The midday sun over Caeloria lacked the warmth of the rest of the mortal realms.
It fell across the city in pale, sterile sheets, casting sharp shadows along the white marble colonnades that led away from the high palace.
The streets were unnaturally quiet.
The succession challenge was concluded, the blood of Theo Althalos remained frozen in the deep chasm of Floor Thirteen, and the smell of ancient incense drifting from the temples failed to mask the scent of crushed pride settling over the capital.
Jack Kaiser walked down the broad avenue leading toward the outer district where the Krogar delegation was housed.
He wore his long dark coat, the empty left sleeve pinned flat against his side. His white hair lifted slightly in the high-altitude draft, his heterochromic eyes scanning the perimeter.
