The Bastos gate carried them directly into the Imperial Capital.
Ludwig had visited the city several times, though every previous journey had been consumed by palace corridors, political meetings and urgent demands. He remembered guards, the Emperor and whichever disaster had brought him there. The city surrounding those obligations had barely registered.
The gate opened into a broad transit plaza crowded despite the early hour. Voices rolled across the stone beneath the rattle of carriages and the ringing of distant bells. Horses stamped beside the arrival lanes, magical signs hung above rows of shops, and children slipped through gaps between adults already late for something. Warm bread scented the air from one direction, spiced meat from another, while a furious merchant near the gate argued that his chickens should be taxed as cargo rather than passengers.
Ludwig remained beside the arrival platform long enough for Celine to look back at him.
"What do you think?"
