The cloudiness in Master Daniel's eyes vanished, replaced by a firm, clear gaze.
The white-robed Arcanist led a group of similarly dressed Arcanists and stood in the small square before the highest courtyard. This was a residence reserved solely for the Sorcerer Supreme's rest. Since the Sorcerer Supreme had returned to Mars, only Mordo had entered it, to receive the Venerable One's holy will.
The Emperor walked straight toward Master Daniel. To the Praetorian Guard's surprise, the Arcanists did not use their implements or cast spells to stop him. Seeing the marks on the robes of the Arcanists behind Master Daniel, Amon immediately understood why Master Daniel stood here—their robes bore inconspicuous family insignias. As appendages of an organization with a long legacy, the Arcanist Families had the time and energy to make their etiquette appear both lavish and understated. Master Mordo could not possibly summon every Kamar-Taj Arcanist, because his position was merely that of chief instructor. No matter how gifted he was or how highly the Sorcerer Supreme regarded him, he still did not wield the greatest authority. Violence was a tool for grasping power, and Kamar-Taj's history was never short of ambitious men. Later power struggles had merely become somewhat more peaceful, though the scent of blood still lingered.
"By the holy will, Kamar-Taj is now under your command. Should the Sorcerer Supreme become unable to fulfill her duties, the heir shall assume the position of Sorcerer Supreme. King of Midgard, Lord of Humanity, Master of the Kamar-Taj Sanctum, King of Runes..."
Master Daniel recited the layered titles with remarkable fluency, then performed an elaborate highest-formal ceremony before the Emperor. As an organization whose inheritance far exceeded that of any human civilization and which had gathered traits from civilizations across the world, Kamar-Taj's formal etiquette was exceedingly