When the dust from the hooves and wheels settled, colorful tents began to form near the city gates, and the melodies of lutens and flutes of idle minstrels began to attract residents like the songs of serenas.

A whirlwind of melodies and playful laughter sounded everywhere, mixed with surprised exclamations and grumblings of old people condemning the naivety of youth.

One of the carriages lazily swung open, releasing clouds of pleasantly smelling smoke. A man with a long pipe in his graceful fingers slowly appeared from the carriage. He did not, like the others, go out to people; instead, he sat imposingly on the step of his carriage, smoking and looking at those who came with an appraising look.