Qilue shouted from inside Halisstra's head. "Halisstra! Behind you! Watch Danifae!"

Too late. Qilue's awareness exploded into pain as Danifae's morningstar slammed into Halisstra's back, smashing the priestess to her hands and knees.

Halisstra understood it all then. The pain of betrayal was even greater than the sharp ache of her shattered ribs. You could have warned me, Halisstra thought.

The bitter rebuke was directed at Eilistraee, but it was Qilue who answered, I tried.

Halisstra, at last hearing her, nodded weakly.

Danifae's morningstar slammed into her back a second time, knocking her to the ground. She dimly heard Danifae give an order to the draegloth, then its bestial roar.

Feliane answered with a battle song.

Danifae's fingers twined in Halisstra's hair and yanked her head up.

"Watch," Danifae said, her voice a harsh gloat.

Qilue did, through Halisstra's eyes. Feliane wounded the draegloth, but the monster didn't even slow. He slammed Feliane to the ground and began tearing at the priestess's body with his fangs.

Feliane screamed as her stomach was torn open.

Halisstra's vision blurred with tears.

Another gone to Eilistraee. Only Halisstra was left, and her mind was filled with despair and doubt.

"Have faith, Halisstra!" Qilue cried. "Eilistraee will-"

Danifae slammed a fist into Halisstra's temple. Sparks of pain exploded inside Qilue's mind as well, disrupting her awareness. She fought to cling to it as Halisstra coughed, weakly, blood dribbling from her lips. Halisstra turned her head slightly, looking up at Danifae. The other drow swung her morningstar in a lazy arc, her face ugly with cruel mirth.

Halisstra's despair brimmed over. I am not worthy, she thought. I have failed.

"No!" Qilue shouted. "You-"

Too late. She lost the connection. Her awareness was back in her own body, and she stared into the font. Perhaps it was not too late. She summoned silver fire and stabbed a finger into the water, unleashing a beam of pure white flame. Instead of blasting Danifae, however, the magical flame skipped off the surface of the holy water like a stone and ricocheted into the night.