A gourmet dish

Ready to taste a rare delicacy that fills nobles with awed delight — and whose origins are best left unquestioned? Its flavor is subtle, nearly impossible. For the chef, it's the pinnacle of craftsmanship. For everyone else — a mystery at the tip of the tongue. This chapter plunges the reader into a harsh reality where wonders are reduced to merchandise, and magic is nothing more than an ingredient on someone else's menu.