We test ourselves each day, like pillars in the sand.

It is but hope and prayer that oft keeps us from crumbling.

-Qu'nar, Shuriman Philosopher

"You want me to speak freely, Emperor Azir?"

"I do, Slo'vik. You are my Sun General."

"I think it's a damned stupid idea."

The bearded man rested an arm on his scabbard and sighed. I admittedly wasn't all that surprised by his answer. It had been a week since Ru'ban informed me of Zaler's uprising, and now I was ordering soldiers to march on the city of Shurelya.

I had asked to come along.

"Look, Emperor." His tone was lecturing. Not condescending, but a more respectful explanation. "War is ugly. You haven't had proper training. We're low on troops as is, with so many of them having to return to take care of their families during the drought season, so I can't set anyone aside to watch your back."

Slo'vik's advice was worth heeding. I nodded to him, but did not yet move from my seat in the barracks. Many of the common soldiers were rushing around the room, sharpening weapons and polishing armor. Most of them paid me no mind. Either they were all highly trained, or I simply wasn't very impressive for an emperor. Maybe a little of both. I leaned in to speak to Slo'vik in a hushed tone.

"I understand. I simply wish I could...prove myself."

He nodded. "I've heard that before. I've buried too many new soldiers who've said that before. You want my opinion? Stay here. Don't let them know there's such a problem the Emperor himself has gotta get off his throne to deal with it."

Leaning back, I turned Slo'vik's words over in my mind. True, being on the throne in a time of crisis would serve as a guiding light to my people...but that was what my father had done. "The Mad Emperor", as Xerath had told me some of the slaves called him. I did not wish to pave the same legacy.

"Slo'vik." I stood, looking the Sun General directly in the one eye he had left, the other covered in a patch. "I will bring my own guardian, so you need not draw from your troops. But I will join you."

He frowned deeply. Clearly the Sun General did not often have his advice ignored. "I suppose I can't object, if it's a direct order from the Emperor. Fine. We leave tomorrow, at sunset."


That night, in the hall outside of my bedchambers, I was met with further disapproval.

"I wish you would reconsider, my Emp-"

I gave Sina a knowing look.

"Sorry. I wish you would reconsider, Azir." she muttered, still a bit uncomfortable with the informality. But Sina was never one to cling to tradition anyway, and we had become far too familiar for titles anyway. It was probably some sort of breach of Shuriman code to pursue a romantic partnership with your own Captain of the Guard, but that was one law I would gladly strike from the books as Emperor. Still, it was worth keeping secret, for now.

"I promise you, I will be careful." Noting the worried look on her normally resolute face, I continued. "It may not even come to battle. When he sees our forces, Zaler would be wise to simply surrender."

There was a short laugh from the darkened hallway. "I would doubt that."

In the blink of an eye, Sina was armed and pointing her sword towards the unseen intruder. "Halt!", she declared, taking a defensive stance.

A burst of azure, arcane light illuminated the hallway. Xerath lowered the hand he had used to cast the spell and walked towards us. "My apologies, Lady Sina. I did not mean to alarm you...simply to state my opinion on the matter."

Slowly uncurling her biceps and relaxing again, Sina gave Xerath a look. "Next time, could you do it where we can see you?"

"As I said, my apologies. But, if it helps...I come bearing gifts."

From his robes, Xerath produced a rather sizable bundle of cloth, carefully wrapped and marked with the seal of the High Smith. "On'da bid me give this to you, Emperor Azir. He heard you were going to battle…"

I had only decided that this morning. Clearly the rumors about how quickly On'da could work were well substantiated. Unfurling the cloth, I withdrew what was inside.

A golden circlet, the back end studded with various gems. The front was tilted forward at a slight angle, designed to block out the sun, a very popular design choice in Shurima. What was most clearly striking, however, was the ornamentation on the front of the visor. Two glistening rubies flanked an upturned piece of metal, molded into the shape of a beak. It looked just like a falcon, cast in golden colors.

I could not hide my amazement. "This is...fantastic. And he made it in a day?"

Xerath nodded. "Indeed, my Emperor. Battle regalia befitting a newfound ruler of Shurima, wouldn't you say, Lady Sina?"

I passed the circlet to the Captain, who began to inspect it. "Hmm. Certainly very solid work. I've never been a fan of headpieces in battle, tend to obscure the view, and your enemy will just go for the gut anyway...but this could probably deflect an arrow or two. Just not big enough to do much else…"

Chuckling, I gently took the piece back from Sina. "Thank you for your analysis, but I imagine this isn't all the armor I'll be wearing…"

Rubbing his chin, Xerath looked at the visor again. "I would imagine it's meant to be intimidating. To impose fear on the enemy ranks, as the Emperor, with the strength of a falcon, bears down upon them. Same principle the Ascended seem to use, really."

As my best friend and my girlfriend debated the qualities of the piece, I decided it was an appropriate time to pose the question I had witheld.

I cleared my throat, and both of them turned to face me. Sina even gave a salute. "I promised Slo'vik I would bring along a bodyguard, someone to protect me in the heat of battle. I have a bit of training with the spear...but it was all ceremonial, really. I need a stalwart ally, and I believe that either of you would make for an excellent partner."

The hallway was only silent for a moment before Xerath spoke out. "I would be honored." Sina was silent, staring down with a look of worry. Most unlike her.

"Xerath…" My voice was lingering in trepidation. "Are you sure? I will be honest, I was expecting Sina to speak up first."

Xerath shrugged. "I must admit, I wish to test my new spells in battle...should it come to that. And I believe it will. I have been forced to read some of Zaler's works from the palace library...he experimented with some of his more gruesome spells on slaves."

A bit of rage filled me as I nodded, beckoning for Xerath to continue.

His eyes lit up, dull blue turning to brilliant sapphire on his face. "I would like to return the favor."

Sina smiled. "The slave-Apprentice makes a compelling argument. Few things are a better motivator in battle than the drive to see justice done." She nodded towards Xerath. "He has my vote of confidence."

Xerath seemed less than honored. He simply turned to look at me, expectantly. Finally, I nodded. "Alright. Sunset tomorrow, have our traveling gear prepared, Xerath. We go to battle."

As my slave departed, I turned again to Sina. She looked troubled, slumped against the wall. "Is there something wrong?", I asked, leaning in close.

She looked back up at me, and I noticed cracks in her hardened facade for the first time. "I just don't want to lose you. I've already buried my father. I cannot do so for my Emperor, my...lover."

Kneeling next to her, I spoke softly. "I will be careful, Sina. I promise you, I will return safely. Slo'vik and Xerath will be fighting alongside me-"

"If it comes to that."

"If it comes to that." Standing, I gave an involuntary yawn. "I'm afraid I need to be off to bed, however. I will see you tomorrow, Sina."

"Wait."

She had stopped me with my hand on the bedchamber doorknob. "Yes?"

Sina stood as well, gazing into my eyes. "I have another reason you must stay safe, and you must return. It is also the reason I did not volunteer to join you."

I was puzzled. Sina continued without my prompting.

"There is someone else I must care for. Someone I believe you will wish to protect as well...Azir."

Slowly, Sina took off her armor, revealing a slight bulge in her stomach.

"I'm pregnant, Azir. You will soon have an heir."