"To be honest, I'm a little nervous."
Annan walked around the desk, sat in the Court Director's chair, and watched the cold wind howl outside the window.
"Nervous about what?" Olmedo asked.
"You didn't hear how that Court Director described your uncle... He practically made him sound like the mastermind behind everything, some great demon lord, the Kingdom's First Wise One, the man behind the king."
"I barely remember him. The last time I saw him, I was ten." Olmedo paused. "But do you remember Asimov's downfall?"
Annan sat up. "You think your uncle was involved?"
"He's the Kingdom's chief strategist. There's no way the head of the Grand Library could have been seized and executed without his involvement."
"Got it. I'll keep my distance from him."
Fortunately, the Council Chairman was a recluse with few friends. Annan wasn't important enough for anyone to notice if he stayed away.
"Oh, and Agawar has come to the New Royal Capital too."
Olmedo fell silent.
Annan sighed. "As much as I hate to admit it, I despise that bastard even more than the king."
The king had conspired with the Ratfolk, betrayed the Holy Grail Knights, driven tens of millions from their homes, and let the Snow Mountain Fortress fall... But Agawar had abandoned Breeze City!
Annan had watched the Tower Spirit, bereft of its master, perish alongside the Rat Tide pouring into Breeze City. Three hundred thousand residents had been forced from their homes. Their cries still rang in his ears.
"Then we'll deal with him too when the time comes."
With Skeleton King Leonäfa and the Sorcerer Protection Association helping him, Annan might well be able to catch them all in one sweep.
That was why he had sent the Blade of Freedom sweeping across the Kingdom while he waited