The echo of footsteps slowly faded as the Empire official lowered his scroll and snapped it shut
with a crisp clack. His authoritative voice still seemed to reverberate off the towering marble
pillars of the Imperial Mage Assembly hall.
"That concludes today's council," he declared. "The tournament shall begin tomorrow at precisely
twelve noon. All participants are to assemble in the Imperial Arcane Arena by eleven for final
instructions. Dismissed."
He gave a short bow and swept from the chamber, robes trailing like a silk comet behind him.
A moment of stunned silence hung over the assembly hall. Then, like the hiss of wind stirring
through dry leaves, murmurs broke out everywhere. Mages in their brilliant tower robes began
shuffling toward the arched exits, conversations quickening as the realization sank in: by this time
tomorrow, their best would be battling under the eyes of the entire Empire.
