Early the next morning.
About fifteen miles from the capital, the village of Hollow Creek sat nestled between the mountains and the water. A river of moderate width, known as the Silver-Mist River, flowed before the village. Its riverbed was filled with a fine, waxy white clay that master craftsmen called "Ivory Silt."
It was because of this Ivory Silt that Hollow Creek once boasted two Royal Kilns, dedicated to firing exquisite porcelain for the Imperial Palace. The "Hollow Creek" hallmark was once the favorite of the late Emperor himself.
But fortune is a fleeting thing.
A dozen years ago, the supervisor in charge of these kilns offended a powerful figure in the court. Not only was he executed, but the disaster dragged the entire village down with him. A decree from the Administrativ
