Chương 229: Cerulean Vein

"I suppose there's little point in pretence now," Lady Laelyn said with a sigh.

"The question is how much I should tell you." Another blast of light struck the wagon, causing it to rock violently. The sounds of combat outside intensified—metal clashing against energy, shouts of pain and determination, the splintering of wood as missed attacks found less intentional targets. Lady Laelyn pressed her palm against one of the glyphs carved into the wagon's interior. The symbol flared briefly with blue light, and I felt a subtle pulse of energy spread throughout the compartment.

A privacy ward, perhaps, or some kind of reinforcement to the wagon's structure.

"We don't have much time," she murmured, more to herself than to me. Her eyes closed momentarily, her features contorting in an internal struggle that I recognized all too well—the debate between truth and safety, between trust and caution.

"Those people out there," I prompted, gesturing toward the sounds of battle.

"They're trying to kill you specifically, aren't they? Not just rob a noble's caravan." The wagon lurched again as something heavy collided with its side. Lady Laelyn braced herself against the wall, her composure slipping just enough to reveal genuine concern.

"You're right," she said finally.

"What I'm about to tell you might sound like nonsense to someone from a small village, but I assure you it's the truth." She took a deep breath.

"The Order of the First Light, which governs the blue sun's blessings, is about to choose its new spiritual leader. A Saint or Saintess who will guide them for the coming cycle."

"And you're... involved with this somehow?" my eyes widened. A ghost of a smile touched her lips.

"I am one of the candidates."

"You're a Lightweaver?" I blurted out, genuine alarm colored my voice. If she was a Lightweaver who could conceal her aura completely from both me and Azure, she might be far more powerful than she appeared. Had I unwittingly stumbled into the company of a high-ranked practitioner? The last thing I needed was to draw that level of scrutiny. To my surprise, Lady Laelyn laughed.

"No, not yet. Though that is the destination we're journeying toward." She shook her head.

"I am what's known as a Radiant-Touched."

"A what?" I asked, though I had a suspicion I already understood the concept. Every cultivation system I'd encountered had its own terminology for those naturally attuned to particular energies. Lady Laelyn ran her fingers through her dark hair, brushing it back from her face.

"The blue sun affects people differently than its crimson counterpart. While the red sun drives some to madness and transforms others into those monstrosities you witnessed at your village, the blue sun... enlightens. Those who undergo prolonged exposure and emerge changed are called Radiant-Touched." I nodded slowly.

"So, it's like the Sun-touched, but with the blue sun instead?" Her nose wrinkled delicately at the comparison, and I could see I'd inadvertently offended her.

"In the crudest sense, I suppose there are similarities. Both involve transformation through solar exposure. But that's where the resemblance ends." I nodded apologetically, despite thinking to myself that users of either sun seemed equally fanatical in their own ways. The Skybound with their bloody rituals and obsession with power, the Lightweavers with their talk of purity and revelation. Both sides convinced of their righteousness, both capable of terrible violence in service to their beliefs.

"Is that what Beric is?" I asked instead.

"And those attackers outside, are they Radiant-Touched too?"

"Yes," she confirmed, "though there are important distinctions." She absently traced the pattern of one of the carved symbols on the wagon's interior.

"I was born with what is called a 'Cerulean Vein', an intrinsic connection to the First Light from birth. This gives me the unique ability to absorb and channel the power of the blue sun, even from attacks meant to harm me." She frowned slightly, her gaze distant.

"Beric and the guards were touched later in life. Their abilities are more... limited. They can channel light to some degree, but cannot absorb it as I can. In many ways, they're similar to failed Lightweaver candidates, those who began the path but couldn't progress beyond its initial stages." That clarified things considerably. The Skybound called those naturally attuned to the red sun's energy "Naturals", individuals who could harness crimson power without formal training.

This Cerulean Vein must be the Lightweaver equivalent, a genetic predisposition toward blue sun energy.

"When we reach the Cerulean Spire," Lady Laelyn continued, "I'll officially become a Rank 1 Lightweaver. And if my resonance with the Blue Sun proves strongest among the candidates, I'll be elevated to the position of Saintess." A particularly powerful blast of energy struck the wagon, causing the entire structure to shudder ominously. Lady Laelyn winced, pressing her palm against the wall.

I watched in fascination as blue light gathered around the point of impact outside, drawing into her hand like water flowing uphill. The absorption wasn't as effortless this time. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, and her breathing became labored. The light didn't vanish instantly as before but seemed to struggle against her control, taking several seconds to fully dissipate.

"Are you alright?" I asked. She forced a smile.

"Yes. It's just... draining. Each attack I absorb requires energy to process and contain. Too many in succession can be overwhelming."

"You shouldn't keep doing that," I said.

"Your barrier failed, we should find better cover." She shook her head stubbornly.

"I won't let them harm an innocent caught in our dispute. Beric and the others are buying us time. We're not far from Crossroads Inn now."

"What exactly is this 'Saintess' position?" I asked, partly from genuine curiosity and partly to distract her from her obvious pain. The Skybound texts I'd studied had mentioned the position but provided few specifics, describing it only as "the heretics' puppet master" and "vessel of the false light", but I wanted to see what her view on this was. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Lady Laelyn took a deep breath.

"The Saint or Saintess serves as the living voice of the First Light among our people. They guide the Order's spiritual path and serve as a bridge between ordinary followers and the higher echelons of the Lightweavers.

"More practically, they oversee certain rites, mediate disputes between factions, and... have considerable political influence. The Saint or Saintess is traditionally chosen from among those with Cerulean Veins, as we're thought to have the purest connection to the Blue Sun's will."

"And these attackers? They're working for a rival candidate?" I guessed.

"Most likely," she confirmed, massaging her temples.

"The selection of a new Saint is always a contentious time. Some candidates prefer to eliminate the competition before reaching the Spire."

"Seems like a dishonorable approach for followers of a supposedly enlightened order," I observed. Lady Laelyn's lips curved in a humorless smile.

"Power corrupts regardless of its source, Tomas. The blue sun may bring clarity and healing, but ambition remains ambition, whether illuminated by azure or crimson light." Another attack struck, this one more powerful than the last. Lady Laelyn gasped, her body going rigid as she extended both hands toward the point of impact. Blue-white light suffused the entire wagon interior for a moment, so bright I had to shield my eyes. When it faded, Lady Laelyn was leaning heavily against the wall, her face pale and drawn.

Her breathing came in ragged gasps, and tiny rivulets of sweat ran down her temples.

"That was... stronger," she managed between breaths.

"They're getting serious now."

"Why not fight back?" I asked.

"Send their attacks back at them?" She shook her head weakly.

"That's not how my ability works. I can absorb, but redirection requires different techniques, ones I haven't mastered yet. That's what I hope to learn at the Spire." I helped her to one of the cushioned benches, genuinely concerned. Power notwithstanding, she seemed genuinely decent. A rarity among the aspiring elites in a world like this.

"Tell me more about this Saintess position," I prompted.

"Is it a lifetime appointment?" She managed a weak smile.

"Curious, aren't you? Yes, a lifetime. The current Saint is dying. Someone from the higher ups has campaigned for a replacement to be chosen."

"And, what is this process like?"

"The selection ritual is called the Cerulean Immersion," she explained.

"In ten days, all candidates will meditate beneath the blue sun at its zenith for three days and nights. Whoever absorbs the most light without losing control is chosen."

"And if you win? What happens then?"

"I'll be trained in the highest arts of the Order. Learn to heal with light, to purify corruption, and bring peace to the masses." A wistful quality entered her voice.

"Perhaps even to communicate with the blue sun itself, as the greatest Saints have done." A truly massive surge of energy slammed into the wagon, so powerful that cracks appeared in the wooden walls despite the protective glyphs. Lady Laelyn cried out, her body arching as if in pain as she thrust both hands toward the assault. The light that poured in was blinding, a concentrated beam of pure cerulean energy that seemed to connect directly to Lady Laelyn's outstretched palms.

For a moment, she appeared to be made of light herself, her skin translucent, revealing a network of glowing blue veins beneath. She was clearly struggling, her entire body trembling with the effort of containing and absorbing such power. The light's intensity wavered, pushing against her control, threatening to overwhelm her defenses.

"You can do this," I found myself saying, surprised at my own encouragement.

"Just breathe through it." Her eyes, now glowing with a blue light, fixed on mine gratefully. With visible effort, she steadied her breathing, her fingers spreading wider as she reasserted control over the influx of energy. Gradually, the light dimmed, drawing inward until it disappeared entirely into her palms. She collapsed back onto the bench, utterly exhausted. Her skin retained a faint blue luminescence, as if she'd swallowed a star.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"Sometimes... sometimes the energy fights back. It wants to remain free, not constrained within human form." As the battle raged outside, I found myself at a crossroads. I had a choice to make, and quickly. I could release some blue sun energy from my core, claiming to also possess a "Cerulean Vein," and immediately get recruited into the Blue Sun Academy. But that option carried significant risks. First, how would I explain my ability to hide this supposed natural affinity?

I could claim self-taught control through trial and error, but that would raise questions about how I'd survived in a small village till now. Someone with blue sun affinity would be a prime target for Sun-Touched and Skybound practitioners, they should have detected me instantly before I managed to learn to hide my aura. Second and more concerning was the political landscape I'd be entering.

If candidates for the Saintess position were already targeting each other, drawing attention to myself as someone with natural ability would likely make me a target before I even located the Blue Sun Academy. I'd essentially be painting a target on my back for every ambitious Lightweaver in the region. And while Lady Laelyn seemed gentle and honorable, I didn't truly know her. If she perceived me as potential competition, her attitude might change drastically.

The kindest people could become ruthless when power was at stake, I'd seen it countless times.

"You're very quiet," Lady Laelyn observed, studying me with those remarkable eyes that were now flashing blue.

"Are you afraid?" I offered a self-deprecating smile.

"Wouldn't anyone be? I'm just a village boy caught in events far beyond my understanding."

"Azure," I called silently, "what do you think? Should I reveal anything about our abilities?"

"Not advisable, Master," came his immediate response.

"The risk substantially outweighs the potential benefit at this juncture. We know too little about the political landscape, and your current body lacks the strength to defend against determined assassins." He was right, as usual. The best approach would be to remain the simple villager, at least until we reached somewhere safer.

If Lady Laelyn and her group survived this ambush, I could attach myself to them as a grateful refugee and find some way to enter the Blue Sun Academy alongside her, perhaps as a servant or attendant, roles that would grant access without scrutiny. And then be tested for blue sun affinity and become an initiate.

"The sounds outside are changing," I noted, tilting my head toward the window.

"The fighting seems less intense." Lady Laelyn closed her eyes briefly, seeming to focus on distant sensations.

"Yes. Beric and the others are gaining the upper hand. Most of the attackers have fallen."

"Good," I said with genuine relief. While I had contingency plans for escape, survival was always simpler when others did the fighting for you. The wagon rocked as something heavy collided with its exterior, but this time it wasn't an energy attack. From the sound, a body had been thrown against the wood, likely one of the combatants from the ongoing battle. Lady Laelyn stood, steadier now as her strength began to return.

"Stay here," she instructed, moving toward the door.

"I should see if Beric needs assistance." I nodded but secretly prepared to shadow her movements. If the fighting was indeed concluding, I wanted to see how her guards had fared. Their combat effectiveness would tell me a lot about the general power level of Radiant-Touched individuals and how my current restricted abilities compared. She released the latch and pushed the door open, stepping out onto a small platform at the wagon's rear.

I followed at a discreet distance, positioning myself where I could observe without being overly exposed. The scene outside was one of decisive victory. Four black-robed figures lay motionless on the ground, their forms still occasionally emitting weak pulses of blue light as their energy dissipated. Beric stood over a fifth, his light-sword pressed against the attacker's throat, while another guard bound the captive's hands. The remaining guards formed a perimeter around the wagon, alert for any hidden threats.

One was injured, clutching a bleeding arm, but the others appeared relatively unharmed.

"Well fought, Beric," Lady Laelyn smiled, walking over to them.

"Any casualties on our side?" The guard captain straightened, his light-sword dimming but not disappearing entirely.

"Minor injuries only, my lady. Korin took a light-dart to the arm, but it's superficial."

"Bring him to me," she instructed.

"I can help with the healing." As Beric signaled for the injured guard to approach, one of the black-robed attackers we'd assumed dead suddenly twitched, then began to rise silently behind her. I had just enough time to shout "Behind you!" before the assassin closed the distance, blade raised for a killing stroke aimed at Lady Laelyn's exposed neck. She began to turn, hearing my warning, but she was too slow. The assassin's blade descended in a perfect arc.

In that fraction of a second, I saw Lady Laelyn's eyes widen with the sudden, terrible understanding that she was about to die.