A perpetual rumble permeates the air trailing after vicious flashes and stark thunderclaps. Those below had come to dread what often follows these flickering claps from atop the mesa but to the twins, these sounds were ordinary if not comforting. The girl knew she would come to miss their lulling reverberation. The pair linger on the precipice of the canyon below, a mysterious other world they had only known through legend. The boy squats along the edge, his skin cracked and streaked by bright yellow. These markings retain an intense glow, never dulling or wavering. He observes two soldiers as they patrol the borders of a grand city in the center of the canyon. 

"Are we sure about this?" the girl's voice lilts as she questions him again, still reluctant for her brother to leave everything behind.

The boy turns to his sister, his gaze lingering on the marred, sinewy scars encircling eyes. Like her brother, she was forced to keep her form constantly manifested but she hadn't once in the entirety of her life been able to deactivate the pale yellow webbing her eyes and neck.

"We're out of options, Inge," he insists gravely, returning his eyes to the soldiers below, "There's nothing left for us here. We need a fresh start."

"You mean I need a fresh start," Inge corrects him and her voice falters, "Brynjar, you don't have to-"

"You're not going alone!" Brynjar cuts her off emphatically, "I won't make that mistake ever again." 

One of the soldiers peer up at the mesa, Brynjar instinctively dodging back out of sight. Inge remains still, cut off from view but well aware of their movements. 

"He didn't see you," Inge notes and Brynjar's shoulders drop, "But isn't it your plan to be discovered?"

"Inge," Brynjar is serious again, "We talked about this, you need to be more careful!"

"Even with you?" Inge peeps, "I'm not sure I can, Bryn... it just... happens."

"If any of this is going to work," Brynjar tries to speak more gently, "You have to keep your mind to yourself and stay out of other people's business!" Inge's face is painted with uncertainty and discomfort, the quiet girl practically squirming at the prospect, "You have to promise me."

"I..." Inge breathes and then sighs, "I'll try."

Another woman steps forward then, Instructor Simona. Dark haired and willowy, Simona is a woman of extreme composure and serenity, reminding Tia of a tricking forest brook. Despite her demure demeanor she has sharp percipience and judgement. When manifested, she displays features of a barn owl and this adds to her mysterious appearance as well as to her critical perception—none possess a sharper ear. Felicity falls silent as Simona speaks, eying her with an uncharacteristic calm.

"The journey from the valley compound to the canyon compound will be significantly smoother than those to come," Simona explains steadily, "There are no major predators, natural hazards or aggressive locals within the valley. My advice to you today is to grasp the basics before we move through more volatile biomes." Simona pauses as sunlight breaks over the horizon and, for a moment, the entire procession falls silent. Then, just as abruptly, staff and recruits come alive together. 

"Let's go!!" Felicity booms, spreading out her wings and taking to the air.

With a fluttering heart, Tia follows after her aunt abreast a number of fellow recruits. Felicity leads them forward, Tia flanking behind three others as they initiate a V formation. Four other groups spread out alongside them, Martia among them, while Danut and the rest of their division hang further back guided by Simona. They rise higher than Tia had ever flown before, the valley sprawling out below them. A gasp freezes in her lungs at the sight. Tia knew her eyesight was better in this form but she hadn't realized how much better. She is able to make out fine details for nearly two miles with focus, quickly understanding why she and other "raptors" are at the forefront. Tia is unable to stifle her excitement, filling her lungs with crisp morning air, enjoying the wind thrashing through her hair and spreading her arms out with her wings. 

The Control Division follows next on horseback. In any other region, Control would be hard at work smoothing over the path for the rest of the procession or protecting their peers from the elements but the valley grants them an easy journey. Infantry Division is on foot behind them and this departure takes the longest by far as the largest bulk of recruits fall into this group.

While the rest of the Support Division wouldn't depart for some time, the more musically inclined members among them are placed throughout the procession playing in one synchronized tempo. Albert is among these, a number of instruments prepared for the day. He starts the journey with a snare drum hooked to his belt. Even the greenest recruits can march to this beat, in rows and carefully spaced apart, tenuously imitating the seniors marching ahead of them. It was the unremitting maintenance of this steady pace which would test their endurance.

From his favored perch Duff's head drops as he leers over the procession, exuding considerable contempt as he observes their procedure take shape. He considers the whole arrangement intensely unnatural. Human practices like these have always left Duff apprehensive and uncomfortable. As lines of children finish tucking themselves away into tidy rows, pack animals of varying species are guided after them by staff, departing with the food and general supplies they would need along the way. Duff had considered hiding amongst these creatures but in the end decided he'd follow along on foot once all had departed. 

Next is the Aquatic Division, marching much the same as Infantry in this terrestrial location. They are followed by the mages, wearing their ridiculous cloaks and following on horseback while heedfully guarded by security staff. It takes little to no time for this negligible party to depart, so few in number when viewing the entirety of the procession. The rest of the Support Division trails after them followed by the Command Division and the Marshal herself. Command is the brain of this machine and Support the voice.

Ranged and Special Divisions follow after them, muscle to protect the less combative recruits if they were to run into trouble—though Duff greatly doubts this leg of their journey would have any such incidents. By the time the Mobile Division flanks the procession, Duff can no longer see Tia or even the Infantry recruits. The compound is left an empty husk by the time Duff trails after them, as it would remain until the next rotation.

Throughout their flight, Felicity runs her students through a variety formations and maneuvers too cumbersome to practice inside a compound. She also has raptors like Tia and Martia test their perception, spotting and collecting small game for lunch. To the surprise of most new recruits they cut their flight much sooner than any of them had expected, a mere twelve miles along the way. Though, this distance was far from trifling for those on foot. Tia expected her endurance to be tested today by sheer distance travelled but instead, it's tested by drills and exercises while they await the rest of the procession.

As the day drags on, Felicity and Simona split the division in half, each taking turns hiding from or ambushing each other while the second half practices evasive and combative maneuvers in response. Their instructors are quite serious about these exercises but to Tia, it feels more like a sport or game. Despite the ease of the journey so far, Simona repeatedly assures them that while this flight had been uneventful, their division had the riskiest role of all. 

When Control arrives Tia and her cohorts refocus on maintaining a perimeter and keeping eyes on the progress of the procession while Control aids staff in setting up the campsite. Control recruits utilize Manipulation and similar manifestations to dig out ditches, smooth out the ground and raise walls, quickly shaping out their camp. When Infantry begins filing in, haggard and weary, the grounds are ready and supplies arrive just after them. Their only remaining task is putting up their own tents, dinner hot and ready by the time they finish.

Tia readily aids Ifani with their own, still considerably less exhausted than her roommate, and they both welcome Albert as he arrives, somehow worse off than Ifani. By the time the sun sets, the rest of the procession has arrived and most call it a night as soon as they have food in their bellies—quickly teased for this by senior recruits. Tia wonders how long it would take for them to make this journey so readily.

Irkath hovers forward with dignity despite staining and befouling all he touches with a body consisting of wriggling maggots of slate black tar and sinew, his wide-eyed gaze piercing and unsettling.

These entities meet on the central platform, pressing into each other as they merge and coalesce until one being remains, towering over Nigel. Features of each aspect are expressed but his face remains simple shadow. Only Irkath's near-omniscient eyes are visible. Wriggling tar and thick oil slide down his blackened body and the air surrounding him continues to chill, consuming and snuffing out heat within the chamber. Zalikar allows a minacious silence to fall over the room, remaining still for more than a minute after his aspects have come together and enjoying having his mind in one piece after being spread too thin for too long. Nigel can feel himself lock up as Zalikar's eyes fall on him.

"Rise, Unseen one," Zalikar instructs, his bass voice rumbling Nigel's bones in this small space, "Why have you summoned me?"

"A threat to your revival has surfaced, master," Nigel states breathily, keeping his eyes downcast as he stands, "The false Shadows hunt your chosen."

"I know this," Zalikar answers with a hint of annoyance and his eyes narrow on the man, "What is it you seek?"

"Only to serve you, the true King of Shadows," Nigel answers, kneeling before Zalikar again, "I offer myself as your tool and beg for the guidance of your unfathomable wisdom." Zalikar's sonorous laughter bounces off the walls of the chamber and causes Nigel to tremble.

"Little Shadow," Zalikar continues, his voice retaining both amusement and derision, "How will you prove your dedication to me? I am not swayed by indulgent flattery or hollow oaths."

"I have marked myself," Nigel denotes and pauses to remove his shirt, "Into subjugation."

An intricate tattoo runs up his spine and cages his entire torso before collaring his neck. This earns Nigel the slightest smile from his master, even if he cannot see it. Zalikar gestures toward Vokda's archway, his palm facing the portal. An object ejects itself from the plane and flies into his hand.

"Then I grant you my voice," Zalikar congratulates him, holding this object out before his eager servant.

He drops a small box into Nigel's hands. Inside is a set of onyx loops with silver clasping to the stone, a strong enchantment humming within. Nigel removes the golden helix hoops he already wears and dons his master's gift swiftly, fastening them into place.  

"Now go," Zalikar speaks directly into his ears, each aspect ripping itself out of his body and returning to their planes, "You have much to do."

Stormy Girl

Halfway through the week, an aide summons Tia and the rest of her unit together. Tia approaches them, lingering in two separate groups with Orin on his own as usual. He seems particularly anxious. 

"Hey, um," Tia questions, approaching Ifani and Albert, "What's going on?"

"I was told we're getting a new member," Albert answers, his tone betraying his uncertainty. Tia can see the same in Ifani, stimming with a chopping hand and staring blankly at nothing in particular.

"But..." Tia states, dripping with ambivalence, "We haven't even reached the mesa yet." The others fall silent as she voices their mirrored concern.

"It's definitely suspicious," Orin agrees, bouncing his leg, "I wish they would hurry this up."

They aren't left waiting for long, Cassius approaching them with a young woman in tow, but she wears a gruff expression.

"Well," Orin draws out the word before inclining his head to her, "I've got you right here to catch me!"

"I'm not really, um," a laugh slips from Tia as the scenario plays in her mind, "I'm not built for lifting people, I'd probably drop you!"

"Really?" Orin questions, placing his gloved hand over hers and peering into her eyes, "What are you built for then?" 

"U-um..." Tia jumps as her eyes rest on the gesture and she quickly finds her face heating up. Orin sees Tia stiffen, both her face and shoulders tensing despite her blush.

"Ah..." Orin lifts his hand away conspicuously, "I didn't mean to-"

"Uhh no!" Tia grasps her own hand, fingers grazing where his had touched her, "I-I'm just not... used to... um..." Orin looks her over, beet red and diffident, "I've never, um," Tia pushes out a breath trying to compose herself as her heart pounds. A stifled laugh slips from Orin's mouth and Tia blinks.

"See, this is why I wanted to get to know you," Orin's laughter is as light as his teasing, "I never would've guessed you were so cute and innocent!" Tia stifles a squeak and his laughter grows, "But try to relax, I don't mind taking things slow."

"Taking... what slow?" Tia's brows knit together as she watches him.

"I guess that depends," Orin's eyes bore into hers again, "On what you want it to mean. Getting to know each other or..."

Orin snakes at arm around her, Tia's eyes widening on his hand again as it grips her waist before darting back to his ardent gaze. His magic rushes over her as his arm brushes the small of her back. The energy is perfervid and torrid, piercing into her body with scorching intensity but also leaving a stubborn, intimate warmth in its wake. Tia's heart hammers in her chest immediately and she feels a warm fuzz wash over her as she looks into his glacial eyes. 

"Something a bit more exciting?" Orin smiles as he continues. 

"I..." Tia breathes, squeezing her eyes shut as her head spins, "I don't know... what I want..." 

"That's okay," Orin releases his hold on her, throwing his hands up with an easy smile, "Like I said, no ru-"

Orin leans back too far as he's speaking, letting his eyes go wide as he seems to realize this. Tia is quick to turn to grab him but his weight has already shifted too far and he begins to fall. Tia lunges after him with little hesitation, Orin blinking at the sudden willpower in her eyes. Tia's arms slip around him, one around his waist and another up his back, and Orin's arms cross behind her as well as her wings spread out. Tia pushes her wings laboriously, the two teens bobbing and slowing with each wingbeat but they still thud onto the ground hard enough to knock the air from his lungs. 

"See?" Orin coughs and laughs despite the collision, "I knew you'd catch me!"

Tia finds herself crashed over Orin, both still locked into a tight embrace as she reorients herself and her wings drape over them like a blanket. Tia gasps at the bouquet of unfamiliar sensations. Orin's warmth, his smell, his breath as his chest rises and falls, the feel of his body in her arms or the feel of his fingers as they slide down her back. She can hear his heartbeat quicken as she lingers on his chest, her own breath catching as she reshuffles to lift herself up.

"Gomen, I...!" Tia breathes, hovering over him on hands and knees as she gathers herself.

Tia pauses for breath as her heart flutters, that same lingering warmth washing over her skin too intensely. Tia's eyes drag over Orin's body as he lays vulnerable yet comfortable underneath her. Tia had never been so close to someone in this way and she feels almost feverish, intensified further as she meets his eyes. They burn into her own and he traces a finger up along her spine, procuring a shiver. Orin's lips tug upward at her reaction and Tia's eyes stick on them, watching them as he speaks.

"Are you sure," Orin watches her expression with some amusement, "You don't know what you want?"

Tia sucks in a harsh gasp, sitting up abruptly and scrambling to her feet with a scarlet face, a bit wobbly. Orin looses a string of chuckles before he sits up. Tia's turned her back to him, trying to get a handle over herself and her pounding heart. Orin sits cross legged, patient despite an arrogant smile. Tia pushes out a terse sigh before turning.

"I lied to you," Tia states, casting her eyes away as he blinks, "I know I've 'put up a wall' with you."

"Ah," Orin sounds, "So I did do something to put you off?"

"Yes," Tia sighs her reluctance and meets his eyes as she continues, her firm tone surprising him, "I don't like the way you treat the other members of our unit."

"Is this about... Longwei?" Orin raises a brow at her, "Cuz she-"

"No!" Tia cuts him off and he blinks, "That right there! You have no respect for him," he opens his mouth, shutting it as she scowls at him, "Yes, him. It doesn't matter how charming you are if-"

"You think I'm charming?" Orin's face lights up and Tia blushes again despite her frown. 

"Listen," Tia brushes his question aside and regains her firm tone, "Albert and Ifani are my friends and I respect Longwei and Bolor. I'm not comfortable with how you treat them!" Orin matches her serious demeanor as she continues, "That's what 'puts me off' about you."

"I suppose" Orin muses in a low tone, rising to his feet, "I've made an ass out of myself. A number of times," he releases a short chuckle and his voice softens, "It's not much of an excuse but can I be open with you?"

"Okay," Tia's smile is as simple as her answer, watching his face as he talks.

"I know I said I'm more than my family name but that doesn't mean it doesn't follow after me," Tia searches his increasingly serious, almost sullen expression, "I'm not in the 'reject unit' by accident, Tia. As far as nobility goes I'm bottom of the barrel, last rung on the ladder, whatever you wanna call it. And in the capital," a frown sits itself into place, "The only way a little fish like me gets by is by playing the game. Being away from that has been... a culture shock to say the least!" he looks her over again before continuing, "But we're not in the capital and none of you deserve my baggage. Maybe spending some with you might bring out my better side?"

"All of that nobility garbage is exhausting!" Tia gives another curt sigh and Orin laughs. 

"So," Orin questions with another magnetic smile, "Are we still taking things slow or did you change your mind?" Tia presses her lips together with a blush, nearly pouting, but his smile remains.

"Nothing is going to happen... between us..." Tia struggles with her wording, "Unless you can show me you're not a snobby jackass!" This leaves Orin blinking, stunned by the straightforward demand, but a grin is seeded in the expression. It grows as he regards Tia a bit differently than before.

"Alright," Orin agrees, "I'll keep that in mind. For now," he pauses, regarding the setting sun, "I'll stop distracting you." 

"Fall back!" the chieftain booms, the invaders readily retreating at his word. Several bolts of lightning crash about the village to give them cover or transport them, ropes dropping down for the rest. Their leader rides one of these bolts himself, gone in a flash as he grips it. Their tactics weren't all that different from Felicity's, striking hard with a swift retreat.

The girl Tia sheltered releases a gasping sigh, overcome by relief as the rain fades. They all watch with wary eyes as the storm recedes back to the mesa and Tia's shoulders drop as they disappear. She cuts the flow of the strange sensation she channels, the black staining her eyes fading as she scans the village road. There are no bodies left behind and she's uncertain if any of those she fought lived or died. She's equally unsure whether she's relieved about this or not, more in awe of how rapidly events had unfolded. Tia eyes her hands, still bloody and shaking from adrenaline as her anxiety returns.

"What part of hit and run," Felicity roars, turning to Tia, "Do you not understand?!"

"She was injured!" Tia answers back and her voice breaks, gesturing to the girl, "Was I supposed to leave her behind??"

"You follow orders," Felicity chastises aggressively, "You don't-"

"She saved my life!" the girl squeaks desperately in Tia's defense, still struggling to move. Another recruit stoops to give her first aid.

"I think..." he explains to Felicity while examining her, "Her muscles tore themselves in response to the shock. She won't be able to move without a medic." Felicity pushes a long, seething breath through her nose before her eyes slide back to Tia.

"I expect a full debriefing," Felicity growls before stepping away.

Tia's face is vacant as she watches Felicity approach the other recruits, still reeling from her intense experience. Felicity barks orders, helping villagers assess the damage before they rejoin the procession. Tia takes a seat on the balcony of a villager's home to rest.

'I'm surprised you had nothing to say,' Tia speaks to Duff with a sigh.

'I had plenty to say,' Duff bites back not cushioning his frustration, 'But I'm not foolish enough to have a discussion in the middle of a battle!'

'I meant about that... weird power,' Tia breathes with wonder, putting a hand over her chest. She's still able to sense the link when she turns her attention to it. There were more but a fog lingers over her mind when focusing on them. Tia continues, 'Any time I start learning about or using my abilities you shut it down. Why not this time?'

'I don't suggest playing around with any of your abilities,' Duff answers with distaste and huffs, 'But today you had no choice. Since you insisted on playing hero!'

'I'm not playing hero!' Tia barks with a scowl, 'I just...' her eyes drift to where the girl had fallen, 'I couldn't leave her to die alone,' she can feel Duff's anger falter, 'I know what that feels like and I...'

'I understand,' Duff's voice softens, 'That part of why I saved you.' 

'We should talk more, Duff,' Tia notes after a moment of silence, 'What happened to staying close and facing things together?'

'Yes,' Duff gives a weary sigh, 'Today certainly drove home that I've been a neglectful guardian,' Tia feels his mind shift and become serious, 'Staff have been instructed to detain anyone with an unregistered beast. I didn't want any accidents.'

'Oh...!' Tia's brows shoot up but she is quick to furrow them next, 'See, you could've told me that!'

'It is within my nature to be secretive, Tia,' Duff explains, sounding almost forlorn, 'It's a wonder that it isn't in yours.'

'Fuck secrets!' Tia nearly pouts and Duff's laughs echo in her mind.

'I will...' Duff pauses to consider, 'Try to keep you abreast of the situation. But you must trust me when I tell you not to fuck with your abilities heedlessly. It will ch...' Duff pauses as Tia sniggers, 'What?'

'I've never heard you curse before!!' Tia shakes with laughter. 

'Haven't you...?' Duff wonders.

"Hey!" Felicity barks and Tia jumps, "If you're rested enough to sit there snickering to yourself then get your ass up!" She watches as Tia scrambles to her feet. 

"Yes, ma'am!" Tia gives her a salute, wincing as she moves her shoulder. Felicity grumbles complaints to herself as Tia rejoins the other recruits.

"You did what," Ifani exclaims as Tia explains the source of her bruised shoulder.

Tia was surprised to find healing magic's effectiveness drops the longer the wound sits untreated and clearly the other girl was a higher priority. The three of them linger around a campfire, sharing it with Arabella who seems equally intrigued and surprised. 

"They were attacking the village," Tia continues, "Had this freaky ship in the clouds and everything. Almost all of them had Beranok manifestations so I couldn't zap them but they couldn't use it on me either."

"Those were Storm Vikings, then," Albert notes, quickly drawing everyone's attention.

"What are Storm... Vikings?" Tia questions, totally unfamiliar. 

"Is she serious?" Arabella asks, a bit sassy.

"Tia grew up abroad," Albert mentions briefly before answering Tia's inquiry, "From what I've read, each of their villages are based on a magnetic set of isles at the heart of an eternal thunderhead. They craft ships out of the trees grown on these islands capable of sailing through storm clouds and raid nearby farms and ships for supplies. They're renowned for their powerful lightning magic."

"Okay," Tia mutters, "That's pretty badass." 

"I believe your grandfather, Titus, was originally a Storm Viking!" Albert states matter-of-factly, garnering only blank astonishment from Tia, "Before becoming a soldier for the kingdom, that is. He was quite famous amid that generation."

"You're definitely," Tia laughs, "Going to have to tell me that full story!"

"And here I thought you were this flimsy little kitten," Arabella's voice flits with laughter, "But really you're a tigress!"  

"Why do people keep calling me that?" Tia blinks and looks to Albert and Ifani, hearing this for the second time today.

"Tia," Ifani states plainly and gestures to her whole body. It had become her habit to casually manifest her ears and yellow markings. Tia looks herself over but still returns her eyes to Ifani, clueless.

"Ugghhhh," Ifani facepalms with both hands as she groans, "How are you this dense!!"

"The stripes, hun," Arabella answers frankly, "Stripes and cat ears."

"Ohhhhh!" Tia breathes, at times forgetting this was how everyone saw her. Not the celestial, water-bodied loner with moonlit hair Tia still envisions herself to be.

"Heh," Albert gives a crisp laugh, "'Tia the Tigress' would be a pretty catchy moniker!"

"Ah!" Tia gasps and her face lights up with astonishment and delight, "I'm like a raiju!"

"The fuck is a raiju?" Arabella asks with furrowed brows.

"In Nippon, the raiju is a tiger companion of the Raijin," Tia answers readily, "Which is the god of lightning!"

"Raijin is probably their name for Beranok or Raegeric," Albert notes, growing a bit excited himself, "Perhaps the raiju was his familiar? Are there more than one?"

"Do they do this often?" Arabella questions Ifani while Albert and Tia continue to chatter about Nippon. 

"Yeah," Ifani answers with a chuckle, "It gets kind of cute after a while."

"Hmmm," Arabella hums, watching Tia's excitement and the way her ears move as she speaks, "Yeah, definitely cute."

Another primary feature are the crystals which jut out from the mesa walls in an array of colors and sizes, some with energy trapped within. Many are prone to illuminating when life draws near. When the roaming clouds occasionally clear, sunlight gleams over and refracts through both the crystals and waterfalls, crafting a luminescent dance across the canyon walls.

The walls themselves are pocked by caves and tunnels, winged citizen making their homes inside or miners digging out the more valuable crystals and ore within. All of this squeezes itself within the winding pathways of the complex and, of course, one could never forget the constant rumbling above, further past the rim. Sometimes, these rumbles vibrate the crystals and the canyon hums. Yet even when the sky is clear, electricity arcs chaotically upon the mesa surface.

Rather than flying ahead, the Aerial Division spreads themselves along the path to the compound, perching on the edges of caves or atop crystals, as their peers pass underneath. They keep their sharp eyes focused above, ready to signal at the sight of aggressors. Tia in particular is tasked with keeping watch, able to safely perch above the precipice and peer further in.

Their weary peers shuffle into the compound ahead of them, many with tears in their eyes after the hardest journey of their life. Yet. It isn't until all have filed inside that those of the Aerial Division return to their roles as ordinary recruits, protection falling back into the hands of security staff. The familiar structures, walls and even layout of the compound greets the procession readily and their embrace is a welcome comfort to both staff and recruits. They all sleep soundly, enjoying the commodities of baths, buildings and real beds.

Recruits are given the next day to spend however they please but most rest within the safety of the compound, lazing about and socializing. On the second day, the compound is back on schedule. Recruits pour out of their cabins at the seventh bell and into the mess hall. There are fewer among them this morning as a number of their most senior peers have moved on and into service. They leave their seats empty now but come dinner everyone would shift further left and the newest recruits would take their place in the gradient.

They all go about their usual schedules, sparring, training, studying, but as the sun is nearly centered in the sky, fresh and doe eyed teens shuffle through the gates and into the amphitheater. Tia is flying through the aerial obstacle course, watched very much the same as her own first day, and she wonders if they would hear the same speeches. Long after the new recruits begin blending into the compound, Unit Z909 is called to the amphitheater. Tia meets with Ifani and Albert along the way, quickly joined by Longwei and Bolor. Orin and Arabella are the last to merge with the party.

"I wonder if this'll fill out the rest of the unit or not," Albert questions and Longwei snorts.

"You say that as if you had to wait very long," Longwei states, "It was just Bolor and I for months." His eyes land on Tia and she knew he was assessing which he preferred.

This amphitheater appears considerably more barren compared to its counterpart in the valley, too arid for mossy carpets and the stone far more friable.