"Dragons." Guncer rolled the word around in his mouth. "Other merchants do seem to have heard the people of Qarth making that claim, but how could dragons possibly appear in the world again?"
"The Red Priests of Volantis say the Red Comet lights Storm's path, and those who die fighting for Storm will ascend to heaven. If there are dragons, they must fight for Storm too. Besides, he has the world's last True Dragon girl," Captain Qi stressed. "The Red Comet is the Weeping Blood Sword, and Storm is the one chosen by the gods."
"Very well. Dragons and monsters, legends of a savior. Have a pleasant voyage..." Guncer Hightower stepped off the ship and continued his inspections at the docks.
How many people have said dragons have appeared now? Guncer's heart felt heavy, and his throat seemed blocked. These people's devotion and superstitious faith in Storm were frightening too.
The great Storm, the ever-victorious Storm, the Storm of steel. Yet young kings like this were often the most forceful and domineering. Would he overlook the silent Hightowers, the tower that had chosen silence in the Reach? In these troubled times, where should the Hightowers turn?
Guncer gazed toward the soaring Hightower. What exactly were his father and eldest sister studying? In these chaotic times, were things so elusive really more important than House Hightower's future?
The beacon atop the Hightower burned as ever. Since ancient times, the blazing fire at its summit had guided people through the mist, lighting the way ahead. It was the tallest building in the world, taller even than the Wall.
At the summit of the Hightower, books and scrolls filled the room. Some lay spread across tables, while others had been tossed onto the floor.
The light came from a tall black candle in