Don't Trust Faster

The killer didn't want Annan to find him. That much was certain, but Annan still didn't know what to do.

Mr. Fast had given him a way to solve the problem, but not the tools to do it.

"I don't know either," Faster said with disdain. "You're asking a warrior about this? Even an Ogre knows to find a mage when a leg bone gets stuck in its throat!"

"Fine. Try doing what you do best."

"What I do best?"

"Use your Sorcerer's charm."

Annan thought of the three people in Breeze City who had fallen under his charm: Mentor Yi Irelanze, the Countess, and Rona Gillman.

As a fifteen-hundred-year-old Elf, Yi Irilanze knew many secrets hidden from the world. Both her position as a mentor at the Mage Tower and her identity as an Elf made her a potential ally no less valuable than Olmedo. But her excessive enthusiasm always left Annan worried that one day she might eat him.

Then there was the Countess. Having inherited an immense fortune but lacking the strength to protect it, Maria could complement Annan well. Yet she didn't seem quite so simple...

Finally, Rona Gillman. She came from a notorious family of freaks. She clearly wanted to eat Annan too, and she meant that literally. Getting mixed up with her was not a good idea.

After weighing his options, Annan made up his mind.

"Abby, prepare a Carriage for me."

The Carriage bearing the distinctive Snowflake Emblem left the Manor once more.

Looking out the window, Annan noticed signs that the crowd outside the Manor was gathering again.

Whether or not Augusta Olmedo had sent these people, this would not be his only move.

"It's fine. If they come back, we'll drive them off again."

Mr. Fast's reassurance gave Annan an idea.