"Go get some rest. I'll watch things for a while."
Annan hadn't expected Olmedo to mean it. She'd said she had work to do, and then she'd stayed up all night.
That wouldn't do. If Olmedo collapsed from exhaustion, who would take over for her?
They couldn't exactly drag Cathy over when she was still learning basic arithmetic.
Olmedo kept her eyes on the War Map. With Lilith's help, every area on it was constantly updated. The areas under close surveillance and the streets around Commercial Street were updated almost in real time.
"Are you sure you can read it?" she asked without looking up.
"I'm the City Lord of Free City. I can read a Map." Annan bristled at her lack of faith in him.
"Where's Blynwick?"
"It's in..."
Annan's gaze wandered across the Map.
"Claire County," Olmedo said.
"Right! Exactly!"
"Like hell. I made up both Blynwick and Claire County."
Olmedo shook her head. "I took a Potion. I'll be fine."
"No."
Annan was firm. Perhaps Hellfire Legion's venture had left him uneasy. He put his hands on Olmedo's shoulders. "I'm twenty. I met you five years ago... To me, a quarter of my life has been spent with you."
"I don't want you wearing yourself out."
Olmedo was almost moved. Almost. She wasn't the innocent Illymoyas.
"Don't try the tricks you use on Blue Dragon on me."
But when she saw how serious Annan was, Olmedo smiled.
"Still, a little rest wouldn't hurt."
Thud—thud—thud—
Before Annan could celebrate, the muffled sound of boots striking the floor came down the corridor, drawing closer.
Bang—
A messenger pushed straight through the door, bringing the chill of the North in with him.
"News from the Outpost?" Olmedo asked at once.
"Yes! Deputy City Lord, the Reconnaissance Knights found a group