It wasn't a bad idea. Free City's finances could support it, and Annan had an unusual attachment to walls.
The thirty-meter walls of Star-Moon Bay still stood, straining the necks of countless Ratfolk who looked up at them and those who thought treasure lay on top.
As though the more walls Free City had, and the higher and thicker they were, the safer it would be—but Free City was a Floating City.
Annan considered taking Free City into the air a last resort. If he could protect all their territory, why flee?
The two Deputy City Lords went along with him. After all, concrete was ideal for building walls: sturdy, durable, and cheap. The only problem was... who were they defending against with such a conspicuous effort? The Ratfolk and demons?
But how could they convince the Empire of that?
Then again, what Annan had said to frighten the surrounding powers might not have been false. April had arrived, and the mud left by the Northern Frontier's melting snow had nearly dried. The Rainy Season was still four or five months away. If the Ratfolk and demons intended to make a move, this was their best chance.
Could he pin it on the Ratfolk?
"What have Maria and Gale been busy with lately?" Annan asked.
"Maria's pretending to be on the Ratfolk's side and leaking the false information we deliberately put out. Gale's pretending to be on our side while secretly contacting the Stuen Ratfolk."
"I'll go ask Gale."
There was no need for the banquet to continue.
Annan glanced out the window and saw Cathy chasing several boys and hitting them.
With morning lessons over, Cathy walked down the street with Ivana and Grasti, the little Blue Dragon.
As she walked, she urged Ivana, who was dawdling at