An Ran had been vague about many things, but he had explained most of what happened. Hill sighed softly and chose not to press him.
There were things the Dragonborn would never tell an outsider like Hill. An Ran had only been this candid because he had no choice.
If he still wanted Hill's help, he could not hide most of the facts, especially those connected to today's trouble.
But An Ran had only said that the members of their families would be safe.
If people from the great families died, then they died. From An Ran's words, Hill understood that even the families that had not intended to betray the empire had people like An Minyi among them. Hill had never been interested in that kind of internal struggle.
Besides, when the head of the An Family cleared a path, the other family heads had a chance to flee. If he had An Ran to save his life, the other families surely had plans of their own.
But what about the ordinary people?
Hill was silent for a moment before asking quietly, "Will the people of Renhe be all right? That monster is still there!"
"The An Family will be fine. They should leave now," An Ran said, avoiding the question. "The eldest young master passed out because he fired a flare carrying the Black Cavalry's nationwide emergency distress signal. They aren't allowed to use a signal of that level even when their own lives are in danger.
"They only use it when the empire's safety is threatened.
"No matter where they are, the Black Cavalry will rush to Benevolent Harmony City. That includes their commander in the imperial capital.
"Without control of the An Family's part of the city, Benevolent Harmony City can't possibly hold off the Black