Dusk had just touched Fallen Star City when a flash of gold descended from the sky and landed on an empty plain ten kilometers outside the city gate. Sol shrank into a tiny cat, Noir slipped back into Sylvia's shadow, and they walked into the city on foot as usual, as if they were just returning from hunting in the forest.
But Sylvia was not as usual. Along the black-paved street, now busy with merchants, she said nothing. She didn't even turn her head when a spicy monster-skewer seller waved and offered a free stick.
'You didn't take the skewer,' Sol commented quietly from her shoulder.
"I'm thinking."
'That's worrying. You never refuse skewers.'
"Quiet, Sol."
At the gate of the governor's mansion, Celes was already waiting in her light black armor. The silver-haired commander gave a brief salute.
