The Oath of the Unowned Flame
The Keepers inherit a responsibility, not a possession
Chapter 188 passages171 words
1The Keepers met without a throne. At the center stood a lamp, a bowl of water, a loaf, and the Seal of the Open Hand. 2Vahram said, “The closed hand can hold a jewel. The open hand can receive a person.” 3Each Keeper promised four duties: tell truth against one’s own tribe, protect the stranger against one’s own ruler, repair inherited harm, and surrender any teaching proven to serve the Lie. 4They did not promise never to fail. A promise of perfection would have recruited liars first. 5Darya asked who guarded the guardians. Vahram turned the seal toward her. “Whoever sees clearly enough to correct us.” 6The youngest member washed the eldest member’s hands. Rank began by receiving service from someone it could not command to remain silent. 7Their final oath was spoken softly: “We do not own the Flame. We answer for what is done in its light.” 8The seal passed from palm to palm, gathering no magic—only the weight of every hand that had once refused to close.