Chapter 13: Boxes and Circles
Lan leaned against a stack of dusty crates in the shade of the old stables, arms crossed and posture casual—but his eyes tracked everything.
The sun was barely cresting the eastern wall of the Solaris estate, masking the courtyard in burnt gold, but already the servants were sweating as they scrambled to prepare his envoy.
Horses were fed, wheels were checked, enchantments re-inscribed with shaky fingers under the oversight of a nervous steward.
Before him, a narrow procession was beginning to take shape.
At the head of the envoy was a single utilitarian carriage—square, iron-reinforced, warded with fading runes carved into the lacquer. It would carry three guards, hand-picked by the palace for this journey to the Imperial City.
Not to protect him, not truly. Their real duty was surveillance and control. Three mage-knights of the Second Circle.
Lan’s eyes lingered on them with cool disinterest.
Second Circle.
It was the bare minimum.
They stood at parade rest now, polished breastplates reflecting the morning sun, robes stitched with pale blue thread to indicate their station. Their mana signatures shimmered faintly in the air—tight, disciplined, like a candle behind glass.
Soldiers, yes. Professionals, maybe. But weapons? No.
Certainly not weapons that could matter if the world decided to turn.