The morning sun cast long golden shafts of light through the Imperial Palace's stained-glass domes as Kale Ardentis arrived at the grand plaza.
Dressed in dark grey Master Fleshcrafter robes trimmed with silver runic embroidery, he stood rigid and composed. Beside him walked Grandmaster Lazek Oberon, his dark grey cloak fluttering softly while he held his curved smoking pipe between his fingers.
An escort of twelve gold-armoured royal guards led the pair up the wide marble stairs toward the high brass doors of the Grand Assembly Hall.
Surrounding noble court members, court scholars, and junior artificers parted respectfully along the grand staircase, whisperings echoing through the corridors as they recognised the young tamer.
Deep within his grey headband, Kale kept his hidden gold mesh seal completely dormant, his green eyes scanning the palace guards with cold precision.
