The next morning was clear and crisp with lean white cumulous clouds gliding across a bright blue sky and bold sunshine making sharp and low shadows in the chill, early autumnal air. Today was census day. Every citizen of Ironhope would answer to the Master of the Flame so that Verindu could assign them their skill beads. Then on the morrow the games truly began with the rider tribes competing to win rights over the townsfolk, determining where they may live once their current homes had been burned to the ground. Klane walked abroad, listening more than he spoke and gauging the mood of Riders and residents alike. His first visit was to the blacksmith, for he had decided that he was going to compete in the festival and he wished to check that Lyr was shod properly.