The ceremony finally closed, but the front of the hall hadn't cleared. People lingered, watching Percy and Thalos stand at the docks of the canal.
They were supposed to make their way to the arena for the showcase of spells between the new spiritmancers.
But Percy had other places to be. Like back home.
The sun was getting low. The somber evening wind ruffled his black and white hair. Both he and Thalos wore simple black vests and trousers with the Amphene sigil for the ceremony. But the simple clothes were hot and uncomfortable.
He missed the free clothes he wore on the road. That didn't mean he didn't appreciate the beauty of Yarol, though.
He could see the entire city from this high: the scattered clusters of colorful houses built on the sides of the great mountains. The white lines of the artificial canals lined beside the gray roads.
Higher up on the mountain was Count Dresden's castle, shrouded by white mist and great flying creatures.
