"Lord Agawar didn't authorize you to take the Mages away."
The glowing Tower Spirit descended into the Mage Tower's hall, its voice ethereal.
"He didn't stop me, either."
The Tower Spirit said nothing more, but the Mages who had been eager to act after the speech cooled at the mention of the Tower Master's name.
Annan wasted no more time. He left the Ghosts at the Mage Tower, boarded a Carriage with Michael and Della, and disappeared into the deep night.
Everyone in Breeze City had seen the Mage Tower go dark and the Legendary Mage return. That included the Ratfolk... The longer Annan delayed, the faster the Ratfolk hiding in Breeze City would react.
He had to reach Street Sweeper Headquarters before the Ratfolk took the Countess away.
The Mage Tower's carriage raced through the nighttime streets. Pedestrians scattered, and Soldier watched in alarm. Annan leaned out and shouted to the cavalry who had not blocked the carriage, "Urgent orders from the City Lord's Mansion! Escort us!"
But just as the Carriage sped through a street, the road suddenly buckled upward, flinging it into the air.
Before they hit the ground, Michael cast the Light Feather Spell on himself and Annan. As they drifted down, he cast Grease, turning the Burrow and gutters around it into a slick barrier. Ratfolk swarming up from below slipped and fell.
"Ratfolk!"
Shrill screams erupted along the Street, and the residents fled.
Annan looked around. The Cavalry he had called over were rushing toward them from half a block away, while seemingly endless Ratfolk piled out of the Burrow and the broken gutters, spilling onto the Street.
A streak of Arcane Missile flashed past. One Ratfolk shoved onto the road toppled backward into the writhing swarm, but more scrambled out, squeaking wildly.
Annan