Fifty pairs of iron-shod greaves struck the river-stone pavers outside the front gate. The heavy cadence echoed between the high plaster walls of Stone-Willow Lane.
Inside the courtyard, Kaelen Vance did not open his eyes.
He lay stretched across his hemp hammock beneath the cedar eaves, a straw hat tilted over his nose. A warm bowl of roasted barley tea sat on the low pine stool beside him, untouched and steaming softly in the noon chill.
Beneath his eyelids, the charcoal slate hovered in silence.
[The Fallow Slate]
[Stage 2: Tri-Track Accumulation]
[Track 1 (Cultivation Vessel): 476h 00m / 720h (477x Multiplier Active)]
[Track 2 (Martial Combat): 96h 00m / 720h (97x Multiplier Active)]
