The ceremony finally closed, but the front of the hall hadn't cleared. People lingered, watching Percy and Thalos stand at the docks of the canal.

They were supposed to make their way to the arena for the showcase of spells between the new spiritmancers.

But Percy had other places to be. Like back home.

The sun was getting low. The somber evening wind ruffled his black and white hair. Both he and Thalos wore simple black vests and trousers with the Amphene sigil for the ceremony. But the simple clothes were hot and uncomfortable.

He missed the free clothes he wore on the road. That didn't mean he didn't appreciate the beauty of Yarol, though.

He could see the entire city from this high: the scattered clusters of colorful houses built on the sides of the great mountains. The white lines of the artificial canals lined beside the gray roads.

Higher up on the mountain was Count Dresden's castle, shrouded by white mist and great flying creatures.

Percy whistled, his eyes turning from gray. "She's a beauty, the city."

"Are you ready to leave? Barty must have kept things ready to leave," Thalos chuckled softly, nodding.

"Yes, back to sleeping on the floor and fighting wild animals off when you want to eat."

Thalos laughed for a long time, a hearty sound that Percy had grown used to these last few weeks. He learned more about his father in the last few weeks than he had in the last few years.

And Thalos knew him better too.

"You're not gonna say goodbye to Flynn before we leave." Thalos asked offhandedly, spinning on the narrow edge of the canal.

"I left a letter with George, and I told her we were going, but she ignored me." Percy exhaled tiredly. "I'll be sure to visit them when Dema is safe."

"I'll go with you. You make traveling a lot better," Thalos said, nodding. He looked down the long stream, empty of any boats. "Should we just run down the walls of the canal? It'd be faster and a lot funnier."

Percy turned to his father with his jaw dropped and disbelief widening his purple-gray eyes. "I've really rubbed off on you, haven't I? That sounds like a wonderful plan. Why be superhuman if we don't do superhuman things."

"Hehe, don't fall when we start running," Thalos warned.

"Eh, you'll catch me." Percy made a motion to jump onto the wall of the canal when a voice called out to him.

"Perseus, Thalos, where are you off to?"

They both turned pale as they recognized the voice. Count Dresden Neo was standing on the pier with a confused smile.

All the commoners were now stopping to glance at them. The Count's guards formed a perimeter around the docks and sent fierce looks at the civilians, advising them to keep walking.

"Uhhh… we were not about to jump on the canal," Percy said with a vigorous nod.

Dresden rolled his eyes, his small smile growing.

"I mean why aren't you going to the arena for the showcase? All the nobles and a large group of commoners are waiting to watch you perform your imprinted spells. Including me; believe it or not, but I haven't met a person with three affinities before."

Percy forced a laugh, but even his forced laughs were perfect. Meanwhile, his head was ringing, excuses working themselves out.

"Well, sir, we have heard of some danger in Dema. We would like to go back and support my mother quickly."

Dresden's smile fell a bit. He turned back to a small group of nobles standing alongside the white-robed spiritmancers.

"Do you see those men over there, wearing similar robes as me," Dresden said without pointing. "They are from the Spirit guild. They're very solemn folk, very keen on procedure."

Percy could see where this was going. He bit his lip. "That's nice to know."

"They don't like you," Dresden said simply. "They didn't like you before you came late to a sacred ceremony and I'm not sure they'll like you more after you leave early."

"I can guess it's because of Hermetics," Percy grumbled, his face growing impatient. "And I'm sure I'll be doing more things they don't like in the future."

Dresden's jaw shifted, a small shift that not many would notice. "What are you so worried about in Dema?"

Percy was a bit stunned by the question. This place was a bit open to just start throwing accusations at Sion.

"Well, we have a few enemies that we cannot ignore," he said tightly. He was still confused by the Count allowing Sion's son to have his ceremony here.

Dresden waved his words off like they were nothing. "Sion will behave while he is here. I can ensure that."

The words stunned Percy a little. He had thought the Count was being pushed around by Sion's wealth and connections. But something in Dresden's blue eyes spoke with absolute certainty.

Thalos tried to intervene. "We still can't just forget our duty. My wife and children are waiting for me. And I can't leave Percy here alone."

Dresden raised an eyebrow, taken aback by the use of Percy's nickname, but he was adamant.

"There are people that want to meet you before you return to Dema. Like Lord Makari for one. Two days ago, he came into my office and asked me to help arrange a meeting with you two."

Percy was only half taken aback. He knew Makari was waiting for the elixirs that he took from the temple of Gaia. Sion was supposed to deliver them to the margrave's heir.

But Percy expected Sion to lie and tell Makari that the elixirs were still coming. How did Makari know that Percy and Thalos had them?

Thalos swallowed, his gray eyes turning from Percy to the Count. "That's… unfortunate. But is it possible for Lord Makari to visit Dema in his free time?"

Dresden stared at Thalos with a bewildered look that made him murmur. "So that's a no."

"When can we meet, today?" Percy asked hurriedly.

"Lord Makari is busy with other things and is preparing for the tourney," Dresden added slowly. "We will work out a time for you to meet him. But he isn't the only one. House Valtyros is sending a representative here for the tourney; she would also like to speak to you."

"That's even more unfortunate," Thalos muttered, turning to face the canal's pier with a sigh.

The Duke's family, House Valtyros. Even Hecate hadn't got to meet them yet.

Why are they looking for me? It can't be the tri-affinity, I just got it. What do they want?

He looked up with a weak smile at the Count's weary face. Missing all this would only put them in a bad spot.

"Well, if so many people want us to stay, we can't disappoint them."

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