Parliament of Ashes

393 AC - I stare at the Phoenix Egg, the one that used to sit in the Parliament of Ashes on its bed of embers. Sitina watches me calmly as I begin to realize the significance of her gesture. No, it's not the act of a single person, but of a group acting together. The Phoenixian Guard, the Bravos elite, the self-proclaimed heirs of Rune. I take the Egg, which is still smoldering with flames. It's warm to the touch, as though it were radiating its own heat and absorbing the heat of the fire at the same time. For a moment, I feel like I'm in the Parliament, surrounded by rows of seats and dusty catafalques. Among the urns of the dead. Those dead were the guardians of this Egg, and now they no longer watch over anything…

The Blade Dancer seems to sense my unease and places a hand on my shoulder. What was it she said? Find someone to carry it? Find someone to entrust it to? It couldn't be me, even if that was who she had in mind when she came to find me. No, I had my own demons and too many issues. I had even surprised myself when I refused Sol's offer. She had called me a hypocrite, and deep down I knew she was right. I had accused her of wanting revenge, whereas that was what I was looking for myself. But her rage had terrified me. Watching her harangue the crowd, I'd seen myself, and I'd felt ashamed. No, I wasn't worthy of being the carrier. That honor should go to someone else…

BASIRA