Chapter 1108 Gateway City

• The riot of music and laughter died with the moon. By first light, silence hung over the Carlotta residence like dust after a demolition.
• Finneas stood at the courtyard gate, travel cloak snapping in the chilly breeze, ready to step onto a road no one could follow.
• Old friends lined the path, most still nursing headaches from last night's toasts, but every face was solemn. "Mr. Lamorde, take care!" they called in ragged unison, voices cracking against the morning air.