Twelve polished cedar carriages halted before the southern gates of Red-River.
Their horses had been fitted with brass nose-chains, and their wheels were inlaid with silver filigree. Above each carriage fluttered the distinct silk heraldry of three neighboring river counties.
Twelve distinguished elders stepped down from their carriages onto the damp cobblestones.
Every man wore embroidered silk robes denoting senior clan rank or Tier 3 alchemical mastery. At their head walked Elder Bai, the grand elder of the Clear-Water Clan, stroking his long white beard with practiced dignity.
Beside him stood Master Yan of Iron-Oak Valley and Grand Alchemist Shen-Tu of the Cloud-River Sect.
As Kaelen’s Fallow Slate reached Hour 310 and its three hundred and eleven times multiplier high in the ninth-floor penthouse, Elder Bai halted before the steps. “So this is the famous Nine-Cauldron Guild Tower,” he said, his deep voice rolling across the empty plaza. “We have journeyed two hundred miles on our way to the Iron-Crown Duchy capital. We must meet this Master Ash.”
Before Elder Bai could take three steps, three prefecture guards rushed forward on felt slippers.
Captain Vorn held a finger to his lips, making frantic shushing gestures with both hands.
