Serdur's return was not much later than the two had anticipated.
Early the next morning, he quietly appeared in his own room.
His return was as low-key as his departure, as if he had just gone for a morning walk.
When Gauss found him, he was sitting cross-legged on a simple mat in the middle of the room, holding a coiled snake-shaped silver statue – a sculpture of the Lady of Secret Scales he worshipped, forming a perfect circular loop.
Gauss witnessed this scene without interrupting him.
Serdur only performed such prayer rituals during mornings in town rooms, and not when he was out performing commissions, so Gauss rarely saw him meditating.
The room was filled with a subtle fragrance from burning special incense, calming whoever smelled it.
On the small table beside his bed were several small bottles and bundles of herbs drying.
Soon, Serdur finished his morning prayer ritual, and his pale golden vertical pupils slowly opened.
