There were very few people in this world qualified to cross Kamar-Taj's ancient threshold yet lacking the talent for spellcasting.
This might change over time, because Kamar-Taj would no longer be an independent organization, but a specialized department under the Emperor. When one of the Emperor's servants needed to understand the dangers of the Outer Dimensions, the apprentices' introductory curriculum at Kamar-Taj was the best form of education—but Master Hamir still believed that some parts of the beginner curriculum were unsuitable for ordinary people to know, such as the sections on contacting the Outer Dimensions through rituals and meditation. Therefore, those portions had been removed from the external course to ensure the absolute safety standards the Emperor had originally demanded. This was only one of the responsibilities and functions of the subordinate departments Master Hamir had established. The Arcanist, already over ninety years old, was currently Kamar-Taj's steward. With him in charge, everyone could rest easy.
Master Hamir welcomed Supiluliumas's arrival. During the period when the Praetorian Guard had been injured, few people besides the Emperor and Constantine had been able to see him. After all, his ward was located in Kamar-Taj's most highly classified dungeon, and Master Hamir had sometimes needed to personally bring him medicine and nutritional supplies. Supiluliumas understood Master Hamir's position well and showed him the proper respect.
"If your aircraft didn't keep setting the fallen leaves in the courtyard on fire, I would welcome you even more."
"My apologies, Master Hamir," Supiluliumas said in a steady voice. "It isn't that I cannot appreciate the beauty of fallen leaves. I assure you, a shipment of fire extinguishers will arrive soon. I definitely won't set the house on fire next time."
"It was only a joke. Don't take it so seriously." Master Hamir waved his nimble mechanical