Page 250 of Sokâr

“This brings us to the matter of reform.”

She broke the seal and placed the scroll on the Circle of Rule. The managrams lit, projecting more than a year’s worth of work, obsession, and research to the surrounding chamber.

“The Mandate of the Unbroken Shields. This mandate proposes the permanent abolition of the Estár ritual and proposes to halt the targeted Breeding of Companions and mana-rich vessels.”

People, she breathed through the Bond. Girls bred and trained to surrender their bodies for the appetite of blind, power-drunk men.

I see you, starlight,Kailorien murmured through their thoughts.But prepare yourself. This is the moment where they will turn on you.

Let them turn. I will fight them to the last. I swear upon my soul, I will tear their claws from you. I will end this.

Auryn…

The chamber erupted into chaos. Eyes widened among those present as the text unfolded. Mouths hung open. Faces blanched. Sevrion’s expression twisted into fury. Voices collided in outrage.

“Blasphemy—”

“You would break Doctrine—”

“Without Estár the Shields will collapse—”

Auryn stood tall. Unwavering. Her voice cut cleanly through the noise.

“The Shields will collapse regardless if you do not allocate resources to understanding the magic that powers them.”

The uproar intensified.

Sevrion rose halfway from his seat.

“You presume to dismantle centuries of sacred practice based on incomplete data and your own ambition—”

The chair beside Auryn scraped against stone.

Kailorien stood, and the air changed.

“You will address the Sokâr with respect.”

The words landed like iron bars dropping into place.

“The Rite of Judgment was witnessed by the entire city,” Kailorien continued quietly. “Her authority is no longer a matter of debate.”

The chamber stilled.

Sevrion straightened, his expression sharpening.

“If we are discussing the Rite, perhaps we should also discuss the Sokâr’s…interpretation of Doctrine.”

He gestured toward Auryn.

“She entered the sacred trial barefoot. She wore black where they should have been the purity of alabaster. And the bow she used – unsanctioned! These acts stand in violation of ceremonial order.”

Sevrion’s gaze moved across the chamber before returning to Auryn. “If the Sokâr believes she may rewrite Doctrine after one fortunate trial, she mistakes spectacle for authority.”

Several Councilors nodded in agreement, seizing the thread.

“Indeed—”

“A dangerous precedent—”