The elderly auction master's warm greeting filled the hall, and as the silence enveloped the room, he gave a final polite nod before gracefully stepping away from the platform.
"Today's events," he announced, "will be led by the chief auctioneer of the Grand Auction Hall."
A woman emerged from the same side door she had entered through, moving across the platform with an unhurried grace that immediately drew every eye in the hall.
She wore refined Grey Shadow Hall robes, tailored rather than ornate, and carried herself with the particular composure of someone who had done this exact thing countless times and never once found reason to doubt herself in front of a crowd.
Sai leaned in closer to Robert, lowering his voice. "Ria," he murmured. "She is the chief auctioneer for the Moonshade branch. She has been the face of every big auction here for years."
Robert studied her as she reached the platform's center.
