Later that night, several hours after the Mayor and Elder Varis had addressed the gathering, the large open square of the manor remained full. More than two hundred Sovereigns still waited in place. Even the Ninth-stage Sovereign who had publicly voiced his skepticism had not left. He stood among the others, silent but watchful.
When the main doors of the manor finally opened, two masked figures stepped out first. Grey wore his usual black attire and a plain black mask. Reynolds was dressed in blue, his mask marked with blue and white carvings. The sudden appearance of the pair immediately drew the eyes of the entire crowd.
