When I had made the vows, Lesharo handed me the scroll of the new laws I had written. In front of five priests and five soldiers, in front of a malevolent high priest, a powerful Chosen champion, and my oldest Quelled friend, I read those laws.

I wept as I read them, knowing they held the hopes and dreams I had treasured all my life; that they meant justice for my race, and a kind of freedom; that they would cause controversy and bloodshed, restoration and healing. And while I made those laws, I could hear outside the temple the dreadful sounds of strife. But I could feel the quiet of God like a shield about me, and I bound myself to him for strength; and though I stood alone in my new calling, I held a nation in my heart.

24 Into the Light

24

Into the Light

AND SO THE LIVES of the Quelled were changed, and for the first time in their history, my people had a voice, dignity, and a limited amount of freedom.

But nothing was won easily. On the second of the thrice-yearly meetings in Kasimarra, between myself and the Quelled ambassadors, the good news from the mines was still interspersed with stories of injustice and strife.

Night’s lamps had almost burned out when the last ambassador stood up from the chair across the table, bent and touched the polished floor of the great hall, and left.

Wearily, I leaned back in my chair and glanced at Alejandro beside me. He was recording on a scroll the report from the last ambassador. His writing was swift and neat, and his hands were gold in the lamplight as they moved on the parchment. Finally, he signed the report, put down the pen, and sprinkled sand on the ink to dry it. He rested his head in his hands.

“The battle still goes on, doesn’t it?” he said. “Every day a Chosen somewhere, somehow, violates the new laws. Much has been achieved, but there is still a long way to go to justice.”

“There can never be true justice,” I said. “You told me yourself that improving the lives of the Quelled is not enough. We were a great nation, once. Strong Free.”

“God, Elsha, don’t get any more ideas,” he said, and slowly stood. He was smiling, but his face, for all its youth, looked tired and careworn. He gathered up the parchments, rolling them carefully. They would be given to Amasai later.

“Five ambassadors did not report,” he added. “Either they’ve met accidents on the way, or their mines are in so much chaos that they cannot leave. Amasai will need to visit those mines, as well as the others where there is still discord. I have seen his dealings with the Chosen who will not comply with your reforms. He is hard on them, Elsha Hard, but just. He works well for your cause.”