236 A New Teacher

The gray-haired Master guided Arran through the city at a calm but steady pace, moving through the crowds that filled the streets with the confidence of someone who expected others to make way for him.

He spoke little as they walked, his eyes focused on the path ahead. Occasionally, he would give small nods to people they passed, though more commonly others would give polite bows or nods when they saw the Master.

At least, Arran assumed he was a Master — so far, the man had not even introduced himself, much less revealed his rank.

Nor did the man show any interest in Arran's identity, for that matter. Although he had studied Arran's formations with great curiosity, he showed no sign of wanting to learn anything about their creator.