The walk to the Pope's private dining hall was a quiet, tense procession. Julian kept a firm hand on Lucius's shoulder, more for his own grounding than the boy's, while Alaric walked on his other side like a silent, armored shadow. Beside them, Lucius walked with short, stiff steps, his small fingers curled tightly into the fabric of Julian's robe, his eyes darting toward the silver-clad Purifiers with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
Walking beside them were Elian and a few high-ranking Purifiers, as well as Knights. Their silver plate clinking softly against the polished marble of the corridor.
