It was not a virgin cognomen. Far from it. Gaesta Burningblade had been one of the twelve centarchs first given their haken by the Chosen themselves, the distant ancestors of the Kyriliarchs. It had been granted many times in the past four hundred years, always to centarchs whose power manifested as Maya’s did—in the pure fire of the sun. None of its bearers had failed to do the name honor.

Jaedia wanted that for me. For a moment, her throat was too thick to respond. Finally, she managed a small voice, which went mostly unheard among the rising tumult.

“I am … honored, Kyriliarch.”

*

After that, the Dogmatic members of the Council had left, stiff-necked, while everyone else seemed to want to congratulate Maya. She shook hands, numbly, with some of the most respected and powerful members of the Order, too shocked to note their colors or remember their names. Someone clapped her on the shoulder, which sent a jolt of pain through her arm, and she doubled over. Distantly, she heard someone saying that the new centarch was tired and needed rest. An arm slipped through hers—on her good side—and she found herself pulled toward the door.

Only when she was out in the corridor did she manage to straighten up. Baselanthus looked down at her, eyes twinkling.

“You seemed like you needed rescue, my dear,” he said.

“Chosen defend me,” Maya said. “Thank you. And … for what you said—”

“As to that,” the old man said firmly, “we should speak in private. Do you think you have the strength?”

Maya nodded. Basel let go of her arm and led the way down the hall to his office. He settled in behind his desk, among the collection of strange arcana, and Maya closed the heavy door behind her. With the sound of conversation from the hall cut off, she relaxed a fraction.

“You seem surprised at how things worked out,” Basel said.

“I … expected more …”

“Resistance?”

“Yes, Kyriliarch.”

“Oh, no need for that. Not in here, at least. I was always Basel to Jaedia.” He waved at the chairs opposite his desk. “Sit, if you like. I know your hip pains you.”

“Thank you, K—Basel.” Maya took the seat opposite him with relief.

“If Nicomidi had not decamped so suddenly, I daresay you would have had more of a fight on your hands. As it is, the Dogmatics found the wind quite taken out of their sails and declined to make an issue of it after we heard Tanax’s testimony.”

“It just feels very … sudden.”

“Under normal circumstances, there’s a bit more pomp. A ceremony and a reception. But things being as they are, we thought it best to move quickly.” He fixed her with a sharp gaze. “I imagine it is your intention to go after Jaedia as soon as possible.”