Bab 98: The Agreement

The fog clung to the city, shrouding gas lamps and cobblestone streets in a ghostly embrace. The flickering lamps cast a diffuse glow, their beams barely penetrating the thick mist. An eerie silence prevailed, broken only by the occasional clatter of horse hooves on the pavement.

As dawn approached, the eastern horizon glowed faintly. The sky lightened from inky black to muted gray, revealing the outlines of grand, ornate buildings. The first rays of the sun pierced the mist, spreading a delicate, golden hue. Spires and rooftops, once mere shadows, now gleamed with soft radiance, their windows reflecting the early light.

The streets began to stir. The fog, warmed by the sun, started to lift and swirl, revealing glimpses of life below. A lone figure, cloaked and hatted, walked briskly along the sidewalk, their breath visible in the cold morning air. Horse-drawn carriages moved slowly, their lanterns cutting through the thinning mist.