Izzy cared.
She cared for me, and Myel, and Koar, even Rook. She cared for this world, which hadn’t even been her home two weeks ago. She had enough devotion in her heart to help everyone in the three realms, to bring peace and equality to lands which had never known either. That was the Izzy I knew and loved.
This past week and a bit, basking in the radiance of Izzy’s spirit, I’d finally started to live a life where my moral convictions no longer warred with my duty. I’d experienced true peace in my soul and that had finally allowed me to come to terms with everything I’d done in the past. I’d begun the process of healing, of forgiving myself for the atrocities I’d committed. Eventually, I’d seek out those I’d hurt, or their loved ones, and make amends, but first I had to be true to myself.
And forgiveness didn’t mean an absence of guilt, only that my guilt fueled accountability, not shame. I vowed to do better, be better, live a life which made me proud of myself. Watching Izzy’s determination to learn and grow had inspired me to change myself for the better as well. And ever since I’d forgiven myself, I’d been able to access a deeper well within my spirit. And I used that now to help strengthen and support the woman I loved.
Because she needed someone to care for her, while her care for this world flagged. She needed to get her spirit back, needed to stand strong against Saldrea, against oppression, and to do that, she needed to find her fire once more.
I closed my eyes, feeling my own blazing spirit, and sank down into that bonfire to find my connection to Izzy, where sour sickness seeped in.
I stopped that flow, then began to reverse it, pushing my light and spirit through our connection, into her.
She gave a long, slow intake of breath, then an equally long sigh.
“Was that you?” she whispered.
I smiled as I opened my eyes to meet her gaze through the prison bars.
“I’m only giving you back some of what you’ve given me since our link formed.”
She smiled at that. It wasn’t a big thing, and it didn’t last long, but it gave me hope.
I went on. “Not only have you literally saved my life, bringing me back from the brink of death, but you’ve inspired me to change myself, better myself. You mended my body and your example — your work ethic, your indomitable spirit — gave me the strength to mend my soul. So yes, I’m giving you some small part of what you’ve given me.”
A tear left her eye and traced her cheek.
“Oh, Vyns, thank you.” Soul-weariness edged the hope of those four simple words.
She drew in another deep breath. And though she trembled as she let it out again, her back straightened, head once again held high.
“Sorry, I lost myself there, for a moment.”
“You experienced something far worse than any of us could ever imagine, so don’t beat yourself up for it. I’m glad you’re back with us again.”
“I am.” Another deep, long breath. “So, what’s the plan?” She was still far from her full strength of spirit, but she was trying and that’s what counted.
“For you? Stay strong. The trials you’ll face here aren’t done. The authorities will return in a bit for your confession, to be broadcast across campus and all of El’Arias. You’ll need to go through with it and make it sound good, so as to please Saldrea… but you have a chance here as well. You’ll have to be subtle, but Saldrea has essentially given you a platform to tell this world what you’d hoped to achieve. Your confession can also be your manifesto, since what she’s asking you to say is essentially the truth. Youdomean to overthrow the government here and change this world. So say it proudly.”
“Huh… I hadn’t thought of it that way, you’re right.”
“And secondly…” I lowered my voice even more. “You need to fight… in secret. You’re stronger than that binding collar. I heard what Lhorine told you:all bindings can be undone, if you’re powerful enough… and you are. You have to be. No matter who made that collar, you’re stronger, I’ve seen it, I know it. Everyone knows it. You’re your mother’s child. You hold her legacy. You beat Saldrea and Golana combined. You can do it. Lhorine taught you how to wear down a binding, like a slow river carving a gorge. So, even if you only have access to a tiny bit of your power, that’s enough. Wear down the collar. It may not be easy, nor quick, but you can do it.”
She smiled.
“You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”
“I’m more than just a pretty face,” I quipped.
“So much more,” she breathed, then we both leaned in close for an awkward kiss through the bars.
She blew out a breath.
“Okay… I can do this.”
And it was just in time, as the authorities then returned, ready to take Izzy’s confession and broadcast it out to the world.
VYNSIEL
