Their leather boots made no noise up on the red carpet as they stepped into the main hall of the inn, which was also busy with people coming to and fro. Plush long chairs were placed on either side of the hall, occupied by adults talking in low voices. The walls were painted a deep crimson as though trying to inspire wealth, but it just reminded Tia of blood.

Tapestries showed knights in armour next to grand portraits, reminding her of characters in epic stories. Smaller portraits hung at eye-level as they made their way to the front desk where Master Anu stood: pictures of the rich dressed in flamboyant and colourful outfits indulging in activities that seemed bizarre to Tia, such as hunting wild carriers and fist fights of slaves. People should not be treated this way, she thought, looking at a picture of a triumphant-looking fat man punching the air as his slave stood over his fallen competitor. She squealed as a group of people hurried past her, bumping her out of the way.

The innkeeper, Lahmum, was dressed like those in the portraits. He came into sight as Tia managed to fight her way through waves of people. Beneath his triple chin was a bright yellow ribbon, tied in a careful knot and the rest hung loosely down the front of his shirt. The shirt, made of a coarser material in pale blue, strained over his fat belly and was just about tucked into his dark pants. He resembled a fat bird, tied together with string, the feathres bursting over the restraints. He looked very uncomfortable in his get-up, although his face didn't show it.

Beneath a long silky coat in a deep purple, he tapped his polished black boot on the table leg as the three young people handed the Windcaster his travel bag, panting from exertion and from having to fight their way through the crowd.

"These are my apprentices and assistant, Tiamat, Mommu and Enlil," Master introduced his companions with a small sweep of his hand. "This is Mister Lahmum, who has kindly let us stay in his rooms for a few nights."

Lahmum swept over the three with a pair of small beady eyes. Tia didn't like him. He looked like one of those merchants who always shouted at children on the streets, accusing them of stealing from his store. He had a bulbous nose that he looked down with, a pursing mouth, a shiny forehead, and a generally rather unpleasant demeanour. He said nothing to them, but Tia could feel he didn't like them very much.

"I'd take yer bag fer ye, Master Anu, but me leg..." The innkeeper gestured helplessly, a self-pitying expression on his shiny face. Tia felt a little more sympathetic with him at the words, although when she glanced at Enlil, he looked sceptical, rolling his eyes. Master Anu waved away the apologies.

"I can manage my own things, Mister Lahmum. Can you please take us to our rooms?"

"Follow me," the man grunted, hobbling up the stairs with a thick wooden walking stick in his right hand.

The stairs were as grand as the inn itself. The tapestries continued up the wall. The midday sun shone through the stained glass, bathing the steps in a spectrum of colours. Fancy candle holders hung on the sides, unlit during the day. Tia resisted the temptation to touch them. Everything was so shiny: the banisters were polished to perfection and gilded. Not a speck of dust was to be seen. People hurried past them down the stairs, most of them travellers. A few nodded respectfully at Master Anu, whispering "Grace be with you" as they passed.

"This here's yer room, Master Anu," Lahmum gushed, doing a little bow – or bending as low as his strained silky long coat could bear – as he gestured to one of the rooms on the second landing. Without another word, he set off further down the corridor, the three young people hurrying after him with all their belongings. He threw open one of the doors and glared at them, startling Tia with his sudden change in attitude.

"What, yer expecting two rooms between ye?" he said sourly. Tia blinked; the thought had never crossed her mind. "A guest room for you lot! Yer lucky I don't make ye sleep in the stables where the other servants sleep." He snorted.

"We are not servants," Enlil said. Lahmum scowled at the slave boy. He looked as though he wanted to smack him for speaking out.

"Yer all poor as beggars and that's all I cares about. Now, ye keep yer hands to yerself, ye 'ear?"

"What do you–" Tia began.

"I've seen lots like ye, I 'ave. Thinkin' yer all invincible an' all that 'cos you're under a Windcaster," he interrupted, turning up his bulbous nose down at the three. Tia stared, confused. "Takin' things that ain't belongs to ye and makin' a mess of me inn – I can report all o' ye to the ministers, I can! So keep yer hands off things that ain't yours!"

"But—"

With that, he turned on his heels, purple long coat swishing, and stormed off with as much dignity as he could, hobbling with one bad leg.

"What a thoroughly unpleasant man," Tia said in astonishment, her bright green eyes wide as the innkeeper disappeared down the stairs.

"Do not pick a fight, Enlil," Mommu said anxiously as the slave peered into the room they were assigned. "He could make our stay here really miserable."

"As if we should care about what a horrible man has to say." Enlil sniffed. "Come, pass me your bags."

He lifted both his and Tia's travel bags with ease. Weeks of nourishing food and good rest had restored some muscle and strength to his frame and some light to his pale eyes. Tia followed him, holding her trainee Caster staff, and Mommu trailed after.

"Wow," Tia breathed as Enlil threw the curtains open, letting sunlight stream through the gleaming windows.

"Wow," Mommu agreed, jaw dropping.

The room was quite splendid. The carpet was a rich red, matching the shade on the wall. A rug made of what appeared to be animal skin stretched between the two single beds on either side of the room. The beds had thick covers and big, white pillows stuffed with feathers. The metal bed posts gleamed in the sunlight. The curtains were made of a silky material in deep brown. From the ceiling there hung a fancy ring of candles that were unlit. On the walls were paintings of more rich people engaged in rich people activities. Enlil studied each of them with an ill-masked look of disgust on his face.

"Damn rich people." Enlil scowled, throwing his bag in the corner and placing Tia's next to it. "More money than sense. There are people–"

"Starving on the streets – we know, Enlil," Mommu said, sounding exasperated. "But the innkeeper does not care. Even if you tell him, it will only get us into trouble with the Master. People like him won't listen."

Enlil only shook his head in disapproval.

"Shall we look around?" Tia said, brightening. "Kiramone is such a beautiful city."

"If Master permits, Tia... do not run off again," Mommu begged. The anxiety in his grey eyes grew as she grinned. Mommu was always such a worrier. He missed out on the fun, no matter how she persuaded him. She slid off her travel cloak, leaving it in a heap on the carpet, and danced to the window, peering outside. There were so many people passing by outside and it was such a beautiful day.

"Do you think I should wear my trainee cloak outside?" she asked over her shoulder.

"You are joking!" said Mommu in horror as he picked up her cloak. "That will attract too much attention!"

"But I am a trainee Caster." Her disappointment was half-hearted as she caught sight of the colourful performers roaming the streets outside. The noise filtered through the closed window. The music and dancing were divine and she yearned to join in. "Please?"

"You will get into so much trouble," Mommu said as he sighed. Tia knew he'd relented.

"No." Tia turned to find a stern look on Enlil's face. Her mouth turned down at the corners.

"Why?" Her voice ended in a whine.

"You will attract too much attention." His pale eyes stared the girl down. Tia pouted, crossing her arms in front of her chest. Deep down, she knew he made sense, but the sounds and the colours outside were so enticing. "You are here as Master Anu's apprentice, not to showcase fancy magic, so do not step outside your boundaries. And you, Mommu," he said, turning to look at the other Caster apprentice, "stop giving in to her whims. You are spoiling her. We do not want to bring trouble to Master Anu."

"What is bringing trouble to Master Anu?" said a gentle voice. The three of them turned to see the old Windcaster standing at the open door to their room, his pale blue eyes twinkling at them. In his right hand was his Caster staff and in his left his light travel bag.

"I was just saying that we are not here for leisure, Master," Enlil replied. The old man nodded in approval. He looked as though he was prepared to go into the city.

"Are you leaving, Master?" Tia asked, unfolding her arms. "May we come?"

"I am passing on the message of my journey to the other Casters, and then there are duties I must attend to." He rubbed his chin. "But no, you may not come, Tiamat. This is a matter for adults."

"We are to stay here?" There was obvious relief in Mommu's voice.

"But Master, surely we may leave this inn by ourselves?" Tia jumped in eagerly. He looked at her, the same benign smile on his face as he had when she used to beg him to let her into Mooncliffe. "You will be doing Caster duties during this stay before we move on; surely we may go and explore Kiramone?"

She clasped her hands in front of him, her heart thumping as he contemplated.

"If you stay together and act sensibly, then you may," Master Anu said finally. She squealed. "I must attend to the Wind. Please do not get into too much trouble while I am gone," he added as he shut the door with a snap.

Tia's mind started to spin. Endless opportunities presented themselves to her. Food, games, drinks, shows... and there wasn't enough time, so the best time to start was right now. Mommu looked horrified.

"No Tia – no!"