Page 293 of Sokâr

It took everything—everything—not to let tears well in her eyes. She stood straight, a willow against a gale of sorrow, and lifted her hands to cup his face in turn.

“I am the Crystal City's Sokâr,” she said. "I will not allow its light to fade."

He nodded. Stepped back. Signaled to his Kelvasari.

And with that, he left, vanishing into the darkness as the drums began to sing once more.

Beating.

Beating.

Beating.

A sound so horrid that the Sokâr struggled not to flinch.

“Resh…Resh…Resh…Resh…” the crowd chanted.

"Sokâr…Sovereign…Sokâr…Sovereign…"

The Sokâr did not move, even when Doctrine demanded her to do so. When duty bid her to turn and take a portal back to the Jade Lattices, she still stood. As though hoping to catch just one final glimpse of her beloved.

Seven drumbeats.

Then twenty.

Then much more.

And still she stood.

Until the drums hushed, and the People’s voice grew hoarse with chant.

Then, in the uncertain silence—a sound.

A flicker at her wrist where a dark bracelet with an inset ruby pulsed with a new glow.

“My love. I will return. I swear it. Do not grieve. Do not let the pain too near. We will soon be together again…”

“Promise?” she asked, so quiet none could have heard.

“You are my breath, and I am yours.”

Straightening her shoulders, the Sokâr turned at last. Reaching for the key sigil at her wrist, she summoned a portal and stepped inside.

Not to go home.

Not to wait in solitude.

But to keep her vow.

To keep those who were unheard. Unseen.

And to never let Krystopolis fall.