At dawn, Annan woke to a commotion.
The Deputy Warden appeared outside the Dungeon and told Annan to prepare for the Judgment Hall.
"Are all those Councilors old men?" Katarina grumbled at being woken. "Only old men would have nothing better to do this early."
Annan sat up on his bed and stumbled sleepily into the "washroom" to freshen up. Then he cast the Cleaning Spell from his Mage Robe to remove the dust and grime from his body.
The Deputy Warden and the Guards left. Only the Head Guard remained outside the Dungeon.
Now fully awake, Annan asked him, "Is there anything I should watch out for?"
"Don't worry. The City Lord's preparations are foolproof. You'll be out soon."
Something was definitely going to happen at the Judgment Hall...
"I still need to know which Councilors are on our side."
Annan needed to tell sincere questions from traps disguised as questions.
The Head Guard thought for a moment. "Councilors Haimo, Albard, and Leicht are on our side. Councilors Newman and Brand may work against you. The others are neutral."
"You should act cold and fierce," the Ogre suddenly suggested.
"Why?" Annan asked, turning back.
"Those human nobles will try every way they can to tear a piece out of you. But if you're fiercer than they are, they'll duck their heads like quail."
"Agreed," Katarina said.
The Head Guard urged him on. "Are you ready? We need to go."
"Yes."
Annan committed the councilors' names to memory, passed through the cell door the Head Guard had opened, and turned to look back at the others.
Steelkin lay unconcerned on his pile of damp straw. The Orc and the Ogre watched Annan like two hulking shadows. Black Ironless kept changing expressions, torn between relief that he no longer had to