As Annan headed back to the City Lord's Mansion, lost in thought, he had no idea that Leila was walking back too, several hundred yards behind him, a fishing rod slung over her shoulder after a thoroughly satisfying day of fishing.
At the window, Idelia saw Annan return. She wheeled herself out of the office and waited for him in the lounge.
Hurrying past the lounge, Annan caught a glimpse of his eldest sister sitting there with her hands on her lap. He doubled back.
"Eldest Sister, are you waiting for me?"
Annan went over. When his eldest sister had something to tell him, she usually waited in the lounge.
Idelia nodded slightly, then looked down and removed a Ring from her left Ring Finger.
The soft glow of the Magic Lamp fell across her cheek, lending a gentle warmth to the strands of hair that had slipped loose.
Idelia looked up and offered Annan the copper Ring, which bore the image of a Flame-Throwing Dragon.
"This is the key to the family treasure. If you sold everything inside, it would probably be worth several hundred thousand Gold Narls."
Annan froze as he took the Ring. "The family still has something I haven't, uh... squandered?"
He was referring to the steep price the family had paid to secure "his" appointment as City Lord of Breeze City. He had then taken a great deal of wealth with him, only to be attacked at the instigation of Olmedo's father, who had colluded with the Ratfolk.
"They're just some Antiquities. Worthless to merchants, priceless to Collectors."
"Then forget it."
Annan handed the Ring back.
He could guess that what his eldest sister was offering him had belonged to the ancestors of the Reeves family.
Meanwhile, Leila returned to the City Lord's Mansion. She