The Street Sweeper's appearance still caused Annan some trouble.
For one thing, the banquet had ended badly again. For another, rumors spread that Annan had thrown in his lot with the Ratfolk.
Fortunately, Annan emerged from Street Sweeper Park before long, and many scouts watching the place saw him.
On the way back, Annan told Francois that he had joined the Street Sweepers too. Then he asked him to buy a Neutrud Harp.
Annan went back to the Bedroom first to check on Little Spider, then carried the Spider Bottle to his study.
The Fire Crow perched outside the window, preening its feathers. As Annan opened the window, it hopped onto the desk and tapped its beak against the glass bottle.
A pleasant night breeze swept into the study. Annan returned to the desk, nudged the Fire Crow aside, and reached for a sheet of letter paper before stopping.
I should probably keep my distance from the Reeves family. That way, when the truth comes out, it won't hurt either of us as much.
I'll start by writing to them less often...
With that in mind, Annan told his two sisters far away that the banquet had failed again and that the Street Sweepers had taken him away on the pretext of an investigation, though they had really wanted to work with him.
At the end of the letter, Annan wrote: Once this is over, I'll leave the Northern Frontier for a while. Don't worry about me...
Knock, knock, knock—
The knock interrupted Annan. The Head Maid told him Michael had arrived.
Annan told the Head Maid that his friends could come straight in from now on without her announcing them. But Michael only checked that he was all right before hurrying away.
After Michael left, Annan looked at the