Some palace servants were gossiping again.
Nathan caught fragments of their conversation as he walked through the market district. Two women in plain grey dresses, their arms laden with baskets of vegetables, their voices low but not low enough.
"—heard the king himself ordered it—"
"—a second summoning? But the ritual took months to prepare—"
"—Archmage Seraphina protested, but you know how His Majesty is—"
Nathan stopped walking. He pretended to examine a merchant's stall, a display of cheap jewelry and copper trinkets, but his ears were fixed on the conversation behind him.
"—the archmage said it was too soon. That the barrier hasn't healed. But the king wouldn't listen. He wants another hero. Says one isn't enough to defeat the Demon King—"
"—so they're preparing the ritual again? When?"
"—within the month, I heard. The archmage is gathering the materials. But she's not happy about it. Says if they're not careful, something terrible will happen—"
