Alchemised

During the war, the Bayards convert their family home, Solis Splendour, into a meeting place for the Resistance. Helena spends most of her days between here and headquarters healing the wounded. One evening, Helena joins Rhea Bayard, Titus Bayard, their children Soren and Lila Bayard, their uncle Sebastian Bayard, and Luc for the evening. Luc expresses how much he misses Helena. He is on the front lines as the prospective new Paladian leader. Helena isn’t fighting: As the Eternal Flame’s only healer, she is too valuable to risk her life in combat. They discuss the Necromancer and their inability to determine his identity. Helena makes Luc promise not to lose hope.

Working alongside Matron Pace, Helena nurses countless wounded. One night, the Resistance members gather at headquarters, located in the former Holdfast Institute of Alchemy and Science. Helena worries when Luc doesn’t show up but gives her report to the Council anyway. She explains that they are weakening and suggests that instead of “burning the bodies,” they “reanimate them and use them as an infantry” (297). The Council is incensed, declaring her suggestion a violation of Orion Holdfast’s and the Eternal Flame’s principals. They suspend her from the Council and dismiss her from the hospital.