Inside the Lightlark was distinctly colder than the grandiose and golden environment of the Sunling castle from which Rafel had just boarded—though these days people didn't call it 'Sunling' anymore. Not since the Griffin queen had been deposed as the last Van Imperia and the Dark Dowager risen the four Erebusian black towers, which even now reflected the dawn sun in Rafel's eyes as the great flight-ship rolled away.
Some clouds away in the skies, still he could feel the warmth of the Empress's eyes, more than the sun on his face.
He shut the vermillion curtains after a minute.
"I'll be back, my dears." He promised the gorgeous girls he could no longer see in the depths of his mind; Cora's long legs were fresh in his [Third Eye] as he mused on this. "Once I complete this grave mission and unearth the sponsor of the Swamp killer, I'll be back in my harem's arms. Roa be damned; I can be a diplomat from the capital."
