"What do you mean by 'price'?"
Annan's expression froze.
"Annan Reeves, I respect the Empire, and I admire you, but—"
Like every "but," Grand Lord Raymond's led to a reversal. "Your Imperial Princess and Blue Dragon rampaged through my Territory, causing destruction. And now you want me to withdraw their warrants and let you take them away without a word of explanation..."
Grand Lord Raymond's stern voice carried an oppressive weight.
"How are my Subjects supposed to regard me as their Grand Lord?"
"I think this is a misunderstanding, just as it was a misunderstanding when Kilian abducted Joan..."
Annan had to give ground. The worst part was that he did not know exactly what had happened. He was certain Illymoyas was not the kind of Dragon that would slaughter a village, but Grand Lord Raymond insisted she had. Either Raymond was determined to wring something out of Annan, or he had solid evidence.
"Annan Reeves."
Grand Lord Raymond addressed him by his full name. "For the offense my nephew Kilian committed against the Imperial Princess, I will have him travel to the Empire and apologize in person. What about the crimes they committed in my Territory?"
"What exactly did they do?" Annan frowned.
Grand Lord Raymond said nothing. Kilian answered for him. "Poi Village. A peaceful Village of several hundred people, destroyed by that Evil Dragon. Only a few survived."
Had Illymoyas and the others really attacked a Village...?
Grand Lord Raymond gave him no time to think. "For Free City's sake, I will allow you to buy back their Wanted Posters."
The words "buy back" struck a nerve. "I don't understand what you mean..."
"I am a Believer in the Lady. I believe everything has a price. If you want me to withdraw the warrants and issue a