brain. In that elongated state of consciousness, she reached within and unerringly located the nerve, consciously diverting its flow into the central channel.

It felt like an eon before a sound—like the loosing of an arrow—struck her ears. Light zigzagged through her spinal cord, filling her head with blissful luster. The almost immediate cessation of pain filled her with awe. Much later, she sensed Kharanshu moving about behind her. When she turned, she saw a halo of light pulsing around his head. Rising unsteadily, she walked to the mat and collapsed.

Dusk was painting the walls of the hut with fingers of gold when she awoke. A stream of luster was still pouring into her head, yet her brain was clear and bright. “Time to eat,” Kharanshu smiled, bringing her a bowl of cracked wheat...

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