Sitting in my study with my personal guards and Cinda at my call, I slouched back in my chair, eyeing the pile of reports I had to painfully read through and sign off.

We had parted ways with Biggs the moment we arrived at the city. With the help of Wedge's wagon, we then made haste to the clerical.

Rosa's party fanned to the north while my party patrolled the southern side of the ruins.

After witnessing Cain being taken away by the guards, my party and I made haste to Biggs and Wedge. They were stationed at the West Gates with a few of their apprentices and a white covered pull wagon hitched to two vibrant brown horses.

Back in my studies, I worked diligently, signing off on repairs and reimbursing for essential shops destroyed by Cain and Mokoto. As I was signing documents, my eyes would glance over to the report of the fight drafted by the guards who were present.

I swung my feet off the bed and onto the wooden plank floors of the inn room. I stood and stretched deeply as if I was trying to grow a few inches. I made my way over to the circular covered window glistening with streaks of light that made it through.

Within the first few chapters of why Gideon started the journal, I learned Gideon was inspired by Plight of Soul and sought to achieve raw power. Hmph, he had no reason other than power; if he did, he definitely did not jot it down.

Oh, by the gods, my head was pounding. I yearned to lie down in my bed and drift away into bliss. But I couldn't. As the Chief of Dagon City, things needed to be done, so I sat in my cold study lit by the glass chandelier that I feared may one day come crashing down upon my head...

The thrashing evening wind was cold, torturing my skin through my thick leather jerkin.

I spent so much time with Lek that the barren plains north of the city began to form spots of green, and the dimming of the sun told me the day had passed its peak.

I thought I was hearing things for a moment, but Recall Memory would not allow me to fool myself. And Petty Danger Sense was still buzzing at the back of my head as I reentered the sunlight.

Thinking back on my life, I always wondered why I was giving life. I always questioned who my parents were and what had happened to them. Yet, no matter how hard I tried to remember my earliest memory, it was always within the walls of the Fire Kingdom.

Miles north within the Azure Mountains, below those dark looming clouds and throughout the mountain's steep footings and slopes, soldiers fought with might and wit.