Safe to report: Nothing. No more reporting.
Safe…
Safe to feel…
She signed,'Gratitude.'
“None needed. You’ve guarded more of this city than its walls.” His voice dropped, wistful. “It’s heart, maybe.”
'Will the Scarred One stay?'The words made her want to smile.
He shook his head. “Long enough to train. And leave a message.”
She dipped her head. Added Reskala signs,'Rune. Watch.Together.'
If it startled him, he didn’t show it. He gave a soldier’s sign in return—acceptance, vow, enough—and looked back towards the Resh’Agar’s wing.
Lu’ma moved through the forms until sweat slicked her temples. When she stilled, light trickled through the Mirror Shafts. She returned to the Lattices. At His Quintessence’s door, she touched the stone. Signed low and fierce,'Watch—guard—always.'
No sound past the ward. Just rest. At last.
But Lu’ma still could not sleep.
The corridor breathed. The night carried its dread forward.
She sat again in the alcove. Drew her dagger and laid it across her knees like an oath. The Lattice hummed.
The memory of flowers gone to rot echoed its stubborn scent.
Restless, Lu’ma kept her watch.
52
Shields Unbroken
Several days after the Rite of Judgment, Auryn stood beside Kailorien before the doors of the Axis Hall. They stood still in silent companionship, two warriors preparing for the battle of their lives. Kailorien had seen more wars that any man could count, yet never had he stepped into a maelstrom quite like this. When Auryn took a trembling breath, he offered her his arm, and she accepted with a smile.
Today, she wore white as she had before, but the silk of her gown no longer flowed in unbroken purity from collar to hem. Threads of onyx and gold wound through the fabric in deliberate counterpoint, hushed twilight woven into breaking dawn. The colors twisted like currents in a river. Each shade shone in brilliant contrast to its opposite, neither conquering, neither yielding.
Beside her, Kailorien lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles one by one.Are you ready, my love?
Never and always, though I believe today you are more nervous than I am.
He shifted his weight between his feet. Glanced at Lu’ma beside them, carrying a satchel full of documents.
You are about to drop the equivalent of a Blightsphere in that room, and I cannot predict the outcome. All I can say with certainty is that, from this moment forth, nothing will ever be the same in the Jade Lattice. Or in this city.
Time flows, and all the world changes with its current. Krystopolis is no exception. I am merely doing what should have been done centuries ago.
He glanced at her.Do you hate the Companions, Auryn?
For the role they have played in your pain, I do. Irrevocably. But for the role they have been forced into, I only pity them. A child raised to know nothing but pain can only pass it to others as it grows into agency.
He kissed her hand once more then settled it on his arm.You are too forgiving, starlight.
If I was, I would not despise them so.
He took a breath.Let us step into battle together, then.
