The southern sky above the Grand Free Trade Metropolis of the Heavenly River was never dark.
Even at midnight, the vast commercial capital of the southern continent blazed with the surreal, artificial soft glow of ten thousand high-grade spiritual lanterns. Strung along the mastheads of three-masted trade galleons and suspended from the carved roof edges of multi-tiered riverfront warehouses, glowing magic charms of potion-made glowing cast vivid crescents of emerald, amber, and violet light across the dark, swirling waters of the river.
Lin Tao stepped onto the granite wharves of the Northern Gate. His heavy wool traveled cloak lined with white fox fur pulled tight against the damp river wind.
Beside him walked Tie Shan.
The giant moved with the silent, watchful grace of a mountain hunting beast in unfamiliar territory. His twelve-pound cold-drawn iron pry-bar rested across his broad shoulders. Its star-iron surface reflected the jittery, neon-colored reflections of the river lights. Across his chest, the crimson silk sash with the silver tigers stood out fully unlike his dark ox-hide harness, marking him as an official officer of the court peace.
Around them, the wharves were an overwhelming, ear-splitting assault on mortal senses.
Thousands of indentured porters—their bare backs glistening with river spray and sweat—hauled crates of raw spirit copper, barrels of tightly packed dragon-oil, and bundles of fragrant cloud-silk from the holds of massive barges. Armed private guards dressed in the golden-sable liveries of the merchant syndicates patrolled the gangplanks with drawn crossbows, their eyes sharp, suspicious, and…
