper into her bed. "I'm sorry. I'm really tired. Do you mind if I rest?"

"Of course," Allyana said softly.

Meri rolled over, her back facing them. The four of them got up and gave Meri her privacy.

Once they were out of earshot, Allyana growled out. "That idiot. He's going to lose his chance."

"I have to agree," Richard said.

Ember looked at the pair curiously. "His chance?"

Allyana nodded. "Allen has a crush on Meri but the idiot is avoiding her."

Ember couldn't help her surprise. "I thought he liked Bridget."

Richard snorted. "She wishes."

Allyana rolled her eyes. "Meri is probably thinking the same." She sighed. "Allen has always liked Meri. They were even supposed to go on a date." She let out a sigh. "But the worst happened."

"He must feel guilty," Richard said.

"I know and I get it. But this isn't making things better," Allyana said.

"Why would he feel guilty?" Ember asked.

Allyana and Richard exchanged a look and then Richard shrugged.

Allyana sighed but continued. "The day he was supposed to meet Meri for their date he was running late. It was the same day Meri was kidnapped."

"If he had been on time then Meri might have never been kidnapped," Richard said.

"That's so sad," Patricia said.

Ember couldn't agree more. "So that's why he's avoiding her?"

Allyana nodded. "Yes. I wish he wouldn't. Meri really needs him right now."

"I'll talk to him," Richard said. "I'm sure he'll come around. He just needs time."

A heavy silence hung over the group.

Ember figured it was a good time to change the subject. "Lady Allyana, I was thinking I would like to help out in the infirmary. Do you know how I can go about volunteering?"

Allyana immediately latched on to the change of subject and soon Ember found herself dragged along as the group began helping around the infirmary. It was clear they were all passionate about what they were doing, even Richard who for all intents was there as Allyana's guard. Ember worked diligently along with them. After all, this was the best way to get closer to Allyana and achieve her goals. A little part of her also hoped that by helping out, she might balance the scales against the bad things she had done and would do in the future.

She sighed. Though, maybe that was an impossible goal. Ember tried not to think about it and instead focused on helping the people at the infirmary. At least for now, she could do some good.