The practice courtyard of Blue Leaf Academy had never been so crowded.
Classes had long since been forgotten.
Students leaned over stone balconies. Senior disciples abandoned their own training grounds.
Professors stood shoulder to shoulder beneath carved archways, speaking in hushed voices as they watched the stranger in the center of the arena.
Even servants had quietly stopped sweeping the marble paths.
The man called Hawk had gathered every eye without uttering more than a handful of words.
The wind drifted lazily through the courtyard, stirring the banners overhead.
Principal Athenok stood upon the elevated gallery with his hands folded behind his back, watching in silence.
Across from Hawk stood one of Blue Leaf Academy's oldest martial instructors.
Master Oren Veyr.
His beard had long since turned silver, though age had stolen none of the sharpness from his eyes.
Deep wrinkles marked his weathered face, and three black blessed lines rested proudly upon his cheek.
