We sat on the cold stone edge of the Old Watchtower, high above the Inner Wall. The wind whipped at our cloaks, but the view was worth the chill.
From up here, the entire Empire was visible. It was a glittering sea of golden lanterns, winding streets, and dark rooftops, stretching out until it met the horizon.
"It really is something," I whispered, kicking my feet lightly against the stone wall. "It's beautiful."
I looked up. The sky was a vast, velvet dome scattered with diamonds. The moon was full and bright, casting a silver glow over everything.
"Hey, Kael," I nudged his shoulder. "Look above. There are stars, and the moon is huge. It's pretty..."
He didn't look up.
He was sitting beside me, his hood pulled low, but I could feel his gaze locked intently on the city below. He wasn't admiring the lights. He was counting them. He was watching the patrol routes. He was scanning the shadows for movement.
