He slowly reached forward, and the permit materialized in his hand. It resembled a narrow ticket made from a strange silver-colored material, neither ordinary paper nor metal. Faint golden patterns bordered its edges, while a small seal at the center depicted a doorway surrounded by stars.
Beneath it was his name, already written and bound to the item. Kael Ardent. It was meant specifically for him.
His fingers closed around the ticket, and he immediately looked around. Nobody stood beside him. The young gladiators were gone, and although the spectators were still shouting, they were too far away to read anything in his hand. Even so, he pulled the permit closer to his body. He did not like having something this important exposed anywhere inside the Tower.
