At night, the City Lord's Mansion in Free City was still brightly lit.
Its officials worked overtime on the matters at hand: a list of candidates to help the Blue Dragons govern the Broken Mountains; how to announce the change of lords at home and abroad; and a list of those to be punished or hanged.
They had almost grown used to their lord bringing back a massive job for them every so often. It was becoming a regular event.
Annan could not help with the work, so he asked Head Maid Abby to prepare extra late-night snacks. When she pushed the Meal Cart into the hall, cheers and praise erupted. Smiling, Annan went to the Garden.
The thriving Otherworld Tree had outgrown any claim to being a sapling. Its crown rose above the City Lord's Mansion and was nearly tall enough to rival the Mage Tower, whose third floor was almost complete.
"Hasn't it grown much taller?"
Annan stood beneath the tree. It did not look much different from when he had left.
The Otherworld Tree swayed in the breeze, a branch brushing softly against Annan's cheek.
After all, he had only been away for a week.
Looked at another way, it had taken Annan just one week to sweep through a region and bring about a change of power—
Grand Lord Raymond had lost to a formidable opponent.
Annan touched the branch and its broad leaves, then walked toward the Princess sitting quietly beneath the tree.
Beautiful and fragile as porcelain, the Princess sat on a bench. As Annan approached, she raised her vacant eyes and reached out her one remaining hand.
Annan took her soft, fair hand and crouched before her.
Like Lily whenever she found Annan, the Princess settled down. All that was missing was the