Quiet. It was so very quiet. The streets were empty, the outside torches doused or unlit, and the very air seemed still, as if the city itself was holding it's breath The only movement he was able to see was within some of the inns, and even then most activity was subdued. There were none of the regular rowdy crowds causing trouble... Nobody wanted to be thrown out on a full moon. A lone figure high on a balcony in the palace lifted a drink to her mouth, then turned and walked back, out of his line of sight.
Canceling the spell, Galen let the image dissolve and found his reflection staring back at him. Putting away his mirror, he heaved a sigh and looked in the direction of the city. It would take him at least another day to arrive there. He hoped that he could get there before the taint did... And he needed to help Irene. She did not know what events would unfold in the coming days.
He patted his horse's neck, giving it a whispered command forward, and they set off at a steady, mile eating pace. He prayed to the creator and the good spirits that they wouldn't announce their presence before he did.