"Shall we make a wager on the outcome of this?"
"Perhaps."
Around the scene, onlooking guild leaders seemed more interested in making the scuffle into a money-making opportunity. The two drunkards approached one another, empowered by the liquid that obstructed all critical thinking.
Bastian pushed through the crowd, shouting to intervene, "Hey, that's—!"
"Enough!"
No chance came from an intervention of his own as another voice swallowed his, causing the entire courtyard to fall silent.
It wasn't clear just who had shouted, or where the voice even came from. Though from the delayed reactions of the guests, the sight of a man sitting casually atop the marble arch was found.
